24-Hour Regression Counseling Center, Episode 10
This time as well, the regressor Sorinte answered obediently.
“That's right.”
So what do you want to change?!
Lora wanted to ask quickly.
Are you trying to destroy the Empire? Or are you going to find the forces targeting the Ducal house and overturn them?
Is the capital going to become a sea of blood?
Lora's mind was racing in that direction, assuming the worst.
‘If that happens, it'll be a problem!’
The Crown Prince is a possessor too, so the situation is already a mess!
If it becomes an even bigger mess on top of that, if the Empire collapses—no way!
Lora had much she wanted to say, but held it in.
[When dealing with customers, you must not rush, nor must you interrupt their words.]
Instead, she recalled the orb's records, and waited for Sorinte's next words with an unconcerned expression.
“I—”
So slow!
Sorinte truly opened his mouth slowly and deliberately.
And he spat out each word, one by one, very slowly.
‘Can't you talk a little faster?’
While wearing a gentle face, Lora burned with impatience inside.
“I—”
Having uttered the same words again, Sorinte slowly looked down at his own hand.
“I—”
His red pupils stared at a white hand with not a single scar, though it had a few calluses, as if it hadn't truly endured hardship.
For a moment, his hand looked red. It seemed covered in a sticky red liquid.
Squeezing his eyes shut. Sorinte closed his eyes, then raised his head and looked at Lora.
Red eyes filled with confusion met Lora's green eyes, trembling.
“I don't know.”
Huh? You don't know? The corners of Lora's mouth, which had been waiting for an answer, trembled slightly.
Are you saying you don't know how you want to change things, right now?
Lora wanted to pour out words immediately but held back.
She had no other choice.
‘Damn—’
To avoid being shaken by the situation before her, she clasped both hands under the table.
‘He's crying!’
Plip.
A single tear rolled down his cheek from his red eyes.
‘All of a sudden? Why is he crying now?’
Lora was bewildered. But a manual for such situations existed.
Click.
She opened the top drawer of the cabinet beside the table. And took out a handkerchief, offering it to him.
“Lord Sorinte, when you wish to cry, you may cry.”
Of course, she hadn't been able to hide all her bewilderment and had momentarily called him by his name instead of ‘customer.’
“…….”
Sorinte silently gazed at the white handkerchief embroidered with faint wildflowers, then squeezed his eyes shut.
Plop, plop. Tears fell in droplets even faster than a telegram.
“I lived like such a fool, and I lived while spilling much blood.”
The voice flowing out of him trembled uncontrollably.
“I didn't know what was precious, nor did I know how to cherish it. I was foolish, so foolish.”
Lora reached out and pressed the handkerchief into Sorinte's trembling hand.
At that action, he flinched briefly, then bit his lip.
“N-now.”
Though his voice still trembled, there was a strength within it that held its center.
The man who had repeated regret and despair for a long time had a clear wish.
“Now, I want to live differently. I don't want to miss this opportunity that has come again, and I want to escape from battles stained with blood to approach my family. I want to live valuing those around me and treasuring this life.”
“Yes, I see.”
The sight of the tall man shedding tears drop by drop and speaking while shivering was quite pitiful.
‘Still, it's a bit of a relief.’
Lora felt relieved.
This regressor, currently infamous as a mad dog, cherished his present life.
Moreover, he wanted to avoid battles stained with blood.
That seemed to be the future he wanted and wished to change.
‘Yes, this much is fine to wish for. It's not destroying the Empire, and there are parts I think I can help with too.’
Starting with approaching his family.
Just that would bring peace to his family.
“However.”
“Yes, customer.”
Lora looked at Sorinte with a much more comfortable heart. Sorinte gazed at her with desolate eyes.
“……I don't know.”
“Pardon?”
Having stopped crying, Sorinte—his eyes stained even redder—spat out each word with difficulty.
“I don't know how to approach my family. I know how to pick fights and how to kill people, and I even know how to drink well, but...”
“Hmm.”
Lora swallowed a groan.
This might just be....
“Th-that—”
Sorinte mumbled in a way that didn't suit him at all.
As if infinitely ashamed.
The man with a fine build let his shoulders slump slightly. Along with him, his glossy black long hair flowed down. It was like a painting.
That mad dog who looked like a painting spoke.
“I caused an accident again as soon as I woke up today. I thought this place was an illusion. Or I thought it was hell. If I had known this place was reality, I wouldn't have done that.”
Lora recalled the Ducal household window that had exploded this morning.
‘Somehow, it doesn't seem like it'll be easy.’
