NOVEL WEB Chapter 186
Chapter 186. Her Wish
──She could feel it coming.
(…Stop it.)
The Archbishop’s magic, his thoughts. They were breaking through the walls of her mind, shattering the unconscious barriers she had erected as a fellow magic user of the same lineage. She could feel it invading her.
(…I don’t want this.)
Even as she understood it, even as she became aware of it, there was no way to resist anymore. Because—
[Hahahahahaha!]
The Archbishop’s thoughts, invading and trampling over her. His magical power, his spells—they were far too overwhelming.
[Now, it’s time to end this, little girl! Bow before me, become a servant of God. You shall be the foundation of the divine kingdom we will build here!]
Archbishop Johann von Canterber.
A man of terrifying will, dreadful thoughts, and an unshakable resolve. Regardless of the direction of that resolve, he was undoubtedly a man worthy of standing at the pinnacle of the Church.
[Give up. No matter what you do, no matter how much you struggle! I will never stop until I achieve my ideals. Do not think for a moment that someone like you can hinder my progress!]
She had nothing like that. She couldn’t find it.
That’s why she couldn’t deny the Archbishop’s words. She couldn’t help but think he was right.
…There’s no way I can win against this.
Against his strength, against her own weakness. Her heart had already broken… and now, she had no means or will left to resist.
[──It’s over.]
As if understanding this.
The Archbishop tore through Nina’s heart, destroying every corner of it. Finally, at the very end, as he reached out to rip apart the girl curled up in the depths of her own soul—
──He stopped.
[…………Huh?]
(…………Eh?)
Coincidentally, both Archbishop Johann and Nina voiced the same question.
The Archbishop’s hand, extended to destroy the core of Nina’s heart, was stopped just before her.
──By a faint, emerald-green wall.
[……What is this?]
While the Archbishop’s thoughts were filled with further doubt, Nina also raised her head and reached out.
The moment she touched the semi-transparent, warm wall, she understood what it was.
Because—it was the magic she was most familiar with.
(──[Il Felrina])
Her Bloodline Magic, the magic of enchantment. It had been cast on her.
The question of who had done it was immediately answered. After all, as far as she knew, there was only one other person who could use it besides herself.
(It’s Herm’s [Il Felrina]. But when!? How did he get past the Archbishop’s foresight──!!)
There was only one possible timing. She realized it immediately.
──It was when he faced Lilliana.
At that time, the princess had been able to use “Hermes’ magic” through a mysterious black crystal artifact. She had wielded powerful [Theur Gy] and various other spells he had recreated.
Then, it wouldn’t be strange if [Il Felrina] had been among them.
During the battle, Lilliana had secretly cast it among other spells.
If it had been any other offensive spell, even if cast secretly, Nina would have sensed it… no, even if it had been [Il Felrina], if it had been the kind of spell that controlled actions, she would have noticed.
Because, as Hermes had once told her… she was terrifyingly sensitive to magic that could harm her.
But this spell.
This [Il Felrina] was different. It carried no malice, only the opposite. It had no intention of suppressing her actions, purely extracting the effect of “simply enchanting”. That’s why Nina hadn’t noticed it, and why it had slipped into her heart unnoticed.
And.
The second rule of mind-altering magic.
──“The one who casts first holds overwhelming advantage”.
An enchantment cast beforehand, leveraging that rule.
What it meant was one thing.
(…He understood everything. He protected me.)
Hermes had anticipated everything—the abnormality of the Archbishop’s brainwashing magic, the high likelihood that its fangs would turn toward Nina. Even in that situation, where the Archbishop’s foresight had severely limited their options. Despite being in the most disadvantageous position, where he was most likely to be read.
He had still done everything he could. He had taken advantage of the moment when the foresight was disrupted to set things in motion, using Lilliana—the one person the Archbishop couldn’t read—to execute the plan perfectly, slipping past the Archbishop’s notice. And by ensuring even Nina wouldn’t notice, he had completely eliminated the possibility of detection.
And so, at this moment.
In the most critical situation, he had thwarted the Archbishop’s most deadly move. To protect Nina, he had cast an enchantment beforehand to shield her heart.
…Nina remembered.
Back at the academy, when they had parted. The words he had told her.
