I Stayed Loyal When My Teacher Was Betrayed

2 – I’m sorry, Master

The youngest son of a noble family.

The bloodline of a hero born with talents.

As an experienced user, I knew all the game’s tricks, settings, and advantages based on modern society’s knowledge and skills that set me apart from others.

Those who had transitioned into this world also gained similar advantages, allowing them to live successful lives and leave an impressive legacy.

However, unlike these wealthy and talented individuals, I was once an ordinary job seeker with no such perks. I knew nothing of the advanced game mechanics or special bonuses that only those with a high level of experience would know.

Although I had a general understanding of the game’s background and atmosphere, it was of little use due to the game’s setting being a millennium after the third part.

My life after transitioning to this inadequate world was nothing special, except for one positive aspect: my mentor since the moment of my transition, Red Witch Rosemary Hendrick, who taught me the long-awaited power of “magic.”

Rosemary, who held great power as a witch on the continent, was a somewhat harsh and unlikable figure who always wore a hooded cloak to hide her face.

However, I learned through our bond that she had a strong sense of responsibility as a mentor and would do anything she could to help me, despite my mediocre talent. With her help, I was able to adapt to this world and successfully complete our latest mission to exterminate one of the three demon kings, Ordin. But…

Before I could fully enjoy the joy of victory,

I found myself at an unexpected crossroad.

Suddenly, those who held their swords backwards, ready to betray our master.

Their words, requesting me to abandon our master and join them, caused a deep conflict within me.

I had witnessed such treachery in the past in this world.

Betrayers among heroes,

Adventurer parties that expelled their once-trusted comrades.

And even stories of disciples who abandoned their masters and met their downfall.

Naturally, I used to enthusiastically curse the villains every time, but…

In this situation, I couldn’t easily make a decision.

The perspective of the observer and that of the player were completely different.

It was easy to condemn someone else’s betrayal.

However, refusing it in that situation was by no means an easy task.

Death had always been frightening.

Closing my eyes just once could mean saving my life and even gaining a reward.

From a pragmatic standpoint, it was a situation with no value to compare.

To them, perhaps it would be easier to bury me alongside our master as a potential variable, but I was still reaching out, trying to open a path for my own survival.

They had never treated me as a comrade before, but still, there was some attempt to show kindness on their part.

In this situation where conflict was inevitable,

After much contemplation, I finally made a decision.

“…I’m sorry, Master.”

*

Apologies flowed from Edward’s lips.

Rosemary, who seemed to be holding her breath inside his embrace, silently lowered her head without saying a word.

And then,

Edward started to leave, abandoning himself as the master.

Each step heavy yet resolute.

Watching him, Rosemary quietly let out a bitter smile inside.

‘Yes… It had to turn out this way…’

“I had anticipated it.

No matter how much of an apprentice she was, Rosemary knew all along that she wouldn’t give up her secure life for mere loyalty.

She also knew very well that this world didn’t move by shabby justice.

So Rosemary felt no anger or sadness as she watched Edward.

Just a feeling of melancholy and quiet loneliness resonating within her heart.

“It ends like this… in the end, I, too… abandoned by my disciples and alone…”

The fact that she would face death completely on her own left a profound sense of solitude and regret within her.

“Yeah… no matter how hard I tried, it couldn’t be helped… someone like me… a human like me should have been alone from the beginning to the end…”

And then.

-Clang!

“?!?!”

A sudden sharp noise echoed through the room.

At the same time, Rosemary’s face began to show intense shock.

“This kid…”

“E-Edward, why?”

The disciples showed anger and confusion at the unexpected situation.

He aimed his wand toward their frantic defensive magic and cried out with a firm voice.

“I’ll hold the line here! Run away!”

Together with his words, red flames burst from Edward’s wand.

Although it was a basic spell, his actions in firing spells that could even kill if they hit wrong were enough to force other apprentices to concentrate solely on defense.

Rosemary then realized belatedly that Edward’s apology differed from what she expected.

It wasn’t a declaration of abandonment, but an apology for sacrificing himself recklessly to protect her.

However,

Even though she realized this fact belatedly, Rosemary’s body did not move.

No, she couldn’t move.

The reason was…

“This… this person…! I can’t stop now! If we continue like this, your body will…”

“Cough!”

“Ed…Edward!”

The next moment, Edward was spitting blood from his mouth.

His body had already been torn apart from the previous battle.

His stamina and mana were depleted, and he was heavily wounded.

Using magic recklessly in this situation was no different from drinking poison himself.

Eventually, his apprentice, vomiting blood due to the reverse flow of mana.

His appearance was preventing Rosemary from choosing the correct answer to leave this place.

It was stirring up emotions she had never felt before…

And then.

*Bam!*

“Gahhh!”

“Ah…!”

Before a split second hesitation could even end,

Angry attacks from the apprentices began in front of Rosemary.

“How dare you, you worthless person! Well… if you want to die so badly, I’ll grant your wish!”

“Don’t blame us. It’s all because of your foolishness.”

“It’s regrettable. To make such a choice…”

“…I’m sorry… Edward…”

A magic-infused sword thrust into her abdomen.

A boulder that struck her shoulder.

Acid melting her organs.

A curse devouring her sanity.

Edward, who had lost his last strength to resist, was mercilessly mutilated by the hands of the apprentices.

“Kuhhh… Uuu…”

Edward’s body collapsed miserably as it was.

His appearance brought a clear despair to Rosalie’s mind, which had just now been trying to accept death calmly.

And it began to evoke an unbearable feeling of anger.

“You… How dare you… How dare you do this…”

Unbearable agony, incomparable to one’s own death,

As that nauseating sensation, barely pushed beyond the realm of memory, resurfaced,

Rosalie, consumed by intense emotions, tried to exert force on the cane she held in her hand.

At that moment,

-Kurrrrraaaack!!!

“Huh?”

“What… What is it?”

A sudden and distinct vibration was felt.

Caught off guard by this unexpected event, the disciples who were about to cut off Edward’s breath suddenly stopped and looked around.

“This… This can’t be…”

“Oh my goodness! The Demon King’s castle!”

-Kwaaang!!!

The ceiling crumbled instantly.

In this unforeseen circumstance, the disciples were left with no choice but to step back from Edward, whom they were desperate to finish off.

“Tsk… Of all times, it had to happen now…”

“We’re all going to die if we stay here! Escaping takes priority for now!”

Beaufort urgently instructed the situation.

Following his words, the disciples gathered in one place and started using magic.

The sight of them surrounded by runes formed on the floor and engulfed in light in an instant.

With that, Beaufort and his disciples, including him, disappeared completely.

“Ugh…”

Within the crumbling demon castle, only Rosalie and Edward remained.

With rocks shooting up from all directions and the ceiling caving in.

Rosalie approached the fallen Edward on the floor.

His breath, as if it could go out any moment.

With all her attention on it, Rosemary tightly held onto his body with trembling hands.

“No… Like this… I can’t let you go like this…”