This mad dog customer's wish. Somehow, it felt like it would be a bit difficult to grant.
Lora's gaze grew serious, but Sorinte continued speaking, unaware.
“For now, I want to start by greeting my family at breakfast, but I don't know what to say for a morning greeting. I've lived such a mad dog's life that I don't know. Tears just keep coming.”
Sorinte spoke with difficulty as if he was about to cry even now.
“Whenever I see my family's faces, tears keep flowing.”
At that, Lora suppressed the urge to rub her face with both hands.
“Is there, is there a way?”
There is a way.
Lora showed a gentle smile.
“Of course, customer. You just need to take it one by one, step by step.”
“One by one?”
“Yes. But before that, customer, there is something you must answer honestly.”
A sharp light swirled in Lora's perceptive eyes.
“When did the Ducal house collapse?”
“……Indeed, I should have started with that.”
She felt chills run down her spine in that instant.
As if asking when he had been desolate, Sorinte's red eyes took on a savage light.
Of course, the gaze wasn't directed at Lora. He spoke while looking at the empty space beyond her shoulder.
“There's about one year left.”
Sorinte clenched his fist tightly.
“I have to stop that too, but every time I see the ones I lost, tears come.”
One year.
Lora memorized the time that was neither short nor long in her head, and took Sorinte's tightly clenched hand.
“Customer, let's take it one by one.”
“What should I do?”
“First, let's make your first goal holding back your tears and having breakfast with your family.”
She felt she had to get this customer's tear ducts under control before she could make any progress with the matter.
“……Can I do that?”
To his question, delivered while hunched up, Lora spoke what she honestly thought.
“What's wrong with crying a bit?”
“What?”
Right, a mad dog not causing trouble but just crying. What could be the problem?
“They're your family. It's okay to cry. Your family will understand.”
The Cheeoseu Ducal house had not yet decided on an heir.
Moreover, it was said that the current Duchess, Sorinte's stepmother, did not seem to have any intention of placing her own child in the Duke's seat.
‘Of course, I can't believe all the information that has come out on the surface, but—’
Judging by how Sorinte before her regretted, the information was likely correct.
‘So what's wrong with crying a bit in front of such people?’
There shouldn't be a big problem.
Though there would be a small commotion.
“……Because they're family.”
Sorinte murmured as if repeating Lora's words.
A small vitality gradually spread across his dejected face.
‘So honest.’
Realizing that the second customer's heart was entirely revealed on his face, Lora smiled slightly without realizing it.
“Thank you.”
Sorinte also showed a very small smile.
“I'll try it starting tomorrow.”
“I'll be cheering for you, customer.”
“U-um, can I come back here after trying it?”
At the cautious question Sorinte asked, Lora's smile grew deeper.
‘He speaks casually, but still, he has some manners.’
She nodded lightly.
“Of course! You may come anytime!”
“Thank you.”
Sorinte added.
“I'll definitely repay you.”
Instead of answering, Lora gave a faint smile.
There was no need to say, “You've already paid,” or “Give me money,” because such a faint reaction sometimes held greater power.
It was then.
Gurgle—
“Ah.”
Sorinte covered his stomach with both hands.
“Could it be you haven't eaten anything since morning?”
“Yeah. I couldn't believe this was reality.”
The handsome man blushed as if embarrassed, glanced at Lora, then got up in a fluster.
“I guess the tension is easing, so I'm hungry. I'll head out for now.”
“Y-yes. Please go and eat quickly.”
Lora did not offer to treat him to food.
‘Since I don't have anything to give anyway.’
And even if she had something to treat him to, it wouldn't match what the Ducal household next door had.
“Then I'll come to report tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Lora saw him off to the main gate.
Squeak, clank.
The rusty iron gate opened, and Sorinte, with a much more relaxed face, slightly bowed his head to Lora.
“Well then.”
Lora returned the greeting with a smile.
“Ah.”
However, Sorinte stopped before leaving the gate.
“Um— Count?”
He knew I was a Count?
Lora looked at Sorinte with internal suspicion, and he glanced around before approaching her closely.
And he whispered so that only she could hear.
“Do you know of Reilin?”
“No?”
Startled by Sorinte suddenly stepping close, Lora could see him tilting his head to one side.
“Strange.”
“What is strange?”
“It's—”
In that instant, he quickly surveyed Lora with a sharp glance.
Lora failed to notice that momentary change.
“There was a church that became famous before I regressed.”
“Yes.”
“It was a god governing time and fate.”
“……Pardon?”
“Reilin. That's the god's name.”
What?
The god governing time and fate is Lord Ririen?