My Dream is to Get My Own House - Chapter 116

Episode 116

* * *

I ran without stopping, and I arrived near the lake by the Castilla Grand Duchy at a swift pace.

Just like when Dylan and I had a boat outing, it was still a quiet atmosphere.

However, without relaxing my tension, I took a deep breath while gazing at the faint moon and moon cluster rising in the sky simultaneously.

Now that I think about it, this lakeside had not just one or two suspicious spots.

Surely, if someone like Dylan, an experienced knight, was around, he could easily rescue a lady who fell into the lake.

But he couldn’t do that.

At that time, I thought we made a mistake because our hearts were captivated by magic and turned romantic.

But what if the essence of dark magic is here in this lakeside?

If Dylan, who is relatively vulnerable to dark magic, couldn’t exert his true strength?

At that moment, Duke Saboia opened his eyes.

“Really.”

“Yes.”

“It’s truly strange.”

It was definitely night, and the blue moon was rising.

But it was also strange.

Sunset had started in the sky.

It was as if time had briefly rewound, as if using my time magic in reverse.

I looked into the air and took a steady breath.

My steps had brought me to the edge of the lake, through the lush woods where young shoots grew.

The energy of the red sunset began to swirl over the blue ripples of the lake.

It looked as if the water had turned red.

And over the red water, along with my face, Castilla Grand Duchy appeared in reflection.

It was as if the castle was burning red within the lake.

At that moment, I realized the meaning behind the name “Red Castle.”

As the sun set, Castilla Grand Duchy reflected backward over the reddish water.

The sight was as if the castle was ablaze.

As I stood there, unable to speak, Duke Saboia suddenly wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

“Sweetheart.”

“Yes.”

He whispered with a trembling voice.

“It will be summoned soon.”

As soon as the Duke’s words ended, the red light that illuminated the lakeside disappeared in an instant.

Suddenly, a gust of wind that felt like it could sweep me away blew, and the waves surged wildly.

But that also didn’t last long.

The surface of the lake split open like a scarlet sea.

Facing the wind, I calmly gazed at the bottom of the lake.

In the dust-covered ground, a round pit and stairs below it became visible.

Could this be the entrance to the headquarters of the “Red Castle”?

* * *

As Ishael had anticipated, the “Red Castle” had established a base on the lake floor of Castilla Grand Duchy.

They were constantly receiving the power of flowing dark magic.

Unfortunately, as Grand Duke Castilla awakened, the power of the dark magic surrounding the Grand Ritual weakened,

but the sturdy dark magic built around the lake by the <Red Castle> remained unbroken.

The reason for this was also because the perennial snow remained at the top of the spire.

The area by the lakeside was dark and gloomy.

Lord Bavarde smiled contentedly and looked around the space of about 10 pyeong (a Korean unit of measurement).

This place was like a small room.

He looked at the intricate magic circle that covered the entire floor and smiled.

A magic circle was drawn on the floor in the shape of a crescent moon.

“The blue moon has risen.”

“The masquerade is about to begin!”

The members of the <Red Castle> who had little time left opened their eyes.

The masquerade.

It was a solemn ritual that had been sought after for a long time at the <Red Castle>.

Soon, Diana, who would offer her blood at their grand festival, would come.

The ‘perfect goal’ of the <Red Castle> would be achieved.

“Now, activate the magic circle with death.”

For the magic circle to function properly, a vast amount of mana created by death was needed.

The members of the <Red Castle> willingly lowered their heads.

On the land where the blood of countless people had flowed, new lifeblood began to flow once again.

* * *

A whirlwind of strange heat swept around the lakeside, enveloping the entire body.

Clearly, Duke Saboia who was next to me, instantly concealed his presence.

“Yeah, come in.”

Whatever happens, if I don’t go in, this summoning circle that makes my heart burn won’t leave me alone.

I looked up at the sky.

The blue moon was shining brightly, and even the breathing air seemed to cling to the lungs like tar.

I silently entered the cracked lakeside.

