TL: Zimming

Editor: bodyinthefreezer

[Oh!]

The girl was surprised and stopped for a moment, as if she had read my thoughts. I could hear her too.

[Oh, I thought you didnt know!]

The girl looked rather disappointed.

Are you really a Macul?

[Yes, how did you know when Im this pretty?]

The girl pouted. She really had become pretty.

Rather, she had transformed completely. I couldnt believe that the bean sprout had turned into such a pretty girl.

Im the same. Ive changed too.

[Youre very sharp, as expected.]

I am Ancia now.

[The goddess friend is Laontel! Ancia hadnt become the goddess friend. So you are Laontel.]

She spoke firmly.

Did Serphania send you over?

[Yes, Im a piece of her light. My name is Shell!]

Macul werent just demons, it was also a part of Sers power.

I thought Macul were born in high places.

[No! I just took rest momentarily at the door of darkness!]

I see.

[When the seal of the Goddess was broken, I came back to my original form! Thank you.]

Shell smiled widely and flitted her wings again. Seeing her laugh like that, I felt sure that Ser was okay too.

Shell, who was dancing around merrily, suddenly flinched and fell to the ground. Her expression turned grim once again.

[Today, Im here to deliver Serphanias message.]

As Shell moved around, a line followed along her movements, creating a sparkling space of light. Sers voice sounded from the space she created.

[Ancia, how does it feel to be abandoned? You were so committed to him but the Crown Prince didnt even recognize you.]

As expected, shes the one who did this to me.

I was able to know all the languages of the world thanks to her blessing, but the ability disappeared so suddenly. The goddess was the only one who was capable of doing it.

[Who wouldve done that?]

Ser laughed. I didnt know she could laugh like this.

[You must be disappointed by the Crown Prince. He didnt recognize you when your face changed. The love you believed in was really this shallow!]

Why did you do this?

[Laontel, what are you mad at me? I did it for you.]

Do you think the Crown Prince would continue to love you even if you were ugly, mute and illiterate? Theres no way hell like you the way he used to now that youve lost the power of light and arent worth anything to him.]

.

[Hell throw you away even when he finds out youre the real Ancia. Hell forget you and meet another beautiful girl. In the end, hell forget you!]

Ser laughed as if she was having the time of her life, but her laugh sent a chill down my spine.

I wanted to refute it, but I couldnt say anything.

Would Blake be happy to find out that I was Ancia? What if he didnt like me anymore?

I felt afraid and insecure, and an ominous feeling grew in my heart. Ser whispered,

[Laontel, Ill give you one last chance as my friend.]

A chance?

[Yes, a chance to get everything back.]

From beyond the space of light, a white sword appeared.

I took the sword. The blade of the sword was engraved with a twisted stain-like pattern. It was similar to damascus steel, usually called as the devils sword.

[Stab Blake with this sword.]

What?

I was taken aback and dropped the sword.

[If you wet the sword with the Crown Princes blood, I will give you back whats yours. Your beautiful body, your voice, your language ability, the power of light, you can have everything back!]

I picked up the sword that had fallen to the ground.

[Yes, die! Hes gonna die! Eliminate the Crown Prince and come back to me, Laontel.]

Listening to Ser ramble crazily, I put the white sword back into the space.

At that moment, her laughter stopped.

[What?]

I dont need it.

[Are you going to live in this body forever?]

Yes.

I couldnt kill him to get my body back. I didnt even need to think about it. But the sword didnt enter the space.

[Haha, your body wont last that long anyway.]

What?

[Your body wont last a day over 100 days for sure.]

100 daysA fit of coughing took over me before I could realize what Ser meant. I put my hand over my mouth, trying to control it, but the coughs didnt stop.

It felt as if my throat was scorched and my lungs were being torn apart. I couldnt stand up straight, and just fell on the floor.

The coughs finally stopped over time, but my throat still hurt. I looked at my hand, and saw a spot of blood on my palm.

Ser wasnt lying.

[Laontel, Ill give you another chance. Kill the Crown Prince!]

The sword came back to my hands. The white sword was now dyed red with my blood. Looking at the red blood, I suddenly recalled Baekhans words.

Since youre so kind, you will save a lot of people. But you wont be able to save yourself.

The moment of choice will come soon. I can see you burning in the white light.

This was the moment of choice Baekhan had warned me about.

[Killing the Crown Prince will bring you back to your original state! Stab the crown prince with that sword right now!]

I put the sword back, ignoring Sers words.

I told you I didnt need it.

[Are you saying youre going to die instead of the Crown Prince? Are you stupid? Were you always this stupid? The Crown Prince wont recognize you! Even if he knew who you were, hed throw you away! And youre going to give up your life because of him?]

As Ser said, I may have made a foolish choice. Even if that was true, I didnt regret it.

If I had the chance to save Blake, there was nothing I wouldnt do.

Yes. So go away.

I pushed the sword back into the space.

[Youre going to regret it!]

Soon Sers voice disappeared along with the space she had made.

[Huh? huhW-wait for me!]

Shell also entered the space. Soon, it disappeared completely.

The moment of choice was over. I couldnt turn back time, but I didnt regret it.

I wiped the blood off from the floor and my hands.

Fortunately, my clothes were clean. As soon as I finished, a wave of sleepiness hit me. My body ached even if I only moved slightly. Soon, I fell asleep.

***

The next day, I went to bed early. Fortunately, I didnt feel any pain. Then, I heard a sound from outside the tents.

What was going on?

While I got up, Blake entered my room.

Are you up already?

He spoke softly. He must have been surprised when I cried suddenly before, so he was being considerate now.

Did you wake up because of the noise outside?

I shook my head.

Were going to return back to the palace. Itll be a bit noisy, so hang in there.

He said he wont go back to the palace, but he changed his mind in a day. Edon must have convinced him.

Did you recall any letters?

I shook my head again.

Since I rejected Sers offer last night, I wouldnt be able to talk or write ever again.

Where do you live?

.

You dont remember?

In this world, my only home was the imperial palace where Blake and I were staying.

What about your family?

.

Whats your name?

I remained silent. I couldnt talk or write, but it wasnt just because of that.

Ser said Blake would abandon me if he knew I was Ancia.

I was terrified that her words would really come true, but it was not because of that.

Blake had stayed in the valley of chaos for more than three months. I remembered Edon saying that Blake was still looking for me.

Seven years had passed since I disappeared into the door of darkness.

During that time, Blake mustve been in so much pain.

I wouldnt live long anyway. I might not even be alive by the end of this year. It was better to just leave Blakes life entirely.

You dont know anything. Have you lost your memory?

I nodded. It would be better to pretend that I didnt remember anything than tell a lie.

At that moment, Blake came closer to me.

Lies. You remembered me yesterday.

He looked at me as if he knew everything about me.

Did you really forget? Or do you simply not want to tell me?

His appearance had changed a lot so I felt unfamiliar and awkward, and for some reason, my face turned red and I couldnt look straight at him.

Seeing me avoid his gaze, he only laughed.

Then Ill have to name you.

I nodded quickly.