Published at 6th of December 2025 6:52 am

Chapter 297

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

"...What?"

Leo's eyes wavered. He was the type to dismiss my words as nonsensical, but this time too, he was different from my imagination. His sky-blue eyes, unchanged from 12 years ago, held a light I had never seen before in a different situation. I understood the much more complex emotions compared to 12 years ago, the subtle fatigue, hope, and anticipated frustration contained within them. The world around him was not the same as before.

"If I could continue to go back to the past with you from now on, what would you think?"

"......"

"Then, would we no longer have to be prepared for so many things? Would I no longer feel the absurdity of feeling chosen by you?"

We cannot be certain that we will not face another life-threatening crisis in the future. I cannot leave one Leo behind each time, or make another Leo feel chosen by me. I cannot create more of the pain of Leo feeling relieved by his undissociated self or despising that relief, to the point of calling it greed or selfishness. I made this appointment to prevent that, and I finally found a way in the Extra Chapter yesterday.

It is also a key clue to solving the case of Archduke Osterreich-Este's stolen jewels.

Even if I am irresponsible for thinking of my friend before the case and putting the case aside after finding a clue to solve it, I have nothing to say. I made a promise with Leo before the case, so if I am to forget righteousness, I would rather be irresponsible thousands, tens of thousands of times.

Leo was at a loss for words, staring blankly at me. His rare, blank expression overlapped with his childhood self. After what felt like an eternity, Leo spoke in a cracking voice.

"How?"

My answer is inevitably linked to the Extra Chapter. However, I am not experiencing the problem of having to share the burden with my friend because of that ability, so there is no reason to first reveal the ability to Leo, who had said, 'Why must you be given such an ability,' and 'Your ability is not for you.' It would only add to his anxiety and fear.

I had no energy to smile either, but I didn't want to leave him in endless uncertainty any longer. I put on the calmest smile I could manage and opened my mouth again.

"Give me a little time."

"......"

Only now did Leo begin to move according to my simulation, narrowing his eyes with a displeased look. He didn't take it as me spouting nonsense. He understood correctly that I meant 'I'll figure something out on my own,' but he was dissatisfied with the 'on my own' part. It was the same expression he always made at times like this.

I smiled a little more at his usual self.

"And let's get another piercing."

"...? Why, all of a sudden?"

"It's no fun if I tell you now."

"Are you getting one too?"

"We'll see."

Leo, his earlier seriousness gone, touched his ear and said grumpily.

"...I don't want to get any more piercings here."

"Why?"

"It looks thuggish, and like someone trying to make themselves look like they have skills they don't by relying on artifacts. Even if it's not an artifact, it'll look like one."

"...If you say that, what does that make Elias..."

Elias's ears are a veritable field of artifacts. Still, he wears them more for fashion than to use magic better, so he probably wouldn't go as far as the 'relying on artifacts~' type of mages from the past who would cut their skin to implant artifacts.

At my words, Leo shrugged and smiled. The tension from the unresolved question Leo had earlier still lingered, but we still smiled as usual. Waiting was something we did often, anyway. I leaned back against the backrest and said.

"Get me an earring. For you to wear."

"You get it."

"......"

His skill at bossing people around is impressive, probably because he's a crown prince. It's admirable. Of course, I wasn't easy on him just now either, so I'm not annoyed.

'It's not because I want to boss Leo around, but because the best stuff is obtained through the royal family.'

No matter how much money one has, it's difficult for an individual to access the merchants who deal with the royal family. It's not because they lack any special qualifications, but simply because they don't know the network. Since he's acting like this, I don't even want to ask. I lowered my head and said.

"...I'll have to. Well then, you should go in. I have to go look for a shiny piece of rock."

"Are you teasing me?"

"Yeah."

"......"

Leo looked at me with unfocused eyes, then looked out the window and said.

"If you're going to make an artifact, you can order it directly from the artisan whose contact information I gave you before. You don't need to go looking for the materials yourself."

"Forget it. I'm not ordering any artifacts."

"...? Then why get a piercing?"

Leo tilted his head, looking even more lost. Instead of answering, I said something else.

"Can I stay at the Crown Prince's palace and leave tomorrow?"

"Sure."

Leo answered nonchalantly, as if asking why I was even asking.

And so, I left the Munich Residenz and leisurely strolled through the city of Munich. After gathering everything I needed to prepare, I returned to the Crown Prince's palace. This time too, Leo was standing in front of the warp point. Unlike when he was five, his complexion showed no signs of feeling the cold while waiting. Leo guided me to the room I would be using and handed me the key.

"You're not going to play today, right? See you tomorrow morning."

