Salvation Through Delusion C146

Chapter 146

“Alright.”

It was resolved far too easily — so why did it feel off? Meanwhile, he seemed pleased, stepping closer.

“Go ahead. Ask for something else.”

“You’ll grant it just because I say so?”

“Yeah.”

“Then write me a contract.”

“Fine.”

“Really? You have to do it the moment we get back to the estate.”

“If you say it properly.”

I had no idea what mood swing this was, but it was a good opportunity. And yet the words still wouldn’t come easily. For me. Why was that so hard to say? My brain insisted it was nothing — just words — but my mouth felt sealed shut.

“…Write the contract for me.”

“Gladly. For you.”

“….”

“You should be happy. You wanted that contract. Or are you scared?”

“No.”

The denial came out on reflex. I swallowed a sigh and looked away for a moment.

“I just don’t get it. You suddenly acting like you’ll do anything for me — it’s hard to adjust.”

“You must’ve forgotten you’re meant to be the future consort.”

“It’s a contractual relationship.”

“Regardless, you’re mine now.”

Was that really all? The wariness lingering inside me refused to settle. I threw a question I thought he wouldn’t be able to answer.

“Then would you use a divine beast’s power? Borhumi’s, or Koon’s — for me?”

“Do you want me to?”

He asked without a trace of humor. When I hesitated, his gaze sharpened.

“Rue. Do you want me to use that power for you?”

Damn it — the question meant to corner him ended up silencing me instead. The weight of for me was impossible to ignore now. He was placing both the decision and the reason in my hands. Why? So he could blame me if something went wrong?

“I won’t blame you, no matter what happens.”

The words landed as if he’d read my thoughts. I looked down quickly, afraid he’d seen my eyes shake. His voice softened.

“Just ask me to do it for you.”

That should’ve been simple. But my lips refused to move. I knew exactly why.

I couldn’t dismiss the burden those words carried. That was just how I was. He urged me gently.

“Rue. Just say it. Then you’ll have what you want.”

“….”

“Take your time.”

After a brief wait, he turned away. I glared at his back and whispered inwardly:

Mo… is he acting like this because he figured out who I really am? Is he trying to draw me in to get information?

[That’s possible. But there’s a more likely explanation.]

Which is?

[That he’s being sincere.]

…Sincere about what? A shard of icy dread slid down my spine. What if he’d developed feelings for me?

Impossible — reason scoffed. Mo must be wrong. But my heart pounded with unease anyway. I wanted to walk away.

Instead, I forced my legs forward. The words I’d used to persuade the others echoed in my head.

Focus only on the goal.

Right. Whatever Tyroc’s sincerity meant didn’t matter. The moment I came to Tuvine, my path was set. I pried my lips open.

“I want you to use the divine beast’s power. For me.”

He turned back with a smile.

“Gladly.”

The problem was solved that easily. Still, I couldn’t return the smile. As he walked away, his posture carried a strange air of victory.

“Master.”

A disciple bowed before Baiyan, face tense.

“A message from the Sarne Archduke — you’re to leave Koon territory immediately.”

Baiyan didn’t stop scanning the forest where Black Bear had vanished. She needed even the smallest trace. Losing her quarry right in front of her still burned — this relentless search was the only outlet.

The disciple blocked her path again.

“If you clash with Tyroc, Montaine benefits the most, Master!”

She still didn’t turn. The disciple hurried after her, lowering their voice.

“The Archduke says a plan is being prepared to lure Tyroc outside.”

Tap.

Baiyan finally stopped, glaring into the forest before turning.

“Tell him this: two weeks. He has two weeks to draw Tyroc out.”

“Ugh—”

Black Bear clutched her chest and collapsed to her knees, eyes shut as Tyroc’s earlier words echoed in her mind.

The younger you are when you accept a divine beast’s power, the better. A child’s vessel isn’t fixed yet — but an adult’s is rigid. Try forcing it in, and the vessel can shatter.

So you might break apart.

He’d said it casually. She’d nodded anyway — even if it meant shattering.

Then something unexpected happened. Somehow Rue convinced Tyroc to offer a perfunctory apology to the divine beast — and even accept Sarne’s power.

But Tyroc needed time to adapt to the new power. She waited through the training in silence.

Only half a day — nothing compared to a lifetime spent chasing revenge — yet it felt endless. What if he failed to master it?

When he returned at sunset, he taught her a basic technique.

Breathing is key. The power flows with your breath — hold it, then release it when you want.

Simple motions, like a child learning to swing a sword.

After repeating them a few times, she felt a foreign force seep into her body — as if the divine beast sensed her readiness and reached out directly.

The awe lasted seconds. Pain tore through her, dropping her to the ground.

It felt like her body was ripping apart — but she didn’t faint. She didn’t cough blood. And the power remained inside her.

Tyroc’s method had worked.

Even through the pain, Black Bear laughed. For the first time, revenge glimmered within reach.

“It’s confirmed — Sarne Baiyan has left Koon territory after our protest. Though she’s still lurking nearby. Should we send another formal complaint to Montaine?”

Rick’s voice faded into the wind of the empty training ground. The figure standing motionless with a sword planted in the dirt had to have heard — especially with senses that sharp.

Yet Tyroc didn’t move.

Was the training still ongoing? His chest rose heavily with each breath.

Rick stepped closer — then froze.

Tyroc’s eyes were glowing.

Not metaphorically — they shimmered with countless tiny lights, like stars trapped behind his gaze.

“…What?”

Rick stumbled back. Tyroc slowly lifted his head. The glow was gone. Only the familiar golden eyes remained.

“Wait until Montaine contacts us. They’ll throw bait to draw me out.”

“….”

“What?”

“Your eyes — they were glowing just now…”

He hoped to hear he’d imagined it. Human eyes didn’t shine like that.

Tyroc simply looked at him without denial.

Rick swallowed. Whatever was happening… something extraordinary had just changed in the man he served.

 

Rue: “Just say it’s for me…”

Also Rue: internally screaming for three pages

Tyroc: casually reshaping reality and divine contracts

Rue: having a full existential crisis over two words

Meanwhile Black Bear is speedrunning divine power training like:

“Pain? That’s just Tuesday.”