༺ A Princess And A Dream ༻
“Haah.”
I let out a sigh as I returned to my room and flopped onto the soft bed.
The faint scent of Findenai’s tobacco still lingered in the air.
It was evident that she had tried to clean diligently, but stray strands of hair and her subtle traces still remained.
I wasn’t expecting the room to be spotless, so I dismissed it with another sigh and focused on the more pressing matter.
The image of Aria’s radiant smile as she departed was still fresh in my mind, causing my brows to frown.
Keeping my distance from her seemed like the best option. That’s likely what I had done in the first round as well, but…
‘She is more broken than I thought.’
If I pushed her away now, the results would be unpredictable.
I needed to fix her dependency on me, but I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much worse she would become without me.
Thus, I crafted a strategy for her to assist me, while gently creating some space between us.
Fortunately, the perfect opportunity presented itself, and I had informed her about her role.
Though she initially looked sullen at the idea of being away from me, once she understood my plan, she beamed and promised to go along with it, saying it was in sync with my persona.
Perhaps feeling happy at the fact that I needed her, she even shed some tears.
‘Sigh, this is getting complicated.’
However, even though I felt like it was too arduous right now, it would probably get better as I moved forward, one step at a time.
‘Yes, I should take things slow. I can not leave her as she is.’
After all, Aria was the only one who could save the world.
‘Anyway, this is just the beginning.’
In terms of the game’s timeline, we had just journeyed past the prologue and stepped into the first chapter.
Moreover, as this was the second round, there was no need to rush as she had already grown enough.
‘I should primarily focus on nurturing Aria’s mental well-being.’
I didn’t plan on becoming a nanny, 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 glanced up, I saw a robed figure, her mouth hidden by a veil, standing ominously.
If someone had seen her, they would probably scream, “Ghost!” because of her eerie presence, but it was unlikely that she would be offended. After all, she was really a ghost.
Moreover, I knew about her existence.
“Right, I was planning to go look for you, but you beat me to it.”
The individual who erected the barrier that blurred the line between life and death…
The spirit who was captured by the Angel of Setima…
She was the Necromancer who had been brought by Gideon and had tragically met her end in the academy.
[Where did you get that book from?]
As if to avoid any unnecessary talk between those in the know, the Necromancer pointed to a weathered volume amidst a pile of books.
That was the handiwork of Findenai who had insistently stacked them into a tower, despite my specific instructions to store the books neatly on their shelves or to leave them untouched if there were no shelves were available.
Anyway,
The book she was pointing to was one that Aria had found and I had purchased from a back-alley merchant – a book about the basics of Necromancy.
“It was a lucky find. I got it from a dealer.”
[That book belongs to me.]
“……I see.”
Aria did mention that she stole it from an exceptional Necromancer. It seemed that I had unintentionally become entangled with this woman.
[In fact, I had briefly returned to the continent to reclaim that book, only to be approached by the Zeronia family to lend them a hand.]
“So, do you want me to return it?”
[…No, it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m dead.]
The Necromancer acknowledged her death with an indifferent composure. Unfair as it may have seemed, it was not uncommon for dark mages to meet their end without warning.
Necromancers, in particular, who were always in close proximity to souls, were more inclined to face death with calmness.
“Then, what brings you here?”
The Necromancer let out a sigh at my blunt question.
[Originally, I wanted revenge. Despite everything, my death was too insignificant. But that does not matter anymore.]
“……”
[However, I’m being chased right now. The spirits that were enslaved by me broke free upon my death and now seek me out.]
“……So that is why there were still quite a few spirits at the academy.”
Massaging my throbbing temples, I pondered. The amount of spirits roaming about 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 resentful spirits to gather where this Necromancer had met her end.
[That’s why I am hiding here. If I am near you, they cannot approach me recklessly.]
“……”
[At first, I thought that you were just another Necromancer who was hiding his identity…… But, you are able to see all the awakened spirits wandering around the continent, aren’t you?]
“Yes, what about you?”
[I could only see a select few with powerful grudges. But now that I’m dead, I realize how many souls innocently drift across the continent.]
The Necromancer’s voice was tinged with regret. Her shaking head seemed to be saying, ‘If only I had known sooner…’
“Wait… Can you not wield magic after death?”
It didn’t seem far-fetched for her, a Necromancer, to be capable of that, considering that a soul was essentially constituted of mana.
But she shook her head.
[It’s impossible. I’d need a strong enough resentment to act as a substitute for a physical body, which I lack.]
“I see… That is fortunate.”
[Huh?]
I suddenly stood up and gazed at the Necromancer. She seemed quite tall when I was sitting, but on standing up, she barely reached my shoulders. However, she was quite tall for a woman.
“What is your name, Necromancer?”
