Salvation Through Delusion C21

Chapter 21

 

A faint gleam flickered in those infuriating golden eyes—something almost like admiration. But whether those eyes shone or dimmed, I couldn’t care less. I forced myself upright and lunged at him again.

 

He’d probably try to kick me again, just like before. That was when I’d strike.

 

I threw myself forward and clung to his long leg. He hesitated for a moment, clearly startled, before a disbelieving curse escaped him from above.

 

“Ha, fuck.”

 

Yeah, go ahead and swear.

 

Because right now, I was biting his thigh—with every ounce of strength I had.

 

Never in my life did I think I’d stoop to something this dirty. But given how weak Rue’s body was, I was willing to get even filthier if it meant surviving.

 

Unfortunately, no matter how far I pushed the limits of shamelessness, it didn’t last long. I would’ve loved to enjoy his reaction a bit longer, but my rebellion ended quickly.

 

Click.

 

A sharp tut, and his hand clamped around me with brutal strength, peeling me off like I was a ball of lint. Then came the inevitable ending—flight.

 

I flew through the air and hit the ground with a heavy thud. I rolled, and rolled again, until the dizziness outweighed the pain.

 

A tree finally stopped my tumbling, but as soon as I stopped moving, the pain came rushing in full force.

 

“Urgh…”

 

The impact made it hard to breathe. Damn it. Not even when I fought monsters did I end up rolling like this. That bastard was worse than any creature I’d ever faced.

 

I found myself actually missing the monsters as I clawed at the ground, forcing my battered body to stand.

 

My legs trembled violently; I had to brace myself against the tree just to get upright. The man, meanwhile, wasn’t even looking at me—he was staring down at his thigh. Even in the dim light, I could see the torn fabric where I’d bitten him.

 

Should’ve ripped off some flesh while I was at it. Damn.

 

His muscles had been hard as stone, so the results weren’t ideal, but at least it wasn’t all for nothing.

 

The smirk had vanished from his face.

 

I spat out the thread that had gotten stuck in my mouth and glared straight at him.

 

“Ptuh.”

 

Then I noticed the taste of blood on my tongue. Even in the dark, I could tell I’d broken skin.

 

Well, I’d bitten hard enough to crack a rock, after all.

 

The realization drew a grin across my face.

 

“Not having fun anymore? I am.”

 

The golden eyes burned, murderous.

 

“You.”

 

“Yeah? What about me, bastard?”

 

I tilted my chin up, grinning wider, though my whole body screamed in pain. I could barely stand. I was probably one massive bruise by now.

 

The thought made my blood boil again. Who the hell was this guy, and why was he so obsessed with beating me to a pulp every time he saw me?

 

But before I could ask, he did.

 

“Who are you?”

 

“I’m Adeye Rue. And who the hell are you?”

 

The words slipped out before I realized my mistake. If he knew Rue and was trying to kill him, then Rue must’ve known him too.

 

I hid my unease as his head tilted slightly, assessing.

 

“The shell is definitely Adeye Rue, but why’s the inside different?”

 

“I nearly died fighting a monster. Changes are inevitable.”

 

The excuse came out automatically, one I’d used a hundred times already. Then I added quickly, “Oh, right. I should thank you. That kick you gave me—made sure I lost my memory.”

 

“So you don’t remember me?”

 

His tone carried a faint arrogance, like he couldn’t believe someone would dare forget him. Rage simmered again.

 

“Yeah. Can’t remember a face as shitty as yours.”

 

I ground out the words, but the smirk returned to his face anyway. God, that punchable grin. Even if it got me killed, I was going to knock it off him.

 

Then—voices.

 

“There’s someone over here!”

 

Shit. I hurriedly pulled the teleportation scroll from my coat.

 

The bastard didn’t move to stop me—just watched, his expression twisted in faint amusement. I tore the scroll open just as he spoke.

 

“Tyroc.”

 

“What?”

 

What the hell did he just say?

 

Before I could ask, the world warped like heat haze. A thick fog wrapped around me, and when it cleared—

 

—I was home.

 

The Adeye estate.

 

My knees buckled the moment the familiar sight hit me, and I sank to the floor.

 

Every muscle screamed. Especially my stomach, where he’d kicked me—it hurt even to breathe.

 

“Damn it… that bastard.”

 

I shut my eyes, recalling the faint voice I’d heard right before teleporting. It must’ve been his answer to my question.

 

‘My name.’

 

Tyroc.

 

 

—

 

“Your Grace!”

 

Even as his subordinate called out, Duke Koon Tyroc kept his gaze fixed on the spot where Rue had been.

