“Ide, if possible, prepare a place for us to return to...”
I thought I would die if I listened to this conversation any longer. Only the book chronicling my own story would reach its epilogue, its life measured in mere pages. While her story would continue endlessly, my name, Ide, would never be spoken again.
That image flashed through my mind, and in that moment, I suddenly murmured. “Yes. That might be a good idea. Just give me a little more time to think.”
It wasn’t a metaphor—I truly felt like I was losing myself, like I was dying. An overwhelming urge to hang myself seized me. I fled the room like I was running away.
“I...see. Take your time to think it over. Whatever choice you make, I will always support you.” Even those final words the Sovereign Queen Lorde called after me were too painful.
Staggering out of the room, I walked the castle’s corridors. People passing by saw my face and spoke to me with concern. But none of it mattered anymore. I couldn’t even muster the energy to earn points from others to remain chancellor. Unable to respond, I ignored them all and returned to my own room.
Reaching my room, I stood frozen, unable to accept reality. I had managed until now only because Sovereign Queen Lorde had told me I could remain chancellor. In other words, I, Chancellor Ide, existed only because of her. This body was dedicated to her and specialized solely for her. There was no way I could live any other way now.
Just like when I’d passed people in the corridor earlier, I became someone who couldn’t utter a single word, not knowing what kind of person I was. Without the role of chancellor, I was a weakling who didn’t even know how to live.
And yet, an orphanage? Me, as its director? There was no way I could do that! No, even if I could, I wouldn’t want to! Absolutely not! I was terrified of a future where the Sovereign Queen Lorde moved forward with someone other than me.
Who would it be? Another Essence Thief? A talented and powerful one like her? A man stronger and wiser than myself, truly worthy of being chancellor?
I would watch those two depart alone from the sidelines. That was still acceptable. The emergence of a powerful young man to aid the Sovereign Queen Lorde would be a welcome thing.
It was fine. It was fine, but just...what form would I be in then? Would an aged me be watching the young and beautiful queen? That wouldn’t do. Then I wouldn’t be able to fulfill that promise. I’d come this far solely for that promise.
I let out a moan. I had reached my limit. My body, strained beyond its abilities to maintain the appearance of a chancellor, was screaming. I’d always known my limits well, precisely because I was mediocre.
I wandered through the halls of Viaysia Castle, searching.
“Someone...please...help me...”
What should I do to fulfill my role? I wanted to discuss it with someone. But there was no one I could trust. Most of my former orphanage companions had already left the castle. The only ones still remaining besides me were the Sovereign Queen Lorde and Master Seldra. Yet I couldn’t consult either of them. Both were too powerful. They couldn’t possibly understand the troubles of weak humans. Indeed, the queen didn’t understand.
So I searched for someone who understood my weak feelings. Searching, searching, searching, searching on and on, until I finally arrived.
With all the intelligence gathered as chancellor up to this day, meeting that person was easy. It didn’t take long to summon him and be alone with him in my private chambers.
I faced the child with brown hair in my room. He radiated an authority that didn’t match his small frame and appearance.
“I have a message from Apostle Deiplachra. He says he’s sorry. He says he acted recklessly, and that’s why he’s been tormenting you two siblings all this time. He said he’s truly sorry, and he apologized over and over.” The child bowed his head, apologizing on behalf of his associate.
This seemingly ordinary boy with short hair was none other than Regacy, one of the legendary Apostles. I’d known. I’d known these Apostles were selecting those who could become Essence Thieves from across the land. Apostle Deiplachra was the one who had made my sister the Thief of Wind’s Essence long ago, and the boy before me possessed that same power.
“Master Regacy, I want to become like my sister...” Without thinking, I simply wished for it. Before meeting him, I’d considered various bargaining chips. But the moment I faced him, all of that vanished into thin air.
I suppose I’d reached my limit. And to transcend those limits, I craved the magic power that appeared in fairy tales. I desperately clung to a child barely half my height.
