IBRIP l CH 55

Chapter 55 

“M-mama. Mama.”

The fact that this strange creature just called me “mama” was not even the biggest problem.

What I was holding felt more like a plant—something like a sweet potato—than a human.

Well… except for the face.

“This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. And ‘mama’? Really…?”

Winter’s expression shifted into something more amused.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t ten years old? Are you—”

“No. Absolutely not. I don’t know this baby.”

But when the sweet potato baby started cuddling into my arms, I could tell my words didn’t sound very convincing.

My whole body broke out in goosebumps, but I awkwardly picked up the baby anyway.

Winter leaned in, as if to get a closer look.

“Izana, this baby smells just like you. I almost believed my joke earlier.”

The thing moved its potato-like arms and legs and babbled like a real baby.

And worst of all… it seemed to really like me. It kept rubbing up against me affectionately.

There was only one person—well, one thing—who might know what this was.

“Let’s take it to the vault spirit.”

Unfortunately, that spirit hated me.

***

『My young enemy, who am I?』

“You are a star that fell into the sea.”

『Then who are you?』

“The one who stole the heart of the star…”

I gave the usual answer and shoved the sweet potato baby forward, forcing a bitter smile.

“I’m its mom, apparently. So—who is it?”

『……』

“You don’t know? Seriously?”

Should I just bang on the vault? Would that help?

Winter gently patted the vault and turned to me.

“According to the spell, you’re this spirit’s enemy. That’s probably why she warned you not to go to the basement—because she knew about this creature.”

“But I never did anything to her!”

Now she called me her enemy and even tried to kill me. I felt so wronged.

“If you hadn’t gone to the basement like she warned, the roots would’ve destroyed the continent. So her hatred must run deep.”

The baby wiggled again, like it wanted to be held tighter. I patted it gently, trying to calm it down.

But honestly, the feeling of its skin was way too much like an actual sweet potato. I couldn’t get used to it.

“The spirit is a fallen star, and I—well, someone from the Rohia family—stole her heart and trapped her in this vault. That person must’ve been one of my ancestors. So now she hates everyone with Rohia blood.”

“Then maybe you can free her. If you promise to return her heart and release her from this vault, she might listen.”

That made sense. I gave the baby to Winter and turned to the vault again to summon the spirit.

But the baby immediately started to cry.

So I had no choice but to hold it while I talked to the spirit again.

『My young enemy, who am I?』

“You are a star that fell into the sea.”

『Then who are you?』

“The one who stole your heart… and the one who will set you free.”

『……』

Ugh, more silence?

『…She said the same thing to me.』

She answered!

I quickly spoke before she could disappear again.

“I mean it! I’ll really set you free. You know what this sweet potato baby is, right? Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it!”

『She said that too. She said she loved me. She begged me to stay and protect what was hers. But she swore not as Estel Rohia—but in the name of Rohia. She used my kindness and tied me not to her, but to the Rohia bloodline. Because of that, I’m still trapped here. I was forced to protect her children forever.』

“Then just tell me how to free you. I’ll do it, I swear.”

『You have the power to do so. Anyone from the Rohia line could’ve freed me—but no one did, all this time.』

A cold, eerie laugh echoed in the room.

It felt like icy seawater had soaked deep into my chest.

After a pause, the spirit spoke again.

『I am Laspicia, spirit of happiness and prosperity. The Rohias used me to build their wealth and success.』

From the vault, a glowing mist of white and blue began to pour out.

The mist slowly took shape—into a woman wearing a veil.

Her glowing blue face was hidden, but I could see her cold lips beneath the veil.

She held out one arm and whispered:

『Mixed-blooded child… When I am freed from this place, I will vanish and become part of the world’s natural order. That should have happened centuries ago. But your ancestors went against the laws of the world. So I do not believe you will free me, even if I answer your question. If you want something from me…』

Her voice echoed inside my head like a lullaby—but also like a far-off shout.

It was kind, yet haunting.

『Give up the future in which you would be happiest.』

“What?”

『That way, you can save the world from the being you now hold in your arms.』

Wait… WHAT am I supposed to give up?

My happiest possible future?

『Messenger of the gods, born to save this world—do you hesitate?』

“Are you crazy?! Who would agree to that?!”

『It’s simple. Just one future—the one with the most happiness. That doesn’t mean you’ll be unhappy forever. Many people never get even a normal amount of happiness. Don’t forget that.』

At that moment, I secretly hoped I’d die and return in time again.

If I agreed and then rewound time, maybe I’d get the information without losing anything.

I glanced at Winter, but his face was tense.

He must’ve guessed what I was thinking because he slowly shook his head.

“Spirits are closer to the truth of the world. They weren’t created by Huérion—they’ve been here since the beginning. A contract with them can’t be undone, even by turning back time.”

So… there was no way out?

I really had to give up my best possible future?

In desperation, I turned to the spirit.

“Laspicia, what if the future you want is tied to the world’s survival? You must know who this man and I are. If the happy future you demand from me is the key to stopping the ‘unrecordable disaster’, then giving it up would doom the world. I can’t agree to that.”

『Don’t worry, child. What I want isn’t that grand.』

She reached out and gently brushed my cheek.

Even that tiny touch sent a chill into my bones.

『I only want your personal happiness. If I had the power to change the fate of the world, I wouldn’t still be trapped here.』

“Spirit… must it be a Rohia? If it can be mine, then take whatever you want.”

Winter spoke in a calm, serious tone.

“Take whatever you like from me.”

Wait—what?! Then what does that make me?!

“Duke, this is my family’s problem, so I should be the one to—”

『…Don’t insult me. I know asking you to give up your greatest joy would be meaningless.』

Thankfully, Laspicia cut him off before I had to argue.

Her calm voice turned sharp and angry.

『I only want something from a Rohia.』

The cold around us grew more intense.

I realized my eyelashes were covered in frost.

Winter came closer and pulled me into his arms. For once, his cold body actually felt warm in comparison.

Ah… there’s no other way.

Even though I was only being asked to give up one future out of many…

It still hurts. It scared me. I didn’t want to let go.

When Winter stepped up for me, I almost felt relieved for a moment.

I held my head and muttered,

“See? I told you I could never be a noble, self-sacrificing hero like you.”

“You already saved me. That’s more than enough.”

For Winter, a man who no longer asked for happiness, peace was his only wish.

“You are my hero.”

He had saved countless people.

And now the one trying to save him… was someone like me. Someone who sat around peeling tangerines on a heated mat while worrying from afar.

Without another word, I reached toward the spirit.

“Fine. Take it—my happiest possible future.”