Chapter 34 – Memory

Episode 34 – Memory

The background quickly disappears beyond the field of view.

There was an eerie silence inside the carriage, to the extent that it could be considered to be a man and woman in their prime, or even engaged.

As I was looking out the window, I slowly turned my eyes to look at Skadia.

Currently, she was wearing a gorgeous yet luxurious blue dress instead of her usual academy uniform.

It was so beautiful that any man would turn around.

Suddenly, an auditory hallucination stimulated my ears.

-I will protect Luan!

The girl who looked at me with blue eyes that resembled the sky is no longer there.

The snow of Scadia was as cold and cold as the unmelting ice caps of the snowy mountains.

She looked through her magic book with an expressionless face and opened her mouth as if she felt someone’s gaze.

“Is there anything you want to say?”

“… No.”

“Then I want you to turn your eyes back. “I can’t concentrate on reading.”

“I only saw it for a moment. Read to your heart’s content.”

Perhaps because of a dream I had early in the morning, strangely, no harsh words were spoken right now.

Scadia must have thought that she was going to show off her most outrageous behavior, so he tilted his head for a moment at the sight of her calm appearance.

Of course, she seemed to like it and quickly fell in love with the magic book.

‘Anyway, has it been three years?’

The Marquis of Einz Maryland has not visited the Friuli estate since the death of his wife eight years ago.

Of course, as time passed, she gradually came to her senses and began her external activities, but by that time, her relationship with Scadia had already become tangled.

Ruan Friuli didn’t really want to meet me either, so our meetings had to be infrequent.

Fortunately, she only met her half-forced her three years ago because of the engagement ceremony between the crown prince and Remian Herana held at the imperial palace.

How will he react when he sees me?

‘I hope we can move on without any problems.’

With my worries, the carriage ran and ran and arrived at its destination before I knew it.

As I crossed the gate and reached the entrance to the mansion, I noticed a line of employees and a soft-looking man standing in the center.

She looked so young that it was difficult to think of her as having a child at the age of 20.

‘As expected, he is a high-ranking wizard.’

Her strong magical power withstands even the power of time.

I got off the carriage with Scadia, feeling the majestic magical power felt through the energy.

Haha, Luan. It’s been a while. Welcome.”

“Thank you for the invitation. “Your Excellency”

“The title is too stiff. You can call me uncle just like before.”

The hand her patting his her shoulder her and the look in his her eyes her contained goodwill toward him.

It’s no different from 3 years ago.

Even though he probably knew all about the many evil acts committed by Ruan Friuli, he still gave him strong support.

As I quietly lowered my head, Skadia, standing next to me, intervened.

“Father. Let’s go inside first. “It’s hard to talk about it outside.”

“And so it goes. Follow me. “I prepared a meal.”

“Then please excuse me.”

Taking the example, I followed Count Ainz with Skadia.

The interior of the mansion was antique.

The floor was made of marble, and works of art such as pottery and paintings were placed at regular intervals to add beauty.

After looking at the interior, the group quickly entered the restaurant.

I sat down as instructed and put on a napkin, and the maids seemed to have been waiting and brought me a meal on a tray.

The appetizer was button mushroom soup.

“It’s going to be expensive, but let’s spend some money first. “Speak slowly.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

That’s how the meal began.

Even though three people are moving the dishes, there is no noise inside.

It takes my breath away, but this is an example of nobility. I had a hard time learning this when I was young.

Of course, since I was possessed, it was as if I just blocked the blade.

‘It’s suffocating.’

It’s not that Count Ainz has anything to say, but he feels a lot of pressure just by being in this position.

Fortunately, the food was so delicious that I was distracted.

After a while, when the soup was about half empty, Count Ainz got lucky.

“Okay. “What is life like at the academy?”

“It’s pretty good. It’s moderately enjoyable and moderately difficult. I can go out as much as I want on the weekends, so I don’t feel stuffy. These days, I’m putting in effort into training every day.”

“Haha, is that so? I remember quitting swordsmanship, but that was good. “My father will like it.”

“… Probably so.”

Honestly, I don’t know.

