Chapter 147 - 2-29
"Rachel! Are you alright?!"
I must have turned pale as I began to tremble uncontrollably. I was filled with terror. Ah, he knows.
Even with limited information, someone as brilliant as Louis-sama must have realized the truth of my current situation. When he first learned of the Spirit of Darkness's power, he seemed to have noticed something, though he never asked me about it. But this event must have connected all the dots. He likely knew why I had lost my magic and how I had received the protection of the Dark Spirit King.
And now, the person I least wanted to know had discovered my ugly past—the way I had acted arrogantly and harmed the former Saint just as those around me encouraged.
"I-I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."
"You don't need to apologize. You don't need to be afraid, Rachel."
I expected him to be disillusioned. It wouldn't have been strange for him to be furious that I had deceived him. Instead, Louis-sama narrowed his eyes and smiled at me.
"Where you came from, what happened... if you ever want to talk about it, I'm always here to listen. But I have no intention of forcing it out of you."
"Louis-sama... that is far too kind to me. I kept important things from you. I was living a lie."
"...Rachel, I don't see it that way. The Rachel I've seen is a woman who is always straightforward, never gives up, and only looks forward. There is no lie in that."
Louis-sama pressed his hand against the wall and looked me straight in the eye. I couldn't look away, feeling as though I were being pulled into his azure gaze.
"Without the days I spent with you, I would still be a flawed human being who believed everything I knew was correct based on biased information. Rachel, you are undoubtedly the one who changed me."
"Louis-sama..."
It was the same for me. If Louis-sama hadn't always pushed me forward, my perspective would have remained narrow. It was Louis-sama who taught me how wide the world was when I knew nothing.
"The place where I am now might be the future I was meant to follow. A man who lived a hollow life after losing you, putting off even the search for the culprit. The thought of it terrifies me."
Louis-sama stared at his hand and whispered softly. Before I traveled back in time, our relationship could hardly be called good. We only saw each other's surface and never tried to truly know one another.
"...It was a future I created."
"It wasn't just you, Rachel. If you hadn't lost your magic, I might never have tried to know you deeply. It's frightening how much one can lose based on a single choice."
His words made my chest ache.
"Based on a choice... that's exactly right. I was foolish enough to take everything I was given for granted, never seeing what I truly needed to do."
If I hadn't lost everything, I would never have noticed anything—the existence of those who loved me, the people trying to trap me, and the weight of my own actions and words.
"Rachel, I'm sorry. You've come this far carrying both fear and resolve. You've done so well."
"Louis-sama... that's... I only..."
"Thank you, Rachel."
His words brought back memories of the days since I traveled back in time, and a surge of emotions warmed my chest. Louis-sama's expression was so kind and warm, as if he were telling me that the path I had taken was not wrong.
" I will find a way to return to your side immediately and come for you as soon as possible. So, please don't cry."
I... when did I start crying?
I touched my cheek and found my hand wet with tears that had fallen without my noticing.
"Right now, I can't even wipe away your tears. It's truly frustrating to have you right in front of me and be unable to do anything."
Louis-sama pulled back the hand he had reached out toward me with a pained look, then tapped his clenched fist against the wall.
"Please don't forget. No matter how far apart we are, my feelings are with you."
"Yes, I feel the same way."
Louis-sama gave a lonely smile and shifted his gaze to his feet. Following his eyes, I saw the hourglass where the sand was about to run out completely. I looked up with a start, and Louis-sama nodded with a soft smile, saying, "It's time, then."
"Louis-sama... Louis-sama, why... you're disappearing!"
"It's alright, Rachel. If you look at me with such a sad face, I'll want to hold you right this second."
"Louis-sama! I... I will find you right away!"
"No, this is my battle. I will come for you properly, in a way that satisfies the Spirit King. I promise... so... wait... for... me..."
"Louis-sama! Louis-sama! Wait, just a little longer... please!"
The wall that had been transparent began to emit a brilliant light, gradually obscuring Louis-sama's figure. The light grew smaller and smaller until it returned to the original blue orb. My sorrowful voice calling his name was the only thing that echoed through the vast space.
Thank you so much for the bookmarks and comments. They are a great encouragement! This was the long-awaited reunion between Rachel and Louis. I hope you enjoy the upcoming developments.
Also, an announcement regarding the print version: Volume 4 is scheduled for release in March. You can check the cover art by scrolling down. Thank you for your continued support of "The Villainess Who Traveled Back in Time."