“So that’s how it is. After going through the 86th round, you’ve gotten confident enough to talk back, huh? Hmmm.”

I twisted my tone, flipping my impression of his words with a crooked attitude.

“But Inspector, aren’t you here already? Take your time with your business.”

That was when the message window suddenly started flooding with updates.

[‘The Spoiler Inspector’ says they only stopped by briefly and will leave again soon.]

[‘The Word of World Building’ mocks, asking if the heretic cult is growing well.]

[‘The Spoiler Inspector’ shouts indignantly not to call it a heretic cult.]

[‘The Balancer Critic’ watches the clash between the Evil God Cult and the heretic cult with interest.]

[‘The Word of World Building’ shouts!]

[‘The Spoiler Inspector’ shouts!]

Letting them enjoy their lively conversation, I decided to get things back on track.

“Sorry, Tesilid. I was too harsh joking. I won’t do that anymore.”

“...No. I was the one who wandered off...”

With that agreement, we ended the paid content topic, and our faces returned to normal.

At that moment, Tesilid seemed to have something to say.

“Oh, right. Ayleth.”

“Yes, Terry.”

“....”

“Why?”

He called me but seemed distracted and silent. After asking again why he called, Tesilid casually stated his business.

“Do you have a plan for what to do next?”

“Hmm, I don’t know.”

“You probably know my situation isn’t good. The Holy Order is chasing me... staying with me would be dangerous.”

Tesilid lowered his gaze as if avoiding mine. His gloomy face made it clear what he wanted to say, but I didn’t want to hear it.

“Yeah, let’s run away well.”

“That’s not something to decide so easily.”

“There’s no choice. I won’t abandon you.”

He looked stunned, as if surprised again. Much better than gloomy, at least.

I took the opportunity to give him a little scolding.

“You’re trying to say I should leave before it gets dangerous, huh? What exactly did you hear earlier? I came here to meet you and even awakened my holy power to heal you.”

“That’s...”

“And besides, you’re the only one in this world who remembers me. How could I ever abandon you?”

“But...”

Tesilid struggled to speak.

“...I might die. Because of me.”

“....”

“If I don’t cling to foolish desires, you’ll live safely in this timeline. I can live in another timeline imagining you. That possibility alone is enough for me.”

By the time he finished, Tesilid met my gaze clearly. He was sincere.

‘Sigh, what a bitter potato.’

I liked his honesty, but it was difficult in moments like this.

His polished style, honed by patience and restraint, was hard for an ordinary person like me to accept or handle.

Plus, there was a bit of cheekiness, so I let some resentment slip into my voice.

“You said we’d live together before.”

“That wasn’t what I meant.”

Then why the tense jaw and averted eyes?

While I barely swallowed the accusation rising in my throat, Tesilid seemed to have made up his mind alone.

“If it gets dangerous, I’ll leave immediately.”

There was no room for compromise in his firm tone.

“What if I say no?”

“Then...”

“....”

“I’ll leave.”

Wow, that almost hurt me just now.

[‘The Scales Judging Souls’ squeezes out the pathos.] 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

[‘The Balancer Critic’ tells you to stop making melodramas and demands some refreshing honesty.]

Since it was a matter of conviction, trying to persuade him would only lead to parallel lines. At times like this, I had to feed him a bitter potato without compromise.

I crossed my arms as if I had nothing to lose.

“Even if you secretly leave, it won’t help.”

“Won’t help?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention — I know where you are, wherever you hide.”

“...Really?”

“Think about it. How else could I have found you in that dangerous forest yesterday when even the pursuers couldn’t? There are always ways.”

“Ah...”

Seeing his stunned face made me feel oddly triumphant.

“Now you know, right? It’s useless. Give up. And relax.”

“....”

Feeling like I had crushed him too much, I softened my tone for a kind finish.

“Anyway, I want to stay with you.”

“....”

“So don’t stubbornly insist on leaving—stay with me in this timeline.”

“....”

