Chapter 42

---

"Gar-kun, it's suffocating."

Tia, held tightly in his thick arms, said with a smile.

"...Tia"

Gadio called her name, filled with a myriad of emotions.

"Hmm, you don't have to say it so sadly, I'm right here."

She replied with a voice brimming with overflowing affection and wrapped her arms around his back.

"Tia...!"

"Hehe, to think I'd get such a passionate hug from shy Gar-kun, it's like being reborn."

In his arms, there was a definite sensation.

Was this a dream?

Ah, perhaps it would have been better if it were a dream.

But this was reality, a blissful reality that felt like a nightmare.

"But it's getting a bit too tight... Give, give!"

Tia patted Gadio's back with a thump, thump.

Realizing this, he loosened his grip and held her shoulders to look at her face.

"You've become so strong. I didn't really understand what six years meant, but seeing Gar-kun's face, I can't help but understand."

"Tia hasn't changed."

As he said this, he brought his hand close to her slightly flushed cheek.

His fingertips were trembling.

As if touching a sand statue of a goddess that could crumble at any moment.

When his index finger made contact, a smooth, silky sensation returned.

No matter how many times he checked, he couldn't believe it.

But she was there.

Tia, who was supposed to be dead, was right in front of him.

"But this warmth hasn't changed."

Tia placed her palm over the large hand touching her cheek.

She squinted her eyes, as if confirming that Gadio was really in front of her.

The two of them silently felt each other's presence.

The atmosphere created a world that only they could enter, one that others couldn't approach.

Kerena watched them from a distance with a complex expression.

After a while, Tia slowly and reluctantly let go of her hand.

"There's a lot I want to tell you, let's go inside."

She turned around and asked Kerena.

"What's the state of my room?"

"Ah, um... It's just as it was, and it's been cleaned properly."

"Is that so? Thanks, Kerena. Then, let's talk in my room?"

Gadio was led into the house by Tia.

Kerena could only watch them go.

Her mind couldn't keep up.

She didn't know about the church's experiments, so she couldn't even guess the reason.

Thus, she was left behind, standing there helplessly.

---

In a certain region, there grew a cluster of trees that bore very beautiful fruit.

However, the fruit was poisonous, and eating it would gradually erode the body.

Everyone in the region knew this, and naturally, no one would think of eating it without being warned.

But a man living in that region, out of curiosity, ate the tiny fruit no bigger than a fingertip.

After that, he was possessed and continued to eat it every day, eventually dying from spitting blood.

Even though people around him tried to stop him, why couldn't he control himself?

It was a simple story.

The fruit was extremely sweet.

He had become its captive.

Just that.

For that reason alone, the man continued to take the poison into his body by his own will and died.

Gadio was remembering a story he had heard from Rau.

At the time, he had laughed it off, thinking, "What a foolish man" — but now, did he have the right to laugh at that man?

"Mu, you've really become wild, Gar-kun."

In Tia's room in the mansion.

She sat on his lap on the sofa, touching his face.

This was always her position when she was being affectionate with him.

However, they had only been this intimate for about a year before she died, not a long time.

"But, the thin and fresh Gar-kun was good, and the current Gar-kun is also very nice. You've become a fine, strong man while retaining your old charm. Just as I expected from my husband."

"...Is that so?"

"Yep, that's right. No need to be modest, I really think so."

Saying this, she leaned against his broad chest.

Naturally, Gadio wrapped his arms around her back.

It was a habit.

He always used to hold Tia, who always wanted physical contact, in this way.

"It's been only about a month for me, but it's already been six years."

"The mansion hasn't changed, has it?"

"This room was surprisingly the same. But the town in the capital and the people who were alive have all changed. Kerena, and Halom... right? I didn't expect the child of Soma to have grown so much."

Tia said this with a sad expression.

The six-year gap could not be bridged, no matter what.

Seeing her, Gadio gradually relaxed his guard.

She had emotions, and warmth.

If this wasn't Tia, what could he believe in?

If anything, the only thing that made him uneasy was the lack of a heartbeat in her chest.

"Besides, I've... changed too."

"You said you came back to life. What happened?"

