Someone hugged my body. When I breathed exasperatedly, we were already home. How could it cross such a large distance in a moment? It seemed that I had fainted on the way.
—You almost got hit by lightning and turned into a crunchy snack.
After going through all the trouble to save someone's life, all he had to say was that. My relationship with this man was, undoubtedly, complicated. Otherwise, from the day I brought him home until this moment, everything wouldn't have gone so bad. After swallowing some rainwater from the tomato stew can, I was finally able to gather the strength to answer.
—I'm sorry, but I can't thank you.
—Is that so? —For some reason, the man sitting next to me continued smiling slightly—. So what is it that you want to say right now?
—Why did you save me?
—Because you fell into the sea.
He spoke in a casual tone, as if he were telling a story he had only heard about. Anger rose to my throat.
—You should have left me alone. I had no intention of coming back up!
—Ah, yes? I hadn't realized. I'm sorry.
Lies. He said he was sorry, but how could he smile like that? I was so stunned I couldn't even talk.
—Why do you want to die? You're young and cute. You might not be good at cooking, but you're very good at cutting fish heads. You're also good at fixing roofs. You know many things, right?
Why? My nose twitched and I couldn't pronounce any words. When I lowered my head in silence, the man lifted my chin and asked.
—Why did you want to die?
At that moment, his voice was cold, as if he were angry.
—…My younger brother's fate was lamentable. It was so lamentable that I wanted to follow him.
—Follow him? He's alive, isn't he?
—That was just my stupid desire. I knew it wasn't true… But I couldn't lose hope…
That's why I stayed on this island. If it had meant Andert's return, I could have lived in these ruins all my life.
—Do you want to go to the continent with me?
The man, after pronouncing those words, put a blank expression on his face, as if he couldn't believe it. Then, suddenly, he smiled even more intensely and made me an offer.
—Let's leave this island together. It would be better. Leave this old island where it rains nonstop.
Should I? Should I abandon this island? If I leave this island…
—Then can I seek revenge?
—Ah, revenge is important.
The man's gaze sank heavily, emitting a yellow glow.
—Well, it seems your mind desires revenge. Anyone can choose it, but it's not an easy path for anyone. It's painful and thorny. Shall I help you?
—Yes.
The man smiled satisfied and gave me a pat on the back.
—Very well. Get up, Miss. Say goodbye to your brother and let's go. It's the right thing.
He just accepted it? Just like that? He wasn't like he was some kind of scammer. Of course, at first, this man seemed like one, but... I got up awkwardly and followed him outside, then asked.
—Why do you help me, sir?
The man replied with an indifferent expression.
—Because I want to.
Of course, it was a response that didn't satisfy me even remotely.
—Why me? Why? I'm not particularly pleasant.
—The words you just said are a bit shocking to hear from someone, aren't they? But it doesn't matter. I like desperate people like you. People who always do their best, even when they're on the brink of despair... People who fall, but rise again. That's why I've been watching over you all this time.
—Then did you know all this time I was wasting time in vain?
—No. In this world there is no vain act.
The man flatly refused and walked in the rain. It wasn't a very wise response, but somehow it satisfied me. I followed him. When we reached the edge of the cliff, we built Andert's grave. Whether buried in the ground or turned into fish food, returning to nature was the same. In truth, I couldn't be sure if the headless corpse I saw below the cliff was Andert's. Even if it wasn't Andert's, I hoped the existence of this grave would bring comfort to the victim.
—You're calm.
Was that so? In reality, I wasn't calm, I was just trying to appear so.
—I often imagined it in my head. How to recover when my brother dies. How to seek revenge.
—You've made some great plans.
—It's nothing good. It's pathetic.
—Very well, partner. What's our first plan?
I looked into the relaxed man's eyes and replied.
—I'll become Andert.
As if he hadn't expected that method, the man's eyes opened slightly.
—Become Andert and kill his enemy. If I can do that, my brother can rest in peace. This is the best revenge plan I could come up with. To achieve it, I'll have to find a mage on the continent, won't I?
The man listened to my story in silence, then raised a corner of his mouth and smiled.
—Why should you go look for one? I am your mage.
—You? A mage?
Was he lying? I really couldn't trust the man who entered my house after being stranded on a desert island when he said he was a mage.
—Yes, but our young lady is trying to perform a very difficult spell. Living the life of another person is a very advanced magic that most mages wouldn't even dare to attempt.
—How difficult is it?
