“……That can’t be. My memory is accurately engraved, without missing a single moment, from childhood until now.”

A flicker of unease seemed to cross Lord Joseph’s eyes, which had not lost their composure.

“Could something have been recorded incorrectly?”

“…….”

However, to Joseph, who still did not lose his smile, Sergei quietly asked.

“……Then, do you remember the conversation we had alone the other day, Lord Joseph?”

“Which conversation are you referring to? If it was during an evening walk, I remember.”

“No.”

Sergei, denying Lord Joseph’s answer, continued speaking.

“It was 10 years ago, when our ship drifted in the foggy path. At that time, to remove the seaweed tied to the ship, we boarded a small lifeboat. Do you remember?”

“…….”

At once, Lord Joseph’s face contorted.

From here on, I couldn’t interject as it was a story I didn’t know well.

I only learned new facts like the two had met 10 years ago.

‘But 10 years ago.’

Had Lord Joseph ever stopped by the Kalant Empire? It was then that I thought.

“……As I said then, I am not the Joseph that Sir Sergei met in childhood.”

“It’s alright. I have no intention of carelessly spreading rumors about your birth. But the fact that chronomancy changes the hair and eye color of the successor is also something I’ve discovered.”

I’ll have to hear in detail later about what happened.

Anyway, Lord Joseph finally sighed and admitted the truth under Sergei’s questioning.

“……I never thought you’d recognize me even after changing like this.”

“You are the benefactor of my life. I couldn’t not recognize you. Above all, perfect memory ability is not that common.”

“…….”

Sergei even showed a faint smile. I felt proud for no reason at that clear temperature of affection.

“So, Lord Joseph, can you answer my question?”

“If it’s from 10 years ago…….”

Lord Joseph, having admitted the truth, exhaled a dejected breath and brushed up his hair.

“Yes. Of course, I remember it accurately.”

“If you’re so certain, it should be easy to verify. Shall we try?”

“Verification…… Alright.”

Sergei cleared his throat once and said.

“At that time, we had many conversations in the lifeboat. Especially when I asked a certain question, you showed a happy expression while recalling someone. My question was this.”

Sergei needed a moment to pause and recall the past memory.

But it didn’t take long. Soon, he leisurely opened his lips.

“How did you think to actively take on such a dangerous task.”

Lord Joseph made a nasal sound.

“Yes, I remember. You definitely asked like this. ‘Amazing. Then how did you think to actively take on such a dangerous task?’ My answer…….”

The problem occurred after that.

“……The answer…….”

“Lord Joseph?”

“…….”

He did not continue speaking any further. No, it seemed he couldn’t.

As if a crack had formed, Lord Joseph’s eyes began to contort fiercely, and astonishment spread through his gradually shrinking pupils.

And then…….

“Lord Joseph!”

“Lord Joseph……!”

“Joseph. That’s a good name. But I’m curious about something, may I ask? How did you know the way to escape?”

“Just. I memorized the path. Because I never forget something I’ve seen once since childhood.”

“Amazing. Then how did you think to actively take on such a dangerous task?”

“■■……. ■■■, ■■ ■ ■■■■■■ ■■■ ■ ■■■ ■■■■■.”

“……So the two of you had such a connection.”

“I hope you won’t push Lord Joseph too hard, as he must have his circumstances.”

“That’s right.”

Many stories were exchanged throughout the night.

In the process, I was also able to hear about what happened between Lord Joseph and Sergei 10 years ago.

‘Come to think of it, he was originally a citizen of the Kalant Empire.’

He said he was 17 years old at the time and boarded as a sailor, so he must have been a commoner.

Sergei didn’t tell me the conversation the two had at that time.

But it was enough information to infer what kind of situation the two met in and what crisis they overcame just by hearing about it.

Well, I didn’t feel deceived now that I knew his origins.

I might have felt that way before, but it’s a bit different now.

