Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 532

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 302.
Beneath the Almond Tree (45)
Professor Leomentiis eventually returned to her desk. As she unrolled a scroll, a small figure made of light materialized in the air before vanishing. She unrolled another, and a different form appeared. A luminous leopard took on a running posture before dissolving into nothing.
“Professor, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask you.”
Professor Leomentiis answered without lifting her head.
“Speak.”
“You mentioned researching the mirrors of Ganapoli—do you happen to know anything about chants?”
“There are mirrors that can be opened with chants. But not the wish mirror.”
“Rather than that… are there perhaps chants that can stop time, or something like that?”
Only then did Professor Leomentiis lift her head, her expression clouded with bewilderment.
“Why would you ask such a thing?”
Joshua hesitated, finding it difficult to explain.
“Or if not that, then perhaps something that makes a certain range of time repeat endlessly… nothing like that exists?”
The Professor approached a writing desk positioned at the corner of her table and placed her hand upon it. A moment later, roughly a dozen sheets of paper bound with string—bearing no cover—rose above the desk. The Professor unfolded it and read.
“Such a thing does exist.”
Joshua wanted to see the book as well, but he couldn’t presume to ask. It seemed unlikely he could see it later even if he asked Tichiel. The chants the Professor used were of a different caliber than those permitted to Tichiel.
“But there’s only a record that it existed. With only two verses remaining, there’s nothing I can do with this.”
“Might you possibly show me even just those two verses?”
Professor Leomentiis’s eyes narrowed. It was the moment a refusal seemed about to leave her lips.
“Besides, a chant is useless merely from reading the score. Even if you hear it, you cannot replicate it—that is what a chant is. If you wish to see it, then see it.”
Joshua quickly approached to peer at the book when Tichiel arrived. But for Joshua, even that brief moment was enough. As he lifted his head from the book, he saw Tichiel’s flushed face.
“Good news.”
She said this, then hesitated as she began to continue.
“No, wait—is it good news? In any case, Father says we won’t need to ask for an airship to be sent. Someone is already bringing one this way. It should arrive within a few days.”
“Who on earth?”
It was hard to believe there was anyone besides Juspian who knew how to operate an airship. Moreover, it would require an enormous sum of money. Who would bear such a cost?
As Joshua’s thoughts reached this point, he recalled that the person who had last possessed that ship was not Juspian, and suspicion seized him. Could it be that he still hadn’t returned it?
As expected, the name he anticipated came to his ears.
“Hispania is coming.”
Boris, standing on the landing, hesitated. The second floor was below. Acorn Villa, where he needed to go, was in that direction. He looked up toward the third floor. After a moment, he made his decision and climbed to the third floor.
Some time had passed since dinner ended, so most students had retired to their chambers. Boris stopped before the door at the far end. On that room—not a villa—hung a short nameplate.
Joshua von Arnim
Boris knocked on the door. No answer came. He knocked once more, then simply opened the door and stepped inside.
The common room was larger than the other villas designed for four occupants. It was not merely spacious but felt entirely different. The floor was covered with a light tan fur bearing small scattered patterns in place of a carpet. Upon the ivory-hued table placed atop it lay scattered papers of unknown purpose. Besides this, there was only a single bookshelf and white walls devoid of any hanging paintings. Though clean, it somehow appeared desolate. The fire in the dark brick fireplace was already dying down.
There were two doors on either side—one was closed. Boris went to the open door and peered inside, but found no one. He turned to regard the closed door and fell into thought for a moment. Yet ultimately, he approached and knocked.
“Who is it?”
A familiar voice answered. As the door opened, his eyes met those of the figure sitting on the bed.
“Who are you?”
Though he had seen him yesterday, the boy wearing Joshua’s appearance seemed not to remember. The young boy rose from the bed and slipped on his slippers. Due to the loose indoor clothes draped over his frame, he appeared even thinner than the other Joshua.
“Ah, I remember now. The person spirits cannot approach. See, it’s quiet now.”
The Young Boy gestured for Boris to come in.
“Sit.”
Boris obeyed without resistance and took a seat. Yet he remained silent. The Young Boy laughed.
“You don’t know what to call me, do you? I’m Max Cardia. I’m a very famous actor in Hyacan. Everyone wants to see my performances, but since the run is short, tickets keep getting more expensive.”
“….”
“The actress playing Adriana opposite me is a wonderful performer named Muchia Benevento—and beautiful too. I admired her passion. Her love for the stage, her pride. Sometimes I wonder how she’s doing.”
A flush crept across Cardi’s face. Yet because his complexion was so pale, it made him look ill instead.
“People don’t know my face. I wear a mask, you see. But if I return, I won’t wear one anymore. There’s no need now. I’ve severed the identity of the Young Duke that needed to be hidden—it’s no longer part of me. I’m free, and I can live as I please. Nothing binds me anymore.”
With that, he began to hum a song.
I will go forward.
Through the darkened sky
To the land of the smallest star
It was a low murmur, but Boris looked at him again in slight surprise. His voice was no ordinary one. The soft humming swelled louder.
