......where... Is this...?
I don't remember. But it was warm. So warm... It's so warm...... That I feel so sleepy. I wonder if this was heaven. It's very comfortable. Soft. And I can smell something nice. Something... That smelled nostalgic. I wonder what it is.
As I drifted in this comfortable place... I heard it again.
This... Sound. What is this...? I think I have heard it before. I think I recognized it somewhere before... Where is it? Where have I heard this sound...?
"Yah. Looks like we've met at last, Child. Should I say... Nice to meet you?"
"...hu...h...? Who are... You......?"
"I'm Vainticel. It doesn't matter who I am though. Although it seems you were born under the star of ill omen or you simply liked to stir up some troubles. But well~ with this I learned some lessons. Thank you again for your effort, Child."
"...uh... Yeah...? I see... And 'again'...? What do you mean?"
The moment I asked the formless speaker coming from nowhere, I heard a chuckle. And yet, it was playful, lofty, as well as gentle. Just like how I used to hear it.
"...hn... It seems that you are definitely like how I imagined you to be. Well... It can't be helped should you be confused but no matter. The Link is going to disconnect soon so I shall go straight to the point. Charlotte Augmund......"
When I heard my name being called, I instinctively raised my head and then... I suddenly felt a light peck on my forehead. My mind instantly blanked out and everything became so clear it was as if my brain was cleaned up with clear water.
Then I saw her. A young woman who possessed extremely long hair, incomparable beauty and a pair of pure golden colored pupils with a smile that was so mischievous contrasting her tall stature. Yes... It was as if seeing a child pulling a prank and was proud of doing it.
With that childish grin, the woman said.
"CONGRATULATION!! YOU HAVE RANKED UP INTO A SERVANT FOR KISSING YOUR BOYFRIEND TWICE!!"
...that was when my dream shattered and I was immediately dragged back to the ultimate shitgame reality.
“—the fuck!? W-wait a damn second! What—what! What absurdity are you saying!!?”
“Eeeh~? Isn’t that obvious? Child, you kissed twice right?”
“ONCE! I have never kissed anyone other than Fei but it was never by MY OWN WILL!! It was just a shock-therapy right!? It’s not counted and I don’t remember kissing anyone!!”
“Oh, right. I forgot that the last time you did it was two years ago. You were terribly sick and there was that accident as well.”
Huuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh!!!? What do you mean by ’that accident’!? Why are you implying as if there’s some conspiracy present and by the way… WHO ARE YOU!!?
“Nothing. Nothing~ Nothing bad but it does seem troubling if you are so dishonest about it. Hm…… if a surprise gift doesn’t entertain you, what about this then?”
Suddenly there was a screen as if a TV sprung forth from the nothingness. My jaw dropped the moment a certain image popped out from the half transparent static view. And—!
“What—WHAT THE FUCK IS THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!?”
“Ouch! My ears……!”
“IMPOSSIBLE! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING! ME!? THIS ME!? MY FIRST KISS HAS ALREADY BEEN STOLEN TWO YEARS AGO?! AND IT WAS BY A MALE! A MALE!? HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!!?”
“Uh… well… a stroke of luck? And Flag as well?”
“I! NEVER! RAISED! MY! FLAG!! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN YOU BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRDDDDD?!!”
“Uwo! Scary! Looks like it’s time for me to leave as you have always been this unstable when it came to romance and the like huh? Well, you’re a VIRGIN so guess it can’t be helped.”
“AAAH!? What do you mean by that!? Are you insulting you little—“
…a-are? For some reasons, the world started to become… hazier. Uuuuuh!? What—what is going on here!? I can’t… keep my consciousness…… at bay…!
“Yes yes. Your insults won’t appear here, Child. Sheesh, rowdy as always.”
What do you mean by that!? I haven't punched you yet! At least let me hit you...! Even once is fine...!!
“—Really. It could only be you who can speak your thoughts clearly to us no matter how much eons have passed.”
At that moment, the world suddenly turned bright with light. An overflowing, abundant bright light that caused me to close my eyes. But before I could make out the figure which was suddenly standing across me as if it had been there for a long time—
“Take care, Charlotte Augmund. I wish you will live a happy life. And I will do anything for it because it is also His Wish for you to have the happiness you deserved for.”
“What...?“
*snap!*then my consciousness was completely cut-off.
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-Fei’s POV-
………what… is this…?
When I woke up, it was already morning nearing afternoon. I abruptly awakened all because of the nightmares but I soon realized it wasn’t the moment my wounds snapped back at me.
“Oh, you seemed to wake up. Great for you, isn’t it?” A voice suddenly appeared and I looked at the source of it.
“Who are you!?” yelling while activating a stance, I prepared myself for battle but—
“Just shut up and go rest, you moron.”
My view distorted. I lost my balance and watched how the world spun. Then... I was back on the bed…… for some reasons! Huh!?
“What the hell!? What’s going on—gah!? I… can’t… move……!?”
“Obviously. How’d ya like being cuffed with multiple Atlas Bracers? Sometimes, training gears can be used to keep criminals down if taken beyond the limits.”