"I'd be lucky if it's over by tomorrow morning."

"What?"

"I don't know how long it will take. Don't come in until I come out of the room."

"Nothing's going to happen, right?"

"Probably not."

"......"

Leo looked at me with a suspicious gaze, as usual. Then, as if remembering our earlier conversation, he looked somewhere in the air, and a little later, he said in a low voice.

"I'll be waiting."

Leo was smiling faintly at me. I returned the same expression and nodded.

***

"...!"

As I entered the Extra Chapter, I shot up as soon as I came to my senses.

I had just been through the dawn, but now it was morning here. It was the same as right before I left.

I got up from the cold marble floor and went out to the garden. I could see the Leonard and the Archduke of 12 years ago spreading a mat under the sunlight and laying out artifacts. Leonard looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

"Teacher. Where have you been?"

"......"

I just met the you of 12 years later.

I swallowed those words, stroked Leonard's hair, and sat down.

The sunlight pricked my eyes. The still very excited Archduke handed me a twig. Even though I was holding the twig, the Archduke's unique ability was manifesting through it. Water droplets still formed in the air. To obtain such a crucial clue, coming here was indeed the right answer.

"You saw it before, but look again. This is my new technique! Now I need Sir Everett's help."

"My help."

I smiled and fixed my gaze on the tip of the twig. Meanwhile, the Archduke took out a small bronze box from his bag and shook it.

"We're going to try to put Divine Power into this artifact here. To be precise, we're going to make an artifact that generates a small amount of Divine Power. With this, we'll succeed with the 'find' magic formula. If we connect artifacts like this, it'll become a large machine, right?"

"Excuse me, I have a question. Doesn't only the Papal State have the technology to store Divine Power? And a technology that 'generates' it.... You told me earlier that there was no formula to make someone continuously use another's Magic Power."

Leonard couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked.

"That's right. I don't know that much either. But Divine Power can be considered a unique ability, can't it, Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Hmm.... Ah!"

Leonard trailed off, then his face lit up as if he now understood.

Previously, I didn't completely agree with the claim that Divine Power was a unique ability because I had learned and used it with the help of the system, and in fact, opinions are divided. Some scholars include it as a unique ability, while others do not. However, it is a fact that Divine Power and unique abilities have clear commonalities. Divine Power is an ability that is believed to be usable only if one has the basic 'aptitude' to resonate with it, and unique abilities are also in the realm of talent from the start. Expanding its scope through learning is a matter for later.

The Archduke saw Leonard's reaction and grinned.

"Then it can be solved with my technique. Because I can put a person's unique ability into an artifact!"

The Archduke turned to me and raised his voice.

"Now, Sir Everett! Please help me make a Divine Power generator. By the way, you didn't leave because you were uncomfortable with my technique, did you?"

"Of course not."

"A good decision. With this technique I've created, we can gather all the unique abilities of the people in the world and become the world's strongest mage. If you can use an ability you can't use even after learning it with just one tool, you'll naturally become the strongest, right? But I don't have much desire for that. Let's think about getting stronger after we find the treasure chest."

The Archduke said that to try and get me on his side.

It seems true that he has no desire. His demonstration of his new technique was perfect, but I have never heard of such a technique 12 years later. This story probably wasn't known to most members of the Hermetische Gesellschaft, which would later expand into a huge club. No matter how secretive it was, if there was such a beneficial technique, it would have inevitably leaked out. Especially with 12 years of time.

'And as expected... Leonard and the Archduke didn't have many opportunities to meet 12 years ago in reality.'

This technique must have been a secret between the Archduke and Emanuel. The Leo of 12 years later doesn't know this technique exists. Just like me and the rest of the world.

I fixed my gaze on the bronze box he was holding and said.

"Then will you let me join the treasure hunting group too?"

"You're already in? We're the Hermetische Gesellschaft!"

"Do you have to say that out loud..."

The Archduke, who didn't see the goosebumps rising on my arm under my rolled-up shirt sleeve, nodded vigorously and said passionately.

"Now, I must first tell you what I call that treasure chest. And the map Emanuel and I found, and the book that became a clue..."

"Excellent. But, just a moment."

I closed the lid of the box and looked into the Archduke's eyes.

"Please tell me first how I can transfer my unique ability here."

***

Leo checked the clock.

Naturally, he hadn't slept a wink. He never thought he would be able to sleep soundly after a conversation like that. An unknown fear washed over him just from confessing the truth to Lukas.

Also....

Because Lukas had said something strange to him, he couldn't fall asleep.

'...Right. He did say back then that he had to know to solve it.'

