Chapter 44: The Princess and the Nightmare

“Haah.”

Returning to my room, I let out a sigh and flopped down onto the soft bed.

The faint aroma of Finden Ai’s tobacco still clung to the air.

Her diligent cleaning was evident, yet stray strands of hair and subtle traces of her still lingered.

I hadn’t anticipated a spotless room, so I dismissed it with another sigh and focused on a more important topic.

The image of Aria’s radiant smile as she departed was still painted in my mind, pulling my brows into a frown.

Distancing myself from her seemed appropriate. That’s likely what I from the first round would have done too, but...

‘She is more broken than I initially thought.’

If I forced her away now, the outcomes could be unpredictable.

Her dependence on me was a serious matter, and I couldn’t even begin to guess how broken she would be without me.

Thus, I crafted a strategy for her to aid me, while gently creating space between us.

Fortuitously, a perfect opportunity presented itself, and I instructed her about her role.

Though she initially frowned upon the idea of separation, once she comprehended my plan, she beamed, saying it was in sync with my persona and promised to follow it.

She even shed some tears, perhaps feeling happy in the fact that I needed her.

‘Sigh, it’s so complicated.’

However, even though I felt it was too difficult right now, it would probably be fine if I proceeded step by step.

‘Yes, I should take it slow. I can’t leave her as she is.’

After all, to save the world, there is something only Aria can do.

‘It’s just the beginning, anyway.’

In terms of the game’s timeline, we had merely journeyed past the prologue, stepping into the first chapter.

Moreover, as this was the second round, she had already grown enough, so there was no need to rush.

‘My primary task should be to nurture Aria’s mental well-being.’

Becoming a nanny wasn’t planned, but it was a necessity. After all, she was destined to be the savior of this continent.

[Hello?]

At that moment, a beautiful voice reached my ears. It was reminiscent of the sirens of the sea - enchanting yet captivating.

When I looked up, I found a robed figure, her mouth concealed by a veil, standing ominously.

If someone saw her, they would probably scream ghost because of her eerie presence, but she probably wouldn’t be offended. After all, she was indeed a ghost.

Moreover, I’d heard of her existence.

“Right, I was going to look for you, but you beat me to it.”

The individual who created the barrier that blurred the line between life and death…

The spirit who was caught by Angel of Setima…

She was the necromancer who had been brought by Gideon and had tragically met her end in the academy.

[Where did that book come from?]

As if to cut short any unnecessary talk between those in the know, the necromancer pointed to a weathered volume amidst a pile of books.

Despite my specific instructions to neatly store books on shelves or to leave them untouched if no shelves were available, that was the handiwork of Finden Ai who had insistently stacked them into a tower.

Anyway.

The book she pointed out was one that Aria had found and I had bought from a back-alley merchant – a manual on necromancy.

“I got it from a dealer. Lucky find.”

[That book is mine.]

“......I see.”

Aria had definitely mentioned stealing it from an exceptional necromancer. Unintentionally, it seemed I was entangled with this woman.

[In fact, I was briefly back in the world only to reclaim that book when I was approached by the Zeronia family to lend them a hand.]

“So, you want me to give it back?”

[...No, not anymore. I’m dead.]

The necromancer acknowledged her death with an indifferent calm. Unfair as it may seem, it’s not uncommon for dark mages to meet their end without warning.

Necromancers, in particular, who are always in close proximity to souls, tend to face death with tranquility.

“What brings you here, then?”

On my blunt query, the necromancer exhaled a sigh.

[Originally, I wanted revenge. Despite everything, my death was too meaningless. But now, it doesn’t matter.]

“......”

[Now, I’m being chased. The spirits enslaved by me broke free upon my death and now seek me.]

“......So that’s why there were still quite a few spirits at the academy.”

Rubbing my throbbing temple, I pondered. The spirit count had certainly reduced after the resolution of the incident, but their number was still surprisingly high.

However, now it didn’t seem unusual for a horde of grudging spirits to flock where this necromancer had met her end.

[That’s why I am hiding here. They cannot approach recklessly if I am near you.]

“......”

[I initially thought you were just another necromancer hiding his identity...... But, you can see all the awakened spirits wandering the continent, can’t you?]

“Yes, what about you?”

[I could only see a select few with powerful resentments. But now that I’m dead, I realize how many souls innocently drift across the continent.]

Regret tinged the necromancer’s voice. Her shaking head seemed to be saying, ‘If only I had known sooner…’

“Wait… Can’t you wield magic after death?”

Considering a soul is essentially constituted of mana, it didn’t seem far-fetched for her, a necromancer, to be capable of that.

But she shook her head.

[It’s impossible. I’d need resentment potent enough to substitute a physical body, which I lack.]

“I see… That’s fortunate.”

[Huh?]

I abruptly stood up and looked at the necromancer. When I was sitting, she seemed quite tall, but standing up, she barely reached my shoulders. However, for a woman, she was noticeably tall.