“Nnnnggghh!! D-damn it! Who are you!? What the hell is your aim?!!”
*SMACK!* my head was smacked with a chop of hand and it damn hurts!? How…!?
“Silence is for the patients. You better do nothing weird else the girl you tried so hard to save will wake up with bad mood.”
“Eh………?”
I was left speechless. Following the man’s gaze who was basically rolling beside my bed, I found Her.
It was her. Indeed… it was her. I could never forget her golden hair. Her porcelain white skin. Her profile. Even her still like doll sleeping face. Without a doubt, Charlotte… was there. And she’s alive.
“Hmph. Kids these days have been so reckless. Why would you run to a hunting zone of dire wolves? Are you an idiot? And you even carried injured person along with you. Have you lost your mind, brat?”
Urgh… I can’t say anything. It was true that in my panic, I couldn’t discern which direction I ought to pick. Still, it’s much better than dying out in burning hell with that demon.
“Haa…… just when I returned and the town is no longer present. And it seems the Flame Spirit also ran away. My workload will increase again for fuck sake. Not to mention there’s the report of having a Demon General invading the human territory. That Ivory won’t stop at returning for a payback now.”
……what…? I looked at the man with blue hair and sharp eyes. He immediately told me one thing that I tried not to believe.
“What? As if a demon would die with a Curse. You’d need a high-level holy magic to actually purify one so nope. You didn’t escape unscathed nor will you live in everlasting security, brat. Ivory will hunt you down sooner or later, as she probably exhausted her ‘Mark’.”
“……is that… true…?”
“Yeah. And I’m pretty certain demons will get stronger every time they exhausted their ‘Mark’. Blaze’s creations always have tricks under their sleeves after all. So—Congratulations for making the hard to kill foe to be even harder to kill, fool.”
“…but that doesn’t mean she will knock at the door tomorrow morning right?”
“True enough. Duration has always been the ‘Mark’s’ weakness. 5 minutes for a year of charge. And second activation in a span of one day would reduce the charges to zero no matter what. In the mean time, she is very vulnerable but precautions are still needed. If you want to do something, make it happen before ten years passed.”
“I… haven’t said anything about fighting her again.”
“Oh? But your eyes are saying you will kill her the next time for sure.”
I glared at the tall man who snickered in amusement. It seemed that this guy is manipulative and I can feel he is similar to those people. Though… he looks… more dangerous in a different way.
“No matter though. Your life isn’t my responsibility. Do whatever you want.” The man turned around and he was leaving the room.
However—I still have one more question.
“Umm…… were you the one… who saved us? Especially this girl?”
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He stopped at the doorstep. Then he glanced at me and said “What of it?” with indifference. Still, knowing that he was the one who stopped despair from crushing me… I……
“Thank you. For saving her. I truly am grateful even if the idea of helping never crossed your mind.”
“……whatever you say.”
The man stepped out of the room. He left without saying any more. I stared at the ceiling. My mind cleared up little by little. The sunshine streamed from the window next to the bed which has her sleeping on it. Therefore I turned my head there.
I am… here. Alive. Right in this moment and in this place. Alongside her.
Momentarily, I gazed at the girl who was younger than me but still garnering the dazzle of the sun. She's my light. She's the one who brought out the humanity I have long abandoned. How could I deny this feeling again? How could I forget about this emotion that caused me to seek for life?
I finally remembered that it was a person in the past that tried to take me away from the darkness. Albeit the short time we have spent together, she and Edward have brought me the motivation to live. I can never thank her enough even though I feel deep regret to not be able to hold her hands once more……
Still. Were you watching me? Were you observing me for all the time? Were you able to hear my voice? Were you able to accept your end? Were you able find a place to live like you want? Were you… able to forgive me?
To you whose time has stopped in the past. This is a goodbye. This is the true start of my life as you might have expected.
To me who decided to go against fate. Let’s fight together and resist the obstacles no matter what the gods may prepare.
And to you who is right next to me in this moment……
“……thank you… thank you. Charlotte. I’m so glad I fell in love with you.”
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-A Certain Serpent's POV-
"Heh...! Heh he he...! Truly...! Truly a bleeeesssssiiiinngg in disguise!!"
I slithered down the dark, narrow spiral staircase. Deep within Oceania, the south region of Daemonia, here lied a prison for revolts and weaklings who couldn't bear to live under His Majesty's rules. Those fools... They knew not a thing about the King's strength and they dared to challenge him. Perhaps, it was his mercy to let me handle them but personally......
"He picked the correct decision! SSssssooooo, exhilirating!!" I spat out a refreshed breath.
Truly! For how many hundreds of years have I waited for this chance!! A single mistake isn't something that can be forgiven but His Majesty graced me a chance to redeem myself! He is truly a king worth to rule over every race in all realm!! However...
I approached a steel door which was full of mosses. Many pairs of eyes were gazing at me once the Ghoul Spirit residing within the lantern I brought shone brighter.
"Hello there, my children..." I smirked and the hundred eyes sticking out of the door closed their eyes.
