“That’s impossible. It’s just too impossible…”

I gripped the railing of the stairs leading to the seventh floor.

My legs gave out, and I couldn’t move any further.

How could such a thing be possible?

The only way it made sense was if he had lied about losing all his memories or if everything he claimed to have read in the books was a lie.

But neither could be a lie.

He had clearly said that all of his memories, including those of me, were gone, and he had no reason to lie to me about that.

If how he found the location of Ridit, the recipe, and the way to Wiltsbrook Castle was a lie, how on earth did he know those things?

The situation, which made no sense, felt entirely true, and a sudden headache overwhelmed me.

It felt like my head was going to split.

“Who… are you?”

I gritted my teeth and started climbing the stairs again.

I held the railing as if it were a lifeline.

With each difficult step, memories of the times I’d seen him passed through my mind, one by one.

Now that I think about it, there was something strange about him.

“…Were you always this good at dancing?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Then why…… Ah, is this also because of coming back to life?”

“Perhaps.”

“I am someone who must defeat the tyrant.”

“…What?”

“I think that’s the reason I was brought to this world.”

“Does it feel like I’ve changed so much that I seem like a different person?”

“I can’t say you haven’t.”

“…”

“But right now, you’re still the Alec I know. Even though you’ve gained unbelievable abilities… you’re still my husband. Right? You’re still ‘you’…”

“I’m not a good person anymore.”

“…..”

“I’ve lied to you before. I’ve hidden things from you.”

“…..”

“I thought you would be suspicious of me.”

“…”

It was as if time had stopped; no sound could be heard.

At the time, I didn’t think much of his words, but now that I reflect on them, there was truth hidden in what he said.

Suddenly, I stood frozen, unable to move, and the sound of dust drifting in the air or the faint crackling of the candles became imperceptible.

This silence felt like my entire surroundings had become a vacuum.

Even with my eyes open, I saw nothing, an endless void…

It felt as though time and space had come to a halt.

In this surreal state, as if I were in another world, I instinctively realized one thing.

He had never lied to me.

He had already subtly revealed his truth to me multiple times.

He hadn’t lost his memory.

He simply didn’t have my husband’s memories from the start.

Then, who… could he possibly be?

The moment I realized he wasn’t my husband, it felt like all the doubts were resolved.

He knew everything about this world, even the locations of Ridit and Wiltsbrook Castle, which no one else knew.

* * *

“Check on how they’re doing in the north.”

Harriet recalled the emperor’s orders as he gazed at the quiet castle, where everyone had fallen asleep.

The castle was so grand that its existence seemed unreal, almost as if the Rilt Empire couldn’t possibly have such a structure. Yet, there it stood in the darkness, flaunting its presence.

It was a castle so magnificent it could take anyone’s breath away.

It didn’t feel like a mere building; it was as if a noble spirit resided within its walls.

Suddenly, he felt his sword quiver as if impatient.

[I’m bored.]

“…”

[I’m hungry.]

“…”

Ah, it was because of this thing that he came all the way here.

If his sword didn’t cut anything or taste blood, it couldn’t stand the boredom and would pester him.

He almost told it to shut up, but instead, Harriet gritted his teeth and drew the sword.

“Fine. I’ll scratch your back, at least.”

BAM!

As he struck, a flash of light followed, and a tree cracked and collapsed.

The sound of leaves falling echoed through the deep forest connected to Wiltsbrook Castle, as if the entire forest trembled in fear.

Just as Harriet was about to sheathe his sword again, the blade muttered indifferently.

[I never said I was a vegetarian. I’m a carnivore—!]

“Shut up.”

Click.

Harriet simply shoved the sword back into its scabbard.

As much as he wanted to cut it in half out of annoyance, he couldn’t.

This sword was the legendary heirloom of the Blue-Eyed Knights, passed down through generations of the Warden family.

The Blue-Eyed Sword was forged with the most sacred and powerful holy energy.

In this empire, there was no other holy sword except for the Blue-Eyed Sword.

There were records from a long time ago that the spirit within this sword used to speak, but no one believed it to be true.

For nearly hundreds of years, it had been no different from an ordinary sword, merely an object.

However, the Blue-Eyed Sword, which Harriet inherited, literally opened its eye.

The eye-shaped decoration at the base of the hilt opened, revealing a blue eyeball.

Even now, thinking back to that moment, Harriet still feels a heart-stopping shock.

It was none other than the emperor who breathed life into the Blue-Eyed Sword.

“Did you see? This sword will now become the strongest sword in our empire.”

“Y-Your Majesty.”

“No one will be able to defeat this sword. From now on, become the strongest knight and lead my empire, Harriet.”

At that moment, Harriet felt the blood in his body boil.

Did the emperor possess such power?

Was the new emperor of their empire truly someone with such extraordinary and powerful abilities?

It was nothing short of astonishing and shocking.

Harriet wasn’t the type to genuinely admire anyone, but he couldn’t help but acknowledge the emperor.

Since joining forces with the emperor, Harriet had become incomparably stronger than before.

After the sword gained life, the connection between him and the sword became more intricate over time.

Harriet named the sword “Blue Eye,” and there was no other sword in the world that could surpass it.

Now, the sword was practically an extension of him, and he felt such a kinship with Blue Eye that it was as if the sword was him and he was the sword.

Even though it annoyed him to the point that he felt the urge to break it dozens of times a day, without Blue Eye, he would lose all his power.

Harriet had no desire to destroy the sword and ruin himself in the process.

But why did he want to kill this damned sword so much?

“As a holy sword, you should at least try enjoying some vegetables.”

Bang! Bang!

Harriet unsheathed the sword again and swung it mercilessly.

A flash erupted like lightning, ripping through the forest as if tearing paper.

The sword’s body trembled violently, as if experiencing seasickness.

[Aargh, disgusting!]

“As a sword, you should know your place! How dare you boss around a human! Taste some wood, you bastard!”

[Ack! I hate grass!]

The sword screamed.

In response, a vibration surged through Harriet’s wrist, as if his bones would shatter.

Yet, he didn’t stop and cut down dozens of trees.

Battling with Blue Eye like this was an everyday occurrence for him.

He had no desire to let the arrogant sword get the better of him.

The reason was simple: the sword gave off an unpleasant feeling, as if it was trying to devour him whole.

It was filled with thoughts of slaughter, wanting to consume his consciousness entirely.

With Blue Eye’s abilities, it could kill everyone in the Rilt Empire and still not be satisfied.

He didn’t mind if the sword wanted to kill people, but he couldn’t tolerate a mere sword trying to surpass him.

[I was wrong! I was wrong, Master!]

Blue Eye begged frantically, but Harriet continued his onslaught.

His eyes burned so intensely that it seemed they would turn to ash.

In his mind, the emperor’s other order resurfaced without fail.

“And after you inspect the north, bring the viscount’s wife to the imperial palace. She will become the new empress.”

There was no reason to stay in the north any longer, so it was time to carry out the remaining orders.

Wouldn’t there soon be an opportunity to let Blue Eye taste the blood it so craved?

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories