Chapter 257
In a world where only black and white existed.
A massive mound of stone shaped like a pyramid was positioned in the center.
Perfectly cut hexagonal monuments floated in the air, as if they had lost their weight.
Cardinal Beled’s domain.
This was her territory, known as the ruler of space.
“Ah, so you’ve reached Archbishop now, young one. You wish to come under my command?”
After going through the selection, Pertigle Blurans had made it to Archbishop.
The one with both human and Altife blood flowing in him.
The Archbishop wielding a spear of lightning was meeting with Beled.
As she asked a question, Blurans knelt down and pledged his loyalty, raising his head to respond.
“Other Cardinals are either cowards or have lost their minds.”
“Lost their minds, huh… What a bold statement.”
Though Beled could frown at Blurans’s behavior,
she decided to hear him out completely.
Blurans, grateful for her generosity, continued.
“One Cardinal has grown fond of using human forces and has come to avoid war, while another has nothing in his mind but war, with no strategy whatsoever. Yet another is just scribbling down experimental results. Only you, Lady Beled, I believed could make full use of my abilities.”
“Indeed…”
Beled smiled, looking rather pleased.
Having noticed Blurans’s violence and planning abilities for some time, she decided to accept him into her ranks after a few more exchanges.
Zuuuh—.
Purple mana emanated from Beled’s body and enveloped Blurans.
That mana, carrying Beled’s essence, was absorbed into his body.
While no visible change was apparent, Blurans felt the elevation of his power class and smiled, tinged with excitement.
“Thank you.”
“My child, I will reward you according to the achievements you make.”
“Yes.”
“But… do not forget that it can work in reverse. If you try to betray me or scheme behind my back, you will never meet a complete death.”
“That won’t happen. I’m satisfied as long as I receive battlefields I can step onto and strategies that fit.”
“I look forward to your future achievements.”
Beled marked Blurans.
Through her powers, Blurans was easily moved,
and in the vast space where the end was invisible, only Beled remained.
In the vastness of space where only Beled existed,
“That kid has used the ‘contract’ again.”
Beled gazed at one of the floating monuments in the air.
It was inscribed with countless names, and the blank sides were gradually carving new names into their surfaces.
Vargan. Diphelia.
The names written around them were being erased and filled in real-time, continuing the cycle.
Beled held her gaze there for a while before glancing sideways.
There was the record of Vargan’s previous contract.
Vargan. Frikkanrisk.
“The Saint and the Twelve Divine Beasts… That arrogant child seems to be up to something amusing…”
A sly smile crept onto Beled’s face.
Regardless of gender, her captivating eyes twisted tantalizingly.
At that moment, the contents of the contract between Vargan and the Saint became visible.
[April 17, 10:23:21 PM. Party B (Saint Diphelia) is prohibited from disclosing any conversation with Party A (Vargan). The terms of the conversation are….]
Reading further revealed only the location and exact time of the conversation.
There were no details about what was discussed.
Staring at it with narrowed eyes, Beled scratched the air with her nails.
Suddenly, blood flowed and a gap opened in the previously empty air, accompanied by her claw marks.
What emerged was a bright red heart.
It was the heart of Vargan, beating vigorously as if to emphasize its life.
“My dear, what do you intend to do with the power of the Cardinal?”
Beled caressed the heart as if it were a pet.
There was no fluffy fur or an excited tail, but she found the muscular mass adorable.
Her overly white fingertips grazed the heart precariously, her long nails barely touching it.
“What are you thinking, and what schemes are you preparing?”
Though it had a somewhat human-like appearance, its eyes were clearly those of a different monster.
Interest shimmered in the malevolent gaze that radiated a sinister aura.
“I wish to know.”
Beled spoke arrogantly as if she were teasing someone.
Show me everything you’re capable of.
“Whether the end of the path you seek waits for you with destruction or not… I shall keep watch over that.”
She would patiently await the promised day.
Such a cheeky little human.
*
“……”
Diphelia had finished her conversation with Vargan.
Her tightly closed lips trembled lightly.
The Saint felt sorrow.
And she anguished.
Listening to all the truths and plans disclosed by Vargan.
She could do nothing but silently mourn.
“Were the church’s secrets that shocking?”
Vargan asked.
Despite his continuous shocking statements, he appeared unfazed.
His voice was as usual.
His expression was the same.
“No… that’s not it.”
Diphelia shook her head, assuring Vargan that she wasn’t crying over the church affairs.
The eyelids of the deceased Saint opened as she looked at him. But still, she couldn’t see him.
The only thing appearing in her retina was the small bird’s eye perched on her shoulder.
If possible, she wanted to face him with her own eyes, not borrowed ones.
I wanted to face him with my eyes.
“It’s not because of the Church, but because of you, Vargan….”
“You mean it’s because of me….”
“Vargan, you’re so pitiful.”
“……”
“The weight of the burden you carry on your shoulders, the weary legs you walk with… and that choice you made of your own volition… Vargan, you’re so pitiful.”