When I searched through Ruan Friuli’s memories of him, Ian Friuli was not very favorable to his son and his learning swordsmanship.

It may be because he simply lacks talent, but to say that is not the case, he has been viewed with some concern from the very beginning.

Perhaps it could be said that Isis received just as intense training.

While I was thinking about this, the baton was passed to Skadia.

“Scadia. How are you these days? “Have you made any progress with your magic?”

“No. It’s blocked by a wall now. “If only I had enlightenment, I could probably rise to the 5th level.”

“Haha! Ranked 5th at age 20… Then, as the youngest wizard, I will receive the same attention as the magic tower owners. It’s amazing.”

Count Ainz smiled in satisfaction.

This is because being ranked 5th at such a young age has such a big impact.

However, what he overlooked is that Scadia does not stop at rank 5. If there are no variables, she will reach rank 6 before the end of the year.

There will probably be quite an uproar by then.

There was even talk of achieving the level of transcendence that is legendary in games.

‘Unfortunately, that was not possible.’

The ending occurred when Abel captured the immortal demon beast Levios before Scadia pioneered the realm of transcendence.

I don’t know what will happen here.

“But we still have a long way to go. “I cannot be satisfied with level 6.”

“Okay. It is said that the first state of Maryland implemented up to the 9th level. Make sure you keep moving forward.”

“Yes. “Father.”

Is it because of the conversation?

The awkward atmosphere was relieved and some of the tension began to dissipate.

A few more questions followed, and the meal finally came to an end.

“Then let’s get up.” Luan, please show me the mansion.”

“Of course. “Then please excuse me.”

Just when I was about to stand up after Scadia.

“For a moment. Luan, can you stay?”

Count Ainz held his ground.

As I was exchanging a puzzled look with Scadia, the Count continued speaking.

“Scadia. Could you go out first and wait? “You two have something to talk about.”

“Can’t I be there?”

“Haha! There are things to talk about between men. “Please.”

“… All right. Please send it quickly.”

“Of course.”

Even though she looked uncomfortable, Scadia left the restaurant, leaving only the two of us inside.

I quietly sat back down in my chair.

“Don’t be too nervous. It’s not that serious.”

“Is that so?”

“Okay. I just want to talk a little about the past.”

“If it was the past…”

The contents of the dream I had early in the morning flashed through my mind again.

My heart is agitated.

“It’s about when Lucina died.”

“You mean the Countess?”

“I see. At that time, I was in trouble. So there was a time when I was somewhat neglectful of Skadia. After that, she was caught up in her obsession with raising her wife well and treated her harshly. Perhaps because of that, my daughter’s personality became colder.”

“That…”

It’s not your fault.

As I listened to the story, I wanted to say that.

The reason Skadia’s personality changed like this was all mine.

But what difference will it make if we reveal it now? The relationship has already been irreparably damaged.

There is no choice but to remain silent and listen.

After a while, Count Ainz, who had been talking for a while, ended his story as if he suddenly thought of Scadia.

“Haha! It was a long story. There is one thing I want to say. Please take good care of Skadia. Although she appears cold and cold on the outside, she is a soft child on the inside. She may be selfish, but can she do me a favor?”

“… I will do my best.”

I intentionally gave a vague answer.

I didn’t want to make a false promise to the Count, and above all, as a third party, I couldn’t make promises carelessly.

Fortunately, the Count seems to have been satisfied with that level of answer.

“Haha! Okay. That’s enough. Then, let’s go. Scadia will be waiting.”

“Yes. See you later.”

After an unexpected greeting, I left the restaurant.

Scadia, who has been waiting, approaches.

“I don’t know what we talked about inside, but don’t worry. Do you understand?”

“… Yes.”

“Then follow me. “Let’s take a walk in the garden first to help with digestion.”

As if she had no interest in the content of the story, Scadia turned her back and took the lead.

Soon, they arrived at the garden.

Spring was in full swing, and all kinds of flowers were blooming in the garden. It is also full of insects attracted by that sweet scent.

As I was walking along Skadia, my eyes suddenly turned to a blue butterfly.

It is clearly different from the ice flower butterfly, but looks similar at first glance.

The dream I had at dawn comes to mind again.

