Chapter 127

Chapter 127

“......Maybe it’s because the moon is full tonight... it’s really bright, isn’t it?”

“......I don’t know.”

“.......”

As I answered modestly and walked alongside Talia on the promenade within Reinhafer’s territory, I suddenly felt a tidal wave of self-doubt wash over me.

‘Ha... this is really bad.’

It’s because the situation I’m in isn’t one that can be easily overcome with empty words, or because the innocent unit in front of me used to be one of my favorites.

It’s only been one main story arc, but I feel like a lot has changed. I’m sure it’s because my perception of Nox von Reinhafer is starting to change.

I have to admit that I’m still finding it hard to reject some of the surrounding units.

For example, Talia and Princess Penelope.

Honestly, I can’t say the same for the Princess because it’s a bit of a coercion.......

It’s clear that these were units I shouldn’t have gotten along with, and that associating with them was a huge gamble on my part.

But so what?

It was my choice, too.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

Who I am today is a product of my past, so it’s pointless to blame anyone.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah? What?”

I asked calmly, and Talia looked away for a moment, her red eyes sparkling like jewels, before locking eyes with mine.

A gaze that met softly.

Talia’s pupils were like a pure white moon with bleached gray hair.

“It’s a marriage pact, after all. I suppose the family’s position is important, but...... your own wishes are the most important thing anyway.”

“I guess...yeah. I guess. It’s not such an easy matter after all.......”

Her demeanor hesitant. A moment of silence.

Anyway, it’s quite bright tonight. [Crawled from Durstysts]

The moon and stars are beautiful, and hanging low. Sometimes it feels like this world is almost like the one I used to live in.

Of course, back then I could barely see the stars, and all I could see was the view out the window while I smoked, but whatever.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve had a cigarette.’

Just when I thought I was making good on my promise to myself.

Suddenly, Talia grabbed my sleeve and spoke up.

“Well, I don’t know...... the hard stuff yet, and in fact, there are too many things that are missing for me to really say anything, but...... at least I don’t hate this marriage.”

.......

I’m a little scared.

It’s not just because Talia’s words are overwhelming.

I’ve experienced Talia as a character. I think back for a moment to her playthrough data from when I was playing Inner Lunatic, when she was nothing more than a unit.

What was Talia like then?

Did she say the same things she says now?

Was she...... What kind of person was Talia?

I don’t really know.

I feel like my memories of the past are fading away.

I’m starting to adjust to this world, and I’m truly accepting it as reality, so I’m only using my memories here as a guide.

I know I shouldn’t blindly approach someone with it, or comfort them.

I know how much that can hurt someone.

I know better than anyone how much pain a rush to judgment can cause, and that’s the guy who plays this shitty character, Nox von Reinhafer.

So don’t make that mistake.

Together, they’re living, breathing people, at least.

So, with eyes that had sunk to the bottom of their sockets, I looked at her and slowly opened my mouth. Slowly but surely.

“I can’t afford to make decisions like this yet. I’m sure you already know this, but right now, I... I have a job to do.”

Hard words. But what is it?

The response was not what I expected.

“......Yes. That’s why you’re working harder at the academy.”

“...What?”

“It’s just that...... I’ve always seen it. Even in Eldain, I saw you keep trying. I’ve seen you locked in the library until nearly midnight every night, and I’ve seen you reviewing swordsmanship in the training hall, so I’m sure. Oh, that guy... he can’t really afford to care about anyone else right now.”

I wonder why.

‘It was the unit I was most afraid of at first’

Talia von Steiner, to me, is a disaster.

To Nox, she was the embodiment of the White Flame.

She killed Nox, and at the end of the day, she left him with two pale pupils. Plunged a dagger into his heart, along with their twisted delusions.

They had been enemies to each other, haunting each other like ghosts.

But.......

“Haha, here we are. Reminds me of when you were a kid.”

“Why are you suddenly talking about the old days...?”

“You must have been so innocent back then! It’s so refreshing to see a girl who cried and begged her dad to marry her find someone she likes so much. Anyway, my little girl takes after her father, and she’s got one hell of a face.”

“Daddy!”

“Haha, okay. Okay. So why don’t you stop tightening my tie?”

“Because I saw you watching.”

Talia talked with a lot of air in her cheeks, and before I knew it, Robert had calmed down and sat his daughter down in the chair in front of him.

“Talia.”

His voice was suddenly calm.

Talia had watched her father for so long that she had a hunch.

He was about to say something important to her.

And that it was connected to something that troubled him most deeply.

“I don’t want you to be too hurt by what happened to your sister. You’re both precious daughters to this father, and that won’t change in death. She’s just... a little worn out right now, so don’t push her too hard.”

“...Yeah. Okay. I’m a big girl now...!”

She pouted for a moment and hugged her father.

A father is a father after all?

Robert had already realized exactly what was troubling Talia.

He knows that the gap between her and her sister, Celle von Steiner, has grown wider and wider lately, and he knows that it’s making her anxious.

He knew all about it, and he told her.

But none of that mattered to Robert.

“You’re not like your sister.”

“I know. I know, but... there’s something I want to tell you, too. And.......”

Talia wiped the bitterness from her face, and then she remembered someone’s face.

Then she smiles brightly.

“Now I have someone to cheer me on, hehe.”

Along with her sunny smile, Robert’s expression takes on a deeper depth.

“......Nox, he’s at it again......!” [Swipers like Zafyr don’t return the shopping cart to the stall]

Schiing!

(seuleung!)

When he took out the love note sitting on the table, Talia jumped to her feet in surprise.

“Oh, Daddy!”

She giggled.

“Haha! It’s a joke! Judging by the hiccups, it must be him. Nox. That child is changing you little by little.”

“Oh really!”

Talia exclaimed angrily, but couldn’t help but affirm.

“What the ......I’m pretty sure it is, though I don’t really know.”

As she answered shyly, Talia remembered Nox’s last words to her.

-You can go after her if you want. Just put the hurt aside and clear your head. It’ll make it easier on you.

However, Talia did not hear his last whisper.

Because she had fallen asleep on his back. His last words. She missed that one word.

The very last thing Nox said was

-At least the Talia von Steiner I know is strong, and I know she’ll get through this.

He said. (Please support the official release)

Those were not words he spoke to the Talia on the monitor he’d never met. They were words of advice to a girl who had come so far, who had never given up.

At least, that’s what Nox believed.

* * *

After our walk, I closed my eyes for a moment and opened them.

Before I knew it, the next morning had dawned.

I realized why Robert and Theo had insisted on marrying Talia and me, and why.

“......Your father, Theo, is one of the leaders of the Dark Houses, after all, and I know he’s trying to organize a rebellion against the imperial family. I wish you every success.”

House Steiner has caught wind of our rebellion plans.

They’re pretty enthusiastic about it, too. ......

“If the Imperial Family falls, our daughter and you will take over! Hahaha!”

‘What a... madman.......’

It’s not the most appropriate thing to say to someone who might become an elder, but I couldn’t help but curse.

I felt it again immediately after being possessed.

Why does my life always turn out so badly?



TN: Taking a mental health break.