I’m Home

<Letitia Barrow Odrant Perspective Side>

—Where is this?

It’s pitch black. I can’t see anything.

Am I awake right now? Or am I sleeping?

I have no sensation in my hands or feet. I don’t even know if it’s hot or cold.

Just, simply pitch black.

“…Letitia.”

—I heard a voice.

It’s Alban’s voice. My beloved husband’s voice.

When I raised my face, before I knew it, he was standing in front of me.

“Letitia… It’s your fault.”

—Eh?

“Because the likes of you married in… my life is ruined.”

A cold voice filled with hatred that I had never heard before.

That warm voice and smile that always call my name are nowhere to be found, only blaming me.

“If only you weren’t here… I could have lived more freely…”

…That’s right, it is.

I stole his life.

If I hadn’t had my engagement annulled by Mauro and married into the Odrant Baron house, he could have led a freer life.

Maybe he could have met a wife far more beautiful than me.

Maybe his talent with the sword would have been recognized, and he could have become an honorable knight.

Maybe he could have spent peaceful days without any danger in the idyllic Odrant territory.

But I stole those countless choices and possibilities.

I… I shouldn’t have married him, should I?

I shouldn’t have met him, should I?

—The moment I thought that, the surrounding scenery changed.

“I pronounce the sentence. The crime of massacring many nobles and citizens is extremely heavy. Therefore, Alban Odrant shall be sent to the guillotine.”

Reflected in my eyes was the figure of Alban fitted with a cangue.

He was taken beneath a large guillotine and fixed under the blade.

—No.

Don’t. Absolutely not that!

You’re wrong! Alban isn’t a murderer!

He just tried to help me, tried to save me—!

I desperately tried to scream.

But no voice came out. My voice doesn’t reach.

And—the blade fell vigorously aiming at Alban’s neck.

…………I wanted to cry.

I had to cry.

I should have lamented and screamed the sadness of losing my beloved.

But no voice came out. No tears came out.

I am… the worst.

I am powerless. I am always just being saved.

Always being saved… always rubbing “sin” onto Alban… and yet I couldn’t even save him.

I stole Alban’s freedom.

Then at least, I should have protected him.

Even though that would be the least I could do for atonement, I couldn’t even do that.

So in the end, the destination we arrive at is the worst ending—

“Right, this is the ending we eventually arrive at… But not now.”

—Who?

Someone is speaking to me.

It is a voice I know well. No, a voice I know too well.

“You understand, don’t you? I am you. You are me. My name is Letitia Barrow… I am the one who knows you best.”

Another me appeared in front of me.

My own figure, as if reflected in a mirror, spoke to me with a smirk.

“What you just saw is the ending that will visit eventually… But that ending only visits because you are powerless…”

Because… I am powerless…?

“If you had overwhelming power enough to protect Alban, he wouldn’t have to face such a miserable end. Isn’t that right?”

…I see, it would be fine if I had power.

If I become strong… Alban won’t die…

“You should protect Alban. Because you have obtained “Power”.”

I… the “Power” I obtained…

Ah, I see… This is that “Power”…

“If you have the feeling of wanting to atone to Alban—you should just destroy all obstacles.”

…Right, I just have to destroy them.

I won’t let anyone… anyone kill Alban…

My beloved husband… I have to protect him…!

—Ufu—Ufufufu—Ahahahahahahahaha!

I laughed loudly in my heart.

In the next moment, the surrounding scenery switched again.

—It is frozen.

People, plants, buildings, everything in the world.

Everything reflected in my eyes is frozen, and a fierce blizzard so strong one cannot breathe is freezing even the air.

Everything trying to kill Alban is trapped in a world of ice.

Amazing, this is “Power”—!

With this, I can save Alban—!

“Hahaha… As expected, Letitia is amazing.”

—Eh?

“To be able to use such powerful magic, truly my boastful wife. I’m proud.”

Al…ban…?

I felt like—I heard a voice.

His voice, calling from very far away.