Sergei said he probably drifted in the foggy sea and accidentally arrived in Alperon.

There, where the tower of the Demon Emperor slept, he probably inherited chronomancy.

It’s natural for the heir to inherit the legacy.

So regardless of Lord Joseph’s origins, he is currently the owner of Alperon, a king, and a nobleman recognized by the Kalant Emperor.

‘Lord Joseph has also had many ups and downs in his life.’

I glanced at Lord Joseph lying on the bed.

His short silver-white hair was gently curved and quietly resting on the bedding.

The mysterious color, seemingly created by moonlight, shone like a jewel that mesmerizes people when you look at it carefully.

But that hair, and the ruby eyes that are now closed, were originally a different color…….

‘He must have been a beautiful person nonetheless.’

I’m not talking about appearance. I felt that his life, and his soul, were beautiful.

Not everyone can step forward and volunteer for danger in a life-or-death situation.

‘……It might be different now since it’s so far in the past.’

Still, I was greatly relieved just to know that he was fundamentally a good person.

To be honest, I was creeped out when he said he had killed his husband several times using chronomancy.

Seeing his chest rise and fall at a regular pace, it seemed I could put aside one worry. Of course, I couldn’t be sure about what would happen after.

‘I hope he’ll be in a better state when he wakes up.’

Lord Joseph collapsed in the middle of the conversation. And he did so while clutching his head.

As for Sergei’s verification…….

Yes, he didn’t pass. Because he suddenly ended up like that while trying to answer that question.

Moreover, his reaction was nothing short of proof confirming Sergei’s concerns.

Every time he rewound time…… No, every time he cast magic to nullify the world’s causality, he was paying the price with his own memories.

And of all things, with the memories he cherished most.

It was understandable that he hadn’t realized it until now.

As much as he completely trusted his own memories, it must have been difficult to admit that cracks had occurred.

“Is there, perhaps, a way to restore damaged memories?”

“Unfortunately, there isn’t. I said memories are destroyed, but in reality, it’s like a part of the brain that stored those memories is permanently lost.”

“Then perhaps, the pain Lord Joseph feels every time he uses chronomancy…….”

“It’s a signal that his brain is being damaged.”

“…….”

Now I understood why chronomancy was designated as forbidden magic. The loss is too great.

“Then what happens if chronomancy is used continuously? If cracks in memory continue to occur?”

Sergei furrowed his brow at my question.

“Not only will all the memories accumulated throughout life be deleted, but after that, he will be in a state where he can’t retain any memories at all.”

“……You mean he’ll become an idiot?”

“Or he’ll enter a brain-dead state.”

“Ah…….”

“That’s why I told you. Even if you could revive Saul Rogier…… don’t do it.”

“…….”

It was truly chilling words.

If that’s really the price to pay, well…. It can’t be helped.

Smoothing out the creases of the dress hem I had been unknowingly crumpling, I asked again.

“Then what state is Lord Joseph in currently? I think there should be warning signs before he reaches such a terrible state.”

“There’s no way to quantify it for certain, but someone who knows Lord Joseph well might notice if he shows abnormal behavior.”

Abnormal behavior?

As I tilted my head, Sergei explained.

“I should start with this story. Human personality and values are formed by accumulated experiences. You know that, right?”

Of course I know well.

I may not be a scholar, but I’ve lived for years, and above all, I’m a mother who educates children.

For example, there are reasons why a saint lives altruistically their whole life, and why a murderer enjoys killing.

There are reasons why Wilhelm York Baden wanted Daiern so badly, and why my elder brother Nergal tried to use me to grasp power.

There are clear reasons behind human words and actions.

That’s why family environment and education are important.

“But what do you think will happen if the brain is damaged, and the memories that are the reason for those actions are erased?”

“Well. Will they no longer show such behavior?”

“That could be the case. But the opposite could also happen. Cases where they show obsessive tendencies, blindly pursuing only the goal while having lost the reason.”