Cling—! Cling, clang—!0

Through the chorus of clashing blades, Sophien walked the corridor, her eyes locked on the back of the man who led her fearlessly through the old mansion. As Empress, it might have been the first time she had ever spent so long watching someone’s back—until now.0

"... You’re the Professor from the mirror?” Sophien asked.0

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Deculein replied.0

Sophien’s memories replayed, taking her back to that endless cycle of death and suffering under poisoning—years she had witnessed in their entirety through the Demon’s Mirror, right up to the moment the Professor met his final end.0

"Are you saying the timeline has been divided?"0

"I cannot say with certainty, Your Majesty. But I am not a soul—I am memory and mind," Deculein replied.1

Deculein from the mirror appeared as composed as ever, his tone resolute yet polite as he addressed the Empress.0

"The mental strength that once delayed my death remained in the afterlife, enduring even Your Majesty’s regression. It was not the outcome I intended, but perhaps I remain because of Your Majesty’s wish."0

"A wish...? Then answer me this—where is Deculein now?" Sophien asked.0

"Most likely, he is conversing with the ghosts of the afterlife. Even here, in this old mansion, there are still a few whose minds remain noble—souls deserving of respect. Iggyris is one such," Deculein replied. 0

“... Was it you, Deculein, who placed your signature on the bulletin board for participation?”0

“Yes, Your Majesty.”0

I imagine Deculein must have seen his own signature on the bulletin board, the signature of participation—and in that moment, realized the existence of his other self, Sophien thought.2

"Your Majesty, I ask that you remain here until the sun rises," Deculein said, leading the Empress into a cramped room—the sort of place not meant for royalty, but for the comings and goings of the Imperial Palace’s lowest servants, such as gardeners and attendants.0

"This place lies on the boundary between...0