‘Annoying.’

It may have been assimilation with the body, but the more strongly I remembered that memory, the more I felt toward Skadia.

It’s not a strong emotion like hatred or possessiveness, but it’s a kind of lingering feeling that’s hard to shake off.

Something like that is holding onto a corner of my heart and not letting go.

Meanwhile, it seems that Skadia also saw a butterfly.

She glanced sideways at my face without saying a word and blurted out as if passing by.

“Do you miss your hometown?”

“That can’t be possible.”

“Then why are you looking at that butterfly? “It’s nothing special.”

Does Scadia really remember the first time we met? I can’t stand it because I’m curious about things that have nothing to do with my current situation.

Even though I knew it was a useless action, I ended up opening my mouth.

“… “I remember the first time we met.”

Scadia’s body visibly flinched at those words.

In a rare display of embarrassment, she bit her lip.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden? “What are you trying to do by bringing up the past?”

“It was just something that occurred to me. “What did you do with the butterfly you took back then?”

“I don’t know. “I don’t even remember that anymore.”

“It’s worth it. Because a long time has passed.”

When I was convinced, Skadia looked even angrier.

The original Ruan Friuli would always react violently to this type of response, but today he has become too moderate.

She belatedly revealed her truth in a reluctant voice.

“… The butterfly died a long time ago. “She couldn’t adapt to going to a warmer area.”

“It was like that too. For some reason, he didn’t say anything about the butterfly after that.”

“She just forgot. Because butterflies aren’t worth much.”

This is a lie.

One day, when she came to visit the Friuli estate, she, who always loved flower-shaped jewelry, came wearing her butterfly-shaped jewelry and showed it off.

It is proof that her memories of that time were precious to her.

“For something like that, I have a pretty detailed memory.”

“Are you really doubting me now? Once again, she didn’t do it because it wasn’t worth revealing the truth. What’s the point in saying that? “I don’t even want to hear your comfort.”

“Then let’s do it like that.”

“I’m not doing it like that! Phew… That’s Okay. Let’s go back now. “I’ll explain to her father that I went a little early.”

Scadia seemed to think that it would be a loss for her to deal with her further, but she barely suppressed her anger and turned to her mansion.

Scadia showed a variety of emotions that were incomparable to usual.

After arriving at the mansion, I immediately got into the carriage I had called for.

I sighed as I returned to the academy.

‘There was a lot of harvest today.’

I discovered Skadia’s evil her, and I also realized that my condition her was more dangerous than I thought.

Usually people value their soul more than their body. This is because I believe that the memories and ego contained within are the biggest elements that represent oneself.

In other words, people are greatly influenced by memory.

Currently, the memories of Ruan Friuli were changing my self.

I am worried that if this continues, he will be completely eaten and his ego as Lee Hyun-woo will disappear and he will even forget his will for revenge.

We need to be vigilant in the future.

‘I’m not swayed by memories or anything like that.’

I closed my eyes and repeated it over and over again.

*

“Alright then, everyone go through the warp gate in order. “The guy who cuts in line will die!”

[Yesss!]

Time passed in an instant.

Currently, I was in front of the warp gate installed in the main auditorium to move to the retreat venue.

All around, excited students were chatting with their friends.

“Since it was chosen by the academy, it must be a high-end training center, right? I’m so excited!”

“The seniors say it’s better than a hotel. I heard the program isn’t that rigorous? “I told you to just think of it as going out to have fun.”

“Well, these days, if you treat people like the military did in the past, there will be news and an uproar. Of course it has to change.”

Perhaps the situation is the same here in the world and in Korea, but the retreat has suddenly become a place to enjoy various programs rather than a place to bully students and catch them.

Academy students especially spend every day training and studying, so it would be good to give them a few days to play to their heart’s content.

This is likely not because it was simply controversial, but because it was concluded to be more efficient.

Anyway, the important thing is that you can rest without complicated thoughts for the next few days.

Of course, you have to pay attention to a few things.

“Then enter next!”

While I was examining the situation, the entire line in front of me disappeared.

I Sarah followed’s instructions and jumped into the gate.

The retreat is finally starting.