There was no one on the path leading down the stairs.

I opened the old door.

And inside there was…

“Welcome.”

A magic circle that absorbed blood and people collapsed on the floor, and…

“…Sir Tov.”

Yes, Lord Tov was there.

He playfully smiled innocently and extended his hand as if escorting.

“Ah, Lady Ishael.”

I looked at the people who had fallen on the floor like corpses, then glared at him again and whispered.

“You’re not even trying to hide anymore, huh?”

“I’ve been waiting, Diana. No, Ishael.”

“Don’t call my name.”

“Why? We were almost married, weren’t we?”

“…But weren’t we?”

Actually, that’s right.

So, feeling more annoyed, I narrowed my eyebrows and glared at him.

Lord Bavarde burst into a chuckle and said, “If we had gotten married, all of this would have been a bit easier, regrettable.”

Is he trying to irritate me?

I smiled brightly and replied.

“X.”

“We met when we were young, and we were comrades. It’s bittersweet.”

I furrowed my brows and glanced around.

I had no intention of wasting time with silly jokes and banter.

“So, your goal is to bring about the destruction of this world? And that’s why these people have been sacrificed?”

He grinned and approached me with confidence.

“It’s true that these people have become ‘willing’ sacrifices.”

“…Trash, huh?”

“And this worldline will come to an end. But it won’t be annihilated.”

“What are you talking about? That ultimately means destruction, doesn’t it?”

Despite my irritated tone, Lord Bavarde remained calm.

He looked at me with a relaxed expression and grinned.

“It means forgetting all false memories and starting anew.”

Lord Bavarde looked at me and smiled affectionately.

“We will turn back time with the mana we’ve gathered and your abilities.”

“…Turn back time?”

“Yes. We’ve known for a very long time that your abilities involve manipulating time. Since then, I’ve wanted to turn back time.”

I staggered back and retreated.

“Don’t worry. If we turn back time, the dark magic in this world will disappear… and truly, everyone will become happy.”

Like an eager child who has gained great hope, he approached me with excitement.

Before I could stagger back or even catch my breath, he quickly grabbed my neck, strangling me.

“Welcome, Diana. Thanks for coming.”

“Let go of… me… ah…!”

“Let’s die together.”

In an instant, my oxygen supply was cut off, and a high-pitched ringing echoed in my ears.

“Ugh…”

Lord Bavarde’s voice resonated in my head like an auditory hallucination.

“You’ve had a tough time too. I want to save you.”

It was a voice that seemed to comfort me, as if consoling the wounded and hurt part of me.

Even as my breath was being cut off, I couldn’t deny his words.

By his words or not, Lord Bavarde had already saved me once.

Even when he was Sir Tov, unaware of my true identity, he had circled around me, taking care of me meticulously.

“You can be reborn and live happily, forgetting all the pain.”

His voice lowered, almost as if he was trying to brainwash me.

“So, now, let’s go back together. To a happier worldline.”

What if I did go back as he said?

Would <Red Castle> no longer target me?

In that case, would the past of ‘Ishael’ being abused disappear?

If the uncomfortable past disappeared, I could also become happy.

But…

I opened my bloodshot eyes and glared at Sir Tov, no, Lord Bavarde.

“Shut, mouth… I dislike, ugh, you.”

“…What? Why?”

Momentarily startled, the strength in Lord Bavarde’s hand waned.

I struggled to forcefully pull his hand away, still holding onto it, and whispered harshly.

“Those… all the painful memories, they’re still mine in the end.”

It was a past I would erase if I could.

But like new flesh forming over scars, all those experiences accumulated to shape the person I am now.

If I had only been happy, my current life might not have existed.

…Above all else, I wouldn’t have met Dylan.

“Who would say a life without pain and suffering is better?”

I strained to lift the corners of my mouth toward him, looking at me with a puzzled expression.

I held onto his hand.

He released his hand for a moment, looking confused.

As if resonating with his emotions, the magic circle on the floor began to gleam grandly.