* * *
“There will be those who stubbornly try to link the curse to what happened at tonight’s banquet.”
“If there really is someone pulling the strings behind all this, they won’t be able to stay still this time. They went through all the trouble of placing a curse, only for rumors to spread that the heir of Pantheon possesses divine power. That would be a disaster for them.”
At Arthur Sothes’ words, Raizen gave a small nod.
His expression was eerily composed despite being the subject of the conversation.
If anything, there was a faint trace of satisfaction on his face.
‘Damn, I can read his expressions perfectly now.’
To most, he probably still looked as blank-faced as ever, but if you paid attention, you could tell the subtle differences.
Hah…
Was this the result of my desperate efforts to survive by reading his every mood?
Not exactly something to be proud of.
‘Guess I should just think of it as a survival skill upgrade.’
Yeah, let’s call it leveling up. Great. Hah…
Maybe it was because the tension had finally eased, but drowsiness hit me like a wave.
I stifled a yawn and blinked slowly.
“…!”
‘Crap.’
At that moment, my eyes met the Duchess’.
She gave me a silent smile before addressing the room.
“Well then, shall we wrap things up for today?”
“Yes, everyone’s worked hard,” the Duke agreed.
With that, the long, long discussion finally came to an end.
Arthur Sothes, seemingly itching to dive into his research, excused himself and left the room first.
The Duke remained deep in thought, while the Duchess—who had been sitting across from us—approached me and Raizen.
She crouched slightly, then pulled both of us into an embrace.
“You both went through so much today. I’m just so grateful you returned safely.”
Her frail hands trembled slightly.
She still couldn’t quite believe what had happened.
‘Can’t blame her.’
Darkness had suddenly engulfed the banquet, and the two of us had vanished.
Without a word, I gripped the arm that held me, then let go.
“There’s so much more I want to say… but you’re both exhausted, aren’t you? Rest well tonight.”
“Yes… Good night.”
I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to address her.
It was obvious that the Duke and Duchess wanted me to call them “Father” and “Mother,” but the words wouldn’t come out.
Was I really allowed to call them that?
For some reason, I found it hard to meet her eyes and lowered my gaze instead.
As I waited for her to release me from the hug, her hand gently cupped my cheek.
“Sei.”
Hearing her call my name, I had no choice but to look up.
She gazed at me with the same kind, unwavering eyes as always.
“I know there’s something you want to ask us. Let’s talk about it soon.”
The moment I heard those words, I understood.
‘The death of the Marquess and Marchioness of Creveta.’
The Duke and Duchess were finally ready to discuss it.
It must have been a decision made after much deliberation.
And now, they were likely wondering how to explain it in a way that would minimize the pain of learning the truth.
‘But I already know everything.’
When will I finally get used to this ridiculous guilt that resurfaces just when I think I’m okay?
“…Alright.”
At least for now… I don’t think I can.
Outside, the night had deepened.
Maybe it was because so much had happened, but it didn’t feel real that time had passed at all.
There was plenty to think about, but I forced my mind to shut it all out.
‘I’m exhausted. And starving.’
For tonight, we’d be having dinner in our rooms.
Everything had been discussed—situation assessed, information shared, solutions considered—so now, all that was left was for everyone to gather their thoughts.
“You must be starving, young master.”
“Yeah, I’m really hungry.”
“The meal is ready. Let’s head up.”
“Okay!”
Hearing Mila say dinner was ready made my mouth water.
I hurried my steps, but then—
“Sei.”
‘Oh, for crying out loud, what now…?’
I barely managed to school my expression before turning around to face Raizen.
When our eyes met, he gave me a small, weary smile.
‘What’s up with him?’
Without thinking, I averted my gaze slightly.
But since he’d called out to me, I couldn’t exactly ignore him.
I mean, I am Sean, someone who’s hopelessly in love with Raizen.
‘Was he really that shaken up today?’
Knowing him, he wouldn’t have let his guard down.
But he also couldn’t have anticipated things to unfold the way they did.
Or… maybe he was about to tell me that my divine power wasn’t as effective as I thought and that I needed more training?
‘Honestly, that seems more likely.’
But if he really said that right now, I wouldn’t be able to hold back my irritation.
‘In times like this, striking first is the best option.’
