Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Everything had ended in a happy ending.
…At least, it would have been nice if that were the case. Unfortunately, reality was not so simple.
There were still countless matters to resolve, loose ends to tie up.
“Hello.”
“Yes, Saintess. Good evening.”
Late at night.
When I arrived at the Orphanage, I met Tillis standing at the front gate.
Well, I would probably do the same in her place.
If there’s a place I’m supposed to return to, why would I wander around? And Coran Lekias had already absorbed a demon, so if she intended harm, I’d be her target.
For now, I knelt.
Wouldn’t kneeling and asking politely suffice?
“I’m really sorry for troubling you so much today…”
“Oh, that’s alright.”
I immediately straightened up.
If she says it’s fine… what else can you do?
“Then, what brings you here?”
“This is why.”
This was the imperial capital—the Orphanage.
No matter how strong Tillis was, I believed she wasn’t foolish enough to turn both Olga Hermod and the entire Imperial Army against her.
And now, she had even more reason not to kill me.
Because I had Remegheton’s Tome. And since it was still uncontracted, it must have made her even more anxious.
Demons were not common beings—she wouldn’t want to waste the opportunity.
“This… uh.”
And, as expected, Tillis didn’t harm me.
Instead, she held out something silver-white in her arms.
“Oh, what’s this…?”
I took it absentmindedly and was surprised by its unexpected weight.
On closer inspection, it was Emily’s drone—the one I had used as bait.
Since it wasn’t moving, it was probably broken or out of power.
“Did you come to return this?”
“No? Fix it.”
“Excuse me?”
“It stopped moving.”
Her actions were unpredictable.
What did she plan to do after fixing it?
More importantly, it was terrifying how she behaved as if it were already hers.
“Well, I’ll give it a try.”
“Thank you.”
But what could I actually do?
It was better to avoid anything that might irritate her.
For now, she had no reason to attack me, but who knows what could happen later?
“Since it’s late, be careful going back, Johann.”
“…Yes.”
I bowed to her waving hand and passed through the Orphanage’s gate.
She was a terrifying person.
I didn’t think she’d harm me, yet I never imagined she could act as if nothing had happened.
I couldn’t read her thoughts at all.
It would almost be easier to deal with a cult full of hidden motives.
Anyway, the biggest threat had been handled.
Now only one thing remained.
The next day.
I stepped out of the Orphanage on my own.
Strangely, the more I resolve to stay holed up in the Orphanage, the more errands seem to appear.
Perhaps I should resolve to actively go outside instead?
Well, I at least had a solid escort with me.
“Senior, if we leave here, we’ll arrive soon.”
It was Dietrich.
He was overzealous in watching the surroundings while escorting me.
I appreciated his diligence, though it was a bit embarrassing.
“I know you’ve been caught up in trouble recently, senior. I’ll ensure your safety today!”
“Yes, I appreciate it.”
Still, his escort skills were impressive.
Even if he was weaker than Ariel, being able to fight physically would make him far steadier and more enduring.
Unlike last time, when bringing Ariel as an escort backfired, the situation wouldn’t be twisted now.
And Tillis had stopped monitoring me, so Yuna would also be nearby. No need to worry about an ambush.
With my escort secured, I headed to…
“We’ve arrived, senior. This is the Ereticus Marquis estate.”
“I see… Well, it could have been a bit farther, but alright.”
The estate of the Ereticus Marquis.
Yes. I had entered the lion’s den.
Since I had acted yesterday like a trick against the cult, I needed to make amends.
No need to fall out with someone striving for neutrality.
I had come to keep a promise.
“Yesterday the cult returned, and they said you acted wisely, senior.”
Was that really a compliment, or just a subtle warning?
It sounded more like: act carefully if you don’t want to die.
“I knew the two of you would get along. You have similarities.”
“…We’re not close.”
Not similar at all. And it was irritating, so I wished he’d stop talking nonsense.
“Well, come in! I’ve informed everyone beforehand, so don’t worry!”
“Alright.”
I crossed the threshold of the Ereticus Marquis estate. As I did, my breath caught.
I knew nothing would happen, but it still felt tense.
As I walked through the beautifully manicured garden, I encountered a child.
“Oh? Dietrich, who is this? A guest?”
“Ah, Helena. Out for a walk?”
“Yes, the weather’s nice and I’m feeling well, so I came out for the first time in a while.”
A child walking in the garden, sunlight catching her snow-white hair, a smile like a sunflower—just seeing her lifted your mood.
“This is Helena Ereticus, the cult’s younger sister. Not a real sibling, but very close—like one.”
“Oh, I see.”
I ignored Dietrich, who was fumbling over his explanation, and examined Helena.
At the mention of the cult, Helena smiled. She truly considered Cult like a real older brother.
“Helena, this is Johann Damus from the Damus Marquis household, my senior at the Orphanage. A very fine person.”
Dietrich exaggeratedly praised me.
Helena’s eyes widened as she looked up at me.
“A very fine person?”
“Well… I’m not sure if I’m really fine, but I do try to be.”
I knelt to meet her gaze.
“I make medicine to help those who are sick or in pain.”
“Wow!”
I hoped my small actions could give even a tiny dream to a child who had lived a painful life.
