The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 102: The World of Spirits: Am I Dead or Alive?

Chapter 102: The World of Spirits: Am I Dead or Alive?

“Even decapitation can’t kill you—such stubborn, stubborn blood. Kuhaha, oh dear, I’m out of time. Farewell, Hero. Now, I must answer Patricia’s question—”

“―Damn it, I never thought my barrier would be shattered with a single blow.”

After my humiliating defeat by Belial, I cursed my failure.

I had anticipated future battles with demons and trained rigorously during the summer’s demon summoning. I thought I was prepared, but it was beyond my expectations.

Surely, I must be dead.

Images of my chest being pierced, my head cut off, and my body lying helplessly on the ground flashed through my mind.

But.

“…Why am I still conscious?”

I tilted my head, puzzled by the situation.

I should have lost consciousness from my fatal wounds, yet I found myself standing perfectly whole in a familiar room. 

It was the study in my house in the Brave territory.

It felt like I had teleported, but the white expanse outside the window, where swarms of magic insects once clung, made it clear this wasn’t the real world.

“…Hmm.”

Alright, let’s sit in my usual chair and think this through.

The memories of my disgraceful defeat were real. Those wounds were unquestionably fatal. In other words, I died. So, does that mean this is the afterlife?

Given all the things I left unfinished, it’s not unreasonable to think I might be bound to my study as a spirit.

“Why is it the study, though…?”

I didn’t have any lingering attachments to managing the territory. If anything, I felt more liberated from that responsibility. 

If I had any regrets, it would be that I died without being able to protect Alicia and keep my promise to her.

“If I had to become a ghost, I’d rather be Alicia’s guardian spirit!”

“It’s too early to assume you’re dead.”

As I repeatedly banged my head against the sturdy desk, a familiar voice accompanied someone entering the room.

“You were quite humiliated, young master.”

“Sebas!”

It was our head butler, Sebas.

Seeing him laugh and stroke his beard, just like when I came home for summer break, oddly calmed me.

“If Sebas is here, then my lingering regret must be related to Brave territory.”

Of course, I was worried about my homeland. I was the last one. 

My two older brothers had no children. 

I was the only heir, and maybe I should have valued my life more.

I got carried away during the fight with Edward and went where I normally wouldn’t have, just like when my family was killed by an enemy general.

“Hmm, it seems you’ve misunderstood a few things, young master. You are still alive.”

He placed a cup filled with coffee in front of me. 

When I tried it, it had no taste.

“Huh, there’s no flavor.”

“Young master, this is the spiritual world. Even if the image is recreated, taste is something that can’t be replicated.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll say it again, young master, you’re not dead yet.”

Apparently, this was the spiritual world, similar to the one I was brought to by the demon. 

It was a place recreated from my strongest memories.

“However, while you’re not dead, you’re not exactly alive either. It’s a state in between.”

“If I’m not alive, doesn’t that mean I’m dead?”

“You’re almost dead, but just barely alive.”

“Just barely?”

“Indeed.”

My body, despite being separated from my head and having a gaping hole in my chest, was somehow being kept alive by a barrier that prevented bleeding and other fatal outcomes.

“To do that unconsciously, you truly are remarkable, young master.”

“I’m hanging by a thread though, aren’t I?”

Once my magic runs out, it’s over. But, am I really alive in that state? I’m a bit surprised, or rather, it’s shocking.

My survival instincts are incredibly strong.

Mastering barriers to survive isn’t an exaggeration, but to do it unconsciously is impressive. Barriers are the best.

“So, Sebas, how do I come back to life?”

“There’s nothing to be done about that. Your body and head are separated, and you don’t have much magic left.”

“Then I’m dead…”

I might have a chance for revival, but if it’s hopeless, I’m basically dead. 

Situationally, I’m dead. Sebas laughed, stroking his beard as he looked at my slumped shoulders.

“Hoho, that’s why I’m here.”

“You being here… Aren’t you just an image I created?”

I had a hunch—it felt like a hallucination created by my survival instincts.

When humans reach their limits, the brain’s limiter comes off. 

Like when people exhibit extraordinary strength in emergencies. 

Similarly, when the mind is under extreme stress, it can create another personality to protect itself.

The person I trust the most isn’t Alicia, but the butler Sebas, who has taken care of me since I was a child.

“I’m not an image. You’ve been in a similar situation before, haven’t you, young master?”

“A similar situation…?”

This isn’t the first time I’ve been conscious in a spiritual world like this. 

The first time was during the battle with Jelasis.

“When you put it like that, Sebas, it sounds like you’re a demon that’s possessed me… No way, right?”

“Exactly, that’s it.”

Sebas bowed deeply with exaggerated formality.

“I never intended to reveal myself, but given the emergency, I have come to fulfill an ancient promise and offer my assistance.”

“What…?”

“Belial is one of the oldest and strongest demons. You, young master, cannot handle him as you are now. Therefore, I, being of the same rank, must assist you. Sebas, or rather—”

Sebas continued as I struggled to grasp what he was saying.

“This demon, Samael, is at your service.”