I, the Female Lead, Ruined the Original

“Isn’t it supposed to be seen from here?” Selleana, trying to understand the sword’s silence, moved the note around.

[…It’s not that I perceive the text as a visual image. I just know its meaning.]

“So, you can know it without actually seeing it…?”

[If someone records text anywhere, anytime, I naturally perceive its meaning.]

“Then how did you teach Hangeul to the Master of Tower?”

[I can visualize text if I choose to. I found the principle fascinating, so I delved into it.]

“Amazing…”

Though she couldn’t fully grasp Di’s principles, it seemed that Rakrensius had learned the script just by hearing it. It’s impressive that someone could learn it just by listening… Selleana’s astonishment deepened as she looked back and forth between the sword and Rakrensius.

“Could it be, then… Wilshe’s true identity.”

[

…]

“So, it’s just a patchwork of stories from Earth? No wonder it felt familiar…”

[…]

“A plagiarist author…”

[…]

Di was generally favorable towards Selleana. It appreciated her for allowing its pitiful contractor to feel human emotions, and most importantly, she was a huge fan of ‘Wilshe.’ But seeing the fan’s illusion shatter was quite disconcerting.

, the headless sword cleared its throat. [Well, I found it interesting that many myths and legends across different worlds share common motifs. I was curious if the refined sensibilities of modern literature, developed from the idea that the archetypes of stories are transdimensional, could also resonate in this dimension.]

“

, I see…”

Despite Di’s lengthy explanation, Selleana’s expression remained cold.

[A-Anyway.] The flustered sword returned to its self-introduction. [According to the saintess, I’m Orot’s reverse scale.]

Selleana’s eyes brightened again. The talk about plagiarism was just a way to ease the tension.

[Orot governs fate, and I was born from the defiance of that fate by determined individuals.]

“Fate…”

Selleana quickly recalled the Empress’s words from earlier.

At the same time, Di picked up on Selleana’s recollection of her conversation with the Empress.

[…The saintess explained it quite specifically. And I judge that she appears in this world to prevent deviating from that order. She isn’t simply just a human with a lot of divine power chosen by an oracle.]

“So, really… the original story is fate, and I defied it…”

Original story? Rakrensius’s eyebrow twitched at Selleana’s murmuring.

[Yes. That’s what I’m curious about. You said you knew what life you would lead. Could you explain more?]

“…Yes, well, my friends and I believe we were born into the world of a book we read in our past lives.”

[And you call that book the ‘original story’?]

“Yes. Each of us thinks we were born as the protagonist of our respective original stories, but we’re living different lives. The life we are supposed to live… I thought it was the natural order and fate that the empress mentioned. Our fate is the original story, and we twisted that fate.”

“So, the lives you mentioned earlier—of Priestess Agnesia, Lady Glen, Lady Benichi, and Lady Branto…”

“Yes. If you summarize each of our original stories, you could say that. In Doli’s case, her original story started when she was seven, and there have been countless changes since then… Anyway, if you look at just the actions that have changed now, that’s how it is.”

Rakrensius’s face grew stern as he listened to Selleana. “So, Di…”

[

, my hypothesis was correct…] Seeing Selleana and her friends using Hangeul had made Di think of it as far-fetched, but it had considered the possibility of a ‘possession’ from another world.

Selleana, noticing the two’s confusion, asked softly. “So, you’re saying we defied destiny, and that’s related to the purpose of this sword’s existence, and the problem is that I’m entangled with the Master of Tower, its contractor? I actually only changed one thing. And I haven’t even changed that completely yet.”

“Is that one thing becoming the crown princess?”

“Yes, well… something like that.” Unable to fully disclose her original story to the man she liked, Selleana downplayed it.

[

…]

“W-Why are you laughing?”

[…Nothing. It’s just been tough for you.]

“

thank you for noticing…?”

The mention of her original story inadvertently revealed its nature to Di.

“Then, I have a question. I thought the reason Master of Tower lives in seclusion is because King Asmion destroyed the old kingdom and founded a new dynasty?”

