Salvation Through Delusion C94

Chapter 94

The Borhumi representative interrupted once more.

“It was the vile black mage, Dorgo, who created the rift where the monsters emerged.”

“Yes, that is true. But all he did was reopen a rift that had originally been sealed by the Divine Beast’s power. The monster rift had always existed in that place.”

Hoiga sighed before continuing with the explanation he had uncovered.

Long ago, Tuvine had nearly become a land of death because of five monstrous rifts that had appeared across the realm. In that era, the four Divine Beasts descended as if by miracle, and four knights who inherited their power drove back the monsters. Afterward, the Divine Beasts each sealed the monster rift within their respective regions.

Of the five rifts, four were sealed—leaving one remaining.

It was said that this last rift was so vast and powerful that no Divine Beast’s strength could close it entirely. Still, because only one rift remained, the four knights were able to combine their strength each time a crisis arose and survive.

These knights became the founders of the four Divine Beast families.

Hoiga’s story flowed without interruption. His normally frivolous, noisy voice had become calm and low—almost like someone entirely different—drawing everyone’s focus. That made the weight of his conclusion all the heavier.

“For a monster rift to reappear, the power of the Divine Beast must disappear.”

Anyone could understand the implication of Hoiga’s words: the Borhumi Divine Beast had disappeared.

Whispers of shock erupted across the room. I alone furrowed my brow.

Because the Divine Beast’s key was still in my pocket—the lake water that had shrunk perfectly to fit my hand.

“It seems Dorgo imprisoned the Divine Beast and slowly weakened it in order to destroy it. And he already knew the monster rift lay beneath the Borhumi Lake. The reason the lake never dried was because it was infused with the Divine Beast’s power.”

But as the Divine Beast weakened, the lake water had drained away. Only then did I understand why the future Hoiga had foreseen had arrived sooner.

If I hadn’t appeared, that small puddle of water might have completely dried up half a year later. The Divine Beast would have perished while imprisoned.

But I took that water—the key.

The Divine Beast’s power that had sealed the monster rift vanished because of that, creating new problems. Yet the Divine Beast itself safely returned home.

Then… had it regained its strength back home? Probably slowly.

I recalled the Divine Beast, flicking its tail to form little consonants, and without meaning to, I glanced at Tyroc. He was staring right at me as well. But he wasn’t doing it to tease me this time.

The seriousness in his eyes was clear. He and I were the only ones who knew the truth about the Divine Beast.

But that gold, stripped of laughter, soon shifted away because of another disturbance.

CLATTER!

A chair fell as a middle-aged man leapt to his feet.

It was the Grand Duke of the Sarne family—the house whose Divine Beast had supposedly vanished long ago.

“Are you saying the Sarne Divine Beast did not disappear?”

“Yes.”

When Hoiga nodded, the Sarne Grand Duke shut his eyes tightly, as though suppressing emotion. He seemed nearly overjoyed to confirm there was still a chance for his family to receive the Divine Beast’s blessing again.

In contrast, Duke Killu’s expression had gone cold. His sharp gaze fixed on one man—the faintly smirking Tyroc.

If Hoiga’s words were true, there was another family whose Divine Beast had not been extinguished: House Koon.

The atmosphere flipped entirely.

Montaine’s side—so full of confidence moments ago—went stiff and silent, while Sarne looked revived with hope. Tyroc, meanwhile, watched everything with the calm of someone observing a play that had nothing to do with him.

“It eases my heart greatly to hear such words from the Savior.”

The Sarne Grand Duke bowed, and Hoiga returned the bow.

He then deliberately avoided looking at Montaine’s side.

Duke Killu was staring at him with eyes sharp enough to kill. No wonder he couldn’t face them. I was surprised too—revealing such information only now.

Of course Montaine had believed they would ascend as the sole remaining Divine Beast family and seize the imperial throne.

Why had the Montaine Duke made such a grand, performative gesture of going to Borhumi to hunt monsters? Because they assumed that, in his absence, the throne would be placed upon him automatically.

But the party most displeased by this revelation was Borhumi.