He had previously said he needed to hear my story to find a solution, but even so, I didn't think Lukas was really thinking about a solution. This is a problem with no answer. No matter how much of a Lukas he is, he too only solves problems using limited conditions, he cannot create something out of nothing.

And yet, he hoped. He couldn't help but hope. Every moment Lukas had shown him until now proved his confidence and ability, and he couldn't help but feel infinite stability from him who had turned the impossible into the possible. It would be the same for not only him but also Elias, and Yulia and the other Eschet team members would all feel a similar sense, however vague. Lukas's dry and stiff tone or his brusque, non-answer-like replies were not enough to block the mental stability he gave them.

It's unclear whether Lukas knows my thoughts. He might find it burdensome or absurd if he heard such a story. Also, this time, he might have just thrown it out there to reassure me, even without a practical solution.

But I have already found reassurance in his words through everything he has shown me over the past time. Even if something like the Pentalon terror happens again, and I, who faced the crisis of death with him, am erased from my memory, that is something I have prepared for, and I am satisfied just by sharing the memory with him. And above all, if you just change your perspective, it's not much of a problem. A concept is just a concept, my body is still alive even if time is turned back. Just the intention to help me was enough.

'And... I'm curious why my problem was brought up out of the blue when he disappeared to solve the jewel theft case, not the theft case itself.'

"Your Highness. You must have a meal."

The servant who had been loitering at the end of the hallway approached and said carefully. Leo smiled gently and replied.

"I'll eat later."

He was not in the mood to eat right now. Leo leaned against the hallway wall and looked at the door.

It's almost lunch time, and he's not coming out.

About two hours after he went into the room, for some reason, the connection to his core felt half-severed, and after that, even when he flicked his fingers, there was no response, as if the connection was broken. Usually, if I hit Lukas's core, Lukas would hit back in the same way, so I would know immediately.

It was similar to yesterday when there was no reaction, but yesterday at least there was no shock like the connection being half-severed.

"......"

The person inside the door might be dead right now. Should I open it? But I said I would wait, is it okay to do what Lukas told me not to do?

It didn't take long to come to the conclusion that I should open it.

The moment he took a step towards the door, he heard the sound of a doorknob turning.

Click creak

"Oh."

Lukas, who looked like he had lost 10kg in one day, opened the door and stopped. His irises wandered here and there before finally settling. He looked like he hadn't been able to get his bearings, as if he had just woken up from a two-day sleep. Lukas, who had been frozen upon seeing Leo, waved his hand.

"You were here again. Good."

"...Again? More importantly, did you drink?"

"Come in. We have to test it."

Lukas leaned against the door and gave an irrelevant answer. Then he gestured with his eyes to come in quickly. Leo stood still for a moment, then ran his fingers over it. The feeling that it was only half-connected was not wrong. It was accurate. Leo followed him and asked.

"What's wrong with your core?"

"Is something wrong?"

What's wrong? He should know himself. It's impossible not to know. It's a miracle he's even awake right now.

"Something's wrong. What did you do?"

"What did I do."

Lukas plopped down on the sofa. It was more like he collapsed onto it, but it was obvious he wouldn't answer if I asked about it. He pressed a handkerchief to his sweaty forehead and then threw a box that was on the side table.

"Try it on. If you don't want to get a new piercing now, take out your earring and put it in."

"......"

Is this what he was talking about last night?

Leo opened the box with a curious look. And as soon as he saw what was inside, he clutched his neck. It looked similar to what he had now, but the color was too strong.

"...It's too conspicuous. Are you kidding me? I gave you an almost transparent one...!"

"That's why I told you to get it."

Lukas, who didn't have the strength to lift his own head and was resting it on the backrest, laughed playfully. He pointed at the box Leo was holding.

"Look at that color. The ones with that much color are the most expensive. You know?"

"...Expensive or not, royalty doesn't wear such brightly colored gems. Unless it's a family heirloom."

"Right. Because you're New Humans."

"Are Old Humans different?"

"I don't know. I'm not interested."

Lukas gave an unpredictable answer and fell asleep. No, he had closed his eyes, but it felt like he was barely breathing.

Leo, with an instinctive sense of unease, deliberately spoke.

"So, what is this."

"An artifact."

"You said you wouldn't commission it to an artisan."

"Right. I made it myself."

Himself? How?

It was questionable, but that wasn't the important thing. Lukas's voice was getting smaller. He was losing the strength to speak. As he approached to use healing magic, Lukas opened his eyes.

"Hurry up and put it on. I'm curious."

"......"

Leo cast a simple healing spell and took out one of his existing artifacts. As he put on the new one, he could feel Lukas's Magic Power swirling around.

"What kind of artifact is this."

