Chapter 93 – Daphne (3)

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Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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At Daphne’s words that she had a sick younger brother, Meursault tilted his head.

Because as far as Meursault knew, there was only one person who could be considered Daphne’s younger brother.

“How surprising. Plato seemed healthy on the outside, though.”

“Well… because it is not a story about Plato.”

“Pardon?”

“I told you. I am telling my story right now, not Daphne’s story.”

Daphne looked at Meursault with eyes wishing he would realize something.

But Meursault had no idea whose story he should think he was listening to if it was not Daphne’s.

He did not have the slightest clue.

As Meursault seemed slightly flustered, Daphne muttered in a somewhat dejected voice.

“If I seem like a crazy person to you, I can stop talking…”

“Oh, no.”

Meursault hurriedly waved his hands.

“I want to hear it. Your story, not Daphne’s.”

That he wanted to hear more of the story was sincere.

Was it not whimsical to hear a story of someone who was not Daphne?

It didn’t feel bad because he felt like he had discovered a new side of Daphne.

“Really? Do you really want to hear more?”

Then Daphne put on a pleased expression, hugged one of Meursault’s arms, and began to speak about ‘someone.’

Because the story that started from childhood was so realistic, Meursault was able to immerse himself without difficulty.

“From around the time I became sensible, I wanted to become a doctor. Because I thought that if I became a doctor, I could treat my younger brother’s illness.”

“You were a good sister.”

“I finally became a doctor, but just because I was a doctor didn’t mean I could treat everything.”

“Then… your younger brother…”

“Well. He wasn’t in very good shape when I last saw him, and since we could no longer meet… perhaps by now, my younger brother…”

Because Daphne’s voice trembled finely as she spoke, Meursault, though thinking it was a made-up story, was momentarily flustered and wrapped his arm around Daphne’s shoulder.

“If it is a story that is hard to speak of, you do not have to say more, Daphne.”

“No. I will speak. Because a married couple should have no secrets from each other.”

“……”

While Meursault was worrying if he too should have no secrets from Daphne, Daphne’s words continued.

“And, actually, I don’t have violet eyes either.”

“That is a truly strange thing to say. When those beautiful violet eyes are clearly visible to my eyes even now.”

“Originally, they are black.”

“Black?”

At those words, Meursault was also surprised inwardly.

Because among the people Meursault had seen so far, Hayden and Haydam were the only two who had black eyes.

Ah, or should he say three people, including Luna Moon in the portrait he saw not long ago.

“They are black… and they aren’t that beautiful.”

“But they are beautiful.”

“It’s true, Meursault. It is only because you are charmed by my eyes right now.”

At those words, Meursault laughed out loud helplessly.

“Of course I am charmed by you.”

“Meursault.”

Daphne, as if having made some decision, raised her head that had been resting on Meursault’s shoulder and looked at him.

“If you close your eyes for a moment, I will show you my original eyes.”

“Your original… eyes?”

“Yes. Because I feel like now might be the last chance to show you.”

At that time, he did not deeply think about why she called it the last chance.

He only thought it meant she wouldn’t have the courage to bring up such a whimsical story again.

In the first place, it was also news to him that Daphne’s eye color was originally not violet.

“I understand, Daphne. Then…”

Even so, Meursault quietly closed his eyes as Daphne said.

Not long after he stood quietly with his eyes closed, Daphne’s voice was heard.

“Meursault. Now open your eyes and look at me.”

Meursault opened his eyes and looked at Daphne.

And then, the violet eyes of a moment ago had vanished completely, and jet-black eyes were looking back at Meursault.

But, strangely…

‘It is not unfamiliar.’

Even though the eyes that were shining violet until a moment ago had turned black, he did not feel surprised or flustered.

Eyes that seemed as if he had already seen them a very long time ago.

Eyes filled with affection and expectation.

The eyes that he had long yearned to marry…

Meursault looked into those two eyes and spoke.

“They are still beautiful as ever.”

When Meursault, who had blurted that out as if possessed, snapped to his senses,

Daphne was wearing the brightest smile he had ever seen.

“I am really happy. Even if that is a lie, I am really happy that you said so.”

“A lie…?”

Since they were words that flowed out as if already promised to be said, without even any room to think, there was no way it was a lie.

As Daphne seemed to think he just said it out of consideration for her, Meursault furrowed his brow very slightly.

But Daphne’s words did not end there and continued.

“Meursault. Actually, there is one thing I want to apologize for.”

“Something you want to apologize for?”

In an instant, all sorts of thoughts flashed through Meursault’s mind.

‘Did she decide she didn’t want to divorce?’

Or did she decide not to marry me?

Is that why she brought up the story that she was someone other than Daphne?

But fortunately, what came out of Daphne’s mouth was a different story.

“Maybe I will leave for somewhere far away before long.”

“Ah… Are you planning to go on a trip?”