“…Can you see me? Can you hear my voice?”

Alban…?

Where are you…?

“It’s okay, I know. You won’t succumb to the control of ‘Cursed Gear’ or anything.”

—

——

————H-Huh?

What on earth am I doing?

…Destroying everything for a world of just Alban and me—?

Is that really okay?

Was this kind of “Power” what I wanted—?

Was this kind of thing the future I desired—?

────No.

I… don’t desire such a world.

The “Power” I wanted is not something like that.

I—

“Are you going to deceive yourself like that again?”

The other me spoke again.

As if to pull me back into the world of ice once more.

“Are you going to return to being a princess who is only protected again? ──Break it. Destroy it. After all, that is the only way for the two to be happy.”

“──No. That is wrong.”

At that time, I was able to produce a voice from my own throat for the first time.

Simultaneously, a cracking sound rang out, and a crack appeared in the world of ice covering the surroundings.

“A world of only me and Alban, having destroyed all obstacles… Certainly, it is attractive. But something like that is no different from the word ruin.”

“…”

“I won’t let Alban become a mass murderer, nor will I destroy everything. I will protect us, husband and wife, in my own way.”

“Arrogant. Do you think you can do such a thing?”

“Fufu… Right, it is certainly arrogant. But—isn’t about that much appropriate for the wife of the Villain Alban?”

Before I knew it, I grabbed the necklace hanging from my neck.

And gripping the jewel part tightly,

“I am not a powerless princess. I will become a wife worthy of Alban, and continue to snuggle up beside him. And living together, laughing together, loving each other together… I will color his ruined life.”

Little by little, I put mana into my hand.

And I showed a fearless smile,

“If I stole his life anyway… I will atone for it that arrogantly.”

I declared that to the other me who was not me.

Then—

“──Come back, Letitia.”

Again, I felt like I heard his voice from afar.

…Yes, I know, Alban.

I’m returning to you right now—

Answering so in my heart, I poured mana into the jewel all at once.

In an instant—the jewel shattered into pieces.

▲ ▲ ▲

“Al… ban…!”

—Letitia grips the jewel of the Cursed Gear tightly.

In the next instant—Crack! The jewel shatters into pieces.

Simultaneously, the Barrier Magic vanishes.

The surroundings revert from a world of extreme cold back to a simple cave, and our frozen bodies regain their freedom of movement.

Letitia—she broke the curse of the Cursed Gear on her own.

“Ah…”

“Letitia!”

I rush over to her as she sways, looking ready to collapse.

I catch her securely in my arms, supporting her weight.

“…I’m home, Alban.”

“Yeah… Welcome home, Letitia.”

▲ ▲ ▲

“—Hah?”

Letitia had destroyed the Cursed Gear and escaped the mental pollution of her own power.

Witnessing this spectacle, Raymond stands there, dumbfounded, his eyes wide as dots.

“What… does this… mean…? Why did the Cursed Gear…?! I-I-I-Impossible!!!”

Raymond’s voice trembles violently as he falls into a panic.

It seems this turn of events was completely outside his calculations.

“This has never happened before!? I even cast Hypnosis Magic on that new model! So why!? Why, how did she…?!”

“…’Why,’ you ask? Isn’t it obvious? Because I have a man I have sworn to love.”

Still supported by my arms, Letitia glares sharply at Raymond.

“As long as Alban is waiting for me, I will return to this place no matter what happens. It is as simple as that.”

“D-Don’t be ridiculous…!”

“You underestimated Letitia, Raymond. There’s no way my wife, whom I’m so proud of, would be controlled by some Cursed Gear or Hypnosis Magic.”

Well, this guy will probably never understand it in his entire life.

Just how strong the power of love between Letitia and me is—and all that.

“…Professor Raymond, it appears a rather unexpected situation has occurred. What do you intend to do now?”

The man wearing the clown mask, standing in the back, asks Raymond.

In response to that question, Raymond becomes visibly flustered.

