Salvation Through Delusion C108

Chapter 108

“This will be the room where you’ll be staying.”

Rick guided me to the room with an air that was neither quite perfunctory nor fully polite. It was as spacious as the room Rue had used back at the Adeye estate, but unlike that overly ornate, visually overwhelming space, this one was clean, restrained, and unmistakably classical in style.

There was just one problem.

It faced west.

And it sat at the very edge of the building.

Well, whether they were deliberately slighting the future partner of the Duke by giving me a corner room, or even shoving me into an attic, I didn’t really care. As long as it wasn’t next to a pigsty, this was practically a five-star hotel.

The real issue was the view. From my window, all I could see was the city below—the capital city of Koon Castle spreading out beneath me.

That’s right. I had entered Koon’s main stronghold today via a portal. Strictly speaking, it was a detached residence just outside the main castle, but still—this was Koon territory proper.

I hadn’t expected to arrive here so abruptly. To get here at all required using the portal at the capital residence, and that privilege was not granted lightly.

“So I’ll be staying here from now on?” I asked.

“Yes.”

After answering, Rick added in a tone that sounded suspiciously like a warning.

“You won’t be able to return to the capital for the time being. Even if you find that disappointing, there’s nothing to be done.”

Disappointing? I was thrilled. All I could think about was getting into Acorn Forest as soon as possible.

I tried to suppress my excitement and composed my expression, but Rick misread it and gave a small shake of his head.

“Hah… The head housekeeper you greeted at the entrance will assist you with touring the estate. If you have questions, direct them to her.”

While I was looking around the room, Rick spoke quickly, then briefly glanced at me, as if gauging my reaction.

He was making it painfully obvious that he had no desire to chat with me—but I had no interest in building rapport either, so it suited me just fine. I got straight to the point.

“So… which direction is the main castle?”

“Why do you ask?”

Rick immediately shot back, wary. Obviously because that’s where my destination was. I shrugged lightly.

“It’ll be my problem going forward. I figured I should familiarize myself.”

“….”

Rick fell silent, but his expression said everything. He clearly didn’t like some outsider talking as if this place were already their concern.

Ugh. Territorial behavior already? Still, when a subordinate tries to posture against someone above them, it’s nothing more than noise. I deliberately smiled.

“Come to think of it, I’m about to become the lady of this house. I’ll be needing your assistance quite a lot, Rick. Since we’ll be seeing each other’s faces for the rest of our lives, why don’t we take some time to get to know one another?”

“What? That’s ridiculous—hah, there’s no need for you to know anything about me. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my lea—”

“I’m not finished.”

The firmness in my voice made him freeze. Rick turned back toward me, visibly surprised.

That made sense. That tone hadn’t been Adeye Rue’s—it had been my original one.

I wiped the smile from my face and calmly gestured outside.

“Did you deliberately assign me a room where the main castle isn’t visible?”

“….”

“Ah. I see. Got it.”

“W–What? No, I didn’t say any—”

Flustered, Rick stammered, but I had already turned and begun walking down the corridor.

“Where are you going?!” he exclaimed, startled, following after me.

Without looking back, I waved a hand.

“House tour.”

And then I issued a command to Mo.

‘Start drawing a floor plan of this estate.’

Killu had visited the Ma family early that morning, without much expectation. After all, he had already seen clearly during the White Branch Council whom Hoiga truly harbored feelings for.

Not that Killu had ever cared for Hoiga himself—so even if Hoiga liked Tyroc, it wasn’t personally painful.

It was simply disappointing. The so-called Savior turned out to be no different from the other pitiful fools who fell for Tyroc.

So much for a Savior.

He was irritated, but Montaine still needed a Savior in order to seize the throne. Killu had steeled himself to invest more effort.

And then—

“Yes, I will marry you, Duke.”

Hoiga accepted the proposal without hesitation.

Killu concealed his surprise and began to think quickly, recalling the report he’d received before coming here.

Apparently, Hoiga had slipped out of the estate secretly during the night and returned at dawn. The watchers had noticed immediately upon seeing his expressionless, unfocused face.

Hoiga might have thought he’d avoided the guards, but he hadn’t realized he’d exposed everything.

What caught Killu’s attention, however, was Hoiga’s vacant state.

