"Please… please… let this work… please…"
Having returned once again to the starting point after countless retries, I took all the soul orbs I'd collected thus far and fed them to Frey, who was tied to the chair in front of me.
My heart pounded wildly as I clung to the hope that this would work. If I failed this time, I feared I might lose the last of my sanity.
"Ugh…"
Frey let out a groan as he looked at me.
A groan—at least it was something. When it didn't work, he hadn't even groaned.
'Please… please, Frey… say my name, say Ruby…'
Completing the first stage of the quest, the "atonement" that accounted for most of it, had been sheer hell.
Even with Perloche guiding me until I finally shook off my naiveté and she gave me the soul orb, it had taken me what felt like an eternity of retries, and still, the number of orbs didn't increase.
"We'll never forgive you."
"We're not the ones who even have the right to forgive you anyway. That right belongs to Frey."
"Wait… please…!"
"Please, just disappear."
The weight of my sins ran deeper than I'd thought.
That much was obvious. Frey and Perloche had endured countless retries, and in those retries, I must have committed all kinds of terrible deeds.
"Ah…"
After getting beaten to within an inch of my life and thrown out when I'd naively gathered the four girls in one place, I finally realized it.
"Their souls…"
The souls of those four girls were also damaged, though not as severely as Frey's or Perloche's.
They, too, had built connections through the countless retries, and those experiences had left their marks on their souls.
Their willingness to follow Frey's "villainous acts" so unwaveringly must have been due to the bond they'd shared over so many lifetimes, even if they didn't remember it.
Given that, it was only natural for them to react with such hostility towards me, after all the ugly things I'd done in so many retries.
And perhaps that's why they were particularly sensitive to anything related to "souls."
After pondering it and going through retry after retry, I finally managed to figure out a strategy.
Trying to atone to all four of them at once had been an outrageous mistake from the start.
After much calculation, I discovered that to release the grudges haunting their souls and even begin atoning, I'd need to dedicate an entire cycle to each of them, one by one.
When I first realized that, I was taken aback.
I'd thought it might be an impossible quest to complete.
"This… this is the punishment I'm giving you."
"Ugh…"
"Atone for the rest of your sins in hell."
But at least I knew that it wasn't outright impossible to complete.
"Goodbye, Ruby."
It was after I had dedicated a whole cycle solely to atoning to Aria, who knew more than anyone else and had had the most interaction with Frey and me, that I found out.
I cared for her spirit until the end of the cycle, turning her into a dignified hero.
Then I told her the truth.
As a warrior, Aria shed tears and drove the hero's sword through my heart.
[Atone to His Family (1/2)]
When I awoke, I saw that the quest had remained completed.
I learned that a quest marked as complete would stay that way even after a retry.
It was both reassuring and disturbing news.
Aria's soul was the least stained among the people I had to atone to.
Frey had likely protected her, knowing the hardship she'd have to endure.
The others, whose bonds were more intertwined with wounds, required several times more effort for atonement than Aria had.
"You… are the Demon King."
The wrath of a parent is a frightening thing.
Frey's father, Abraham.
He was a tragic man who had to sacrifice his child as an offering for the world, knowing full well the future that awaited him.
Had Aria, with the influence of the cleared quest, not been there to help me, atoning to him would have been almost impossible.
"I will bring your son back to life… and then I will die. I swear, I will take my own life…"
"… Leave this house."
He would always lapse into a state of paralysis when he awoke to find his son had become the Demon King, his lifelong attendants had betrayed him, and his daughter had slain her brother.
I would cry and beg before him in that helpless state.
One cruel truth was that Abraham could only awaken if Frey died.
In the end, I had no choice but to kill the person I loved most in the world, over and over, with his sister's help, until Abraham's soul finally responded to my sincerity.
"… You may finally rest."
"…!!!"
"Save my son and let him atone. Don't atone to me."
[Atone to His Family (2/2)]
One of the most nightmarish moments of my entire cycle of retries ended with Abraham uttering those words.
"Thank… you…"
"Don't thank me. Just leave. I want to close my eyes in peace."
"..."
After that, I started to get the hang of things.
When someone had closed their heart, I simply had to retry over and over, working to heal the wounds on their soul through atonement.
Though I, a repulsive and horrifying Demon King, healed them at a snail's pace, it worked.
"Swear, as a knight, no… as yourself, that you will bring him back."
"..."
[Atone to His Knight, Your Kin (2/2)]
There was Isolet, her sword stabbed into my chest, tearfully making that solemn vow.
