Salvation Through Delusion C110

Chapter 110

Knock, knock.

Rick knocked on the large office door, waited a moment, then opened it and stepped aside.

“Go in.”

At his voice, I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Alright. Let’s do this.

Click. Click.

The sound of my footsteps echoed loudly inside the office. My target sat with his back to the massive window—

Tyroc.

This office is ridiculously huge, I thought as I approached quickly. Tyroc lifted his eyes from the documents on his desk. For a moment, it looked like a sharp light flashed through them.

But sunlight flooded this room so thoroughly that it was hard to read the emotions inside his gaze. Besides, I didn’t have the luxury to worry about that.

The contract.

I need the contract.

That was the only thought filling my head—so much so that I misunderstood his question.

“How is it?”

“It’s excellent. Perfect weather for signing a contract.”

The corner of his mouth twisted upward, and he tilted his head slightly. Why did that feel like mockery?

“Wasn’t that what you were asking? About the weather?”

“I asked what you thought of this place.”

“It’s good.”

I had no strong feelings about the estate, so I answered lightly, then added just in case—

“It’s definitely an ideal place to draft a contract.”

His smile deepened. By now I’d grown familiar enough with his expressions to tell when his smile was unpleasant, yet this one was ambiguous.

It felt pathetic to watch his mood so carefully, but until that contract was signed, I was in no position to offend him.

Still—this time, I hadn’t done anything wrong, had I?

As I grumbled inwardly, he pulled a sheet of paper from a drawer and placed it on the desk.

My gaze moved on its own. Even if I tried not to stare, the title centered on the first line was impossible to miss.

Marriage Contract.

…What?!

I barely managed to suppress the sound that almost burst out, forcing my face into control. I felt his gaze on me and reflexively snapped to attention, staring straight ahead.

No sound followed. When I sneaked a glance, he was looking out the window.

His face was expressionless, yet it felt like I was looking at a sculpture carved with countless emotions.

“Did you see the fog?”

“Yes.”

“That fog is proof the Koon family’s curse is visible to everyone. And you say this place is good?”

I hesitated, trying to figure out the answer that would please him. In that brief moment, he stared straight at me and moved to slide the paper back into the drawer.

What are you doing?!

Instead of shouting, I hurriedly opened my mouth.

“I haven’t confirmed the Koon family’s curse with my own eyes yet, so I can’t comment on that. As for the fog, I assumed it was something you created, Your Grace, so I didn’t judge it negatively.”

“I made it? Why would I?”

The question was sharp, yet a faint smile surfaced in his eyes.

So you did make it.

“You said it yourself, when we saw the fog covering the crystal lake. To blanket such a vast area with magic, black magic is necessary. Dorgo used it to deceive people.”

I flicked a glance out the window.

“But there’s no illusion layered over that fog. It’s almost as if it’s openly saying, ‘This is black magic—do not approach.’ And the only person who could put up a warning sign on Koon Castle would be its owner.”

“……”

Ah—did I sound too smart again for Rue? Without thinking, I glanced at the contract and started to speak out of habit.

“After I died and came back—”

“Right. You said you died and came back sharper. So I looked into it. Whether there were others like you.”

Damn it, why would you investigate that?

I was already preparing to insist he search harder if he said there were none—but his next words were unexpected.

“There was one. Someone who was foolish as a child, then suddenly became remarkably intelligent. Until recently, they hid that change very thoroughly.”

He didn’t say the name, but one person surfaced clearly in my mind. I knew he was watching my expression, but I couldn’t stop it from stiffening.

“And that person, like you, claims to be a Savior. You know exactly who I mean. Ma Hoiga.”

When I still didn’t respond, he lifted the contract again, almost threateningly. It looked like it might vanish back into the drawer, so I forced my lips into a smile.

“I also think it’s quite an extraordinary coincidence.”

“Or the result of someone forcing it.”

“Who?”

“Who knows. A god. A human. Or perhaps something from an unknown world.”

“…Do you believe such an unknown world exists?”

“I have no choice but to. Monsters come pouring out through spatial rifts.”

He fixed me with a sharp gaze and continued.

“So it’s not coincidence. If there were only one person who died and came back as someone else, I might believe that. But two, appearing at the same time? And both claiming to be Saviors?”

Unlike me, frozen stiff, he gave a soft laugh and placed the contract back on the desk. Leaning against his chair, he looked at me as if I were something entertaining.

“You look like you’ve heard a scary story.”

“That’s not the case.”

I forced a smile.

“I’m just displeased to be compared to Ma Hoiga.”

Something flickered in his eyes.

“I thought you were friends.”

“No.”

I shook my head firmly. Pretending to be close to a traitor was one thing I absolutely refused to do.

The only honest reaction I’d shown him that day seemed to please him more than expected. He smiled back.

“If my fiancée says so, then that must be it.”

The title fiancée made my brow twitch, but I quickly smoothed my expression.

Because he was holding the contract.

“By the way, I’ve prepared the contract you wanted. Take a look.”

“Look at what? It’s something you prepared, Your Grace.”

I’d already scanned every word of it. Smiling leisurely, I deliberately looked away, pretending not to care.

Otherwise, the pounding of my heart would surely give me away. Especially since I could hear the sound of him pulling a pen free.

As my nerves stretched tight, his casual question drifted over.

“But why do you want the contract so badly? We already made a promise. Isn’t that enough?”

