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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Chapter 26: Encounter (2)
In the middle of a noisy street, only the spot where the three of us stood was shrouded in silence.
I checked the prince's condition.
The moment I did, I found myself clicking my tongue.
‘Tsk, you fool.’
The prince wore a bitter smile as he gazed at the woman.
His eyes were filled with lingering regret.
Just seeing him like this made me realize something.
The prince of the future was right.
If that man had returned to the past, he would have made the same mistakes all over again.
I still didn’t understand.
She was just a woman you’d see anywhere.
Her looks weren’t particularly stunning; she was small and frail-looking, as if one little push would knock her over.
If I had to pick something unique about her, it’d be her pink curly hair.
Even that reminded me of a doll some girl might play with, so it didn’t sit well with me.
Why?
What’s so special about her?
From the prince down to the other esteemed men, why on earth were they all so obsessed with her?
What followed was just an extension of that curiosity.
Hiss—
I quietly spread my mana.
Since my past life, I’d had a nagging suspicion I wanted to verify at least once.
‘Is that woman a witch?’
Or perhaps, a shaman sent by the barbarians?
It’s a pretty plausible idea.
To me, she seemed to lack any real charm, only sparking enough unpleasantness to make me want to slap her.
So, I needed to find out why the paragons of the Golden Age were so hung up on her.
Did someone send her to bring ruin to the empire?
If that were the case, it’d at least make sense, right?
I swept my mana across her body.
After all, I’d taken enough hits in the past to recognize any trace of sorcery or magic.
So I examined her carefully, and yet...
‘...Clean.’
She had just enough mana to be a normal person, with average physical abilities and vitality.
There was no trace of being altered by magic, aura, or sorcery.
I couldn’t have failed in my assessment.
My “eyes” were the one talent even the prince of the future couldn’t surpass.
So, I couldn’t help but come to a conclusion.
‘Pure goodwill?’
Could it be that the Golden Age’s paragons were simply moved by their emotions to defend her?
I thought about it, and then...
‘Nonsense.’
I immediately rejected the idea.
No one is drawn in such a convenient way.
How could someone be so irresistibly charming to them alone, even if they weren't attractive to everyone else?
And even if that were so, how could it lead them all to ruin?
Just as I thought that—
‘Should I kill her?’
It’d only take a moment.
Without moving a muscle, I could sever her neck just by directing my mana at her.
Then I wouldn’t have to deal with this headache anymore.
But a little thought was enough to tell me it was a bad idea.
‘I got jailed for just slapping her.’
I clearly remembered how the prince, enchanted by that woman, behaved right after he came to the prison.
—It’s your fault. If it weren’t for you, this never would have happened! I could’ve been by Rebecca’s side!
He was a madman.
He acted that way for weeks.
If he hadn’t let go of his regrets a bit sooner, I, in my weakened state, would’ve been crushed by his mana.
Sure, the prince has regained his sanity now, but what about the others?
If I killed her here, how would they react?
Would they come to their senses?
What’s the chance of that?
And if they didn’t?
‘A blood feud.’
It wouldn’t just be against me; it’d affect the prince I serve as well.
In the worst-case scenario, their emotions could drive them to side with the barbarians.
There was one more plausible theory to reinforce this idea.
‘Even the future prince never hated her till the moment he died.’
They were separated for over 20 years.
Even though he admitted she drove him to madness, he still couldn’t bring himself to resent her in the end.
So killing her would be a doomed gamble.
No point attempting it.
But I did need verification.
“…It’s been a while.”
“Yes.”
“I apologize. I had so much work that I couldn’t find the time to seek you out.”
“No…! I understand. You’re someone who holds a great responsibility… I expected you to be busy. Still, you should take care of your health…”
The two of them conversed.
As the conversation continued, the prince’s smile grew warmer.
The woman, too, began to smile foolishly at him.
I interrupted.
“Let’s move. If you have things to say, say them as we walk.”
I suggested moving to another place, and the woman glanced at me.
She flinched, and only then did the prince fall silent.
“…Ah, it’s fine. That was entirely my fault. This man won’t harm you anymore.”
“Th-that…”
“It’s fine. We happened to meet by chance, so why don’t we go to our destination together? You can talk along the way.”
Though the prince enthusiastically reassured her, the woman still looked at me fearfully.