And then there was Lulu, looking at me with her blank stare.
…How had I even managed to atone to Lulu?
The memory was fuzzy.
Why was that?
Anyway, in order to move their hearts, I had to retry several times—more than twice as many as I'd needed with Aria and Abraham combined.
"If Young Master returns, then… I no longer care. Be it a demon, an evil god, or even you, the Demon King… I'll use whatever means necessary."
"You withstood that curse—guess you're serious. Let's talk again after you bring Frey back."
"Why are you bowing down to the Sunrise Empire? Resurrect Frey and submit to him instead."
"…Well done."
But by far, the most challenging task was moving the souls of those four girls.
I became Kania's maid, endured as Irina's magical test subject, worked as the right-hand to the half-mad Clara, and submitted to Serena in her basement.
With every retry, I erased as much of my accumulated sins as I could.
'I… really was despicable.'
In the beginning, the shame was enough to bring me to tears, but after a while, I could only feel empty.
They had endured that pain, despair, and torment, all because of me.
I couldn't possibly complain about the process of healing their wounds.
[Atone to His Brides (4/4)]
"Hah… hah…"
Finally, I completed my atonement and received the soul orbs.
I had swallowed them along with Frey so they wouldn't be affected by the retries, and now, the moment I woke up, I took them out.
"Please…"
After countless trial and error, I gathered them all and fed them to Frey.
And I should mention that finding the right way to feed him these orbs took several retries as well.
My soul, once intact, was now starting to crack.
"Ugh…"
It felt as if I could shatter at any moment.
I wanted nothing more than to close my eyes and collapse, to sleep for years.
I knew I shouldn't give in, but the desire to rest was so tempting.
With what little time my soul had left, I couldn't help it.
"Excuse me."
"Wh-What?"
But that all vanished when Frey opened his eyes and looked at me with a blank expression.
"Frey!!! Y-You're back! Really? Is it really you…? Have you finally… finally returned to your true self?"
"…"
Afterward, overwhelming happiness and a sense of accomplishment washed over me. And then…
"It's… it's me! Ruby! Your…"
[2 - 01]
[Recover Frey's Memory]
The second quest had begun.
"Who are you?"
"…W-What?"
For a brief moment, my mind went blank.
"Who… Who are you?"
Memories from long ago, from when he'd lost his memory, flashed through my mind.
"…Oh."
At the same time, a chill ran down my spine.
It's fine. I'm at the second stage now.
Stage two is practically the final step.
All that's left is to carefully piece things back together.
I've come this far—how can I not manage to restore a single memory?
[Retry Point Reset]
"…A-Ah."
But when I saw the next line appear, I went pale and fell to the ground.
[Remaining Retries: 1]
I'd been denying it, but the truth was harsh.
My soul had deteriorated so much that it could barely survive even one more retry.
In other words, this was the final chance I had.
"Who…"
*Thump!*
This final chance… it might be the last time I'd ever see Frey's face.
"I… I'm Ruby."
Not wanting to waste this precious moment, I threw myself forward, hugging him tightly, and with a soft smile, I introduced myself.
"Ruby?"
"Yes. Your most precious treasure."
"…"
Frey looked at me with a hesitant expression.
Of course, he would be uncertain. He'd lost his memory, after all.
"From today onward… be with me."
"With you?"
"Yes, come with me to recover your lost memories."
But I wasn't worried.
Because now, I could remember him.
Perfectly.
"Let's go, just the two of us."
With those words, I held Frey's hand, and as he looked at me in bewilderment, I led him up from his seat.
"Follow me… oh, one moment."
Before we left, I needed to stop by the ship and retrieve Roswin's book.
"Please wait here for a moment, alright?"
Since this was my last chance, I had to check my memories one last time, thoroughly.
---
Traveling with Frey, who had no memory, was incredibly fulfilling.
"Frey, you have something on your face. Here, let me wipe it off."
"Ah, thank you…"
*Chuup*
"…!"
Ordering some rye and whole wheat bread, and sharing a potato soup together.
"Isn't this play fun, Frey?"
"Hmm… yes, it's enjoyable."
"Anything coming back to you?"
"I'm… not quite sure."
Going together to see plays or attend a ball.
"Um… why are we going into a cave all of a sudden?"
"I love caves, hehe."
"A… cave?"
"Shall we spend the night here?"
"…I don't like the dark, though."
"Oh, that's right… sorry about that."
Exploring caves together.
*Snuggle…♡*
"Mmm…"
"Hehe."
