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'Makes me think of the old days.'
Maronius's soul reflected.
Being just a memory fragment, all he could do was recall and replay old memories.
Though he often dwelled on these memories, today they felt particularly cold and bitter.
The reason was simple.
'It's because that green rookie showed up.'
Ever since that black-haired young man's visit, Maronius's soul felt something 'special' about replaying these memories.
Perhaps the stranger's visit had breathed new life into them.
Simply put, they hit different than usual.
'Was I really such a fool?'
Maronius's soul smiled bitterly.
Looking back, his younger self had been incredibly foolish.
Even allowing for youthful inexperience, it was too much.
'Why... why did I push Liria so hard?'
Regretting the past changed nothing.
Yet he kept repeating these regrets, perhaps because human memory and imagination were too powerful.
'I should have trusted Liria more.'
In his imagination, Maronius didn't angrily confront Liria.
Instead, they had a calm discussion and confirmed each other's true feelings.
That would have been the mature, rational solution.
That's how Maronius's soul knew.
It was too difficult a solution for his younger self to achieve.
"[What are you thinking about so deeply?]"
[...You again.]
Lost in thoughts, Maronius's soul frowned at the sudden unfamiliar voice.
The black-haired wizard had returned.
[I've shown you everything there is to see here.]
Maronius's soul said.
That was true.
Even if he wanted to show more, there were no more memories.
He was just a fragment of Maronius's memories after all.
Being just young memories, he couldn't even offer magical advice.
Maronius vaguely guessed this wizard had come seeking knowledge.
That's why it seemed strange.
There were only embarrassing youthful memories here - surely he realized he'd struck out?
[Watching my foolishness repeatedly won't change anything, rookie.]
The meaning was clear: get lost.
Like most ghosts, Maronius's soul loved peaceful rest.
He was just leftover memories of someone dead - what good would come from talking with the living?
While souls with strong regrets and attachments might become evil spirits, that didn't apply to Maronius's soul.
His regrets weren't the kind that could be resolved by clinging to the living.
"[Your memories might be fixed. But your imagination is different, isn't it, Maronius?]"
[?]
"[I know what you imagine.]"
To the dumbfounded soul, Ian boldly declared:
"[I know you fall asleep every night imagining making up with Liria!]"
[?!]
Maronius's soul stared at Ian in shock.
No, how did he know... that wasn't the point!
What was wrong with this crazy bastard?!
He should have been angry, but the direct hit left him speechless.
"[I brought my friend to prove my theory.]"
[...Don't bring random people into others' memories!]
Did he think this was a playground?!
Though he'd let this young upstart view memories somehow, he wasn't about to let strange outsiders waltz in.
Just as Maronius's soul was about to return to security duty-
"[Hello?]"
Maronius's soul met eyes with a red-haired female wizard.
"[Nice to meet you.]"
Maronius's soul trembled.
The moment he saw the red-haired woman, his PTSD kicked in...!
Ugh, the awful memory of saying those terrible things to Liria!
[You, you are...!]
Seeing Maronius's soul's strange reaction, the red-haired wizard - Kira - whispered to Ian.
"Ian. Did I do something wrong?"
"You didn't do anything wrong. He's the one who wronged her. Not you, Liria."
"?"
While Maronius's soul writhed in agony.
Ian just smiled with satisfaction.
This was working even better than expected.
#
"That's the basic idea."
A few hours earlier.
Ian had held a strategy meeting with Kira and Maria.
"So... we're going to act out the memories Maronius wanted to see?"
"Exactly."
This was Ian's plan to persuade Maronius's soul.
Maronius's memories wouldn't change no matter how many times they replayed.
They were his 'real' memories from when he was alive after all.
But... what if Ian stepped in?
"We can move freely in the memory world."
Ian clearly came from outside the memories.
He could move freely, unbound by the fixed memories.
"We'll fix Maronius's mistakes."
Ian and Kira could prevent the fated disaster between Maronius and Liria.
"...But we're not really changing the past."
"That's true."
Of course, it was just a performance - the past wouldn't actually change.
But Ian's goal was convincing Maronius's soul.
To reach back to Maronius's magical prime when he developed all sorts of magic, this younger soul would definitely be helpful.
