Advent of the Three Calamities

Chapter 716: Letter [1]

Toren’s entire body turned calm upon saying the last words, his eyes growing still, and the black veins covering his body slowly starting to diminish. But even then... The madness within his gaze was all too clear.

The power.

It had already consumed him.

But this wasn’t something that Emmet hadn’t expected, for he too had been consumed by the very same power.

Staring at Toren, his lips slowly parted.

"When do you think hell begins...?"

Emmet took a step forward, and Toren’s eyes rippled.

He swiped his hand.

BANG!

Several pillars collapsed, but...

"...."

Emmet remained standing.

"I am but a mere mirage of who I once was. I’ve already become someone else. Whatever you try, you won’t be able to do a single thing to me."

His cold voice echoed across the empty space as he took another step forward.

Toren remained where he was.

He couldn’t move. He couldn’t allow himself to move.

Stepping back would mean that he feared the man before him.

He feared no one.

There was no one who could make him feel fear.

"You’ve still not answered me."

Emmet’s cold voice echoed across the hall once more.

"When... do you think hell begins?"

It was just a simple question, but listening to it, Toren didn’t know how to answer.

Hell...

He didn’t even believe in hell.

But he still answered.

"If there is a hell, I’m already living in it."

"...Mh."

Emmet smiled, his eyes looking down on Toren. He seemed amused by the answer as he grew closer to him.

"What’s so funny?"

"...I just find it funny how you’d think what you’ve gone through is hell. Don’t you think your life has been so much better than Noel’s? If hell existed, I’m sure he’s the one who has gone through it."

"He should be thankful for that."

Toren shook his head.

"...I would rather walk into hell than carry the burden of lifting those up from the very hell that traps them."

"Is that so?"

Emmet stopped.

He stood right before Toren.

The two locked eyes with each other.

The room grew tense.

And then—

"Hell begins the moment the world grants you the vision to see all that you could’ve done, should’ve done, and would’ve done, but couldn’t do, didn’t have time to do, or had to wait a long time to do."

The temperature dropped, and Emmet’s eyes grew hollow as he stared at Toren.

"...That is the hell that I’ve experienced."

His soft words quietly reached Toren as his hand raised.

"To see all the endless possibilities. All the possible ways that I could die. That Noel dies. That the world ends, to see the suffering of those I love etched into futures I cannot determine or have no idea how to change... That is true hell."

Toren wanted to swat the hand away, but he knew it was impossible.

Emmet wasn’t actually here.

But it felt like he was.

And soon...

His hand pressed against his forehead.

Emmet’s soft voice echoed once more.

"You want to experience what I experienced?"

For the last time.

"...Be my guest. But don’t lose yourself in it."

Darkness took over Toren’s vision after that.

***

The days that followed the Emperor’s death were chaotic.

It began with public unrest, followed by the sudden mobilization of several noble houses, forming alliances and throwing their support behind select potential successors.

The movements were all done secretly, but the change was noticeable.

Several prominent successors vied for the throne, each aggressively courting the most influential noble houses they could secure. Aoife was one of the successors, but she was strangely quiet.

Not that it mattered.

For at least until the Emperor and the Prince’s funeral, the fight for the throne had to be put on pause.

The succession battle hadn’t begun yet, but the scent of gunpowder already hung heavy in the air.

"I bet the other Empires are having a field day."

Looking at the report in my hand, I hopped off my carriage and stretched. Looking at the estate up ahead and seeing numerous carriages parked, I understood what was happening, and I secretly groaned inside.

However, I didn’t show my frustration as I calmly walked toward the estate.

"Stop right there."

But of course, getting into my own house wasn’t going to be easy.

Several people stopped me right before I could enter.

Standing before several knights in silver armor was a man dressed rather fancily, his thick mustache that curled at the ends the most prominent feature of his.

I stopped then.

"You are...?"

"I’m an envoy from Prince Julius Romolus Megrail. I’m here to formally invite you—"

"Not interested."

Clank! Clank—!

Several blades and weapons were pointed at me.

I stopped and looked at them, catching a glimpse of my own reflection within the polished gleam of the weapons.

"Look here."

The envoy spoke, his eyes narrowing and his tone becoming even more arrogant.

"...I don’t think you’re fully aware of your current position. You’re but a mere Viscount while the Prince is of the Megrail bloodline. If he calls for you, then—"

"Like I said, not interested."

How many times did I have to tell this guy before he got the message?

I didn’t even know who this Prince was.

And since I didn’t know, he was most likely a bastard child.

"If I were to ally myself with someone, it’d have to be with the princess, not some bastard child. Now, if you would excuse me."

