“I had no interest in the mortal world, and this applied to Albert as well, but…”
As Emmett’s voice dropped to a grim tone, he shrugged.
“Since my final days are just around the corner, let’s just say that my intervention this time will be a rare exception.”
Turning to face me, Emmett continued.
“For instance, Albert has nothing to worry about. He should know that, too.”
Though slight, I gave him a sidelong scowl.
“You never tell him anything, so how could he not worry? He doesn’t even know that you’re a transcendental sage.”
“Because he doesn’t need to know more about me.”
Emmett made great efforts in distancing himself from Albert and had a firm resolve to detach himself from mortal affairs.
Yet despite all that, he was going out of his way to deal with as great of a man as the lord of the magic tower, and he was even taking care of Albert.
“But you ended up being attached to him.”
Emmett’s eyes went wide right then, then he shrugged once more.
“You make me speechless.”
I simply pointed out the very truth he had been trying to turn a blind eye to.
Glancing at me, he folded his arms over his chest.
“I didn’t approach the Young Count with good intentions at first.”
“…So, you were also thinking of using him?”
“More so for the sake of revenge.”
It was a much heavier subject than I was expecting. In that moment, loneliness swept through his gaze.
However, he grinned.
“Let’s just say this is my final act of good conscience.”
For the first time, I was curious about the life Emmett had trodden.
He had become a transcendental sage with all that power, yet he chose to pursue a quiet life.
Whoever the target of his vengeance was, Emmett tried to enact it through Albert even though he himself had enough ability to solve it on his own.
However, in the end, he threw those plans away. The final act he had chosen to do before dying was to blackmail Belfort and swindle money from him.
Even that was for Albert.
Though indifferent to others, Emmett truly cared for Albert with all his heart.
I clearly recalled the present Albert’s earnest expression earlier when I told him I’d ask Emmett for permission in his stead.
Then, I recalled just how much the future Albert had mourned Emmett’s death.
One thought came to my mind.
‘…If he lives…’
If Emmett were to live, a huge part of Albert’s life would be altered.
Even if he were to live under Rosteratu’s roof, Albert wouldn’t have to go through such a painful life.
And it’s enough to be sure of this just by seeing how Emmett had handled Belfort.
Emmett had such a profound effect on Albert’s life.
So, if Emmett were to survive, Albert could be happier.
A voice, like a divine revelation, filled my mind right then.
[ If you are to prevent Emmett’s death, this would mean that Albert can achieve happiness from an early age. ]
That clear voice echoed in my mind.
This.
This was the ordeal.
I was being given a choice—to persuade Emmett and save him, or to do nothing and let him die.
Not once had I thought about saving Emmett since the moment I met him. His death was already an established fact in the future.
However, this had become a past that I could change.
The future Albert had continuously suffered under Rosteratu for years on end. However, if Emmett was just by his side, Albert would not have to suffer.
If I just ask Emmett now—to erase the Grey family’s memories, to take Albert and go on a trip to another country—Albert would not have to be trapped in a tower in the future.
His life would turn around completely.
But instead, I…
I would cease to exist.
“No. Don’t.”
At the sudden voice, I raised my head. Emmett was looking straight into my eyes, as if he could see right through me.
“My resolve is not as firm as you think—I might be swayed. Don’t say anything. Do nothing.”
This made me realize it even more.
This, right here, was the turning point in Albert’s life.
“Let me die.”
Emmett continued to speak with a light expression despite the gravity of his words. I could not respond.
A heavy boulder began to settle on my heart.
The only way I’d be able to meet the future Albert was… if I were to turn a blind eye to the present Albert’s agony.
My emotions were pouring, overwhelming me entirely.
Yet I clenched my hands into fists to control them all.
Looking off to the side where Belfort could be seen walking towards this direction, Emmett whispered.
“Even this is part of the stream of time.”
I bit down on my lower lip, hard.
Well aware of just how much tears of anguish the present Albert would shed, and yet.
I could not bring myself to persuade him.
I could not deny the yearning I had for the future Albert to remain as he was.
…I could not deny how terribly, despicably selfish of a human being I was.
* * *
Belfort had managed to prepare the whole sum without much difficulty. It was made possible because he had a short meeting with Marquis Evnen today.
The amount demanded by that unknown man earlier was enough for most nobles to live comfortably for three full decades.
There was only one reason as to why Belfort was willing to pay such an astronomical price.
This was all because it would become quite troublesome if this matter were to reach the ears of Marquis Evnen.
Confirming that Mercy was sitting on a bench while watching the fireworks, Belfort hurried to Marquis Evnen. He could not waste even a single second.
“Your Excellency.”
“You’re here.”
Marquis Evnen greeted him with a chuckle, which surprised Belfort. The marquis seemed to be in a better mood than expected.
“It is an honor to see you once again, Marquis.”
Using a polite tone for his greeting, Belfort carefully gauged Marquis Evnen’s mood.
He was a man who’s usually difficult to please. If he was in a good mood, there was most probably a good reason for that…
And, soon enough, Belfort found the dragon cub beside Marquis Evnen.
“This…”
“You’re meeting this little one for the first time, so say hello. Its name is Alexander.”
With scales so mesmerizingly blue, so exceptionally lovely, the dragon cub next to Marquis Evnen looked at the nobleman uneasily.
Nevertheless, the marquis was completely relaxed. He handed over the small chest—a jewelry box—to the tower lord with ease.
“So, this investment will be used for the future of the mages, yes?”
Of course, this was nowhere near the truth.
The compensation that Marquis Evnen was giving the Belfort now was for their business of child trafficking.