“Please. I want nothing else. If necessary, I’ll become your slave. I’ll lick your shoes. I’ll do anything to prove it. So please...”
This was my true beginning. The beginning of the legendary Chancellor Ide, whose name would be passed down through the ages.
“Please... Please make me an Essence Thief too...” I wanted the right to walk eternally beside my Sovereign Queen Lorde.
“Ide, brother, do not fret. In fact, you already meet the conditions. The world has already accepted you. That’s why I’m here now.” Apostle Regacy looked troubled, then quickly nodded.
But I, who could no longer trust anyone’s words easily, continued my plea. Desperate not to anger this Apostle no matter what, I sold myself hard. “I’m prepared to sacrifice this life! Do with this body as you please! I wouldn’t even mind selling my soul to the world! Yes, take everything! I can even offer myself as the price!!!”
I understood that a contract required a price. I also understood that this price would be great, that I might even lose myself.
When I conveyed this, the Apostle looked slightly surprised. “Truly, you are the final Essence Thief. Unlike the others, you understand well. Were you researching this on your own for that sister of yours? No, it doesn’t matter either way. After all, the price was already decided. You just need to let what you’re about to lose fall into the same place as your sister’s did.”
The price had already been decided? Let it fall into the same place as my sister’s? Well, if it was the same place as hers, then I supposed it didn’t matter. In fact, that’s what I wanted.
“I don’t think you need an explanation of Essence Thieves, but I’ll give you one anyway. Seems like that’s my job.”
“Then I can become one? An Essence Thief?”
“You can. It seems the world has lost to your passions.”
Those were the words I wanted to hear. I exhaled the breath I’d been holding, my face breaking into a smile. But then the Apostle cautioned me.
“But first, I’ll ask. You can still turn back now. Ide, are you sure you want this? Frankly, I don’t recommend it. Unlike the other two Apostles, I couldn’t care less about work, so I’ll be blunt: Becoming an Essence Thief is practically a scam. Basically, everyone who’s become one has ended up miserable. So far, it’s a laughable one hundred percent misery.”
“Even so, please.” I answered immediately. I charged ahead anyway, despite knowing the warning was true. Even if it meant unhappiness, I would be there. If it was alongside the Sovereign Queen Lorde, then even unhappiness was fine.
“Damn. Even so, huh?” The Apostle seemed genuinely shocked by my immediate answer, instantly shrinking back and taking a step away. Then, squinting as if dazzled, he looked at me and resumed speaking from a slight distance. “I have high hopes for you. Even if I demand the most spiteful price ever, I wonder whether you can pay it. I will put you to the test.”
Even hearing it called the most spiteful price ever, my resolve didn’t waver. I’d expected something like this from Apostle Regacy, rumored to be irresponsible. Still, he didn’t seem as wicked as the rumors suggested, so I was surprised.
Looking closely, I felt he was directing a favorable gaze at me. Though he was an Apostle of higher standing, it seemed he was beginning to admire the Essence Thieves.
✦ ✦ ✦
“I will not go back on my word, Apostle.”
“Understood, brother Ide. I will certainly make you an Essence thief. From now on, you have the misfortune of becoming the Thief of Wood’s Essence, chosen by Apostle Regacy. Well then, first I must crush that heart...”
And so, on that day, I committed suicide. I crushed my own heart. Under the Apostle’s watchful eye, I performed the contract and became an Essence Thief like my sister.
This marked the beginning of Ide, the Thief of Wood’s Essence and the the end of Ide, the younger brother. From that point onward, I completely missed out on certain precious moments. At the same time, I forgot a certain important promise.
I, too, fell into the trial faced by all Essence Thieves. Yet I felt neither fear nor anxiety. Simply knowing that the Sovereign Queen Lorde stood beside me meant that I could keep fighting forever.
That was the beginning of the story of Chancellor Ide.