“What’s your name, necromancer?”

[Call me Dark Sage. That’s the name I’m known by on the continent.]

Dark Sage.

She is a character notorious as a formidable necromancer in the game. However, she doesn’t appear directly in the game.

“From now on, teach me your necromancy.”

[Ha, planning to use me, are you?]

Dark Sage folded her arms with a dismissive look. The corner of her mouth, hidden by her veil, curled into a derisive smile.

[Did being a spirit of the dead make me seem easy to you? Necromancy is my essence. I’d rather bury it than think about taking on a random student.]

“I’m not merely asking for help. This is for mutual benefit.”

[What sort of benefit? You aren’t offering to protect me from evil spirits, are you? Don’t be mistaken. I’ve indeed evaded them for now, but I’m not afraid.]

“No, it’s not that.”

It was perfect timing; I had just the right item to persuade her in my pocket.

I subtly brought out the jewel that Aria had given me.

[Leme...Lemegeton?]

The Dark Sage, in disbelief, unfolded her arms and reached out. But when I clenched my fist to conceal it, she stopped and glared at me.

[Where...where did you find that—A treasure I couldn’t find no matter how much I searched!]

“There’s no need for you to know. Dark Sage, I’m offering you an opportunity.”

[......]

“The end of necromancy you’ve never reached... Right now, in front of you, stands the mage who will overturn the entire concept of necromancy that permeates this continent.”

I possess a unique talent that no other necromancer has—the ability to see all the dead. I also know the future. And the Lemegeton, a top-tier item, is in my hands. Given enough time, I’m confident that I could become a necromancer who could shake the entire continent.

“It’s a chance to leave a small imprint on my journey. To aid the man who will witness the end of necromancy that you’ve longed to see.”

[…….]

“Even without you, it doesn’t matter. It may take a little more time, but I will reach that end.”

The Dark Sage clenched her fists. She too had sensed the inevitable future.

“You are already dead, and thus everything has ended for you. A dream you must let go. But… you can stand by my side and see me achieve that dream.”

Slowly extending the hand that held the Lemegeton, I proposed a handshake.

Without much hesitation or doubt, she took my hand—

“Call me Master.”

—while speaking such nonsense.

Tsk.

“Leave my room, Dark Sage.”

* * *

The warm sunlight gently settled on her golden hair. If there were grades for color, experts would likely declare her hair color of the highest grade.

This beautiful gold was not only a characteristic belonging to the royal family, but also a symbol containing hundreds of years of history.

“Princess, it’s time to rise.”

At the gentle call of the maid, Princess Eleanor Luden Griffin opened her eyes.

Instead of the familiar bed, it seemed that Eleanor had fallen asleep on her desk.

Leaning back slowly, she stretched her arms.

“Was I asleep?”

She was certain she had been preparing for some essential subjects before entering the academy, but it seemed she had fallen asleep while studying.

“You work too hard, Princess. You should often take breaks.”

“Yawn... No, it would be troublesome if the member of the Royal family was seen as dumb in the academy.”

Even though it was a place of learning, there was a certain dignity to maintain as a royal.

While expecting to be the first in class might be too ambitious, she at least needed to be in the top three.

‘Hmm?’

Sensing something was amiss, Eleanor got up from her place.

After the maid gently cleaned Eleanor with a wet towel and helped her change her clothes, the maid spoke again.

“Still, it is fortunate that you do not seem to have nightmares when you fall asleep while studying.”

“...Ah, yes.”

Realizing she had woken up without experiencing any nightmare, Eleanor smiled subtly.

“I should sleep like this more often.”

“Yes. To be honest, my heart was heavy because you often woke up soaked in sweat from your nightmares.”

“Ah, can’t help it. They are more shocking every time. But it’s fine now.”

“Really?”

When the maid asked in a doubtful tone, Eleanor laughed.

Giggle.

“I used to be scared because I didn’t know it was a dream. But now I’ve found a way to realize it.”

“Is there such a method?”

After dressing her, the maid knelt to help her wear her shoes and asked with curiosity.

“Yes, it’s simpler than you think. Dreams do not have a scent.”

Eleanor giggled again happily and took a deep breath through her nose.

“See, right now in my room...”

“...”

“In my room...”

There was no scent.

“Huh?”

Confused, Eleanor stepped back. Her half-worn shoe fell off and rolled on the floor.

The maid slowly stood up.

“Huh? Who... who are you?”

On second thought, she didn’t remember the maid’s face.

Looking at Eleanor, the maid smiled satisfyingly.

“So, it was the scent?”

.

.

.

.

“Huff! Huff!”

Eleanor woke up abruptly, sweat-soaked. Information about reality flooded into her dreamy mind.

That’s right; she had already entered the academy, and she was sleeping in her room right now.

Though she had lost the first place, her grades were still among the top. Also…

Even after using various methods, she was still unable to break free from the nightmares that had plagued her for a very long time.

--- End of The Chapter --

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