“T-T-That is…”

“…It seems this is the end of the line, then.”

The masked man spins around, attempting to leave for parts unknown.

But the moment he turns, the tip of a sword is thrust before his throat.

The owner of the sword is Leonil.

“Wait. Move and I cut you.”

“Excuse me, but I must make a report to my master. Could you be so kind as to step aside?”

“That mask… You’re Impaling Baron, Scuyer, aren’t you? I heard about you from Ivan. I can’t let you escape.”

“Phew… This is truly tiresome. I am already going to be scolded by my master as it is.”

Snap. Impaling Baron, Scuyer snaps his fingers.

In that instant—right before Leonil’s eyes—Fwoosh! Countless playing cards dance into the air.

“Wha—!?”

It’s as if a magic trick was performed out of nowhere; Leonil’s body stiffens for a split second.

But Impaling Baron, Scuyer was aiming for that opening. He snatches one of the dancing cards with his fingers and unleashes a slash.

“Kh—!?”

It had sharpness and keenness as if swinging a blade.

Leonil barely blocks the slash with his sword—Ging! Sparks fly.

However, because of that, he allows the distance between himself and Impaling Baron, Scuyer to widen.

“Now then, everyone, please enjoy the next act.”

“! Wait!”

Leonil hurries to slash at him, but it is already too late.

Leaving those words behind—the figure of Impaling Baron, Scuyer vanishes amidst the fluttering cards.

Good grief, what a theatrical bastard.

“Dammit…! I-I’m sorry, Baron Odrant…!”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. More importantly, right now… it’s this way.”

I sit Letitia down on the ground, release my hand from her, and grip my sword.

Then, I walk toward Raymond.

“…You’ve got some nerve kidnapping Letitia. You’ve got some nerve trying to steal my precious person from me. You’re prepared for this, right…?”

“Ugh…! Tsk, it cannot be helped! The experiment is temporarily suspended—!”

“Oh my, did you think you could escape again? —Frost Earth.”

Just before Raymond attempts to flee, Olivia-san activates her magic.

Immediately, the ground in the entire area is covered in magical frost and cold air.

“!? Oh n—!”

“Raymond, you’re repurposing Teleportation Magic to move freely within this cave, aren’t you? However, for that to work, you must be touching the ground or the walls.”

“—tchn!”

“In that case, I simply need to cover everything with frost imbued with my magic. You showed your hand too much earlier. Or did you forget that I am your former colleague?”

“Guh…! Do not underestimate meeee!!!”

Finally cornered, Raymond attempts to activate offensive magic.

But he’s too slow.

“Like I’d let you.”

Faster than he can cast his spell, I close the distance.

“This time, die.”

I swing my sword, filled with killing intent.

However, I am once again repelled by a wall of magical power.

“For a teacher, you don’t learn, do you? Your wall will only be shattered just like before.”

“F-Fuhahaha! The one who isn’t learning is you! If I concentrate my magic on a single point, your sword is—!”

The magic gathers in front of Raymond, and the force pushing back my sword strengthens.

But—it was at that moment.

—Squelch.

“…………Eh?”

A raw, grotesque sound emanates from Raymond’s body.

That specific, dull sound of flesh being pierced by a blade.

Looking closely—a silver blade is protruding from his chest.

He has been stabbed from behind.

“This time… I will be useful…!”

Leonil’s voice is heard from the other side of Raymond’s body.

While Raymond concentrated his magic to the front, neglecting his rear defense, he drove the blade in.

“Y-Y-You bastard…………!”

“Even I─Even I can do it!!”

Leonil pulls the sword out of Raymond.

Then, without killing his momentum, he slams a slash of unparalleled ferocity into his back.

“Gu──ah──!”

Blood sprays.

A deep laceration, clearly visible even from where I stand.

Truly, a critical hit.

It was a ruthless stroke, more than sufficient to take a human life.

—Raymond’s stance crumbles unsteadily, and he collapses to the ground just like that.

