CHAPTER 1: RESET

It was the morning of April 283 of the kingdom calendar when Nigel woke up again.

Obviously, it was June 283 of the kingdom calendar when he died, but when he opened his eyes, his wounds were gone, and time had turned back.

To be honest, he thought he was having a long dream at first. To say that Inas killed Nigel, or that the dead came back to life, neither made any sense.

But as the day passed, the night of the second day went down, the sun rose on the third day, and on the fourth day, it was only after he confirmed that everything was going on exactly the same as he remembered.

Things happened that shouldn’t have happened.

Perhaps Nigel was killed by Inas and returned to the past.

Even when time seemed to have gone back, Nigel still doubted his cognition. Because he didn’t want to admit that Inas killed him.

If the memories that remained in Nigel’s head now were just dreams or delusions, he could ignore those ominous thoughts and simply live happily. Nigel wanted that to happen, because he didn’t want to doubt his beloved Inas.

However, the memories of the past—or future—two months are too vivid to simply be a dream. So much so that he couldn’t ignore it.

If it’s true, what should he do? If suspicious circumstances were detected on Inas, what if the man who pretended to be a loyal knight was actually a spy targeting the Duke of Magnus?

That’s terrible. Nigel nervously bit his nails. At the same time, his mind was running.

If he really was a spy, let’s send the knights to capture him. Do a thorough investigation to find out who the hell tempted Inas and then destroy them thoroughly.

But in reality, the probability of him being a spy was low. Inas took complete control of the army under Duke Magnus in the great battle that took place three years ago. If he was going to do something, he would have to do it in the duchy, not the royal capital.

What if he killed him simply out of discontent towards Nigel? The probability of that was also low, but if so, there was still room for conciliation. If that didn’t work, he could go to the Duchy of Magnus and lock him up in a tower, watching over him so he couldn’t go outside…

Nigel, who had been thinking up to that point, groaned and shook his head.

“Even in this situation…”

He couldn’t imagine killing Inas. Nigel found his soft side laughable, but he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t kill Inas, whom he loved more that his own life, even if he was a traitor.

However, that Inas had killed him.

Nigel trembled and traced where the hole had formed on his chest. Just imagining his blood made him feel sick. Nigel tried to calm himself down, covering his mouth with his hands.

From a long time ago, Nigel couldn’t stand looking at blood or a cross section of wounds. Fear would rush over him, making him feel like he would faint if he were faced with an injured person. After seeing Inas seriously injured one time, Nigel’s fear had only become more intense.

That wasn’t the only time he was afraid. When Inas got hurt by an assassin, when he went hunting, or when he got hurt while stopping Nigel from flying to his own death…

“No… Hold on.”

Nigel frowned at the strange memory that suddenly appeared. To say he was going to die… He had never tried to take his own life. Of course, he would say that he’d rather die when he felt tired, but he had never thought of death seriously.

So far, Nigel’s life had been smooth without any ups and downs. Moreover, Nigel was not so irresponsible that he would die without choosing a successor.

But obviously, he was going to die in the summer…

Unknown memories came to mind. The moment when liquid covered his body, unknown whether it was blood or sweat, and everything was hot and disgusting.

The muzzle of the pistol in Nigel’s hand was pointed straight at his own head.

‘Really… It can’t be helped.’

With an unbelievably friendly face, Inas spoke calmly without stopping Nigel.

‘If you want to die, then die. See you next time.’

Looking at his casually smiling face, did he cry, or did he keep calm?

He didn’t remember. What was certain was that Nigel then pulled the trigger, and his blood burst… Then darkness came.

“It doesn’t make sense…”

A suicidal delusion, the condition is serious. Why were there memories of death messing up his head? Nigel seriously wondered if he was crazy. If he wasn’t, then that means he had delusions about suicide and being killed by Inas?

“I’ve been working too hard…”

Yes, it was all a delusion. He should have listened when Inas told him to rest. Nigel dug himself into the quilt. After a little rest, he’d be able to think rationally. That expectation was in vain.

***

What awaited Nigel, who had woken up from sleep, was not the delusions being cleared from his mind, but the outrageous news that Inas had committed indiscriminate murder and disappeared.

“Inas wouldn’t do that.”

Nigel threw the materials that his assistant, Hayes, had brought. Hayes picked up the papers with an attitude as if he knew that this would happen.

“I also think there is something wrong with the report, but… There are many witnesses, Nigel-nim. At least the part about Sir Edenbach’s act of murder is real.”

“It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Yes, I think so too. Inas-nim is not the kind of person who would kill others without any reason. I’m sure there’s something going on.”

“What reason?”

Nigel, who shot back sharply, realized that he had lost his temper and covered his face. Hayes cautiously approached Nigel as if he understood.

“Calm down and read.”

Nigel picked up the material that Hayes gave him with trembling hands.

Yesterday evening, Inas headed to a small pub in a small town in the southern part of the kingdom. Then he murdered a boy who was bargaining with the owner for the accommodation there. Witnessing him being decapitated, the boy’s party attacked Inas, but to no avail. After killing the rest of the party and most of the witnesses there, Inas set the inn on fire and fled before the guards arrived.

The report crumpled poorly in Nigel’s hands.

