Salvation Through Delusion C148

Chapter 148

“You want to find a gateway that leads to the Crimson Tides Forest?”

In a quiet corner of the Montaine family’s vast library, Hoiga asked Killu, who had come to see him.

“Yes. A door, a passage — anything that connects Montaine’s divine beast to this world. We need to be prepared.”

At the word prepared, Hoiga immediately thought of Borhumi. When Borhumi’s divine beast was imprisoned, its power weakened, the Crystal Lake dried up, and a hidden monster rift resurfaced.

“But the monster rift in Montaine isn’t causing problems right now, is it?”

“No. As I said — preparation. If dark mages targeted Montaine’s divine beast, that would be disastrous.”

Killu smiled as he spoke. Something about that smile unsettled Hoiga, yet he agreed completely with the need for caution.

From what he’d seen, Killu’s devotion to his sister — who wielded divine power — seemed genuine. By contrast, Montaine’s second sibling, Bilge, the so-called troublemaker, behaved as if nothing mattered… yet somehow always received funds and cleanup afterward.

“The gateway is linked to the divine beast. Even if humans can’t see it, knowing the location makes it vulnerable.”

So that was how Borhumi’s divine beast had been trapped. Hoiga was surprised Killu knew details even he didn’t, but he swallowed the curiosity and listened.

“Unlike Borhumi, Montaine has no single sacred site tied to its divine beast. Historical records show—”

Killu brushed a finger across the ancient manuscript Hoiga was reading.

“Every important site tied to Montaine’s beast has a different location. As if the doorway itself keeps moving.”

“Moving?” Hoiga tilted his head.

“That’s remarkable. Sarne’s gateway always manifests in the same place, like Borhumi’s.”

Killu’s eyes flashed faintly, but Hoiga missed it while studying the text.

“You know where Sarne’s gateway is?”

“Only roughly.”

“Where?”

Hoiga hesitated — and Killu spoke first with a smile.

“The Mungken Valley?”

“…Ah.”

“No need to be surprised. I heard Sarne deployed troops there under the excuse of monster activity. I simply connected the dots. It seems Salvation gave them that information.”

“I only interpreted a small portion of Sarne’s records,” Hoiga emphasized, careful not to reveal how much he truly knew.

Killu didn’t press further, though his gaze sharpened like a blade. When Hoiga looked up, the expression was gone, replaced with a smooth smile.

“Your abilities exceed expectations.”

“It’s nothing special.”

“I trust you’ll locate Montaine’s gateway as well. The answer lies in this manuscript.”

Praise — but it felt like pressure. Hoiga returned to the text, thinking aloud.

“Then does Koon’s gateway also move?”

“No.”

The certainty startled Hoiga.

“Koon’s divine beast gateway lies beneath Koon’s core territory — just like Borhumi’s.”

“But Koon’s land is cursed by dark magic…!”

Realization struck.

“The curse might not target Koon itself — it could be sealing the gateway. Preventing the divine beast from returning even if it still exists…”

“Exactly,” Killu said, smiling crookedly.

“That curse must never be lifted — for Montaine’s sake.”

A key perfectly shaped for my hand.

I stared at the last shard of Crystal Lake hanging around my neck.

Of course it fit. A key matches its door.

Understanding hit — followed by a sigh.

“So… Borhumi’s divine beast has to pass through me to come here? Like I’m the door?”

The bear-beast raised both arms beside its head twice.

Yes.

You’ve got to be kidding.

“So when I decide the timing… that means I open the door?”

Unfortunately, yes.

“I don’t even know how! Holding the key does nothing!”

The beast pointed at me again — eyes dripping with judgment.

Great. Figure it out myself.

Before I could protest more, the beast floated toward the window.

“Hey! Wait! I still have questions!”

It gestured toward the acorn forest — Black Bear’s direction.

Last chance.

“Where is Koon’s divine beast right now?”

The motions spelled:

[ Tuvine. ]

…What?

I didn’t sleep that night.

Not because of the bear — but because I suddenly remembered something crucial.

The contract.

Tyroc promised to sign it — and I forgot to collect it.

So before sunrise, I dressed and waited outside his office. He wasn’t there. The butler explained:

“He spent the night training. You must be worried.”

I wasn’t — only about the contract.

The butler misunderstood completely.

“The Grand Duke often trains overnight. Don’t worry — his stamina is excellent. He can still spend the entire day with you afterward.”

Honestly, aside from Rue, the butler might be the most shameless person in Tuvine.

“I’ll bring him right away so he can restore his energy—”

“No!”

I stepped back.

“Do not interrupt him.”

He needed to be exhausted. Completely.

I turned — and bumped into something solid.

A whisper brushed my ear.

“What if I want to interrupt you?”

—

Butler:

“Don’t worry — the Duke can absolutely multitask.”

Sir, please. This is a legal matter. 💀