・─Ithia's POV
I observed my father heading towards his workplace, and my heart filled with joy upon seeing him. I approached him from his rear, alongside a group of knights.
"Father."
I called out to him, with a smile adorning my face.
"Don't address me so casually and don't stand so close to me!"
However, he swiftly turned towards me and sternly admonished me.
"Y-Y-Your Highness.'"
In response, I stammered.
The unexpected hostile outburst left me bewildered and frightened.
"Dad!"
Shortly after, one of my half-siblings, a girl, and a boy, approached my father.
"What is it?"
The atmosphere drastically changed, and he appeared delighted to see them.
...T-That's strange.
I found this rather peculiar, as it starkly contrasted his earlier demeanor towards me.
I was confused, I couldn't help but ponder if I had done something amiss.
As a result, I began avoiding any contact with my father.
One day, I overheard the servants mentioning that my father had only visited her once in the palace. At first, I dismissed this as him merely being occupied with his duties.
Given my mother's illness, my daily routine now revolves around spending time in the library.
I eagerly share my discoveries and activities with her, finding solace and happiness in our conversations.
Now, as I stroll through the grand castle, I catch sight of my father in the presence of his second wife and their child. I couldn't resist the temptation of discreetly observing their interactions.
They seem profoundly content, while my mother and I are left feeling neglected.
As I grew older, these observations allowed me to gradually comprehend the reality of my isolated existence.
It appears as though my father's love for my mother has diminished, or just an option.
The notion of true love should encompass a mutual affection.
I cannot help but query the necessity of having a second wife. Is everything merely a trivial game or is it due to the prerogatives of royalty?
To my understanding, the king is strictly forbidden from taking multiple wives.
A nation is comprised of its people, and not solely defined by the number of wives its leader possesses.
All the resources and wealth seem to flow into the king's coffers, purportedly for the advancement of the place and the aid of the impoverished and homeless. It is imperative that those without shelter must be provided with suitable housing.
The concept of a 'country' supposedly resembles a utopia, an attempt to emulate God.
"Mother."
"Ithia, I'm gonna be fine."
My frail and ailing mother lies in bed and tenderly smiles at me.
'If only I possessed the divination, one of capability, I could heal her and relieve her suffering.'
I thought to myself accompanied by sadness.
￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣Today, I am strolling along the sidepath of the castle when I overhear some unsettling information about the Urquios Empire.
I was so concerned, I quickly take cover behind a statue of armor nearby.
".... .... ...I find it quite peculiar that the king turns a blind eye to the misdeeds occurring within the empire, including involvement from various organizations."
"This situation raises apprehension about the stability of the Empire, and I sincerely hope that nothing untoward happens."
......Association. Subordinate. Civilizations, and God's world.
Contemplating the circumstances, I decide to establish an organization and gather allies who possess the skill of divination. With their assistance, I aim to protect the people of Urquios.
Despite my tender age of thirteen, I have already successfully formed my organization, aptly named 'Enigma'.
The Association of Justice.
At first, it proved challenging to find allies, as one must possess the [Lost Magic] to teleport anywhere and utilize portals.
Nevertheless, I have earned the respect of my peers who are of the same age as me, and when I discovered their capability of divination, I promptly requested their assistance in healing my mother.
As morning arrives, I make my way back to the castle, informing my mother about the promising prospect of her healing.
The maids have gathered outside the room occupied by my mother.
Curiosity arose within me as to the reason behind their presence in front of the double doors.
I proceeded past them, and I noticed their silence.
When I entered the room, a sudden loss of strength compelled me to sit on the floor as my eyes beheld the distressing sight of blood emanating from my mother's mouth, accompanied by a spherical glass bottle on the floor.
"...Mom?"
From the depths of my pained heart, I struggled to comprehend the reality of the situation.
It seems unfathomable that only yesterday we spoke and I departed in the evening to meet with an ally from my organization.
I looked behind asking for help, but everybody simply averted their gazes.
I managed to stand upright, despite my body oscillating side to side and my feet gradually moving closer.
"Ithia, you must be strong and you shouldn't hide your feelings. If someone treats you badly, don't take it seriously. When you mature, you will amass extensive knowledge about the world, encountering people, and have the opportunity to explore numerous destinations. If you come across an unfavorable location, you'll leave the place without looking back as there lies an alternative path bestowed upon us by a God."