“Then can you fix my brother too? He has bad eyesight. The world is so bright and beautiful; it’s such a pity he can’t see it well.”
“…Hmm, alright. I’ll diagnose him while I’m here.”
“Yes! Please take good care of my brother!”
“Of course.”
I stood with a smile. It was almost time to see Cult.
Helena didn’t know Cult’s true nature.
Cult also intended to hide it from her.
Yes, Helena’s very existence symbolized…
“Take care of yourself too.”
“Yes!”
She represented Cult’s humanity.
With Dietrich’s guidance, I finally faced Cult.
Cult welcomed me in his study, sipping tea.
“Hello, Johann.”
“Yes, long time no see. I didn’t expect to see you again like this.”
“Please, have a seat.”
I sat across from him, and he poured tea himself.
The act was natural, yet imposing.
Hopefully, this tea wasn’t poisoned. I decided not to touch it.
“What brings you here today?”
“I realized I forgot something I was supposed to give yesterday.”
“Oh, did you? I wasn’t aware you had something for me.”
A funny guy. Threatening Dietrich to act wisely, yet…
“Dietrich, could you step outside for a moment? I think it’s time for a conversation between nobles.”
“Alright, I’ll wait outside.”
Dietrich, unsuspecting, smiled and left.
How could someone from the slums be so clueless?
Once Dietrich had fully exited, Cult wiped the smile from his face.
“You arrived early. Had you run away, things would have been more entertaining.”
“I said I couldn’t because of time. I don’t lie. Trust is important in a deal.”
“Wise.”
Cult finally smiled again.
“Then, can you tell me where the Elysium relic is?”
“…I don’t think I can explain that part precisely. I hope you understand.”
“Your tongue is growing long… You don’t actually not know, do you?”
Cult, usually calm and smiling, now showed a variety of expressions—perhaps frustrated from the battle with Tillis.
“No, I do know. Really. But it’s complicated to explain.”
“Then tell me, and I’ll decide.”
The Elysium relic. At present, it didn’t even exist. So no matter how hard Cult and Eden searched, they couldn’t find it.
“The Elysium relic is already close to you.”
“So, it seems removing that tongue of yours would have been the right choice.”
“…I’m serious, not bluffing to avoid a crisis.”
“You must have guessed to some degree.”
Cult could see the future.
But the future he saw was limited to the experiences of certain people.
He couldn’t see the future of unknown individuals.
That was why he was seeking the Oracle, why he didn’t know the identities of the Arbiter and Safe Clown.
He didn’t know how he would acquire the relic in the future, though he suspected it. At first, he may have just assumed it was special because it was a relic.
But…
“You mean, the relic will find me, not the other way around.”
“…Yes, exactly.”
Cult knew his weakness, so he might have considered other possibilities.
My actions now would reinforce his suspicion.
He could save effort and resources because of it.
It would give him more leeway.
Though what outcome this would lead to… only time would tell.
“Alright, that’s fine. I can overlook this.”
But I thought this action might also become a poison… not for Robelia…
“Thanks to this information, I have some breathing room now.”
He said it himself.
Well, we’ll see how it plays out. The arduous journey of seeking the relic may have been exactly what Cult needed.
Isn’t that life?
Most people don’t know what the future holds. I only share the same kind of hope.
The deal with Cult was done.
By giving information, I managed to maintain the original neutral relationship.
Exhausted, I slowly stood up.
It was time to return.
“….”
Then, through the crack of the door, I met the gaze of someone peeking at me.
Helena Ereticus.
Cult had clearly noticed this long ago and subtly signaled me.
“Ahem… the tea smells nice.”
I sat back down.
Yes, he wanted me to maintain appearances. I had already told Helena I’d try to treat Cult, so standing up felt awkward.
“Is it strange?”
“Excuse me? What is?”
“The way I act normal in front of Helena. A criminal who’s killed many, acting in a paradoxical manner—isn’t that strange?”
“People are inherently contradictory. I just want my family and myself to be safe. That’s normal.”
It wasn’t a big deal. I answered honestly—people are like that.
“But I am not a normal person. Don’t you know?”
“So?”
“….”
What was she expecting? Scolding me? I had no intention to.
Especially with her watching, how could I insult her family?
I scratched my head and asked,
“Do you at least feel guilt?”
“Yes, somewhat.”
“That’s good then.”
“Is it really good?”
Why was I counseling this lunatic?
Perhaps it was Helena’s request to help treat Cult.
“You must understand the weight of your actions for them to matter. So yes, it’s good.”
“I see.”
Actually, this wasn’t my philosophy. I was just repeating the ideal Cult had first proposed.
When in doubt, it’s best to return to the starting point.
It may feel like encouraging crime, but anyway…
“Then, with some leeway, spend time with your family and reflect.”
As Helena suggested, I wrote Cult a prescription.
I prescribed what he needed most: time and thought.
A master without equal.
“Who knows if my thinking will change?”
“Well? Do you think Johann’s thinking will change?”
“No, not at all.”
Of course, if the patient doesn’t intend to be treated, it’s meaningless.
I don’t think I can change Cult. Whoever could change him would be someone closest to him, part of his life.
“Brother, may I come in?”
“Yes, Helena. I just finished.”
I smiled as she entered and gave Cult a quick glance before leaving the Ereticus Marquis estate.