A scale of magic tools owned by the Duke.
Since it was described as a tool, I had imagined that it would be at most about the size that could fit in two hands.
But this was so different from what I had expected. It felt like I had entered another world.
Everything around was white, and all I could see was a huge scale. I had to raise my head to see it, and it seemed like someone was sitting on top of the extremely high scale.
'A crow...is that it?'
He had a human body with a crow's head and wore flowing robes like a judge.
The voice from earlier also seemed to have come from this strange being.
"I've heard it over and over again, and it's truly amazing. You guys are the first ones to come and fight using magic tools."
Our voices echoing through the quiet space seemed to grate on his nerves.
'Did you think I'd be there too? And it wasn't like we were even fighting.'
I grumbled quietly to myself and waited for the next voice to ring out.
"So what have you come to offer and what have you come to gain?"
Raphael and I, without exception, opened our mouths.
"Please give me back this man's heart in exchange for my heart."
"That's not true. Don't listen to her words, they're just impulses."
Our eyes met. We grumbled at each other for the first time.
"Impulse? So you're saying you're going to get out of here and die like this?"
"But it doesn't make sense to offer your heart in exchange for that!"
It was an unexpected presence that stopped the conversation that seemed like it would never end.
I thought he wouldn't get involved in this kind of argument because it was his territory, so I was a little surprised.
"Stop! Stop. It's been a long time since I've heard such a quarrel. My head hurts. What do you plan on giving me in return for upsetting me?"
The judge, or rather the crow, scolded, as if he were really fed up. Raphael and I both regained our composure, looking embarrassed.
"You're desperate to save that man, and he's trying to stop you. Then I'll give you my fair share."
As soon as the sentence ended, Raphael and my bodies floated up.
"Uh-uh."
I said, trying to keep my balance, but it didn't help much. Raphael and I were being pushed by an invisible force at high speed.
The destination was the scales. We stood side by side on two plates.
"Enrica Wintersor, you give him half of your heart. Raphael Kronhardt, you receive Enrica Wintersor's heart and live the rest of your life with it."
I was momentarily surprised when he called out the exact name I hadn't even taught him. Is it really a magical tool with mysterious powers?
But that's not the point.
You're going to cut my heart in half? This is impossible... This is ridiculous...
'That's a great idea I never imagined something like this would be possible.'
There must be a trap hidden there. I opened my mouth urgently and asked.
"Wait a minute. So that means haIf a heart can't function properly?"
"I guess I can just fill the remaining space with magic power like before. Their life spans will be similar, so that's good. Let's finish this quickly without making any more noise..."
Even thinking back, it was such a perfect conclusion that I couldn't believe it. Surely it couldn't have been because of the argument we had.
I was about to ask something more, but at that moment, the scale jerked and shifted.
In exchange for sharing our hearts, the plates on which Raphael and I stood creaked and became balanced.
But I waited for the scale's Judgment without letting my guard down. It was understandable because the scale moved at an unusual speed.
And as expected, my plate soon sank much lower than Raphael's. It was absurd, considering our clearly different physiques.
"Hmm, yeah. Sometime,s that happens. So what do we do?"
For a moment, I was terrified that the offer that was favorable to us might be canceled.
But the crow's voice was relaxed, as if it was doing something insignificant.
"What should we give and what should we bring to achieve balance?"
The pan on the scale we were standing on started bouncing up and down.
I barely managed to keep my balance and waited tensely for the next words.
The crow tried many different things for a while and then came to a conclusion.
"Hmm, okay. Now that I think about it. I was a half-ass who didn't even remember what I did. I feel bad for him, so I'll give him back his memories."
What?
It was an incredibly good suggestion, as expected. Raphael seemed confused in a different way than I was, not knowing what it meant to regain memories.
The scales moved again without giving me a chance to ask again. I barely managed to suppress a scream.
After a period of extreme dizziness, I finally saw my plate slightly above Raphael's.
My guess is that this will only end when our plates are perfectly balanced.
'Whether that was true or not, the crow said, somewhat bored.'
"Really, these guys are not easy from start to finish. This time, I have to take something away from them."
Yeah, there's no way it can go on like this.
I trembled with a little fear as I thought about the man who had taken away both of my eyes in the past.
It was literally just a little bit.
Because my determination to give anything for Raphael has never changed.
The crow on the scales looked down at me as if considering what to take.
Since I just gave him his memories, it was up to me to pay the price.
The longer the silence went on, the more nervous I became.
"What should I do... um, okay."
Raphael, on the plate on the other side, was shouting something from a distance.
The more I looked at that sight, the more I felt regret.
I'm sorry it was such a one-sided decision, but whatever. Raphael giving his heart to me was also a one-sided decision.
I just hope they don't ask for too much in return.
"That ring looks nice."
Huh?
The crow's gaze fell on the wedding ring on my left ring finger.
It was such a chaotic wedding, and I didn't even feel particularly attached to it, thinking it was just a formality.
At that moment, the ring on my hand fell off by itself and floated up.
A large jewel sparkled in the air and flew towards the crow.
Sure, it was a dazzlingly well-crafted jewel, but it was a paltry price to pay for saving a person's life.
I was still very nervous and had doubts, but soon, the scales we were standing on became perfectly level.
At the same time, the walls around us began to crumble as if the world was collapsing.
"Wait a minute! Is this really the end? You said you took both eyes from a man who came to trade with you 100 years ago...!"
I opened my mouth hastily before I was kicked out. I was that confused.
I thought the crow might not answer, but it answered my question more calmly than I expected.
"Ah, that man who gave all his wealth to the Duke to lift the curse."
When I look at this golden scale, I wonder, why don't you try to sneak a piece away without my knowledge?
"I didn't take his eye out of spite. I had no choice but to add the weight of gold to the scales."
I blinked with my eyes wide open, unable to understand what he was saying.
If you've been trying to break a curse your entire life, how can that happen in the process of your wish being granted?
The crow seemed to see my puzzled expression and smiled faintly as he spoke.
"It looks like you don't understand, but I hope you don't understand until the end. That's just human greed..."
With those words, my vision suddenly darkened again. It felt like I had been suddenly thrown into darkness in a world of pure white.
Suddenly, my heart sank. Everything that had just happened felt like a dream.
"Raphael, are you there? Rapha!"
I looked for him, calling his name desperately like before, but there was no answer...
But soon, the feeling of anxiety about the absence of the ring on my left hand began to subside.
The crow is an animal that symbolizes wisdom and justice. Raphael will be safe.
As time passed, I began to strangely look forward to how the world would change once I left this darkness.
My vision slowly brightened as I felt my whole body being engulfed in darkness.
I fell flat on my butt on the hard floor. I frowned and raised my head at the pain that hit my thigh.
It was the Duke's office again.
***
My eyes, which had become accustomed to complete darkness for a while, needed time to adjust.
As I closed my eyes like that, I felt someone hug me from behind. It was Raphael.
Thump, thump. The sound of a heartbeat that I had never heard before reached my ears.
“Enri.”
A soft, damp voice like dawn rain calls my name.
"Enri, Enri. Enri..."
Over and over again.
As soon as I turned and met his deep eyes, I knew that Raphael had also regained all of his memories.
Before I could open my mouth to say anything, he lowered his head. Our lips locked.
Support Novellate!
it's bitter sweet 💛
ReplyDelete