The Ko-fi goal has been reached! As promised, this novel from the request page is getting translated into English.
Using magic, it’s possible to alter one’s appearance to look like someone else entirely.
However, he did not anticipate his target would revert to a child’s form through non-magical means.
“Even those deeply familiar with you would not expect such a drastic change to your ‘original form’. They will likely search the waterways assuming you fled there, but the heavy rains tomorrow will increase the water levels, leading them to conclude the body was washed away and drop the investigation.”
“…Just who are you?”
“I intend to answer all your questions. So please trust me.”
“That depends on the content, doesn’t it?”
Despite her opponent being a child, Lucia remains guarded as she responds.
Facing such an individual, Kurtz must now explain his own circumstances.
“I am a human who has returned from the future seventeen years from now, with memories and consciousness intact.”
A human who has ‘regressed’ while retaining future memories and consciousness.
It’s fair to say no one would believe such an outrageous tale.
However–she would be able to understand it.
“…Don’t tell me, you’re related to the Eisenhud?”
Lucia asks with widened eyes.
In Albusage, the Sacred Tree Empire, there are six ducal houses.
Spirit Magic, Sacred Magic, Summoning Magic, Alchemy, Bestowal Magic, Curse Magic.
As the progenitors of these six types of magic and the pinnacle of the current magical system, these noble houses have made great contributions to the empire’s prosperous history. Their influential status is renowned not just within the empire, but across the entire continent.
These are the Six Great Ducal Houses of the present empire.
However, the name [Eisenhud Ducal House] does not exist among them.
That name was forgotten by the public three hundred years ago.
“…I’ve heard the Eisenhud Ducal House lost all their territories, vassals, and ducal authority and fell into ruin three hundred years ago. Afterwards, only the family head Artesia remained, forbidden from having any vassals and not even permitted to leave the capital, right?”
“For you to have dug that deeply, you must have infiltrated quite far.”
“That’s my profession. So I cannot simply dismiss your words.”
The fact that he had regressed from the future.
Lucia could not deny the possibility that it was true.
“After all–Artesia Eisenhud is a being who can manipulate [time] itself.”
[Magic] is an arcane art established on theories cultivated over long years, systematized into techniques, and passed down among the nobility wielding it.
However, there were some who innately harbored an affinity for magic known as [Abnormalities].
The Eisenhud Ducal House named their own Abnormality the [Innate Magic], and due to the great merits they achieved through its power, they were permitted by the reigning emperor to call themselves the seventh ducal house.
The [Innate Magic] was a power that transcended the world’s laws to such an extent.
“Artesia Eisenhud has used her Innate Magic of [time] to stop the aging of her physical body for three hundred years. Having actually lived three hundred years…it would not be impossible for her to use that time manipulation ability to send you back from the future to the past.”
“I’m relieved you understand so quickly. Since you investigated the ducal houses, I expected you’d lend an ear to my unbelievable claims.”
“…If you’re that confident, then you must know my objective as well?”
“Yes. To investigate the cause behind the disease of gradual magic deficiency, right?”
At that, Lucia finally showed a slight reaction by raising her brow.
“The one afflicted is the granddaughter of your benefactor and liege. When she first complained of abnormalities, a significant decrease in her magic power was confirmed. Subsequent observations showed her total magic power diminishing, and it has continued gradually decreasing without recovery since then–“
“Haa…seems you really know everything…”
Lucia answered with a resigned sigh before regaining her composure.
“So, why would an Eisenhud help me then?”
“Artesia herself is exhibiting similar symptoms.”
“…What?”
“And in seven years, her magic power will be completely depleted and she will die.”
“W-Wait a minute…Wasn’t she using her magic to stop the aging of her body?”
“That’s right. Ordinarily, she should not fall ill. And for regular humans to surpass an Eisenhud once called the ‘Emperor’s Absolute Guardian’ would be more difficult than toppling a nation.”
A noble house that symbolized the innate and acquired Abnormalities they called [Innate Magic], employing a unique magic system different from the other six great houses to possess formidable abilities.
Artesia’s mastery over [time], the ability to create something from nothing with [Genesis], the defiance of existing laws to craft separate realms with [Heterocosm] – their power was said to surpass all ducal houses.
