Idris.
“There’s no way.”
I let out the breath I had been holding unconsciously. My legs were trembling and I could only lean against the wall.
“Was that him in the white robe?”
He was still alive and remained on the island of mages. It was a place I had never imagined he would be at.
I expected him to either go to heaven or deviate from the original plot, and thus never be on that island.
But he made it out alive and became a mage?
“This is the power of the plot huh?”
I said to myself in despair.
After all of that, he still manages to turn into a villain? Is he still the same person, or has he changed?
Despite the fact that I’m relieved that he’s still alive, I have yet to see his face. And I’m also afraid.
According to the novel’s plot, he was able to survive and eventually rise to become the master.
I was anxious. I wonder if he really became that villain in the original.
“Shit.”
I was filled with both excitement and dread at the same time. It was a weird feeling.
Maybe I shouldn’t really trust the novel?
I stumbled, but I managed to get back to my feet. Idris’s letter was placed on my desk as I wiped away tears with the sleeve of my shirt.
After that, I put my coat on and went outside.
This was due to the letter’s final paragraph.
[I’ll see you in a week. Come to the house where you lived ten years ago if you want to see me. It’s also fine to inform Liliel about me.]
***
I rushed to see Liliel early the next morning after receiving the letter. Despite my unexpected visit, Liliel greeted me calmly.
Then, after I told her what was going on, she began to panic.
“That kid… how’s that kid doing?”
Liliel lost her family to a mage like me. She despised the mages just as much as I did. She didn’t like them in the first place, but it had gotten worse since the incident.
And because she thought Idris was dead, I didn’t tell her he was a mage until the very end. I was worried that it would only make Liliel feel strange or uncomfortable.
And so, Liliel had absorbed all of the information at once, that Idris became a mage, he survived then he went on to become the master of the mages.
I waited for her to calm down.
Then I mentioned that I’d see him a week later at my old house.
Liliel hesitated and shook her head.
“I… I’m not sure what to say, Vianne. How am I supposed to accept that Idris is the master of the traitors?”
“I’m in the same boat as you. However, it is true that he saved my life just a few days ago.”
Despite the fact that I shot him, he saved me. When he was in that situation, I’m sure it must have been extremely difficult for him. I kept thinking of him trying to pull the bullet out of his stomach.
“That’s right…”
“Anyway, I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t tell anyone about this. Because he is regarded as a traitor in this empire.”
He is also the most heinous of the traitors.
“I know. Let’s keep our mouths shut.”
“Yes.”
If we don’t keep it a secret, we’ll almost certainly be charged with treason as well.
Furthermore, as a result of my testimony, the commander of the imperial knights was somewhat aware of my relationship with the mage.
I made a big mistake. It would have been better if I had remained still. I should’ve stopped trying to find out about them.
“… Vianne. Are you going to where Idris said?”
“Yes.”
“Be careful. Even though it’s Idris, I have no idea what kind of person he has turned into.”
“Okay. I’m going because I want to know his true intentions, so I won’t do anything reckless.”
I’m going to meet him so that I don’t have any doubts.
“Yes, yes, oh my goodness…”
Liliel said as she was about to cry and hugged me.
It had been a particularly difficult night.