NOVEL NEXT Chapter 78
My late father-in-law’s final testament contained astonishing revelations.
About my father-in-law’s interdimensional reincarnation, reading the novel
And how the entire storyline shifted after the reincarnated Lucian encountered me.
Naturally, the novel’s contents weren’t detailed in full.
During that brief interdimensional experience, my father-in-law couldn’t have comprehended the entire novel.
After his lengthy explanation, Grandfather sighed deeply.
“Initially, I too harbored doubts. Talk of novels and reincarnation – it all sounded preposterous. But this request came from my beloved son, so what choice did I have? Moreover, seeing events unfold just as he predicted, I had no option but to honor his wishes.”
Silently perusing the will, Lucian finally spoke up:
“Was there no mention of the novel’s ending?”
His query regarded hints about the conclusion.
Indeed, the will lacked any discussion on how to reach the desired happy ending.
“Ah, about that… Ahem!”
After composing himself, Grandfather continued:
“Apparently, the rift of light was rapidly closing as they returned. In their haste to escape, your father couldn’t properly review the ending. So he resolved to do his utmost instead. Not knowing what trials lay ahead until the conclusion, he entrusted me to assist you two by any means necessary should dire circumstances arise.”
Though lacking clues about the happy ending, we discovered my father-in-law had been discreetly supporting us all along.
It was he who deliberately brought Lucian and me together for the sake of that happy ending.
Like me, my father-in-law had been striving towards that eventual goal.
“Why don’t we inquire with Sir Robben next? He too traversed that realm, so he may know more.”
* * *
“Lucian…?”
On the way to Sir Robben’s residence, Lucian gazed silently out the carriage window.
Yes, it would understandably be difficult to process all this at once.
My father-in-law’s will contained revelations this world’s people would struggle to accept:
That this realm exists within a novel. And…
“May I ask you something?”
Lucian addressed me in a subdued tone.
Indeed, one could say I had deceived him by concealing my reincarnated nature.
“Do you wish to return to the world you came from?”
My heart sank at the thought.
So preoccupied with merely surviving this novel world, I had never even considered that prospect.
“I’m… not sure.”
My response seemed to trouble Lucian’s expression.
“What was that other world like? The one my father witnessed.”
“Just a place where everyone mindlessly lives day to day. Nothing too special about it.”
“And this place?”
Caught off guard by his sudden question, I faltered over how to respond.
“You mean, this world?”
“Yes, I’m curious what this world means to you.”
What did this world signify for me?
As Lucian’s inquiry lingered, a torrent of memories flashed through my mind:
The kindnesses and cherished moments here.
The betrayals and pains endured.
And the very person seated before me.
“Is this realm merely a fleeting, inconsequential tale in your eyes?”
“No.”
Startled by my uncharacteristic firmness, Lucian’s pupils flickered minutely.
“What fool would invest so deeply in a mere passing dream?”
I had staked my happy ending on this merciless, at times terrifying villain.
“Very well then, let’s see where this path leads.”
No sooner had Lucian finished speaking than our carriage arrived at Sir Robben’s residence.
Yet the scene awaiting our disembarkation defied all expectations.
* * *
“Just what in the world…”
This certainly didn’t match our previous visit.
The golden wheat fields and potato patches surrounding Sir Robben’s home were utterly ravaged.
The once ordinary house’s exterior walls were enveloped in a repulsive, serpentine texture exuding an ominous aura.
“Everyone stand back!”
Halting the knights who had gathered behind us, Lucian approached stealthily in a crouched stance.
Using his mana to turn the doorknob, the door creaked open with an ominous click.
“We’ll enter first, Your Highness.”
Sylonne and Gebino took the lead, cautiously proceeding into the eerily silent interior.
Lucian followed behind them, with me coming last.
“Oh no…”
The devastation within was overwhelming.
Even a cursory glance revealed the intensity of the battle waged here.
The wall adjoining the backyard had been obliterated, all furnishings charred beyond recognition.
“Sir Robben!”
And amidst that warzone lay Sir Robben, both legs shattered as he sprawled helpless on the floor.
“Your… Highness. Lucian… Your Highness…”
Sir Robben painfully called out to Lucian.
“Jonathan! Summon Jonathan, quickly!”
Though grievously injured, Jonathan could surely provide treatment.
Jonathan, who had awaited outside with the other knights, hurried inside in alarm.
“What happened here…?”
Momentarily appalled by Sir Robben’s condition, the still-young Jonathan steadied himself, his healer’s resolve kicking in.
“Shall I attend to him first?”
“Wait, over here!”
Sir Robben’s trembling arm gestured towards his unconscious wife’s prone form.
“My wife… Please, treat her first…”
Jonathan swiftly diagnosed and treated her.
“She yet lives!”
After stabilizing Mrs. Robben’s condition, Jonathan rushed over.
“The mental trauma runs deep, but her physical wounds are relatively mild. Your wife will recover. Sir Robben requires urgent care!”
As a divine power healer, treating the humanoid monster Sir Robben with holy light would inevitably inflict excruciating pain.
Though concerning, they currently lacked alternatives.
“Sir Robben, the divine power will likely cause you immense agony. Can you withstand it?”
While ideally deferring to the Archmage’s expertise, immediate emergency treatment was imperative.
“For a knight… of Felosite… this much is nothing…”
Jonathan extended his hands to assess the injuries.
“Aaaarrrggghhhh! Aaahhhh!”
Sir Robben’s anguished screams reverberated thunderously, shaking the house and fields alike.
A chilling resonance befitting his human-beast nature, far beyond ordinary human capacity.
“His inner beast physiology renders divine power largely ineffective. We must transfer him to the Felosite palace and summon the Master of the Magic Tower urgently.”
As the knights moved to transport Sir Robben-
“Please… save her. That demon… took my daughter…”
He mustered his remaining strength to grasp Lucian’s arm.
“The Great Demon… kidnapped my daughter… Lily…”
Sir Robben then lost consciousness, his hand falling limp.
“Move, quickly!”
Swiftly, the knights bore Sir Robben away towards the awaiting carriage.
Yet Lucian remained rooted to that very spot where Sir Robben had clutched his arm.
“Lucian, why do you hesitate?”
“Prince Liam… Just what does he intend by abducting Sir Robben’s child?”