The Necromance of Love and Death: Defeated Early in the Game, I Reincarnated as a Tragic Villainous Noble and Rebel Against the Scenario with My Beloved Using My Modern and Game Knowledge - Chapter 19

The day after the tea party, I decided to take a break at the mansion.

A lot had happened all at once, so I wanted to rest. But Vio was as energetic as ever.

Since I have little magic power, Vio can only stay active for about ten hours a day. Maybe because of all the time she spends resting, or perhaps because she doesn’t feel fatigue, she’s always full of energy.

I once asked her if she ever felt tired, but she didn’t seem to. She said that while she can still feel sensations like she did when she was alive, she doesn’t feel pain.

Maybe it’s a convenient body to have. But even if it was inconvenient, I would rather have Vio alive.

My life’s goal is to bring Vio back to life. I have a plan, but I don’t know if it will work.

No—I will make it work. I will bring Vio back!

I’ll give up everything for it if I have to! I swear it—Clovis Balbastor!

***

The day off passed by peacefully.

I trained in swordsmanship, reviewed the tea party, and wrote thank-you letters under Madame Corantine’s guidance.

Vio looked a little bored, but tomorrow, we would be sightseeing in the royal capital, so I hoped she could put up with it for now.

“Did she fall asleep?”

It was almost dinnertime. The mansion’s great hall had suddenly gone quiet. I turned to see Vio leaning against the sofa.

“Clovis.”

Just as I was about to give her some magic power, Madame Corantine called out to me.

“What is it?”

“Clovis, I truly appreciate what you’ve done.”

“Huh?”

If anything, I should be the one grateful to her.

“It’s about Vio.”

“Vio?”

Vio was a victim of the schemes within the Balbastor family. I could understand if Madame Corantine resented me for it, but gratitude? That, I didn’t understand.

“Of course, I’m heartbroken that she died. But perhaps… this was her fate. Clovis, because of your gift, I was able to see Vio again. I am fortunate for that. But…”

She sat across from me, her gaze serious.

“That doesn’t mean you should have to suffer for it. You’re pushing yourself too hard, aren’t you?”

So much for my poker face. I might have fooled Vio, but Madame Corantine had seen right through me.

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m only doing what I want to do.”

“Drinking mana potions every day until you vomit—is that really what you want?”

“…How do you know that?”

I slipped. My words practically admitted to it.

But how did she even know? I had never collapsed in front of her.

“The servants in this mansion are worried about you. Enough that they confided in me, their master.”

“I see… But I have a responsibility—”

“No, you don’t. You’re a victim of this tragedy too. If it’s too much, you can release your contract with Vio, you know?”

“…What?”

She was asking me to turn Vio back into a lifeless corpse?

“I understand that it may not sit well with you—having my daughter bound to someone even in death. But—”

“That’s not what this is about!”

“…What?”

Madame Corantine—the very image of a refined lady—raised her voice.

“I told you, Clovis, I am grateful to you. Because of you, I’ve been able to talk with my daughter again, to create new memories with her. I know she must be happy too. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Magic depletion is agonizing, isn’t it? I don’t want you to go through that. Neither does Vio. It’s okay to let go now. No one will blame you. You can stop this here.”

Her eyes were kind but filled with sorrow as she looked at me.

Yes, magic depletion was painful. The cold creeping into my body, the weakness, the nausea that felt like my insides were being torn out—I never wanted to go through that again.

But even so—I wanted to stay with Vio.

I swore to bring her back.

I couldn’t give up now!

“Madame Corantine, thank you for your concern. But I’ll be fine. I will bring Vio back. Please, just give me a little more time.”

“…I understand, Clovis. But please, don’t push yourself too hard.”

Saying that, Madame Corantine stood up and gently lifted the sleeping Vio.

“Let her rest for tonight. You should take a break too.”

“…Alright.”

Her kindness warmed my heart.