Had he gone to see Tyroc that night? And if so—was this sudden acceptance part of some scheme concocted with Tyroc to deceive him?

Keeping a courteous smile on his lips, Killu asked,

“That would mean you and I must exchange a partner’s oath. I have only one demand: that you promise to do anything sincerely for Montaine.”

That would block any collusion with Tyroc. Yes—let’s see if you accept this too.

After a brief pause, Hoiga nodded.

“Yes. I will sincerely work for Montaine. In return, Duke, you must also uphold my oath.”

“Name it.”

“Koon.”

Hoiga paused, bit his lip hard, then said,

“Destroy it.”

…What?

Killu slowly tilted his head. Had he heard correctly?

Hoiga continued.

“Take everything from Duke Koon Tyroc, and from Adeye Rue, who will become his partner. Crush them utterly. That is my condition.”

Hoiga’s eyes burned with fierce, blazing hatred.

Well now?

Killu couldn’t suppress his grin.

“A condition I find most agreeable. In fact, it’s exactly what I hoped for.”

“Then… is it settled?”

“Yes. I only need to confirm one thing.”

“Confirm… what?”

Killu rose from his seat and approached him.

“I wish to see the mark of the Savior.”

Hoiga’s eyes wavered with conflict. If he’d already decided to become a partner, why hesitate now? Wouldn’t he want to prove himself?

“Hoiga.”

At the sound of his name, Hoiga seemed to steel himself. Without a word, he reached up and undid several buttons of his shirt, then turned so his back faced Killu.

“It’s between the shoulder blades.”

There it was—centered between the wings of his back, just above the spine. A dark crimson mark, about the size of a thumb. Fine red lines radiated symmetrically from a central point, like threads.

It almost resembled wings.

But it didn’t look like a tattoo.

The skin at the dark center was twisted, as if burned—like blood vessels that had burst outward and permanently stained the surrounding flesh. It was unlike any scar Killu had ever seen.

Without thinking, Killu reached out. The moment his fingers brushed the skin, Hoiga startled violently and twisted away, hastily fastening his shirt again, eyes sharp with wariness.

“Is that sufficient?”

Killu studied him in silence. Why did it feel… unconvincing? Not innate, perhaps? Still, the scar looked old—and replicating such a mark artificially would be difficult.

“Duke,” Hoiga said firmly. “If you remain uneasy, then let us call off this marriage.”

At that, Killu smiled reflexively.

“Of course not.”

Savior or not, Hoiga was useful—for now.

Killu dropped to one knee before him.

“Then shall we exchange our oaths before you change your mind?”

He extended his hand, but Hoiga merely stared downward, unmoving. Killu reached out and forcibly seized Hoiga’s hand, pulling it forward. Hoiga flinched, but did not resist.

“As you know, a partner’s oath requires us to create a new name known only to the two of us, to serve as proof of the bond. Do you have a name in mind?”

“Anything is fine.”

Would he have answered that way if Tyroc had asked? Killu suppressed a sneer and chose a name from his own house.

The oath itself was simple. As they spoke the name and vows, a surge of heat flowed through their joined hands, sealing the bond with sacred power.

It took less than a minute.

The moment it ended, Killu released Hoiga’s hand.

Hoiga stared at his own palm in a daze, as if unable to believe the decision he’d just made.

Killu scoffed inwardly. Even after vowing to destroy Koon, was there still lingering regret?

He felt no inclination to be considerate.

“Now then,” Killu said coolly. “If you have information for Montaine, tell me. Any weakness that could bring Koon down will do.”

Hoiga slowly lifted his head, though his gaze remained fixed on the floor. His lips moved as if sharing a secret.

“…There is a way to lift Koon’s curse.”

Killu’s eyes sharpened.

“Does Tyroc know it?”

Hoiga shook his head.

“But I know a few things. That the method is recorded in an ancient manuscript kept by Sarne. That there is only one chance to lift the curse. And one more thing.”

Hoiga raised his eyes.

“That I am the only one who can lift it.”

The brown eyes watching him glittered with elation.

“Then if you are never allowed to act… and Sarne is kept in check… Koon’s curse will persist forever.”

A radiant smile spread across Killu’s face.

“How very tragic.”