Considering the timeline, it hadn’t been long since I slapped her.
She’d be scared, remembering the blow.
But—
‘That’s a normal reaction.’
If she’s calculating enough to be this frightened, then?
That’s how suspicion works.
Once you start to feel it from one thing, it spreads to others.
I felt an impurity in her intentions, and now every little action seemed suspicious.
The woman eventually nodded.
So, we moved and entered the auction house.
In the reception room, it was just the three of us.
The two of them began chatting.
“By the way, what were you doing there?”
“Oh… it’s festival season. I just wanted to take a look around and… maybe help out…”
“Ah, right. You always enjoyed festivals.”
I took the opportunity to speak to the prince.
“May I have a brief conversation with this lady?”
“Hmm?”
“I’d like to apologize for past events.”
The prince brightened.
“Ah, will you? Then I’ll go and collect the auction items. Rebecca, stay here and chat for a bit!”
The prince left the room.
It was just the two of us now.
It felt odd.
I realized this was probably the first time I was alone with this woman.
I looked at her quietly.
She took a deep breath and smiled.
“Um, about the other day…”
“Oh, I should apologize.”
“No, no! That’s not it. I just wanted to say sorry too… I know I ruined the meeting for you…”
Looking genuinely apologetic, she then stood up and bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry! I think I should be the one apologizing for that… And if there are no hard feelings, can we get along from now on?”
She looked up, flashing a silly smile at me.
Her bright green eyes rubbed me the wrong way.
‘...Right.’
Maybe she really is just a kind woman who appeals to them alone.
But the thing is—
‘Does it make sense for her to want to befriend someone who slapped her, without thinking about what kind of person I am?’
I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
There was no way I’d let this go without verifying.
So, I spoke.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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“But there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Huh?”
“Why did you talk to His Highness today? You said you didn’t reach out because you knew he was busy.”
“Huh? That was… we just happened to meet…”
“Must be nice to have coincidences explain everything.”
Whoosh!
I unleashed my mana.
“Hk…!”
Thud!
She clutched her throat and collapsed.
Her face was full of fear.
I said,
“I only squeezed a little. Why’re you already so scared?”
I wasn’t going to kill her.
Only intimidate.
Animals only reveal their true nature when they’re on the brink of death.
“S-save…”
“Answer me, and I’ll consider it.”
I squeezed a bit harder.
“Why did you approach His Highness? And I have more questions—what’s on your mind, going around poking into things? Your behavior just doesn’t make sense to me.”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
I looked down at her with indifference.
‘So, what will you do?’
Would it look like I was just trying to scare her?
No, I deliberately mixed murderous intent with my mana.
I didn’t put too much pressure, but enough that she’d think she might die.
Time passed.
But still,
“P-please, spare me...”
The girl trembled and pleaded.
It was at that moment.
Bang!
“Yuren!”
Did he feel the presence of my mana and come?
I quickly withdrew the energy that had been strangling the girl’s neck.
“Ugh! Cough, cough...!”
She gasped for air, then gagged, bowing her head and trembling.
“S-sorry… I’m so sorry...”
I was confused.
‘Is there really nothing more to it?’
Was all of this just out of kindness?
I frowned.
“Rebecca!”
The prince supported the girl, looking very anxious.
Then, his expression turned serious.
The prince glared at me with fury, as if he was about to explode.
The mana around him stirred, filled with pressure.
“…I apologize.”
I apologized, for now.
The prince clenched his jaw, glaring at me, then softened his expression and spoke to the girl.
“…I’m sorry, Rebecca.”
“N-no…”
The girl lowered her head, frightened.
No matter how I looked at her, she seemed genuinely terrified.
* * *
Callios sent Rebecca away.
Now, he and Yuren were left alone, staring at each other in silence.
But it didn’t last long.
Callios sighed.
“…I’ll hear you out first.”
Callios knew Yuren wasn’t someone who acted without thinking.
Especially if it concerned him—Callios believed there must be a reason for Yuren’s actions.
And there was a bit of regret in his judgment.
“I understand. I know it’s a situation that could justifiably make you angry. You were the one who suggested that I should keep my distance from her, and I agreed. And yet, I was the one who excitedly spread it around.”
Seeing Rebecca shook him.
