Chapter 266: Real, Fake (1)

Chapter 266: Real, Fake (1)

The party had arrived at the final stage, Knightmares castle, entrenched within the bottle of souls.

However, Shion was not entirely pleased.

...annoying.

Because his body was that of a cat.

"Theres nothing we can do. The only available vessel for consciousness transfer here is a wild cat," Soliette explained. Shion swiftly climbed onto her shoulder.

Party member [Karl] asked, So, were just going to walk in through the front?

"Yes.

Soliette nodded and pushed the door. The passage, which seemed like a massive wall, creaked open with a loud creak.

Dimly lit torches flickered on opposite sides of the dark tunnel-like path, whose end was not visible.

They entered together.

Thud.Thud.

Shion, with his cat eyes, looked at Jared next to Soliette. Draped over his shoulder was the explosive that would shatter the bottle of souls.

Thud.Thud.

Footsteps echoed. Soliettes heart pounded in unison.

Thud.Thud.

Before long, everyones pace slowed down.

It was because of the door that was gradually becoming visible in the darkness.

Probably the path leading to Knightmare.

Soliette reached the door. Her trembling hand touched the doorknob. Shion, too, placed his cat paw on Soliettes shoulder.

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Maybe it's because hes a cat, but he seems much cuter than usual.

Soliette smiled faintly and opened the door.

With a great resonance, the scene beyond welcomed them.

There was a throne.

In the empty cavity, there was only onelonely seat.

Seated there, an entity wrapped in pitch-black armor.

Knightmare.

Soliettes heart raced as she gazed at him.

"Look at that son of a bitch.

"We finally meet.

The party members each uttered a line, but Knightmare simply extended his hand.

"You wont be leaving alive today

Suddenly, their movements froze.

Not just the NPCs. Jared Arkne stopped as well.

Everyone, as if put on pause.

I see youve received my gift.

Knightmare inquired. Soliette silently stared at him. Shion gently landed beside her.

Knightmare rested his chin on his hand.

Still havent grasped reality?

Soliette shook her head.

"I know. I know you lured me here.

This game had already reached its conclusion.

Knightmare knew that Soliette was pursuing him and willingly agreed to meet her.

Good. Now, I will give you a choice.

Choice.

Soliette quietly looked around.

[Karl], [Hans], [Crow], [Jenny],

An adventure with like-minded companions she had dreamed of since her youth.

If you wish, you can join me in oblivion. We can make this world a reality through oblivion.

And there was Jared Arkne, standing by her side.

Her brother, whom she loved so dearly, pitifully so.

You can make them real with your own hands. You can forget much and live peacefully with them.

Soliette fell into a quiet contemplation, but soon shook her head.

Perhaps if it had been before... If Shion hadnt been by her side.

She might have considered it more seriously.

Back then, reality itself was meaningless to her.

"Its alright."

Now, things are different.

Of course, she had experienced things she had never dreamed of.

Adventures with her brother, with trustworthy people, wonderful adventures.

Days like a dream.

Knightmare might wish for her to never wake from this dream, but Soliette already knows.

A dream is most beautiful when it remains a dream.

Foolish. Like father, like daughter, I suppose.

Knightmare taunted. Soliette drew the sword from her waist.

"You killed my most precious friend and my brother."

Indeed.

Knightmare responded.

However, he is clearly not a being but a phenomenon.

A nightmare-like creature, wearing the skin of others, pretending to be human.

"So I must kill you here."

Soliette thrust her sword forward. Knightmare also lifted the greatsword from his back. At that moment, the pause was lifted.

"-You're dead!"

Jared glanced over here briefly.

"Yes. I'm fine.

He nodded with a somewhat sorrowful tone. I flicked my tail back and forth and said,

"Think about it carefully. This choice is yours to make.

Jareds eyes widened slightly.

He asked, puzzled,

My choice?

"Yes. This clay bomb is connected to you. If you wish, you dont necessarily have to blow up this bottle."

"Nobody wants to die, right?

If the bottle is destroyed, Jared dies. This very existence will be erased.

Who could easily accept such a simple death?

Ill leave the choice up to you, Jared.

Even if Knightmare dies, the bottle of souls can be maintained.

Jared can live and breathe here.

From this point on, its entirely up to Jared.

I can't stop him with this cat body, and to some extent, I hope he chooses life.

For Soliettes sake, too.

"Well, I am a bit intrigued."

Jared stroked his eyebrow and shook his head.

Its okay. It seems like it would be a disservice to my sister.

At his words, I narrowed my eyes. An involuntary meow slipped from my lips.

"Nyah. So you knew after all. That Soliette is Soliette.

It was hard pretending not to know."

"Why pretend, then?"

Jared smiled faintly.

I didnt want to make it harder for my sister.

I looked at him.

He didnt seem like a fake, even though he was one. He seemed alive, even though he was already dead.

I desperately pretended not to know. I wanted to... protect my sister.

"Protect what? She's alive.

Im already dead, arent I?

Jared stood up. He slowly surveyed the grimy basement

I dont exist in the outside world anymore.

I pondered for a moment.

What would it feel like to be a fake who knows hes already dead?

What kind of heart could accept this so calmly?

"No matter what I say or what voice I use, it will only hurt her. It will remain as a scar-like memory.

Jared slowly closed his eyes, as if sifting through the memories in his head, and let out a soft breath.

"All I have are the memories from before I died. Our times are out of sync, and the days we spent together must have already faded... A fake like me shouldnt dredge up those real memories.

Jared had labeled himself a fake.

At the same time, he called the memories he shared with Soliette real.

They were strangely poignant words.

"You. You dont know how Soliette has grown up.

I shot back before I even realized it, a slight thorn in my voice.

"Ah... I see.

Jared had only been inside this bottle.

Soliette had met him here too, through a process called consciousness transfer.

Because of that, he couldnt see how Soliette had grown up.

I do miss her a little, but its okay. That much is fine. Ill just cherish the memory of her that I have.

Boom!

Suddenly, a large vibration came from above.

The end was approaching.

I wonder what choice Soliette will make at the last moment.

Im curious, but right now, I should keep my focus on Jared here.

"Let me ask you again. Are you sure you don't want to go to Soliette?

"Yes.

"No, no!"

I shook my head violently. Instinctively, my tail shot up straight, quivering. A growl of dissatisfaction rumbled from the base of my throat.

"That wasn't a question just now.

Jared looked at me. His eyes were still full of the conviction that he shouldnt go.

"Go to Soliette.

I insisted to him.

I believe in you. Because Ive already seen the future where you dont go.

Soliette from before my regression probably went through a similar ordeal.

But she wasnt healed back then.

Far from being healed, she became a bloody mess of wounds...

"If you dont go, Soliette might kill herself."

Jareds expression widened. I glared at him, my tail erect with solemnity. My eyes sharpened like a hawks. I unsheathed my claws, both feline and human, ready to strike.

Ill scratch you until you decide to go."

Shashak.

As I swiped through the air above and below, Jared smiled.

"Hahaha.

It was a laugh that seemed to find me adorably amusing, which was incredibly irritating to me.