Hi. This is Lloyd... I mean, Kim Suho. You're probably wondering what I'm talking about, but this is the truth. In fact, I should have revealed this a long time ago.
The hands of Count Frontera shook as he picked up the letter containing a message left in familiar handwriting. It was that of a man who gave his hundred and ten percent before leaving the estate for good.
If, by any chance, you wouldn't get to read this message, then it would mean my alternative plan has worked and I have returned home. However, if you're reading this message, I wouldn't be there. There is no exception to anyone behind the gate of rebirth, including the king of hell.
The countess dropped her head as the count hugged her by her shoulders. Their eyes shook constantly as they continued.
I should have told you this before, but I lacked the courage. That is why I reveal this truth to you right now through a letter. I was a coward. I am so sorry. I mean it.
The count let out a huge sigh at the last sentence. He thought Lloyd did not have a reason to apologize. If there was someone that had to feel sorry, it was they. Count Frontera felt no words could express his gratitude towards Lloyd properly.
"Honey."
The countess glanced at the count, who nodded in response before reading the letter again.
My real name is Kim Suho, born and raised in Seoul. I lived in a tiny room just enough to lie down in that city. I honestly have no idea how and why I became Lloyd Frontera. I just... woke up in his body one day.
The count continued onto the next page.
I was flustered and perplexed in the beginning. So I lied. I pretended to be your real son Lloyd Frontera. I blamed the fates for being so cruelly mischievous with this move, and thought it really wasn't my fault. Well, that's what I told myself each day. This lie built up until I ran into the real Lloyd.
The count and the countess were visibly shaken.
He had become an apparition and was wandering around in the underworld after losing his body over to me. That was when I realized that nothing would change the fact he suffered because of me, even if it was unintended and accidental. It hurt, but I tried to appear nonchalant on the surface. I did not want to be disgusted by my own hypocrisy.
The hands shook as Suho's confession continued.
So I did everything in my power to help him. Thankfully, he entered through the portal of rebirth. I have no idea what he was reincarnated into, or to which parents; I am so sorry I don't have more information. But he did ask me this: to take care of you two and tell you what became of him. Perhaps this is why I'm writing this letter immediately before the final battle begins.
And it went on.
I won't try to cover it up. I am so sorry for hiding behind written words instead of telling you this in person like a coward. But there should be a set of huge plans stored in my bedroom closet. Those are construction plans to be put to use after the battle is over, from the dam at Lake Kapua, waterworks and sewage by the mountain range, and drainage at Maritz Farmlands. I also added how to construct stabilization piles and anchors to be installed on the slopes of Namaran, as well as how and where to place them.
Lloyd had thought about the work to be done on the estate until the very end, even in the writing that could well become his last words.
But everything will be alright even in my absence, because our engineering corp is so skilled now. Perhaps I made the last message unnecessarily long and wasted your time. I apologize once again. Please explain well to Julian and Javier, as well as Her Majesty. Please take good care of Ppodong, Bangul, Hamang, Bibeong, and Ggoming. They're all good kids. Farewell, my... father and mother. Thank you for everything.
The count shed tears silently as the countess covered her face in her husband's clothes. Javier bit his lips tightly in frustration.
"That's all I found in Master Lloyd's bedroom."
"I see."
“...”
"Sir Javier Asrahan," said the count.
"Yes, my lord."
"You've been with him the entire time, wherever he went."
"I did, my lord."
"Then... did you sort of have an idea about it as well?"
"...Please forgive me, my lord."
"No need. You probably had faith that he would eventually tell us in person. Isn't that right?"
Javier had, and that was why it broke his heart even more. The grandmaster had never imagined in his wildest dreams Lloyd would resort to such a method – sacrificing himself to drag the enemy into the gate of rebirth. Javier regretted and blamed himself for having failed to anticipate Lloyd's plan. Had he had just a little more strength, he would have been able to stop Lloyd. Javier would have jumped to the other side of the portal with the king of hell in his master's stead.
But he couldn't. Despite having sworn to protect the fake Lloyd regardless of the adversities plenty of times, he relied on Lloyd's selfless act instead. He couldn't save him. He could only watch his last moments with his eyes.
