Can You Please Keep the Original Setting? - Chapter 0

The unattainable ideal was as sweet as it was peculiar,

and the reality felt on the skin was more bitter than anything else.

I waited for the day when I would say my name to one being.

I conform to my destiny, and I am kneeling before you like this.

So please, take a good look at me.

Only me.

Mikael stretched out his hand. The sunshine was divided into beams by the intricate pattern on the window. He stared with emotionless eyes at the red blood from his wound and the mixing purple liquid.

His whole body was clammy. The pain in the abdomen left by the evil spirit in the labyrinth was extremely severe. If he was an ordinary man, he would have gone crazy and died a long time ago. Or he would have gotten sick and lost his mind before that.

He took out a clean handkerchief from the inside pocket of the uniform that the imperial family and the temple had forced him to wear and wiped his face roughly.

Would it be better to wash up? But it was a little…

In an instant, his sensitive senses caught on to a presence. Mikael raised his chin slightly. A few seconds later, at the end of the corridor, a man with a big physique and broad shoulders appeared.

“Mikael!”

The voice calling his name was quite desperate. Worry was evident on the face of the man who was getting closer.

“… Young Master.”

After a small pause that felt somewhat cold, Mikael smiled reluctantly.

Why did it have to be right now? It was annoying.

“I’m seeing you here.”

“I’ve been looking for you for a while. Are you hurt a lot?”

Hendrik leaned down and examined him diligently. He shook his head briefly.

“I’m fine.”

“What do you mean, fine! I can see that you’re quite hurt. Why didn’t you get treated?”

“It’s not enough to interfere with my life. There’s something more urgent than treatment right now.”

Mikael stepped back as if he were rejecting the other person’s concerns. As he did so, Hendrik urgently added,

“You’re going to my father, aren’t you? Then, let’s go together.”

“It’s fine. Thank you for always worrying about me. I’ll see you during dinner later.”

The gentle refusal was too determined. He left the son of the archmage there alone and went straight to his destination.

Except for one person, all the actions of the people in this place caused discomfort. However, he did not intend to complain about this design. How could he dare to say anything?

Mikael stopped in front of a room at the highest point of the castle. It was always a strange location.

Others didn’t have much of a reason to come here, but its dignity was great. It showed off its sparkle as if telling him not to take his eyes off it even for just a moment.

He had to bend his neck to the point it started hurting.

Well, it was probably the most appropriate location. Thinking so, he fumbled around the wound in his stomach as if it was nothing.

The sound of blood drops falling from the open flesh one after the other was particularly somber and muddy. The dark red blood on the floor was chilly and had a fishy smell.

There was no crack in his expression, but there was an obvious peculiarity in his clear eyes as he looked at the door.

Soon, his bloody hand knocked on the door.

“Mikael?!”

The woman who opened the door turned pale instantly. A see-through indoor dress. Disheveled hair and a loosened knot at the waist. It was evident that she had been inside all day.

Even if she had found the right place, it seemed that nothing could be done about that weak shell.

“What happened to you?!”

It’s funny how thrilled he was by that startled voice. Mikael smiled brightly. The eyes that contained him were a perfect heaven.

“Celina.”

It was a long wait. This amount of compensation was a given. If this world was created based on one person’s fabrication, he, the protagonist, had to be treated as he deserved.

So, he wanted her to love him even more.

“I’m hurt.”

He grabbed her thin wrist and whimpered like a child. Unfortunately, there was no way to provoke any specific feelings in the woman unless it was like this. The protagonist was too strong.

“Of course you’re hurt, look at your state! I told you clearly not to come when you’re hurt. That’s why I even wrote some instructions!”

“Can you give me a hug? I’m very tired.”

He muttered affectionately and caressed her cheeks. Blood stained her clear, peach-colored skin.

It looked pretty good. It was thrilling to leave his mark, no matter in what way.

“…”

She hesitated with a tearful face, but she never refused. She slowly reached out her arms and gladly hugged his filthy body.

He lowered his head as if he had been waiting. The lips he touched hesitated for a moment, but quickly opened a gap.

Just like they did on the day of the princess’ Coming of Age ceremony, behind a huge statue.

Even if there was a mix of hesitation in her behavior, there was always one option. It was like that from the beginning. Confirming that truth once again, the corners of Mikael’s mouth rose silently.

Aah. His God was such a difficult yet easy human being.