He didn't really want to know.

Even if it were a dream, he thought it would be better to end it happily while embracing her.

However, it was impossible.

Something impossible had happened, and it was an undeniable fact that it was the work of the church.

He couldn't help but ask, and in some cases, he might have to kill her with his own hands.

"I don't really understand it myself, but they implanted something called an Origin Core into my dead body."

—Origin Core.

He had expected it, but the name still came up.

Gadio clenched his fist and said in a strained voice.

"So, it is... as I thought."

"From the way you say it, Gar-kun knows about the Origin Core. So, can I skip the explanation? Anyway, they managed to control and weaken the mysterious power to prevent my body from turning into a monster, and finally, I got permission to go out."

It was quite surprising to hear this from Tia herself.

If it were a trap set by the church, they would hide the inconvenient parts.

Or, were they trying to make him let his guard down by openly revealing false information?

Unable to read their intentions, Gadio's brow furrowed.

Tia looked at him intently, extended her index finger, touched the wrinkle, and played with it.

"You're making that serious face again. I wish you'd smile more now that we've met again."

"I can't. The Origin Core is dangerous. The monster that destroyed our team was also a creature enhanced by the core."

"I heard that from the Doctor. At the time, the control was still weak. But even so, I can't accept it. Still, now that I've come back to life, I can't say anything."

"Who is the Doctor?"

"The person in charge of the Necromancy team. His real name is Dafiz Sharum, I think. He wears glasses, always wears a white coat, and is a tall, thin man."

One question led to ten answers.

Why wasn't she hiding anything? At this rate, she might even tell him the location of the research facility if he asked.

"Why are you telling me everything? There's no reason for you to hide anything from Gar-kun, right? Besides, the Doctor said it's okay not to hide anything."

"I don't understand. What do you mean... What was the purpose of the church in bringing Tia back to life and introducing her to me!?"

Gadio was flustered.

Even in front of him, Tia spoke calmly with a smile.

"I don't know about other research teams, but at least the purpose of Necromancy is—just to bring the dead back to life. If someone is sad because someone important to them has died, they want to save that person. I think that's all it is."

Tia didn't seem to be lying.

At least, to Gadio, who knew her from before, it seemed that way.

The Origin Core, if it could be controlled, had the power to perform miracles that humanity had given up on.

If the result was Tia standing in front of him now—

"...No, I still can't believe it."

Gadio said this and shook his head.

Seeing this, Tia showed a sad expression but quickly smiled again.

"It's hard to accept right away, the Doctor said. Of course, not just for Gar-kun, but for Kerena too. It's confusing to suddenly come back after being dead for six years."

"I'm sorry... I wish I could be happy about it, if I could."

But he couldn't.

Knowing that the church was involved made it impossible.

"Don't apologize. But, will you meet me again?"

"Again? Are you going somewhere?"

"My body still needs fine adjustments. If I let my guard down, the Origin might take over my body. So, I have to go back to the research facility in about two hours."

"I see..."

It was a bittersweet feeling for Gadio.

It was impossible, no matter how much he told himself, "It's a trap set by the church." The woman in front of him was indeed his dead wife, Tia.

He couldn't suppress his joy.

"I like it when you look sad here. I've been told that once the adjustments are complete, we can live together, so please be patient until then."

If that time really comes—how happy it would be.

"Can I stay close to you until then?"

"I won't refuse that."

"Hehe, good. Gar-kun is still as kind as ever."

A peaceful, dreamlike time flowed.

The anxiety swirling in Gadio's chest didn't disappear.

But every time he felt her warmth, it gradually faded.

It was dangerous.

But the reward for taking the risk was too great.

The more he immersed himself, the more Gadio found it impossible to escape the sweet quagmire.

---

Kerena carried the box Gadio had dropped to the spacious kitchen.

Inside were two pieces of cake.

It was covered with plenty of cream and topped with several fruits.

It didn't suit Gadio, and it was obvious who it was for.

She bit her lower lip.

She didn't know if she was angry or sad.

"Mom, who was that person?"

Halom, who had appeared next to her, asked her mother.

"...Gadio's wife."