"If nothing actually changes... will it work?"
Kira expressed slight doubt.
But Ian was confident.
The plan would definitely work.
"Nobody dislikes correcting their past mistakes."
This was proven by countless web novels about returning to the past.
Why were plots about going back to fix mistakes so popular?
The answer was simple.
Because it was impossible!
Everyone had experienced it at least once.
Saying something stupid during the day, then kicking their blankets at night thinking about it.
At times like that, people think:
Ah, if only I could go back in time...!
I wouldn't have said something so stupid!
That's why Ian was certain.
Maronius must regret that argument 100%!
"Okay. I'll do what you say."
And so Kira followed Ian into Maronius's memories.
#
[...You say you have something to show me?]
"[That's right, Maronius.]"
Maronius's soul looked at Ian with distaste.
This guy was clearly trying to get something from him...
But the memories he had weren't particularly special.
Just common youthful embarrassments.
[Well. Let's see it then.]
Since he had nothing to lose, he didn't drive Ian away.
'Halfway there.'
The soul's response itself was a positive sign.
Ian possessed young Maronius.
Maronius's soul watched Ian through narrowed eyes.
'What's he planning?'
Ian had said,
'Maronius imagines making up with Liria before sleep!'
Could that be what he wanted to show?
'But Liria won't move according to my imagination.'
The Liria in the memory world was just a memory figure.
Even if she acted differently from memory, it would just be imagined results.
Since it wasn't real, imagining it repeatedly didn't make him feel better.
But those thoughts shattered the moment Liria appeared.
'That female wizard...'
Though Maronius himself didn't realize it, he had a weakness for red hair.
Because Liria, his first and last love, had red hair.
The female wizard Ian brought had possessed Liria's body.
Only then did Maronius understand what Ian was aiming for.
'Is that what he wants to show?'
Maronius shook his head.
Assigning roles to make Liria more vivid was a good idea but...
Weren't they still strangers?
Another woman imitating Liria wouldn't be interesting at all...
"Demius. Is it true? You're leaving Elium?"
"Yes."
[...?]
But when Ian and Kira started their first lines.
Maronius forgot everything he'd been thinking and focused completely on the two.
'They're good...!'
The female wizard playing Liria acted much better than expected.
Really...
It was like Liria had come back to life!
'What is this...? I can't look away!'
It made sense.
The Liria 'in memory' was familiar, seen thousands upon thousands of times.
There was nothing new about her.
But this Liria...
Was a new Liria performed by a 'stranger'!
Bad acting would have made her obviously fake.
But Kira's performance was perfect.
Thanks to that, Maronius's immersion shot up 200%.
'This feels right.'
Kira thought as she skillfully acted.
Ian had told her all the basic setup.
'Name is Liria. Mixed-blood foreigner, childhood friends with Maronius.'
Kira was a master of acting.
The moment she got her role, she instantly immersed herself.
Their similar looks were also a plus.
'I'm helping Ian.'
Kira put all her energy into starting her performance.
The actors were Kira and Ian.
The audience was just one person.
Maronius.
Kira and Ian began exchanging lines according to the prepared script.
"Why...?"
"I'm going to war."
"I'm going to become a soldier."
Kira paused before her next line.
Her scene partner was Maronius, about to abandon Liria for war.
But remembering the actor was Ian...
'This feels... awful.'
Kira felt an inexplicable surge of irritation.
This must be exactly how it would feel if Ian ignored her and did whatever he wanted.
"Demius!"
Kira shouted.
"What are you saying! You definitely said! That war was just power struggles between rulers! That earning money by killing people was something to be ashamed of!"
"...!"
Ian was slightly startled by Kira's fierce voice.
Wow. What intensity?!
Someone properly trained in acting was really different!
Seeing Kira try so hard, Ian couldn't lose either.
Drawing on his acting skills honed through wizard-acting, Ian delivered his next line.
"Yeah, so? Did I do something wrong?"
Ian's voice was exactly like that of a wizard speaking contemptuously to nobles.
Hell yeah. My acting's pretty good too, right?
Just then, Kira glared intently at Ian.
"...?"
Wow. Kira's acting was so realistic.
