Chapter 41 Part 7 – A deadly battle in the maelstrom. Mary tries to take the demon dog Gallam with her, while Bradd and Seraphy put everything on the line for the last hidden card. And then I learn the sad truth about the vengeful spirits that possess the Ruby

My chest became hot. The pressure rose inside me and became a flame and then the flame expanded.
It is not only the flame that became larger. My fingertips broke through the flame.
My body is growing …..!?
A slightly oversized ethnic costume was wrapped around my slender elongated arms and legs.
The red lines of the geometric patterned sleeves swayed.
The sky-blue skirt fluttered.
A short white cape floated like a cloud.
This is … The memories that were not included in my previous 「108 times」, the me that is also not me.
This is the appearance of the unidentified 「that girl」 ……!!
I was so surprised that I forgot to breathe.
I- I … transformed into 「that girl」 …!?
Scarlet Illusion!?
I didn’t expect … To be transformed like a magical girl!?
I was surprised, but the surprise of the vengeful spirits was even greater.
I could see them gasp for breath and stiffen. It’s strange to say 「breath」 when they are vengeful spirits.
The shock rippled through the air.

But I didn’t expect a transformation … As expected of an inner spiritual world… I guess anything is possible here.
If anything is possible, then I will change the ending of this tragedy …!!

I started running toward Theo, who was heading up the hill.
The resistance continued for a while as if I was moving through a pool of starch syrup, but when I gave it my all, I suddenly felt comfortable, as if I had just gone through a headwind. Theo could no longer walk, he was crawling on the ground. Still, with persistence, he was almost at the top of the hill. I’m not going to let him see what’s beyond the hill. I ran up the hill as fast as I could.
The vengeful spirits were clamoring.
Well, anyone would be surprised when an intruder rushed into a scene from the past.
But this past, too, must have been recreated in the inner spiritual world of the vengeful spirits.
If that is the case, it is no wonder that it can be tampered with.
I don’t think it’s that much of a surprise.

But what they shouted was completely unexpected to me.

「…. The True Emperor….!!」

It was a heartfelt cry.

What!? Where is he!?
I instinctively looked around. But their gazes remained fixed on one point.

…. Eh, could it be….. Me!?

When I pointed at myself, the vengeful spirits trembled and shouted.

「…. She looks just like the True Emperor …..!」

「…. Is this possible …..!?」

From that point on, more and more people joined the conversation, and their conversation became so loud that I couldn’t hear it clearly, perhaps because they were too excited.
I was taken aback.

Did 「that girl」 …. Or rather, did the grown-up me look exactly like the True Emperor?

Wait a minute, the True Emperor was a woman!?

…… That’s not important right now!! I’ve got to quickly head to Theo!!

I rushed to Theo’s side as he persistently crawled to get to the children he had let escape, and gasped at his grave condition. Up close, it was even worse than I had imagined. He had been stabbed 13 times to let the children escape. And that too without any of the soldiers going easy on him. How was he able to endure these wounds and manage to walk halfway here? Other than the smell of blood, there was also a fishy smell which indicated that the wounds even reached his internal organs and the contents had leaked out of his abdominal cavity.
There is no way for me to save him ……!!

Theo’s eyes widened in his bloodied face as he noticed me speechlessly standing there in front of him.
His lively, almond-like eyes had now turned into a bloody hole on one side.

「….. The …. True Emperor …..?」

When I heard Theo’s stunned muttering, I knew what I had to do.
I nodded, knelt down, and gently raised Theo in my arms.
He was surprisingly light. I wondered how it was possible for him to risk his life to save the younger children with a body like this.
My hands became wet with blood. I can’t stop trembling.
How dare they do such a cruel thing ….. No, I’ve got to calm down right now.
What I need to do now is neither to be angry nor to cry.

「…. But …. the True Emperor …. Has passed away ….」

「…. I was only pretending to be dead because of the circumstances. So did your father. The strongest Light Bat Tribe would not be so easily defeated by the enemy. We have reversed the situation and are now going around telling our scattered comrades about our victory ….」

Theo smiled happily at my words.

「… I see …. I’m glad ….. As expected, my father and the others are amazing….」

Theo proudly clutched his father’s hair in his hand.

「…. True Emperor …. the children had run to the other side of the hill …. I have to let them know about this and reassure them ….. as soon as possible …..」

「…. The children have been brought under our protection before you. All of them had a happy expression …. And said that they were saved because of Theo …. with big smiles on their faces …..!」

I had intended to tell the lie better, but halfway through, tears welled up in my eyes and I was at a loss for words.
The children that Theo had given up his life to protect could no longer smile sweetly at him.
They are lying right ahead of us with a cold body.
How sad Theo would be if he knew.

「…. True Emperor ….? …. Ah …. Your clothes are stained with my blood ….? I’m sorry ….. I’ll walk ……」

When Theo saw my shoulders trembling, he mistakenly thought it was because his blood had stained my clothes and he flinched to get away. I could no longer resist and hugged Theo’s body that was covered in blood and mud.

「…. That’s absurd ….. The blood of a warrior is honorable ….. you did great. Theo. You did a fine job, living up to the name of the chieftain’s son ….. I’m sure your father will praise you as well …. I guarantee it in the name of the True Emperor …..」
Theo had a delighted smile after hearing what I said.
But his complexion was as white as paper.

「…. Father ….. would be surprised …. to know that I was hugged …. and praised …. by the True Emperor …. and I was even called …. a warrior …. I hope he will be happy …. and I also want to …. brag to the other children …..」

Theo’s shining eyes rapidly turned gray and unfocused.

「…. Yeah, that’s why, you should recover from your injuries and continue to be a warrior beside me ….. Theo?」

Theo no longer answered my call.
He died with a smile on his face.
His hands drooped loosely, his father’s hair slipped between his fingers, and he fluttered in the wind.
I gently closed his eyelids.
Theo no longer answered my call.
With a smile on his face, he passed away.
His hands dropped weakly and his father’s hair slipped through his fingers and fluttered in the wind.
I gently closed his eyelids.

「…. You really did a great job. Theo ……」

And yet ….. and yet …..!!
I could only respond to this child’s efforts with a lie ….!!

「…. I’m sorry …. for lying to you ……!!」

I was sobbing with Theo’s corpse in my arms, and before I knew it, countless flames of the vengeful spirits were standing around me.
They had regained their previous appearance of warriors and were wailing as they looked up to the sky.
One of the largest warriors in the group was weeping by Theo’s side.
I could see a trace of Theo. He must be the chieftain.

「….. You can’t change what has happened in the past. I know this is an illusion and a dream. But what a happy dream. My son has passed on as a warrior, smiling proudly. I could see his rewarded face in death. What could be happier than this? ……」

Tears streamed down his rigid face.

「…. No …!! This is not happiness ….!! Everyone could be …. happier if they were actually ……!!」

I cried.
I know. The past cannot be undone, no matter how sad and how much we regret it. How much I wished I could rewind time after I burned down the Lawless Crew village …!!
But I can change the future! I have that power! That’s why …!!