“Unacceptable! How can you declare the Borhumi Divine Beast extinct based on a single line of some old record?!”

The Borhumi representative shouted, jabbing his finger toward Hoiga.

“And how are we supposed to trust that this man is truly the Savior? Just because he predicted the weather once—!”

“It wasn’t just the weather. We’ve already heard multiple prophecies about the future, and all have come true.”

At the Sarne Grand Duke’s words, the Borhumi representative’s expression contorted.

And since Duke Killu also offered no objection, it seemed he too had heard the same prophecies.

No one needed to say it aloud—the families had likely traded ancient documents in exchange for those prophecies.

But unlike those two houses, Borhumi—struck hardest by the revelation—remained unconvinced. Their representative glared again at Hoiga.

“The Savior is the one who summoned the Divine Beasts to this land. Then can you, Hoiga, also summon a Divine Beast?”

“If the records are correct, yes.”

What?

Even I couldn’t hide my surprise.

The method to summon a Divine Beast was also recorded?

This time, it was the Sarne Grand Duke who sprang to his feet.

“How?”

“You simply go and bring it back.”

Go and bring it back…

Ah—Forest of Crimson Tides. Of course. Anyone with the key could reach it.

And since Tyroc had even heard the voice of an otherworldly being there, communication apparently wasn’t a problem either.

The room stirred once again.

Then Hoiga turned toward Tyroc. The emotion shining in his eyes was so desperate that even from far away, I could see it clearly.

Nausea rose in me.

I didn’t know what kind of life Hoiga lived here, or what he had endured.

I knew everyone had their own stories. Not everyone could be like Dr. Kim.

But no matter how tragic the traitor’s circumstances were, no matter what reasons he had—it was all worthless trash to me.

Ah, right. Killing him here would be a waste.

Too easy.

If he chose this world over ours, then he should also accept the suffering this world had to offer.

So I couldn’t just sit back and watch Hoiga be relieved. His true agony needed to begin as soon as he formed that binding marital pact with Montaine. He had to be tormented, endlessly, by his futile, unfulfilled love.

That was why unease crept through me when I heard the name fall from his lips.

“Of course, Koon’s Divine Beast as well. Tyroc… Your Grace.”

Hoiga thought this was his last chance. No—his final desperate struggle.

He had merely spoken Tyroc’s name, yet a murderous glare swept his way.

I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Duke Killu, surely.

He must have already been furious that Hoiga had withheld information about the Divine Beast’s extinction.

And what of his family? They might now view Hoiga with disappointment.

And High Priest Chegi, currently detained?

She was the one who recognized his talent, the one who guided him toward deciphering ancient records, granting him the chance to realize his worth.

To Hoiga, betraying this secret must have felt like betraying her.

She would surely be disappointed…

But even if guilt squeezed his chest, Hoiga wished—for just this one moment—to be selfish.

There was no harm in trying. Perhaps Tyroc would choose him.

Even if those serene golden eyes gave him no sign.

“I hope House Koon’s Divine Beast returns for the sake of Tuvine. Please allow me to assist you.”

Now I could feel Sarne’s displeased glance as well.

But Hoiga hoped that Tyroc would notice the reactions of the other Divine Beast families—so he could understand just how great a resolve it was for Hoiga to publicly proclaim his intent to assist House Koon.

And still it wasn’t enough. Hoiga pushed the final button.

“Of course, the curse upon House Koon must be lifted first.”

Curse.

At that single word, Tyroc’s detached gaze shifted.

I’m the only one who can break your curse. Please… choose me.

Hoiga’s silent plea reached toward Tyroc.

But before a response could come, Duke Killu cut in.

“A curse—how tragic indeed. If Koon’s curse were broken and their Divine Beast returned, it would be a blessing for all of Tuvine. We at Montaine fervently pray for such a day.”

With a voice purposely raised for all to hear, he stepped toward the center—toward Hoiga.

Hoiga flinched and stepped back, but Killu ignored him, positioning himself exactly where he blocked Tyroc from view.

“In that sense, it brings me great joy that the Savior and I share the same earnest wish.”