Absurd.
That was the most immediate emotion the two young men, Lawrence and Leonardo, could feel at this moment.
"Say, Leonardo, we're not... dreaming right now, are we?" Lawrence suddenly pinched his own cheek, then felt a considerable amount of pain.
"Ow!"
As for Leonardo, crouching beside him, he had not the slightest intention of teasing his friend, because he had already fallen into terror.
Credi—that face, the face that was enough to become the main theme of his nightmares—had appeared before him once more, alive and well. The ghost from the gallows had once again become a nightmare, baring a vicious smile.
Even if that viciousness was not directed at him.
"L-Lawrence!"
He collapsed onto the ground and scrambled behind Lawrence on both hands and feet, trying to block Credi from his sight this way.
He succeeded, but he also failed.
Because Credi was still standing outside; he had merely hidden himself.
Still, at least for now, Credi's target was not him.
"Credi, you utter scoundrel!" Verrocchio shed the flippant attitude he had maintained ever since being summoned, staring at his former student with pain and loathing in his eyes.
"Don't say that, Master. Even like this, I still want your praise."
Credi raised one hand. The dagger embedded in Lawrence's raised gemstone shield trembled slightly before flying back into Credi's hand. He wore a sorrowful expression.
A genuine, deeply, deeply sorrowful expression.
"Master, you always cared so much for Leonardo and Lawrence, didn't you? I know. It's not your fault, Master. After all... they were so outstanding, like the sun. Like the sun."
"So bright that they were enough to blot out every other light."
A few stray locks of hair on his forehead obscured Credi's eyes, preventing Lawrence and Verrocchio from seeing his expression.
"So you thought