It was dark.
I wondered how long it had been since the darkness became my reality.
I tried to channel strength into the fingertips of my right hand. They twitched, barely. That alone was the only proof that I was still alive.
My left hand was gone. Both my legs were gone. My right eye was crushed, no longer reflecting light. All I could see with my remaining left eye was a moldy stone wall and my own right hand.
How did it come to this? —Ah, that’s right. It was because I failed.
I didn’t even know how many times I had thought that anymore. I’d long since stopped counting.
The only thing I’d grown proficient in was recovery magic.
What a sick joke. No matter how much I healed, I would only be broken again moments later.
My body mended itself even after being shattered. Even when I decided I’d had enough, the magic would close my wounds of its own accord. It was nothing short of a curse.
I wondered if the girls were doing well.
That, at least, wasn’t a failure.
It was the only thing I could truly take pride in.
So, it was fine.
Even without my limbs, even without my sight—as long as they were safe.
My choice hadn’t been wrong.
—Or so I wanted to believe.
I’m so tired, I thought. I wondered how many times that made now.
I swallowed yet another "I’m so tired" and closed my eyes.
Once I closed my left eye, the world returned to total darkness.
I should sleep. Tomorrow would surely be the same as today.
I would wake to the sound of that woman’s footsteps, be broken, heal, and then be broken again.
—How long had I been asleep?
I thought I heard a voice and opened my left eye.
I could hear footsteps. Not just one pair, but many, drawing closer.
They weren't that woman's footsteps.
These were heavier, faster, and far more frantic.
The sound of something striking metal echoed. Someone was pounding on the door. No—they were trying to smash it down.
Then, I heard a voice.
"—Lord Rein! Lord Rein! Are you safe?!"
It was a voice I missed dearly. And it had called my name.
I tried to answer, but my throat wouldn't move. No sound came out.
I reached my right hand toward the door.
Voices rang out again, many of them overlapping. Shouts and the screeching of metal filled the air.
The door groaned.
Then, light flooded in.
I narrowed my left eye. It was bright. So bright it was painful.
A figure stood amidst the light.
"—Lord Rein."
The figure saw me and collapsed to their knees.
Seeing them brought back memories of the past.
The time when my body was still whole and healthy.
The time when I still innocently believed that everything would work out.
The time when I was still in a place of warmth.