Volume 9 Chapter 1 Fourth Otherworld – Crimson Spire
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Sylvia?”
What kind of life had she lived back then? Until just recently, she had almost forgotten it as a distant past. She never thought a day would come when she’d relive it and be forced to remember.
”Ah, Father—”
”Well done.”
He only glanced at her. Even though they lived in the same estate, they barely exchanged greetings. She said nothing, only watching his back as he walked away. Sealed memories surfaced vividly: yes, it had been like this.
She was an adopted daughter brought in for marriage. He had no real interest in her. Back then she tried not to care, tried to look away.
A faint sting pricked her chest as déjà vu mixed with freshness. She felt the thrill of truly going back, and the strange weight of once again standing in her former place.
”Excuse me.”
A servant’s voice. Sylvia widened her eyes at the familiar face—a woman who had worked here nearly ten years, especially kind when Sylvia first arrived.
”Lady Sylvia, as you may have heard, a new maid has come to serve you. This is Rugandia.”
”H–Hello! I’m Rugandia! I came from Sand Village!”
She looked about twelve or fourteen. Something about her face tugged at Sylvia’s memory. She vaguely remembered such a girl, but no clear impressions came.
”Rugandia is diligent and serious. In time she will become your personal maid.”
”I’ll do my best! I’ll definitely be your support, Lady Sylvia!”
”I see… I’ll count on you.”
Such a bright, energetic girl. The phrase “your support” wasn’t elegant, but her warmth slipped like a flower into Sylvia’s heart.
A maid—probably her father’s arrangement. Rugandia would accompany her when she married into Livorno. Noblemen often had children with mistresses; households frequently chose a loyal maid to attach to the bride beforehand. She had likely been picked as a convenient girl from the nearest village.
Rugandia’s eyes sparkled with youthful excitement. Sylvia could feel how thrilled she was to leave the countryside and work at the estate.
But what was wrong with her? She slipped back to her room to escape the servants’ eyes and looked into the mirror again.
It was still her past self. No memories of what came before or after. She couldn’t even recall how she ended up like this—or what she had been doing last.
”Rugandia… That’s right. I remember now.”
She had no memories of time spent with that girl. If she had, surely there would have been many. In her former self she would have befriended someone like Rugandia. The only reason she hadn’t was because their time together had been short.
”…Right before I died.”
Tracing her memories, she at least recalled the period. She had been planning to meet Klock. That became her final contact with him. The next day the estate was set on fire and she died.
What exact day was today? If the past was repeating, she would meet Klock soon. But she didn’t know when—maybe she already had.
Would she repeat her previous life?
She didn’t know why she had gone back, but she couldn’t stay idle. If the estate burned, she would die. If she had already met Klock, she might die today or tomorrow. She had to avoid that. If this was some illusion, death might return her—but it might also be real. She needed to act to survive.
* * *
”This matter is settled!”
”Father!”
The boy’s voice cracked through the air—earnest, desperate.
He looked every bit the noble heir, though his eyes carried a kind warmth.
In the study, father and son stood face-to-face, ignoring the two servants nearby.
”Gina’s marriage to Amadei is her own choice. She’s resolved to bring peace with her own body. Why can’t you understand that?”
”You forced her! You’re sacrificing your daughter!”
”Foolish boy.”
The boy glared. His father sighed, rubbing his brow.
The servants lowered their gazes, uneasy in the silence.
”You’ll take a wife from Croce soon enough. You may not like it, but this is duty. From the moment you were born to Livorno’s house, freedom was never yours. You must live for our family—and for Livorno’s people.”
The decision was final.
Klock clenched his teeth.
”They hide behind their god and force us into submission. If we ally now, we’ll only kneel lower. This plan is premature.”
His father said nothing.
”And Gina’s only twelve! We should wait until she’s grown. They treat her like a child, a toy. You saw the marks on her neck and stomach—you can’t ignore that!”
”She fell. That’s what she said.”
”Don’t be ridiculous!”
He snapped before he could stop himself.
Silence hung heavy.
His father met his gaze without flinching.
Klock fell quiet, breath shaking.
The father didn’t answer right away. He was waiting for Klock to finish.
Klock cleared his throat, steadying himself.
”Since the monastery town was built in Trios, the Goddess’s faith has spread throughout Stras. People without social standing—those who crave novelty or seek work—are converting in droves. They claim to serve the divine, but they’re just expanding their power and influence. The so-called Saint speaks of peacekeeping, yet the Theocracy uses faith as a weapon to invade countries without lifting a sword.”
