143.

Dante was slumped, bound in chains.

‘How much time has passed?’

‘Has the Guild Master administered the Nyx potion?’

Countless thoughts swirled in his mind, tangled and jumbled.

But the destination of all these thoughts was…

‘Elze.’

The only woman who had given meaning to his life amidst the dozens, hundreds of cycles.

‘I wonder if she’s okay.’

Through his blurry vision, Elze’s image flickered.

She was like the most precious and sweetest thing gathered from all the world’s riches.

Her figure, fragrant like a single rose…

‘Is she holding up well in the safe house?’

‘I hope she’s not doing anything reckless.’

Dante, desperately thinking, forced a bitter smile.

If only once…

He wanted to hold her warm body, kiss her passionately…

And tell her… he loved her.

But at that moment…

Click, clack.

Faint footsteps echoed from far off.

Dante, his eyes shut weakly, snapped his eyelids open.

The weariness from before was gone, and his red eyes gleamed sharply, like a predator’s.

Clank, clink!

The door to the solitary confinement room, previously locked, swung open.

The figure that appeared beyond it was…

“Guild Master.”

It was Benedict.

Benedict, who had been inspecting Dante with a complicated gaze, let out a sigh as he spoke.

“Are you eating properly? Sleeping well?”

“Like a cat worrying about a mouse.”

Dante scoffed briefly.

“You don’t look so great yourself. What’s with your hand?”

Indeed, Benedict’s left hand was wrapped in bandages.

Whatever the reason, it seemed to be badly injured.

Benedict, casting a casual glance at his own hand, muttered quietly.

“…You were right.”

“What?”

For a moment, Dante doubted his ears.

The deep sense of self-loathing that Benedict couldn’t quite hide lingered on his refined face.

“Duke Kalleid and I… we are sinners in Lady Lepherian’s eyes.”

Benedict gritted his teeth and continued.

“But I can’t…”

“…”

“I don’t know how to atone for my sins.”

Benedict lifted his head slightly.

His haggard face resembled a crumbling ruin, with only the foundation left.

“What should I do?”

With a despondent look, Benedict asked.

“How can I apologize to her?”

“Well, you should have done that when she was still here.”

Dante answered sharply, narrowing his brow.

“Not that I’m in any position to say so.”

“…”

Silence descended.

After a moment, Benedict spoke in a heavy tone.

“I’ve altered the magic circle’s formula so that Duke Kalleid can regain his memories.”

“Regain his memories?”

“Yes. And, as you know, supplying magical power to the magic circle is an extremely delicate task.”

Benedict continued.

“Once his memories are restored, he’ll likely suffer a significant psychological shock, so he won’t be able to supply power for a while.”

Dante thought of Lucian.

The boy who, despite the hundreds of time loops, never grew up.

Like a freshly baked cream cake, his fragile mind could be shattered with the slightest impact.

Perhaps Elze had pitied his immaturity, but…

“Well, that little brat.”

Dante said with a sharp tone.

“It’s hard to imagine his mind remaining intact.”

“For the time being, we can buy some time. But…”

Benedict bit his lip.

“…It’s just a temporary measure.”

“…”

“We still haven’t found a way to stop the time-reversal magic itself. So…”

“Hey, Guild Master.”

At that moment, Dante cut Benedict off mid-sentence.

“Can you trust me?”

Where did that come from?

Benedict furrowed his brow, staring at Dante.

Dante’s clear red eyes pierced through Benedict with sharp intensity.

“I have a way. Would you like to hear it?”

* * *

Thus, on an afternoon when the heavy, gloomy silence of a snowstorm hung in the air, the magic circle was finally completed.

Marguerite gazed at the magic circle with a weary expression.

‘Can we go back this time?’

She stared at the magic circle for a long time before squeezing her eyes shut.

‘Please.’

At times, Marguerite felt like she was a cracked glass cup, fragile and about to shatter.

It was no wonder.

The countless failures and the cycles of time had relentlessly worn down her mind.

She felt as though even the slightest touch could make her collapse.

Marguerite took a deep breath.

‘Please, let me go back…’

And then, just then…

“Lady Marguerite.”

Someone called her name.

Turning around, she found Lucian, who had descended into the basement, staring at her silently.

Marguerite forced a smile.

“Ah, Lucian. How are you feeling today?”

“I feel much better. Thank you for your concern.”

It was a relief to see that Lucian was feeling better than before.

Marguerite clicked her tongue inwardly.

‘I wish Lucian could be a bit more easygoing.’

Since Lucian was responsible for supplying magic to the entire circle, his role was crucial.

The problem was his naturally sensitive temperament.

Not only his physical health, but his mental state also needed to be carefully watched.

In the past, his sensitivity had caused several issues when trying to activate the time-reversal magic…

“Is everything ready?”

Marguerite asked, and Lucian nodded.

“Yes.”

“Good. Then…”

Just as they were talking,

Clank, clink!

The loud noise of chains dragging on the floor echoed sharply.

“You damn bastard, let go!”

The sounds of struggling and shouting.

It was obvious what was happening.

Dante, who had refused to go quietly, was probably thrashing around.

A moment later,

Benedict entered, dragging Dante in with his hands restrained. He bowed slightly to Marguerite.

“Apologies for the wait, Lady Marguerite.”

Marguerite, whose gaze had been alternating between Benedict and Dante, gave a quick, sly smile.

“I’m fine. As for Dante… hmm, he’s quite lively.”

Dante, who had been glaring at Benedict, turned his fierce gaze toward Marguerite.

Even this growling, defiant expression was familiar.

Every time he regained the memory of ‘Elze,’ Dante always rebelled against her in the same way.

Marguerite, who had been briefly watching Dante, suddenly spun around.

“There’s no need to delay any longer. Shall we begin?”

“We shall proceed.”

Benedict, lowering his head once more, yanked the chain wrapped around his hand.

“Follow me.”

Clink!

The chain wrapped around Dante’s body was pulled taut.

“You damn…”

Dante ground his teeth, but his body was in no condition to resist further.

‘I made sure to handle him roughly on purpose.’

With sleep deprivation and extreme fatigue, it was difficult for Dante to even maintain his balance.

Marguerite’s expectations were spot on.

Crash!

Dante was roughly thrown onto the magic circle.

“Ugh.”

Dante stifled a groan.

At the same time, the magic circle, recognizing his presence, began to hum faintly, vibrating.

The magic circle was beginning to activate.

“Finally…”

Gazing at the magic circle, which hungrily sought his magical power, Benedict’s emerald green eyes were filled with exhilaration, trembling slightly.

Despite having witnessed this scene hundreds of times, each time, this moment always made his heart race like a young girl falling in love for the first time.

Then, without hesitation, Benedict stepped into the magic circle.

Once again, the magic circle glowed brightly, shining pure white.

As Lucian watched the scene unfold, he tried to calm the stirring emotions within him.

‘That’s right, Lady Lepherian is nothing but a wicked woman trying to deceive me.’

This world has no value.

I will finally escape this false world and become free…

Marguerite, her eyes sparkling, turned to Lucian.

“Lucian, it’s your turn.”

“Yes.”

Lucian stepped resolutely into the magic circle.

At that moment…

“Ahh!”

A sharp scream erupted from Lucian’s mouth.