A Curse (3)
Chapter 43
Let me tell you about my close friend from before I was reborn.
He really didn’t put down a book all day; he was an avid reader.
He often read philosophy and essays, and also greatly enjoyed books related to history and culture.
Of course, about half of his reading time was invested in genre novels. He would voraciously read any kind of genre novel that came his way without discrimination.
My friend loved to talk about the content of novels, and he often mentioned the contents of [The Fall of the Empire], which was akin to a prophecy book in the world I was reborn into. However, there were two main reasons why this wasn’t practically helpful.
Firstly, I am not someone with perfect recall. My memory is average, and even if he talked endlessly about novel plots I wasn’t interested in, about 90% of it would immediately evaporate from my mind.
Though I wondered if even the remaining 10% stayed somewhere, here’s where the second problem arose.
My close friend had discussed over a hundred fantasy works with me.
There were plenty of works similar in setting or terminology to [The Fall of the Empire]. Over time, memories of these similar works got mixed up, distorted, and became unusable.
However, countless keywords gained from this event pieced together fragmented memories, pulling them back into my consciousness.
“Resina’s backstory is quite pitiful.”
A conversation with my close friend flashed through my mind.
“What’s so pitiful?”
“She saved the world but was cursed, abandoned by her own people, and met a tragic end. Well, most characters in this novel are like that.”
“What kind of curse?”
“Hmm, let me see. Over long periods, her body deteriorates, she forgets her memories, loses her sanity, and eventually her soul collapses under the curse.”
“I’d just commit suicide.”
“That’s part of the setting where you can’t do that willingly, right?”
I vaguely recalled hearing such details while half-listening.
But when I faced Resina, forgotten parts of her story started coming back to me one by one.
Resina, who had angered the World Tree, was originally supposed to wander the world helplessly for hundreds of years, suffering various tribulations until she crumbled into dust as a cripple.
However, Casillas, Resina’s comrade and war hero, recognized the existence of the curse consuming Resina and volunteered to become her Guardian.
Casillas faked his death and established a small house dedicated solely to protecting Resina.
Phillip Count joined his plan.
For the sake of the cursed hero, they willingly chose sacrifice.
I mulled over the memories that surfaced as I looked at Resina, whose eyes were clouded with despair.
Resina trembled slightly, then asked me with a faltering voice,
“You… aren’t Harshia, are you?”
“By chance, I’ve inherited their legacy.”
“I see. But where is Ulte?”
Ulte, Lord Gardi.
His full title is Ultima Guardian, meaning the Final Guardian.
What defines him isn’t a name but the mission entrusted to him.
It wasn’t a difficult task. He merely had to guard Resina’s final days.
However, the Final Guardian could not accept Resina’s destined end.
To undo the curse that even his ancestor Casillas couldn’t break, he began wandering the world.
Now, how did this story end?
To be honest, I don’t remember exactly.
Probably, Ulte failed both to protect Resina’s final days and to find a way to undo the curse.
Falling into deep despair, he eventually fell into corruption while cursing the gods.
It seems like he burned down the World Tree with his own hands, according to what my close friend had said.
Resina asked again,
“Where has Ulte gone?”
“Resina-sama, he has temporarily set out on a journey to find a way to resolve your curse.”
“My existence has driven him to madness.”
Resina, swaying unsteadily, shed tears.
“I still regret it. That day, I couldn’t refuse… the hand extended to me.”
Resina seemed to have forgotten the name ‘Casillas.’
The World Tree’s curse had already taken away most of her memories and sanity.
Resina, sinking into despair, pleaded,
“I beg you. Please… persuade Ulte. I’m a lost soul. I don’t want him to fall with me. Help him let go of this obsession.”
“How much longer do you have?”
“I won’t make it past twenty years. Even regaining some sanity under moonlight… will soon become difficult.”
“I’ll do my best with what you’ve requested. Now, please return to your room. The night air is cold.”
“Thank you.”
As I guided Resina, I thought.
To secure a safer future, it was necessary to prevent Ulte’s corruption.
Helping Resina peacefully complete her remaining life might stop his descent.
Or perhaps removing Ulte before his corruption, or burning down the World Tree before Resina’s death, could be good choices.
Time was still abundant.
This was a matter to ponder leisurely.
*
Three months had passed since the defeat of the Locusts.
As Ray wandered the playground of the orphanage early in the morning, Titi followed behind, sucking her fingers.
“Ray? Is Ray here?”
Ray patted Titi’s head and asked,
“Titi, are you doing well?”
“Ulte hasn’t come, so I’m sad.”
“If you behave well for the teachers, he’ll return soon. Don’t worry.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll listen to the teacher.”
Clippity-clop.
The sound of hooves hitting the ground was heard.
Matthew arrived at the orphanage and stopped his horse in front of Ray.
After entrusting Titi to another teacher, Ray quickly mounted the horse.
Today was the grand opening ceremony of Jimmy Orphanage’s Dinor branch.
The cost of purchasing and reinforcing the land and buildings for the orphanage was mostly supported by the Count.
The Count explained that with his new jurisdiction over the Dinor region and the commendation from the royal family, he now had a significantly increased budget for welfare projects.
