I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 233

Albrecht looked at Edgar, who lay bleeding on the ground, with an emotionless gaze.

In the end, was the rookie really just a rookie? What a clumsy ending.

No valuable outcome in the world retains any worth if the person who sought it vanishes without achieving it.

‘No, still, for a rookie, he did fairly well.’

Even on the verge of death, Albrecht oddly felt calm.

Ultimately, what he desired was to vanish without accomplishing anything, yet for some reason, one corner of his heart felt light.

Was this what the prophecy meant by the final duel?

Crash. Boom.

‘Looks like they’ve arrived.’

Amidst his fading consciousness, Albrecht glanced towards the sound of the castle’s ruins crumbling.

Even with the scene obscured from view, somehow he could vividly imagine who was there, breaking the rubble.

Sure enough…

“Ed!”

Ariel, the black-haired woman appearing while roughly clearing away the debris, quickly spread a Mana Barrier to block the collapsing building and rushed forward, calling out her lover’s name anxiously.

Behind her, the followers followed in a rush.

– Right on time. Duke.

Even though Edgar’s injuries to his abdomen and arms were severe, it was not such a level that a High-Level Healer couldn’t save him if they could get him there immediately.

Thus, Albrecht sincerely expressed his thoughts to her, who had arrived just in time.

“That voice… is that you, Albrecht?”

Due to the destruction of the source of mana, Ariel barely managed to deduce his identity just from his voice.

His appearance already far beyond that of a mere human made it enough for her to guess what sort of being Edgar had been fighting.

– Yeah. Thanks to your beloved, I’m in a pretty sorry state. I underestimated that rookie because he looked young.

“Rookie…?”

Ariel raised a question at the peculiar word mixed between sentences.

It sounded as if it meant Albrecht had been defeated.

Yet, it was Edgar who lay collapsed before her.

– I see you don’t understand. I mean it literally. Though it looks pitiful, that rookie over there knocked me down. This fragile life of mine is likely to vanish in less than ten minutes.

“How can I believe that? Words from trash like you…”

– Fair enough. Believe it or not, it’s your choice. But someone like you, a wizard, must have already noticed there’s no lie in that.

Feeling a jolt, Ariel’s eyebrows twitched.

He was right. From Albrecht, she couldn’t feel any power at all.

The life force and mana that an ordinary human would possess were absent. It was impossible to conceal such a phenomenon merely by hiding one’s strength.

It felt like she was conversing with a corpse.

Thus, Ariel realized that Albrecht’s words were genuinely not lies.

The last words spoken were simply a moment of lost reason due to contempt for him, something she already logically understood.

“Reponio.”

– Oh…

Before taking Edgar to a safe place, Ariel thought she must do some first aid, pouring all her remaining mana into him.

In fact, what she was doing was a rather grand Restoration Magic, causing even the mighty Albrecht to let out a low gasp.

Zing. The condensed mana enveloped Edgar, slowly restoring his torn clothes and injured wounds.

Not merely a low-level healing spell but a Restoration Magic that returned him to his original source, a marvel indeed.

A magician capable of executing such magic at such a young age was a first for Albrecht.

– Impressive. It’s not easy magic.

“I don’t want your praise.”

Despite being acknowledged by the empire’s greatest sorcerer, Ariel maintained her cold gaze.

If he weren’t on the brink of disappearing, she’d likely have charged at him with intentions to kill.

But she wasn’t about to waste mana on a soon-to-be-dead spirit. For now, her beloved Edgar was far more precious.

“Take the rest of him back. I’ll handle the cleanup.”

“Yes, your Highness!”

As some vitality returned to Edgar’s face, Ariel released him, embraced him tightly, then entrusted his safety to her followers.

She wished she could stay a bit longer, but she had to finish what needed to be done.

– Quite devoted, I see.

“Don’t talk to me. I don’t want to waste even the last ten minutes of life.”

– Stop pretending. Even in such a state, I can tell you have some strength left.

As Albrecht hit the nail on the head, Ariel’s expression became even sharper, but she couldn’t refute him.

She had just fought fiercely to protect soldiers while battling the remaining forces of the Bertus Family.

Without the objective of Edgar, she would have struggled to come this far.

Even now, her legs trembled.

She was just stubbornly holding on, not wanting to show weakness in front of her ultimate enemy, Albrecht.

If he had been at full strength and living, Ariel would likely have found her heart punctured by his hand.

“What an irritating man till the end. I should have killed you.”

– Your words are flashy.

Albrecht chuckled lightly, observing Ariel’s profile.

Even though his life was soon to disappear, he was curious about many things.

Yet, questioning her, he didn’t seem like the type to easily provide answers like Edgar did.

Thus, Albrecht prepared one final question, a negotiation he believed she would fall for given her displayed behavior.

– Duke, do you know your lover’s secret?

“…Secret?”

Ariel, who had initially intended to confirm Albrecht’s demise and return, turned her head reflexively.

Edgar’s secret.

Aside from the mere possibility of it existing, why on earth did this guy know about it?

But on the other hand, something felt as if he might indeed know. There was no solid reasoning behind it, but the thought lingered.

