162. Ethan and Ethan
Know.
How rude of me to tell you that this world is the world of a novel. That is to deny an individual’s life before denying the world.
Whatever the intention, it may seem that way.
To some, this place may seem like a fictional world, but to those who belong to this world, it is reality.
now i know I know that the people I love are not just fictional characters.
They have pain, dreams, hopes, and beliefs.
“It’s a world in a novel… . But the world I feel is real.”
Yuffie smiled softly.
There was no mingling of anger, anger, or bewilderment.
“First of all, I never want to deny that this world exists.”
The moment I deny that, I have to deny everyone around me.
I just wanted to honestly explain my existence to someone. In the process, it was necessary to tell the truth of this world.
“It was a necessary process to explain that I am a possessor. Yufi, you asked me how I know you exist? I have read your secrets and stories of the world.”
Yuffie let out a laugh as if it was a little embarrassing.
“Is the world we belong to a book, like so many books here? I guess that doesn’t sound too bad.”
A book from the library flew out at YUFI’s gesture. While turning over the book, Yuffie stopped her hand.
“The fact that the secret of the world I know is a novel is not even written in this book.”
Why is she called the Wise Witch?
It was possible because it encompassed and generalized all the knowledge of the world.
“Now, did you say the possessor? So you’re saying you got into the book?”
Yuffie was quick to understand.
If the other person is in denial or resentful, you would have had to spend a lot of time explaining it.
“… Aren’t you angry?”
“Do you think I’m mad at you for denying the world I belong to? No, on the contrary, I enjoy it. I felt like I knew some of the secrets of the world.”
That seemed to be the attitude of a seeker of the truth.
“To be honest, I want to keep this secret forever. But soon you’ll forget it. Because you are from the future.”
Even now, my body was translucent up to my knees and forearms.
“Come on, the possessor. So what were you curious about?”
I slowly explained how I came to this world. I don’t know the exact reason.
But one day, since I was forced to belong to this world, on the contrary, I might be suddenly excluded from this world.
I was afraid of that.
I wonder if I will go back to my original world when I am happiest. That’s why I closed the door to my heart for a long time.
I released the question that I had been asking alone until now to Yuffie.
“Somehow, the worry seems to be that I am not able to enjoy today properly because I am afraid that I will die tomorrow.”
Yuffie slowly started walking through the library.
“I can’t say for certain that you’re from outside this world. But one thing can be said for sure.”
I walked after her. Yuffie, who was walking through the library, stretched once.
“what is that?”
“According to the laws of this world, magic always requires a price. Equivalent exchange is easier to understand. It’s a story that someone must have paid the price to bring you into this world.”
paid the price?
I waited silently for Yuffie to say.
“It takes a lot of power to forcefully possess someone. In general, it’s hard to be safe even if you use that much power.”
A book flew from the bookshelf and landed in Yufi’s hand. The page turned over and stopped at a certain page.
“The 101st law of the world, in order to use the rules of this world, anyone must follow the causal laws of this world. In other words, if someone really possessed you here, they would have consumed a lot of power in return. I should have given up my life.”
Like a merchant valuing goods, Yuffie continued.
“So you’re saying he’s dead?”
“I’m not sure about that, but it won’t be safe.”
“… So, what to do to get rid of the possession?”
Yuffie nodded as if she understood my concern.
“No. The laws of magic are like ordinary sparks. It is the same as the ashes left after being burned cannot be returned to the way they were before.”
So it means that there is no way that my possession will be released.
I realized that I couldn’t help but belong to this world as my heart was relieved.
“You think the person who possessed you was the writer? If this world is a novel, the author must be a divine being.”
I nodded.
“This is just my guess, but he must have followed the laws of the world he created.”
In the end, if you put together YUPI’s opinion, it means that the author is dead. You must have possessed me and paid the price.
It was only her opinion, but I felt relieved.
But there was still one problem left for me.
“I… , What happened to Edan who existed before I possessed it?”
Even before I became possessed, Ethan existed.
Maybe I unintentionally killed the person in it.
“Impossed… . Do you know what happens when you possess someone’s soul?”
Another soul enters while there is a soul? I thought about whether I had ever been like that.
For a moment, I remembered the time when Lua von Logness nestled inside me. I was conscious then and could talk to her.
“Are there two souls dwelling in the body?”
“Right. Two souls dwell in one body. So, shall we ask another question? Do you have other souls in your body?”
Are there other souls inside me?
none. It was impossible to communicate with other spirits, and nothing to make their presence felt.
“I don’t think there is.”
“Then, what was that soul like before your soul dwelled there?”
“… … ”
The original Edan’s soul is missing. There I came to a conclusion. It was a conclusion I didn’t want to reach.
“… You’re dead. The original Ethan… .”
“Right. The one who was originally probably wasn’t a time limit. Or die suddenly in an accident. And as you dwell, the body will come to life.”
Here, Yuffie paused for a moment.
“So… , don’t feel guilty.”
Those words were comforting.
And I wanted to meet the original Edan at least once. Even if he doesn’t remember my existence… .
“Come on, the possessor. Your allotted time has run out. Now tell me your original name. Not the name Ethan. Now that’s all I want to know about you.”
There were still many questions left, but that was all she could tell.
I smiled and said my name.
* * *
Ethan was puzzled by the sudden call, but put on his coat. It was a call from a sepia girl.
‘You’re calling me tonight?’
That question came to my mind, but I didn’t think long. Sepia’s mother was like a lifesaver to him.
I didn’t know if I would have to live with the debt of my heart for the rest of my life.
During the time allowed to me, I will live while paying off that debt. That was Ethan’s decision as he entered Logness Castle.
The cold air of dawn was heavy on the meeting place.
And in the clearing stood a man wearing a robe. At that moment, Ethan had the impression of walking in a dream.
“who… , please?”
The man slowly turned around and faced Ethan. At that moment, Ethan’s heart felt like it would drop.
The one wearing the robe looked just like Ethan. However, he seemed to be in his early to mid-twenties and was much taller than Ethan.
“hi?”
“… another me? Who are you?”
The man smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?”
He could have refused enough, but Ethan nodded as if he was bewitched by those words. The two walked slowly in the morning air.
“Who are you?”
“Well… , First of all, I came from the future. And from another world What do you want me to explain?”
The man told Ethan where and how he came from. And he told me what would happen in the future.
Even the fact that the current Edan would forget everything.
“Then, I was terminally ill?”
Surprisingly, Ethan was calm. As if the whole story had nothing to do with him.
No, it was the attitude of knowing everything from the beginning.
“I think so.”
“It’s a little cheesy. Am I telling you all this because you want to be comfortable? I will forget everything anyway.”
The man laughed awkwardly.
I didn’t want to deny that. Everything up until now would be something he never had before.
“I just wanted to meet you at least once.”
“I understand though… . I will try to understand.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“I… , I have something to ask of you.”
Request?
The man nodded. Since he inherited that body, it wasn’t difficult to do a favor.
“What?”
“I want to ask for a sepia lady.”
The man stood tall.
Ethan clearly said what he wanted to say. The one who heard all of them answered briefly.
“yes. I will.”
Only then did Ethan smile softly. What Ethan wanted right now was to ask another Edan for sepia. That was enough.
“Can we walk a little longer?”
Another Edan nodded at Ethan’s words. The two Edans soon walked side by side.
The dawn that seemed to never end was dawning.
