Salvation Through Delusion C73

Chapter 73

“Ahem. Well, when you look closely… it does appear to say that.”

One guard reached out as if to take only the gold coin, but Tyroc kept his grip firm, not letting go.

“May we go?”

“Ahem, since you have a certificate, removal of water is permitted. So just— hey, let go!”

“May we go?”

“…Yes.”

Only when the answer dropped did Tyroc release the coin. Yet the moment the guard secured it in his palm, his demeanor flipped.

“Wait. Only that cart and the blacksmith may pass. You two—show your passes. I’ve never seen your faces.”

The blacksmith suddenly stepped in.

“T-they are my family.”

The guards frowned, looking between her and Tyroc. They shared no resemblance whatsoever. I jumped in quickly.

“Yes, we are family. I’m her cousin. Isn’t that right, elder sister?”

The blacksmith stared at me with stiff eyes, then slowly nodded.

“A cousin, hm? But she pointed at him when she said family.”

He gestured to Tyroc. I forced a wobbly smile and lightly wrapped an arm around Tyroc’s.

“Well, that is because this person is… my spouse.”

“Your spouse? Meaning… that one is the omega?”

“Yes.”

I nodded firmly. The guards looked shocked but surprisingly accepting.

“Well… looks like they’d be good at bearing children.”

“Of course. Our child is already five.”

My side burned under Tyroc’s stare. While I pulled tricks to survive, I could feel my lifespan shrinking under his gaze. Still, thanks to this, we slipped out of the castle.

“You said the child is five?”

I glanced at the blacksmith—who now stood several steps away—and lowered my voice.

“It was improvisation.”

“Only one?”

What, was he disappointed at the low number? I stared at him, exasperated.

“Too many children only end up fighting over inheritance.”

“What you want, you seize through battle.”

“Wonderful parenting philosophy.”

He answered my sarcasm as though it were sincere.

“To lead a ducal house, one cannot grow up ordinary.”

I looked at him silently, then nodded.

“Ordinary is not in your future, that is certain.”

“You prefer having only one?”

Why was he asking that now?! And what—

I froze.

Wait. Was he… N type?! He looked like a definite S, but maybe he’s the type who could write a hundred volumes of internal monologue when no one is watching…?**

Unbelievable, yet what else explained this? Though imagining Tyroc lying in bed for an hour fantasizing before sleeping was physically impossible.

He stared at me expectantly. Realizing what question he wanted answered, I snapped,

“I am not having children.”

“Why?”

Because Tubain was only a bonus life. When my purpose here ended, so could I. I would end this life with me.

But I only shrugged.

“It hurts to give birth.”

His gaze lingered on me, but I ignored it and turned toward the blacksmith, who had been warily watching us. As I approached, she stepped back.

“Thank you for helping, but I do not wish to be further involved with you both.”

That she remained polite despite her fear was surprising. Our disguises must not have been as good as we thought—Tyroc seemed to catch on.

“You recognized my sword?”

Sword? Tyroc had wrapped it thoroughly in cloth and slung it behind him, but some movement must have shifted the fabric, exposing the hilt. She must have identified its quality at a glance. Impressive eye.

“I will take my leave now.”

“You cannot, not until you pay your price.”

“But I have nothing.”

“You do.”

Tyroc stepped forward.

“You owe us information.”

The blacksmith looked tormented even by the idea of talking, but then things suddenly worsened.

[If hunger-suppression continues, you will lose consciousness in one minute. Maintain state?]

Now?! One minute?!

Turn it off! Turn it off right now!

I shouted to Mo and yelled at the blacksmith at the same time.

“Do you have food?! Bread, potatoes, weeds—anything! I’ll pay!”

I yanked out a gold coin. Yes, I’d swiped one from the relic vault too.

But I never saw her reaction. Hunger crashed into me like a tidal wave, my head spinning.

Why—

[Warning: Body detected suppressed hunger; entering sleep state for survival.]

What?! I should have eaten first—

Oh? The sky?

My body tilted and I saw the heavens. A strong hand caught me, keeping me from hitting the ground—

But that only meant what came next would be worse.

I had to shout it before losing consciousness—no princess carry—no—

Too… late…

Rick normally refused unexpected visitors, but this one was different.

The “friend” who always delivered crucial intel in brown envelopes.

With the Duke Koon disappeared—status unknown—who else would be more valuable than someone who knew the future?

But he could not speak freely about the Duke. He intended to test the waters first, yet the visitor seemed nervous.

“What is it? The Duke is away on official duty.”

“Rick, speak casually. We’re academy classmates.”

True, though they had barely exchanged greetings as students.

“No. Tell me your business.”

“Is the Duke safe? Nothing happened to him?”

Rick froze. They knew something? He studied the cloaked figure—the hood remained up even indoors.

“Did something happen to him? Don’t tell me… he was involved in the Awik Viscount estate incident?”

Rick’s breath halted. Should he reveal it and seek help? Before he could decide, the visitor sharpened with realization.

“Oh heavens… he was caught in it? Is he safe?”

“You know something? Is the Duke’s future in danger?”

Rick dropped formal speech, urgent. The visitor, shocked by their own conclusion, hesitated until Rick snapped their name.

“You don’t know where he is?”

“I do. But…”

“He’s in danger?”

Rick hesitated. Could he trust this person? Yet they did know the future…

Perhaps they were the prophesied savior who could break Koon’s curse and retrieve the divine beast.

If Rick had hesitated just a few seconds longer, he would have confessed everything.

But the visitor spoke again first.

“Don’t tell me Tyroc is in danger because of Adeye Rue?”

There was sharp jealousy in that voice.

Instinctively, Rick shook his head—just like he always did with overzealous admirers of the Duke. That same prickling envy, barely masked.

“No, of course not. The Duke truly went to hunt monsters. The place is dangerous, so I was concerned.”

“Rick… danger will soon strike Tubain. And only the Duke can save us. Please be honest—”

Had anyone else said such things, he would’ve scoffed. But the foresight—the warnings—

Rick hesitated again. The visitor pressed harder, eyes fierce.

“I want to help the Duke. The curse on the Koon house—black magic, right? Someone infiltrated Koon Castle long-term to cast it. Isn’t that true?”

Rick’s eyes widened. He said nothing, but the visitor read the truth in his silence.

“I’ve found a clue to break the curse. So trust me and tell the truth. Is this situation really connected to Adeye Rue?”

 

Wait. Was he… N type?! He looked like a definite S, but maybe he’s the type who could write a hundred volumes of internal monologue when no one is watching…?

 

personality slang (kinda MBTI-ish):

• S-type = Sensing / very direct “facts not feelings”

• N-type = Intuitive / “feelings, imagination, overthinking my entire life at 2AM”