Just hearing her voice and seeing her eyes made his heart tremble.
It was an unavoidable reaction.
Even though he had given her up for the greater good, she was still his first love.
But looking at the result, he had broken his promise.
He had a history of mistakes.
Callios had even planned to abduct Yuren and imprison him for allegedly slapping Rebecca.
Showing all the ugliness he had—how could he expect Yuren to trust him?
This must be Yuren’s way of warning him.
After all, when he checked on Rebecca while supporting her, he found no real harm inflicted on her.
Of course, a reprimand was still necessary.
“Rebecca is a citizen of the Empire as well. You went too far. You are the Grand Master. If she didn’t care about her connection to me, this could have spread as a rumor, strangling both of us.”
It was a risky choice.
Yuren was not foolish enough to overlook that; why did he resort to such extreme means?
He hoped it wasn’t out of mere resentment.
Fortunately, Yuren’s answer was something Callios could accept.
“There’s something I want to ask.”
“Hmm?”
“Have you never found it strange? Why you’re so captivated by that girl. Why is it that those who are drawn to her happen to be the future leaders?”
Yuren was expressionless.
However, his voice carried a tense irritation.
His questioning gaze was defiant.
Callios felt a twinge of pity.
‘…So that’s it.’
Callios knew there were rumors about Rebecca—that she was an enchantress using magic to seduce men.
Many believed in such possibilities, and the visible circumstances seemed to give weight to those assumptions.
But Callios firmly denied it.
“It is coincidental enough to arouse suspicion. But in my case, I feel no strangeness. From the first moment we met, to every moment since, all my actions were my own choices.”
“The possibility that she made you feel that way?”
“None. Our first encounter was by chance, and it was I who chose to seek her out afterward. I was the one lingering, feeling competitive with others, doing foolish things to gain her favor—it was all my decision.”
That was why Callios couldn’t deny his own laxity.
Even now, he felt the same.
“Perhaps it’s special because she’s my first love. That’s all.”
Only after saying this did Yuren finally let out a sigh and relax his expression.
“…I apologize. I was being overly sensitive.”
“Be careful. I nearly had a heart attack.”
“I will keep it in mind.”
“I will avoid meeting Rebecca. Even if we encounter each other by chance, I will steer clear.”
“Thank you for doing so.”
Yuren still looked uneasy.
Callios smiled bitterly.
* * *
Beatrice asked Rebecca,
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“Huh? N-no! Not at all!”
“Liar.”
Beatrice’s hand brushed against Rebecca’s neck.
“Your breathing seems labored. Your body is shaking. And above all, your eyes look shaken.”
The Rebecca that Beatrice knew was not like this at all.
She would smile brightly wherever she went, never appeared fearful in front of anyone, and would openly share her worries.
But now, she was showing strange behavior.
As if she were scared of something.
“Tell me. I’ll be left in the dark if you don't tell me.”
Her voice was almost pleading.
After hesitating briefly, Rebecca, seeing the sorrow deepening in Beatrice’s expression, eventually confessed what had happened.
“Well, actually…”
The story was quite long.
And, by the end of it…
Crack!
Beatrice’s mana crushed the surrounding objects.
Rebecca jumped, startled, and cried out.
“B-Bea! I’m really fine now!”
But Beatrice didn’t hear her.
She felt a fury that turned her mind white.
At the same time, oddly enough, she felt a thrill.
She had finally found it.
Another reason to keep Rebecca close.
Beatrice pulled Rebecca into an embrace.
“I’m sorry. And don’t worry.”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“No one will ever hurt you again. I’ll make sure of it.”
The outside world was too dangerous.
Even without those men, countless things threatened Rebecca.
Look at her; this innocent, fragile girl couldn’t take any of it seriously.
“Bea, I really am fine…”
“No, you’re far too careless.”
“Oh really…”
Rebecca sighed, smiling helplessly as she patted Beatrice’s back.
But Beatrice did not smile along.
Holding Rebecca in her arms, her gaze darkened as her lips moved.
“Just wait a little. There’s really not much time left.”
The day she could finally make Rebecca hers completely, the day she could ensure her safety, was just around the corner.
“Just a little longer, only a little longer…”
Beatrice felt her impatience growing.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Clara]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Join our Discord for release updates!w
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