”I’m well aware,” his father said flatly. “They’ve already demanded permission to build a monastery in Livorno. It’s just a school to raise people useful to the Theocracy.”
”Then—”
”Defuse the situation. That’s the kingdom’s order.”
That ended the argument. Klock couldn’t reply to that.
A royal command left no room for debate.
”In the last skirmish, dozens of our people died,” Klock pressed on. “The Theocracy—no, Amadei himself—used bandits. He offered them amnesty if they raided Livorno’s lands. They’ve robbed the poor, stolen crops and livestock, attacked our caravans. The list of his crimes is endless.”
At this rate, it would be war.
Yet the king demanded peace.
That left them with no options.
His father’s voice softened, almost gentle. “Settle it, Klock. That’s all we can do.”
Klock realized he’d misstepped. The argument’s weight was against him. He looked down, jaw tight.
He’s not a bad man, Klock thought. He didn’t choose this path willingly. But family should come first. No matter what the kingdom says, he should protect Gina.
”Father,” Klock said quietly. “You went to Amadei’s domain, didn’t you? Has the wedding date been set?”
”Not yet,” his father replied. “Their preparations aren’t finished. It seems they have their own problems.”
They stood about a meter apart—close enough for tension, far enough for restraint.
As they spoke, Klock closed the distance inch by inch, feigning calm.
”I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I spoke out of turn.”
As he bowed slightly, he extended one leg. His foot brushed his father’s.
――Skill Activation: Bandit.
”Excuse me,” he said.
Klock left the room quickly, pretending to accept defeat.
His father didn’t stop him. Only a faint grimace crossed the man’s face—something between pain and regret.
He must have his own doubts, Klock thought. His father wasn’t heartless. He was just trapped between duty and conscience. Klock wanted to believe that.
But Klock had planned for this. He never expected words alone to change anything.
He had a second plan—and his father never noticed.
If persuasion worked, I would’ve ended this long ago.
Klock looked down at his hand. A small card gleamed in his palm—the Theocracy’s pass, stamped with its sacred crest.
A travel permit for Amadei’s domain. That had been his goal all along. He’d provoked the discussion knowing his father kept it in his pocket.
Father’s blinded by royal pressure, Klock thought. But I won’t let the family be sacrificed. Protecting the house means nothing if it costs our blood.
As planned, he would infiltrate Amadei’s domain.
He’d meet the man himself—and settle things directly.
Tomorrow, his father would leave for the Royal Capital.
Tomorrow, Klock had a meeting with Cianie.
The operation would begin the day after.
”Brother…?”
A startled voice broke his thoughts. The door opened abruptly.
On his way back to his room, he met Gina.
”…It can’t be. Brother? Is it really you?”
”Hm? What’s that supposed to mean?”
Gina ran toward him, her face pale with disbelief.
”…No, forgive me,” she said quickly. “I just had a bad dream.”
”Ah, I see. Happens sometimes. I get them too when I nap.”
”Yes.”
She straightened her posture and smiled. Ever polite, ever proper. The days when she’d cling to him like a spoiled child were long gone. At twelve, she already carried herself like a true noble.
Today, she looked especially refined. Pride welled in his chest just seeing it. He couldn’t help but smile.
”I heard shouting earlier,” Gina said softly. “Were you arguing with Father?”
”Ah, that? Nothing serious. Are you feeling better? No pain?”
”I’m fine.”
Even if she was his sister, she was still a lady. He tried not to stare too long, though he glanced at her out of concern. Maybe she’d take the hint and be careful next time. Maybe she’d focus on that instead of their father.
”But, Brother,” Gina said. “Are you going out tomorrow?”
”Eh? Oh, did I mention? Yeah, I’ve got plans.”
”…Could I come with you?”
”…What?”
Her request made his heart skip. Tomorrow was important—his secret meeting with Cianie.
”I just… have a bad feeling,” Gina said. “I feel something terrible will happen. So please, let me come with you.”
”What do you mean?” Klock asked, frowning.
Gina’s expression trembled with desperation. Klock tilts his head as he listens to her story.
His relationship with Cianie was forbidden for a noble.
Gina, who tried so hard to fulfill her duty, could never know.
He couldn’t take her along tomorrow.
”I have plans… I promised to meet a friend,” Klock said. “I’m sorry, Gina, but I have to go. I can’t take you.”
”…A friend. I see.”
”Yeah. Sorry.”
She accepted the refusal easily and stepped back, her expression unreadable. Klock scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Strange, he thought. She hasn’t acted like this in a while.