[And so—if your wish is truly from the heart. If your feelings are beautiful, unashamed before anyone.]
[Then, rely on me.]
[At that time—I promise I will stand by you to the best of my ability.]
Words that had supported her all this time.
But at the same time… words she had thought were impossible. In this situation, where it was nearly impossible for him to even meet her, let alone talk to her. No matter how much she struggled, she had thought it would be impossible for him to help her.
But she was wrong.
He had kept his promise. Even without being able to speak, he had carefully deduced her situation, and as he had declared, he had done everything in his power. And now, here, at the very last moment, he had prepared a brilliant spell to protect her from the brutal assault on her heart.
She touched the emerald wall again.
And then… she felt it.
──I’m sorry I could only do this much.
──I’m sorry for making you endure such a painful situation. But… don’t give up.
She felt as if she could hear his voice, the feelings he had poured into this spell.
(──I see.)
And then, the girl realized.
The place where her heart resided. The direction of her feelings.
What it was that she should hold onto.
At that moment, the Archbishop’s thoughts screamed.
[Ha. What is this──what do you think this is!?]
He raised his arm again. This time, he poured his strength into destroying the emerald wall that was obstructing the destruction of her heart.
…That’s right. The Archbishop’s brainwashing magic, combined with his usual methods, was beyond ordinary. It had pierced through all the rules—the rule that excessive alterations were impossible, the rule that it wouldn’t work on those of the same magical lineage.
Then, there was no reason why even the rule of “the one who casts first holds the advantage” wouldn’t be pierced.
[It seems this magical power is Hermes interfering again! But I told you, didn’t I? Do not think something so trivial can hinder my progress!]
Moreover, Hermes’ understanding of mind-altering magic was still shallow.
Compared to the Archbishop, who had been using brainwashing magic for years, there was still a significant gap in their skill as spellcasters. Even if the one who cast first held the advantage, it was still entirely possible for the Archbishop to overturn it and destroy his spell.
[Now, this time, it’s over!]
With that certainty, the Archbishop’s thoughts swung his arm for the third time.
…But.
That was only if the Archbishop’s magic could fully exert its power… only if the usual methods of brainwashing were effective. In other words.
──It was only if Nina’s heart remained broken.
[……Why?]
The Archbishop stopped again.
Not because he was blocked by Hermes’ emerald wall—but because of the power filling the entire space… the power of the true owner of this heart, trying to expel the invader.
Understanding this, the Archbishop’s thoughts turned forward. There,
[……What, what are you?]
Standing there, with a completely different expression than before, was the girl.
In her beautiful golden eyes shone a radiant resolve… the kind of resolve the Archbishop hated most.
[Why are you making that face!? You, of all people, now!?]
With clear disgust, the Archbishop’s thoughts screamed.
[What do you think standing up now will accomplish!? What dream are you seeing!? What can someone like you possibly do!? You, who have no wishes, who are insignificant, who have been swept along—]
“I do…”
But then.
With the strongest, most certain will she had ever mustered, she simply replied.
“I do… I had one.”
Nina von Frodait remembered.
The words that had broken her. The cursed words that had just been spoken through the mouth of her former brother.
[How can someone who wields a Bloodline Magic that twists the hearts of those they love… ever become something wonderful?]
That had bound her.
She hated this magic. Even if she didn’t want to admit it, she hated the thought of unconsciously using this magic and causing tragedy. She hated herself for using such a pathetic excuse to avoid trying hard, for keeping everyone at a distance and living a aimless life.
…But, in truth.
That’s why—in truth.
“I had one. Even I… had a wish.”
She had thought it was because she couldn’t have a grand wish.
She had thought it was because she couldn’t have something as wonderful as saving the world. That’s why she had drawn a line, thinking she could never stand in such a place. She had given up.
…But now.
Now, she thought it was okay. His magic had made her think that. So.
“It’s not as big as yours. It’s not as wonderful as Katia-sama’s. It’s not something I can pursue as relentlessly as Sara.”
She defined her own feelings.
She retrieved the original wish that had started from the curse of that day, the wish she had forgotten amidst everything that had happened.
“It’s small, and modest. Compared to yours, it’s insignificant.──But it’s the kind of wish any girl would have.”
