The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Episode 95: The Illusory Species

It has already been a month and a half since the day we were ambushed by assassins during the monster subjugation training.

On the day of the attack, we were taken back to the inn and our home by Eiri, who was concerned for us, and interrogations began the following day.

We explained that we were suddenly attacked by unexpected assassins, and that we fought back in resistance, and that we didn’t inform Eiri and the others because we had no chance to notify them via magic.

The assassins had their own specialized magicians who attempted to gather information, but on their way to be transported, they were ambushed by someone, and it seems most of them were wiped out.

However, it appears that the three that we faced were not among them; it seems they managed to escape.

Moreover, Aido apparently recovered his weapon properly, and the huge battle axe that I had entrusted to him was also not at the scene.

(Well, I figured something like this would happen, so I gave him the weapon.)

Knowing who the enemy was, I anticipated this outcome and had given Aido his weapon during the handover to make it easier for them to escape.

I could have easily abandoned them, but I didn’t exactly dislike Aido’s character, and above all, I had promised to kill him next time.

So, it was personally uninteresting for me to have him killed by someone other than myself, so I decided to give him a chance to escape this time.

Anyway, the matter of who orchestrated the attack by the assassins remains a mystery, and just like that, a month and a half flew by.

Since that day, I had no contact with Sonia at all and left matters regarding her to Fiera and Shuvina while continually visiting the forbidden library.

And today, I finally found the book that Aurience seemed to want me to read.

The book had no author name, no date of writing, and not even a title; it was just a completely black book.

However, the moment I stumbled upon it in the corner of the bookshelf, I instinctively knew that this was the one.

“Let’s give it a read.”

I quickly opened the book and skimmed through its pages.

‘This book records the resting places of the illusory species.

In the resting place of the dead sleeps the ancient king who rules all magic.

In the Dragon’s lair sleeps the oldest emperor who rules the skies.

In the gathering place of beasts sleeps the beast king who rules the earth.

In the underwater city sleeps the guardian king who has protected the sea since ancient times.

In the playground of spirits, that king watches over them, watches over nature, and quietly sleeps.

When those kings awaken, the world will be engulfed in chaos and fear, heralding the beginning of a new world.

That is the end of the old era and the start of a new era.

That is the end of the old world and the beginning of a new world.

They will sleep until the last companion awakens to greet the new world.’

That was all that was written in the book. I checked the other pages, but they were all blank.

“I’ve never seen a book that details the illusory species this thoroughly. And what does ‘sleeping’ mean? It is said that the illusory species possess unimaginable strength, and if even one of them were to revive, the world would perish, so I can vaguely understand the latter part of the text. But my prediction was that the illusory species are sealed… Am I wrong?”

While backing up various hypotheses, I reread the book multiple times, but that final sentence continued to nag at my mind.

“What does it mean that the ‘last companion awakens’?”

The illusory species known today total five, and the first half of the book delineates where those five are located.

However, the existence of this ‘last companion’ is something I have neither read nor heard of in any historical accounts.

“If the awakening of the illusory species leads to the world’s destruction, then the key lies with this last companion. In that case…”

At this point, a certain boy came to mind, but he was a being meant to save the world, existing in stark contrast to the illusory species that brings destruction, making the term ‘companion’ feel a bit odd.

However, if the awakening refers to him awakening to that power, considering the resurrection of the Demon King in the past, it would make sense.

“Well, it’s possible that there are still unknown illusory species.

For now, I have obtained the information I wanted. Next, I’ll ask Sonia to show me the magic tome, and then finally deal with the mastermind.”

Judging that the key to this world was probably him—being the protagonist—I transcribed the content of the book onto a piece of paper I took from my storage, then stored it away again as I exited the forbidden library.

As Lewis left the library, the book he returned to the shelf vanished from existence without anyone noticing.

After exiting the library, I headed toward the training ground where Sonia was practicing magic along with Fiera and the others who were watching over her.

“Oh, El.”

“Yo. How’s it going on your end?”

“All good.”

“I see.”

I had entrusted Sonia’s magical instruction to Shuvina and had Fiera act as her sparring partner, and it seemed they were successfully training Sonia without any issues.

“How about you?”

“Yeah. I finally found it.”

“Then it’s about time.”

“That’s the plan. That’s why I came to see Sonia.”

“Got it.”