“Such unnecessary pity.”
Feeling the conversation had ended, Vargan turned his body.
The contract with Saint Diphelia was over. There was no need to stay here any longer.
He spoke while holding onto a leaf of a nearby plant.
“A room covered in plants. This isn’t the most pleasant place to linger at night. It just makes me feel stifled… I’ll take my leave. Focus on your duties without any distractions.”
As Vargan stretched his legs to exit the room, he strode confidently to the door.
Diphelia added one more remark and held his foot.
“…Is there truly no other way?”
“……”
“You’re smart. There are many people around. If we all brainstorm together, we might find a better solution… a better answer…”
“Diphelia, this is the best option.”
Vargan dismissed Diphelia’s words.
No matter how much he thought about it, the current path he was leading had the highest chance of success.
He had already agonized countless times.
There was no way he could turn back now.
“…Vargan, what are you doing all of this for? You have no obligation to go that far.”
“The Saint is speaking blasphemies.”
“Even if… even if everything goes the way you said it would… what will happen to you in the end?”
“Hah.”
At Diphelia’s concerns, Vargan scoffed.
He brushed her off lightly, ignoring her with a smile.
“What do you think I’ve been saying? It seems you’re grandly mistaken. Every action I take is solely for myself. I act for my own happiness.”
“……”
“I don’t care how you think of me since you’ve said you’re contributing to my plan, but your meaningless feelings of pity are downright unpleasant.”
Vargan left the room to end the conversation.
However, the moment he crossed the doorframe, Diphelia’s muttering reached his ears.
—Rather, I feel more at ease thinking you’re a pure villain….
“…….”
Without replying, Vargan walked down the hallway.
Each step he took on the well-polished floor made a regular sound: tap. tap.
The sound of his shoes spread forth without hesitation, as if untroubled.
—Tap.
Then suddenly, one beat strayed from the regular rhythm.
Vargan placed his hand on his head at that singular misstep.
The hallway he saw danced chaotically. The lamps on the walls seemed to be decorations on the dancers’ outfits.
As his body lost balance, Vargan quickly leaned his wrist against the wall, waiting for his focus to align.
Taking a breath slowly….
Slowly….
—Is there truly no other way?
The words that Diphelia had spoken flashed through his mind.
—Vargan. You’re so pathetic.
Even upon reflection, it’s a hilarious remark.
Vargan thought to himself.
It was the best possible outcome, the ultimate ending, yet he couldn’t understand why the assessment was so lackluster.
“…”
As he returned to the normal hallway.
Vargan adjusted his collar and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Soon, he arrived at the door of his room.
Before checking on Adalhyde’s training again, he wanted to stop by.
For some reason… he felt that way.
Vargan slowly turned the doorknob and opened the door.
And then, as if she had been waiting, a petite woman darted out.
“You came back sooner than I expected! I thought you’d be here later.”
The young lady of the Portlet Family with eyes as beautiful as blue jewels.
Vargan gently touched Erica’s hair, which was standing there blankly.
Her black hair cascaded down like a stream, soft and fragrant.
“…What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“No. How could anything happen?”
“Really…?”
Vargan eased Erica’s worries.
He smiled softly and said,
“I just stopped by for a moment on my way. I wanted to check on how you were doing and mention something I need to say.”
“You shouldn’t worry so much now… You were fine even while going through trials… But what do you mean you have something to say? What is it?”
As Erica felt unnecessarily embarrassed by his concern.
Vargan once again played with Erica’s beautiful hair.
‘Everything will proceed as planned. No disruptions or deviations can be tolerated.’
There can’t be any unnecessary waste.
The results equivalent to the meticulous preparations made so far are a must.
“…”
But, just a little more.
Just a tiny bit more…
“Erica. Could you spare a day in the near future?”
“A day? I’m fine, but… you’ve been especially busy lately. Are you sure it’s okay?”
“A day should be fine.”
“Really…? That sounds good, but… are you really sure it’s alright?”
“Yeah. I won’t have any outings or breaks since I don’t know when I might be called to the battlefield. Let’s explore the attractions of the Academia together.”
“Hmm… understood! If you say so, it must really be okay.”
Just for a little while is enough.
I want to stay a bit longer in this moment.
“But what should I wear? It seems like it would vary based on what we’re doing…”
“As long as it’s not a dress that’s too uncomfortable to move in, it should be fine.”
“Hmmm… a pretty outfit that isn’t uncomfortable. That’s something to think about.”
“Take your time to think it over.”
“I’ll have to. What should I wear? I’m getting excited just thinking about it.”
Just a little more.
I want to be with you.
“Well, I’ve checked everything and said what I needed, so I’ll be on my way now.”
“Right, you said you’d help with the new student’s training? Have a good time.”
“Yeah. If you get tired, feel free to sleep first.”
“I don’t think that will happen… but okay!”
“Well then….”
On the return of April 28th.
Before ‘I’ disappear along with your memories.
At least until then, I want to create memories with you, Erica.
