Salvation Through Delusion C90

Chapter 90

 

The morning of the White-Branch Council dawned, and a newspaper delivered astonishing news.

“A savior, perhaps? One who foresees the future emerges — a prophecy claims that at the sun’s highest point, the sky will turn to night and hail will rain down.”

“Wow.”

I couldn’t calm the thrill rising in my chest.

So the traitor had finally decided to step into the light. If this wasn’t proof, then what was?

The information Dr. Kim received from Montaine’s informant supported the assumption as well.

“Montaine says they intend to make an important announcement at today’s council. They claim they’ll present undeniable proof that they deserve the throne.”

“There’s no way they found the Sword of Serenity.”

I stopped speaking and tapped the newspaper lightly.

“Will they announce that the legendary savior supports Montaine?”

“Who knows? Support alone won’t be enough. They’ll need something binding—something unbreakable.”

“A companion’s vow? But the Grand Duke Montaine already has a partner.”

“True. But the Grand Duke’s younger brother is unmarried. If the savior becomes his partner, they can secure a promise that Montaine will never be betrayed.”

Wait. If it’s the Grand Duke’s younger brother… My expression soured instantly.

“That pervert, the one who was rumored to assault people?”

“No, not that filth. He’s the second son. There’s a third one—the Grand Duke’s right hand. Very capable. Not quite Tyroc, but popular because of his looks. Personally? He’s trash too.”

“Then it’s strange. If he’s even worse than Tyroc, the traitor wouldn’t side with Montaine.”

“Exactly. Which means Montaine must be planning to force the issue somehow.”

We shared a glance—and smiled at the same time.

“Perfect.”

“Extremely perfect.”

“If that guy breaks away from Tyroc first, that saves us the trouble.”

“And after Tyroc’s left empty-handed, you swoop in and secure the vow—two birds with one stone.”

“Yes, bird eggs and pheasant eggs— Wait, what? Swoop in?”

The moment I echoed her words, I snapped back to seriousness.

“Plan X is absolutely not happening. There is no such thing as an X in my plan!”

I crossed my arms into an X, but this time even Dr. Kim didn’t back down.

“But now that the traitor is drifting away, you need to nail Tyroc down properly. What’s better than a companion’s vow? Hmm? Tyroc declares he’ll close the Eye of the Abyss and vows with you—game over.”

“And my chastity is also over.”

“Just throw that away. What are you, from the Joseon Dynasty?”

Throw it away?

I shot up from my seat in outrage, but Dr. Kim stabbed right at my weak spot.

“Don’t tell me your chastity is more important than Earth?”

…Damn it.

I collapsed back into my seat, and immediately, another absurd statement followed.

“And Tyroc clearly has some interest in you, so if you win over his heart too, the whole ‘saving Earth’ thing becomes ten times easier.”

“What kind of interest would he possibly have in me?”

“If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have intervened when I asked him to save you from Ewik House.”

Dr. Kim nodded confidently, but to me, she looked like a victim of her own delusions.

This was the same woman who mistook a one-line message for a love letter. Troubling.

“He probably just wanted to confirm what Zab’s men were doing in Ewik’s estate.”

“That may be, but you two nearly died together in Borhumi. Didn’t anything happen?”

“Yes. I’m pretty sure he intended to drag me home and toss me into a pigsty.”

“Why?”

“He throws enemies in as pig feed.”

“…That man is ruthless.”

Dr. Kim finally dropped the rose-colored glasses and frowned.

“I only teased him a little.”

A thousand times, at least.

I didn’t bother saying it.

“Anyway, give it up. Even you feel uneasy around someone from Koon House. You hated them your whole life.”

That struck home—Dr. Kim fell silent. I immediately took advantage of the opening.

“So forget Plan X and let’s think of—”

“No. Plan X is tailor-made for you. Nothing fits better.”

Dr. Kim was determined today, spouting nonsense with full confidence.

“Honestly, the only person in all of Tuvine capable of tolerating Tyroc’s enormous manhood without dying is you. Who are you? The reigning ruler of debauchery, crowned through tireless effort in a land full of libertines.”

