Side story — 3-3
The ‘fake’ Layla was just an ordinary artifact.
But because she became ‘corrupted,’ she developed a consciousness of her own.
[I’m purifying the artifact, but I can’t figure out its purpose.]
The ‘real’ Layla could purify her, but once a consciousness had formed, it couldn’t be undone.
The ‘fake’ was drawn to the person who held the strongest desire.
“Such a truly appealing desire.”
Unfortunately, with her own power, she couldn’t make the ‘real’ Layla love him.
“I can’t force this man to say he loves me.”
So, as a second-best plan, she created a massive barrier to engage only with Edgar Crow.
She first removed a few distractions.
She made an environment where he wouldn’t get stuck dwelling on the past.
She created moments where they could be alone together.
And she showed him ‘good dreams.’
The final moment had arrived.
The ‘fake’ sat across from him, having lunch.
“Minister.”
She smiled shyly.
‘I remember peeking when the real one purified me.’
“You know you went a bit too far at the hospital last time, right?”
“…Ah.”
“How could you think of me in such a ‘worst memory’?”
“….”
“Even though I seem fine, I was really hurt.”
The ‘fake’ lowered her gaze, imitating Layla.
For the dream to feel real, she had to be sincere, and her heart ached slightly.
“…Hurt.”
And she noticed Edgar subtly faltering.
“Could what I’m doing really hurt you?”
“Of course it could.”
The ‘fake’ whispered, secretly thrilled.
“Because… I actually like you, Minister…”
“….”
“But did you dislike me that much?”
The ‘fake’ looked at him with a genuinely sad expression.
Edgar put down his utensils.
“Haha.”
He smiled gently.
“You really are well made, artifact.”
『…!』
“I almost got hypnotized there. Interesting.”
Snap.
Edgar clapped his fingers together with a smile.
The ‘fake’s’ magic completely shattered, and she was pulled back into the dark space.
Startled by his rejection, the ‘fake’ opened her eyes wide.
“But you underestimated me.”
『What did you say?』
“The real one did too. You didn’t realize I can read thoughts.”
『…!』
“And the real one wouldn’t confess first. She doesn’t date men at work, you see.”
『W-what does that mean?』
The ‘fake’ snapped indignantly.
She was embarrassed at being caught, but now her pride made her determined to speak.
『Then… can’t I just do it for you?』
“….”
『It’s just a wish to speak, right? Then it doesn’t matter if the face is the same!』
“…No.”
Edgar shook his head slowly.
‘I get it now.’
Why he was always involved with artifacts that dug into his heart: desire, pride, vanity.
He had been swayed by these feelings since childhood.
So more than anything, he didn’t want that at the very end.
“I don’t need anything fake.”
『But your life… now—』
“It was never a wish I truly wanted to fulfill.”
『Huh?』
The ‘fake’ didn’t understand and looked confused.
Everyone who created or used her had been desperate to fulfill a wish.
And this man’s desire was stronger than anyone’s—strong enough to even draw in an artifact.
Yet, he didn’t want to fulfill it?
Edgar gave a charming eye-smile.
Long ago, he had decided: “I’ll let the woman I love have what she wants.”
There was no choice that could shake Layla, happily living her married life.
‘Though it still tempts me to tease Lupesque.’
And now, it was too late to overturn the decision he had made.
“I don’t want the woman I love to have a pitiful last image of me.”
『…!』
“So, break the barrier, artifact. I…”
I’ll sink with my pride.
But before he could finish,
“Haaah.”
The real limit hit him.
And his vision turned completely black.
『Wait…!』
The ‘fake’ cried out in shock.
Edgar coughed up blood and collapsed.
She knelt beside him, pleading.
『Why won’t you let me speak! I have to fulfill your wish! If I don’t…!』
Her purpose was to fulfill others’ wishes.
If she couldn’t achieve her goal, she would be permanently damaged.
But Edgar only let out a faint laugh and wiped the tears from the ‘fake’s’ eyes.
Even if she was a ‘fake,’ she looked like Layla.
‘She wouldn’t cry for me like this anyway.’
Indeed, she was now perfectly happy.
“Good girl, dry your tears.”
『…』
“Well, you must be desperate too…”
Soon, Edgar’s eyes closed.
The ‘fake’ quickly grabbed his hand.
She had to think of a second-best plan.
Within her power, she had to discover this man’s other wish.
After a few seconds, she opened her eyes wide.
『…! Got it.』
The ‘fake’ whispered to the sleeping Edgar.
『Edgar, wait. I’ll grant your other wish.』
Outside the capital, a black sphere appeared. Several dozen minutes later, I was back at the excavation site with my team.
‘What on earth is this made of?’
No matter what we did from the outside, we couldn’t break the black barrier.
The priests at the site couldn’t lift their heads.
“Holy power doesn’t work…!”
“No need to apologize, Saint.”
Even my power wouldn’t work.
Even Seamus, the master of the magical knights of the palace, brought his team, but there was no progress.
“…This side is impossible too. Nothing works.”
“Not even with your magic?”
Seamus nodded, grim-faced.
‘What should we do?’
Even Seamus, the Tower Master, couldn’t break this magic—not even dark magic.
I grit my teeth.
“It’s definitely because of an artifact.”
One of the artifacts we examined must have gone haywire.
‘But which one…?’
I recalled the artifact that had been giving off a faint glow.
‘The one that grants wishes!’
But Edgar said it could only create illusions of wishes.
Could it be far stronger than I thought?
“Seamus, if this is an artifact problem, how do we solve it fastest?”
“…We need to fulfill its intended purpose quickly. Then it will stop functioning.”
“The intended purpose…”
Whose wish was it trying to fulfill to work so wildly?
At least we now had a lead, so I couldn’t delay.
I rolled up my sleeves and approached the barrier.
Everyone panicked around me.
“Saint! Don’t go near it! It’s dangerous…!”
They tried to stop me, but I had responsibility here.
‘I should’ve been more careful.’
This wasn’t the time to be reassured that the ‘corruption’ was gone.
But the moment I touched the barrier…
“…!”
The barrier that had blocked every attack before now drew in only my hand gently.
When Edgar opened his eyes again, the ‘fake’ was gone.
All around was pitch-black night. I was here for the first time, but I knew the place.
‘It’s the landscape from Layla’s heart.’
The view of the river at night.
And I was slowly sinking.
‘Hmm… It’s over now.’
It felt surprisingly peaceful.
I had been quite tired for a long time.
I had been toyed with when I desired something, had to give up, yet had to pretend I was fine for pride’s sake.
‘At least I got to see some entertaining scenes thanks to the artifact.’
To think Layla would cry because of me… I laughed quietly at the impossible thought.
But just as I was about to sink deeper, a loud voice came from behind.
“Edgaar!”
“…!”
“Edgar, what on earth are you doing?!”
Edgar’s eyes widened as he turned.
I thought it was another illusion from the artifact.
“Layla…?”
Still, he should be able to recognize the ‘real’ one.
But as he turned, Layla collided with him directly.
“Ah.”
“Uh…? Ack!”
Splash!
Off balance, both fell straight into the river.