“Hey, Hyung.”
I took a step closer to Raizen and gently held his hand.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t good enough… If I had done better, none of this would’ve happened.”
The best course of action was to lie flat and submit.
Lowering my gaze as much as possible, I spoke in a subdued voice.
But what I heard next was completely unexpected.
“…That’s not true.”
Wait, did Raizen just say that?
Or did I mishear?
I held my breath, making sure not to reveal my surprise.
“Thank you.”
“…!”
“I called you because I wanted to say that.”
What the hell?
Is he losing it?
Did something happen before he met me?
Come to think of it, there were a few strange things.
He was the one who suggested keeping my divine power a secret between us, yet he revealed it first.
‘Well, given the situation, I suppose he had no choice but to come clean.’
But still—coming at it head-on?
I never expected someone with the makings of a mastermind villain to choose the least fitting approach.
‘Or… am I just too fixated on seeing him as a future villain?’
But could you blame me?
The novel was about the future, after all.
And in that future, the body I had possessed was supposed to die at his hands.
Plus, the Raizen I met after transmigrating was exactly as described in the novel and the extras.
There were minor differences, but he was still dangerous.
“Sei?”
His voice snapped me back to reality.
I saw his hand rising—reaching toward me.
Without thinking, I flinched away.
“…….”
“…….”
‘Fuck, what the hell…’
“S-Sorry, hyung. It’s just…”
“Are you really okay?”
Why? Why does he keep talking like he’s worried about me?
My reaction just now was definitely misleading.
From Raizen’s perspective, it would make sense if he thought I feared him after getting caught up in that damn curse.
Or… does he think I would’ve run away back then if I were truly afraid?
‘Or maybe… he’s trying to reassure me, afraid I might actually run away in fear.’
That thought cleared up the noise in my head.
“I-I’m fine!”
For now, I needed to keep this conversation from dragging on.
I was… too exhausted.
“I’m really fine! Don’t worry!”
I looked him straight in the eye and shouted.
He watched me silently for a moment before flashing a small smile.
“Alright. Go get some rest.”
“Yeah, you too, hyung!”
After exchanging an awkward farewell, I returned to Mila’s side.
As I walked back to my room, I realized that the hunger I’d felt earlier had completely disappeared.
Instead, the pounding of my heart echoed loudly in my ears.
‘Something’s changed.’
Raizen had changed.
Before, I could tell that his kindness was an act, just a means to an end.
But after coming back from that place… he was different.
‘It feels… real.’
His concern, his care—it all felt genuine. Even though it couldn’t be.
Thump. Thump.
The sound of my heartbeat still echoed in my ears, like a warning.
∗ ∗ ∗
The quest reward arrived the next day.
[Tarot Cards Blessed by ■■
Tarot cards imbued with the blessing of the ancient god ■■. Thanks to divine favor, the accuracy of the card readings is fixed at 70%. Occasionally, with good luck, the accuracy increases by an additional 10%.
How to Use:
1. Shuffle the cards well.
2. Spread about one-third of the deck on a table.
3. Mentally repeat your question several times, then draw a card!
4. Check the system message for the result.
5. If you want to ask another question, follow the system’s instructions!]
Even after rereading the item description, I couldn’t believe it. In the end, I had to ask Noah directly.
[This is… really a quest reward?]
The answer came immediately.
[Yes. It’s your quest reward.]
‘Hah…’
A tarot deck as a reward at this point?
When I first received the quest, the reward was listed as a question mark—so it had always been predetermined, huh?
Yeah, I’d like to believe that…
‘Then why bother hiding it with a question mark?’
An event that wasn’t mentioned in the novel had occurred.
Of course, it was bound to happen.
Since the flow had changed, unexpected events were inevitable.
Not paying closer attention to that was my mistake.
But honestly, I’d assumed that managing such major events was the gods’ job.
The doubt I had when I got caught up in the curse resurfaced.
‘Did the gods really not see this coming?’
Maybe they didn’t.
But I wasn’t naive enough to accept that at face value.
‘Rather than sulking about it alone, I should just ask outright.’
That was how my conversations with Noah had always been, anyway.
Raizen alone was already giving me a headache—I didn’t need more complications.
[Did the gods have any idea that something would happen at the New Year’s banquet?]
* * *
