The day became punishment.
Shoda and Shun scrobed floors, refilled bathwater, polished railings, and hauled broken debris from the previous night's destruction. Dust clung to their hair and clothes.
Shoda made the mistake of entering Charlotte's room without knocking.
A magic brick launched him straight back out.
When he tried again to complain, the interior layout had completely changed.
"…Did she just reconstruct her room to keep me out?"
Another brick answered him.
They moved on to the garden.
By the time they finished trimming hedges and clearing pathways, both were collapsed on the grass.
Elmira arrived with Lucky floating beside her, carrying a tray of snacks and chilled drinks.
The two men sprang upright like resurrected warriors.
They devoured everything.
"Ohhh, big sis Elmira," Shun sighed dramatically, "this is divine."
Shoda nodded eagerly. "Yeah, Millie, this is amazing."
Lucky puffed up. "It's because we made it together. Our bond is stronger than yours."
Shoda stood. "Is that so? I'll surpass that bond. One day she'll call me her special someone—"
He wobbled mid-sentence.
Lucky snorted. "Never in a million years."
"Jealous spirit."
"You wanna go, punk?"
"I'll fold you like laundry, you underfed cat!"
Shun hyped Shoda up immediately—
Bonk.
Mira appeared and struck both of them on the head with a firm thread flick.
"Market. Now."
They ran.
"Yeah," Shoda muttered as they sprinted, "she's terrifying when she's angry."
"She is not a gorilla," Shun added quickly.
A massive thread formed behind them.
"Whaaaat did you say?"
The thread whipped them both clean across the road and straight toward the village gates.
—
They landed near a wooden sign.
Shoda groaned. "What's this village called?"
"Sarkis," Shun replied, brushing himself off. "Not very famous in Nordovia. Small economy. But the people are happy."
"Why doesn't Eldritch improve it?"
Shun gave him a sideways look. "You don't know who Eldritch Cain is?"
Shoda shook his head.
"He doesn't exactly have a gentle reputation."
Shoda remembered Elmira hesitating when they first met.
Shun continued quietly. "Years ago, an organization approached him. The Immaculate Circle. They offered him something. After that… I don't remember clearly."
Shoda frowned. "So that's why Elmira was ashamed…"
"Don't tell anyone I said this," Shun added. "Sis isn't happy about how Father changed."
"When did he change?"
"Two years after that encounter. Elmira was six when it started. She's eighteen now. She's barely left the mansion."
Shoda's chest tightened.
"The villagers despise the royal family," Shun said. "Even Roderic."
"That's awful…"
Shun clapped his hands suddenly. "Anyway! We're here for supplies."
—
They entered Sarkis.
Music.
Laughter.
A festival in full swing.
Villagers swarmed Shun immediately, cheering his name.
The music stopped when they noticed Shoda.
He pointed dramatically to the sky.
"I am Iwamoto Shoda! Seventeen years old and full of life! The king's new manservant!"
The children rushed him, tugging his sleeves.
"New mister's weird!" "You're funny!" "Clown!"
"You little brats—!"
An elderly woman approached, smiling warmly. "Welcome, young man. Any friend of Shun is welcome here."
Shoda noticed Shun already surrounded by women.
No wonder Mira calls him a pervert.
"Have a drink," the elderly woman insisted.
"I can't. I'm on an errand. We need vegetables, flour, spices—"
"Oh dear," she laughed. "All shops are closed. Party day."
Shoda imagined Mira's disappointed face.
Hmph. Incompetent.
He snapped back to reality.
"Shun! We're leaving!"
Shun, holding a cup of sake, waved lazily. "Relax, big bro! Join us!"
"You're drunk!"
"Fine," Shoda sighed. "I'll stay. But no alcohol for me."
"Is Shun even of age?" he whispered.
"He's fifteen," the elderly woman replied casually.
Shoda froze.
—
Three hours later.
Night.
Shoda carried an unconscious Shun back toward the mansion.
Elmira and Mira were waiting outside.
"Where were you?" Elmira asked anxiously.
"It's been three hours," Mira added coldly.
Shun reeked of alcohol.
"The villagers insisted," Shoda explained defensively.
"Father is waiting," Elmira said softly.
Shoda stiffened.
He remembered Shun's words.
Dictator. War-obsessed.
He steadied himself and entered.
—
Eldritch sat in the parlor.
Mira stood behind Shoda. Elmira sat beside him.
"Well, Shoda," Eldritch began, "I'm impressed with your work on the reconstruction."
Shoda blinked.
"We identified the attacker. Drayla Vasha. Known as 'The Decapitator.' A notorious assassin in the underworld."
"Oh," Shoda replied carefully. "Good to know."
Eldritch chuckled. "I'll pay you early for your efforts."
Shoda shook his head. "You already gave me shelter when I had nowhere to go. That's enough."
Eldritch laughed heartily.
"I like you, Iwamoto Shoda. Welcome to the Cain estate."
Shoda bowed slightly.
But inside, his thoughts churned.
How can a man like this be a tyrant?
Immaculate Circle…
I need answers.
—
Later.
Elmira sat at her desk, reading, glasses resting on her nose.
