CH 63

The moment Alei was mentioned, a smile graced Ophelia’s lips.

Sante was right.

If she just wanted to find a place with the terrain features she wanted, it would have been possible with Alei if they searched nearby.

But there were two reasons why she didn’t call him instead.

First, because he had to spend a lot of time with the other mages for the time being.

‘I can’t have Yennit keeping an eye on me for no reason.’

Lilith had been following Ophelia’s trail vigorously thus far, so if there was another watchdog who’d be tied to Ophelia, it would be quite troublesome.

Second and more importantly, because of what they talked about on the beach.

—I found a clue to regain my memories, Ophelia.

Alei explained to Ophelia how the magic tower’s punishment was carried out.

Since the tower’s method focused on bringing humans to utopia, the punishment would end only when the wrongdoer would not repeat that mistake.

—That means it won’t be difficult for me to regain my memories if I just find out what I was exiled for.

—It’s simpler than I thought.

—Yes. That’s why I’m trying to spend as much time as possible with the other mages for now… Ah, right. When I looked into it, they mentioned that the mistake I made might be related to me being involved with black magic.

—I’m not sure, it doesn’t seem like that’s the case.

Alei would be able to go back to the magic tower as soon as he regained his memories.

Ophelia was also well aware that black magic was a taboo even among mages.

—The reason why you were exiled is probably because of something else.

Ophelia responded confidently, and Alei was briefly at a loss for words for some reason.

—You… trust me?

—Did you touch black magic?

—No, but you’re not even a mage, so I didn’t think that you’d deny that possibility right away.

He said this as he turned away. There was a frown on his face, but his neck was flushed. Maybe he was feeling shy.

Ophelia had a sudden thought. He’s adorable.

Perhaps it was because at just that moment, the sunlight that slid right over his face was clear and pure. Ironically, his hair that resembled the moonlight looked more mysterious beneath the afternoon sun’s rays.

Beneath the sky that had not one cloud in sight, the man shone with a white glow to his countenance.

As his hair received an abundance of light, his eyelashes cast shadows that made it seem as though he was crying, and even as his nape was reddened, the alabaster tone of his skin was apparent. Although his demeanor had become unfamiliar in this sheer brightness, the man’s emotions emerged transparently nonetheless.

But Alei’s loveliness, which Ophelia recognized, could be found elsewhere.

—I have your trust. This makes me happy.

As Alei said this, Ophelia herself could ambiguously feel that Alei’s gaze would return back to her.

Right then, Alei hadn’t turned his head for a long moment. But soon, he turned around, covering the back of his neck with a palm, and it was too hot just as it was beneath the sun.

After turning back, he looked into Ophelia’s eyes and said this.

I’m happy.

Even as she was someone who wasn’t used to expressing her feelings, he would still turn around and look at her once more. How could she possibly hate him?

In a life where solitude enshrouded her, he was the only one who continued to stay by her side.

Just the fact that she thought the same as him made him happy.

And the fact that he felt strongly whenever she was treated disrespectfully, it was evidence enough that she was not wrong.

Because he called her name so purely, she was happy.

If there was a name that she could leave behind in this life, perhaps it would belong to Alei.

But because it was like this, rather, it wasn’t possible for her to tell him more.

When Ophelia had died, Alei had been immensely affected.

“I have to protect him, of course.”

As Ophelia said this, she used her thumb to lightly flip the coin.

And there, it plummeted quickly down the abyss, devoured by the sea without a sound.

Of course, she could only guess. Everything around her was obscured by darkness, and the sharpened reefs at the bottom tangled together with the pulsating waves that had become fiercer.

Atop this cliff that was high enough that even soaring birds looked like mere dots, she wondered if something falling would still be visible.

If something much larger than a coin were to fall, perhaps it could also disappear without a trace.

With these thoughts, Ophelia looked down wordlessly. Then, she turned around and walked towards Sante.

“You asked what I was thinking, Sante, and I can tell you that my goal remains the same.”

To recover Alei’s memories and go to the magic tower.

Of course, she had also prepared an alternative plan for if they wouldn’t be able to recover his memories.

The problem was that there were many variables that continued to hinder her.

“A guest will be arriving in Ladeen soon. It will be my half-sister.”

“Then she must be a princess, too.”

“That’s right. And the equilibrium will shift.”

Cadelia was interested in Ian, and Ian wouldn’t be able to use her carelessly.

Except for the fact that Ian was trying to make Ophelia his, everything was according to plan.

That’s why Ophelia pulled in the people who would be by her side early.

“All my cards have almost been gathered now. Though there’s still someone to convince.”

Excluding that person, you’re the only one left.

Only after hearing this did Sante understand what Ophelia meant.

Not knowing whether he was laughing or whether he was angry, his distorted expression showed a hollow smile.

Standing before Sante was a female human who was telling him to be on her side. How bold.

“Did you call me with this intention from the beginning?”

“Human greed is an everlasting thing.”

Sante had spoken to her with a vicious tone, but Ophelia answered back without any hint of agitation.

Shwaaaa. The trees rustled loudly. This forest was so dark that it didn’t seem apt to call it turquoise.

Even the moonlight that entered her eyes was strangely cloaked by the shadows of the leaves.

The expression on her face showed neither a sense of superiority nor confidence. Just as usual, she looked contemplative.

It was surprising that the red hair fluttering like a pennant in the wind and the blue fire in her azure eyes were so clear.

‘Right.’

It’s strange. It was only now that Sante could define what emotions he felt whenever he faced this female human.

It was already late at night. Their surroundings were pitch black.

Moreover, no one knew that Ophelia was here. She would always go out while avoiding others’ eyes, but today, she didn’t inform even Alei.

So, if Sante were to leave Ophelia here, she would die.

The turquoise forest was quite a distance away from Ladeen Castle, and it would be difficult for anyone to find their way back in this dark forest.

But what the hell was she putting her trust in for her to say that.

“Ophelia. Aren’t you afraid of me?”

This very question had been on the tip of his tongue all this time, and he eventually uttered it now.

“I don’t understand. Just because I cooperate with you from time to time doesn’t mean that I would stay still and just watch you behave so presumptuously.”

Besides that, he would not show such trust in a human.

“Sirens are capricious, violent. I know this.”

“Then?”

“You met Ariel.”

Like the stillness above the waves, her voice was calm as Ophelia answered.

“I heard. You told Ariel that you’ll help her come to land.”

“…How did you know?”

“You don’t have to make that face. Don’t you also know the answer?”

The walls have ears. Hearing Ophelia’s retort, as though he realized just then, Sante laughed.

“You heard from the young sirens, right?”

“Yes. I had some business with them earlier.”

And Ophelia knew very well how to curry the favor of those young sirens.

—Siren, don’t you want to eat this fig pie?

—I wanna eat it!

—Then you have to fulfill the promise we made the other day.

—Promise? About telling you if we see the mermaid?

—That’s right. Did you see her recently?

—I did! She was talking to Sante a while ago. The red-haired mermaid.

If it was the red-haired mermaid, then it was only obvious.

Ariel.

Upon hearing the news, Ophelia was certain.

She could have Sante by her side.

“I heard that you know about a mage who can bring Ariel to land.”

“Those punks. They heard it in detail.”

“You’re raising those kids too freely, but you’re right.”

Who else was there to blame? It’s the fault of the punk who didn’t crack down on this. It’s the fault of the punk who carelessly kept yapping away.

It was something he was unable to deny, so Sante could only ruffle his hair in frustration.

While looking at Sante like this, Ophelia asked.

“Why did you do that? Considering your age, don’t you already have an inkling of why Ariel had died?”