Or sneaking into the dormitory at the Sunrise Academy, lying beside him, and holding him close for hours while he faced the other way.
"S-stop…"
"Gah, guh…"
Occasionally, Frey's personality as the Demon King would take over, and he would try to strangle me, but I didn't mind.
After everything I'd been through, a mere choking was nothing. It was almost cute in comparison.
*Pat, pat*
"Please… abuse me all you want… Frey."
*Stroke*
"Would you like to… punch my stomach too? This is… your territory, after all…"
Whenever he strangled me, I would pat his back gently, and eventually, he would stop on his own.
That's the Frey I know. He's not the kind of man who would give in to the Demon King's personality.
*Thump, thump*
In fact, being treated roughly like this, just like in those far-off days, made my heart race.
"Um…"
"I love you. I really, really love you."
"…"
As we continued our travels, we eventually found ourselves seated on the empty rooftop of the academy, leaning against each other.
"Do you love me, Frey?"
"I… I don't really know."
"I… I see."
I'd asked, hoping against hope, but the response was the same as ever.
Why doesn't it change?
Why can't he remember?
"Haha… well, that's fair, I suppose. Hehe…"
I forced myself to smile, pretending to be unaffected, but I couldn't shake the growing anxiety.
The countdown kept ticking away, moment by moment.
If my soul could hold out a little longer, I could retry as many times as it took to move his soul, but…
Why did it have to reach its limit… just now, of all times?
"No…"
"Hm?"
The tears I'd held back for so long finally started falling.
If I fail this time, if my soul shatters… then what happens to me?
I don't mind dying. I've already accepted that.
But the thought of never seeing Frey again terrifies me.
The thought of disappearing with my soul, never able to recognize or remember him, fills me with dread.
"Are you alright?"
"Ah… yes, I'm fine. Hehe."
But now wasn't the time to let myself wallow in despair.
Even now, time was running out.
And no matter how slim the odds, there was still a chance.
So…
"I have a gift for you."
"A gift?"
From my chest, I pulled out something I had cherished and kept close all this time.
"Close your eyes."
"Oh… okay…"
Frey closed his eyes, wearing a puzzled expression, and I fastened the gift around his neck, smiling as I did so.
*Click*
"Hehe."
I'd made it by memory, and though it was crude, I'd done my best.
I hoped with all my heart he would remember.
Please…
"Excuse me, I… need to step out for a moment."
"Alright."
It was only then that I realized tears were streaming down my face.
I couldn't let him see me like this, not while I was looking so pitiful.
I'd take a moment to collect myself and then come back.
"Keep your eyes closed until I return, okay?"
"…"
After saying that, I headed toward the rooftop exit, clenching my ashen hand tightly as I walked.
'Please, Frey… you drew that picture back then, remember? You still remember, don't you…?'
[2 - 01]
[Recover Frey's Memory]
Please, remember me.
---
"Mmm…"
The moment Ruby stepped out onto the roof, I quietly opened my eyes, letting out a soft groan.
"This is a hassle."
A gift, huh? What this time?
An "egg sandwich" with salmon crammed inside? That bland whole wheat bread?
"Hah."
Surprisingly, I found myself with my memories intact. Using this as an opportunity, I decided to pretend I'd lost my memory and observe Ruby.
But her behavior recently had been strange.
Based on her actions, it seemed she was trying to help me recover my lost memories.
But the things she was doing… none of them were familiar to me.
Actually, now that I think about it, that makes sense.
The bond between Ruby and me was something I'd made up. It wasn't real.
The only memories we had together were of me breaking her down, forcing her into submission, and twisting her.
"…What?"
As I pondered, I finally noticed the object around my neck, and my eyes widened in shock.
"Hold on."
Some sort of necklace had been fastened around my neck.
"This…"
Though it was rather clumsy in its construction, I immediately recognized what it was.
"Could it be?"
It was a pendant.
The legendary craftsman Rosinante had given me this "Pendant of Deception" along with the "Cloak of Deception" the night before the start of the second semester last year, as an Easter egg.
This mysterious pendant had connected me to the "Retry Frey" stored in the third trial, an artifact with a mystical ability.
I had tried countless times to unlock it, but it had always remained firmly closed, so I wore it as a habit.
That's why I could tell right away.
The pendant Ruby had just given me was shockingly similar to that Easter egg item, despite its rough craftsmanship.
"What the…"
No, it wasn't just similar.
In terms of design, size, and even material…
It was identical.
"What the hell…?"
How does she know about this?