When she was little, she’d cling to him constantly. But lately she’d been distant, more composed. He’d assumed that was just how girls grew up. Yet here she was again, saying something so unexpected.
Maybe she’s lonely.
Or worried—thanks to Amadei.
Or maybe she heard us arguing and got scared.
”Gina. Want to sleep in my room tonight?” he offered gently.
”…No. I’ll sleep alone.”
”Ah, right. Sure.”
He tried, but she refused.
She trotted away, quick steps echoing down the hall.
Apparently, treating her like a child didn’t work anymore.
She wanted to be seen as a lady now.
Even so, family should be a refuge—someone you can rely on when you’re weak.
For Klock, that balance was hard. Too close, and she’d see it as coddling. Too distant, and she’d feel abandoned. She’d grown difficult to reach, especially over the last year.
The next morning, Klock checked his bag before leaving. Inside was the ribbon Gina had given him for his birthday.
He carried it every time he met Cianie—a promise, a token.
Cianie had said, If you ever forget this, it means your heart’s drifted away.
He’d understood the sentiment, even if the ribbon part still felt odd.
Would’ve been better if she picked something less… frilly, he thought, smiling faintly.
He reined in his excitement and walked calmly through the estate.
Just an ordinary outing. Nothing to hide.
Except it was—to meet someone he wasn’t supposed to see.
He moved carefully, avoiding servants as if each footstep might give him away.
The pass to Theocracy lands was tucked in his coat. He’d brought it too, just in case.
I could even reach Jay after seeing her, he realized.
Amadei. Gina’s fiancé.
The thought alone made his stomach twist.
A heavy, sinking dread spread through him.
Something’s wrong, he thought. If I go there, it’ll end badly. I can feel it.
A dark certainty whispered in his chest. Failure. Disaster.
Why am I hesitating? he told himself. This is my last chance to protect Gina.
If I do nothing, she’ll suffer forever.
He straightened his back. I’m the heir of Livorno. Amadei can’t ignore me.
He’d confront the man, demand the marriage be annulled—or at least postponed until Gina came of age. That would buy time. Maybe by then, their father would reconsider.
He just needed to stall for now.
”Brother.”
”…Gina?”
The sudden voice nearly made him jump.
She stood in the entrance hall, already dressed to go out.
”Brother, you’re leaving?”
”Yeah. Like I said yesterday. You too?”
”Can’t you cancel your outing?”
Outside, their dog Adelina barked, sharp and impatient—the signal for her daily walk. Probably calling for Gina.
”…Why?” Klock asked. “Did something happen?”
”Please. Don’t go today. Something terrible will happen to you. You won’t come back home.”
”…What? What makes you think that?”
”Please,” Gina said, trembling. “Don’t ask why. Just… please.”
He stared at her. She looked terrified.
So serious that even he felt uneasy.
Outside, Adelina’s barking grew louder, more frantic.
The sound filled the hall until Klock, distracted, reached for the door.
”Wait, Brother!”
”I can’t,” he said. “I have something important to do. If you want me to stay, at least tell me why. Without that, I can’t.”
Why is she saying this? he thought. Did she hear something?
Or worse—Did she find out about Cianie?
Panic pricked his chest.
”The important meeting… is it with a woman?” she asked quietly.
Before Klock could answer, a husky female voice cut through the air.
”That’s right, little lady. This male’s got a date—with me.”
It came the moment he stepped outside.
A stranger’s voice—rough, confident, unfamiliar.
He froze. Gina did too.
A tall figure stood in front of the estate gates.
She spoke as if she’d been part of the conversation all along.
”Wh–Who are you?” Gina asked.
”Lady Kispe’s delicate, slender finger,” the woman said with a smirk. “Celestina, of the Chamber of Pleasures.”
Beast ears twitched atop her head. In this kingdom, Beastkin were rare.
She stood close to two meters tall, her frame powerful, her chest pressing against her tight leather coat.
An unfamiliar woman—radiating a strange, dangerous aura.
She smiled at them both.
”I’ve come to fetch you, boy. I thought anyone defying Lady Kispe’s gaze would be some towering warrior—but here in the Crimson Spire, you’re just a pretty little pup.”
Notes:
• Sylvia – The hero who accuses Klock of abandoning her in her past life. She was reborn as Anna after dying in a fire and holds a grudge against Klock.
• Gina – A kind choir member who shows genuine concern for Adelina. She’s a rare ally in this unfamiliar place, offering some comfort and companionship.
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
• Celestina – Another child from Kispe household, playful and mischievous, shows up with Alice Lau in recruitment scenes, frail but lively appearance, beast-like ears marking heritage.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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