‘It feels like your appearance changes every time I see you.’

The current appearance of Eileens was that of the middle-aged woman I had first seen.

A face that looked weary like an old tree.

Perhaps she was thinking something similar to me, as she let out a hollow laugh. But only for a moment—then she turned her gaze to the companions who had come with me.

“……!”

At that moment, the surroundings suddenly darkened. It was a darkness so deep that I couldn’t even tell whether my eyes were open.

When I quickly turned around, I saw a faint stream of light. Soon, the light slowly grew and then formed a silhouette.

“Why are you making that face?”

Eileens, who had approached me before I knew it, asked.

“You’re scared because I’m gradually regaining my strength. Even the future you didn’t wish for is drawing near.”

I couldn’t deny it. If I hadn’t been afraid, I wouldn’t have considered entering Eileens’ past as Arkan suggested.

But perhaps she hadn’t intended to scare me, as she added in a joking tone,

“You know, I can even do this now.”

Eileens stretched her hand into the air. A round ripple formed and gradually expanded, soon creating a strange space.

“Carpea was able to prosper thanks to the magic that was a gift from the gods. Don’t you understand what this means? It means the Empire has been chosen!”

A sharp voice pierced my ears.

I stared at the illusion, dumbfounded.

“Chosen, they say. Isn’t that hilarious?”

Eileens giggled.

“Is that by any chance…….”

“Your guess is probably right. That’s the royal family having a heated discussion right now. And we’re the ones eavesdropping on them.”

She held my hand, telling me to focus, and led me toward the conference room.

“……!”

But no one noticed us as their voices grew more intense.

I looked down at my now semi-transparent hand, then turned my head.

“There are plenty of ways to prevent war. In Orphen……”

“Have you forgotten that they committed terrorism in the palace? That was already a declaration of war!”

“I know. However, due to the war fifty years ago, the outskirts of Carpea have become abandoned lands, and even an epidemic has spread. In a situation where nothing has been recovered, war is a senseless method!”

As the mood overheated, Erkishian raised his hand with a troubled expression. Still, the count did not stop speaking.

“……A foolish man like me cannot understand Your Majesty’s will. Since the past, what they’ve desired was Drimokan. If they cannot abandon it because of the symbol of the first Empire, then why was it declared heretical?”

The Emperor’s gaze turned to him.

“Why can’t you abandon the heresy? Is that ancient symbol worth the countless sacrifices the Empire must bear?”

“Count Rowain.”

Erkishian cut him off by calling his name. Then, from the other side, a frustrated voice came out.

“Isn’t the answer obvious if you think about it the other way? If Orphen wants such a thing, it must clearly have value in the future.”

“Then why does the Empire imprison those who approach Drimokan to seek knowledge in underground cells and falsely label them as spies to send them to the gallows?”

“…….”

“For hundreds of years, many have died under the assumption that it might be useful. But Drimokan is no longer even a symbol worth embracing for Carpea.”

At that moment, Eileens burst into laughter and gently wrapped her warm hand around my shoulder.

“You must’ve hoped that my thoughts would change. Right?”

“……!”

“You showed me what it meant to bow to the Emperor and what kind of future came from changing my choice. That was your reason, wasn’t it?”

She was right. I had hoped to influence the current Eileens.

I bit my lower lip and looked at Ricardo, who was seated next to the Emperor.

……What could you be thinking?

I still didn’t know what he truly wanted.

Was it revenge against Harnen, or was he following the belief he held dear?

I thought I knew you well, but there was still so much I didn’t understand.

I knew Ricardo didn’t wish to follow Harnen’s will. But having lived for him since childhood, it was clear he couldn’t easily break free.

I could criticize his choice, but I couldn’t bring myself to condemn him.

I wasn’t Ricardo. If I were, I might have made a different choice, but all such assumptions were meaningless.

“The enemy dared to point their blade at me, and you tell me to remain silent? Do you even have any reason left?”

“Your Majesty, the war situation is unfavorable. You must consider the possibility of defeat.”

“My safety is the survival of the Empire. There is no need to worry about innocent blood. If I fall, there will be no place for that blood to flow.”

“There’s no record in history of losing to Orphen. This time will be no different.”

Eileens approached the Emperor with a bright smile.

“Nothing’s changed. Didn’t I tell you? You just stay quiet.”

Though what she’d said in the past probably didn’t mean this exact situation, I couldn’t bring myself to argue.

“If that is Your Majesty’s will, the House of Owen will obey.”

Leon’s familiar voice echoed from within the hall. He raised both hands with an expression that said he had no choice. As soon as I recognized him, family names began to resound from all directions.

“Carpea will self-destruct. It was destined to happen, even without my intervention.”

“…….”

“Poor child, don’t make that face. You’ll finally get what you’ve been wishing for.”

In the not-so-distant future, Eileens’ seal would be broken. As a result, all magic in the Empire would disappear. My grandfather would regain his health, and I would return home.

……Isn’t that perfect?

But now I knew. No one could find happiness this way.

I stepped toward Eileens.

“Why did you show me this scene?”

“I told you—I wanted to show you that nothing changes. No matter what you do…….”

“No. If I were you, I wouldn’t have shown it.”

She already knew that I didn’t want war. If I decided now to kill the World Tree after seeing this situation, Eileens would never see the future she wished for.

Even so, she brought me here.

She kept telling me to do nothing, then reminded me of a future that was like hell.

“You asked me to remember the promise we made before.”

Eileens flinched.

“Was that perhaps the promise where I said I’d stop you?”

“…….”

“On the night of the full moon, you asked if I’d come to save you.”

Though she’d seemed clearly glad at first, the more I spoke of the past, the more she, too, told me to do nothing.

You wanted revenge, so you asked me to leave you alone.

But if that was truly what you wanted, you wouldn’t have asked whether I’d come to save you.

Just by blooming the World Tree, I’d already done everything I needed to do.

“You tried to find salvation through revenge, and I tried to save you through another path, didn’t I?”

“…….”

Eileens’ breath quieted. Just as I waited for her next words—

“Does the Duke of Hessen share the same thoughts as the former Duke?”

The Emperor motioned with his chin toward Ricardo.

“The former Duke believed you’d be a great force. Since the royal family owes much to the House of Hessen, if this matter ends well, I’ll grant you what you’ve long desired.”

At that moment, Ricardo, who had been lost in thought, let out a soft laugh.

“D-Duke Hessen.”

A vassal sitting nearby called out to him in fright.

“Ah, was it my turn?”

Whatever he found so amusing, he chuckled quietly over and over.

“How could I defy Your Majesty’s orders? Do as you will.”

“As you should. The House of Hessen has never been absent in Carpea’s history. In every war, they have brought victories…….”

“However, not a single soldier from the House of Duke Hessen will be sent.”

Why was it? I had the illusion that our eyes met for a very brief moment.

It was clearly impossible, and yet, Ricardo seemed to be asking me if I, too, wished to leave a world like this.

The conference room stirred in an instant.

“W-What was that just now…….”

“It means the House of Hessen will not participate in the war.”

As if he had said all he needed to, Ricardo stood from his seat.

“What insolence is this?”

The Emperor’s angry voice filled the hall.

“The former Duke would have turned his head at this. That his descendant would make such a cowardly choice……”

Even at those words, Ricardo’s steps did not falter.

“Do you think you can bear the cost of this?”

“Please, do as you see fit, Your Majesty.”

Ricardo replied plainly as he grabbed the door handle.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.