"Gar-kun's wife? Wasn't Mom supposed to be the wife?"

"..."

Halom's innocent words pierced Kerena.

She had chosen the wrong words. It wasn't something that could be described as real or fake.

Kerena's feelings were also true.

But it was the second time, the second choice.

It was just a compromise for two people licking their wounds.

"Since the real wife is back, it's not my turn anymore."

"Real? Was Mom fake?"

"..."

Halom's words, though not malicious, hurt Kerena.

She had chosen the wrong words. It wasn't something that could be described as real or fake.

Kerena's feelings were also true.

But it was the second time, the second choice.

It was just a compromise for two people licking their wounds.

"Hey, if that person is around, will Halom's dad not become dad? If so, Halom doesn't need that person!"

"Hey, Halom, don't say that—"

"But that person is scary! Mom is much better!"

"...Ah, geez, I can't get mad when you say I'm better!"

Kerena squatted down and stroked Halom's head.

"Tia is a good person. I'm sure Halom will like her once you talk to her."

"I don't think so."

"Don't decide before you try, people are—"

"No, no, Mom, Halom is scared, not because I don't like her."

Halom wasn't just reluctant but looked frightened.

Sensing something ominous, Kerena didn't dismiss it outright and listened to her words.

"That person is empty."

Confused by the abstract words, Kerena tilted her head.

"Empty?"

"Smiling but not really smiling, seeming happy but not really happy."

"Hmm? Sorry, Halom, can you explain it in a way I can understand?"

"...I can't, I don't understand. But, that's what Halom thinks."

A child's intuition is something adults can't understand.

Perhaps it was just a bad match with Tia—however, if they actually talked, she would surely warm up to her.

Because, wherever she went, children always warmed up to Tia, and the much rougher Kerena used to be the one who was feared.

She didn't think deeply about Halom's words, stroked her head again, and said,

"Let's eat the cake Gadio bought, shall we?"

She smiled.

Halom still looked uneasy but, unable to resist her appetite, nodded.

---

Two hours later, a carriage arrived in front of Gadio's mansion.

Tia said goodbye to Gadio and Kerena, told them, "I'll be back soon," and returned to the research facility.

They watched the carriage until it was out of sight, then walked towards the entrance.

There was no conversation between them.

The awkward atmosphere lingered as the night deepened—

---

Flam, returning from the guild, sat at the dining table with Milkit and Eterna.

Usually, he wouldn't stop eating in front of delicious home-cooked meals, but today, Eterna was acting strange.

"Is there something you don't like in it?"

Milkit asked her cautiously.

Eterna, as if trying to cover it up, took a small bite and said,

"No, not really."

Throughout dinner, Eterna remained like this, and it didn't change even after the meal.

While Flam and Milkit were cleaning up, she would stare blankly into space, lost in thought, and then suddenly stand up and go upstairs.

The two of them exchanged glances and tilted their heads in unison.

The mystery was solved while Eterna was in the bath.

Flam, who had just gone upstairs to his room, heard a voice from inside the room.

"Hey, Flam, who was that person?"

"That person?"

"Around noon, I think, an old man and woman came, right? By the way, Milkit was taking a nap after finishing the housework."

That's why she didn't say anything.

She must have been napping after drying the futon, which was warm from the sun.

Imagining the scene, Flam's cheeks relaxed.

But that wasn't important now.

What was concerning was the visitor.

"Hey, Ink, did Eterna handle that person?"

"That's right. Hmm, why didn't she tell Flam?"

"Maybe she thought it wasn't important enough to tell."

"But they talked for a long time."

Could those two be related to Eterna's strange behavior?

It wasn't something to pry into, so Flam asked Eterna directly when she came out of the bath.

However, she only gave vague, evasive answers.

She avoided his gaze so obviously—Flam almost laughed at how bad she was at lying.

Even if he knew she was lying, he couldn't know the truth unless she told him.

Flam had no choice but to give up.

Maybe she would be back to normal after a good night's sleep.

He might have given up so easily because of that sweet hope.

But as time passed, the situation didn't improve.

The only change was that, from that day on, Eterna started to go out silently more often.

Just that.