Episode 140

[Well, if it comes down to it, I could just forcefully break the barrier, so don’t worry.]

At Askan’s casual words, I shook my head firmly.

“That’s not an option. If we fail to calm Bergeus, the damage could spread beyond the lake.”

Even now, despite the violent rage of the furious dragon, the nearby residents remained blissfully unaware.
That was all thanks to the barrier surrounding Aisil Lake.

The ancient barrier had stood since time immemorial, never once breaking, protected and maintained under Chetwind’s care.

“If anything happens, it really could lead to destruction.”

Just like in my visions.

Seeing how serious my face had become, Askan’s voice came, tinged with a faint chuckle.

[You’ve changed, Sierra. You’re not the same girl I met back then. You’ve turned into a little worrywart, like an old woman.]

“I have more to protect now.”

It was only recently that I had begun to realize just how precious even the smallest moments were.
Among the many passing encounters, some had locked into place like fate.
And I had come to realize that I was never truly alone—there were so many people around me.

“Whether it’s Bergeus or Hertz, I’m not going to let anything be taken away from me.”

Even now, the grim visions I once foresaw sometimes haunted my dreams.

The future where Ludwig, under the mental domination of the berserk evil dragon, destroyed the empire.
The future where Ludwig, at the end of it all, met a lonely death.

He was someone who, though awkwardly warm and mischievously kind, deserved so much more.
He was not someone who should meet such a meaningless end.

Still, there was something that gnawed at me lately:
In the end, I had never seen the complete ending of that vision.

I had reincarnated with just five chapters left before the original novel’s conclusion.

What kind of story had followed after the empire fell into ruins and most of the main characters met their deaths?
I could never know.

As I struggled to shake off the uneasy feeling, Askan let out a soft laugh and said,

[Do you really think you’ll figure anything out by worrying over it now? You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring.]

“That’s true. You really do have the wisdom of the ages, Askan.”

[Well, I have lived a few thousand years longer than you, after all.]

As Askan said, there was no use trying to figure it out now.

At this moment, even just focusing on what needed to happen tomorrow was overwhelming enough.

* * *

The next morning, as the sun rose, I headed to the grand dining hall for breakfast.

Chetwind Castle, seen in the early morning, had a different atmosphere than at dusk.
It felt leisurely and peaceful.

Somehow, the grand mansion, owned by an elderly couple, felt warm and familiar.

As the head maid led me through the hallways toward the dining hall, I caught sight of Catherine and Harry taking a relaxed morning stroll outside the corridor window.

Walking side by side, adjusting their pace to match each other under the soft morning sunlight, they looked so natural together that I found myself wondering if someday I might be like that, too.

Seeing where my gaze had landed, the head maid chuckled.

“The two of them have such a wonderful bond.”

“They really do.”

“For decades now, they’ve always shared their morning strolls. They’re truly inseparable.”

The head maid seemed filled with pride toward the masters she served.

“Inseparable…”

No one knows what tomorrow might bring, but I wondered—who would be walking beside me far in the future?
Right now, there was only one person I wished for.

Ludwig Karsian.
Today, for some reason, I missed him even more.

If I could just finish things with Bergeus, I would go straight to him.
And finally confess the feelings that had blossomed and the sincerity I hadn’t been able to express before.

At the grand dining hall, I soon joined the Count and Countess for breakfast.

The meal, seemingly prepared with the chef’s utmost devotion, brought tears to my eyes the moment I took my first bite.

“How is it, Sierra? Does the food here at Chetwind suit your taste?”

“It’s so delicious, I’m honestly overwhelmed.”

Hearing my words, the chef, who had been peeking at us from afar, looked like he was about to cry from joy.

Surprisingly, southern cuisine suited my tastes perfectly.

Catherine and Harry, watching me with pleased smiles, seemed deeply moved.

“It looks like the chef put in extra effort just for you today. I’m glad.”

Then Harry turned to me and asked,

“By the way, is there any place you’d like to visit while you’re in the south?”

