The owner of the general store—Vermut.
There were a few things I wanted to ask him.
He wasn’t just an ordinary shopkeeper. Vermut was a capable grand magician who had once been affiliated with the Magic Tower. If anyone could give me proper advice, it was him.
Lately, I’d been stuck on a particular problem.
How to properly combine magnetism and electricity.
Individually, I could use them well enough.
But together? That was another story.
I had a strong feeling there was a breakthrough waiting just out of reach—something obvious, something elegant—but no matter how much I thought about it, I kept running into impractical or half-baked ideas.
From the bits of science I’d learned back in my previous life, there was something about electricity and magnetism being closely connected.
Electro... something.
But that was as far as my memory went.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t push past that vague recollection.
If I’d known I’d end up in a situation like this, I really should’ve studied harder.
...Well, regretting it now wouldn’t help.
With those muddled thoughts swirling in my head, I made my way to the general store, hoping Vermut—someone who had worked with electrical magic his entire life—might casually offer the exact insight I needed.
I arrived with quiet anticipation.
But—
"Your grandfather isn’t here...?"
"No!" the girl behind the counter replied quickly. "He said he was going out to meet someone!"
I froze for a moment.
...Seriously?
The timing couldn’t have been worse.
Vermut was away at the moment.
...So much for asking him for advice.
Well, it couldn’t be helped. I’d just have to find time to visit him later.
For now, Rain offered to prepare some tea, and while we waited, the three of us exchanged a bit of small talk.
Viola tilted her head slightly and looked between Rain and me.
"Do you two know each other?"
"Yes!" Rain answered immediately, her eyes lighting up. "Louis is my savior."
"...Savior?"
"He saved my life."
Viola’s eyes widened in surprise as she turned toward me.
I could practically see her image of me being revised in real time.
Io her, I was probably still the reckless troublemaker who’d kicked her fiancé in the shin without hesitation. Learning that I’d apparently saved someone’s life must have been... confusing, to say the least.
As for me, all I could do was give an awkward smile.
While Rain enthusiastically praised me as her savior, the truth was far less impressive.
Back then, I hadn’t really done anything.
Vermut was the one who cured Rain’s illness. I’d merely lent her the Dream Orb. That was all. If anyone deserved her gratitude, it was him.
If anything, I was the one who should be thankful.
What Vermut did back then was practically the reason I was still alive today.
But Rain had already decided on her own version of events. In her eyes, I was the prince who had saved her at her lowest point.
Her expression now was no different from that of a young fan meeting her favorite idol.
Not wanting to shatter her enthusiasm, I swallowed my objections and maintained my awkward smile.
Viola let out a small hum, her lips curling into an amused smile.
"Hmm... it seems you’ve been doing quite a few good deeds, Louis."
"Ahaha... well, I guess you could say that."
I deliberately avoided Viola’s gaze as she calmly sipped her tea, her eyes filled with quiet curiosity.
Unaware of my discomfort, Rain continued enthusiastically showering me with praise, her words flowing without pause.
But then—
Rustle.
My ears twitched.
Did I just hear something?
While Rain kept talking cheerfully, I focused, straining to catch the sound again. For a moment, I wondered if it was just my imagination.
Then—
Thud.
This time, it was unmistakable.
Footsteps. Human ones.
"Rain," I asked casually, keeping my voice low, "is there anyone else here besides us?"
"Hm?" She blinked in surprise. "No...? We’re closed today, so there shouldn’t be any customers. Why?"
"I see..."
My eyes narrowed slightly.
Then what was that sound?
That wasn’t the creaking of wood or the settling of the building. I’d heard it clearly—someone moving.
And during a festive season when the streets outside were packed with people...
Who would come to a closed shop like this?
I turned toward Viola.
"Viola."
"Yes?" she responded immediately.
"Prepare for combat."
The air froze.
Before either of them could react—
BANG!
The front door was kicked in with a deafening crash. Splinters flew as several masked figures stormed inside, weapons already drawn.
"Find the girl!"
Their shout echoed through the shop.
So that’s how it is.
-----
In a rundown tavern tucked away in a forgotten corner of the capital—
BANG!
"What kind of nerve do you have, showing your face here now?!"
Vermut, the owner of the general store, slammed his fist down on the table as he sprang to his feet. The wooden surface rattled violently, drawing uneasy glances from nearby patrons.
Seated across from him, the man didn’t flinch.
"...Please calm down," he said quietly. "I haven’t even had the chance to speak yet."
"Calm down?" Vermut snapped, his face flushing red with fury. "You think I can calm down when I’m staring at the man who abandoned his own daughter and walked away without looking back?!"
"...."
The man watched him in silence, his expression unreadable. Only after Vermut’s breathing grew rough did he finally speak again.
"Father."
"I don’t want to hear that word from your mouth," Vermut roared. "Bane...!"
Bane didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t look away, either.
"Everything I did was necessary."
"Don’t give me that bullshit!" Vermut shouted, slamming his hand down again. "You’re saying it was more important than Rain’s life? Even if it was for that grand dream of yours—changing the world—I will never understand it!"
Bane’s fingers tightened slightly around his cup, but his tone remained steady.
"...Then tell me," he asked calmly, almost wearily,
"What should I have done?"