Shoda leaned against the doorframe.
"You look incredible in those."
She flushed. "Stop teasing."
"Elmira… would you go on a date with me?"
She blinked. "What's a date?"
"…You're serious?"
"Is it a function?"
"It's when two people go out together. For fun."
"Like an outing?"
"Yes!"
She began pacing excitedly. "What will we do? When will we go? What should we wear—?"
"Slow down," he laughed. "Let's go to Sarkis."
Her smile faded.
"I… don't think I should."
"Why?"
She looked away.
"It might damage your reputation."
"Why would it?"
"Because I'm—"
She stopped.
"Because you're what?" he pressed. "A snail? A fool? Or the daughter of a dictator?"
"Shoda…"
"Don't let people define you. You're you. If they don't like it, they can eat Lucky's hairball."
She burst into laughter.
"You really are something."
"So. When do we go?"
They planned quietly for half an hour.
Shoda left her room smiling.
The hallway was dark.
Silent.
A woman stepped from the shadows.
Long black hair. Familiar features.
Too familiar.
"Who are you?" she asked coldly.
"Who are you?" Shoda shot back, stepping back cautiously.
She removed her gloves.
"I'll ask one more time."
"Look, lady, I don't know who you are, but you're trespassing—"
Her hand pierced straight through his chest.
Blood spilled everywhere it came from his chest and mouth he gagged on his own blood
Time slowed.
Air vanished from his lungs
Warmth spilled down his body.
He tried to scream.
Nothing came out.
"That's how intruders die," she said calmly. "Next time, find somewhere else to steal."
His vision dimmed.
He fell.
Darkness swallowed him.
—
Laughter.
Children.
Hands tugging his sleeves.
"New mister's weird!"
Shoda blinked.
He was back in Sarkis.
Being dragged by children.
Rewind.
Again.
Shoda blinked. Hard. Again. And again.
The world was… wrong. He wasn't in the mansion. The soft wood floors, the warmth of Elmira's room, the lingering scent of Mira's cooking—all gone.
The sunlight of the village stung his eyes.
He stumbled. His knees buckled. His vision blurred. And then—he fainted.
—
The townspeople reacted quickly. Children screamed. Mothers grabbed their baskets. And Shun, calm as ever, darted forward and lifted him.
"Big bro! Hold still!" Shun muttered, carrying him to a nearby bench.
Pain. Everywhere. His hands clawed at his head.
"I… I rewound. I did it… I went back… all because of that woman. Who was she? Why? And Elmira… I finally asked her out… finally convinced her she wasn't her father's shadow. And now… now this? Darn it, why—why me!"
Shun, kneeling beside him, looked worried. "Big bro, you're awake! I was so worried! You just fainted on the spot!"
"I'm… okay," Shoda groaned, pushing himself upright. "Shun… we're still in the village?"
Shun nodded.
Shoda stood quickly. Panic flared. "No. I need to go back to the mansion. I need to talk to Charlotte."
He bolted.
—
His legs carried him fast, but his mind raced faster.
"Who was that woman? Sent by Drayla? Or the Immaculate Circle? No… it couldn't be them. She said intruders should die this way. That's… too precise, too clean."
A stray stone sent him tumbling. He rolled once, stood, and froze.
All around him, eyes glowed. Snarls echoed. His stomach dropped. Mana Hounds. Dozens of them, forming a circle.
Shoda's breath hitched. "Uh… nice doggy… good doggy…"
One lunged. Shoda jumped over it and sprinted.
But these weren't ordinary beasts. Wind magic sliced through the air. Razor-thin currents tore through him.
Pain erupted. His back, arms, even his head—blood flowed freely.
The hounds growled. Hunger radiated from them like heat.
And then—together—they unleashed a devastating blast of wind magic.
Shoda's vision exploded into white. Limbs flew. He screamed. Pain like fire and ice coursed through every nerve.
Dust settled.
He stared down in horror. His arms and legs… gone.
Blood Pouring out From every limb he screamed in agony begging someone to save him no one came
The Mana Hounds circled closer, eyes ablaze. Unnatural hunger in their gaze.
Shoda crawled, desperate, dizzy, blurred vision barely keeping him upright.
A massive paw slammed down. His skull cracked under the weight. Darkness claimed him again.
—
And then—he woke.
The village. The children. Tugging at his sleeves. Laughing.
"Your weird, mister! Your a clown! You're dumb!"
Shoda gasped, sitting upright, chest heaving.
The sun was soft on his face. Laughter surrounded him. The chaos of the streets, the smell of baked bread, the warmth of the villagers' smiles—it all felt… real.
He closed his eyes.
"Rewind… again. I survived… again."
The tugging hands of children yanked him back into reality. He blinked, breathing heavily, and forced a weak smile.
"Yeah… I'm weird. Happy to meet you all."
But deep down, his heart raced. Somewhere out there… shadows were waiting.
And next time… he wouldn't just run.
Shoda's chest heaved. Sweat ran down his temples as the children laughed around him.
"Ugh, this guy's sweaty! He's like… Big Robert!" one of the kids jeered.
Big Robert? That wasn't nice.