[

.]

“How does that relate to you? There’s no mention of King Asmion’s sword in any historical records related to battles or the founding wars.”

[I advised him by mastering various tactical manuals from different dimensions, informed him of the enemy’s confidential documents, and ultimately, I took the head of the last king of the old kingdom myself.]

“What part of that defied the natural order?”

[Perhaps possessing me was defying the natural order. I awoke when someone who could communicate with me appeared, but I don’t know when I gained consciousness.]

[Then, am I already someone who goes against the natural order because I can communicate with you? What was the Master of Tower’s fate?”

[I don’t know…]

“What, you don’t know? You claim to know everything but can’t answer my questions.”

[That’s because my knowledge is limited to what has been recorded in text.] Di’s tone sounded unusually solemn. [That’s the mystery. It seems Rakrensius defied his original fate, allowing us to communicate… No, wait a moment.]

Di recalled when the young Rakrensius obtained it from the imperial treasure and went to report it. It recalled the priestess opening a rift in space-time to secretly threaten the boy behind the emperor’s back.

So, did that mean Rakrensius does not have fate? Is that even possible? Di pondered this without sharing the incomplete information with his friend.

“That, Lady.” Confirming Di was lost in his own thoughts, Rakrensius lifted Selleana’s hand, still holding the sword. “Lady. That… a confinement order has been issued in Elard.”

“What?”

“I’m not sure if the imperial knights have been dispatched, but Di confirmed a decree issued by the imperial family.”

“My goodness. This sword is quite capable.”

“So, Lady. I’m sorry, but… would you stay at the Magic Tower for today while we assess the situation?”

“At the Magic Tower?”

“I know it’s uncomfortable to sleep somewhere unfamiliar… but I think it might be related to your meeting with the saintess. It’s better to observe the situation and respond accordingly.”

Selleana’s expression turned serious. She needed to draw conclusions and act based on her conversation with Di.

“But, I can’t use Rosi as an excuse anymore…”

“I have already received permission from the duke.”

“What? Really?”

“According to Dame Andrea, the duke suggested it first. As soon as I confirmed the confinement order, I informed him.”

“

, I see…”

Selleana was momentarily taken aback by what had happened while she was asleep. Since Andrea and Rakrensius had made acquaintances at Marderung’s safe house earlier, such a request seemed possible.

“The duke must have realized the imperial family was using you as a pretext to make this move. So he judged it best. And…” With a somewhat displeased expression, Rakrensius covered Selleana’s hand with his own. “Didn’t I say it’s better to keep Lady in front of my eyes to protect you?”

“…Then, Master of the Tower.”

“Yes.”

“Are you trying to seduce me by asking me not to go home and stay with you?”

Before he knew it, Selleana had moved closer to him with a sly smile. The sword, with its jewel darkened, was pushed aside.

“Seduce?

“Isn’t it true? You even got permission from my father to keep me from going home.”

“Lady… in this situation…”

“What situation?”

“That…”

When Rakrensius, filled with confusion, looked into Selleana’s eyes.

Only then did he see Selleana’s true expression. Though her face was adorned with a bright smile, her eyes were filled with undeniable sadness. Her confident amber eyes, which had left a mark on his heart, were brimming with tears.

“From the moment you brought me here, wasn’t it because you had ulterior motives?”

So, even though she spoke cheerfully… Selleana was still unable to escape the shock. He felt foolish for forgetting that just because she had been joking around with Di for a moment.

“…That’s right.”

“Really?”

“I had ulterior motives, and I deliberately kept Lady from going home. Because I wanted to be with Lady even a little longer…”

Hearing his sincere words, Selleana’s cheeks flushed.

“W-What are you saying, Master of Tower? Even if you say that, it doesn’t comfort me much.”

“I wasn’t trying to comfort you.”

“…If you’re going to comfort me, do it properly.” Selleana wrapped her arms around Rakrensius’s neck and pulled him closer.