Of course, nothing comes for free.
Ray decided he needed to pay more attention to Titi.
While riding, Matthew asked,
“It’s tough for you to manage both orphanages alone. Do you have a decent plan?”
“Hmm… I’m thinking of introducing the [Orphan Promotion System].”
“…What system?”
“The Orphan Promotion System.”
Indeed, it was challenging for Ray to shuttle between the Baron’s Territory and Dinor to oversee both orphanages, as Matthew pointed out.
Thus, Ray planned that whenever they took in orphans, they would initially classify them as Normal Grade and admit them to the Dinor branch. Then, those who stood out would be promoted to Rare Grade and transferred to the Baron’s Territory.
Rare Grade orphans would receive higher-quality education in the Baron’s Territory.
“Isn’t selection and focus necessary for successful talent development?”
Ray proudly explained his idea, feeling satisfied, but Matthew, after listening, furrowed his brow and questioned,
“Isn’t this too inhumane?”
“Why is this inhumane?”
Classifying people into levels isn’t something new.
Right off the bat, in this world, people were discriminated against based on social status assigned at birth.
In Ray’s opinion, the Orphan Promotion System was an extremely rational and advanced system.
“It’s not like I’m abandoning kids. Right? We’re providing education tailored to their level. How humane is that? It’s called the Orphan Promotion System. Shortened to O.P.S. The sound of it is pretty good, too.”
“Crazy.”
Matthew shook his head and urged the horse to go faster.
Not long after, Ray and Matthew arrived in Dinor and first visited Jimmy’s office.
Currently, Dinor’s underworld was completely under the control of the Jimmy Family.
Therefore, an office for Jimmy’s use was arranged in Dinor, though it was done without Jimmy’s consent by the Count and Ray.
“Jimmy, are you here?”
Jimmy sat in the office chair, gazing at the sky beyond the window.
Even after Ray arrived, Jimmy silently smoked for a while before muttering weakly,
“I dreamed of settling in the Baron’s Territory and living a peaceful slow life.”
“Huh?”
“I wanted a slow life where I earned a little extra money, took care of some kids, cultivated a small field, and lived each day without worries.”
However, being swept along by Ray, moving around here and there, Jimmy soon became the notorious ruler overseeing both the Baron’s Territory and Viscount’s Territory in the underworld.
Jimmy wiped his face.
“This dream is no longer achievable.”
Looking at Jimmy with a sad expression, Ray commented,
“Jimmy, are you already experiencing menopause?”
“Damn…!! I don’t even have the energy to get mad at you right now.”
Putting down the flower pot he was about to throw, Jimmy sighed and began getting dressed.
Since the Count would briefly appear at today’s completion ceremony, proper etiquette must be maintained regardless.
*
One week after the completion ceremony of Jimmy Orphanage’s Dinor branch, visitors came from the Alstein Dukedom.
They were the escort forces sent by the Dukedom for Saria’s safe return.
Of course, these forces were dispatched with the permission of Phillip Count, numbering nearly a hundred.
Ray worried that the people from the Dukedom might oppress Saria, but they treated her with impeccable courtesy.
Just as the Count predicted, the Dukedom seemed to recognize the value of Saria’s potential fame and was smoothing things over to incorporate her without any trouble.
Although it was politically calculated, it wasn’t bad for Saria.
It was almost time to say goodbye.
Saria picked up Ray and warned him,
“No. Don’t cause trouble while I’m gone. Always be careful.”
Saria was worried about Ray, but Ray was equally worried about Saria.
“Don’t hit anyone on the head with potion bottles at the Dukedom, Auntie.”
“Listen carefully, Ray. Mommy’s words.”
“Don’t lend money recklessly. Don’t stamp documents carelessly.”
“Don’t wield knives. At anyone.”
“If they ask for artifacts at the Dukedom, just give them everything.”
“Don’t wander alone in unfamiliar places.”
“Please be careful of scammers.”
“Contact me if anyone harasses you.”
Ray burst out laughing.
“Who would harass me?”
Hugging Ray tightly, Saria kissed each of Ray’s cheeks alternately eight times despite his squirming, then whispered while rubbing foreheads,
“I’ll write letters. You must reply. Okay?”
“I will.”
“I’ll visit often.”
“I know. Be careful on your way. And take care once you arrive.”
After putting Ray down, Saria bowed deeply to Bella.
Bella reciprocated the bow as she saw Saria off.
Ray was concerned about the naive Saria but thought it would be safer for her to be under the shadow of the Dukedom, even if she might be taken advantage of, so he waved goodbye to Saria with goodwill.
Thus, Saria, the empire’s hero who defeated the Locusts, departed from the Baron’s Territory.
*
“Alright, everyone brought their homework?”
The next day after Saria left.
Carrying a sack of cookies baked just hours ago, Ray stood at the podium and shouted.
The children, focused more on the cookies than Ray, answered in unison.
“Yes!”
“Then let’s check your homework, shall we?”
With most of his worries lifted, a bright smile appeared on Ray’s face.
The storm had passed, and peace had returned.
Ray hoped this peace would last as long as possible.
And thus, time flowed swiftly, and four years had passed.