"Hey! That's not nice, kid!" Shoda barked defensively, clutching his chest. "Big Robert isn't sweaty… or smelly!"
The children blinked, then giggled. "Shoda, you're cool!"
Relief washed over him. He smiled weakly, a little bolstered by their innocent approval.
Then the children turned to Shun. "Captain Shun! The new guy you brought… he's funny! We like him!"
Shun bowed slightly, grinning. "Thanks, kids. But my big bro is amazing."
Shoda's heart tightened. Loyalty… devotion… he felt it in every gesture, every word. His chest burned—not from exertion, but from a weight he had never shared with anyone.
"I've never told anyone about my Rewind… What if I told Shun? Charlotte? Elmira? Would they even believe me?"
He inhaled sharply, sweat slick on his brow.
"Shun… there's something I have to tell you," Shoda said, his voice shaking.
Shun smiled, unaware. "What is it, big bro?"
Shoda steadied himself. "I… I have the ability to… Rewind. I can come back from the dead. If I die… I can return. I can… Rewind by death."
Silence fell.
Not a leaf rustled. Not a bird chirped. Even the villagers froze mid-step. Shoda panted, his mind racing.
A minute passed.
And then—the impossible.
He watched in horror as the hearts of everyone in the village… exploded. Blood erupted from their chests, bodies crumpling, screams cut short.
Shun's heart shattered next. The boy he trusted… gone.
Shoda screamed. "No! What's happening?! Why—why does this happen? I can't tell anyone… I have to carry this alone!"
Pain exploded in his own chest. His heart ruptured.
And then—Rewind.
—
Shoda blinked. The village. Children tugging at his arm. Laughing. "You're weird, mister! You're a clown! You're dumb!"
He shuddered, clutching his chest, tears welling. Anxiety gnawed at him.
Shun appeared, concern etched on his face. "Big bro… why are you crying?"
"Nothing," Shoda whispered. "It's… nothing happened."
Shun shook his head. "Big bro… you're a man. You're not meant to let yourself fall. You're a man of your word—I believe in you. I will always… always be there. I will never leave. I'll help you get through this. Don't you worry."
Shoda's chest swelled. Encouragement. Reassurance. Loyalty. He nodded slowly. Hmm… right. That's good.
"I want to go to the mansion," Shoda said finally. "I need to ask Charlotte some questions."
Shun smiled. "Yeah… let's go."
—
Shoda sprinted, heart pounding. Behind him, the village chief called to Shun, her voice soft yet sharp.
"Don't leave that boy! I can see it in his eyes… he's hurting."
Shun tilted his head. "What does that mean?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "I've only known him a short while. But… trust me."
Shoda waved. Shun transformed—muscles tensed, hooves striking the earth—and Shoda climbed onto his back. Together, they thundered toward the mansion.
—
The chase was sudden. Mana Hounds emerged from the treeline, eyes glowing, teeth gleaming. Their snarls pierced the night.
Shun leaned back. "Big bro… let's fight these guys."
Shoda grinned despite himself. "Yeah… let's do it."
Shun split into ten forms, some human, some beasts: wolves, bears, lions. They attacked. The Mana Hounds were numerous, but Shun's ferocity matched their numbers.
The battle raged—wind, claw, and magic collided violently. Shoda's arms burned from a Mana Hound giving him a hot wind breath.
Finally, with a final coordinated strike, they cleared the path. Panting, bloodied but unbroken, they reached the mansion.
—
The main hall loomed. And there… a black-haired woman, her presence slicing the air like ice. Shoda froze.
Shun waved casually. "Oh, Miss Lysa! You're looking beautiful and stunning today!"
Shoda's stomach sank. His eyes widened. The woman… she's the one who killed me in a failed loop…
Shun turned to him. "Big bro… this is Lysa Crow. King Eldritch's assistant. She's the one Roderic said he was with at the capital."
Shoda blinked. "Eh… is that so?"
Before he could react, Lysa lunged. Her arms were steel as she grabbed him in a chokehold, squeezing his head mercilessly.
Shun barked, "Oi! Lysa! Don't kill him!"
Lysa released him, letting him stumble to the floor. Her eyes glinted. "I'm watching you. I don't trust you at all."
Shoda rubbed his neck. "I don't care. I don't trust you either. While we're in this house… mind your own business."
Her lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Try it. I will kill you."
Shoda smirked despite himself. "Try it, you fool."
She vanished down the hallway.
Shoda exhaled, turning to Shun. "I… I have to ask Charlotte some questions."
Shun nodded, and together they raced upstairs. Shoda flung open doors, searching frantically.
Finally—door number thirteen. He paused. His eyes widened.
Charlotte's room. A mixture of library and laboratory. Books stacked high, glass vials glowing faintly with strange liquids. Charlotte herself stood in the center, holding a vial and reading intently.
She finally noticed him.
"Oh… it's you," she said, eyebrow arched, voice sharp but calm.
Shoda swallowed. "Charlotte… I need to ask you something…"
The faint hum of the laboratory filled the room. Shadows danced along the walls. And Shoda's pulse raced. Something in Charlotte's gaze… hinted that answers—terrifying and strange—were waiting.