By this point, I thought I’d done my best. I carefully chose and repeated things I knew he wanted to hear.

If you’re human, you’re bound to succumb to temptation once in a while.

He closed his eyes tightly, then after a long moment reopened them. Finally, he decided.

“...Okay, I understand.”

Ah, finally.

I was overjoyed to hear the answer I wanted. Just as I naturally smiled, he spoke again.

“Let’s be together, Ai.”

“....”

The sudden nickname made me flinch.

It echoed unusually strongly in my ears. Now I understood why he’d been distracted after calling me earlier—probably because I would react like this.

I thought to myself that empathy really is necessary, when his voice echoed in my ears once more.

“If permitted, I want to stay with you as long as possible.”

At that moment, I had a brief, silly thought.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I never woke from this dream.

I guess I’m really getting strange. Because of Tesilid Arzent.

✠

Life in pastoral country with Tesilid was more enjoyable than expected.

As our stay lengthened, the cabin, often cared for, began to feel much «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» more like a home.

We repaired the roof and walls, tended a vegetable garden, and made preserved foods like jerky and marmalade.

[‘The Scales Judging Souls’ is enjoying a wholesome newlywed life with a PG rating.]

Tesilid’s expression noticeably improved. He seemed content with the simple daily life of cooking, tending vegetables, and making simple wooden utensils.

‘He never had time for this kind of life in the original story.’

Watching the world’s most handsome man happily living such a modest life, if the damned gods hadn’t interfered, made my heart ache.

Look at him—being left alone like this, the 101st round’s personality never showed. That kindness, gentleness, and reliability were truly...

[‘The Scales Judging Souls’ says he’d make a perfect groom if taken to meet his parents now.]

Thank goodness for the ever-exacting Scales; their influence keeps me calm in return.

“Ai.”

“Yeah, Terry.”

I’ve grown used to how he calls me now.

He was holding a trap of some sort. His face was full of anticipation.

“I found a nearby valley. If there are even small fish, I thought I’d try to catch some. Want to come?”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

Though an aura user fishing with a trap was inefficient, I didn’t mind.

If he wanted to do proper fishing, I’d let him do whatever he wanted.

Fishing, flower arranging, sculpting, whatever. Unless the world ends, what does it matter?

‘Wait. Since this is a dream, maybe world-ending is allowed...?’

[‘The Balancer Critic’ is horrified at your crazy rationalization.]

[‘The Word of World Building’ calms you down.]

“I was joking.”

We packed simple picnic items and left the cabin.

The trail leading to the valley was very pretty. Bright sunlight filtering through green leaves, birds singing in rounds, the deep scent of forest, and the soft feeling of grass and twigs beneath our feet.

Everything was fresh and comforting. This must be to Tesilid’s taste. So like him.

It was always surprising to remember that this vivid stimulation of all five senses was still a dream.

‘One day, I’ll have to wake up here.’

We reached the valley, spread out a mat, and sat down. Watching Tesilid set the trap, I drifted into thought.

‘By the way, how does one wake from a dream?’

I was starting to worry.

[‘The Word of World Building’ says you’re doing well.]

It was a cryptic message.

‘Doing well at waking Reid from the dream? I haven’t really done anything.’

[‘The Word of World Building’ tells me there are three ways to wake from a dream, and I’m steadily carrying out one of them.]

[‘The Word of World Building’ explains that because this is a nightmare dominated by despair, misery, and pain, waking comes only when hope clearly prevails.]

‘Ah, so this peaceful time is giving Tesilid hope!’

It truly was healing time.

‘Then there’s no need to forcibly shake him awake—it’ll happen naturally. That’s good.’

Like waking happily to bird songs and sunlight. I liked that.

‘But what are the other two ways?’

[‘The Word of World Building’ says a nightmare is like a fixed story, so either you dream it all from start to finish, or the nightmare’s—]

[‘The Spoiler Inspector’ rushes in, slapping a yellow card onto ‘The Word of World Building’s mouth!]