Really realistic...
"..."
Ian felt slightly unnerved.
...That was acting, right? Right?!
---
The history of monogamy runs surprisingly deep.
It emerged right as humans created civilized society.
What? Wasn't it normal back then for top-tier men to monopolize all the women?
Actually, no.
Monogamy was a kind of social security system.
In barbaric times, as people commonly assume, strong and capable males often monopolized females, just like wild animals.
Considering how most male animals die without ever getting near females, being forever single is actually quite "natural" in nature.
Human males also had to give up their beloved females after taking gorilla punches from alpha males.
But humans created civilization and artificially rejected what was "natural."
It started with the development of agriculture.
As farming began, the value of labor skyrocketed.
Just scatter seeds and food multiplies like crazy!
Proper farming required lots of people-
And to multiply people, you needed lots of sex.
The alpha males created monogamy as a social system to increase their group size.
Don't steal others' partners, just stick with one person and live well!
Under monogamy, you wouldn't lose your wife or need to doubt whose children they were (in theory).
They're my spouse's children, so they must be mine!
While many males would end up wandering as outcasts under a system where males monopolized females,
Under monogamy, everyone could have children, so groups stayed together.
Perfect conditions for labor-intensive industry.
Farm with many people, support population growth through farming, multiply people...
That's how civilized society was born.
That's why everyone except a few rulers adopted monogamy. It was more efficient and better for multiplying humans.
So you could say loving monogamy is humanity's ancient instinct...!
"You're insane," Kira said.
In a way, it made sense that Kira felt chilled by Maria's madness.
As humans, we should revere monogamy and reject promiscuity!
How...!
How could she flirt with a man another woman had already claimed!
Despite Kira's horrified tone, Maria didn't even blink.
"I live following where my heart leads me."
"..."
"Yes, I love Ian. I have no reason to hide my feelings, nor do I want to."
Kira wanted to ask:
Was she saying that even if it meant coming between a couple, she'd follow her heart's direction?
That was... pure stubbornness.
In a way, pure selfishness.
Regardless of Countess Talian's feelings, Maria just wanted to get closer to Ian because she liked him.
"But... Ian... Ian loves Countess Talian..."
"Yes, he does."
Maria smiled.
Kira thought that smile seemed off somehow.
"But I think I can receive Ian's love too."
"...Why?"
"Well, call it faith in men?"
Maria whispered:
"Every man harbors at least one wolf inside..."
Kira got goosebumps all over from her whispered words.
This girl is seriously scary!
It was practically saying if Ian's reason rejected her, she'd appeal to his instincts instead.
While Kira felt afraid of Maria...
She also thought Maria was incredible.
Maria didn't hide or distort her feelings - she tried to live honestly following her emotions.
Maria was sincere about Ian.
Sincere enough to convince even Kira in one go.
"But... but there's no guarantee Ian will like you..."
"Hehe. Nothing in life is certain. I'll work hard and make it happen myself."
Maria spoke in a sing-song voice.
"Ian loves Countess Talian, but that could change if I try hard enough."
"..."
"If I treat him better than she does, make him keep noticing me... someday, he might cherish me more than the Countess."
"What if... what if after all that effort... you get betrayed? What if Ian rejects you?"
Maria shook her head.
"I don't think he's the type to betray others. He'd let me down gently. He might reject me, but... I have to try my best."
'Amazing.'
Kira genuinely admired her.
Maria had thought about Ian this deeply.
Completely different from Kira who denied and suppressed her feelings.
Right then,
Kira's heart started beating strangely.
Maria didn't lie to herself. She'd decided to pursue her goal.
Whether it ended happily or in disaster was unknown.
But just moving forward on her own path was incredible.
"Hehe. Please keep this conversation secret from Ian."
"Ah... yes! I will!"
Kira replied in an excited voice without realizing it.
Impulsively... she wanted to ask too.
I want to get closer to Ian like you... is there any way?
But since she'd just claimed "I don't like Ian," it would seem too shameless.
It wasn't that Kira didn't like Ian.
She just didn't want criticism from Countess Talian and others.
But now Kira had seen Maria the revolutionary... not the crazy woman.
What? He already has a girlfriend?
