Chapter : 164
How much of that novel was actually true? In other words, how much could I really believe?
From the moment I “awakened,” the information that holy power and magic mutually restrained each other’s runaway force had become ambiguous.
Of course, it had only been a hypothesis I inferred from the prologue since I hadn’t read the book all the way through…
Hmm. Let me recall that problematic prologue again.
[A saint, Asha, who “awakened” at fourteen and rose to the position of crown princess, died suddenly because her holy power ran rampant.
Though the reality would soon sink into deep slumber, like the early deaths of certain dukes who inherited the blood of the demon god.
And with the truth that only the two forces—light and darkness—different yet the same—could prevent each other’s tragedy…
This story is a journey of those full of courage and love, seeking the truth.]
I had scribbled on the back of a magazine and circled the word tragedy.
Yes, tragedy.
Wasn’t that “tragedy” referring to the runaway holy power and magic? It’s literally written here.
Only the two forces, light and darkness, different yet the same, can…
Wait.
“Different yet the same?”
I drew a long underline with a red-ink pen. A passage I had passed over carelessly suddenly stuck in my mind.
Why did it describe them as different yet the same?
Did it just mean that both powers came from God equally? Or perhaps… the perspective from which I had been reading this text was flawed from the start?
In my troubled gaze, the prologue of Lotus Blooming in the Mud and the introduction to a play starring Vivi blended together in a jumble.
[A tragicomedy that will be remembered through the ages, Give Flowers to Bonita, currently receiving rave reviews!]
Tragicomedy. Tragicomedy, huh.
The play, which had seemed purely tragic to me, was called a tragicomedy.
Even though the heroine died at the end, the villains repented, estranged people resolved their misunderstandings and drew closer, and the male lead, who initially tried to use her, learned the true meaning of love.
Honestly, I couldn’t fully empathize, but I could grasp it intellectually.
“Love isn’t everything in the world.”
Objectively speaking, there were countless things just as valuable as love.
Ultimately, whether something was considered everything or just depended on what was more important.
For example, the bird in my dream might represent the everything of love, while the woman was closer to just love.
Because she always prioritized her own work, leaving the attention-seeking bird behind.
Then what about the one whining outside my door? What is their priority? And mine?
“Asha…”
“Tsk, remember to reflect.”
Access temporarily denied.
It was a punishment for subtly quarreling with Mercedes and Sophie during today’s pleasant picnic.
They were precious friends who now shared secrets and understood dangerous intentions, so I shouldn’t behave that way.
I needed to correct that habit before school started.
After a sigh, I stacked the scattered magazines neatly and finally circled one last word repeatedly.
“Truth.”
Suddenly, a person I wanted to see first when school reopened came to mind.
At that moment, a knock came, followed by a timid voice.
“I was wrong.”
Ugh. Well, at least I could give my unavoidably cute husband a goodnight kiss.
The carriage jolted. I, fussing with my outfit until the last second, asked:
“How do I look today?”
“Uh…”
I quickly stopped Levi’s automatic response of You look pretty.
“No flattery. Objectively. Now, young master?”
Franz, linking his arm with mine, scanned me from head to toe and said:
“You look like them.”
“Like… a dog?”
“No, like them. From the Campbell family…”
“Stop. I’m allergic to that name.”
Franz closed his mouth with an expression that seemed to ask why I even bothered to ask.
Anyway, fine. I didn’t like the comparison, but if I looked like that person, it was a success.
Just as I adjusted the red satin headband on my forehead and was about to ask the opinion of the last person sitting with us, the carriage stopped.
We had finally arrived at the academy entrance.
Peeking outside, it was bustling with carriages and people, typical for the first day of school.
Perfect. Even some wandering reporters were sniffing around for news.
While I grinned, Levi and Franz got out of the carriage first.
Sssshh.
The sudden drop in atmosphere was instant.
A scene similar to past school openings came to mind.
“That was after a damn summer break as well.”
By now, I was starting to think I had no luck with summers. Perhaps with fire… and Lumière too.
I smoothed my furrowed brows and stepped out of the carriage with confidence.
People were surprised once by my bold entrance, and twice by my dazzling outfit.
Hmph. Even if they thought I’d behave quietly upon returning to school, there was no turning back.
Now that I bore the name Bastion and revealed the mutated Hakate, I had to act more proudly and confidently than anyone else.
And I would spare no effort.
“K-Knox, it’s Viscount Cooper…!”
As expected, the reporters were the first to recognize Benjamin Cooper, following my appearance.
Rumors were rampant that Benjamin Cooper, hidden tightly in the Bastion mansion, might show up any day, and that invoices had already been processed.
We had let it be until the point where the rumors couldn’t be denied, but it really was predictable.
Anyway, people were speechless at Benjamin’s remarkably healthy appearance.
“How long has it been since he was poisoned? Is this even possible?” they’d think, endlessly questioning.
But we hadn’t planned an official announcement yet.
It’s better to keep a slight distance from the public while maintaining some air of mystery to draw more attention.
So judging by appearances was up to each individual.
Of course…
“It’s time to part. Then I shall receive Asha’s blessing.”
“Of course.”
Benjamin knelt on one knee and brought the back of my hand to his forehead, like a blessing from a priest.
The surrounding crowd stirred with excitement.
Watch closely!
This is fair and proper propaganda and fabrication!
Franz looked slightly shocked beside me, but oh well.
I hadn’t lied about purifying Benjamin. Anyone can give a blessing, and it was the public’s freedom to misinterpret.
Chuckling internally, Benjamin muttered suddenly:
“As expected…”
“Huh?”
“The closer I am to Asha, the lighter my body feels.”
Wait, aren’t you supposed to be the one being manipulated? Has your brain already been taken over?
Benjamin slowly rose from his position, leaving me in disbelief, opening and closing the hand he had held.
“Theo experienced the same. Aside from the detoxification effect from the children, my internal injuries spread through my veins healed remarkably quickly.”
“Th-That’s… because you’re strong, Benjamin?”
No. Definitely not.
Even as I said it, I shook my head.
Strong did not fit Benjamin, who barely survived in Bastion, constantly scolded by Theo for overwork and stress at a young age.
Leaving a strange sense of doubt, Benjamin scanned the people watching us and the vast academy grounds.
“Before entering here, I thought His Excellency must have horns on his head.”
“Hm… understandable.”
If I hadn’t met Bastion, I’d think the same.
Benjamin shrugged and continued:
“But the notorious Viscount Bastion I faced in person was just a clever senior who isolated himself from the world.”
“So he was a little insufferable?”
“Exactly.”
Benjamin and I smiled simultaneously.
“But even such an esteemed person occasionally looked like an ordinary boy.”
“No way.”
“When someone sent a letter from the estate.”
“Hmm…”
Seems plausible.
The sender of that letter was probably Katrin, whom Wolfgang picked up from the estate hill when he was fifteen.
I glanced at Levi standing behind me.
Bastion in love. Only those who have experienced the before and after could know the difference.
Anyway, what was he trying to say?
I asked with my eyes, and Benjamin scratched his head, answering:
“I just suddenly remembered the past… If I had met His Excellency younger than I did back then, I might have freaked out and run away.”
“I see. I get that.”
“So, I suppose it was ultimately the steps of fate.”
Ah, steps of fate. Nicely packaged walking into hell.
Benjamin, momentarily immersed in nostalgia, bowed deeply to me.
“I have a feeling the next step of fate will depend on Asha.”
“…”
“Once again, please take good care of Bastion.”
I looked at Benjamin, my steadfast family behind me, and friends approaching from afar, then confidently patted my chest.
“I trust only this boss!”
I’ll take care of everything!