—Not even the imperial mages of your country will be able to do it.
How difficult, eh? Just when I was about to fall into despair, the man changed his tone.
—But there's nothing to worry about. I'm a genius. There's nothing I can't do. You've chosen a very good mage, dear. I guess you could say you've been very lucky.
Is that so?
—You're really incredible.
—Let me ask you one thing.
—Go ahead.
—Are you willing to sacrifice anything for your revenge?
At first I wanted to ask: "What do you mean by sacrificing something?", but I soon realized that, regardless of what I wanted to say, I had already reached the answer.
—Yes.
The man, with a look in his eyes that suggested he expected that answer, asked again.
—Even if it means death?
—I'm already dead. If you hadn't saved me and brought me here, I would have already sunk to the bottom of the ocean, swollen and waiting to float up.
—…I see. Then I would kill you twice.
For a moment he remained in silence, looking at the tombstone with heavy eyes. Then, he approached me with a slight smile.
—Now, I will transform your appearance into Andert.
—Really? Is that possible?
—Ordinary transformation magic is a high-level magic that is hard to maintain for a long time. Just by descending to the underground of any land, you would return to your original appearance.
—That's…
—Of course, I can ensure that you live all your life as Andert without those elements disturbing you. After all, I'm a genius.
Was it so?
—You're really incredible.
—However, as with any powerful force, my magic also requires a price.
—What is it?
—Your life expectancy. And the memories of this moment.
Life expectancy? I had heard that sorcerers used mana to perform magic. It was an unexpected price.
—Are you a scammer, sir?
—A scammer?
He laughed at my suspicions, mocked me and took a step back. At that moment, the needle-shaped rain that fell around us stopped. The raindrops that fell, shaking the heavens and the earth, were transformed into pure white flower petals. The wet ground began to be dyed a white tone. The world that spread before my eyes became a paradise of flowers. Before such an incredible sight, I couldn't help but stand there, dumbfounded.
Oh my God. Among the swaying flower petals, the man whispered in my ear.
—How is that? Do I still look like a scammer to you?
I held back my thumping heart and shook my head vigorously.
—No, by no means! Why would someone as amazing as you, a great mage, be on this burned island?
—I already told you. I'm looking for a heart.
—Then was it really just a coincidence that I met him, sir?
—Why? Doesn't it look like a coincidence?
—It doesn't look like a coincidence.
It really didn't look like a coincidence. "You appeared before me as if it were destiny. At least, that's what I feel."
The man didn't say anything. He watched me in silence while the flower petals fell around us. From time to time, he reached out and brushed away a petal that had fallen on the tip of my nose. After breathing deeply, I made my final decision.
—Okay. Since I was practically dead already, there is nothing to lose if I bet my life. I'll do it. Even if it means risking my entire life to fulfill my wish.
—You're really young. You don't hesitate to make decisions.
—But why does it have to be memories?
—No one should remember this magic.
I felt that I could understand a little what the man was saying. I had never heard a story about someone using incredible magic at the cost of their life, so it intrigued me. That's why I was a bit worried about him.
—Is it okay, sir? Your life expectancy won't be shortened, will it?
—Are you worried about me now? Doesn't most people worry about themselves? You really are a bit peculiar, Miss.
Is that why I find you even more lovable? He muttered softly as he carefully reached out his hand and stroked my head.
—To be honest, I was a bit surprised. I thought the same as you, Miss. At some point in my life, I could risk my life to achieve what I desired... if it were attainable, of course.
Did that mean he finally failed? If that was the case, this magic must be the greatest favor this man could do me. I grabbed his hand that had touched my head and made a final request.
—I'll succeed in my revenge. So, when everything is over, let's meet again. And then, please, bury me next to my little brother's grave.
As if it were a final farewell, the man deeply kissed the back of my hand and replied:
—I really hope that day comes.
The devouring clouds that covered the island dissipated. The sunlight that broke through the crack in the dark sky reached the cliff. That radiant light, like a blessing from God, shone brightly on the man's face, and I stared at his face, which looked like a beautiful illusion. Only then did I remember the man's name. I knew it.
Rue. The man was Rue.
My God, yes! It was always Rue! Incredible! Did I forget this memory for fourteen years?
Ah, as if I had broken a promise, the dominant presence of magic left my body and I returned to reality. I opened my eyes as Daisy, the maid. I got up abruptly from the bed and shouted:
—Rue! Scammer!