Chapter 122. Prick of Conscience (2)

The resting place of Yulian's mother, Milena, was technically the Cryphart family's mausoleum, yet its location was so peripheral that "outskirts" seemed an appropriate description.

Originally, there was no intention of burying her at the main estate.

This was vehemently opposed by Ornn Cryphart, the head of the household at the time.

However, Oben Cryphart insisted it was a matter he couldn't back down on, and he forcibly executed the plan.

"The mausoleum is vast, yet to place her in such an outlying corner—how stingy, like having a large granary but a heart as small as a millet seed."

Milena's tomb was so small, one might even call it cramped.

It was only within the boundary of the 'Cryphart family' estate, to the point where it was suitable to say it didn't belong to the family.

"Hmm..."

As I surveyed the tomb, a deep longing boiled from within my chest.

It was a sensation I recalled feeling once before.

A feeling absolutely incompatible with Yulian.

However, it did not last long.

That emotion, struggling to rise, broke free and scattered into the persona that was 'me', as if severed.

"Originally, I had no intention of coming here..."

I inadvertently murmured to myself.

"I feel sorry, as I may have to use some of the keepsakes you left behind."

To heal 'Sombra', the keepsake from Milena was necessary.

Specifically, the Soul Stone embedded in the necklace.

Using an item left by someone who had passed away, without permission, felt far from normal.

Even though I was the child of the owner of this grave before me, I couldn't help but feel sorry.

I placed a single flower I had brought with me upon the grave.

"Please forgive me. No, it doesn't even matter if you don't."

Despite intending to say 'please forgive me,' I unknowingly altered it to say 'it's alright if you don't.'

This appeared to be the strong influence of the 'Yulian' persona, a longing, even if just once, to see her again.

"Yulian, master Herand has awoken."

As I lingered for a moment, surveying the tomb, a servant from the Cryphart main estate approached and informed me.

Nodding in acknowledgment, I redirected my steps back to the main estate.

***

When I visited elder brother Herand, who had opened his eyes, what lay before me was a face so messed up it left me speechless.

As time passed, his swollen body seemed beyond recognition, and his eyes had turned into dark pools.

'He was beaten, and very thoroughly at that.'

It seems Ornn was indeed a former knight, given how skillfully he was able to administer such a thrashing.

"You look terrible, elder brother. I imagine even vagabonds in the slums wouldn't look this bad."

"... Ye-yes, that's true."

Maybe he expected me to offer some warm words looking at his face.

A short laugh, close to a sneer, followed, making Herand flinch slightly.

"So, what brings you to the main estate?"

"I'm here to retrieve something I left previously."

"Something you left...? Oh..."

Realizing something, Herand let out a sigh and summoned a servant to bring something over.

A few minutes later, a precious-looking jewelry box was placed on the table.

"You mean Milena's necklace. Here it is... ugh."

Still speaking, Herand grimaced in pain, letting out a moan.

Despite feeling pity and compassion for his pain, the trait 'poker face' helped hide my expressions well.

Feigning indifference, I approached the jewelry box and checked its contents.

There lay a beautiful necklace, with a 'Soul Stone' embedded at the center.

It was definitely what I had left behind.

"Thank you, elder brother Herand."

"Wh-what least I could do. We are... well..."

He seemed poised to say, 'we are family,' but Herand ended up wearing an awkward expression instead.

"By the way, what happened to the orchid I left you with?"

"Orchid?"

A question mark seemed to hover above Herand's head at the mention of the orchid.

"Yes, the potted plant."

"Aah...!"

Judging by his reaction, it's apparent he forgot about it. While it doesn't require much water, it won't flourish without affection.

Feeling disappointed inside, I expressed my feelings unfiltered.

In my original world, growing orchids was a rather common hobby, but it didn't seem so here.

Why? Because anyone wealthy enough to care for plants would likely be a noble.

And nobles tend to create 'botanical gardens' rather than merely growing a single plant.

"I'm sorry."

Apologizing amidst expressing pain, Herand looked pitiful to even my eyes.

"No worries. You've done plenty well, elder brother Herand."

"Is... is that so?"

When I nodded at Herand's question, he exhaled a breath of relief.

"... Thank you, Yulian."

"For what?"

"I heard from Joshua. If it hadn't been for you, I might've been beaten to death by Sir Ornn..."

Herand let his words trail off, likely feeling bitter.

Given that Sir Ornn was essentially Herand's grandfather, the violence he wielded was shockingly brutal towards his kin.

"No need to thank me. After all, you kept my things safe, didn't you?"

"Well..."

"It's nothing."

It truly was nothing.

In the first place, arriving at that time and place was merely coincidental, and the situation escalated because 'Sombra' was on the verge of rampaging.

"I just wanted to say thank you."

Stifling a laugh with a hint of amusement, I stood up and collected the jewelry box.

"Take care of yourself. No need to see me out."

"No. Since you're here, I should... urgh!"

Stuttering over his words, Herand attempted to rise but crumpled back onto the bed due to the pain.