"Want to test it?"

Lukas muttered, looking somewhere as if he were reading something in the air.

"Leo. On a day like today with nothing going on, six hours ago isn't a long enough time for you to consider yourself a different being, right?"

"...Right. In the first place, without an incident like a terrorist attack, that sense of alienation isn't that great."

"Good. Still, if it fails, we'll have to have a serious talk again, right? I'd have to apologize for taking your fragment and giving it to the you of six hours ago."

Lukas, who was even paler than before, threw out a joke that wasn't even funny. Seeing the continuous cold sweat, it's right to send him to the hospital. As Leo thought that and took another step closer, Lukas raised his hand and waved it.

"I'm not going to the hospital. Just wait a little."

"You're like a ghost."

"Don't you have something to do today?"

"...I do. I have to go to Berlin."

"Then go now. I'm sorry in advance for making you work more."

"Go?!"

"Yeah. And..."

Lukas smiled and said.

"See you later. For real this time."

"......"

Before he could say anything more, Lukas kicked Leo out. Leo stood blankly in front of the door for a moment, then ordered a servant to send Lukas to the hospital and went to Berlin.

As soon as he arrived in Berlin, he ran into Elias. Elias, not knowing the situation, bantered.

"What's on your ear? I thought you were bleeding."

"...I know. I think so too."

"Huh?"

Elias chuckled, then realized Leo's reaction was soulless and looked at him. Leo looked into the air and continued.

"I mean... I should get a new piercing on the inside. Or take out the gem and make a necklace."

"Really? I was just saying. But it's scary when a kid who doesn't talk to himself does that. Haha."

"......"

When Leo didn't answer and just looked ahead, Elias completely realized something was wrong.

Elias chattered in his ear for dozens of minutes all day, but Leo, instead of shooing him away as usual, just looked at the clock all day.

And so, six hours passed.

'...What did Lukas mean.'

He roughly knew. Maybe, he had turned back time, but I was unaware of it. And maybe I would only receive his memory after receiving Lukas's letter or seeing his face.

Leo changed his staff to a wand and looked into the air. The world was red as the sun was setting. Elias's playful voice could be heard.

"Hey~ We sent back ten victims today too."

"I know."

"Let's go to the dorms! We worked for six and a half hours today. This is high school student abuse. What are we going to do with entrance exams next year! Of course, I don't study~"

"I know."

"......"

Elias hit Leo's shoulder.

"What's with you today? You're supposed to tell me that's not how you use that word."

"......"

"You're supposed to ask me why. Ask me!"

Elias clung to Leo's arm.

At that moment, a sensation like an electric current passed through Leo's core. Leo hurriedly clutched his chest.

"...! Lukas."

"Luka's not here. He took a sick leave."

"That's not it...!"

Leo quickly tapped the communication artifact on his ear.

But at that moment, his vision went black, and before he could even notice, the light returned.

"What's on your ear? I thought you were bleeding."

"......"

Leo looked at the Elias in front of him. He glanced at the Imperial Second Academy behind Elias, then looked around like a person who had lost his mind. Only when Elias waved his hand in front of him did Leo open his mouth.

"Why are you saying the same thing again?"

"Huh?"

Leo was sure in that moment. He looked around frantically again and checked the clock.

12:30 PM.

An unbelievable sight was before his eyes. A hollow voice escaped his lips.

"You said we worked for six and a half hours."

"When...? We have to go out when a report comes in now. Are they telling us to just work for six and a half hours today? There should be more reports coming in lately."

Elias looked at Leo with a bewildered expression.

The core is quiet. The communication artifact is also quiet. He hadn't received a call from Lukas, nor had he seen his face. But...!

Leo immediately warped to the border and went back the way he came.

CRASH!

He didn't even know how he had gotten there. When he came to his senses, he was at the Crown Prince's palace.

Two or three servants were wrangling with Lukas and taking him to the warp point. In the previous timeline, they would have gone to the hospital.

Lukas raised an eyebrow.

"You're here first this time."

"Now, is it possible.... You..."

"Yes."

Lukas mimicked the hands of a clock with his fingers, then turned them backwards and smiled. Leo dropped the hat he was holding. It didn't matter whether it fell or not. What was important now was....

"...Me too..."

Leo stood blankly, staring ahead.

Everything I did is in my memory. I listened to Elias's nonsense all day and sent victims to the hospital with him. I clearly know what magic I used and where I warped, and I even remember all the names of the ten victims I saved. That's something Lukas couldn't possibly know. It's not his memory, it's definitely my memory.

Lukas looked at Leo's dazed face, then tapped his ear and smiled.

"Yes. I told you I'd see you later."

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