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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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I knew I had forgotten something important. My heart felt empty. But…
“I forgot about Minerva…”
Minerva, a Goddess.
The source of half my power. How could I forget someone so important? It was a shock.
“I remember the book mentioning minor memory loss as a side effect… but this is much more severe…”
The book had said the memory loss would be minor and temporary. But this wasn’t minor at all.
‘At this rate, I’ll lose every single fight against a Demon Lord.’
Was the information in the book wrong? Or did the book have a different definition of ‘minor’?
The meaning was subjective, but I knew someone who had the answers.
“I should be able to get some answers if I ask her.”
I entered an alley and checked the doors. Minerva, in her anger, had turned every single door into a portal to her library. A very inefficient approach.
“…She could have just created one door. She’s wasting her energy.”
My memories were returning.
Did she think I was stupid? I opened one of the library doors, feeling a bit smug.
A stupid owl glared at me. It was still as unappealing as ever.
“Boo! Boo!”
“Speak human language.”
“…Boo…”
I ignored the library’s guardian and walked further inside. Forgotten memories resurfaced as I walked through the familiar halls.
Mostly good memories.
“This brings back some good memories-“
“Hmph, getting sentimental, are we?”
“…”
Minerva, sitting with her legs crossed, interrupted me with a petulant tone. She clearly wasn’t in the mood for reminiscing.
“Does this library look like a place for reminiscing? Huh? Who said you could get all emotional?”
“…Why are you so grumpy, Minerva?”
“You should try being in my shoes! You heartless kidnapper!”
Minerva was fuming.
Her arms and legs were crossed, a clear sign of her displeasure. I wanted to say, ‘It’s not my fault I lost my memories,’ but she would probably get even angrier, so I sighed and asked,
“Are you angry that I lost my memories?”
“No, I’m not angry about that.”
“…Then why are you angry?”
“Losing your memories is fine! But why! Why didn’t you even try to remember me?! Are you even my Apostle?!”
“Ah.”
So that’s what she was angry about. I had been so focused on Aina that I hadn’t even tried to remember Minerva.
I sat down next to her and said calmly,
“I’m sorry I forgot.”
“It’s too late! I’m not giving you any more choices! You’re banned from reading books! And banned from entering the library! You’re a traitor, just like the Saintess!”
A traitor?
That’s a bit harsh.
Speaking of traitors…
I looked at Minerva.
“Minerva.”
“W-What…? Why are you staring at me like that…!”
“I’m sorry, but I have a question. Why is Estia a traitor?”
“…There’s… a reason!”
Minerva turned away, avoiding my gaze. She walked over to a bookshelf and pulled out a book, trying to act nonchalant.
“Here, read this.”
“What is it?”
“Just read it!”
She was still sulking.
Minerva returned to her seat and crossed her legs again, as if to say, ‘Don’t talk to me, just read the book.’
I opened the book without a word.
“Hmm…”
The book summarized what had happened. It said my memories would return eventually and that the memory loss was due to Estia’s insufficient magic power.
“Soul damage. Because of insufficient divine power.”
“That’s right. Your soul was shattered, and Estia healed it…! But she didn’t have enough divine power, so there was a problem with your memories. It’s a good thing you’re recovering now.”
Minerva’s expression was strained as she said a good thing. She seemed to prefer it if I didn’t regain my memories.
More importantly…
“Minerva, why did you give me this summary?”
“Because you forgot! Why are you trying to make me angry today!”
“I have a headache.”
“…That’s understandable.”
Minerva nodded, seemingly convinced.
“Hmph, I called you here to see if your memories were returning and to give you a warning.”
“A warning?”
“Yes, Jun-woo, you absolutely cannot! Absolutely cannot damage your soul again! You have to remember this!”
“Why?”
“J-Just… receiving too much divine power is bad! Protect your soul!”
Minerva covered the desk with her body, but I caught a glimpse of the book title: “Lee Jun-woo’s Future.”
‘It seems to be related to my future…’
Protect your soul at all costs.
It must be related to my death. Minerva, even when she lied, always did things that benefited my future. So I decided to heed her warning.
“Is that all?”
“I don’t have anything else to say… wait! One more thing!”
