The Author And Her Protagonist

Eugene Laverty’s accession to the throne altered Zizvania’s royal order. The new king reorganized the Zizvania kingdom’s cabinet of ministers and regulations. Many rules were added and removed. Many nobles objected but were afraid to speak out because Eugene Laverty was the prince of the empire. They would be counted against the empire if they were against Eugene.

Meanwhile, in the Northland, Edgar had lost interest in the kingdom’s affairs. He had already relinquished his title as Marquess before returning.

As a result, the kingdom took over the Marquess of Northland’s residence, which had belonged to the Baldwin family for centuries. Edgar let his followers work for the kingdom before leaving the Baldwin family’s home, which held all of his childhood memories. The man went to the village near the Baldwins’ hillside.

Edgar constructed a simple house with wooden walls and a thatched roof there. He would go to the cemetery every day after he finished working in the fields. He was conversing with his parents’ and also Claudia’s tombstones.

–

Years went by quickly. Edgar is 50 years old now. Despite his age, his body had not changed significantly; he was still quite well built and muscular. It’s just that his hair is white and he has a lot of wrinkles on his face.

Harold, Edward’s former personal servant, paid him a visit on a sunny day.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Edgar greeted Harold warmly. He inquired about Harold and the others’ well-being while serving tea.

“I have some exciting news to share with you, my Lord. My first child is due to be born next month “Harold said with a happy smile on his face.

“Really? That’s fantastic. I wish you all the best with the birth of your child.” Edgar responded. The aura of the old man appeared to be advising his own son.

Harold gave a shy smile. “Thank you so much, Lord.”

“How many times have I told you that I am no longer your master? But you never pay attention.”

Harold could only grimace when he was rebuked. “I apologize. I’ll refer to you as Sir from now on.”

Edgar motioned with his hand. “Forget about it. Let’s talk about it.”

Harold then remembered something and quickly informed Edgar. “Sir, I heard that there is a shaman in a neighboring kingdom who is said to be able to collect a dead person’s soul and resurrect it. I’m not sure if that’s true, but the news is widely publicized.”

Edgar paused for a moment. The elderly gentleman raised his misty eyes.

“How come you told me about this?”

Harold was perplexed to be asked in this manner.

Harold immediately thought of Edgar when he heard about the shaman. He was aware that his former master had spent many years alone in the world, abandoned by his parents and loved ones. That’s why Harold dashed over to Edgar, eager to tell him about the shaman. But now that Edgar had asked him, Harold was at a loss for words.

Edgar was aware that he had surprised Harold. So he said “sorry” while sipping his tea.

To be honest, his emotions had already wandered when Harold mentioned the shaman earlier. There was a strong desire in his heart to try. But his mind also told him that resurrecting someone who had been dead for a long time was impossible.

Harold ended the conversation after hearing Edgar’s response. He turned to look for other topics to talk about.

Harold was about to say goodbye when Edgar interrupted him with a question.

“Whither does the shaman reside?”

For a brief moment, Harold was perplexed. Harold almost burst into tears when he saw the old man’s stern face in front of him. He was aware that Edgar was lonely.

“I’ll accompany you if you want to see her, Sir.” Harold made a promise.

“Just tell me where she lives, and I’ll go myself,” Edgar refused.

Harold was well aware of Edgar’s obstinacy. Harold had also learned to be stubborn after years of following him. He insisted on not revealing the location of the shaman.

Edgar finally agreed to be escorted by Harold after giving up.

–

Harold directed the coachman of the horse-drawn carriage he was riding in Desert City to come to a halt in a narrow alleyway between the restaurant buildings. Harold drew back the curtains and went down, followed by Edgar.

“The shaman’s house, Sir, is at the end of this road.”

Edgar gave a nod. He took a few steps in front of Harold, who was following him as before. Despite the fact that the clothes Edgar was wearing were no longer expensive, his demeanor remained dignified.

They arrived in front of an old, run-down house. The door and the outside walls were filthy and dusty. Harold ignored him and walked up to the wooden door in front of him.

Only after Harold knocked for a long time did the door open, revealing the figure of an elderly woman dressed strangely. Tassels hung from her clothes, and even the hood she was wearing had tassels around it.

“What are you guys looking for?” the elderly woman asked coldly of the two men in front of her door.

“I heard you can resurrect the dead. Is that correct?” Harold inquired on Edgar’s behalf.

The old lady’s eyes glowed. “No, you misheard. I’m only assisting in the gathering of souls, not resurrecting the dead.”

“Is it different?” Harold inquired.

“Of course, it differs. Come in.”

The elderly lady opened the door to her home, allowing the two visitors to enter.

There was a lot of oddly shaped furniture inside the wooden house. When combined with the dim lighting in the room, it gave the impression that they had entered a witch’s home.

The elderly lady sat in a single chair, next to a small table. A glass ball the size of a baseball was in her hand.

“Tell me the name and date of birth of the person whose soul you want to collect.”

“Her name is Claudia Rowe, and she was born on the 5th of the 4th maya month.” Edgar responded. His voice was hoarse and heavy.

The elderly lady in the chair gave him a brief glance before returning her attention to the glass ball in her hand and reading something.

The originally bright glass ball gleamed with rainbow light, like a prism, despite the fact that I had no idea what the old woman was reading.

“The soul of this person has already been scattered, even to another world. There isn’t much left here.” The elderly lady stated.

Edgar paused for a moment. “What exactly does it mean?”

The elderly lady held the gleaming glass ball in her hand. “The light in this sphere represents the soul of that person named Claudia. See how little it is? That small number remains in this world, while the others have dispersed and live in another.”

Edgar was taken aback. “Does she live in another world?” he grumbled.

The elderly lady placed the glass ball inside the velvet box on her small table. She locked her gaze on Edgar.

“If you’re still interested, I have another option.” She stated.

“Say it.”

“I have the ability to bring her back to life. This method is complex, but I’m absolutely sure it will work. It must first summon its soul, which is located in another dimension. That requires the flesh and blood of those who love her.”

Harold burst into flames.

“What exactly are you saying, old lady? You’re attempting to harm my Lord? “Harold yelled.

The elderly lady laughed. “That is the only requirement. Please leave if you disagree.”

“I agree.”

Harold was irritated when he heard Edgar’s spontaneous response. “Don’t you think she just wants to hurt you, my Lord?”

Edgar turned to face Harold. His eyes were filled with sadness.

“My heart says I should give it a shot.”

As a result, Edgar presented him with a piece of flesh gouged from his body and a bowl of blood squeezed from the gaping wound on his arm.

“You are the first to return. I’ll give you the results tomorrow.”

Whatever the old lady did with those two items, the next day she handed him a blood-red gemstone set in an engraved bracelet. The elderly lady left after handing over the item.

Edgar made contact with the bracelet. It felt cozy and familiar, as if he’d met Claudia before. He sighed and smiled into the air.

“I hope you return soon.”

–

Edgar died not long after.

***