Chapter 171: Secret (3) Part 2

A sudden presence pulled me from sleep, and I opened my eyes.

“Oh my.”

Before me, a pair of large, luminous eyes came into focus—white irises reminiscent of Yulie’s. They regarded me, curving softly into a graceful arc, as if holding a quiet smile.

“You’re awake?”

It was Josephine.

I glanced out the window to find the night already cloaked in the light of the rising moon. Half a day’s rest had restored both my strength and mana in full.

“What brings you here?” I asked, adjusting my attire, though there was little to correct—I was still clad in my robe.

Josephine stepped back two paces, a soft smile gracing her lips as she replied, “I came because there is something important I need to discuss.”

“Something you need to discuss?”

“Yes, there is a rumor circulating—that you know the truth behind Her Majesty’s poisoning.”

I looked at Josephine, and it wasn’t difficult to surmise the reason for her visit. Sensing the

Villain’s Fate

, I scanned the surroundings but found no signs of death variables. Well, almost none; a faint trace lingered just beyond the walls.

It was a faint trace, the kind only the eyes of the

Iron Man

could detect—so subtle that no ordinary perception could have caught it. Someone capable of masking their presence so flawlessly didn’t leave much room for speculation. Most likely, the person who now accompanied Josephine would be...

“Would it be true?” Josephine asked.

“It is true,” I replied calmly.

There was no reason to be startled—it was information I had encountered countless times during my days as a player in this game.

Behind Sophien’s poisoning lay Freyden. It marked a pivotal turning point in the major character quest, but at that moment, such a quest was the least of my concerns.

“I am aware.”

I focused on finding a way to remove the death variable surrounding Zeit. My thoughts turned to how I might peacefully navigate the situation with the man Josephine had brought along...

***

“I am aware,” Deculein said.

Josephine’s heart fluttered briefly, but Deculein’s expression remained inscrutable, a calm so impenetrable it concealed every trace of emotion. She found herself unable to discern what lay hidden behind his composed facade.

“... And by 'aware,' you mean?” Josephine asked cautiously.

Deculein extended his hand in silence, and a bottle of wine, along with a glass, seemed to flow effortlessly into his grasp. It was a 678 vintage Gorwine, renowned as one of the finest. The cork slipped free with a soft pop, and the deep red liquid poured smoothly into the glass, filling it with quiet elegance.

“Aware means that—I am aware. What more could you possibly expect?” Deculein said with a cynical edge, savoring a sip of his wine.

Josephine found herself captivated by his expression; his movements and innate elegance were vividly imprinted in her mind, exuding a charm that defied description.

"I am curious. If you are aware, brother-in-law, why have you remained silent about it?"

Deculein stroked his chin, smoothing back the strands of hair that had fallen forward, and responded, “Remaining silent, you say... Is there any need to speak on it? If you’ve observed me long enough, you should know—I am no vagabond to carelessly wag his tongue.”

Deculein then fixed his eyes on Josephine, pinning her in place with a sharp and direct look, as if seeing straight through her.

“Even so, if this could incur Her Majesty’s ire, would you not fear the consequences?” Josephine asked.

“Fear has no place here. Even if I were to reveal the truth, it would serve no purpose. On the contrary, it would cast the Empire into chaos,” Deculein said, scoffing.

“... Chaos? Who could be responsible for such a thing?”

Deculein’s hand stilled, the wine glass unmoving in his grip. For a brief moment, he said nothing, his brow furrowing in silence.

"Don’t pretend as if you are unaware, Josephine. You already know, so do not seek answers you already hold."

Josephine felt a brief pang of annoyance, her lips pursing in a pout. However, there was little she could do at that moment—after all, Zeit was watching, not far from where she stood.

“... Is it because of Yulie?” Josephine asked.

At those words, Deculein reacted, a faint ripple breaking through his stoic facade.

“... Yulie,” Deculein muttered.

“Yes.”

Deculein sipped his wine, while Josephine traced her tongue over her lips.

“That might well be part of it.”

So, I was right,

Josephine thought, a soft smile tugging at her lips as her suspicion was quietly confirmed.

“I wish for Yulie’s happiness, and...”

However, the words that followed were completely unexpected.

“For the Northern Region to remain resolute."

“... The Northern Region?” Josephine echoed, her eyes widening ever so slightly.

Deculein nodded and spoke words that Zeit would forever hold dear.

“The Northern Region has sacrificed deeply—its blood and toil for the Empire, its loyalty to the people, and even its grace to nobles such as ourselves.”

Josephine blinked slowly, her eyes empty and distant.

“There was the Balrog Execution twenty-three years ago, the Lohal Groson’s Demonic Beast Summoning Incident twenty years ago, the Great Catastrophe of Lopalma twenty-two years ago, the Areion Incident seventeen years ago, the Northern Marik Incident thirteen years ago, the Behemoth Advance eleven years ago, and the Daeho Incident nine years ago...

“And beyond that, countless monster waves and innumerable other incidents.”

Deculein recited the full history of the Northern Region, recounting its legacy as the continent’s stalwart defender. These were stories he had once read within the game's scenario, lived through as a player, and later pieced together from the lens of this world’s own history.