I vividly recall my mother's gentle tone, imparted words of wisdom as she embraced me tenderly.
"M-Mom. ..Mom. Mom."
My voice trembled, barely audible.
I approached the bed and embraced her while she laid motionless, her breath nonexistent.
"─Uh...ah..waahhh."
Overwhelmed by the weight of my emotions and the agony of the situation, I succumbed to uncontrollable sobbing.
Amidst this bleak environment, she was the sole parent by my side.
￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣
As the only attendee at her funeral, I pondered the cause of my mother's demise.
When the attendants removed her lifeless body from the room, I observed a bruise around her neck and a small partially-filled spherical glass bottle.
I couldn't help but question who might have been responsible for ending her life.
I am determined to uncover the truth, despite the absence of any evidence.
"They'll pay for this! I won't stop until I find those responsible!"
￣
￣
Since that fateful day, I have lost my sense of kindness.
Time has passed, and I am now 16 years old.
Throughout this time, I have taken the lives of numerous people who have committed heinous acts, refusing to forgive them even in the face of their begging for mercy.
Today, I found myself faced with a formidable opponent - the founder of the notorious akrasia organization.
Despite my best efforts, I ultimately met defeat.
￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣Upon regaining consciousness, I detected the presence of someone carrying me.
All I can think is that she was the one who helped me.
I was overwhelmed by gratitude and I wished to express my thanks. Alas, I found myself unable to speak, open my eyes, or even move my own body.
'What is happening?'
Confusion consumed me as I struggled to comprehend the situation at hand.
『Master!』
Vriel's telepathic message reached me.
『...I heard you』
『Thank goodness, you're finally awake, I wanted to connect with you a while ago, but I couldn't send telepathy because you were asleep.』
『Vriel, I couldn't move. ...I have no idea what's happening to me.』
『』She proceeded to recount everything that had occurred, leaving me astonished.
『...The one who is currently holding you is one of the chosen ones and granted you immortality, for your life is fraught with peril. Master, It appears that your current incapacitated state may be a side effect of immortality.』
『Assist me, Vriel, approach her...』
I am filled with immense joy as I have attained immortality.
『Master, I implore you to rest. Also, it is quite challenging to approach her due to her associate who's from the north. It would be rather awkward to face them!』
『The north, you said? It is uncommon for someone of importance to be present in the East without a purpose. The fallen angels, residing in the northern region exhibit a tendency to remain in their current location, refraining from relocating to other destinations』
『That is precisely the information I seek, master. Furthermore, I have something important to convey.』
『I'll listen』
『We'll return to the base and await your arrival.』
『『. . . . . . . .』』
『You will face consequences for your actions, just wait for it』
『Please rest, master! Until we meet again!』
『─』
"─How is she?"
"She has not awakened yet, I wonder what could be the cause."
.... ......
"It is possible that her internal energy flow has been disrupted due to a severed body root, and we know that the capabilities are from God, as for abilities, they are inherited through bloodlines."
.... ...I am able to hear their conversation. This is so embarrassing.
"Just like what had occurred to me in the dungeon."
Should I communicate with them telepathically? However, it appears to be rather uncomfortable to engage in conversation in this manner.
"Rin, past is past."
So, that's her name.
Ah... They seem to be enjoying a cheerful conversation.
"How is Ayla?"
"Rin, our daughter is peacefully asleep."
"I am delighted to be informed."
Ah.
A sudden recollection about the same feminine relationship.
...So, it appears they have an adopted daughter.
Suddenly, A wave of warmth swept over me as I contemplated how well she is caring for me. With one hand gently supporting my back.
As they conversed with joy about their child, it felt like a family moment I have yet to experience. ...But now, I am experiencing that very moment.
Unexpectedly, tears welled up in my eyes.
Am I crying? Although I am unable to open my eyes.
"Rin?"
"...S-S-She's crying."
I see.
"She's still unconscious, yes?"
"....I wonder, what nightmare could be the cause of her tears?"
"...Let's hug her."
"Yes."
The warm embrace is so comforting, It feels as though I am being hugged by my departed mother.
My consciousness is lulled.
