Chapter 94

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...

"......This is......"

The moment the glowing diary was opened, a magic imbued with divine power activated before Ozvald and the others.

(It must be Charlotte's, from before she lost her memory...!)

Ozvald instantly shielded Charlotte, placing her behind him, and extended his hand in front of the shining magic circle.

(It's an image magic...! But it's not just that. It's a highly advanced composite spell with a memory-controlling construct...!)

"Lord Ozvald!"

Responding to Charlotte's worried voice, he concentrated even deeper.

He caught each spell forming at an incredible speed and constructed a magic circle to freeze them at the same speed.

It might have been just a few seconds, but it felt much longer. By the time he finally finished tracing Charlotte's spell, sweat was trickling down Ozvald's neck.

"Hah..."

He exhaled shallowly and fixed his gaze on the magic circle suspended in the air.

"Lord Ozvald... Was that just now...?"

"Yes. I maintained the spell you left behind with my own magic."

It seems that Charlotte's diary contains a spell that was cast before she lost her memory.

"It was improvised, but it seems to have worked well."

"Oz...! O-Oz, Lord Ozvald!!! You look so cool...!! I thought I couldn't breathe...!!"

"Please breathe in and out carefully. Don't die. While you're taking deep breaths, I'll analyze this spell."

The spell entangled by Ozvald's magic is made with a straightforward construct. Even before she lost her memory, it was still a magic circle characteristic of Charlotte.

"Soo, Lord Ozvald, haa, how is it...!?"

"It seems to be an image magic that affects memory, designed to appear only in your mind..."

"Then, should I let the spell take over and describe the scene I see to you, Lord Ozvald, haa?"

"---No."

"Huh?"

Stopping the breath she was about to take, Charlotte tilted her head. "Just breathe," Ozvald urged, and then told her:

"There are many constructs in the memory-related descriptions that create images. If it were simply to recall memories, there wouldn't be a need to go to such lengths."

"...That's true."

Charlotte stood next to Ozvald and stared intently at the floating magic circle.

"Back then, I must have constructed the lines of the construct in such a way that it wouldn't be easily detected. However, the purpose seems to be to show fabricated images, disguised as memory recall..."

(...Even if she has lost her memory of herself and acts in that manner, Charlotte is still sharp.)

Ozvald felt a sense of pride at this aspect of his wife. He reached out and gently patted Charlotte's head.

"Lord Ozvald!?"

"It seems difficult to decompose the memory magic and image magic at this stage of the magic circle. Given that it's likely to be fabricated and could hurt your feelings, I don't want you to see it alone. ...I'll join you."

"I can't involve you, Lord Ozvald... ugh..."

As Ozvald stared intently at Charlotte, she seemed to understand what he was trying to say.

"Uuuu..."

"Charlotte"

"Um..."

Charlotte squeezed her eyes shut and then, with a determined look, spoke.

"Please... see it with me...! D-D-D-D-Dear Lord Ozvald!!"

"Haha"

Her hesitation was amusing, and Ozvald patted her head again.

"You're stuttering too much. ...But I'm glad you said that."

"——!!"

"However, this spell is designed to show images only in your mind. We need to think of a way..."

"S-S-S-So, Lord Ozvald...!"

Charlotte, though stiff with tension, managed to raise her hand and force out her words.

"Could we use dreams...? I think the images that flow through my mind could be seen by you, Lord Ozvald, as well!!"

"Dreams?"

"Dreams are a place more susceptible to magic than reality. Healing magic can work within dreams to heal patients with deep emotional wounds..."

Ozvald knew about this.

He himself had declined such treatment, but healing mages had used this approach for soldiers who were constantly exposed to the dangers of the battlefield.

"I've been practicing a little, as taught by Professor Hydramary... ...Because I noticed that Lord Ozvald sometimes has trouble sleeping..."

"...Charlotte"

"I'll run into your dream and intrude! So please, will you wait for me until I get there?"

"......"

"Kyaa!!"

Ozvald couldn't help but embrace Charlotte at her words.

He was often driven by the impulse to do this every day, but he knew he should hold back to avoid upsetting her with his contact.

But now, he couldn't control himself.

"I'll wait. ...Let's sleep together."

"N-N-N-N-No, I don't think that's possible...!!"

And so, Ozvald and Charlotte decided to meet in their dreams.