[Call me Dark Spiritualist. That’s the name I’m known by on the continent.]
Dark Spiritualist.
She was a character that was notorious as a formidable Necromancer in the game. However, she didn’t directly appear in the game.
“Teach me your necromancy from now on.”
[Ha, planning to use me, are you?]
The Dark Spiritualist crossed 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 like a pushover to you? Necromancy is my very essence. I’d rather bury it than think about taking on some random disciple.]
“I am not merely asking for your help. This will benefit both of us.”
[What sort of benefit? You aren’t offering to protect me from the evil spirits, are you? Don’t be mistaken. Even though I’m evading them for now, I’m not afraid.]
“No, it is not that.”
It was perfect timing; in my pocket was just the item I needed to persuade her.
I subtly brought out the stone given to me by Aria.
[Leme…geton?]
The Dark Spiritualist, in disbelief, uncrossed 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—Even I was unable to find that treasure no matter how much I searched!]
“There is no need for you to know. Dark Spiritualist, I am offering you an opportunity.”
[……]
“The end of necromancy you have never reached… At this very moment, before you, stands the mage who will overturn the entire notion of necromancy that is spread throughout this continent.”
I possessed a unique talent that no other Necromancer had—the ability to see the dead. I also knew the future. And the Lemegeton, a top-tier item, was in my hands. Given enough time, I was sure that I could become a Necromancer who would shake the entire continent.
“This is an opportunity to leave a small mark on my journey. To aid the man who will witness the end of necromancy that you have longed to see.”
[…….]
“Even if you are not willing to assist me, it does not matter. It may take a little more time, but I will definitely reach the end.”
The Dark Spiritualist clenched her fists. She too had sensed the inevitable future.
“You are already dead, and thus everything has ended for you. It is a dream you must let go of. But… You can stand by my side and watch me achieve that dream.”
I proposed a handshake while slowly extending the hand that held the Lemegeton.
Without much hesitation or uncertainty, she took my hand—
[Call me Master.]
—while spouting out nonsense.
Tsk.
“Dark Spiritualist, leave my room.”
* * *
The warm sunlight gently descended on her golden hair. If there were grades for color, experts would likely declare her hair color to be of the highest grade.
This beautiful gold was not only a characteristic that belonged to the Royal Family, but it was also a symbol that contained hundreds of years of history.
“Princess, it’s time to wake up.”
Princess Eleanor Luden Griffin opened her eyes at the gentle call of the maid.
It seemed that Eleanor had fallen asleep at her desk, instead of her familiar bed.
She stretched her arms as she leaned back slowly.
“Was I asleep?”
She was sure that she had been preparing for some essential subjects before entering the academy, but it seemed that she had fallen asleep while studying.
“Princess, you work too hard. You should take breaks more often.”
“Yawn... No, it would be troublesome if a member of the Royal Family in the academy was seen as dull.”
There was a certain dignity to maintain as a Royal, even though it was a place for learning.
While it might be too ambitious to aim to be the first in class, she at least needed to be in the top three.
‘Hmm?’
Feeling something was amiss, Eleanor stood up from her seat.
After gently wiping Eleanor with a wet towel and helping her change her clothes, the maid spoke again.
“Still, it is fortunate that you did not seem to have nightmares when you fell asleep while studying.”
“…Ah, yes.”
Eleanor smiled subtly as she realized that she had woken up without experiencing any nightmare.
“I should sleep like this more often.”
“Yes. To be honest, seeing you wake up soaked in sweat due to your nightmares often makes my heart heavy.”
“Ah, I can’t help it. They get more frightening each time. But it’s fine now.”
“Really?”
When the maid asked in a doubtful tone, Eleanor giggled.
Giggle.
“I used to be scared because I was unsure if it was a dream. But now I’ve discovered a way to figure it out.”
“Was there such a method?”
After dressing her, the maid knelt to help her put on her shoes and asked with curiosity.
“Yes, it’s easier than you think. Dreams do not have a scent.”
Eleanor took a deep breath through her nose as she giggled again, happily.
“See, right now in my room…”
“…”
“In my room…”
There was no scent.
“Huh?”
Eleanor stepped back in confusion. Her half-worn shoe fell off and rolled on the floor.
The maid slowly stood up.
“Huh? Who… who are you?”
Thinking back, she couldn’t remember the maid’s face.
Gazing at Eleanor, the maid smiled with satisfaction.
“So, it was the scent?”
.
.
.
.
“Huff! Huff!”
Eleanor woke up abruptly, soaked in sweat. Information about reality flooded her hazy mind.
That’s right; she had already entered the academy, and she was currently sleeping in her room.
Though she was not in first place, her grades were still among the top. Also…
Even after trying out various methods, she was still unable to break free from the nightmares that had been plaguing her since she could remember.
