Even If Everyone Hates You - Chapter 4

Quilly, with a puzzled expression, listened to Sjoerd’s flurry of questions, then finally gathered his thoughts and began to answer each one.

“Where is this, you ask, sir? This is the Axid domain of the great Brosius family that has protected the north for generations. I am Quilly, the loyal and adorable servant who has served you for more than two decades since I was born. Your Grace, are you alright?”

Quilly seemed like someone straight out of the past. No, he looked even younger than the last memory Sjoerd had of him. In his memories, Quilly was a young man of the same age as Sjoerd, but now to Sjoerd, who was nearing thirty, he seemed nothing more than a child.

“And what do you mean by wounds? Haven’t you been staying in the castle for several weeks preparing for the harsh winter? Did you go on a territorial inspection tour by yourself again!”

Sjoerd watched Quilly, who was fussily examining him, with a peculiar gaze. Memories were like grains of sand, impossible to hold onto; even as he tried to grasp them, they slipped through his fingers.

Despite believing he hadn’t forgotten anything about Quilly, watching this scene that seemed to turn back time felt strange. His presence alone made the surroundings noisy and lively. Sjoerd had not realized the difference, as silence had been his only companion for too long.

‘It feels so real.’

Everything Sjoerd felt, including Quilly before him, seemed utterly real. It was almost as if he had rewound time and returned to the past.

At that time, the wish he had recited to himself right before dying came to mind. The wish to somehow turn back time, to do anything to prevent what he had committed.

He had desperately hoped, even willing to sacrifice his soul, but it was merely the folly of a dying man. If mere wishes could reverse time, the world would have long been in chaos due to the regrets of the dead.

Of course, Sjoerd was no ordinary dead man. He was a ‘Tudur’, bestowed with abilities to protect humanity from the Nirah, monsters that had dominated this land since the beginning. The Tudur, who had been with the founding of the Solias Kingdom, were born with special powers from the moment of birth, and their abilities were unpredictable and erratic.

However, no matter how strange the abilities in the world, Sjoerd had never heard of a power that could change what had happened. And even if such a supernatural power existed, there was no explanation as to why this event had occurred to him. There was no Tudur willing to turn back time specifically to keep Sjoerd alive. All existing Tudur detested Sjoerd.

So, feeling like he had returned to the past was all an illusion. It was definitely a vile fantasy created by hell. There was only one way to wake up from this illusion.

Deciding, Sjoerd immediately took action. Turning away from Quilly, he swiftly returned to the room, heading for the bed. Quilly followed him anxiously, without getting any response to his questions.

“You’re not saying anything, Your Grace. That’s making me anxious. You’re usually quiet, but today it’s as if you’re on a vow of silence…”

Ignoring Quilly, who was babbling beside him, Sjoerd took out a dagger from under the pillow. The moment Quilly’s eyes widened at the sight of the dagger, Sjoerd didn’t hesitate to cut his wrist.

“Lord Sjoerd!”

The sharp blade easily sliced through the flesh. A stream of bright red blood trickled down the white skin. Quilly rushed to grasp Sjoerd’s waist in shock.

“Why are you doing this, huh? Was what you said earlier a warning you’d get hurt? No, this isn’t right. Is there no one outside? Doctor! Call a doctor!”

The corridor became noisy with the sudden commotion. Sjoerd could feel the servants running towards them at Quilly’s frantic shouting. Ignoring Quilly, who was making a fuss, Sjoerd stared intently at his bleeding forearm.

A strong pain, as if burned by fire, spread through his veins throughout his body, and the things he had considered illusions surrounding him did not disappear but continued to exist.

The deep wound did not close but stared right back at Sjoerd with bright red, as if confronting him with reality.