・─Ithia's POV
I observed my father heading towards his workplace, and my heart filled with joy upon seeing him. I approached him from his rear, alongside a group of knights.
"Father."
I called out to him, with a smile adorning my face.
"Don't address me so casually and don't stand so close to me!"
However, he swiftly turned towards me and sternly admonished me.
"Y-Y-Your Highness.'"
In response, I stammered.
The unexpected hostile outburst left me bewildered and frightened.
"Dad!"
Shortly after, one of my half-siblings, a girl, and a boy, approached my father.
"What is it?"
The atmosphere drastically changed, and he appeared delighted to see them.
...T-That's strange.
I found this rather peculiar, as it starkly contrasted his earlier demeanor towards me.
I was confused, I couldn't help but ponder if I had done something amiss.
As a result, I began avoiding any contact with my father.
One day, I overheard the servants mentioning that my father had only visited her once in the palace. At first, I dismissed this as him merely being occupied with his duties.
Given my mother's illness, my daily routine now revolves around spending time in the library.
I eagerly share my discoveries and activities with her, finding solace and happiness in our conversations.
Now, as I stroll through the grand castle, I catch sight of my father in the presence of his second wife and their child. I couldn't resist the temptation of discreetly observing their interactions.
They seem profoundly content, while my mother and I are left feeling neglected.
As I grew older, these observations allowed me to gradually comprehend the reality of my isolated existence.
It appears as though my father's love for my mother has diminished, or just an option.
The notion of true love should encompass a mutual affection.
I cannot help but query the necessity of having a second wife. Is everything merely a trivial game or is it due to the prerogatives of royalty?
To my understanding, the king is strictly forbidden from taking multiple wives.
A nation is comprised of its people, and not solely defined by the number of wives its leader possesses.
All the resources and wealth seem to flow into the king's coffers, purportedly for the advancement of the place and the aid of the impoverished and homeless. It is imperative that those without shelter must be provided with suitable housing.
The concept of a 'country' supposedly resembles a utopia, an attempt to emulate God.
"Mother."
"Ithia, I'm gonna be fine."
My frail and ailing mother lies in bed and tenderly smiles at me.
'If only I possessed the divination, one of capability, I could heal her and relieve her suffering.'
I thought to myself accompanied by sadness.
￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣Today, I am strolling along the sidepath of the castle when I overhear some unsettling information about the Urquios Empire.
I was so concerned, I quickly take cover behind a statue of armor nearby.
".... .... ...I find it quite peculiar that the king turns a blind eye to the misdeeds occurring within the empire, including involvement from various organizations."
"This situation raises apprehension about the stability of the Empire, and I sincerely hope that nothing untoward happens."
......Association. Subordinate. Civilizations, and God's world.
Contemplating the circumstances, I decide to establish an organization and gather allies who possess the skill of divination. With their assistance, I aim to protect the people of Urquios.
Despite my tender age of thirteen, I have already successfully formed my organization, aptly named 'Enigma'.
The Association of Justice.
At first, it proved challenging to find allies, as one must possess the [Lost Magic] to teleport anywhere and utilize portals.
Nevertheless, I have earned the respect of my peers who are of the same age as me, and when I discovered their capability of divination, I promptly requested their assistance in healing my mother.
As morning arrives, I make my way back to the castle, informing my mother about the promising prospect of her healing.
The maids have gathered outside the room occupied by my mother.
Curiosity arose within me as to the reason behind their presence in front of the double doors.
I proceeded past them, and I noticed their silence.
When I entered the room, a sudden loss of strength compelled me to sit on the floor as my eyes beheld the distressing sight of blood emanating from my mother's mouth, accompanied by a spherical glass bottle on the floor.
"...Mom?"
From the depths of my pained heart, I struggled to comprehend the reality of the situation.
It seems unfathomable that only yesterday we spoke and I departed in the evening to meet with an ally from my organization.
I looked behind asking for help, but everybody simply averted their gazes.
I managed to stand upright, despite my body oscillating side to side and my feet gradually moving closer.
"Ithia, you must be strong and you shouldn't hide your feelings. If someone treats you badly, don't take it seriously. When you mature, you will amass extensive knowledge about the world, encountering people, and have the opportunity to explore numerous destinations. If you come across an unfavorable location, you'll leave the place without looking back as there lies an alternative path bestowed upon us by a God."
