Chapter 20
====
Odelia carefully fitted the bloodstone.
Precisely, into the circuit for 'releasing,' not 'activating.'
The moment the bloodstone and the magic circle aligned perfectly, a low vibration resonated from the floor.
The red light within the bloodstone flickered intensely, like a flame, and began to waver.
And then…
Crackle—
Slowly, very slowly.
Strands of light began to break one by one, and the circuits of the spell grew faint.
The magic circle, once so intricate and elaborate, began to crumble like a creature at the end of its life.
The half of Ludeviel's life force that he had sacrificed to complete the spell was returning to its original owner.
Odelia quietly watched the process.
As the magic circle completely disappeared, the space sank back into darkness.
At that moment.
She felt as if a slender thread was being severed deep within her chest.
A soft, 'snip.'
Simultaneously, an overwhelming sense of loss washed over her.
The last and only connection that had linked Ludeviel and herself through the spell had now completely vanished.
Odelia quietly inhaled.
A sensation as if something within her chest had been emptied.
'…It's over.'
Those who are to live will live, and those who are to die will die.
Before that, she would have to help Ludville regain his senses and create a goal for him to live for again.
She would live the remaining five years busily.
Even as she tried to boost her motivation, the emptiness remained.
It was just that the tiresome relationship, which she wished she had never started, was finally severed…
'Let's go back.'
Odelia slowly turned her body.
There was no reason to remain any longer in this space where nothing remained.
But then.
Sparkle.
A faint light illuminated the dark gloom.
“…!”
Odelia turned her head in disbelief.
Ludeviel's bloodstone, which should have disappeared along with the magic circle.
The red crystal was still shining on the floor.
Still burning like an unextinguished flame.
Odelia stopped dead in her tracks, staring down at the solitary red crystal.
Even though the magic circle had completely vanished, it did not cease its flame-like flickering.
“…Why.”
Her heart almost sank.
Could the spell release have failed?
For a moment, such an ominous thought flashed through her mind.
But it wasn't.
'The magic circle is gone. The spell has been completely released…'
She was certain.
Ludville's life force, which had been depleted by half, had also returned to him accurately.
But then why was only the bloodstone remaining?
The medium that should have disappeared with the magic circle.
Odelia carefully knelt down before it.
As she picked up the red crystal, she felt a faint warmth at her fingertips.
It was as warm as a human's body temperature.
As if it contained someone's soul.
But she didn't feel anything ominous or eerie.
Rather… she felt strangely at peace.
'Ludville gave almost everything to create this.'
Ludville poured not only his life force but also his memories, emotions, and all the despair and obsession accumulated from countless regressions into creating this crystal.
Even if it was made with such intense will, it would normally disappear along with the release of the spell.
But Ludville was not 'normal.'
'Ludville being a regressor might be the factor.'
In his inner self, the same wish had been accumulated thousands of times.
With that level of desire, longing, yearning, and madness…
That might be why the bloodstone didn't disappear even though the magic circle did.
Like how an object is finished when it's broken, but a human's heart lingers on in the form of regret even when it's broken.
This might not be a remnant of the spell but a last remaining fragment of Ludville's heart.
She had barely managed to sever the connection.
It felt as if this bloodstone was connecting the ends of a thread, saying that she couldn't let go yet.
Odelia stared at it for a while.
Suddenly, she remembered Ludville's wish to spend her thirtieth birthday together.
Could it be that the reason it hadn't disappeared was because that feeling hadn't ended yet…?
'…It's useless.'
He was still searching for the Blue-Eyed Woman.
Even though he had lost all his memories, he couldn't let go of her in his heart.
This bloodstone might be Ludville's true feelings themselves.
If so, this might become an indicator.
'If Ludville completely lets go of me, this bloodstone will disappear too.'
Odelia put the bloodstone back into her pocket.
* * *
Three days since the Order of the Glimmering Dawn had set out.
On the desolate field, the snow that had fallen overnight was stained red with blood.
The name of this village no longer held any meaning.
It was already a land ruined by a horde of Monsters several years ago.
'Bellusa.'
A highly poisonous Monster whose Breath could melt skin and rot internal organs upon contact.
Ludville was currently standing in the middle of that Bellusa horde that had annihilated the entire village.
Without even flinching when hit by the Breath.
He slashed, and slashed, and slashed again, advancing in a straight line.
As if he didn't know what retreat meant.
"Your Highness!"
The Grand Duke's aide, Edwin, shouted, gasping for breath on the edge of the collapsed canyon.
An hour ago.
Ludville had lured the Bellusa and deliberately collapsed the entrance to the canyon.
It was a tactic to narrow the Monsters' path, but at the same time, it was a decisive act that prevented anyone from following him.
It was reckless, and it was his unilateral decision.
'Damn it, again!'
Edwin realized then that he had been tricked.
Ludville was using the subjugation to indulge in this game that bordered on suicide.
"Belkan! Is it not done yet?"
Edwin shouted, turning urgently toward the entrance.
Then a mage called Belkan wiped the sweat from his forehead on top of the magic circle and shouted.
"I'm still trying, Aide!"
The collapsed terrain was foreshadowing an avalanche, and if they entered rashly, Ludville could be buried as well.
The aide and the Order of the Glimmering Dawn could only helplessly watch from this spot, hoping for the magic to succeed.
Edwin gritted his teeth and stamped his feet.
"Damn it, please hurry…!"
Beyond the collapsed debris, a glimpse of his lord could be seen.
Ludeviel Excepcion.
He was smiling with a twisted expression.
As if intoxicated by the Monsters' Demonic Energy.
'If you're going to go crazy, go crazy nicely!'
Edwin screamed inwardly.
Regardless, Ludville, who didn't care what his aide was doing, instantly beheaded a Monster.
The viscous blood, no different from poison, splattered on his face, but he didn't even flinch.
His empty purple eyes didn't even contain a trace of pain.
He was just staring blankly into the distance without any emotion.
He indifferently watched another one charging toward him.
This time, he didn't even draw his sword, but broke its neck with his bare hands.
And it was at that very moment.
“…!”
Thump, thump, thump—
His heart began to pound madly.
Something was flowing back in.
Life, vitality, stamina, pulse.
Whatever you might define it as.
