Chapter 28

I have the memory of my past life.

People who inherit such memories are called "reincarnates," and they are quite rare. However, I, Ralph Redford, am in a special category.

I have been repeatedly living and dying since my first birth, and it has already been over 500 years.

In my first life, I was born as the third son of a poor farming family in a rural village. My parents had no interest in me, and I was always bullied by my older brothers, who were always irritated by something.

Even in such a difficult environment, thanks to her, my world always seemed to shine.

"Sorry, Erika. I got hurt again."

"Really? Are you okay? Let me see."

As usual, I visited Erika's house and showed her the bruises from my brothers. She looked like she was about to cry and gently stroked my head, saying, "That must have hurt."

"May the pain fly away."

When she placed her hand on the bruised area, I was enveloped in a pleasant warmth and light, and the wound disappeared in an instant.

Since childhood, whenever I was injured, she would heal me like this.

I always thought it was a gentle and warm magic, just like her.

"There, you're all better now."

"Thank you, Erika. I always appreciate it."

"No, if you get hurt again, just let me know. And Roy, you work so hard, so don't overdo it."

She smiled softly, her gem-like eyes narrowing, and I liked her. I loved her more than anything, and just knowing she existed made me happy.

"Your birthday is coming up soon, Erika."

"Oh, you remembered?"

"Yes, of course."

Under the pretense of thanking her for healing me, I offered to help with her work and called out to her. Erika smiled, looking a bit troubled.

"You're almost 20, and you're still behind."

"No, that's not true."

She is five years older than me and is already of marriageable age. However, in this rural village, there are people who hold prejudices against her unique magic, and it seems she hasn't found a partner yet.

"It's because Erika is so wonderful, and there's no one who matches her."

"Hehe, Roy, you're so kind."

But I will also be of marriageable age next year. I know I haven't been seen as a man by her yet, but I planned to confess my feelings on her birthday and ask her to wait for me a little longer if she would.

I wondered how she would react if I told her I loved her.

It was a little scary, but I was also excited to finally share the feelings I had kept hidden for so long.

"...Erika, will she be happy?"

On the day of her 20th birthday, I called her to a nearby forest.

I planned to give her a hair accessory that matched the color of her eyes as a gift and confess my feelings in the flower field she loved.

As I waited, my heart pounding, I suddenly heard rustling leaves behind me.

"Erika—"

Thinking she had arrived, I turned around and was speechless. The hair accessory slipped from my trembling hand.

There was something that seemed to symbolize the end of the world.

I had seen monsters before, but this was different—more terrifying and ominous.

"..."

It seemed to be in pain as it approached, and it looked like it was about to collapse. I instinctively knew I couldn't escape. When it was right in front of me, I thought it was all over.

Instead of pain, a red liquid rained down on me.

It wasn't my blood but someone else's. As I looked up, I saw more blood spilling from her well-shaped, pink mouth.

"...Erika?"

Why, why is Erika like this?

"Ugh, ugh, ugh—"

She stood in front of me, protecting me, as it ate her body. Unfamiliar sounds of squelching and crunching filled the air.

By the time I came to my senses, it was too late. The black thing became more distinct and then disappeared in an instant.

I hurriedly caught her tilting body and was speechless again. The thought of rushing her back to the village for treatment vanished instantly.

There was a gaping hole in her chest, yet she was still alive.

"...Erika, I'm... I'm sorry..."

I had never cursed my own foolishness so much. After she risked her life to protect me, I could do nothing.

She stroked my head with her trembling, blood-soaked hand.

"It's all my fault, everything... I'm so sorry..."

"...Hey, Roy. Life... is a bit better when you... live a little more selfishly..."

"Roy, I... I love you..."

"Roy, you always... held back so much... From now on, do more of what you like... in the places you like..."

Even at a time like this, she was worried about me.

She smiled softly and slowly closed her eyes. Her beautiful emerald eyes would never reflect me again.

◇◇◇

-- How much time has passed since then?

After burying Erika, I became an adventurer and left the village, relentlessly slaying monsters. Perhaps it was a form of atonement.

Her death was my fault because I was weak. I had to constantly blame myself to keep from going mad.

One day, I received a request to slay a monster that occasionally descended on a nearby village and ate people. It was in a ruin.

However, there were more than I imagined, and by the time I had defeated them all, my body was at its limit. I knew I was about to die and collapsed in the deepest part of the ruin.

Did I protect anything, even a little? As I thought about this, I noticed something on the ground.

It was a beautiful green stone. With my last strength, I reached out and gripped it. It reminded me of her eyes.

...I want to see Erika again.

If there is a god, please let me meet her again. This time, I will protect her. With this foolish wish in my heart, I closed my eyes.

And so, my foolish life was supposed to end.

"Oh, what a cute child."

"Doesn't it look like you?"

But in the next moment, in the blurry world, I heard a man and a woman talking happily.