I vividly recall my mother's gentle tone, imparted words of wisdom as she embraced me tenderly.
"M-Mom. ..Mom. Mom."
My voice trembled, barely audible.
I approached the bed and embraced her while she laid motionless, her breath nonexistent.
"─Uh...ah..waahhh."
Overwhelmed by the weight of my emotions and the agony of the situation, I succumbed to uncontrollable sobbing.
Amidst this bleak environment, she was the sole parent by my side.
￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣
As the only attendee at her funeral, I pondered the cause of my mother's demise.
When the attendants removed her lifeless body from the room, I observed a bruise around her neck and a small partially-filled spherical glass bottle.
I couldn't help but question who might have been responsible for ending her life.
I am determined to uncover the truth, despite the absence of any evidence.
"They'll pay for this! I won't stop until I find those responsible!"
￣
￣
Since that fateful day, I have lost my sense of kindness.
Time has passed, and I am now 16 years old.
Throughout this time, I have taken the lives of numerous people who have committed heinous acts, refusing to forgive them even in the face of their begging for mercy.
Today, I found myself faced with a formidable opponent - the founder of the notorious akrasia organization.
Despite my best efforts, I ultimately met defeat.
￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣Upon regaining consciousness, I detected the presence of someone carrying me.
All I can think is that she was the one who helped me.
I was overwhelmed by gratitude and I wished to express my thanks. Alas, I found myself unable to speak, open my eyes, or even move my own body.
'What is happening?'
Confusion consumed me as I struggled to comprehend the situation at hand.
『Master!』
Vriel's telepathic message reached me.
『...I heard you』
『Thank goodness, you're finally awake, I wanted to connect with you a while ago, but I couldn't send telepathy because you were asleep.』
『Vriel, I couldn't move. ...I have no idea what's happening to me.』
『』She proceeded to recount everything that had occurred, leaving me astonished.
『...The one who is currently holding you is one of the chosen ones and granted you immortality, for your life is fraught with peril. Master, It appears that your current incapacitated state may be a side effect of immortality.』
『Assist me, Vriel, approach her...』
I am filled with immense joy as I have attained immortality.
『Master, I implore you to rest. Also, it is quite challenging to approach her due to her associate who's from the north. It would be rather awkward to face them!』
『The north, you said? It is uncommon for someone of importance to be present in the East without a purpose. The fallen angels, residing in the northern region exhibit a tendency to remain in their current location, refraining from relocating to other destinations』
『That is precisely the information I seek, master. Furthermore, I have something important to convey.』
『I'll listen』
『We'll return to the base and await your arrival.』
『『. . . . . . . .』』
『You will face consequences for your actions, just wait for it』
『Please rest, master! Until we meet again!』
『─』
"─How is she?"
"She has not awakened yet, I wonder what could be the cause."
.... ......
"It is possible that her internal energy flow has been disrupted due to a severed body root, and we know that the capabilities are from God, as for abilities, they are inherited through bloodlines."
.... ...I am able to hear their conversation. This is so embarrassing.
"Just like what had occurred to me in the dungeon."
Should I communicate with them telepathically? However, it appears to be rather uncomfortable to engage in conversation in this manner.
"Rin, past is past."
So, that's her name.
Ah... They seem to be enjoying a cheerful conversation.
"How is Ayla?"
"Rin, our daughter is peacefully asleep."
"I am delighted to be informed."
Ah.
A sudden recollection about the same feminine relationship.
...So, it appears they have an adopted daughter.
Suddenly, A wave of warmth swept over me as I contemplated how well she is caring for me. With one hand gently supporting my back.
As they conversed with joy about their child, it felt like a family moment I have yet to experience. ...But now, I am experiencing that very moment.
Unexpectedly, tears welled up in my eyes.
Am I crying? Although I am unable to open my eyes.
"Rin?"
"...S-S-She's crying."
I see.
"She's still unconscious, yes?"
"....I wonder, what nightmare could be the cause of her tears?"
"...Let's hug her."
"Yes."
The warm embrace is so comforting, It feels as though I am being hugged by my departed mother.
My consciousness is lulled.