“I had no interest in the mortal world, and this applied to Albert as well, but…”
As Emmett’s voice dropped to a grim tone, he shrugged.
“Since my final days are just around the corner, let’s just say that my intervention this time will be a rare exception.”
Turning to face me, Emmett continued.
“For instance, Albert has nothing to worry about. He should know that, too.”
Though slight, I gave him a sidelong scowl.
“You never tell him anything, so how could he not worry? He doesn’t even know that you’re a transcendental sage.”
“Because he doesn’t need to know more about me.”
Emmett made great efforts in distancing himself from Albert and had a firm resolve to detach himself from mortal affairs.
Yet despite all that, he was going out of his way to deal with as great of a man as the lord of the magic tower, and he was even taking care of Albert.
“But you ended up being attached to him.”
Emmett’s eyes went wide right then, then he shrugged once more.
“You make me speechless.”
I simply pointed out the very truth he had been trying to turn a blind eye to.
Glancing at me, he folded his arms over his chest.
“I didn’t approach the Young Count with good intentions at first.”
“…So, you were also thinking of using him?”
“More so for the sake of revenge.”
It was a much heavier subject than I was expecting. In that moment, loneliness swept through his gaze.
However, he grinned.
“Let’s just say this is my final act of good conscience.”
For the first time, I was curious about the life Emmett had trodden.
He had become a transcendental sage with all that power, yet he chose to pursue a quiet life.
Whoever the target of his vengeance was, Emmett tried to enact it through Albert even though he himself had enough ability to solve it on his own.
However, in the end, he threw those plans away. The final act he had chosen to do before dying was to blackmail Belfort and swindle money from him.
Even that was for Albert.
Though indifferent to others, Emmett truly cared for Albert with all his heart.
I clearly recalled the present Albert’s earnest expression earlier when I told him I’d ask Emmett for permission in his stead.
Then, I recalled just how much the future Albert had mourned Emmett’s death.
One thought came to my mind.
‘…If he lives…’
If Emmett were to live, a huge part of Albert’s life would be altered.
Even if he were to live under Rosteratu’s roof, Albert wouldn’t have to go through such a painful life.
And it’s enough to be sure of this just by seeing how Emmett had handled Belfort.
Emmett had such a profound effect on Albert’s life.
So, if Emmett were to survive, Albert could be happier.
A voice, like a divine revelation, filled my mind right then.
[ If you are to prevent Emmett’s death, this would mean that Albert can achieve happiness from an early age. ]
That clear voice echoed in my mind.
This.
This was the ordeal.
I was being given a choice—to persuade Emmett and save him, or to do nothing and let him die.
Not once had I thought about saving Emmett since the moment I met him. His death was already an established fact in the future.
However, this had become a past that I could change.
The future Albert had continuously suffered under Rosteratu for years on end. However, if Emmett was just by his side, Albert would not have to suffer.
If I just ask Emmett now—to erase the Grey family’s memories, to take Albert and go on a trip to another country—Albert would not have to be trapped in a tower in the future.
His life would turn around completely.
But instead, I…
I would cease to exist.
“No. Don’t.”
At the sudden voice, I raised my head. Emmett was looking straight into my eyes, as if he could see right through me.
“My resolve is not as firm as you think—I might be swayed. Don’t say anything. Do nothing.”
This made me realize it even more.
This, right here, was the turning point in Albert’s life.
“Let me die.”
Emmett continued to speak with a light expression despite the gravity of his words. I could not respond.
A heavy boulder began to settle on my heart.
The only way I’d be able to meet the future Albert was… if I were to turn a blind eye to the present Albert’s agony.
My emotions were pouring, overwhelming me entirely.
Yet I clenched my hands into fists to control them all.
Looking off to the side where Belfort could be seen walking towards this direction, Emmett whispered.
“Even this is part of the stream of time.”
I bit down on my lower lip, hard.
Well aware of just how much tears of anguish the present Albert would shed, and yet.
I could not bring myself to persuade him.
I could not deny the yearning I had for the future Albert to remain as he was.
…I could not deny how terribly, despicably selfish of a human being I was.
* * *
Belfort had managed to prepare the whole sum without much difficulty. It was made possible because he had a short meeting with Marquis Evnen today.
The amount demanded by that unknown man earlier was enough for most nobles to live comfortably for three full decades.
There was only one reason as to why Belfort was willing to pay such an astronomical price.
This was all because it would become quite troublesome if this matter were to reach the ears of Marquis Evnen.
Confirming that Mercy was sitting on a bench while watching the fireworks, Belfort hurried to Marquis Evnen. He could not waste even a single second.
“Your Excellency.”
“You’re here.”
Marquis Evnen greeted him with a chuckle, which surprised Belfort. The marquis seemed to be in a better mood than expected.
“It is an honor to see you once again, Marquis.”
Using a polite tone for his greeting, Belfort carefully gauged Marquis Evnen’s mood.
He was a man who’s usually difficult to please. If he was in a good mood, there was most probably a good reason for that…
And, soon enough, Belfort found the dragon cub beside Marquis Evnen.
“This…”
“You’re meeting this little one for the first time, so say hello. Its name is Alexander.”
With scales so mesmerizingly blue, so exceptionally lovely, the dragon cub next to Marquis Evnen looked at the nobleman uneasily.
Nevertheless, the marquis was completely relaxed. He handed over the small chest—a jewelry box—to the tower lord with ease.
“So, this investment will be used for the future of the mages, yes?”
Of course, this was nowhere near the truth.
The compensation that Marquis Evnen was giving the Belfort now was for their business of child trafficking.