"If anyone saw, they'd think I did this to you. Just rest, elder brother."

"... Alright, thank you."

I am the more grateful one.

Truly thankful for keeping it safe without being discovered.

Turning my back on Herand's words, I prepared to leave the main estate.

Although the urge to heal Sombra immediately with the Soul Stone was overwhelming, attempting that here was tantamount to insanity.

***

Upon arriving at my estate, as I entered the study and opened the box, the necklace containing the Soul Stone came into view.

At that moment, the first to react was 'Sombra'.

Unlike the 'Soul Stone of Idel', Sombra showed an active response.

However, I didn't want to let Sombra have its way with this particular Soul Stone.

"It's a keepsake. You must treat it with respect."

With a snap of my fingers, I pushed the clinging Sombra away, causing it to lose its form and slough off like water.

Since the necessary treatment had yet to be applied, it wouldn't be unusual for it to dissipate.

Leaving the creature behind, I began the process of extracting the Soul Stone from the necklace.

'The important thing isn't the Soul Stone but rather the necklace.'

Thinking that, I tossed the extracted Soul Stone to Sombra, and it jubilantly enveloped the stone, rolling about as if relishing a candy.

It was such a childlike gesture that it almost elicited a chuckle.

===

⇒ 〈Sombra〉 absorbs the Soul Stone.

===

Familiar text appeared.

===

⇒ 〈Sombra〉 reads the memories contained within the Soul Stone.

===

"What is this...?"

At the same time, a strange scene started to flicker before my eyes.

Though it could have been unsettling, I managed to remain composed as the scene changed.

The unfolding scene bore a striking resemblance to the 'Cryphart main estate' I had seen just moments before.

'No, it is that very place.'

Apart from the slightly shifted furniture placement, the scene mirrored the main estate.

As this realization dawned, a silver-haired woman wearing a familiar necklace passed by me.

'That's...'

A poignant feeling. It felt even more entrenched than when I had seen Milena's grave at the main estate.

Could it be... is that woman?

- 'Milena, why don't you stop this? It's now clear that your words were not mere folk beliefs.'

My anticipation was correct.

'Milena.'

Yulian's mother.

So, does this vision show the memories contained within 'Milena's Soul Stone'? But how...?

The man who had addressed her was none other than the current head of the Cryphart family, Oben.

Looking considerably younger, he was hard to recognize at first.

- 'But if you continue, your body could be in danger. Handling demonic energy damages the body, doesn't it!'

Handling demonic energy?

Listening to Oben's resonant words, my gaze shifted back to Milena.

Upon closer inspection, she wasn't merely wearing a necklace; she was cradling something in her arms.

'A baby...?'

An infant, impossible yet to wean.

An infant whose eyes hadn't properly opened, she cradled in her arms.

It didn't take long to infer that infant to be me... 'Yulian Cryphart Frason'.

'The source of all evil, perhaps.'

If not, then the very reason I was allowed to continue living?

Caught in a whirlwind of mixed emotions, I gazed at young 'Yulian's' face.

Although he looked content, nestled in his mother's arms, his figure was small, his complexion pallid.

'... Dying, for sure.'

Indeed.

The young 'me' was dying.

However, if I had perished there and then, the current me would not exist.

- 'If I do not act, this child will die.'

- 'In that case, it is nature's way.'

How could a person who is to be a father utter such words?

My perception of Oben plunges to rock bottom in this moment.

- 'Oben, you are no different from the nobles of the Empire.'

- 'You can say such if you cease with this. Look at little Yulian, so frail, you're amazed he's alive.'

In a hurried state, as if chased by something, Oben pressed Milena.

- 'You can always bear another child. But if you perish...'

- 'How atrocious, Oben. Thinking it is one thing, but you must never utter such words.'

- 'Fine, call me a monster. But stop with the purification of demonic energy.... Aren't you too frail that it's arduous even to walk?'

As she smiled at Oben's concern, Milena touched the necklace she wore.

During this period, in the Empire, the unchristened red stone upon which Milena's hand rested began to flow waves of demonic energy into her body.

- 'Please...'

- 'It's my child, and...'

Even at Oben's plea, Milena did not cease infusing her body with 'Soul Stone's' demonic energy.

After drawing in what seemed like a significant amount, she transferred the refined demonic energy into the cradled 'Yulian'.

- '...yours.'

- 'Milena...'

Purified demonic energy, devoid of vile intent.

By transmitting refined energy, life crept back onto Yulian's pallid visage.

'A mother's love, indeed.'

A turbulence of emotions stormed my heart.

Simultaneously, I realized something fundamental.

Why Yulian, a notorious villain in the story, could become suitable as a 'Vessel of the Demon King.'

Why the handling of 'demonic energy' seemed so natural.

'It was all because of this.'

As Yulian revitalized by consuming demonic energy, a small inscription, visible only to me, appeared above the infant's head.

===

⇒ Acquired a new trait, 〈Vessel of the Demon King〉.

===

Clacky's Corner:A mother's love, indeed.Oben really loved Milena.

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