Idris.

“There’s no way.”

I let out the breath I had been holding unconsciously. My legs were trembling and I could only lean against the wall.

“Was that him in the white robe?”

He was still alive and remained on the island of mages. It was a place I had never imagined he would be at.

I expected him to either go to heaven or deviate from the original plot, and thus never be on that island.

But he made it out alive and became a mage?

“This is the power of the plot huh?”

I said to myself in despair.

After all of that, he still manages to turn into a villain? Is he still the same person, or has he changed?

Despite the fact that I’m relieved that he’s still alive, I have yet to see his face. And I’m also afraid.

According to the novel’s plot, he was able to survive and eventually rise to become the master.

I was anxious. I wonder if he really became that villain in the original.

“Shit.”

I was filled with both excitement and dread at the same time. It was a weird feeling.

Maybe I shouldn’t really trust the novel?

I stumbled, but I managed to get back to my feet. Idris’s letter was placed on my desk as I wiped away tears with the sleeve of my shirt.

After that, I put my coat on and went outside.

This was due to the letter’s final paragraph.

[I’ll see you in a week. Come to the house where you lived ten years ago if you want to see me. It’s also fine to inform Liliel about me.]

***

I rushed to see Liliel early the next morning after receiving the letter. Despite my unexpected visit, Liliel greeted me calmly.

Then, after I told her what was going on, she began to panic.

“That kid… how’s that kid doing?”

Liliel lost her family to a mage like me. She despised the mages just as much as I did. She didn’t like them in the first place, but it had gotten worse since the incident.

And because she thought Idris was dead, I didn’t tell her he was a mage until the very end. I was worried that it would only make Liliel feel strange or uncomfortable.

And so, Liliel had absorbed all of the information at once, that Idris became a mage, he survived then he went on to become the master of the mages.

I waited for her to calm down.

Then I mentioned that I’d see him a week later at my old house.

Liliel hesitated and shook her head.

“I… I’m not sure what to say, Vianne. How am I supposed to accept that Idris is the master of the traitors?”

“I’m in the same boat as you. However, it is true that he saved my life just a few days ago.”

Despite the fact that I shot him, he saved me. When he was in that situation, I’m sure it must have been extremely difficult for him. I kept thinking of him trying to pull the bullet out of his stomach.

“That’s right…”

“Anyway, I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t tell anyone about this. Because he is regarded as a traitor in this empire.”

He is also the most heinous of the traitors.

“I know. Let’s keep our mouths shut.”

“Yes.”

If we don’t keep it a secret, we’ll almost certainly be charged with treason as well.

Furthermore, as a result of my testimony, the commander of the imperial knights was somewhat aware of my relationship with the mage.

I made a big mistake. It would have been better if I had remained still. I should’ve stopped trying to find out about them.

“… Vianne. Are you going to where Idris said?”

“Yes.”

“Be careful. Even though it’s Idris, I have no idea what kind of person he has turned into.”

“Okay. I’m going because I want to know his true intentions, so I won’t do anything reckless.”

I’m going to meet him so that I don’t have any doubts.

“Yes, yes, oh my goodness…”

Liliel said as she was about to cry and hugged me.

It had been a particularly difficult night.