The life fades from his eyes, a pool of blood forms on the ground—and then, Raymond moves no more.

“Haa… Haa…!”

“L-Leonil, you…”

“Ha… Ahaha…! H-How was that, Baron Odrant? Even I… can do it if I try…! I won’t become a burden to the King anymore!”

Leonil lifts the corners of his mouth, as if to say, ‘I accomplished it, I showed you.’

His smile, stained red with splattered blood.

That appearance was clearly different from usual.

Somehow, it felt as if—the “shackles” of his heart had come loose.

▲ ▲ ▲

“—What is wrong with that woman!!!”

Crash! A teacup is slammed onto the floor.

At the same time, tea is spilled, creating a stain on the carpet.

“She broke the curse of the Cursed Gear on her own…!? Why won’t she just be ruined as I planned? She’s just Letitia Barrow…!”

The lady grinds her teeth audibly, fiercely irritated.

She looks as if she is consumed by hatred.

Standing before her, Impaling Baron, Scuyer stands stiffly, shrinking back in fear.

“…My deepest apologies. I never imagined she possessed such power… As I thought, perhaps instead of plotting her ruin, it would have been better for me to dispose of her direct—”

“Shut up!!!”

The lady screamed loudly, Impaling Baron, Scuyer jumps, his shoulders trembling.

The lady’s misdirected anger continues.

“If you hadn’t used a useless incompetent like Raymond, I wouldn’t be feeling this miserable right now! You imbecile!”

“…I have no face to show you.”

“I absolutely will not let her die easily… I won’t be satisfied until I completely destroy her happiness…!”

The lady bites her nails aggressively, scratching at them in frustration.

In contrast, hearing her words, Impaling Baron, Scuyer suddenly recalls something.

“Happiness, you say… Come to think of it, I heard a certain rumor recently—”

▲ ▲ ▲

—With Raymond’s death, the Cursed Gear incident came to a temporary close.

As a result, one teacher, the principal offender, died.

Fortunately amidst the misfortune, Michelardo seems to have survived.

Well, nine times out of ten, he’ll be leaving the academy. Using Cursed Gear and all that—there’s a lot of guilt to answer for.

The day after the incident, officials from the academy and the Royal Knights visited, and we were questioned.

Regarding Leonil, who delivered the finishing blow to Raymond, since it was physical evidence that Raymond was manufacturing Cursed Gear, he was not charged with a crime.

Basically, it was treated as self-defense.

There was also mediation from Olivia-san and Paula-sensei.

In any case, our training camp was cancelled.

We ended up returning to the academy in a hurry.

“Ahhh, I never thought it would turn out like this…”

Walking down the academy hallway, I grumble with my hands clasped behind my head.

Walking next to me is Letitia.

“Yes… To think Professor Raymond was experimenting with Cursed Gear.”

“Letitia, is your body okay after all that? You don’t feel anything strange?”

“I am fine. …No, actually, I might even be feeling quite good.”

“Huh? Feeling good… why?”

“Because I feel like I was able to properly face my own feelings.”

Letitia says this and stares into my eyes.

“Hey, Alban—if I told you, ‘Actually, I am an arrogant woman,’ would you come to hate me?”

“No, there’s no way I would. If anything, I think Letitia could stand to be a little more arrogant, you know?”

“Fufu, then I must become even more arrogant, and make you much, much happier.”

“…???”

Letitia is speaking in a slightly disjointed way.

…If Letitia becomes arrogant, do I become happy?

No, maybe I do.

A slightly arrogant and selfish Letitia… would definitely be cute…

The current cool and graceful her is wonderful, but I also want to see her acting like a queen…

Well, in any case, it means my wife is the best! Yep!

Letitia changes the subject with a “By the way,”

“Regarding this incident, Olivia-oneesama said she would report everything to the Ministry of Magic. All the Cursed Gear Professor Raymond made should be collected, so there is no need to worry.”