Once I finished talking with Fiera, I approached Sonia, who was being taught magic by Shuvina, and spoke to her.

“Sonia.”

“…What is it?”

Sonia responded rather awkwardly, perhaps still bothered by what I said that day, but I ignored her demeanor and continued.

“I think it’s time for me to see the magic tome of the first sage we promised. When would be convenient for you?”

“…How about three days from now? That day the academy will be closed. But due to family rules, I can’t take my ancestors’ belongings outside, so you’ll have to come to my mansion.”

“Got it. What about Fiera and the others?”

“Hmm. I won’t go.”

“I’ll pass too. I’ll just go shopping with Fiera. We need various things, you know?”

“Understood.”

Thus, it was decided that I alone would be going to Sonia’s mansion while Fiera and the others would go shopping for things that might be necessary before leaving the country.

After the plan to visit Sonia’s mansion was set, three days flew by, and today I was visiting her mansion from the morning.

I thought the procedures for entering the mansion might be troublesome, but thanks to Sonia explaining in advance, I was able to enter smoothly.

However, once inside the mansion, I was often gazed at by maids and butlers, and for some reason, I could see gratitude in their gazes.

“Please wait here.”

I was guided by the butler to the reception room, where I sat on the sofa, waiting for Sonia to arrive.

However, shortly after that, the door opened, and instead of Sonia, a woman and a man who resembled her came in.

“Hello, nice to meet you! Oh, don’t mind sitting.”

The man, a kind-looking fellow with purple hair and glasses, and the woman, a beautiful woman with wavy red hair exuding a somewhat mysterious aura.

“You must be Eir-kun?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Gil Scarlet, Sonia’s father.”

“I am her wife, Linda.”

“We came to thank you today. We stopped by before our daughter arrived.”

“A thank you?”

“Yeah.”

Upon saying so, Gil and Linda suddenly bowed their heads toward me while still seated.

“Thank you for protecting our daughter this time.”

“If it weren’t for you, she would surely have died. We truly appreciate it.”

“…Please, raise your heads first.”

Once I urged them to lift their heads, I took the tea placed on the table, slowly quenched my dry throat, and began to speak.

“I understand that you two are grateful to me. However, I did not do anything deserving such gratitude.

I had my own objectives and things I wanted to do, so I merely protected her.

So please, don’t worry about being so grateful.”

“Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that you saved our precious daughter, right? Furthermore, I hear that you’re the one who enabled Sonia to use magic. I truly appreciate that as well.”

It seems they knew that I had lifted the seal placed on Sonia’s magical power, and they expressed their gratitude regarding that matter too.

“From the way you say it, I assume you were aware of why she couldn’t use magic?”

“…I knew. After all, I bear the blood of the first sage myself. I knew her power was sealed by someone.

However, that seal was something I couldn’t lift with my magic, and because of that, she was able to live up to this day. So there was nothing I could do.”

“At first, we also considered whether to teach her the truth or make her stop practicing magic.

But seeing how much she loves magic and how she never gave up on using it herself, we just couldn’t bring ourselves to tell her the truth.”

The two seemed to recall how Sonia was during that time, as Gil wore a somber expression while Linda had some tears glistening in her eyes.

“So when I heard she was able to use magic, I was genuinely happy.”

“Yeah. Furthermore, Sonia passed the magic academy’s exam and came back, and since then she’s been talking about you non-stop. It had been so long since I saw her smiling so brightly. Since then, Sonia has been happy every day, and everyone in the mansion was worried about her, so they are grateful to you.”

“I see.”

It seems Sonia was cherished by the maids and butlers in the mansion, and that was likely why she looked at me with such heartfelt gratitude for enabling her to use magic.

“So if it’s not too much trouble, I’d be glad if you could continue to get along with Sonia in the future.”

“…I’m afraid that may be difficult.”

“…Why is that?”

Perhaps not expecting a rejection, the two showed a hint of surprise before Linda asked me for the reason.

“I was originally an adventurer. The reason I came to this country and enrolled in the academy was because I had a purpose. However, that purpose concluded recently, so I plan to leave this country soon. So I’m sorry, but I can’t continue to have any more connections with Sonia.”

“I see…”

Upon hearing my story, the two seemed to understand, albeit somewhat regretfully.

Afterward, they left the room, stating Sonia would arrive soon, and after a short wait, Sonia, who had finished preparing, came into the room.