– If you’re curious, I’ll tell you. But you must answer my question in return.

“Are you trying to fulfill your curiosity as a parting gift?”

– No time for banter. Well then, will you agree?

Ariel remained silent, gazing at him, considering whether it was a trap.

Still, human curiosity is an insatiable beast, pushing her to hear him out, even in this situation.

“…Fine. You’ll ask your question first?”

– Unexpected. I thought you would demand I speak first.

“I have no desire to offer a final gift to a miserable man like you. But I’ll give you this much.”

There exists the concept of a last meal even for those on death row.

Ariel saw this as her first and last compassion towards the man named Albrecht Bertus, whom she never wished to get close to.

With that, Albrecht let out a self-deprecating chuckle before speaking.

Since he was on the verge of vanishing, he thought such kindness could be accepted.

– Then I’ll ask. Are you intent on bringing down the imperial family just like this?

“Is that a question from someone who once held the imperial family in his grasp?”

– I ask out of simple curiosity. For me, the imperial family has always been nothing more than a tool to achieve my goals, nothing more, nothing less.

Even if he brought down the imperial family and seized power, Albrecht seemed indifferent.

For humans, power is a primal desire after all.

He wasn’t someone who would criticize others for wanting such.

Given the recent actions of the Robeheim family and the imperial family’s blunders, this situation seemed quite deserved.

Certainly, some subordinates lurking inside had likely been waiting for their chance to approach the Robeheim family.

“I have no interest. Not in that kind of stuff.”

Yet, Albrecht let out a low breath at Ariel’s decisive reply.

It was somewhat unexpected, but somehow he could have anticipated that she would respond this way.

– What you refer to as interest, is it power? Wealth?

“Everything. I already have enough power not to feel lacking. I also have the resources to provide for my family and my people. Plus…”

Ariel paused, turning her head to gaze at the horizon beyond the rubble, smiling.

There was nothing but a brightly glowing sun visible, yet her eyes vividly envisioned a man.

“Even if I were to become the Emperor, he would rightfully hold that position. The first one to doubt you and the one who figured out this plan was him.”

– That’s a ridiculous statement.

While it might make sense in context, the world would not acknowledge it.

She was merely a minor house lord of a small family in a remote area.

Just because one believes they are qualified doesn’t mean opportunities will be given in this unforgiving world.

“I know that well enough. That fool wouldn’t want it either. It merely signifies I’m not deserving of it.”

– Then that wraps up my questions. Next, you must reveal the secret of your lover.

“……”

Ariel narrowed her eyes.

What secret had he hidden? She honestly couldn’t even guess.

She had always prided herself on knowing everything about Edgar.

– Your lover is actually…

“…Wait.”

– Hmm?

Ariel cut off Albrecht’s word, which seemed to lead to something final.

The time they had left was less than ten minutes, already ringing alarms about Albrecht’s demise.

Thus, feeling there was no time to waste, he voiced his confusion.

“Stop. I will ask him directly.”

– I didn’t think he would disclose it himself.

“Then even more so, I cannot hear it. If that fool won’t tell me, it means I’m not worthy of hearing it.”

Or it meant it was a secret so dangerous he had to conceal it even from her.

Also, sometimes it’s better for things to remain secrets.

Ariel knew this truth better than anyone since she’d heard it from Edgar dozens of times.

Furthermore, if what she heard here were seriously shocking enough to warrant secrecy, she would more likely treat the news of hearing it as something to keep secret.

In the end, learning his secret would only create a new secret, a ridiculous scenario.

She didn’t want that kind of ending.

“Even if Edgar doesn’t answer, it’s fine. But if he confides in me after overcoming his urge to hide something, even if it’s a tragic tale, I will side with that fool.”

– Such pure love.

Surrendering, Albrecht chuckled lightly, suddenly splitting with a crackling sound.

The end was indeed approaching.

With that, Ariel nonchalantly stood up, as though there was nothing to see, and walked away.

“There’s no need to exchange farewells.”

– That’s a given.

From Albrecht’s perspective, Ariel was his enemy who had thwarted his life’s goal.

From Ariel’s perspective, Albrecht was the enemy who sought to kill her father and lover.

Even if one side were to meet their end, there’d be no fond farewell, no bond to wave away as a final gesture.

With a sound like shattering glass, the black fragments fell to the ground.

Hearing that noise, Ariel turned her back and left without even sparing a glance.

Rumble. Soon, the wreckage the building had been holding up collapsed, obscuring everything from view.

‘There are many tasks ahead to accomplish.’

This wasn’t the end. Should she return now, there would still be a mountain of things to do going forward.

Yet, Ariel smiled.

If the path so far had been unclear, whether heading towards heaven or hell, it wasn’t anymore.

There was no longer a need for anyone to be harmed, nor for anyone to bear resentment.

Just that thought alone brought a sense of relief.

Now, everyone would only need to hold hands and run toward the single destination of peace.

As she strolled under the sunlight, she realized her body felt exceptionally warm compared to just a moment ago.

Perhaps the warmth given to her by a boy long ago still lingered.

If that were the case, then it was her turn to share this warmth now.