Salvation Through Delusion C15

Chapter 15

Only one had survived.

I thought she might be disappointed—but she wasn’t.

“So that means countless others died.”

“……”

Her fingers instinctively reached for a vial of medicine, but instead of drinking it, she simply held it tightly, knuckles white. I kept my eyes on her trembling hand and continued.

“In the future, Duke Koon strengthens the Eye of Hell after ascending the throne. He binds it permanently to the rift of monsters—to keep it open forever.”

“That bastard—!”

Dr. Kim shot up from her seat in fury. I quickly extended a hand to steady her.

“It wasn’t his will,” I said quietly. “They say it was the Duke’s wife who desperately wanted it.”

“That arrogant brat doesn’t even have a wife.”

“Yes. He will—six months from now.”

“Ha! And who in their right mind would marry that bastard?”

“The one who found the Sword of Serenity, lifted the Koon family’s curse… and became their so-called savior.”

Confusion clouded Dr. Kim’s eyes. Clearly, she couldn’t imagine anyone capable of performing such miracles for that cursed lineage.

“Who is it? And why would anyone want to keep the Eye of Hell open?”

“For the peace of Tuvine. They said… even if our world must be sacrificed, it’s a price worth paying.”

Her voice trembled. “They… know about our world?”

“Oh, they know,” I replied, my tone heavy. “They’re another agent—one who succeeded thanks to the coordinates you provided.”

A long silence followed. Her expression didn’t move, but her eyes churned like a violent storm. I met that storm head-on.

“I came here to kill the bastard who betrayed us.”

“Your Grace. The investigation is complete, but the mages still haven’t found any explanation for why the monster suddenly teleported.”

At the aide’s report, Duke Koon continued cleaning his sword, not even glancing up.

“And the spirit handlers?”

“We’ve been trying to locate any available, but as you know, they’re nearly extinct across the continent. Those that remain live in seclusion within nature—it’s difficult to track them down.”

Without lifting his gaze, the Duke asked,

“And Baron Owick?”

“We attempted contact,” the aide said immediately, prepared for the question. “But as you know, the Baron rarely leaves his estate. Lately, his spouse has completely cut off all external communication. The official reason is that the Baron’s health has deteriorated… but we suspect they’re trying to secure sole control over the trade of their rare medicinal herbs.”

He hesitated before adding, “However, there’s been… a strange rumor.”

“What rumor?”

“That Baron Owick has gone mad… and drinks human blood.”

The aide coughed lightly, gauging his master’s reaction.

“You’ve heard, haven’t you? The Owick estate is so decrepit and gloomy that people say it’s haunted. They’re rich, yet they refuse to renovate. Some say madness runs in the family.”

The Duke simply gave him a look that said keep talking.

“Apparently, there’s even proof this time. Witnesses claim they saw Baron Owick at dawn, standing in the fields with blood around his mouth.”

“Perfect.”

“…Pardon?”

“Find him.”

“The— the blood-drinking Baron, Your Grace?”

For the first time, Duke Koon looked up. The aide swallowed hard and quickly nodded.

“Yes, I’ll find him immediately.”

“And?”

The word lingered, sharp as the edge of his blade. The aide, already anticipating it, rushed to add,

“We’re also searching for an esper capable of seeing or communicating with spirits. Such abilities are rarer than spirit handlers themselves, but—”

The Duke’s lips curved slightly. Then, with a swift motion, he swung his sword through the air.

Whoosh—

The wind howled, carrying his mocking tone.

“Rare, is he? Like Adeye Rue?”

“Adeye Rue? That man is—ah.”

The aide suddenly remembered.

Adeye—the loathed creditor, the Koon family’s mortal enemy. The one who had allied with other Divine Beast houses to torment them for years. To the Koons, his very name was venom.

“Rumor had it that Adeye Rue once possessed a trace of clairvoyance,” the aide said hesitantly, “but it was never proven. He denied it himself, and so did everyone around him. Lately, that pleasure-seeking scoundrel hasn’t even left his mansion. Apparently, he’s been in seclusion…”

The Duke’s sword froze mid-swing.

“Adeye Rue is alive?”

The sharpness in his tone made the aide blink rapidly.

“Yes, Your Grace. I heard he returned to his estate recently… in rags.”

The Duke’s mouth twisted into a slow, deliberate smile. The aide had seen that smile many times over the years—he knew what it meant, and yet it still made his spine lock.

Those who only saw the Duke’s eyes compared them to a blazing sun. Those who saw his smile, though, described it as warm daylight. And like trees fated to follow the light, everyone found themselves drawn to it.

Everyone except the aide—who knew that when the Duke smiled, it meant danger.

“So that bastard’s still breathing?”

Thunk.

He drove his sword into the floor and kept smiling. The aide instinctively took a step back.

Duke Koon was known for his bright, easy laughter. What people didn’t know was that he laughed when he was angry, too—when irritation or bloodlust boiled over.

He ran his fingers along the blade and murmured, almost wistfully,

“I should’ve torn him apart limb by limb.”

A bird sang sweetly somewhere outside. The breeze was mild, the sunlight warm. The chair beneath me was soft enough to swallow my body whole. I could’ve fallen asleep right there.

But peace was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Not when I had just escaped hell itself.

If I grew too comfortable, too used to this place, I’d start asking the wrong questions—like whether it was right to endanger such a beautiful world just to save my own.

‘So you’re telling me we can’t close the Eye of Hell because Tuvine would be endangered? Even if it means our world dies?’

‘They said it was the right choice—for the greater good.’

Dr. Kim’s voice still echoed in my head from when I told her what the scroll said about the betrayer.

‘I’m not moral enough to weigh right and wrong when my family and friends are dying. My goal is simple. No matter the cost to Tuvine, saving our world comes first.’

Even after ten years in this world, she hadn’t lost that conviction.

‘If they hadn’t opened that damn portal, Tuvine would’ve paid its own price. Even if they’re swallowed by monsters again, they should find their own solution.’

“Lord Rue, is the tea not to your liking?”

The question snapped me out of thought. A young maid had entered, and I nearly stood up and bowed out of habit—almost. My hips twitched upward before Mo intervened.

[That kind of courtesy is not permitted.]

I froze, muttering internally, You don’t have to nag.

[Recalling Dr. Kim’s warning may be wise.]

Ah yes, that warning. After I told her about the betrayer, Dr. Kim had looked me dead in the eye.

‘The betrayer doesn’t know about us. You have to stay hidden. If rumors spread that Rue suddenly changed, it’ll be bad. Be careful how you act.’

Easier said than done. Pretending to be Rue was exhausting.

Mo projected a set of suggested lines into my vision:

[1. Can’t you tell just by looking? How am I supposed to enjoy tea without any handsome men around?

2. Hmph, what are you staring at? (Assert dominance by running your hand between your thighs like a challenge.)]

For the love of god—again with the thighs. Was Rue a pervert and a lunatic? And why did he treat everyone as competition?!

[Adeye Rue considered everyone a rival—except children and the elderly.]

…This man was utterly obsessed. I exhaled, turning away. I couldn’t bring myself to do either option, but Mo’s warning came swiftly.

[The maid’s expression now shows 80% suspicion and alertness.]

Damn it.

“Can’t you tell? What, are your eyes broken? Go to your room, grab a hot towel, press it over your eyes, and take a nap while you’re at it! Understand?”

“Uh… you want me to rest?”

[Her suspicion has increased.]

What was wrong with this woman? What did she want me to do?!

[Perhaps Option Two involving your—]

Shut up.

I cut Mo off and rubbed my temples.

“I’ve had headaches since that monster attack. Don’t mind me—just get out.”