Salvation Through Delusion C91

Chapter 91

Thud, thud, thud.

Chunks of ice crashed against the ground with a noise far too loud and out of place for this season. Had there been no prior warning, many would have surely taken it as an omen—an ill-fated sign to deepen the growing fear already festering across the land.

A rift had opened in Borhumi, and monstrous creatures emerged. The continent was already restless, uneasy. Now, of all things, hail was falling. Confusion, dread—everything should have spiraled further.

But one single word changed the meaning of this chaos: salvation.

“Duke.”

The secretary called out, yet Killu did not tear his gaze away from the window. The sudden burst of hail had announced itself loudly—demanding attention—only to stop just as abruptly as it began.

Even so, in that short moment the hailstones had piled high enough to coat the ground. Were it not so, no one would have believed hail had fallen at all.

“You should head inside soon. The meeting is about to begin.”

Killu did not respond, but his mood was obvious—he was pleased.

“At last, everyone will believe in the existence of salvation.”

“How dramatic, isn’t it? A savior appearing at the exact moment a demonic rift threatens the continent.”

“If that savior supports Montaine, then everyone—absolutely everyone—will acknowledge where true sovereignty belongs.”

“Yes. All that remains is for the savior to accept your proposal during the assembly.”

“How could he refuse?”

The secretary’s voice carried the confidence of someone who had spent days maneuvering behind the scenes.

“Instead of approaching him directly, we pressured those around him. His close circle now supports Montaine entirely. If he rejects you, he risks losing everyone important to him. Refusal… will not be easy.”

“He may still attempt the difficult choice. We cannot let our guard down.”

Killu’s faint smile vanished, replaced by a cold sharpness.

“I heard he has shown interest in Tyroc.”

“But Koon has no Divine Beast. No matter how fond he is of Tyroc, he cannot choose him—not at a time like this.”

The secretary sounded certain, yet Killu did not ease.

He had seen too many fall under Tyroc’s influence. And there was one more reason for his unease.

“He said he will reveal everything at this meeting. He is hiding something.”

“I doubt it is serious enough to risk betraying Montaine.”

Perhaps. But Killu’s intuition remained clouded with suspicion.

“Regardless, we need insurance—something to hold him steady during the meeting.”

Killu finally turned fully toward his secretary.

“Secure High Priest Chegi.”

We had remained inside the carriage longer than necessary—not just to avoid the hail, but because this spot was a perfect vantage point.

From here, every person stepping down from their carriage and walking through the palace gates could be observed clearly.

Somewhere among them… the traitor would appear.

“Are you certain you’re alright?”

Only then did I notice my hands—fists clenched so tightly they trembled.

“…A little nervous.”

Solongo, taking my honesty at face value, reached into her pocket.

“This is a calming potion. Will you take it?”

I waved her off—medicating nerves felt excessive—but then froze mid-motion.

“…Wait. We have calming pills?”

“Master created them. They’re made using a hardened mass found inside an ox’s gallbladder.”

…Was that—?

Cow gallbladder calming medicine?

I shot out my hand.

“Give it to me. Now.”

Just as I downed it in one gulp, something familiar caught my eye outside the carriage window. Solongo saw it too.

“That is High Priest Chegi. As expected, her disciple is with her.”

She assessed their posture, then gave me a sideways look.

“Do you believe she’s the traitor?”

I didn’t answer immediately—my gaze stayed fixed on the two.

Soldiers approached High Priest Chegi and spoke to her. The priest frowned, spoke briefly to Ariona, then left with the soldiers.

Ariona, left behind, looked lost for a moment before following temple attendants inside.

Nothing seemed strange—nothing blatantly suspicious—yet something felt wrong.

“…No.”

The answer came out quietly.

“Pardon?”

“She’s not the traitor. There were too few people around her. If she were the main figure today, she wouldn’t be treated like that.”

Solongo nodded, though she offered another angle:

“It may be intentional. Someone intent on hiding their identity would avoid attention. You did say the traitor likely survived by keeping quiet, blending in. In that sense, Ariona’s situation fits rather well.”

Not noticeable.

Yes. That had been the most decisive criterion.

Someone careful. Someone patient. Someone who avoided attention yet gathered information.

“Rue-nim. We must go now.”

With no excuse left, I stepped out and followed the attendant toward the hall.

But the thought would not leave.

The traitor must be someone who blends into crowds—someone people overlook.

Yet the more I repeated the logic… the more something felt wrong.

And then—

“ Adeye Rue?”

My name being spoken made me stop reflexively. A stranger approached with a friendly smile.

“It has been so long. Not since graduation, right?”

A classmate. Probably. I immediately signaled Mo.

A short profile flashed into my mind. Yes—someone I barely exchanged a few words with during school.

How would the real Rue respond?

Mo immediately presented two options:

[Recommended reactions based on Adeye Rue’s social patterns:]

1. Look them up and down, scoff (“Ugh. Not my type.”), then turn away.

   → (If choosing this response, drag a hand slowly along inner thigh to flaunt beauty.)

2. Demand gossip about the attractive friend of theirs and insist on arranging a meeting.

Magnificent. Disgusting. Very on brand.

I chose the first.

I scanned him from head to toe, clicked my tongue, and muttered:

“…Still mediocre.”

Then swiftly turned away before my acting could crumble. Behind me, a delighted whisper:

“Wow. Everyone said he changed, but he’s exactly the same.”

A bizarre compliment—but effective.

I almost smiled… until a sudden thought struck.

The traitor… also uses nanobots.

Someone who hides their identity perfectly would follow every instruction the AI suggests—like Rue once did.

Even if the instructions were shameless. Even if the behavior was humiliating. Because survival required it.

Therefore…

I had already met the traitor.

A cold chill crawled down my spine.

My footsteps froze. Solongo noticed.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Solongo.”

My voice was low.

“If someone needed information but also needed to hide their identity… what would they do?”

She blinked, puzzled, yet answered thoughtfully.

“It depends on priority. If gathering information matters most, they would spend money and hire people. But if staying hidden is the true priority, they wouldn’t risk using others. That would expose them.”

She continued:

“So they would gather information themself—by moving unnoticed. The most effective disguise is appearing harmless. People lower their caution and speak freely around someone insignificant.”

Yes.

Harmless. Forgettable. A shadow among people.

Someone who could approach anyone… because no one felt threatened.

Someone who survived by acting small.

Someone who would verify firsthand that Adeye Rue had changed after nearly dying.

Someone close enough to observe without ever being noticed.

Which meant—

I had already encountered the traitor.

My skin prickled with ice.

A name surfaced instantly.

My voice trembled as I asked Mo:

“Mo, among everyone I’ve met… who fits the traitor profile most accurately?”

While waiting for the answer, Solongo spoke again:

“The Ma household is arriving. Though… why so many people?”

I followed her gaze.

A group entered in tight formation—surrounding someone at the center.

Solongo’s brows furrowed.

“And his appearance today… seems quite different.”

Mo’s calm reply dropped into my mind like a verdict.

[Ma Hoiga.]

And just like that… I knew.

The traitor had arrived.