“That’s a relief. Stuff like that is better off gone from the world. …More importantly, that masked man who was with Raymond—”

Impaling Baron, Scuyer, was it?

The ringleader who previously tricked Ivan and had Letitia kidnapped by thugs.

And this time too, he was by the side of Raymond, who kidnapped Letitia.

—I won’t forgive that guy alone.

Trying to steal Letitia from me over and over again.

Over and over, and over…!

“I have to settle the score with him eventually. I’ll definitely hunt him down… and kill him.”

I clench my fist tightly.

Filled with killing intent and anger.

At that moment, I suddenly spot a figure across the hallway.

“—Oh, Leonil…?”

Standing there was Leonil.

Leaning against the wall, his eyes look somewhat hollow.

He notices us as well.

“…Ah, Baron Odrant and Lady Letitia.” 

“What’s wrong, standing in a place like this? Not going to class?”

“No, I was just thinking a bit… But you’re right, class is starting soon, so I have to go.”

He pushes his back off the wall and straightens his spine smoothly.

…Ever since the Raymond incident, he’s been like this the whole time.

He spaces out a lot, and often seems absent-minded.

Although he insists “There’s no need to worry,” and it doesn’t seem to be interfering with his daily life, but…

“Umm, mind if I join you?”

Perhaps out of consideration for us as a couple, he throws that question our way.

Hearing that, Letitia and I exchange glances for a moment.

She shrugs slightly as if to say she doesn’t mind, and I make eye contact signaling, ‘If it’s Leonil, it’s fine…’

“Yeah, if it’s Leonil, I don’t mind.”

“Thank you! Well then, shall we go, my King!”

Leonil smiles brightly and cheerfully.

That smile is no different from before.

But—is it just my imagination?

Somehow… I feel like the “color” of his eyes when he looks at me has changed.

“—Come to think of it, the first Midterm Exams are starting soon. After such an incident, I wonder if they’ll go ahead as planned?”

“Hmm? Ah, is it that time already? I wonder. Considering a teacher caused a problem, you’d think… Personally, I’d prefer if troublesome exams just didn’t happen.”

“Oh my, Paula-sensei said that as soon as Class E and Class D settle down, the exams will be held as normal, you know?”

“…Seriously?”

“Honestly, it is very typical of this academy.”

Haa, Letitia sighs in amazement.

No, seriously.

This academy, or rather that Headmaster geezer, is crazy.

People have died, both teachers and students, you know?

And they’re still doing it? Normally?

Seriously, what are they thinking…

While thinking about that, we arrive in front of Class F.

And when I place my hand on the door and slide it open—

“Hm? Are you two—”

“Eh, who?”

The first thing that enters my vision is the face of a beautiful boy I don’t recognize.

Short brown hair, handsome looks, slender and tall.

His somewhat sharp, slit eyes are a distinctive feature.

Judging by his atmosphere, he’s a high-ranking noble, the type you’d think, “This guy is definitely popular with the opposite sex” at a single glance.

Probably a guy from another class.

He seemed to be discussing something with Ivan, but…

Upon seeing my face, Ivan adjusts his glasses awkwardly.

“Baron Odrant… er, well, I want you to listen calmly, but—”

“! Letitia-jō, is the lady there Letitia Barrow Duke’s Daughter?”

As soon as the handsome boy spots Letitia, he walks briskly toward her.

“Eh? Yes, I am Letitia Odrant now, though—”

“Hmm… I am honored to meet you, my future bride. I am very happy to be able to engage with a beautiful person like you.”

“…………Hah?”

Letitia freezes.

No, not just her—everyone in the class froze.

Of course, myself included.

“…You, what did you just say…?”

“What, you haven’t heard? Then let me explain anew.”

The handsome boy brushes up his bangs smoothly and says,

“The Barrow Duke House has dissolved its relationship with the Odrant Baron House. It has formed a new tie with my Ryduan Marquis House, and it has been decided that I, Joshua Ryduan, will become engaged to Letitia Barrow. Starting now—you are my fiancée.”