 

When he didn’t respond, the aide began reporting anyway.

 

“Lord Brons’s tea was found to contain a paralytic agent. The healer said it only causes temporary immobility—he’ll regain movement within an hour. Thankfully, he can speak now. We’re preparing to escort him home by carriage.”

 

He paused, then lowered his voice.

 

“Also, the knights of House Montaine have gathered outside, demanding Lord Bilge’s release.”

 

Even that failed to draw Tyroc’s attention. He continued staring into the distance.

 

The aide, confused, followed his gaze—but saw nothing.

 

“We don’t know how they arrived before the city guards, but we can delay them for now. Still, with Montaine’s captain here, even when the guards arrive, we may have no choice but to hand Bilge over.”

 

He waited anxiously for orders. None came.

 

“Your Grace?”

 

“Hide him.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Tyroc finally spoke, still not turning his head.

 

“Tell Count Fenouan to reveal the mansion’s secret passage—the one Bilge used to get in. Take him out that way. Then hang him naked from the front gate pillar.”

 

The aide almost burst out laughing, barely biting his lip to hold it back. That notorious bastard had finally met his match.

 

“Yes, Your Grace. At once.”

 

“And—”

 

The aide froze mid-step. Tyroc’s tone was calm but heavy.

 

“Investigate Adeye Rue. Every recent movement, no matter how small. And find out if his lost ability has returned.”

 

The unexpected name made the aide blink, but then he nodded. Adeye was the name of their enemy, after all.

 

His ability… returned?

 

He grew serious. “I’ll deploy informants immediately.”

 

Only then did Tyroc turn away. As he walked past, the aide bowed—and noticed something.

 

“Your Grace… your trousers—why are they… torn?”

 

And those faint marks on the exposed skin—were those bite marks?

 

“…I was bitten.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

His master—the undefeated swordsman who’d fought monsters without taking a scratch—bitten?

 

“By whom?!”

 

The answer came cool and quiet.

 

“…A cat.”

 

 

—

 

The healers of Tuvine truly lived up to their reputation. I’d heard they were the best in the world, all gathered under the Adeye family, and they proved it.

 

The bastard’s kick had done serious damage. The moment I returned home, I collapsed. My body screamed with agony, my bones felt shattered.

 

The healers swarmed around me—applying ointments, forcing bitter medicine down my throat, casting glowing magic over my body.

 

By the next day, I was completely fine.

 

“Montaine Bilge.”

 

Solongo mentioned the name as I finished my post-workout lunch. The same perverted creep I’d beaten up. Mo, now reactivated, immediately displayed his data.

 

[Montaine Bilge — Second son among the three siblings of House Montaine, one of the Four Divine Beast Clans. Known for assaulting the young and naïve. Possesses intermediate-level magic despite not being blessed with divine power.]

 

Ah. So he was from a powerful family.

 

“What happened to that bastard?”

 

“They found him hanging stark naked at Count Fenouan’s front gate.”

 

“Wow.”

 

The word slipped out before I could stop it. Jail would’ve been better, but with a family like his, that was probably too much to hope for.

 

“But, Lord Rue,” Solongo said, her tone thoughtful. “You don’t know who the person you rescued was, do you?”

 

I shook my head, chewing my bread. “Nope. Didn’t do it for a reward anyway.”

 

“You might receive one regardless.”

 

I looked up at her. “What for?”

 

She frowned, clearly deep in thought.

 

“I have a feeling this is connected to House Koon…”

 

“What?”

 

Her voice had dropped so low I barely caught it. When I asked again, she shook her head.

 

“Never mind. I’ll confirm before saying more. Oh, and—you used that scroll last night, didn’t you?”

 

“—Cough!”

 

I nearly choked on my bread. The moment she mentioned the scroll, my posture straightened instinctively.

 

“Yeah, sorry. I wasn’t planning to use it but—”

 

“Why not use it?”

 

“It costs as much as two townhouses in the capital! That’s expensive!”

 

Solongo tilted her head, genuinely confused.

 

“Why is that expensive? That’s pocket change.”

 

“….”

 

For a moment, I wanted to forget my mission and start a proletarian revolution. I took a deep breath and changed the subject.

 

“So, who humiliated Bilge like that? Messing with the Montaines can’t be easy.”

 

“Indeed, it’s not easy. In fact, it’s nearly impossible—unless you’re from another Divine Beast Clan. But as it happens, another clan did attend the party yesterday.”

 

Her eyes met mine. Her voice dropped.

 

“Koon.”

 

Koon? Why the hell was his name coming up now?