In Emily's field of vision, that green glow emitting ominous and deathly aura was continuously enlarging.
'Am I about to die?' Emily couldn't help but think.
The word death was not unfamiliar to Emily.
Perhaps it was because Mr. Victoria was afraid Emily wouldn't be able to bear the immense academic pressure and might develop some extreme thoughts, or perhaps it was because of the longing for Emily's mother, since young, Mr. Victoria had been instilling into Emily concepts about death.
And in his descriptions, death was a very terrifying thing.
This kind of terror wasn't just limited to physical pain, but more about the agony of being separated forever from loved ones and friends, mentally.
Therefore, all along, Emily had always harbored deep reverence and fear towards death.
But strangely, when death truly descended, Emily's heart was unexpectedly calm.
Fear and dread?
These emotions that should've appeared, didn't appear.
At this moment, the only thing remaining in Emily's heart was just a trace of regret.
'I'll never get to see Link again! Back then, not only did I misunderstand Link, I even stabbed him with a dagger.'
'Now, Link must surely be resenting me, right?'
'But... why did I start doubting Link just because someone slightly misled me?'
'Clearly, Link and I were the closest of companions, clearly, such matters could be clarified just by talking to Link properly.'
'Why was that?'
For a moment, Emily frowned, falling into deep doubt. And everything around her, as if waiting for Emily to figure out the answer, slowed down.
After a while, Emily finally understood.
Link had indeed changed, and it was an extremely dramatic transformation. However, this transformation was developing toward a better direction.
He had become more cheerful, stronger, and more and more... someone who no longer needed Emily, the guardian hiding in the shadows.
This made Emily feel panic and helplessness.
Emily had endured so many bitter years just to protect that boy who once willingly stood in front of her.
And now, that boy had changed.
How could that be allowed?
Although for now it was still fine, but what if in the future, the boy no longer liked her, no longer was willing to stand before her?
Then... what would she be?
Emily painfully closed her eyes. She suddenly realized, all those so-called ideas before, eliminating Mike, bringing Link back, were just excuses.
In truth, she simply wanted Link to return to that former self who could only be protected by her.
What a lowly thought that is.
'Maybe... just dying like this is better? Dying is also good.'
Even though it still cannot make up for the mistakes she made, but at least she wouldn't have to endure the torment in her heart anymore.
Thinking like this, Emily slowly opened her eyes.
At this moment, there was already only dead silence in her eyes. And that green glow became even more dazzling and blinding.
At this moment, however, a back figure suddenly appeared, blocking between her and that green glow.
Seeing this, Emily's pupils suddenly shrank.
This scene was somewhat familiar to her. Back then, that small boy also stood just like this, without hesitation, blocking in front of her during crisis.
("A partner of justice should step forward in times of crisis!")
Emily remembered, even now, this childish line that the other always used to say.
And now, that small figure gradually overlapped with the back figure in front of her eyes.
'Ah... so Link, he never changed at all!'
Tears welled up from Emily's swollen eyes.
Her lips quivered, and in the end, she let out a piercing scream, "Link!!"
In the next moment, green light flared, and Link's body, like a piece of butter in a hot pan, was gradually devoured by the green glow.
———
"Hmm? Am I dead?" In a space of nothingness, Link murmured to himself.
Just now, he clearly got hit by the Killing Curse, and the next moment, he appeared here.
Then aside from already being dead, Link couldn't think of any other explanation.
In that case, counting the previous time, this was already his second death. So Link's mindset was quite okay. After spacing out for a bit, he stepped forward again.
He was going to thoroughly search this so-called afterlife.
After all, according to legends, the afterlife should have King of Hell or Death existing in it.
Best if he could find the lady who gives the memory-erasing soup. He had been curious for a long time, what exactly that soup tasted like.
He didn't get to drink it last time he died. This time, if there's a chance, he definitely wanted to try it.
And also, Link still held a bit of extravagant hope, hoping he might gain a second chance at rebirth.
It's just a pity, after searching for only a short while, Link gave up. Because this place was true void.
Not to mention Death or afterlife, there wasn't even a sense of direction, space, or even time.
"Hoo~" With a long sigh, Link sat down again.
Right now, he truly felt a little upset. Although he didn't feel much regret. Why did he choose to rush forward and shield Emily from that curse?
He was clearly already completely exhausted at the time.
Moreover, this didn't match his definition of himself as a refined egoist. That kind of behavior, no matter how you look at it, was something only a hero would do.
"Tch!"
Link clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, and finally came to a conclusion,
"It must be this body's multiple soul disorder acting up! That kid with the same name must've jumped out and seized control of the body, that's why I blocked the Killing Curse! Yes! It has to be that!" Link said with absolute certainty.
But just as his voice fell, a childish voice came from beside him.
"Wrong~ That was completely big brother's own decision~"
"Who?!" Hearing this, Link was startled, instinctively turned his head and asked loudly.
And right now, what appeared in front of him was a young boy.
This was a very handsome boy, with short bangs, and was squatting on the ground smiling at Link.
He smiled so brightly that Link even noticed the slightly sparse teeth in his mouth, a result of his teething stage.
"You are..."
Link was in disbelief, because this boy, was exactly the same as the one he had seen before in Emily's old photos.
"I'm exactly that kid you were talking about~" The boy cut in with an answer, and his smile became even brighter.
Link's expression turned a bit stiff. He no longer knew what to say.
If the original soul of Link had never disappeared, and had been staying in this void all along, then was he now appearing to take the chance to regain control of the body while Link was weak?
After all, in other novels, soul fights are always a battle to the death.
"Don't worry, big brother. I won't do that!" The boy spoke again.
Which made Link's expression even uglier. 'This little brat can read minds too?! But... if this brat wasn't here to seize the body, then what was he here for?'
[T/N: On the occasion of my first book Completion, "Beast Taming: I Can See Evolution Paths", there is a DISCOUNT ongoing in Patreon. You are welcomed to join.]
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y