Salvation Through Delusion C142

Chapter 142

Tyroc’s eyebrow twitched. He’d thrown that guess out casually, and realizing it was right seemed to surprise even him. Thanks to that, I didn’t need a long explanation and went straight to the point.

“But Kripe has a bit of trouble using the divine beast’s power. It’s her first time, so she doesn’t know how. That’s why we need your help, Duke. If you accept Sarne’s divine beast power first—like you did with Borhumi—and figure out the method, you can teach her…”

“No.”

The refusal was instant. It felt painfully familiar—like that rude Koon bastard back in Borhumi’s underground tomb. I wasn’t the only one who felt the tension.

Shrring—

Black Bear drew her sword and spoke coldly.

“I don’t need Koon’s help either.”

No, that’s not how this works. You receive help, Tyroc gives help—that’s a win-win!

I could already picture myself stuck in the middle again, blood pressure rising. Last time, at least, communication was messy and one side didn’t even have a physical form, so they couldn’t clash directly. Now? One wrong move and they’d start carving each other up. Tyroc was a problem, but after a few days with her, I knew Black Bear was just as stubborn.

Prepared to jump between them if needed, I grabbed Tyroc’s arm first. I was about to tell him to listen when Mo suddenly spoke.

[The bear divine beast is moving.]

“Huh?”

My surprise was small, but both of them snapped their heads toward me.

“What is it?” Tyroc asked.

Instead of answering, I raised a hand. The bear really was getting up.

It was rare for her to take the initiative, so I stepped forward instinctively—only for Tyroc’s arm to block me.

“The b—… Sarne’s divine beast has something to say.”

That did the trick. Black Bear immediately lowered her sword and turned respectfully toward where I was looking. Tyroc paused too. When I stayed silent for a while, he finally asked:

“What is it saying?”

I looked up at him apologetically.

“She’s just started the first letter.”

“…What?”

“Sarne’s divine beast talks very slowly.”

“You mean she drags it out?”

“No. With her body.”

Tyroc’s eyebrow twitched again. Fortunately, he seemed to recall another divine beast that communicated physically before, because he accepted it—though not happily.

“Why so slow?”

Because everything about her is slow. Before I could answer, Black Bear cut in sharply.

“Every action of the divine beast has meaning. How dare a mere human question her methods?”

“She’s your divine beast. To me, she’s just some divine beast that barged into my land uninvited.”

Whoosh—

Black Bear raised her sword again.

“I know why the divine beast followed me here. She wanted to see me put an arrogant fool like you in the dirt.”

“It’ll be entertaining to slit your throat right in front of her.”

Here we go again. Experience told me to shut this down immediately.

“Hey, quiet! The divine beast is still talking! If you two want to settle it, play rock-paper-scissors afterward or something!”

Look—the bear was still in the middle of one gesture…

I froze. Our eyes met. After less than thirty seconds, she straightened up.

Then she held up two fingers—stubby little things barely distinguishable from claws—and pointed them at her own eyes before turning them toward me.

Watching you. Don’t look away.

…Seriously?! You’re that slow, and you’re telling me not to get distracted?!

My blood pressure spiked again.

“So?” Tyroc pressed calmly. “What did she say?”

I glanced between him and Black Bear and, adding my own flair, translated:

“She says both of you should shut up.”

They did.

The bear’s agonizingly slow body language continued. Please let this be worth it. When she finally finished, Mo displayed the interpretation.

[“Koon needs my power.”]

What?

Completely unexpected. I turned to Tyroc. He’d been staring off in boredom but caught my look.

“Done?”

“Yes. She says Koon needs her power.”

His eyes flared like a sudden fire.

.

.

.

.

“As you predicted, Savior,” Duke Killu reported to Hoiga with a smile. “Adeye interfered with the priest to delay the hunting tournament. They’re summoning a distant priest to light the sacred brazier of the Eternal Flame.”

“Priest Sidro?” Hoiga asked.

Killu nodded, and a smile curved Hoiga’s lips.

“So emphasizing the date worked. They must think my prophecy meant something would happen that day.”

“But the date isn’t the key?” Killu asked.

“No. The people and the object are.”

The true cause of the incident was human greed—Priest Sidro’s carelessness. The date didn’t matter. All they needed was to create the right conditions.

“Adeye has been assigned to handle Sidro’s transport,” Killu continued. “Exactly as you wished. Anything more you want?”

“I want Sidro to first handle the sacred brazier in a location I choose.”

“Where?”

“At Adeye.”

Killu’s eyes widened slightly.

“You were targeting Adeye Lantuya from the start?”

“She rarely leaves the estate. That makes her likely to be caught in the incident.”

“If Lantuya disappears, all Adeye assets pass to Rue. Tyroc benefits,” Killu pointed out.

Hoiga nodded firmly.

“Which is why Rue must also be at Adeye that day.”

“Ah… the siblings together,” Killu murmured, suppressing a grin. “But will Rue leave Koon while infatuated with Tyroc?”

“We’ll give her bait sweet enough to pull her away.”

“For example?”

“A palace party to console disappointed nobles after the postponed tournament. Rue attends—only to be humiliated and expelled.”

“Why?” Killu asked.

Hoiga met his gaze.

“Because the host—you—will make it so.”

Killu chuckled openly.

“If it’s the Savior’s command, I’ll comply.”

Hoiga’s expression tightened slightly at the title, but Killu ignored it.

“If the Adeye siblings vanish, where does that fortune go? Lantuya must have prepared a will.”

“No. She hasn’t. More precisely, she doesn’t care where her wealth goes after death.”

Killu blinked in surprise.

“Information from the Ma Guild?”

“We pay close attention to anything related to Adeye. Of course… a will might conveniently appear after her sudden death.”

Understanding dawned in Killu’s eyes.

“That will would be heavily warded. Usually unlocked with the deceased’s hair.”

“It’ll be ash after the accident. Unless the executor kept a copy.”

“I heard Adeye’s senior contract mage is fiercely loyal.”

“Everyone has weaknesses. His is a past act of kindness.”

Killu frowned. “Kindness?”

“He once killed a noble to save a village. A monster of a man—but murder is still murder.”

“You sound like you have proof.”

“We have a witness. It wouldn’t do to accuse a respected mage without evidence.”

Killu burst out laughing as Hoiga delivered the answer without hesitation.