Finally, the question I had been waiting for. I immediately started my little act.

“Um… well, there is a place I want to see, but I think it might be difficult.”

As I mumbled hesitantly, Harry responded, as if it were the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard,

“Difficult? There’s no place in the south a granddaughter of Chetwind can’t go.”

“Really…?”

“Of course. Just name it.”

“There’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit… Aisil Lake, located deep within the Detil Forest behind the estate.”

“Aisil Lake?”

Catherine repeated my words, sounding slightly surprised.

“No one’s visited there in a long time. I do have the key to the barrier, but I’ve never actually gone there myself.”

Seizing the chance, I smoothly delivered the excuse I had prepared.

“As you know, the waters of Aisil Lake are said to amplify supernatural powers.”

“That’s true.”

“Even though I’m the heir to Drenihan, I’m still not truly recognized. Compared to Thergon and Serkhan, who led Drenihan’s golden age, I fall far short…”

I deliberately lowered my eyes and looked pitiful. Sparks lit up in Catherine and Harry’s eyes immediately.

“Was it the Drenihan side branches who said that? Or their retainers? Those insolent wretches—I won’t let them be!”

“Clearly, we should pass the Chetwind title to you instead. Drenihan doesn’t deserve you as their heir!”

Their intense reactions startled me a little, but I kept a calm face and continued.

“Still, I want to be properly acknowledged as Drenihan’s heir, even if it means borrowing the lake’s power.”

“If that’s what you truly wish…”

Almost there.
After all, they had no idea that Bergeus had awakened.
The lake had been peaceful for nearly a thousand years; they had no reason to refuse.

They probably thought the granddaughter, who had spent all her life in the capital, was just curious about a lake she had read about.
An innocent girl, hoping to use the magic waters to gain recognition.

After a moment of thought, Catherine finally spoke.

“Only the person holding the key can pass through the barrier. You’ll have to go alone. Are you alright with that?”

“Of course. I’m not a child anymore.”

Naturally, I had to go alone.
I couldn’t drag them into such a dangerous place.

Even so, Catherine and Harry looked at me with worried expressions, like they were seeing a child about to wander near water’s edge.

And that’s when I landed the final blow.

“I’ve always wanted to go there… Grandpa, Grandma.”

When I said those words—calling them grandpa and grandma for the first time—their eyes widened.

The impact was tremendous.

“Ahem. How could we refuse when she asks so sweetly? Let’s give her the key, Catherine.”

Harry cleared his throat, trying to hide his emotions.

“Of course. How could we say no after such an adorable plea? Should we give her the treasury key too, while we’re at it?”

“Good idea. What use is a hoard of gold just sitting there?”

I quickly waved my hands in panic at the two who were getting carried away.

“No, no, just the barrier key, please. That’s more than enough, haha…”

Hearing my refusal, the two looked genuinely disappointed.

“But we want to give it to you…”

No, giving the treasure vault key wasn’t the same as handing a child a toy!

I broke out in a cold sweat, doing my best to calm them down throughout the meal.

And in the end, I succeeded.
I obtained the key to open the barrier around Aisil Lake.

* * *

“Here is the entrance leading to Aisil Lake.”

I smiled and spoke to Bayden, who had guided me to the forest embracing the lake.

“Thank you for guiding me, Bayden.”

Bayden, just like the Count and Countess had been, couldn’t hide his worried gaze.

“Are you really going to be alright? Recently, there have been strange signs around Aisil Lake.”

He said that while the Count and Countess had been staying in the capital for a few days, he had heard rumors spreading in nearby villages.

Rumors that animals living in the forest were suddenly fleeing, and birds were moving their nests — strange signs being observed.

“If the evil dragon really has awakened…”

“Come on, if the evil dragon had really awakened, would it still be this peaceful?”

Feeling like Harry and Catherine might come running immediately if they heard such rumors, I quickly stepped into the forest.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”