“I can’t believe this…”

“I don’t believe it either. But Nigel-nim, you must believe it.”

“…”

At Hayes’ words, Nigel gave no response.

Inas didn’t like murder. He often killed as it was his profession, but he would insist on subduing without killing as much as possible, causing him to get injured often. That Inas, killing dozens of people, starting with a little boy? Even if he’s a commoner, it was impossible.

… That was what he thought until Inas stabbed him in the chest brutally.

Inas, who didn’t like murder, is an illusion built up by Nigel’s false faith. In fact, he had laughed casually, thrusting a knife into Nigel’s chest while laughing.

Was it Inas’ nature to brutally murder someone? Committing murder for unknown purposes and running away without being judged by the law…

Despite his doubts, Nigel ordered Hayes to pursue Inas. At the same time, he tried to gather information to defend Inas in case of an emergency and tried to subdue rumors. There wasn’t much result. As Inas had set fire and all traces were lost, there was no way to identify the boy, and even the reason as to why Inas killed him remained a mystery.

A wanted order was issued throughout the kingdom. People gathered to talk about the terrible massacre. And public opinion was against Nigel, who defended Inas Edenbach, deteriorating day by day.

He had to let Inas go. But even if Inas was a real killer, Nigel still couldn’t let him go. At least, until he heard a clear explanation from Inas.

Sleeping only two to three hours a day and worrying until he had a throbbing headache, Nigel struggled to save Inas.

However, Inas did not appear, and Nigel couldn’t find a way to save him. In the end, Nigel, who was overworked under such tension, could not bear it, and fell ill. Hayes locked Nigel in his bedroom, who was still trying to get some work done despite his fever.

Falling asleep because of the fever and medicine, Nigel dreamed of Inas. It was a dream in which Inas loved and cherished Nigel and finally stabbed him to death.

“Inas…”

“Yes, Nigel.”

Nigel, who had been muttering in his sleep, woke up in shock at the sound of a voice he could hear too clearly for it to only be a dream.

Black hair and with neat features underneath. His eyes were cold, but they became warm when they were faced towards Nigel. It was a familiar face. Inas, who he had been searching for so long, was sitting in front of him. Right next to him, within his reach.

“Inas!”

More than suspicion, fear, or any other emotion, all he felt at the moment was joy. In a situation where pursuers from the kingdom were chasing Inas every second, he was constantly worried that he might have already died.

The words of interrogation and sharp, pointed doubts melted away like sugar in boiling hot tea. Nigel warmly reached out to Inas. Inas grabbed Nigel’s hand tightly and pressed his palm to his cheek. The real warmth made Nigel almost burst into tears.

“Were you worried?”

“Of course! What the hell happened, Inas? If there’s anything I can do to help…”

Nigel became speechless. Because Inas had pressed Nigel to the bed and kissed him. His kiss, which he had always dreamed of, was not as smooth and happy as Nigel had imagined. His lips clenched tight, and his tongue invaded his mouth. The smell of blood filled his nostrils as he drew closer to him. Nigel trembled at the sensation of being devoured by him.

Once again, a random memory surfaced. Memories of being killed by Inas, far away or in the near future. Numerous deaths have been recovered from oblivion and displayed in his cognition.

“…!”

Surprised, Nigel tried to push Inas away, but the man who would normally back down with even the slightest force did not budge. Rather, he forced Nigel to receive his breath. When he finally pulled away after a while, Inas still had a very calm expression, unlike Nigel who was confused and embarrassed.

“Nigel, as always, you’re beautiful.”

“What are you talking about…”

“Do you think it’s bullshit? But I’ve always, always, think of you as beautiful. It wasn’t enough for me to come see you every time you fall asleep. I like it when you’re awake.”

“Did you come to see me?”

“Yes.”

It doesn’t make sense. How did Inas, who was wanted all over the royal capital, manage to come see Nigel every night? Apparently, Inas was out of his mind. Nigel’s head was spinning. Yes, Inas must have murdered while being in a state of insanity and instinctively ran away. Hallucinations, there’s a possibility he’s been drugged… If it could be proven, then the wanted bounty might be retracted in consideration towards all his services in the past.

“Nigel-nim, show me your face.”

“Now is not the time to be talking so idly like that! Tell me what happened. I need to know what to do…”

Inas raised his index finger and placed it on his lips. Inas frowned at the silence.

“Sorry. I tried to come back with some time to spare, but I’m running out of time. I’m afraid you’ll have to die alone.”

“What?”

 He said something crazy. And in the next moment, Inas put a sword into Nigel’s heart.

Just like last time, or just like a dream.

Stabbed by the blade, Nigel suspected that he was trapped in a terrible nightmare and was unable to wake up. It was supposed to hurt, but it didn’t. Because of that, the current situation felt unrealistic. Even more so than the last time Inas killed Nigel.

Inas looked at Nigel with soft eyes, as if dealing with something very lovely. However, the splashes of blood from Nigel’s chest wetting Inas’ cheek awakened him to reality.

“Your reaction is cute, my dear.”

“I, nas…”

“I love you, Nigel. I’ll see you again.”

See you again.

That was what he heard last time.

Nigel eyes widened as if he was about to catch something. But before he could think any further, Inas twisted the sword he had thrusted into Nigel’s chest.

Again, everything went dark.