Chapter 54 – Beast (1)

Chapter 54 – Beast (1)

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 54 – Beast (1)

The palace is gathering its military forces.

The implications of this short sentence are simple.

War.

The palace is currently preparing for war.

‘Why on earth?’

I was dumbfounded.

In the absence of any forces or organizations hostile to the Empire, war is simply absurd.

It’s a situation that’s virtually unthinkable.

I couldn’t help but sigh at the completely unexpected situation.

Was this also Rudine’s doing?

Was she planning to raid the headquarters of the Papal See, and raid Isabel while she’s at it?

Or perhaps the Winfred?

Is it because I’m sticking with Luna that it’s bothering her?

The more I think about it, the more baffling it becomes.

What did Rudine see beyond the Black Mist that she’s so obsessed with me?

Is she putting up such a strong guard in case the world stops again?

Is that why she brought me to the imperial palace, to keep an eye on me?

As my thoughts reached that point, I immediately shook my head.

There’s no need to worry.

No matter what Rudine has prepared, by the time it truly begins, I’ll already be a cold corpse.

I erase the tangled thoughts from my mind.

And then I thought of something else.

What will I do first when I return to my original world?

Will I be able to hold back the tears when I meet my parents?

Fortunately, the subject of my thoughts changed quickly.

Step by step—

The cool night air brushed against my nose.

I was wandering through the garden for a nighttime stroll.

Just as I was about to return to my room.

Someone sitting on the ground in the middle of the garden path came into view.

“Diana...?”

Diana seemed so engrossed that she didn’t notice me, fidgeting with something in her arms.

I draw in as much mana as possible and silently approach her.

‘What’s with that expression?’

Diana’s ears were flushed red.

Every time she fumbled with whatever was in her arms, her shoulders twitched.

I swallow a deep breath.

One step, then another.

And finally, I saw what was happening.

“...A horned rabbit?”

Yes, a horned rabbit.

A horned rabbit, one of the lowest ranking creatures, was nestled in Diana’s arms.

I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Startled by the sound, the horned rabbit, ears perked, quickly looked around before briskly leaving its spot.

I was momentarily dumbfounded.

So, all this time, she was just fiddling with a rabbit with such a serious expression?

I chuckled at the cognitive dissonance before me.

At that moment, Diana turned her head, and our eyes finally met.

“It ran away, are you okay?”

Diana bit her lower lip tightly.

Then, a startled expression appeared on her face, as if someone had caught her hiding something.

“...?”

“...”

A strange silence passed between us.

Whether she was holding back anger or had something to say, Diana chewed on her lips several times.

I was a bit taken aback by the situation I had encountered for the first time.

Before long, Diana’s tightly closed lips parted.

“...It was just part of a simple investigation.”

“Investigation?”

“Yes, an investigation.”

Diana spoke to me in a serious tone.

I couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

“What were you investigating?”

“It’s an ecological survey.”

“Why are you investigating that?”

“...Just to ensure safety in the area, to assess the potential risks.”

Isabel scrutinized Kyle’s face with an overt gaze.

When he was young, now, and even after time has passed.

It’s the same face as always.

Indeed, this man was without a doubt, Kyle.

There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize Kyle.

“After all... it was a lie...”

Why did he tell such a lie?

Was Kyle so resentful of me?

That’s why.

To make me feel the pain he felt.

“You... You’re back too...”

A translucent thing that appeared before her sight before returning to the past.

It clearly warned her that she would lose something precious when returning to the past...

A terrifying warning just to hear.

That’s why I could understand.

Even when Kyle’s gaze changed as he looked at me.

Even when he spat out words that he no longer loved me in a voice as cold as steel.

I could barely understand, with a gnawing sense of acceptance, every horrific moment, every bone-chilling feeling.

But there was a separate reason why Kyle had changed.

Kyle had simply returned to the past like her.

With all those horrific memories.

With memories of him being cursed at, spitting blood, dying, all held within.

“...I’m scared.”

I’m scared.

Scared of the world’s will trying to take Kyle away from her. Scared of Kyle giving his attention to other women instead of her. And scared of herself, slowly going insane.

That terrifying fear spread in her mind like a tumor.

Isabel reached out unconsciously.

As her trembling fingertips touched Kyle’s right hand, a tingling sensation surged through her veins, sending shivers all the way to her head.

There was no hesitation.

Once her hand reached out, it moved forward without hesitation until it met Kyle’s cheek.

Rough yet firm.

The warmth transmitted through the skin felt dizzyingly electrifying, as if being shocked by high-voltage current.

Ah, this feeling.

It’s so addictive.

[ You may lose the what is most precious to you ]

To lose something so precious...

To never be able to touch it again... see it again...

“Kyle... Kyle...”

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

The weight of her accumulated sins was so heavy that it took her breath away.

A mirthless laugh escaped her.

It seemed like she couldn’t maintain her sanity without laughing.

I can’t be forgiven.

That’s why I couldn’t dare to hope for anything.

That’s right...

“I know... I know...”

My throat tightened.

It felt like my esophagus was on fire with a burning thirst.

Reason melted away as Kyle’s body heat filled her grasp.

Her fingertips tingled as they traced through his lush hair.

It was so precious.

So precious that she never wanted to lose it again.

No matter what she had to do, even if it meant a relationship that could never be restored.

Kyle was that precious.

“Hah...”

A laughter leaked out at her own thinking, which was worse than that of a beast.

But it was okay.

As long as she could love Kyle.

As long as she could be with Kyle.

She could endure any pain, fully embracing it.

Morality? Reason?

She had long since discarded such things.

She was already completely captivated by Kyle.

So...

“I love you.”

Let’s be together for life.

Kyle.

[Translator – Peptobismol]