“No. It isn’t formal. I want it documented.”

“……”

His hand, just about to pick up the pen, froze as if someone had hit a pause button.

What now?

I couldn’t see his eyes, since he was still looking down at the desk.

Had I said something wrong?

Before I could reconsider, his hand moved again.

Is he signing?

I looked up expectantly—only to see the pen move toward a different document.

Seriously. Couldn’t you have done that earlier?

I was internally complaining when his belated response came.

“Is that so?”

His tone sounded indifferent. Maybe nothing was wrong after all.

“Yes.”

“…I see.”

He murmured slowly, as if thinking something over. I turned my gaze aside, not wanting to interrupt.

Rustle.

At the sound of paper sliding, I glanced back. He had finally pushed the signed document aside and pulled the contract squarely in front of him.

Finally.

I swallowed hard and quickly looked away. If I stared too much, he might misunderstand. Worse, he might hear my heartbeat.

I realized then how much had happened since I came here. It flashed through my mind like a panorama.

Meeting non-human beings the moment I arrived.

Facing monsters the next day, dying and coming back to life.

Almost dying again after being kicked by the very man in front of me.

But I endured it all. And I was so close.

All of it—for one goal.

Saving the world I live in.

For that, I crossed into an unfamiliar dimension and even agreed to a contractual marriage with a man. All that remained was for him to sign.

Just one signature—and I’d overcome the greatest obstacle.

Click.

He placed the unsigned contract straight back into the drawer.

Why?

Why?!

Swallowing the question lodged in my throat, I spoke carefully.

“Is there a problem?”

“No.”

“Then please sign it now.”

“It’s not something we urgently need right now.”

It is.

How am I supposed to trust a verbal promise—especially from someone who already sees me as an enemy?

“I need a documented guarantee immediately. That’s the only way I’ll feel at ease.”

He slowly curved his lips into a smile. A smile adored by the entire world—but not by me.

To me, it was nothing but a bad omen. Whenever he smiled like that, something unpleasant followed.

And this time was no exception.

“Then… I’ll see how you do.”

What?

I barely restrained a torrent of curses. Wasn’t this man supposed to be our world’s salvation?

I forced a smile.

“What exactly do you want me to do?”

“Keep your promise.”

“Become a partner who faithfully abides by the Grand Duke’s rules.”

I recited my pledge like a machine, putting strength into my voice.

“That’s why I packed my belongings and came to the Grand Ducal House today.”

“And?”

…And?

“What else will you do?”

He replied lightly. I’ll say it again—I will never be fooled by his smile.

“If you tell me, I’ll do it.”

I straightened my posture like a soldier receiving orders and looked him directly in the eye.

Instead, his smile widened even more. Anyone else would’ve smiled back unconsciously—but I held my expression rigid.

Staring at me intently, he spoke slowly.

“If my beloved fiancée says so.”

I flinched.

No matter how many times I heard it, beloved never got easier. He used it as an excuse—saying we had to deceive others—yet the more I reacted, the more he enjoyed it.

“Starting tonight, I’ll be going to your room.”

“You’re changing rooms with me?”

Did he want my room? I couldn’t see how that related to my conduct at all.

He answered casually.

“No. I’m going to hold you.”

For a moment, I didn’t understand. I blinked stupidly.

A contractual marriage—why?

As my head filled with question marks, his dry command followed.

“Leave.”

“Wait—when are you signing the contract—”

“If you want it that badly, sit on my cock and beg while you move your hips.”

I don’t know what my expression looked like.

Sit where? Do what?

“Well, you only understand when I spell it out like this.”

No. I still didn’t understand. Completely frozen, I finally managed to say one thing.

“…Why?”

His sunlike golden eyes overflowed with delight. This smile wasn’t fake—it was genuine. Which made it even more terrifying.

“Take a guess.”

Fuck. Is this an essay question?

Acorn Forest.

True to its name, oak trees clustered thickly from the forest’s entrance. Gentle slopes stretched wide like plains, leading toward the mountains, and the deeper one went, the more diverse the trees and grasses became.

Because no one had entered this forest in a long time, there were no proper paths. Yet Black Bear moved through it with ease, carving a familiar route until she reached her destination—the cabin.

The forest grew dark quickly, so firewood had to be gathered and the cabin prepared without delay. And that wasn’t all—beasts that saw newly arrived humans as prey lurked everywhere.

Still, she stepped onto the rocks with unhurried ease. Standing atop a massive boulder two stories high, the forest’s expanse spread out before her.

“I really like this.”

Her eyes gleamed as she admired the forest—then stopped.

A massive mass of fog. Within it lay the infamous cursed Koon Castle.

The awe in Black Bear’s eyes sank.

“Of all places… Koon.”

No matter how large the debt, she never wanted to be involved with a Divine Beast family—especially not to help one.

Since Adeye Rue had become the Duke of Koon’s partner, it was unlikely Rue would harm Koon. If anything, it would be the opposite.

And yet, the reason she hadn’t refused this task lay in the box Adeye Lantuya had sent.

“The Lady says it’s time you repaid your debt.”

A debt.

A word that made no sense to her. She had owed Lantuya once—but she had already paid that price. Lantuya herself had said it was settled.

There was no debt left.

But the moment she opened the box—

Even Black Bear couldn’t help but be shocked.

 

TLN-AGHFHSGDJHGSFSKHSDJK WHT THE FUCK DSHGDJHJSDHJS