Javier still did not say anything because he figured the count and the countess must have been devastated even more than he. Displaying sadness in front of them was like a pretense by an incompetent knight who had failed to protect someone he was sworn to. So he told himself not to shed tears. He strengthened his resolve not to be shaken by this.
I do not deserve to.
He was going to endure the pain. The agony he was going to suffer was a way to pay for the sins he had committed.
"If you'll excuse me, my lord, I'll be on standby."
"Yeah. You may leave."
Javier quickly ran away from the count and countess's presence before a flood of tears burst out, and heard the wailing cries of the countess and the consoling, yet shaky voice of the count behind closed doors. The count told his wife that Lloyd had been a good kid, and he was like a gift from the heavens. He assured his wife that they had to remember him the way he was, and that was the only way to repay him for all the good things he had done. The grandmaster walked away through the hallway with a heavy heart.
He let out a deep sigh. Javier thought the refreshing air of the night sky would put him a bit more at ease, but it didn't. Wherever he went and whatever he looked at, including the starry sky, his heart was still broken. The grandmaster continued to sigh and walk until he reached a certain grave that was freshly made. He glanced at the new gravestone that was still not covered in moss and only then realized where he had arrived.
"You're here, Sir Javier Asrahan."
"...Your Majesty."
Queen Alicia was standing in front of the grave with a bitter smile on her face.
"No need to pay pointless respect in a situation like this. Not here anyways. This area does not belong to me but to this fool."
She stared at the gravestone on which the phrase Javier never wished to see was etched: Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of Count Frontera and faithful vassal and key contributor to the Magentano Dynasty, sleeps here.
It was strange. It was peculiar. It was even surreal. Javier felt like this gravestone was all a lie. Perhaps it was because he wanted to deny the harsh reality.
"What of your injuries?"
"I am recovering, thanks to your grace."
"Good."
"Your grace knows-"
"Enough."
Javier wondered if the queen was crying. It seemed that way, as Her Majesty was looking down on the ground with shaky shoulders and clenched fists. It was perhaps due to the words Javier was about to speak, which reminded her of the man who had always reiterated phrases like "Your grace knows no bounds," and "Please forgive me" with a nonchalant smile on his face.
"I'll be on standby by the knight's quarter."
Javier did not want to interrupt the queen's moment with his master. He quickly got away from the grave like he was a runaway, and walked restlessly without a particular destination. He harbored the emptiness in his heart and just went on, just like that day when he had done just this with Lloyd. He remembered when Lloyd had asked him about Javier's father and what kind of man he was. Except he was alone this time, causing him to chuckle bitterly.
"Ha."
This was why Javier disliked the night; it wetted his face. The grandmaster blamed the night mist as he recalled the moments he regretted. He missed him.
Master Lloyd...
Javier wondered what had happened to the man he failed to protect after jumping into the portal of rebirth. He became curious about what kind of life he was given as a result. He wanted to know if Lloyd managed to find a new life that was mediocre, unremarkable, and happy with just enough wealth not to worry about things. The grandmaster desperately wished this as he walked, until he stopped somewhere and jumped into the water.
His shoulder covered in bandages hurt excruciatingly, but he did not care. He dove deeper and deeper to the very bottom of the lake, at which the Jewel of Truth stood. He then placed his hand on the altar, just like how the fake Lloyd had done some time ago.
[You, who wish to obtain a truthful answer from the Jewel of Truth. You must reveal a secret about yourself, that only you are aware of, to this world in exchange for the truth you seek.]
The voice resounded in his head as expected, and the knight did not hesitate to give his answer.
I never, ever thought once about a life without Master Lloyd, even right now.
And the response was immediate.
[You have willingly shared a secret that only you had been aware of, as the price to acquire the truth you seek.]
The surface of the lake glowed as the night sky became bright. Javier asked again.
What happened to Kim Suho's soul after entering through the gate of rebirth?
Javier wanted to know. He wanted to hear a good response. After a brief moment of waiting that felt like an eternity, the Jewel finally answered.
[Kim Suho's soul did not find a new body despite having jumped into the portal of rebirth.]
What?
Javier flinched inadvertently as the jewel continued.