Sworn to unwavering loyalty to the emperor as the consummate guardian of peace.
Precisely because she was such an almighty being, impossible to kill–
“–Artesia was assassinated by a magic created by the combined Six Great Ducal Houses.”
The moment Kurtz revealed this, Lucia’s eyes widened in realization of its meaning.
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“…Meaning the Six Great Houses conspired together?”
“Yes. Using the magic power of the [World Tree], the symbol of the empire, and combining the knowledge of the six houses specializing in different fields of magic…that is the true nature of the disease causing magic deficiency.”
Unconsciously, Kurtz clenched his fists tightly.
“For the first year, nothing happened. Two years later, she started frequently getting out of breath from light exercise. Three years in, she collapsed after a simple walk. Four years later, she could no longer leave the manor grounds. Five years on, she could only be active for half a day even inside the manor. Six years in, she was confined to her bed–and in the seventh year, she breathed her last.”
Suppressing his emotions, Kurtz recounted Artesia’s final fate.
Then, he exhaled deeply as if releasing the tension.
“After her death was hell. That magic became known as the ‘World Tree’s Curse’, an inexplicable strange disease that spread, claiming lives not just among commoners but rival nations’ key figures too. In that situation, the Six Great Houses discovered the cause and solution, establishing an overwhelmingly dominant position in this world.”
It must have all gone according to plan.
After Artesia’s death, the ‘World Tree’s Curse’ did spread, but the unnaturally swift pace at which the cause was uncovered and resolved was eerie.
The epidemic was contained within less than a year in the empire, sparing the citizens, but those afflicted in other nations were forced into dire choices to save themselves and their people.
“In exchange for disclosing the treatment method, the Six Great Houses imposed one-sided treaties subjugating other nations under their rule. By then, the Albusage, the Sacred Tree Empire emperor responsible for overseeing the [World Tree] had been stripped of authority due to his failures, allowing the Six Great Houses who effectively seized power to dominate the entire continent with impunity.”
The future he was fated to experience in his previous life.
In just ten short years, the whole continent had fallen under the Six Great Houses’ grasp.
“You were targeted for death because you were sniffing around the ducal houses. The Six Great Houses had just finished their magic experimentation on Artesia, so they were on high alert.”
“…This experimentation you mentioned?”
“There were five subjects including your charge’s granddaughter. Since the ‘World Tree’s Curse’ progresses differently based on the total magic power, the Six Great Houses deliberately infected selected individuals and observed the process. All five subjects showed symptoms around six months ago, and three have already perished at this point.”
“…So you know the cure, then?”
“I’m fully aware of the steps and conditions. But in my current state, I cannot take any action.”
As he is now, Kurtz is merely an impoverished commoner.
No matter how much knowledge and information he has, he lacks the military force and manpower to act on it.
“I have returned to the past at the cost of everything to save Artesia.”
After Artesia’s demise, he had spent ten long years devising a plan to achieve his long-cherished wish.
“I wanted to avert a future where the esteemed Artesia Eisenhud fell victim while those depraved, evil-consumed ducal houses ruled over the continent.”
As blood trickled from his tightly clenched fist, Kurtz made his plea to Lucia.
“So please–lend me your strength, Lucia Dienes.”
Bowing deeply, Kurtz entreated Lucia.
In response to his words, Lucia fell silent for a moment before–
She gently patted Kurtz’s head.
“…What are you doing?”
“Well, you just looked like a kid, so I couldn’t help wanting to pat your head.”
“…Despite my appearance, my actual age is twenty-seven.”
“Oh, so we’re pretty close in age then. Makes me feel a bit of kinship.”
Happily giving his head a light tap, Lucia then smiled warmly.
“And…I understand wanting to save someone precious to you, that unwavering resolve to absolutely achieve your goal.”
Releasing Kurtz’s bloodied hand, Lucia continued.
“What’s your name?”
“Kurtz. In my previous life, I was a servant of the Eisenhud.”
“Okay then, Kurtz. Our interests align, and you did save my life, so I’ll lend a hand as a ‘friend’.”
Her peach-colored eyes sparkled as she grinned.
“–So feel free to use me well, mmkay?”
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