"You—!"

I closed my eyes and opened them up again.

In that moment, the faces of everyone present changed.

"Huh?"

"....Who are you?"

"What’s going on?"

I smiled at them.

"Hello, I’m an attendant for the household. I’m trying to get in, if you would please excuse me..."

I pushed myself through.

None of them complained. They all just looked dazed and confused.

I silently smirked to myself.

’This new skill does sure come in handy.’

Eye of Existence...

As expected of a Primordial Ranked bone. The skill that I received was a good one.

"Haa."

Coming into the estate, I let out a large breath. The insides were rather cool, but everything was still relatively empty. Staring at the place, I felt a certain pang inside my chest.

’I wonder if Noel is doing okay.’

I still hadn’t heard from him.

However, I knew that the chances of him coming back were slim.

The only thing I hoped for was his safety.

Pressing my lips together, I looked around the place before eventually making my way towards his office.

’I’m not entirely sure what I’m supposed to do next, but if I search through Noel’s office, I’m bound to find something.’

And so I did.

I climbed the long flight of stairs to the second floor and made my way toward his office. Stopping in front of the large wooden door at the end of the corridor, I raised my hand to knock, only to pause.

Ah, right.

"....."

He was no longer here.

I sighed before reaching for the handle and opening the door.

Clank!

The office was exactly the same.

It was clean, and everything was in place.

I looked around the place before my gaze paused at his desk. It was there that I saw a letter neatly tucked under one of the books on the desk, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of it.

’As expected, you did leave something behind after all.’

It would’ve been so much easier had he just told me before leaving, but Noel had always been like this.

I was used to his behavior.

’In hindsight, he probably took this from me.’

I shook my head before taking the letter and opening it.

I read the first sentence.

And the smile was wiped away from my face.

[To the brother who forgot how to fall—]

I had to take a small pause.

’What is this?’

For some reason, I didn’t want to read any further.

But even though my mind said otherwise, my eyes didn’t listen. They traced down the first words.

[Ever since our parents’ death]

[I know you were never allowed to fall]

[No, you never allowed yourself to fall]

[You were forced to grow up faster]

[You took the blame, even when it wasn’t yours]

[You were the one who always knew where to go]

[Even when you yourself were lost]

My hands shook.

"...What is this nonsense? Why is he writing this?"

I looked behind the letter, but there was nothing else written.

I bit my lip.

I really didn’t want to read more.

And yet...

[I know you’ve changed]

It was as if Noel’s voice whispered into my ears.

[You’re not the same brother I used to know]

It was soft.

[But you’re still my brother]

Warm.

[They called you strong—]

...And comforting.

[But I see the truth]

[You weren’t trying to be a hero]

[You were just trying to keep us alive]

[And no one knows the price you paid for that]

[You never cried]

[You never complained]

[You protected me, regardless of the cost]

"H-ha."

I felt breathless.

Why was he doing this? Why now?

[Somewhere along the way, your silence became your strength]

[But I see you]

[I always see you]

[I see the exhaustion behind your resilience]

[You give and give, without ever asking for anything in return]

[You show up—]

[Even when your own heart is breaking]

[You stay quiet—]

[Not because you don’t feel]

[But because you feel too much]

The words seem to strain at this point.

I could see it. I could feel it.

Noel’s struggle as he wrote this.

Why?

Why was he writing something like this?

No, I could tell why.

This letter...

It was a farewell letter.

I covered my mouth.

’Right, right... It’s not as if I didn’t expect this.’

My chest started to sting.

But I continued to read. Even as my heart stung, and my eyes started to blur.

[So hear this—]

[I know all about the thing that you did in the Mirror Dimension]

[About how you didn’t listen to my request]

[But you know what’s funny?]

[I never really got mad]

[Even the strongest deserve gentleness]

[You don’t always have to be the anchor]

[You’re... allowed to be held, too]

[I can’t be there for you]

[At least not yet, but there might be a time when the two of us can be together once again]

[Not as Mortum and Oracleus]

[Not as Aldric and Julien]

[But truly, as Emmet and Noel]

[As big brother and little brother]

[As...]

[Family]

The letter ended there.

"....."

I stood in silence like that.

In a way, it was ironic.

Before, I wanted the letter to end fast.

I wanted it to be quick.

And yet, staring at it in my hands, I couldn’t help but re-read it over and over again.

It was short.

This letter...

It was way too short.

I covered my mouth and sat down, feeling something cover my eyes.

Staring at the window.

Towards the sight Noel had grown used to staring at.

I took a deep and long breath.

"Forgot how to fall, huh?"

I shook my head.

...If only it were true.