Just let me join too~ More women is better, let's drink to that!
What an amazing(?) idea!
'Yeah... if it's Ian...'
Kira thought.
Someone as kind and gentle as Ian...
Might not be able to reject if she pushed hard enough?!
She knew Ian wasn't very interested in women and valued loyalty in relationships.
But Ian and Countess Talian weren't joined at the hip like past-life lovers or anything.
There were definitely gaps.
'Maybe... maybe he could accept me too...'
Kira got that far in her thoughts before pulling her hair in frustration.
'Ahhh! What are you thinking! Get it together!'
A heart demon!
That bitch Maria had planted a heart demon in her!
"Hehe. I thought you liked Ian too. But I guess not. How disappointing."
"??? What's disappointing?"
"Now I have to surpass Countess Talian alone. It's a bit scary."
Maria's sticky voice spread like a tempting poison.
Kira hesitated, wondering if she should say "Really? Should I... join in?" right now!
"Well, shall we go to Ian?"
"Y-yes...! Let's go!"
Kira walked slowly, lost in her thoughts.
Perhaps because of that,
She couldn't see Maria's barely concealed smile.
#
Kira and Maria gathered in Ian's research lab.
Ian welcomed them from his desk where he'd been reading.
"Welcome."
"I brought her, Ian."
"Excuse me..."
Kira looked around with wide eyes.
Like most university facilities, it was a neat room without a trace of luxury.
Just some books borrowed from the library and magic books gifted by Eredith.
Only a strange book lay on the center table - just an ordinary room.
Without thinking, Kira opened the book on the table.
Her face turned bright red.
"Ah. That book is..."
"Ahhhhh!"
Ian jumped up from his seat, throwing aside his book.
The book Kira opened...!
Though it looked like super perverted manga on the outside, it actually contained a goddess's divine power!
The fact that it was both a book containing divine power AND super perverted manga was important.
"My goodness."
Even Maria, who'd been researching with Ian but never seen the contents until now, finally saw what was inside.
Kira and Maria looked at Ian simultaneously.
Ian spoke with 100% serious eyes:
"It's a magic book."
"..."
"Really, it's a magic book."
"U-um... I see..."
Kira accepted it without much doubt.
Many magical items were strange to begin with.
Though Maronius created magical language, magic itself existed since ancient times.
Anyone might think to borrow the power of sex to communicate with mysteries.
The belief that masculine and feminine energies held mysterious power existed throughout history, after all.
But for Ian to have something like this...
It felt somehow embarrassing yet strange.
Kira touched her reddened cheeks for no reason.
"Hehe. Healthy, I see?"
"...Would you prefer I was sick?"
Should really finish Hrundal's quest soon, geez.
Ian quickly changed the subject, his face burning.
"Kira. You know I'm researching magic, right?"
"Yes. I've heard a lot."
Recently, Ian had explored fire magic with Eredith.
Kira had watched from afar as they demonstrated their terrifying magic.
She was proud of Ian's steady achievements.
"I'd like you to keep this secret from here on."
"I promise. I won't tell anyone outside."
Ian trusted Kira and continued:
"Lately, I've been studying Maronius's memories."
"Maronius's memories?"
Kira marveled anew at Ian's magical talent.
Many had tried to study Maronius, but all failed.
The reason was simple.
Maronius died too long ago - even reviving his memories was difficult!
But Ian had the [Soul's Haven] skill gifted by Hrundal.
He'd succeeded in reviving Maronius's memories using divine power.
"Long story short, I need your help convincing Maronius's memories."
"What kind... of help?"
It wouldn't be magical help. Kira was just a novice fire wizard.
And Kira's guess was correct.
"I'd like you to play a woman called 'Liria.'"
"Liria...?"
Ian nodded.
"Yes. Liria was Maronius's girlfriend."
Ian explained his plan to Kira.
"I'll play Maronius, you'll play Liria, and we'll try to convince Maronius's soul."
Ian as Maronius, Kira as Liria?
But earlier, those two were lovers...
Kira stammered out her question.
"So... you and I... will act like... lovers?"
Ian tilted his head and answered:
"That's right?"
"...!"
Kira froze on the spot.