In a beautiful and happy fairy tale, the prince has no need for intense hatred, anger, or sorrow. Such emotions are reserved for people like you and me, who exist outside the story—complex, worldly feelings. Even in stories that delve deeply into human emotions rather than fairy tales, the characters only feel the hatred, anger, and sorrow predetermined by the narrative. They are like beautifully crafted dolls… But wouldn’t such a life be much happier?... more>>

A prince cursed by an evil wizard, destined to fall into a hundred-year slumber on his twenty-seventh birthday after pricking his finger on a sharp needle.

But on the morning of his twenty-seventh birthday, the prince suddenly realizes he has lived the same life countless times, repeating it over and over. When the wizard appears to enforce the curse, the prince fiercely resists, and his twenty-seventh birthday passes… Because the prince defies his fate, the world begins to collapse, and monsters that devour human hearts emerge. Taking responsibility, the prince decides to journey with the wizard to “Omphalos” to mend the torn world.

A perilous journey to Omphalos with his companions. Along the way, the wizard showers the prince with unusually devoted affection. Though the prince initially distrusts him, he gradually comes to rely on the wizard, feeling an inexplicable sense of stability and affection…

“…And then, at some point, I realized. There is no birth, no death. Not for me, nor for this world. Only the same petrified century, endlessly repeating, from the moment I wake on my birthday morning until I am kissed awake by the princess.” <<less