[Instead of being reincarnated into a new body, he went back into the original body of Kim Suho, staying at Room 301 of the tiny complex in Seoul of the different dimension from which he hailed.]
What...?
It was absolutely astonishing and unprecedented.
Then what of his memories about this place? Us?
Javier quickly asked, and was able to hear a response.
[He retained full memory of what transpired here in the estate and dearly misses all of you. It is possible to bring him back to this realm if you can travel across the dimensions.]
Javier's heart pounded in excitement from the pleasant surprise. It was an unexpected answer.
Let me ask one more...but I will reveal something first. I am actually ecstatic, thinking about Kim Suho and what became of him.
The Jewel of Truth spoke again.
[You have willingly shared a secret that only you had been aware of, as the price to acquire the truth you seek.]
The water's surface and the sky above it glowed brightly again. Javier wasted no time.
Where is the dragon king Verkis?
Javier knew he could travel across dimensions. With his help, bringing Kim Suho, the fake Lloyd, back to this realm was a possibility. They could return to their normal lives without worrying about anything anymore.
Please...
The grandmaster's desperate plea did not go unheard, as the jewel responded.
[Dragon king Verkis has taken over the lair of another dragon Atrox, which is located in the topmost peak of the Cuantara Mountains, and is taking a nap in that dark pit.]
The Cuantara Mountains weren't too far away, fortunately. Javier immediately swam up to the surface upon hearing the answer and headed straight into the lord's mansion, slamming open the doors to the other Lloyd's bedroom.
"Sir Ggoming, and everyone else."
"Ggoming?"
"Ppodong?"
"Bangul?"
"Hamang?"
Sir Ppodong, Sir Bangul, Sir Hamang, and Sir Ggoming, all of whom had been depressed by the disappearance of their master, turned around and glanced at Javier.
"I found a way to resurrect... I mean, bring Master Lloyd back to this place. Please come with me."
"Ppodong?"
"Bangul?"
"Hamang?"
"Ggoming?"
"We don't have a lot of time," said Javier, hurrying the beasts while taking out the red sunflower seed to feed Sir Ggoming before hopping onto the enlarged creature with the rest. "We must head south. Now!"
"G-Ggoming!"
Ggoming did not comprehend what was going on, but Javier pushed it forward anyway. The winged summoned flew towards the south, away from the estate to the Cuantara Mountains, past other ranges, plains, and rivers. In a few hours, they saw the entrance to the dragon lair in the highest peak of the mountain range just like the Jewel of Truth had revealed.
Javier took the rest into the pit. It was as expected of the dragon's lair, full of deadly traps. But the grandmaster did not care; he valiantly fought through and broke everything by force, even running across a black dragon, presumed to be the original owner of this lair, knocked unconscious by an external blunt force. After passing through a series of otherwise perilous situations, Javier finally found what he came looking for.
The old manticore, which had been lying down like a faithful dog waiting for his owner to wake up, turned around and saw the grandmaster. Javier then noticed the dragon king Verkis sound asleep next to the loyal beast.
"Please excuse me, good manticore," said Javier, approaching the dragon king.
"Grr?"
"This has to do with ensuring the safe return of Lloyd Frontera, whom the dragon king has been sponsoring."
"Grr? Grr!"
Perhaps the old manticore had read Javier's desperate mind, as the beast willingly stepped aside. Javier walked closer to the dragon king and spoke.
"Great Dragon King Verkis. Please wake up."
"...Zzz.”
"Please. Just one moment of your time is enough."
"...Zzz."
"There is something I must discuss."
"...Zzz."
“...”
Javier knew it wasn't going to work. He reached out his hand and shook the dragon king by his shoulders.
"It's an important matter about the individual that you have been sponsoring."
Javier shook the dragon king lightly at first but had to exert more and more strength eventually and gradually. But the dragon king did not budge an inch, despite all the shaking, and even shouting into his ears. Javier realized that he wasn't going to wake up through normal means.
“...”
There was only one way he could think of: cause an even more intense pressure than by shaking him or shouting in his ears, to make sure he woke up.
Zing!
Javier activated his six-way circle and unsheathed his sword, with the intent to slice the dragon king's head.