“And so, though Freyden may have strayed in the recent past, I am convinced their actions were born of misunderstanding—or the machinations of conspiracy and discord—rather than from intent.”

Josephine quietly looked into his steady eyes, seeing within them the certainty that reflected his conviction, and the distinct ego that defined Deculein as a person.

“Freyden is nothing like the pretentious rabble of the central lands or the vermin who masquerade as nobles. That is why I place my trust in them—in the Northern Region, in their honor, and in their greater cause...”

Why would Deculein say such things? Could he possibly hold such deep respect for the Northern Region?

Josephine wondered.

"The reason I chose to withhold the truth from Her Majesty is because..."

Even in this moment, Josephine felt nothing. Her family's status, the treatment she received, or the circumstances she faced—all were of no consequence. Her thoughts and concerns rested entirely with Yulie.

“Of course, there is a part of me that holds love for Yulie...”

However, there was something strangely compelling about Deculein’s composed confidence—a blend of mystique and quiet charm that seemed to captivate the very air around him.

"The first reason is that the Northern Region upholds the essence of nobility with a dignity unmatched by any of the central nobles."

Josephine smiled softly.

“And the second reason is that I will not allow myself to become a pawn in the schemes of those who thrive on division.”

At the perfect moment, the full moon rose, its light cascading over him like a soft veil.

“Does that answer your question, Josephine?” Deculein said, his head tilting ever so slightly. “Very well. Even if the weight of the grave sins your family has committed is someday brought to light...”

Slightly disheveled hair fell over his forehead, softening his features and revealing a subtle beauty.

"I will safeguard the Northern Region's destiny."

Josephine rested her chin on her hand, her attention drifting to him unconsciously, as if she were drawn to a painting come to life.

"Just as I place my trust in them, so too can they place theirs in me," Deculein concluded.

Reflecting on his words, Josephine thought,

What a curious man. Every word he says is full of confidence, making it all sound like an undeniable truth. And yet, no one in the world loves Yulie more than he does.

“... Alright,” Josephine said.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, Josephine found herself wanting to trust him—a feeling both fleeting and profound. Until now, Yulie had been the only one to ever stir such faith in her...

***

Late into the night, on the endless plains of Rekordak...

Grind—

Zeit sat in the hollow darkness, his teeth clenched tightly. As a man of the Northern Region, emotions such as these were foreign to him. Yet, from the depths of his soul, an unbidden swell of feeling rose—raw and all-consuming.

“Professor Deculein... that man is an absolutely remarkable man—a paragon of wisdom, noble in spirit, and a scholar in the purest sense,” Zeit muttered, his words drifting into the night sky.

Zeit looked up at the great full moon, thinking of Deculein, and thought, A man who holds love, devotion, and trust close to his heart. Behind the refined exterior of a dandy is someone of profound substance—overflowing with loyalty, no, the very embodiment of honor itself!

“I never imagined the professor held such deep respect for the Northern Region... I admit it! I’ve misjudged him. A wicked thought crossed my mind, if only for an instant!” Zeit exclaimed, clenching his fist and striking the ground. The impact sent tremors rippling through the earth, as though shaking the very heavens themselves.

“How noisy...” Josephine murmured, shrugging. “And remember, this stays between us. Let’s keep it from Yulie until she recovers.”

“... Josephine, I, too, am a man who has known love,” Zeit replied, his words heavy with meaning, offering his answer.

Josephine shook her head, her gesture tinged with mock pathos, and fell silent as they lingered in the stillness, their eyes on the full moon.

And then...

“

Ugh

..."

A stifled sound broke the stillness nearby, drawing Josephine’s attention. She turned in surprise and found Zeit with his hands pressed firmly against his face.

“Wait... are you actually crying?”

“... And who says that I am crying?” Zeit replied, raising his head, though the redness around his eyes betrayed him.

It was a sight unlike anything she had ever seen, leaving Josephine's lips parted.

"It might all be an act. Don’t get too swept up," Josephine said.

"An act? Never before have I met a man who respects the Northern Region with such depth. Even incidents known only to Northerners, to the Freyden family itself, were within his knowledge. Such sincerity is a rare thing in this world, Josephine—you realize that as well."

“I mean...” Josephine said, arching a brow in agreement. “You’re right. There wasn’t a single lie in what he said, especially regarding the Areion Incident and the Northern Marik Incident—both tragedies that the imperial family systematically concealed~”

“Exactly. So, even that... Deculein knew...” Zeit said, exhaling deeply, his breath curling like thick smoke in the air. After a moment, a faint smile curved his lips. “Hmm... It’s been nearly forty years since I’ve met someone worth trusting. I think I’d step onto the battlefield with him—ten times over—and place my back in his hands.”

Nodding slowly as she listened, Josephine caught a flaw in his words and snapped her head around, her narrowed eyes locking sharply onto him.

"Wait a second. Are you saying that you don’t trust me?"

“... I must go, Josephine. There is much to be done,” Zeit stated, rising swiftly, his heavy steps echoing as he stomped into the distance.