“Ah… Aah… Wh-What… have I done…?”
…Who is this? What is this scene before me?
That old man groveling in misery—pathetic and wretched—who is he?
“Ahahaha! What’s with that look? You’ve completely ruined your handsome face, Gilbert.”
A woman stood before me, laughing. Though she was of an age to be called a lady, her laugh was coarse and vulgar. She looked down at the old man with cruel amusement.
…That old man is…
…Ah… it’s me.
Yes… I’m the one who pushed for the enforcement of the Special Ability Registration Act…
…What have I done?
“So it’s true, huh? The immortal man has lost the ability to manipulate his age.”
She peered into my face and sneered. The corners of her lips twisted into a grotesque smile. How hideous… Ah…
Have I formed an agreement with the devil?
“You should be happy, shouldn’t you? Thanks to your wonderful law, I’m living in bliss. I’ve finally become someone truly special in this country.”
She laughed again. Even though my aged eyes couldn’t see clearly, I could sense her cruel smile as though it were etched into my skin.
“All of the country’s Special Ability users have been identified. Every last one we know of now is mine. Those who resisted? Dead. That means every rare power in the kingdom has become mine.”
My knees gave out. I collapsed to the floor.
She crouched before me, resting her chin on her hand, still smiling.
“All thanks to you. Five years of patience finally paid off. You worked so hard to make it happen, and now the law came through just as you hoped.”
She even laughed as she casually dismissed the tragic death of that “pathogen,” as she called her—like tossing aside a broken doll.
How many people have been enslaved because of me? How many were executed?
“You know,” she whispered, her voice like poison, “I was planning to give you a choice, too. The options were servitude or execution. I mean, an immortal like you? Who wouldn’t want that?”
Apparently finding my aged appearance amusing, she prodded at my sagging skin with a finger, laughing like a child poking a corpse.
But my emotions… no longer stirred. No matter what she did, I couldn’t care anymore.
“I’ll spare you,” she said. “After all, being cursed to live forever in that hideous shell… That’s punishment enough, isn’t it?”
Her cruel laughter echoed through the room as she turned and left—without even glancing back.
“…Ah… Aa… ahh… I… I’m sorry… This is… all my… fault… everyone… everyone…”
…Maria is gone.
All the gifted… gone.
Some were stripped of freedom, others executed by the Queen’s hand.
All because of me.
Me. My fault—
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”
No good. My brain won’t function.
I can’t think. I can’t stop screaming.
Maria—if only you were here.
If only I could go back to that first moment we met.
Ah…
My head, my chest, my limbs, my whole body…
…I’ve lost control of my age again.
From withered old man to youth—and back again.
My voice pitches higher as it reverts. My body stretches, then shrinks. Grows old, then young again.
The transformation spins out of control. My form distorts. My mind spirals.
What’s become of me?
How can I ever apologize to you?
I made a promise—to make you happy to the end. But I failed.
And not just you. I’ve cursed countless others. Innocent children, women, elders… All ruined by my hands.
I want to see you again.
Even now, I want to run to you. But—
“If… if I die… then live… for the both of us. Promise me… you will.”
That was the vow we made, in our final moment together.
I have to live. I must.
For your sake… for all those whose lives I stole…
…I will live.
I’ll live the lives they were denied.
I’ll serve this country, endlessly, without rest.
So that no more fall victim to that devil.
I am the Prime Minister. I will do all I can.
I’ll devote myself to this nation—forever.
Maria… this life you gave me…
A sinner like me will never reach you, even in death.
I stole too much.
So let me at least atone.
Let me carry your wish, your hope.
My age settles once again into that of an old man.
These feet, barely strong enough to stand.
This voice, hoarse and frayed.
“Maria… for your sake.”
For you, and for the innocent citizens…
I will keep repenting.
Until the day my heart stops beating.
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