Her seriousness while talking nonsense was more ridiculous than the nonsense itself.

“Only your unbelievably flexible, iron-willed backside can handle Tyroc. In that sense, you two are destined.”

My expression twisted so hard it nearly snapped.

“Please. Stop.”

When I snapped at her, Dr. Kim clicked her tongue.

“Prude.”

“Easy for you to say—it’s not your backside! If you want the vow so badly, why don’t you marry Tyroc?”

The moment I said it, I realized it was actually a good idea. I straightened in excitement.

“Well? You and Tyroc—”

“I’m too sick. I could die tomorrow. There’s no guarantee I’ll live another year.”

“…”

“You, who’ll live far longer, need to stay by Tyroc’s side and keep him bound by the vow until the end.”

I ruffled my hair to hide the sinking heaviness in my chest.

Just like she wanted me to survive, I wanted her to live—long and healthy.

“You’ll live to a hundred.”

I muttered and stood up, planning one last attempt at resistance.

“There has to be another way to control Tyroc besides the vow. Worst case, we exploit a weakness.”

But the sigh behind me made any argument impossible.

“If Tyroc had a weakness you could exploit, I would have done it already.”

Clunk.

The carriage shook briefly and came to a halt.

I expected a neglected ruin since the palace had no owner, but it was spotless—well maintained.

“The temple manages it.”

Ah, of course.

At the same time, cold mockery drifted from the front.

“They also collect money from the other divine-beast houses, claiming it’s to guard the palace.”

I nodded, half amused, and asked Solonggo casually:

“Did your family get squeezed for money too?”

“Yes.”

“…Oh.”

“Before you step out, please wear this.”

Solonggo handed me a brooch.

Its simple shape reminded me of the last one she gave me, and the moment I saw the gemstone, I knew—

Ah. A defensive artifact.

So this one was worth another three mansions.

My hands trembled again as I pinned it on.

“I’ll make sure you won’t have to use it.”

Solonggo nodded firmly.

“It is unlikely something unpleasant will occur. All four divine-beast houses will be present.”

“Oh? Wouldn’t they fight more if they’re all gathered?”

“They still care about outward appearances. Besides, the most important figure will not attend. The Grand Duke Montaine is absent—just received the message.”

“Why? Today is their big day.”

“They say she went to help with the Borhumi beast trouble.”

Suddenly? Now of all times?

Seeing my face, Solonggo offered an understanding look.

“Everyone can see it’s a transparent act. She means: ‘Proceed without me and crown me emperor in my absence.’”

She shook her head, exhausted.

To me, it felt familiar—this was exactly the sort of meaningless charity politicians back on Earth loved to flaunt.

“So Montaine’s third son, Duke Montaine Killu, came instead.”

Ah, the one who was supposedly the sharpest of the siblings.

“He’s likely the one who orchestrated today’s setup. Of the three siblings, Killu is the most cunning.”

“Bilge looked like an idiot.”

“He is. Severely.”

“Well, they must get along. If the second son is that stupid, they should lock him inside, but they just let him run wild.”

I had heard plenty of Bilge’s scandals while living here. Compared to him, Lu was practically an angel.

But Solonggo was staring out the window, eyes narrowed.

Something outside?

I followed her gaze—

and saw the sky had suddenly darkened. Heavy clouds were gathering, swelling like a tide about to burst.

It might not be rain.

“At the sun’s highest point, the sky will turn to night, and hail will fall.”

Everyone had mocked the prophecy.

Hail, in this warm season? Impossible.

But since the word savior was attached, everyone had been waiting for this moment anyway.

Which explained why we weren’t the only ones watching the sky.

Passersby, gate guards, people stepping out of carriages—everyone looked upward.

Rumble—

The sky growled like a living creature, and moments later, white shards of ice began to fall.

Hail.

Someone outside shouted:

“The… the prophecy of the savior is true!”

On the faces turned toward the falling ice, awe and joy mingled together.