* * *
‘What the hell do you know?’
I barely managed to suppress my irritation, maintaining a sorrowful expression as best I could.
It was frustrating, but that was the reality I had to face.
Even though I was already well aware of it, for some reason, today, it weighed on me more than usual.
‘Yeah. The only thing I can do is play the pitiful fool in front of Kim Minsoo.’
Hunting monsters was out of the question, and even offering the smallest bit of assistance was difficult.
The only power I possessed was divine energy, and that wasn’t even strong enough to protect myself, let alone attack anyone.
‘There has to be another way to use it besides healing and purification…’
I had managed to track down the Sacred Beast’s egg before, so I thought I could try something similar on my own, but it hadn’t worked out.
Even if I learned to do more, I knew I still wouldn’t be able to join the monster subjugation.
And yet, the thought of it gnawed at me.
‘Not hearing from him is getting to me too.’
I took a sip of tea to mask my anxiety.
I never drank tea often, and I still couldn’t get used to the taste of black tea.
‘Forget useless thoughts. Just focus on what I can do.’
Placing my teacup down, I locked eyes with Kim Minsoo.
“Let’s be honest. What do you want from me?”
There was no point in trying to fish for information by circling around the topic—it would only backfire.
Instead, I asked directly, like a worm wriggling when stepped on.
My response must’ve been the correct one because Kim Minsoo’s smile deepened.
“What I want is information on Raizen Pantheon’s movements. His personal movements.”
It was within the range of what I had expected.
“His personal… movements.”
“The last time I saw you two, you seemed quite close. That should make it easy enough, no?”
Thinking he had the upper hand, Kim Minsoo’s voice dripped with confidence.
He likely believed that Raizen would do anything to resurrect the Demon King, making his request seem reasonable.
But the excessive hatred he held toward Raizen bothered me.
Why did he want to know about Raizen’s personal movements?
Was it to ensure his complete destruction, or was it to prevent the Demon King’s resurrection?
The result would be the same either way, but for me, the difference was important.
‘If it’s the latter, then maybe… I can help him, just a little.’
Of course, only within the bounds that wouldn’t harm Raizen.
“But why are you so wary of my brother—no, the Pantheon heir?”
“Wary?”
At that moment, his deep olive-colored eyes gleamed strangely.
Tilting his head, he stared at me for a long moment before letting out a soft laugh.
“Wary? You should be more careful with your words.”
“……”
“He is dangerous. He must never be allowed to live. His very existence is a blight upon this world. From the very beginning, he was created for that purpose.”
‘What the hell is this lunatic saying?’
Even if I had transmigrated into a novel, after going through multiple regressions, I had long passed the stage of seeing the people here as mere characters in a story.
From the way Kim Minsoo spoke, he clearly viewed Raizen as nothing more than a “villain.”
As if he were simply talking about a fictional character.
Of course, when I first arrived in this world, I had struggled to break free from that mindset too.
“……I understand. That was my mistake. However… I hope you understand that from my perspective, your words sound utterly ridiculous. Regardless of my ambiguous position here.”
Kim Minsoo silently studied me before asking,
“Does it really sound ridiculous to you?”
I couldn’t tell what he meant by that.
Was he testing me, or did he genuinely not understand?
From the viewpoint of Sean Kreveta—who knew nothing—Kim Minsoo’s claims were difficult to believe.
He had barged in, telling me not to trust Raizen, and was now demanding information about his private movements while spewing blatant slander.
Most importantly, he hadn’t provided a clear reason or evidence to justify his wariness of Raizen.
And yet…
‘If he’s testing me, then what exactly is he testing?’
“Hmm. This is getting frustrating. How about we step outside? I doubt anyone here is happy about me staying too long anyway. Besides, I’d like to take a look around the great Pantheon duchy.”
Just as my thoughts were about to align, Kim Minsoo casually rattled off an excuse.
A flimsy one at that.
In the end, he was just asking to go outside, as if implying he’d be more honest with me out there.
‘Well, I don’t have a choice.’
I nodded, thinking to myself.
The ancient gods really did a number on Kim Minsoo.
“Sei, I think we should assign you an escort.”
When I informed her that I’d be heading out with Kim Minsoo, the Duchess wore a conflicted expression.
“Please keep it to as few people as possible. If there are too many, he might find an excuse to twist the situation.”
Of course, no matter how many escorts were assigned, Kim Minsoo could easily shake them off if he wanted to.
He had been forged under the hands of the ancient gods to become a hero, after all.
“…Alright.”
The Duchess answered with difficulty.
I hesitated before pulling her into a firm embrace.
“I’ll return safely. Nothing will happen. I’m really sorry.”
She must’ve been going through hell right now.
The western region was plagued by a monster wave, her husband and son were out fighting it, and now, she had to worry about the son of the undoubtedly villainous Duke of Luavis sticking to me.
Normally, she would have reassured me and patted my back, saying it was okay.
But this time, she didn’t react at all.
Eventually, she wrapped her arms around me in return.
I could feel her trembling through our connected skin.
“I mean it.”
When I spoke firmly, I felt her force out a weak smile.
“Then, of course, I’ll believe you.”
“……”
“I’m sorry, Sei.”
As the apologies continued, I held the Duchess even tighter.
While the carriage was being prepared, I quickly moved to my room.
Opening the bottom drawer, I spotted a small box beside my notebook.
Carefully, I opened the box and took out the bracelet inside.
Even after more than four years, the dark crimson magic embedded in it remained unchanged.
‘This should at least protect me once.’
There was no time.
I tucked the bracelet deep into the inner pocket of my clothes and hurried out of the room.
I was so preoccupied that I didn’t even notice something slipping into the thick pocket of my coat.
∗ ∗ ∗
The sun hung high, yet the streets remained dim.
Perhaps because of that, the marketplace was eerily quiet.
Walking through the subdued streets, Kim Minsoo glanced around.
His face oddly looked… excited.
Please, let it just be my imagination.
The atmosphere in the marketplace wasn’t great, so I decided to head toward a well-known café.
Kim Minsoo, who had seemed ready to spill a grand story the moment we left the Duke’s estate, remained silent the whole time.
“We’re just one block away now.”
‘When the hell is this bastard going back?’
I kept my focus on leading the way.
But before I even finished speaking, Kim Minsoo abruptly stopped in his tracks.
His gaze shifted to a side alley branching off from the main street—a narrow path lined with storage warehouses.
“Before we head to the café, I’d like to check that place out.”
‘You little shit.’
What was he planning?
A crime scene setup or something?
I wanted to tell him to shut up and follow me, but he had already stepped into the alley.
Swallowing a sigh, I followed behind him.
“Oh… So this is how they separate the storage warehouses?”
Surprisingly, Kim Minsoo was genuinely just looking around.
Was he planning a new city development project or something?
He carefully examined his surroundings before smiling.
“The city layout of the Pantheon Duchy is quite different from the capital.”
Was that a compliment or an insult?
I just gave a vague nod and started walking out of the alley.
I figured he’d follow naturally, but I didn’t hear any footsteps behind me.
Puzzled, I turned around—
“……!!”
A sharp pain stabbed into my chest.
* * *
