2nd Rank Has Returned - Chapter 301



301 – What I sincerely hope for-4

The knowledge about regression was passed on calmly, just as it was first shared with others.

I felt a disconnect between the content of the words and the emotions to the point where I suspected it was a lie.

Although the time period before the regression was described as reminiscent of hell, Leo’s tone of voice was cold, as if he were reading an editorial.

He was like that, so he couldn’t doubt what he said. Because it was a category that transcended time and space, it felt more trustworthy.

＜…That’s how I met the wise man and returned to this era.＞

Although it was explained verbally for several hours, no one thought the explanation was long-winded.

Rather, I could not easily understand them for ‘summarizing’ this long and difficult journey so calmly.

“…Is this really true?”

As the introduction to the will ended, the emperor had to capture all his emotions with trembling eyes.

His eyes showed the same level of shock as when he was caught by the Demon King’s illusion, but at the same time, a completely different direction of astonishment.

[Then it must be a lie?]

The wise man calmly and sarcastically asked the emperor if such astonishment was no longer surprising.

It wasn’t that the emperor didn’t know that and didn’t ask. Because it wasn’t even a question asked to anyone in the first place.

Others also understood the feeling of wanting to ask questions, even if it was the truth.

Those who originally knew about the return were somewhat convinced, but for those who did not know the full story, each sentence of that will could not help but be astonished.

“Leonardo… A returner…”

I couldn’t help but be shocked at the part about being a returner.

“The world has already been destroyed once…?”

I had to be horrified, assuming that the world was already on the path to destruction.

Because they were the ones who came to prevent such a situation in the first place, this confession had no choice but to come across in a different way.

‘…This is a reaction that Leo often said.’

When Ariasviel opened this will, Leo’s words came to mind beautifully from their actions.

Leonardo’s past was not simply a matter of being a regressor.

The people here were proof of failure in that this world had already headed for destruction.

‘…I guess I acted too hastily.’

The seeds of discord that Leo is worried about have already been planted around him.

They simply did not reveal their distrust because they were carrying heavy responsibilities, but the distrust and worry about the future situation melted into their hearts.

[It’s still just an introduction. I haven’t even made a ‘will’ yet.]

By the time Aria’s confidence was weakening, the wise man had already noticed the change in air currents and continued speaking.

As he said, what he just said is a simple explanation of the process, and it is not clear at all what emotions Leo was feeling when he left this will.

“The sheath…”

[Turn it on again. This time, with the holy sword.]

Following the wise man’s instructions, Aria quickly pulled out a black stone and inserted her holy sword into it. The color of the decoration, which used to shine red like Leo’s eyes, now glowed blue like Aria’s eyes.

Leonardo was output as a video again.

As the period entered was during the time when he was Ariaspil’s guardian knight, Leo at the time explained his will so far using a stiff honorific title.

“…?”

Everyone’s eyes widened at the sudden frivolous bottom line. It was reminiscent of ‘Raynold’s’ tone of voice when he lost his memory.

Leonardo’s will gave such warning to those who still had hope that Leo was not dead.

The wise man must have been more embarrassed by Leo’s tone, so he couldn’t bear to watch until the end and looked away.

Their usual external courtesy and attitude were everywhere and their thoughts were criticized one-sidedly.

It wasn’t wrong, but when I said it from my own mouth, I found it dumbfounding.

It was like a wise man making fun of his own death. Because of that attitude, it felt shocking in a completely different way this time.

It was filled with candid remarks, as if he were drunk.

Even if I answered, I wouldn’t have heard, but when I took the trouble to ask the question, people looked at each other without being able to answer.

Aria knew this wasn’t the situation she should be in, but she felt her face blushing for some reason.

Even though her face was red, maintaining a solemn expression was the last courtesy the Reinhardt family could show.

Although the frivolous tone of speech did not change, those who heard it had no choice but to take the words in a completely different meaning.

It may have been a while since he left this will, but things really went as he said.

Leonardo paused several times before opening his mouth. The frivolous attitudes up until now seemed to have reversed to the point where it seemed as if it was an exercise to relieve tension.

The only survivor of the destroyed world asked that.

When the ending ‘give’ was added, it was not advice or advice, but a request.

The situation is too elaborate to be called a coincidence.

As if fate had woven cause and effect for this moment.

Leo’s will became a milestone at a crossroads that could still save Leo.

With a bitter smile, Leonardo briefly mocked himself.

Leonardo smiled softly.

It was the cleanest smile I’ve ever seen, Ariasviel’s eyes filled with tears as she read the will.

Would it have been different for other people?

The man’s life had value and weight.

As if fate crossed, Leonardo’s gaze turned to Ariaspil.

Although it was clearly recorded without any thought, Aria felt like she was truly having a conversation with Leonardo.

Even the wise man thought that she might not be mistaken.

It was clear that the black stone as a keepsake was enough to first reveal that he was a returner, but this was a will that could not be activated without the warrior Ariasviel’s holy sword.

It was a joke and full of illusions, but it was impossible to deny that sentence.

Just as Ariasviel was sad when he found out that Leo was a returner, Leonardo was also sad that Ariasviel was actually a warrior.

At least we knew each other for now.

According to his words, a black stone was woven and placed on Ariaspil’s ring finger.

“This shape is…”

[…It probably didn’t look like that originally.]

The wise man clearly remembers.

Leo always used the basic form of black stone as a bracelet.

Still, I couldn’t help but think that the fact that the ring took that form was Leo’s final will.

Ariasviel looked at the black stone worn as a ring on her ring finger. He clearly wasn’t happy at all even though it was the type of gift he wanted.

In this situation, I felt so sad that I felt like I would burst into tears.

This may be an expression that other people cannot understand.

Because only Aria, who transcended time and space, understood the true intention of the revenge sent by Leo.

The black longsword that Leo brought with him when he returned to Reinhardt’s household happened to be colored in the same color as the ring on his finger.

The holy sword in its sheath trembled sadly.

Even though she was clearly running out of energy to get involved in this world, Black Aria had to reflect on her own careless actions once again.

If it were revenge, it would have been an absolutely perfect hit.

Only in that way was Leonardo able to leave this feeling without hesitation.

It was possible to convey these honest feelings in an unvarnished and cowardly way.

These were the last words spoken by Leonardo as a young man, not as an old man.

The will ended with these words.

After hearing the last part, Aria didn’t say anything and she felt silence for a moment.

No one disturbed her silence.

I couldn’t interfere with them because they had already made a decision that they had thought deeply about.

[…There was no need to persuade.]

They have already decided to save Leo and Aria.

{…That’s what it was about.}

At least this man’s life did not have to be sacrificed in that way.

Lonely Cha Kang-ja, who said he was doing it for himself, but actually benefited others and saved the world.

Giving up the man’s life for survival was already giving up the most important value of being human.

“…Sorry…Sorry! Everyone…!”

Soon, Ameri Esp suddenly cried out an apology.

“The situation is the situation…! Now, suddenly, a report has arrived!”

Another video magic unfolded soon, and the scene being broadcast immediately caught the attention of those who were pondering it.

“…Demon beasts to the devil castle…!”

The demon beasts that were attacking the castle walls all headed towards the demon castle.

A phenomenon too foreign to be called a new attack, even the demonic beasts that were killing people stopped attacking all at once and were locked away in the demon castle.

“…It’s Leo.”

Leonardo was still gaining strength.

The cry Aria made from her holy sword was not meaningless.

“…I have to save it.”

There was no opposition.

Leonardo is saved.

And that won’t just mean his life.