Salvation Through Delusion C10

Chapter 10

“Why not? What’s going on?”

“Look over there—everyone who tried to reach the carriage suddenly collapsed.”

Collapsed? On their way to the carriage? Why? The monster hadn’t even come this way. Then who…

[The human kept the promise~~ ooh~ the human came~ I kept mine, and the human kept theirs too~~]

Rippling patterns of light burst before my eyes. The little spirit fluttered excitedly in midair, her translucent form sparkling as she waved her arms. Then it hit me—what I’d said before leaving.

“Stay here and guard your Petal. I’ll lure the monster elsewhere. If anyone comes, stop them.”

…Don’t tell me those people fainted because of her?!

I couldn’t shout with everyone watching, so I just glared hard enough to make my thoughts clear. That tiny thing—how did she even manage this?!

“Lord Rue, please step back,” Marvin said, grabbing my arm to pull me away.

Instinctively, I yanked free, the words snapping out sharp and cold. “Don’t touch me.”

“What?”

The startled look on Marvin’s face hit me an instant too late. Damn it—Rue hated being touched, and I’d reacted without thinking.

As if sensing my blunder, Mo immediately flashed a warning.

[Marvin’s facial expression shows over 90% suspicion. Recommended responses based on Adeye Rue’s behavioral patterns:]

1. “You lied to me! You said this place was safe!” (Pout cutely and press yourself against Marvin, slipping your hands down to grab his rear.)

2. “I’m scared! You didn’t protect me when the monster came! I hate you, Marvin!” (Cling to another man nearby and slide your hand between his thighs.)

…

The instant the word thighs appeared, every ounce of panic or anger I had was replaced with pure disbelief.

Seriously? Again with this?

And what did the poor guy next to me ever do to deserve that?

I glanced sideways and locked eyes with a bearded man in his thirties. He blushed furiously and turned away.

Wait—why is he squirming like that?

[Character data:

Coachman Dicken – The coachman who drove Rue to the retreat. Assisted Rue with… personal needs twice during the journey.]

Assisted my ass.

I wanted to dig Rue up from his grave just to throttle him again. But Marvin was still watching me with those suspicious eyes, so I couldn’t lose composure now. I sure as hell wasn’t following Mo’s suggested “responses,” but I could still fake a tantrum.

“I’m going home! I can’t stay in a place where monsters show up like this!”

I shouted like a spoiled noble throwing a fit and stomped forward. Gasps followed, but I raised my voice even louder.

“Don’t follow me! You expect me to live in this wretched place?! I’m leaving—right now! I hate you all!”

I made sure to point dramatically at Marvin and the coachman before spinning on my heel. A murmur rippled through the crowd behind me, but I didn’t dare look back. My heart was pounding—was it convincing enough? Did I sound like Rue?

[No. Rue would have…]

‘Don’t you dare finish that sentence.’

[You should raise your pitch. More hysteria.]

I sighed internally but obeyed. If I was going to pull this off, I needed a driver.

“Bring me a coachman! I’m leaving immediately! And not you! Bring someone else! Now!”

—

The Adeye family.

A bloodline born with the gift of clairvoyance—once minor nobles, now the wealthiest house in the entire continent thanks to their mastery of commerce.

But ten years ago, tragedy struck. The family head and his wife died in an accident, leaving their daughter, Adeye Lantua, severely injured.

She never fully recovered—her health fragile, her body frail—but her intellect turned the Adeye fortune into a golden empire.

“Every gold coin on the continent flows to the Adeye coffers.”

That’s what people said. So her brother Rue’s wild spending habits were seen as little more than an eccentricity.

But even Lantua’s patience had limits. After his latest drunken scandal, she’d sent him off to what the family called a retreat—a hospital in disguise.

And now, barely four days later, he was standing at the family gates.

“Her Ladyship cannot see you right now.”

The head butler blocked my way before I could even step inside. Mo instantly displayed her information beside her face.

‘Amita. Got it.’

I plastered on a weary, noble expression and began my performance.

“Amita, I’ve been traveling nonstop for an entire day. Can’t you see? The carriage window shattered, I inhaled dust for hours, my body aches, I’m starving, I’m exhausted. I just want to lie down and sleep for a week. But before that, there’s something far more important.”

Her expression didn’t change. “Regardless, Her Ladyship is unavailable.”

“I still need to see her.”

That made her pause. Mo’s notes flashed in my mind—Rue had never called his sister “Her Ladyship” before.

And sure enough, the hesitation showed. Her face smoothed quickly, but I’d caught that tiny flicker of confusion.

“Very well. Please come in. I’ll inform her of your request.”

—

The carved brown doors were grand yet modest—too modest for the wealthiest house in Tuvine. Anyone else would’ve wondered if they’d walked into the wrong mansion.

But I didn’t have time to admire architecture.

I walked through long halls lined with servants who glanced at me with open disapproval. Guards watched my every move. I ignored them all, keeping my pace steady even as my nerves screamed.

By the time we reached the waiting chamber, I could barely hold back a sigh.

“Be warned,” said Lantua’s chief secretary, her voice sharp as steel. “Her Ladyship’s health has worsened recently.”

I schooled my features into concern. “Has something happened? Something bad?”

“You ask as if you don’t know. It’s because of you, Lord Rue.”

So much for empathy points. Damn it, Rue, what the hell did you do this time?

Mo answered before I could even ask.

[Incident record: While walking through town, Rue reportedly grabbed a man’s crotch, declared it ‘charming,’ and proceeded to copulate with him inside a temple—during prayer hours—before an audience of horrified villagers.]

…Right.

No wonder they shipped him off to rehab. Frankly, the fact he wasn’t executed was a miracle.

The secretary continued, unamused. “Her Ladyship is delicate. Any distress could endanger her condition. If you intend to bring her unpleasant news, inform us first so we can prepare.”

Prepare… as in summon emergency healers? Whatever. “Then prepare,” I said.

Her brows shot up. “Are you saying what you have to tell her will shock her?”

“Probably.”

She frowned. “Whatever trouble you’ve caused again, Lord Rue, tell me first. I might be able to handle it before—”

“It’s not trouble,” I cut in. “She’ll want to hear this herself.”

The secretary’s expression turned icy. But I didn’t waver.

“It’s not bad news. Trust me. She’ll be glad.”

That earned me a glare, but also reluctant compliance. “If it brings her harm, even you won’t be forgiven.”

Her words made clear what Rue’s status in this household really was—tolerated, not respected.

But I barely heard her. My pulse thundered in my ears.

The heavy door clicked open.

And finally—there she was.

The head of the Adeye family.

My—Rue’s—sister, Adeye Lantua.

She was seated behind a desk, head bowed as she worked. Her face, when visible, was almost identical to Rue’s—same sharp features, same cool eyes. There was no mistaking the resemblance.

But she was smaller, thinner, her complexion pale. A frail figure—but with an aura that filled the room.

The room itself, however, was what caught my attention.

From the ceiling hung several cords, each connected to small bells scattered around the chamber.

I’d been told alarm bells were almost never used in the Capital. So why were they everywhere here?

My eyes drifted further—to her desk.

There sat a half-spherical object covered in thick cloth, with a hose-like tube attached to its center.

What is that…?

It looked oddly familiar, like something from the old world.

I was still staring when her voice, cold and precise, cut through the silence.