It was a strange feeling.
Just moments ago, she had been so depressed it felt like the world was ending. She had thought there was no way out, that her heart had completely broken.
But with just one spell, with a simple message, her feelings had completely reversed. She felt like she could do anything, and she laughed at how simple she was.
What do people call that?
She had known it for a long time.
“My wish is…”
It was.
“──I want to fall in love.”
[──]
“Even though I’ve inherited this terrible magic that twists the hearts of those I love, even though I’ve become afraid of getting too close to people. Even though I know all that, I want to meet someone I can love.”
Completely disregarding the Archbishop, who was stunned by the unexpected wish, Nina continued.
“Even someone like me, who can’t take anything seriously, wants to find someone I can do anything for. Someone who makes my feelings burn, someone I can dedicate everything to. I want to experience that kind of wonderful love. I want to find someone who makes me feel that way.──No.”
Pointing at the Archbishop’s thoughts, who was looking at her as if she were some incomprehensible creature, Nina said,
“I’ve already found them. So.”
With a firm will and an unshakable wish, she declared.
“Move aside. I can’t get to Herm if you’re in the way.”
[You—!
The Archbishop raged.
[With something so trivial!? My ideals!?]
“Trivial… well, I suppose it is. I admit it’s not as grand as yours, that’s for sure.──But.”
Pausing for a moment, Nina… smiled.
Even without magic. A smile that could enchant anyone, that could make anyone fall in love.
With a lovely smile, the girl declared.
“Ordinary girls… can risk their lives for such trivial wishes.”
Until now. Even someone like her.
No matter how much hell she went through, no matter how much her heart was worn down. She had been able to move for his sake, to save him. Using that process as the greatest evidence, she declared.
To the Archbishop, who was once again stunned, she continued, “You probably won’t understand, but.”
“So, I’ll say it again. Move aside.”
With a fearless smile. Borrowing his feelings, his way of being, she changed.
“──Something like this won’t stop my love.”
As if returning the favor. She confronted him head-on, throwing her wish at him.
[──!]
Perhaps his rage had reached its limit, as the Archbishop’s thoughts lunged at her without words. Trying to break through the enchantment’s protection, to forcefully bring Nina under the control of his brainwashing.
But now, there was not a trace of fear left in her.
She resisted. She held on.
The Archbishop’s brainwashing magic was powerful. Once it had invaded, it wasn’t easy to repel. Alone, she might not have been able to do anything—but now.
Now, she had his protection. With that as her greatest confidence, she continued to resist.
And then.
“──Now. Herm-kun.”
On the day of the final battle.
What had happened that day had been an exchange with the Archbishop’s brainwashing magic.
That’s why the Archbishop couldn’t know its contents—she had used that to her advantage.
Repelling the brainwashing magic… no, simply repelling it would have made it obvious that it hadn’t worked. So instead, she had used the fact that she had been invaded to make adjustments only someone of the same magical lineage could make.
She had allowed the Archbishop some freedom, while firmly protecting the depths of her heart. That way, she had maintained a state where “on the surface, it seemed like she was brainwashed, but she could break free at any time.”
By doing so, and by maneuvering carefully from there.
She could create a fatal opening for the Archbishop, who believed everything was going according to his plans. Confident in this from the surrounding circumstances, Nina had maneuvered carefully during the final battle.
She had followed his instructions to some extent, and to completely deceive the Archbishop, she had once allowed herself to be pierced—honestly, that had been the hardest and most anxiety-inducing part, but he had quickly understood and accepted it, which had made her happy.
As a result, Hermes’ magic had exploded perfectly as predicted, destroying the Archbishop’s protective measures.
And so, the board had been completely flipped.
The strongest piece had been turned against him, the key piece had flipped.
And now, facing the Archbishop, who had been checkmated.
“──Please.”
“Yeah.”
With a nod filled with joy at his words of trust, Nina faced the Archbishop.
…Archbishop Johann did not believe in goodwill. People who acted on such feelings, he could not help but deny.
──Then, let him be defeated by that very goodwill.
What he couldn’t understand would be his downfall. With that unspoken declaration, Nina kicked off the ground.
Finally. Toward the moment that would end the northern rebellion, the girl ran.