#110. Time to Wake from the Dream (2)
There were two ways to break the Dream Magic.
One was to smash the relic that contained the spell, forcibly cutting the connection.
It sounded simple, but it was dangerous.
The greatest risk was if the magic did not break even after the relic was destroyed.
Once the relic was gone, the medium that maintained the spell would vanish too. If the magic still remained, then there would be no way to break it ever again.
That’s why most people preferred the second method.
Instead of destroying the relic, they carefully unraveled the bond between the relic and the magic, piece by piece.
But very few people could do that properly. Even rarer were those willing to spend the time and effort.
Casting magic was always easier than undoing it—especially if it was someone else’s spell.
And now, in this age where magic had nearly disappeared, it was even harder to find someone capable.
Still, Ruslan was lucky.
Even a thousand years ago, when magic was thriving as a state project, few people could identify Dream Magic, let alone break it.
In this age, Sasha was probably the only one alive who could.
And she was even willing to help.
“Truly, Ruslan’s luck is absurd.”
Sasha thought bitterly.
When she first identified the relic, she hadn’t felt this way.
Though reluctant, she had decided it was better to properly resolve it than leave it half-done.
Now she regretted it.
“I should never have admitted I knew.”
Back in the relic chamber, she had foolishly spoken up about the magic’s dangers and how to undo it—in front of witnesses.
Now, if Ruslan suffered or even died, no one would blame the relic. They would blame her.
Not just Sasha, but perhaps even Pavel, and the entire Volkov lands would suffer the consequences.
So she had no choice but to save Ruslan from the relic’s grip.
And there was another reason—
Because Ruslan’s dreams had begun to center on her, his obsession with her was only growing.
If she didn’t end it, he would cling to her until the end.
And when the relic consumed his mind, he would become truly dangerous.
Better to deal with it now, before that happened.
Of course, she didn’t intend to let him off lightly.
“For touching Pavel, he will pay the price.”
Sasha’s eyes glimmered as she looked at the peacefully sleeping Pavel.
Today, she would shatter Ruslan’s sweet dream, turning it into a nightmare.
Pavel, still weak, was sent back first. Sasha stayed behind just long enough to unravel Ruslan’s spell.
But she didn’t want him to obsess over her even more.
So she lied, saying she had used one of her collected relics to break the magic.
“I’ve taken all the necessary measures, but it will take a few days to fully clear. Until then, keep this by your side as usual. Once the magic is undone, the relic will break on its own. Until then, don’t damage it.”
She explained carefully, but Ruslan only stared at her face instead of listening.
“Did he even hear me properly?”
Sasha frowned.
Ruslan just smiled brightly when their eyes met.
So she repeated firmly:
“If something happens to the relic before the magic ends, it will be dangerous. Don’t break it under any circumstance.”
Ruslan replied smoothly:
“Then, until it’s fully safe… wouldn’t it be better if you stayed by my side?”
Sasha gave him a cold stare.
“Whatever happens, I’ve already done all I can. Now I must return to my husband.”
And with that, she left.
Ruslan had dismissed everyone else just to be alone with her, but no matter how he tried, he couldn’t stop her.
Before leaving, Sasha gave one last warning:
“Whoever gave this to you—surely you know their intentions weren’t pure. Be careful.”
She would investigate herself as well. Someone had deliberately placed her into Ruslan’s dreams, to make him obsess over her. That couldn’t be ignored.
But Ruslan didn’t understand her concern.
Alone again, he took out the relic.
The dark, ominous aura had lessened, but it still pulsed faintly.
“So this was dangerous after all…”
He muttered.
He had bought it only a week ago from a relic dealer he often used. A relic at least two thousand years old, yet in pristine condition—it had caught his eye immediately.
But now Sasha claimed it had been twisting his mind.
Ruslan frowned.
Could all the passion he felt for her truly be nothing but the relic’s magic?
He didn’t want to believe that.
Still—
“Since she said so, I’ll follow her advice.”
He lay back and soon drifted into sleep.
And once again, he fell into the same dream.
“Ruslan.”
The gentle voice called his name. He turned and saw her standing there—
Sasha.
Moonlight spilled through the dark hall, shining on her silver hair and fair face.
“Come here.”
She whispered, taking his hand.
“Quickly.”
She led him into a chamber glowing with golden light. A grand chandelier glittered above.
“Ruslan.”
This time, she called his name sweetly.
Her smiling face under the light was irresistible.
“Sasha.”
He spoke her name like Pavel would—softly, tenderly.
Instead of frowning, she smiled even brighter.
But then, her face dimmed with sadness.
“When will you take me away?”
“…Sasha?”
“I want to be with you. Every day, every moment. I want to be your wife.”
Her confession made Ruslan’s chest burn with emotion.
“I will make your wish come true.”
The dream shifted.
In it, Ruslan forced Sasha and Pavel to divorce, sent Pavel to the war in the north, and married Sasha himself.
Though many opposed, Ruslan’s will prevailed.
With Sasha as his wife, his fortunes soared.
Natalya, the High Priestess, ceded the throne to him. Princess Irina married a foreign king, removing any rival heirs and forming a new alliance.
Together, they waged wars of conquest. The empire devoured small nations, expanded westward, and finally unified the continent.
Time passed unnaturally fast, but Ruslan didn’t notice.
He was too intoxicated by success.
By the end, he stood as a glorious emperor.
And by his side was his brilliant empress, Sasha, helping him rule.
Ruslan couldn’t imagine life without her anymore.
“Yes… without her, I could never live like this.”
His eyes glowed with obsession. He was completely enthralled—by the relic’s power, and by the dazzling dream of the future it showed him.
