Chapter 97. Farewell to the Spring Breeze

When the Duke left to implant the Maved Stone, Camilla and Aster moved to Francis Castle.

“You’ve arrived?”

Duke Francis, who had been preparing in advance, welcomed them and immediately guided them to the tower.

On the day they dismantled Marco’s Maved Stone, Duke Francis and Aster tried to destroy it but failed. The stone, which had already been fragmented and then magically reassembled, had a strong bond between the pieces.

They didn’t know what Duke Blanche had done, but attempting to break it in its incomplete state could cause significant damage. For safety reasons, it was sealed and moved to Francis’s tower.

The tower within Francis Castle was a place protected by magic against external impacts. It was an ideal location for simple training and magical experiments.

To safely extract the fragment from Camilla’s body, they especially had to come to Francis’s tower. This was the only place where the sealing technique placed by Duke Francis could be undone.

If they could extract the fragment from Camilla’s body, they could destroy the Maved Stone. They planned to proceed while the Duke was away.

“This is the original form of the Maved Stone.”

Camilla murmured blankly as she looked at the stone before her. Even when it was inside Marco’s body, it felt like a rather small stone. The smooth surface bore the marks of its fragmentation like patterns.

Camilla’s gaze turned to an empty part of the stone. Once the fragment in her body was dismantled, the Maved Stone would be complete.

A tremendous stone that created an ancient tyrant. Its power was so great that it caused significant ripples depending on who used it.

Was destroying it the only way?

Camilla, suddenly struck by a thought, asked quietly.

“If this stone is completed, what do you plan to do with it?”

“We must destroy it to prevent it from being misused.”

Duke Francis answered solemnly. One might be tempted by the stone before them, but he remained resolute.

“Isn’t there a way to seal it and use it for good?”

“The safest way to deal with a stone that tempts people is to destroy it.”

“But…”

Camilla felt regretful. She suddenly thought that this stone might save her mother.

Of course, she knew it shouldn’t be done. She just had many thoughts upon facing such an unreal existence. Guessing her thoughts, Duke Francis spoke.

“Camilla, it’s not that I don’t understand your feelings. I also want to save Diana more than anyone.”

“Father.”

“But the Maved Stone is not omnipotent. Life requires the price of life. Even if your mother came back to life that way, she wouldn’t be happy.”

Camilla felt her face heat up at her father’s gentle admonishment. His words were all true and were not something she could ignore.

Bringing her mother back that way would only cause more chaos in the world.

Camilla felt ashamed for even briefly considering doing the same thing as Duke Blanche after taking the stone from him. As Duke Francis said, the Maved Stone was evil just by existing.

“You’re right, Father. I was foolish. Destroying it is the best option.”

“That’s right.”

Duke Francis patted Camilla’s shoulder. It felt as if he understood her heart completely, making Camilla’s eyes well up. Duke Francis spoke.

“Though your mother has left us, we have done well so far. You have a strong support system that doesn’t need such power, Camilla.”

Camilla forced a smile through her tears.

Duke Francis was right. She already had a solid support system.

Being sad about what was lost and neglecting what remained was a narrow-minded view, like that of an ant that could only see a step ahead.

Trying to hold on to the past was like trying to catch the spring breeze that had passed. Wishing for the spring breeze to stay until winter because you miss it is nonsensical.

The spring breeze must be let go for summer, autumn, and winter to pass and for a new spring to come.

Camilla learned to cherish her current family as much as she missed her mother. Without this time, she wouldn’t have deeply realized the value of family.

She had her father, her siblings, and her beloved Aster. That was enough.

It’s best to leave the longing as it is. Clinging to the past and not living in the present is foolish.

Camilla regained her vigor and replied.

“Yes, we will continue to do well.”

Duke Francis sent her a warm smile. Aster joined the conversation.

“Camilla, I will do even better.”

“You’re already enough.”

“Indeed. My son-in-law will surely do well!”

Duke Francis laughed heartily, lightening the mood. The slightly uncomfortable emotions melted away like snow.

Soon, they finished preparing to extract the fragment from Camilla’s body. Camilla swallowed nervously.

Once this is over, her blocked mana core would open, allowing her to use her abilities.

She had lived thinking she didn’t need abilities. But now that she could use them, she felt strange.

This resolved the disqualification she had as the next head of the family. Duke Francis spoke.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“It will be over soon.”

Encouraged by Duke Francis, Camilla closed her eyes. Aster held her hand tightly.

“Don’t worry. It will be over soon.”

“You seem more nervous than I am.”

Camilla teased, feeling his cold hand. Duke Francis, glancing at Aster, added.

“Your husband is trembling for you, so you must be relieved.”

“That’s right.”

Camilla giggled and kissed Aster’s hand.

“Wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll wait.”

Aster kissed Camilla’s hand in return. The solemn act made Duke Francis clear his throat lightly.

Seeing his daughter and son-in-law so affectionate even in front of him warmed his heart.

Soon, the dismantling of the Maved Stone fragment began.

* * *

Meanwhile, Duke Blanche was in ecstasy, having his life’s masterpiece before him.

“Finally, it’s in my hands.”

The stone’s brilliant red light captivated him. It was indeed the Maved Stone. Just looking at its light for a moment felt mesmerizing.

It was more precious than any treasure. But it wasn’t made to be admired with the eyes alone. Now it was time to implant it into his body.

When they experimented with the damaged Maved Stone, only Marco, who had it implanted in his heart, survived. Those who had it implanted elsewhere all died of shock.

So this time, they planned to implant it in the heart. Ancestors with ancient abilities had their mana cores visible outside their bodies.

Having such a weakness exposed led to natural evolution, resulting in the current mana core.

The Duke, ironically, wanted to return to the ancient ways, not realizing how absurd it was.

After caressing the Maved Stone for a while, the Duke handed it to the researcher mage.

“Begin.”

“Yes.”

The researcher mage briefly answered and began crafting the magical formula.

* * *

Dismantling the Maved Stone fragment was simpler than expected. Once the fragment blocking her mana core was gone, Camilla felt much lighter.

“How do you feel?”

Aster asked gently, stroking her hair. He had held her hand and encouraged her throughout the process. Now, he was clearly worried about any side effects she might experience.

Seeing him, Camilla felt like teasing him a bit and murmured blankly.

“Who are you?”

“!!”

Aster’s eyes widened at her words. His silver eyelashes trembled. His red eyes, quickly filling with tears, looked at her sorrowfully.

“Don’t you remember me?”

His expression was so desperate that it almost made her laugh. Camilla quickly lowered her head and murmured.

“I don’t remember well. How could I not recognize such a handsome man?”

“……”

“Were we acquainted before?”

Aster flinched at her nonchalant response. If she teased him any further, there might be repercussions, so she decided to stop.

Just as she was about to reveal the truth, Aster suddenly met her gaze and whispered softly.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to remember. Your body will remember anyway.”

“What?”

“I’ll make you remember.”

Aster finished his words and leaned in for a kiss. Startled by his sudden action, Camilla blocked his lips with her hand.

“W-wait a minute!”

What kind of husband tries to kiss first in such a situation?

Her face flushed, but Aster showed no signs of retreating. Instead, he kissed her palm deeply.

“Ugh.”

The warmth of his lips lingered on her hand. He whispered softly with deep eyes.

“Do you remember now?”

Somehow, he seemed to have figured it all out.