Salvation Through Delusion C131

Chapter 131

“Solongo.”

In the grand, antique reception room, Solongo bowed politely to the one who had called her name.

“Yes, Duke Killu.”

“Sit comfortably. If you stand there so stiffly, it’ll look like I summoned you to scold you.”

Killu’s tone was relaxed, like one addressing a close friend, but Solongo only raised her head slightly while maintaining her perfectly upright posture.

“How could I possibly mistake your gracious words for a reprimand, Duke? Please, say whatever you wish.”

Anyone listening could tell from Solongo’s manner that she had completely lowered herself. Killu’s smile deepened, evidently pleased.

“I only called you to exchange greetings after hearing Adeye Trading sent an excessive gift.”

“Excessive? Compared to the generosity the Montaine household has shown our company, it is trivial. I hope the goods pleased you.”

“They weren’t bad. Though inferior to the Southern Textile Union’s wares.”

“My apologies. If you grant us another opportunity, we’ll prepare something of higher quality—”

“Solongo, I said this isn’t a summons to reprimand you. Nor did I call you to discuss troublesome trade matters.”

Killu smiled lazily, but the meaning was clear: stop. Quick to read the room, Solongo fell silent. Killu moved to the real issue.

“I heard a mercenary guild recently sent a large force to Crystal Lake. Does Adeye know anything about that?”

Solongo hesitated, then bowed her head and answered honestly.

“They were funded by House Adeye.”

Killu smiled as if surprised, though his eyes sharpened. He already knew Adeye was involved; he wanted to see how she would respond. If Adeye had chosen Koon’s side, they would become enemies.

Yet Solongo was being more submissive than expected. That suggested Adeye had no desire to oppose Montaine just yet.

He could see the shrewd calculation behind her humility, but it didn’t bother him. It meant she was still useful.

“In truth, Young Master Rue has entered House Koon. Though the wedding hasn’t been held, he is residing there as the duke’s fiancé. However…”

Solongo paused, looking troubled.

“Shortly after Rue arrived, His Grace of Koon had to leave due to matters at Crystal Lake. Rue had been greatly anticipating time with him and… strongly requested—ah—insisted we ensure the duke’s swift return.”

She coughed lightly as if correcting herself, but Killu recognized it as deliberate information sharing. Considering Adeye Rue’s temperament, it was easy to imagine it had been less insistence and more chaos.

So he hadn’t changed much after all. Not a serious concern, but worth confirming.

“It’s commendable that Adeye intervened to deal with Borhumi’s overflowing monsters. But with Duke Koon occupying Borhumi Castle, guarding Crystal Lake could easily be misunderstood.”

Solongo nodded demurely.

“It would certainly appear that way. Our head of household is concerned as well. Please understand Adeye’s position as a family soon to be joined to Koon through marriage.”

She apologized first, then offered her explanation.

“However, after some time, we can withdraw the mercenaries at will—even if the lake’s situation deteriorates.”

As she spoke, her gaze lifted. Killu immediately grasped her meaning. They would maintain appearances now, but pull out when monsters surged again.

“Wouldn’t withdrawing during a crisis be disastrous? Just before, perhaps—but not during.”

“Would you happen to inform us of such a date?”

Her eyes sharpened—and another voice cut in.

“I’ll tell you when the time comes, Solongo.”

Hoiga was approaching, seemingly having entered unnoticed.

—

A three-headed-proportion bear. This was not a creature one would expect to encounter in the forest. Unless it were a doll. But no doll this large should exist—let alone one that walked.

And I hadn’t noticed before, but tiny wings sprouted from its back. They were technically wings, though so small and positioned so low they could almost be mistaken for tufts of fur.

Cute as it looked, laughing wasn’t an option. Its sheer size was overwhelming.

That enormous head turned slowly—and fixed directly on me. Most of its small eyes were white; the black pupils were tiny, gleaming with something deeply unsettling.

What the hell is this…

“Is there something behind me?”

At Black Bear’s question, my stiff neck creaked as I turned. You can’t see it? So it’s just me… damn it.

An inhuman being.

And that wasn’t the end of the problem. The bear’s gaze was no joke. Very few beings carried eyes like that—eyes that were difficult to meet. And—

“Mo, did you apply a filter to that bear?”

[Yes. But the filter isn’t functioning.]

…Exactly what Mo had said when I first encountered the blue serpent.

Damn it. A divine beast. Another one. At this rate I’ll meet a Buddha in Tubain. Fantastic.

I studied the bear with conflicted eyes. The only divine beasts I hadn’t met were those of Koon and Sarne, but this didn’t feel like Koon’s. Even though we were on Koon’s land, it didn’t suit Tyroc at all.

Then again… Black Bear. The name fit a little too well.

“Hey, Adeye Rue?”

“….”

I stared silently at her, my mind in chaos. Why was what appeared to be Sarne’s divine beast attached to Black Bear? The question slipped out before I could stop it.

“Is your family name Sarne?”

Shing—

The sound of steel leaving its sheath was followed instantly by a massive blade at my throat. But Black Bear’s glare was even more lethal.

“You dare attach that filthy surname to me? Who told you that? Did Adeye Lantu spout nonsense?”

“My sister said nothing. I just guessed.”

“How?!”

I sighed and jerked my chin toward the bear.

“Because you’re walking around with Sarne’s divine beast beside you.”

“….”

“Of course, I should confirm with the beast itself, but from experience, it fits.”

“…That’s absurd.”

“I agree. But I can’t exactly ignore a giant three-headed black bear with wings on its back. Tiny wings, but still.”

“….”

“Hello?”

Clang—

Her sword slipped from her hand and struck the ground loudly. I jumped back, worried about the blade, but she seemed unaware she’d dropped it.

“Black Bear, are you okay?”

“…The bear… has something?”

“Wings. Very small ones.”

No reaction. Understandable—who would believe that?

Honestly, I barely did. Nothing about its appearance screamed divinity. Montaine’s divine beast had been mystical; Borhumi’s serpent looked pitiful only in miniature—its true form was imposing.

But a plush bear? It was absurdly mismatched—

I flinched.

As if reading my thoughts, the bear rolled its eyes toward me. A chill ran down my spine. Damn it—those eyes were undeniably divine.

Instead of denying it, Black Bear asked something else.

“…Why?”

You’re asking me? I glanced up again. The bear had plopped down on the ground, staring forward.

Like a gigantic doll—until its dark eyes slid toward me again. The glaring whites made me flinch, the eerie gaze made me shudder. I could not get used to those eyes. Why were they like that?

“You’d have to ask the divine beast itself. But… you’re not from Sarne?”

“….”

“If I misunderstood, I apologize—ah?! Black Bear!”

I rushed forward, calling her name. She was collapsing like a wooden stick, and I had to protect her head.

At that moment, I had no idea that seconds later, I too would clutch the back of my neck and fall backward.