“What?”
“Estia! Punish that traitor! Don’t kill her… but punish her! She was disrespectful to the Goddess! She’s a traitor! Traitors need to be punished! Got it?!”
“…I’ll listen to her side of the story first.”
“There’s no need for that! Just punish her!”
She was still as noisy as ever. Even with my memory loss, I still remembered how loud Minerva could be.
“I’m leaving.”
“Okay, that’s all I have to say. Be careful.”
I said goodbye to Minerva and headed home. But before I could leave, Minerva grabbed my sleeve.
“…Don’t ever forget me again.”
“I won’t.”
“If… if you’re not here… I-I’ll disappear… so don’t forget me.”
Minerva lowered her head and mumbled.
‘She doesn’t have any other Apostles besides me and Mieng…’
So it was understandable that she was afraid of being forgotten. There wasn’t much information about the Goddess Minerva in this world.
I placed a hand on Minerva’s head.
“I won’t forget you again.”
“…Promise. If you forget me, I’ll kill you with a choice. Got it?”
I could just not choose the option, but… she was serious about not being forgotten. I chuckled and turned away.
“I’m really leaving now. I’ll come back, so stay here.”
“…”
Nod~
Minerva nodded and returned to the library.
“…Don’t forget me until you return.”
“What? What do you mean-“
“…”
Minerva muttered something, but she didn’t explain and just walked away.
‘What did she mean…?’
I returned home, pondering her cryptic words. But I couldn’t find an answer. My head throbbed. It was a night for thinking.
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The next morning, I woke up automatically. I hadn’t slept much, but my eyes opened on their own.
“…I used to wake up at this time every day.”
The next step…
Go to the bathroom and wash up.
Head to the dining room to prepare breakfast.
And start cooking.
I followed my usual routine, and when I entered the dining room, the children were already there, preparing the ingredients.
“Luna, Hare. You’re awake.”
“Oh, Mister! G-Good morning! Haha…!”
Luna’s laughter was strained. Had something happened? She seemed… awkward.
“…Something definitely happened last night.”
“N-No! Nothing happened! Really!”
“Right. I believe you.”
“Really?”
“No.”
“…”
Luna’s eyes darted nervously.
Hare, who was chopping vegetables next to Luna, asked,
“U-Um… Mister…! Did you… regain all your memories…?”
“Not all of them, but they’ll return eventually. Don’t worry.”
“…I see.”
Click-
Hare clicked her tongue quietly.
‘Why do they all look disappointed, not worried?’
Luna, Hare, and Minerva. They all seemed… upset that I had regained my memories.
‘I need to wake everyone up to hear what happened.’
I placed a hand on Luna’s shoulder.
“Luna, can you go upstairs and wake up the others?”
“O-Okay! I’ll go wake them up! H-Haha…”
Luna, unusually subdued, shuffled out of the dining room. It wasn’t like her.
‘…Something definitely happened between them last night.’
Their testimonies all pointed to Estia. I would focus on talking to her. I picked up a kitchen knife and started preparing breakfast.
“Enough ingredients… this should be enough…”
Chop, chop, chop-!
Just as I was about to start cooking, I heard someone shouting and running towards the dining room.
“Mister! Mister!!”
“What is it, Luna?”
“W-What’s this! Why are there locks on their doors!? A-Are you reverting back to your kidnapper ways!? Is that it!? They’re shouting that they need to use the bathroom!”
“…”
Right.
I forgot.
I rushed upstairs before they had an accident. Fortunately, nothing had happened, but…
“I… maintained my dignity…”
“You almost made me do it again, Brother…!! What were you thinking…!!”
“Again?”
“Ah, n-nothing! Hehe…!”
Estia’s “again” bothered me.
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[Your Text Here]
I’ll say it. Estia was right and did nothing wrong.
If anything, I’m pissed at everyone else for trying to temper with MC’s memories.
I don’t care what future you saw that says that it for his own good, it’s just simply not your f*cking choice to make.
I agree. They should be ashamed of themelves. Atleast Luna is feeling guilty, but still lost a bit of affection for these characters. Who knew Estia would be the most decent person out of all of them.