I gently pushed open the elegantly designed doors of the mansion and quietly entered.

What greeted me back was the gloomy old halls.

The blackened blood and corpses of the ones I’ve defeated remain here rotting.

“I’ve decided to end this curse and cut through the heart… To do that, I should head to the underground laboratory.”

As a spirit, I was trapped and chained down here.

During that time, I freely wandered this mansion.

Naturally, I knew where to find the deepest part which may be the heart.

Therefore, that is where I must go.

But before that, I should speak to Giraus once more.

He’s been staying here ever since I left the mansion for some time.

Should there be any changes to this mansion, he should be able to inform me.

“Now then, I’ll pay a visit to you first Giraus.”

I whispered towards an aged soul.

Though he may not hear my words, lost in the wind.

He may be staying still in that room.

Without relaxing my guard, I headed towards the room where Giraus waits.

Passing through the dusty hallways of this cursed mansion, I headed to the room where Giraus was the last time I saw him.

I quietly grasped the handle of the door and gently pushed it open.

The door slowly creaked as it did.

“Giraus.”

It only took a moment to see the one I sought.

He still sat there, in the same chair he was sitting on when I last saw him.

But…

He looked different now than he did before.

He looked…

Somewhat lighter?

No…

He looked more…

“Satisfied?”

Hearing my voice, he slowly raised his head.

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“Your Highness?”

He rasped.

“It’s been some time now. Giraus.”

“I suppose so. What have you sought me for?”

He smiled thinly.

“Giraus… You… What happened when I left this mansion?”

“Hm? Oh, this? It’s nothing much. I’m simply fading away.”

I was mildly surprised.

“As I said before, I didn’t have that much regret when I perished. I’m merely moments away from fading away right now and resting in peace.”

“…”

I went silent at that.

“So… You’re going first then…”

“Hm… You don’t sound too dissatisfied.”

Giraus asked.

“Why should I?”

I said unconcerned.

“I’ll join you soon enough. Once this all ends.”

Because that’s the absolute truth.

I absolutely won’t let myself rest in peace unless I bring this all to an end.

“I see… That is true.”

Giraus laughed shortly.

“It was a very short time we’ve spent together though.”

“Indeed. But that cannot be helped. We don’t really have that much to talk about.”

“That’s true. Well, I’m simply content to see you once more. The reason I was able to rest in peace this soon was also thanks to you.”

“Hm? Me?”

I was puzzled.

“Indeed. My reason of regret was being unable to prove your innocence and to see you at the throne… Although your innocence was proven, it’s impossible now to see you be crowned king.”

“…A king…”

“Well, that doesn’t matter now. Good luck, Your Highness. Let us meet again once more in the afterlife.”

“Fine.”

Giraus closed his eyes.

“That wish will never come true…”

I whispered silently.