Nothing is needed.
Only one thing keeps him alive.
A star burning even in the dead of night
To all the people of the world
Raining down divine nectar…
The clear, soaring notes suddenly broke off. The extended hand fell to his knee. A single tear traced down the Young Boy’s cheek.
“Nothing… is needed….”
Boris regarded Cardi with an expressionless gaze. Even as tears fell, the boy’s eyes wandered to distant places. He was looking at some unreachable world, somewhere as far away as a star.
“Tell me. What do you think?”
The Young Boy’s lips spoke, still gazing into empty space.
“What about you? The people you loved chose someone else over you. They don’t even look back at you. But you can’t protest. Because you’re fake. A creature made by human hands.”
Boris’s voice was calm.
“What answer are you looking for? I have none to give.”
“I don’t need answers. I already know there aren’t any. What I want to ask is.”
Cardi drew a deep breath and lowered his head. His hands resting on his knees trembled slightly.
“Would you hate them? Those who abandoned you and chose another instead?”
Boris thought for a moment before answering.
“No.”
“You can’t, can you? As I thought.”
Cardi forced a laugh.
“That’s why my existence is hell. If I could only do that, I wouldn’t have to endure this punishment. Because I cannot hate them, I love them—yet receive nothing in return.”
“Love without expecting reward is still love.”
“You know that’s just wordplay, don’t you? I could bear their affection fading. But being erased from their memories entirely? Being ignored as if you never existed? Not even being treated as yourself, but only as an obstacle standing in the way of the real one? If that’s what they see?”
Boris met the boy’s eyes, then looked away.
“Then you should stop loving them.”
“Yes. But I can’t bear a world without them. I didn’t know I was like this. I thought I could live without them. I thought it would be fine if they loved a glass doll in my place. Ah… is this the punishment for thinking such things? If so, now that my thoughts have changed, won’t you take it back?”
The Young Boy suddenly clasped his hands together and cried out.
“I’ve reflected on my actions! Please, wake me from this dream!”
In the empty room where only hollow silence answered, Boris heard the young boy’s prayer. No one else could have heard it. Yet he, who should have been divine, was merely a powerless human.
“I know why there’s no answer. Everyone in this world loves that child instead of me. Even the absolute being who should hear my prayers.”
With wet eyes and a bitter smile, Cardi rose to his feet. Then Boris spoke.
“There’s at least one person who doesn’t.”
“Who?”
His eyes held disbelief. Boris continued.
“The one who created you.”
A brief silence fell, and then Cardi burst into laughter.
“Ha, haha, is that really so? That person tried to manipulate me into killing my own father. Is that love? No, in this case, it would have been more loving not to create me in the first place. If they truly loved me, they wouldn’t have made a replica like me. Yes, even after creating me, there were ways to show love. If they truly loved me, they should have destroyed the original body so that when I awoke, I wouldn’t have to experience this hell!”
Boris gazed toward the window rather than meeting Cardi’s eyes as he spoke.
“I’ve seen a doppelgänger before, besides you.”
Cardi’s eyes widened suddenly. Boris looked at him again.
“Of course, they were different from you. They weren’t replica doppelgängers. And they weren’t identical to humans like you are. But one thing is certain—whoever creates a doppelgänger loves that creation deeply. So deeply that they would tear away their own flesh to keep the doppelgänger alive.”
“….”
Cardi sat on the bed, his gaze lowered as he sank into thought.
“Do you truly wish to die? I don’t believe you do. There are countless ways to end your own life, so there’s no need to suffer while waiting.”
Boris paused for a moment before continuing.
“But even if you’ve entertained such thoughts, don’t pursue them again. I don’t enjoy meddling in others’ affairs. Yet the only reason I came here is one: I’m troubled by the fact that you’re a doppelgänger. That’s all. I told you I’ve seen a doppelgänger before. I’ve also killed one.”
Cardi’s pupils trembled with shock.
“Killed? You did?”
Boris nodded.
“That’s why I don’t want to see a dead doppelgänger again.”
Their eyes met for a long time. Eventually, Cardi closed his eyes. Boris spoke quietly.
“Sleep now. Didn’t I say it’s quiet when I’m beside you?”
Boris remained seated until Cardi fell asleep, his breathing becoming low and steady. Once it did, Boris rose and left the room, closing the door behind him.
As he passed the table, scattered papers caught his eye. They were filled with evidence of careful writing and revision. Boris turned to leave, but something felt odd, so he picked up one sheet to examine it. After a moment, he looked at the others as well. They were musical scores—countless revisions of a single composition.
Boris studied the first score he’d picked up, hesitating for a long while. He picked up a pen and made a very slight adjustment, but ultimately set it down and left.
Children of Rune – Winterer
Author: Jeon Min-hee
Publisher: 14 Months Publishing
The copyright to this book belongs to the author and 14 Months Publishing.
To reuse all or part of the contents of this book, written consent from both parties is required.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————