The door rattled, and with rusty sounds, opened wide for me to enter. Once I was in, though, nothing but me and a creature was here. In the depth of the Azathoth Prison... In a special jail a distance away to isolate powerful being capable to shatter my Astral Bindings. Although she didn't even deserve the right to have me use my abilities, but anyway.
"Hello there, Ivory...... Did you ssssllleeeep, well...?"
Staring at the ceiling with an empty gaze was a demon. A Demon General who failed to capture an escaped prisoner and returning only to bring a Curse with her. It took George some times to dispel it but...
I heard a slithering sound. With spurting sound, thousands of serpents were coiling around the Bloodsucking Countess who's lying on the ground. Her bare body was exposed, and the serpents slithered as they bit her, injecting poisons with many attributes and while some were going inside her.
"Ah, aah... Ssssuch a sssshhamme.... To be violated in thiiissssss place. Well, no matter. I deeessssirree more information, so..."
Sticking out my tongue, tasted the vile scent which could make me to puke. And yet, this scent was something I find as endearing and I could not stop myself from grinning. Even if she couldn't respond, all I need is to restore her mind and inject some more truth serums.
"But do tell me. How, and why did you return defeated, you ssssslluutty whore?"
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……Darkness faded away. The moment my eyes opened, I witnessed a wooden ceiling wafting the freshness of nature and slightly cold air touching my skin.
I felt sore all over my body. I remembered that I was wounded quite fatally, but it seemed that my luck in survival was pretty much the thing I could be proud of. Well, I’m a beginner in this Reincarnation stuff so as if I could understand and become OP in short notice like in the LNs and Mangas Haru always showed to me.
Still I sighed. In the end, this is the reality I was reborn in. Besides, I have no reason to back down from inevitable challenges if people were put as chips in them.
It’s horrible enough to recall how I came this far. Still, I struggled to stand and walked staggeringly off the bed. The moment I reached the center of the room which seemed to be made of woods all over, I understood that I was in a Cabin.
Hm…… why was I here? I couldn’t remember well thanked to my injuries. As I pondered about the clear weather and morning dew outside of the cabin, I heard creaking sounds coming from the door.
“Haa…… that bastard sure demanded a lot. I have to revise my opinion of him and—huh?”
“………….Ah. It’s Fei.” I muttered absentmindedly as I caught witness of Fei’s jaw dropping down to the floor and piercing through it.
Wait a second, is this a gag manga? There’s no way I have to retort here right? But right before I managed to let another word out of my tongue—
“W-waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggghh!!? C-c-c-c-c-Char-Charlotte!? You’ve woken up!?”
“Hey. Don’t speak as if I was dead! And why are your face all red like boiling kettle now?”
“B-b-b-but! But!! Y-your—your……”
“What about me? What is it?”
I came closer to the boy who was only 11 years old. He was flustered even more and as I was right in front of him, he gasped for air. Stunned? Fei was stunned? What was he staring at too? ME? So what was strange about me?
When I looked down, I finally realized.
I—Charlotte Augmund. Has become a mummy.
……jokes aside. I’m currently wearing nothing but bandages and underwear. Never knew how they were there but they wrapped around my body quite tightly that I was basically wearing bandages as my sole equipment and dress other than the underwear.
It’s a cosplay! Haru would definitely say that should he witness me like this. Excluding the ‘Prone to Nosebleed’ Akashi, Arika and Fukaki would definitely scream in horror if they saw this manly me turned as shameless as this.
“Ah! S-sorry! I didn’t see anything!!” Fei suddenly yelled and turned his back to me.
I was surprised of course. To think the usually thickheaded, stoic and sarcastic Fei to be THIS shy was the first time.
But—I circled my arms around Fei’s body gently. From behind, it looked as if I was clinging to him. At zero distance of course.
“Fei……” I whispered lovingly.
“…………!?” the boy shuddered all over but I could sense his heart beating faster as my hands traced over his chest. As expected, his muscles were well-built and were already forming. Just how much has efforts has he put in training and honing his strength?
“Um…… you see… there’s something I want… to tell you for this whole time.”
“Uh-wha? Ah—y-yes?! Wh-what. What is it?!”
He’s flustered. He’s flustered… How shy is he exactly? I could clearly picture Fei with dizzy eyes now but I simply tightened my hold. Following the direct skinship, Fei’s heartbeat grew even more erratic as I continued to whisper.
“…Actually…… I……”
I faced away shyly. Trying to get hold of the boy in front of me.
“……I… I want……”
Meanwhile, he was fidgeting all over. Either he was anxious or not, but he was definitely reacting as I could sense his heartbeat going faster. His body warmed up too.
“…y…you want……?”
“GERMAN SUPLEX!!!!”
“GYABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!?”
*CRASH!* The cabin shook for a moment. I let go of Fei whose head pierced through the wooden floor and stood up. Patting my shoulders off from dirt, I exhaled then grinned. As if the bell signaling the end of the match rang, I launched my right fist to the heaven and shouted.
"Yay! My first victory against Fei!!"