Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~

"You seemed to be having a bit of a nightmare."

"Yeah? I guess I was dreaming something weird......"

I tried to recall what the dream was about. But none of the details came to mind.

The plot felt strangely realistic, but it also didn't make a lot of sense...... Oh, that's right.

"I thought something felt amiss, but come to think of it, it's probably because she wasn’t there."

I guess that was the reason for the strange feeling I had about the dream. I remembered that someone came out, but it was not the girl in front of me at least, and I think I even forgot about her existence in the dream.

How could that be? It's ridiculous that I failed to remember my masterpiece that acted as my hands and feet, even in a dream.

"Was I not there, master?"

"Oh, don't worry about it. It's only a dream."

I waved my hand lightly at her, who took my mumbling seriously.

Yes, I don't care about the dreams I have while sleeping. They are just the random mix of memories and thoughts that my brain churns out during sleep. What's more important were the dreams that I held while awake.

But Uni seemed to be bothered by it.

"Master, if there's something I'm not doing right—"

"No, you don't have to worry about it."

I chuckled and shrugged my shoulders. She's got a very feminine side to her, worrying about the dream like that. Well, she is a teenage girl, so I guess it could not be helped.

"Anyway, why don't we get dressed and get on with today's work. What is the schedule for today?"

"—Yes. Doldran Margrave is supposed to visit and congratulate you on your appointment as Count."

"......He's so diligent. Just one of those congratulatory letters would have been enough."

Margrave Doldran had been brainwashed into being nothing more than a completely obedient pawn, but still, he had to be treated with hospitality. It's not like his emotions were removed fully, so if he was treated roughly, stress could accumulate. More importantly, Victor, who is particular about formalities and etiquette, might get annoyed.

I wondered how I should welcome him.

As I was making the arrangements, I thought about the dream I had this morning.

I couldn’t remember most of the contents, and I seriously don't think it matters, but the only thing that bothered me was that...... Uni hadn't been there.

My first "work". My first achievement in alchemy. What if this achievement never existed?

The lack of an excellent pawn could pose an issue, but more importantly......, it would have led to my reduced confidence.

As a lone person, with nobody to understand or help me, how much conviction and stamina could I really muster in order to attain the far-reaching goal of immortality?

Just the notion of it was enough to bring me chills. Uni said I was having a nightmare and that might have been the case. Life without her help would have been a nightmare.

When I thought about it that way, I could understand why she was so upset that she hadn't been there in my dream.

I paused and turned my head towards Uni.

"Let me reiterate."

"Yes."

"I need you, Uni."

At my words, she held her breath and opened her eyes widely.

......Why was she acting so surprised?

I have at least a little bit of gratitude towards her for doing so much for me.

As I was thinking about this, Uni bowed her head in an exaggeratedly deep manner.

"I am deeply undeserving of such words. Master."

※ ※ ※

Two brothers, separated by feelings, distance, and now even position.

Could the same dream they had on different beds been a coincidence?

Perhaps it was some kind of glimpse into another world born from a different possibility.

However, the true nature of this dream would be difficult to discern unless they were gods.

No, the gods of this world have no way of knowing this.

It had to be so.