Since she had said earlier that the place she was born was not here but somewhere else, he thought she might be planning to visit another zone since she divorced Commander Hayden.

“If that is the case, if I also go with you…”

Daphne smiled with furrowed brows and shook her head.

“I still don’t know if I will really leave. Originally, I could have avoided going by marrying Hayden… but if I end up marrying Meursault, I might have to leave.”

She could have avoided going by marrying the commander-in-chief… but if she married him, she might have to leave?

He did not understand what that meant, but the atmosphere was not one to ask for a detailed explanation.

Daphne spoke to Meursault, who was wearing a puzzled expression.

“Still… nevertheless… I want to be your wife before I leave. May I do that?”

Although they were incomprehensible words from beginning to end, in the end, it meant Daphne wanted to be his wife.

Therefore, it was not difficult to answer.

“That is what I desire, lady of black eyes.”

Daphne clapped her hands and rejoiced like a child, and Meursault was also happy just because Daphne was pleased.

Until a voice was heard from the lobby downstairs, that was.

“Lady Daphne, the divorce papers have arrived. You must sign them.”

“I understand.”

After replying to the servant, Daphne took a deep breath,

and filled her eyes, which had returned to violet at some point, with Meursault.

“Meursault. Even if I leave, please wait for me. Because I will return to your side by any means.”

“Of course. I can wait longer than the commander-in-chief who waited ten years.”

At those words, Daphne smiled gently and went down to the lobby.

Meursault escorted Daphne,

and the last sight he saw was the back of Daphne lifting a pen to sign the divorce papers.

Because in the next moment, Daphne, who finished signing, collapsed on the spot like a doll with its strings cut.

* * *

Having finished the story, Meursault shed tears in silence.

The commander wore a face deep in thought.

“……”

I could not say anything.

Because I realized who had possessed Daphne’s body.

There was no way not to know.

In a way, it was also expected.

Since CornerHoney said he came across that dating sim through his older sister.

When I heard the story of his sister from him, the timeline was not yet organized, so I vaguely thought CornerHoney’s sister had not been possessed.

Because I heard that she had openly attended the Salvation Project before we were possessed.

But now I know.

My mother died in this game, returned to reality, and set up a company called Salvation Project to create the Safe Zone series.

Daphne had also returned to reality, quit being a doctor, and entered the Salvation Project.

‘I knew that time in this game and the real world flows differently.’

It made sense, since we were possessed through a convenience store on different days,

but the starting point was the same for all of us.

Luna Moon died ten years ago and returned to reality, but looking at my age being over thirty, my mother has returned thirty years ago in real-world time.

‘Now I also know why the Safe Zone took the appearance of ten years after Luna Moon died. Daphne must have gone back and told her about it.’

Thinking like that, it meant this death was bound to happen anyway.

If Daphne had not returned to reality and told her about ten years later, the game we possessed could not have existed either.

However… there was one strange thing.

‘Why was it CornerHoney who possessed a body, and not Daphne herself?’

Could it be that the two of them, Daphne and my mother, have also possessed bodies somewhere, and I just don’t know it yet?

But if it were those two, they should have naturally chosen this Cola Zone to possess in order to meet Meursault and Hayden.

It was impossible for them to hide in this zone from my eyes.

Those two truly, definitely do not exist in this zone currently.

‘I think I know why that outsider guy said we should just stop the apocalypse because it’s a headache.’

For now,

I must do what I have to do.

“Please preserve Daphne’s body so it won’t be damaged.”

“Haydam.”

“Lord Haydam.”

The commander had a somewhat rebuking look for some reason, and Meursault looked at me with eyes mixed with expectation and hope.

“Can you… save her?”

Actually, that was not a matter I could guarantee.

I had just thought we should preserve it first since we didn’t know what would happen in the future.

“…For now, keep it preserved so it won’t be damaged.”

“Yes! I will do so!”

At any rate, just doing this would allow Meursault to go on living.

As I watched Meursault carefully holding Daphne’s body and heading somewhere, the commander spoke to me in a low voice.

“Always keep in mind that you are not an omnipotent god.”

When I raised my head to look up at him, he was looking at me with a face of genuine concern.

“If telling him to preserve the body is the problem, that is…”

“No, that is not the problem.”

“It is not the problem?”

As I blinked and stared at him, the commander added.

“Meursault would also know that dead people cannot be brought back to life. He will realize someday that the words you just spoke were out of hope that he wouldn’t break down. So it is fine.”

It seemed the commander thought I didn’t speak those words because I truly had a way to revive Daphne.

“Haydam…”

The commander spoke in a voice mixed with a sigh.

“As I said before, you are just a regressor. You don’t need to try to solve everything by yourself.”

“…I know what you mean.”

Yes.

Those were words I really needed right now.

I must go to Darling Outsider.

Now, it is really time for his older sister and…

my mother’s story.