Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Somewhere Between the Black Flame Dragon and Blackening
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Clank, clank—.
The sword slipped partially from Risikida's scabbard, only to slide back in, repeating the motion.
It was clear she was deeply displeased, itching to punish someone right then and there, but held back because Sion was right beside her.
"Hmph.
A mere human making all that racket."
You're human too.
This chuunibyou case.
She might not be later, but right now, she was perfectly human.
Sion forcibly suppressed a heavy sigh.
Meanwhile, Risikida, who had just been called noisy by the self-proclaimed Dark Dragon Trisha, shot Sion a glance with an even more displeased expression.
She seemed ready to correct that insolent brat's manners if only given permission.
But Sion shook his head.
'She's got it bad.
Not just early-stage chuunibyou—it's terminal.'
Acting and talking like she was some Black Flame Dragon for real.
Of course, Trisha wasn't delusional or hallucinating.
Her mental world was just a bit unique, and she knew full well she was an utterly ordinary human.
'It's just that the concept play is way over the top.'
In summary, she teetered on the razor-thin line between concept and delusion.
"Hah."
Meanwhile, Kim Yu-hyun had hopped down from the driver's seat of the carriage and entered the village. He shook his head at Trisha, as if to say she was beyond saving.
As a young man from Korea, he knew a thing or two about chuunibyou himself.
Dark Dragon this, Dark Dragon that, right in front of him!
Watching her, he muttered inwardly that this was beyond imagination.
"S-sorry.
Young Lord."
On another note, Jimmy was slamming his head into the ground in apology, at a loss for what to do.
"Jimmy Faker."
"Y-yes, sir!"
"Didn't you say your sister was really sweet?"
"I-I think I did."
"Does she look sweet to you?"
Sion gestured toward Trisha with his chin, and the self-proclaimed Dark Dragon immediately exploded.
How rude, even for nobility!
The knights' faces visibly hardened, Risikida included.
She showed no fear toward the heir of a margrave territory—not even a baron or viscount.
Jimmy hurriedly shoved his sister's head down with a thud!
"She's normally a really good kid!
She's just too into this playacting, so please, Young Lord, show mercy just this once!
I'm truly sorry, so sorry!"
"W-what are you doing, you idiot!
Let go!"
That idiot's saving your life right now.
Sion didn't know exactly what life Trisha had lived, but judging from her character, after her sole ally and shield—Jimmy—died.
And after the final barrier of Claussen Margrave Territory burned away, turning this place into lawless wastes—what hardships had she endured?
It gave him some idea why she'd harbored such immense hatred, intent on burning everything down.
'Still, this is too much.
I don't want a chuunibyou patient hanging around.
It's a total nightmare.'
As Sion thought that and let out a sigh, Lily's gaze—hood up, standing quietly and staring at Trisha—was a bit odd.
Like she'd seen wrong or something.
Noticing Lily's reaction, Sion stepped outside, as if to cool his head.
Lily cautiously followed.
"Got something to say?"
"Sion."
Her voice calling him was nothing like her usual sultry tone.
Lily's low,沉 voice naturally instilled tension.
Sion dropped his playfulness at her demeanor and nodded slightly to show he was listening.
"I have one question.
Answer honestly.
It's important.
Was the reason you came to this village because of that human man's little sister?"
"..."
In that moment, Sion sensed that his answer could lead to more than just jealousy from the woman.
It felt like a choice that split endings to extremes.
'Honestly, it'd be yes, but...'
Sometimes lies serve better than truth.
Especially when the backlash from honesty was obvious, like now.
'Lily was watching Trisha closely.
That means there's something I didn't notice—something not described in the novel.
But for utterly ordinary me to spot it? That's suspicious.
Being too honest could invite even bigger doubts.'
Lately, Sion Claussen had been too straightforward.
A villain thrived on lies piled on lies, foisting blame on others without taking risks himself.
Decision made, Sion acted.
He sighed, then spoke in a subdued, aggrieved tone.
"Lily."
"Yeah?"
"Lately, I've been neglecting you, and even bringing in Lia—I've felt really sorry toward you.
I think you have every right to look at me that way."
"Wh-what?"
"But this time, it's really not that.
It wasn't about a woman.
It was to keep my promise.
Escorting the life I saved safely home is just what the Claussen heir should do."
So you're grabbing at straws right now!
Of course, Sion hadn't the slightest idea Lily was suspicious.
It must be some serious, important reason for questioning his purpose here.
But the best way to shatter seriousness wasn't more seriousness—it was the unexpected triviality.
Like how, getting scolded by parents on a rainy day for tracking mud, a weird giggle slips out and suddenly everyone's defused.
"Wh-what are you talking about!
Y-you idiot!
When did I ever get jealous?
No matter how many women you have around, I'm the first!
And the best—I know that!"
"Still, you're doubting me like this..."
"No!
It's not that!
You moron!"
Lily's hard-won serious mood crumbled.
At the same time, his answer being a lie was perfectly masked—no more reason for suspicion.
"Haa.
This guy..."
Lily muttered, glancing at Sion, then whispered 'He really has no clue.'
Sion inwardly yelled 'Yes!' and clenched his fist.
Lies aren't bad.
Obvious, insincere lies that get caught instantly are.
"You think I'd believe you came here for something that stupid?"
"I naturally thought it was about the sister since you brought her up."
"What are you saying.
It's not that.
The reason I mentioned that human woman was..."
Lily glanced around warily, ensuring no one else heard, then sidled up to Sion and whispered.
"That weird human.
She seems like a 'Stigma' bearer."
Stigma?
Sion tilted his head at the unheard-of development.
No matter how he racked his brain, no such term appeared in the novel.
Absolutely nothing similar.
"What's a Stigma?"
"You wouldn't have heard it before.
That's good for humans.
If it shows up on human bodies, it means the Celestials' return isn't far off."
"...What happens to Stigma bearers when Celestials return?"
"I don't know exactly.
Because the Celestials have never truly returned.
Even if Stigma bearers appear, without full return, it's just an ugly scar."
"But you seem to know something."
At Sion's persistent questions, Lily let out a groan before speaking.
"According to ancient Demon texts, the moment Celestials appear on the continent, all Stigma bearers awaken as heralds.
Remember the 'Seven Trumpet Blasts'?"
Seven Trumpet Blasts.
The name of the mad Celestials' world-purging protocol.
"Looks like they become the vanguard blowing those trumpets.
In short, they lead the world purification the Celestials and fairies crave.
Celestials call those Stigma bearers the Seven Wings."
"..."
"Of course, I can't be sure of everything.
Those trumpets have never truly sounded, and the true Seven Wings they've awaited haven't appeared.
Don't take it too seriously."
No, I can be sure.
Everything except Trisha's included Stigma bearers, after Celestials finally descend, blow the annihilation trumpets, fairly incinerating all existence.
Sion had seen most of that in the novel and remembered clearly.
"How'd you spot the Stigma?"
"Demons are sensitive to Celestial scent and aura, if no other race is.
Those pigeons reek disgustingly."
"..."
"Plus, until return, Stigmata are just marks.
To others, they're ordinary humans who later rival any powerhouse."
That explained why Risikida and the knights didn't see Trisha as strong.
Stigmata holders were ordinary until Celestial return.
No one knew who the Seven Wings were until it happened.
'...Should I remove her?
Risikida could kill her instantly.'
Sion considered, then changed his mind.
What if killing Trisha didn't erase the Stigma but let it possess her body?
Dramatic, but not impossible.
Even if not, it could transfer to someone else.
'If it jumps to some random, I lose close surveillance.
Might as well release a fed ADC as a tank.'
Think.
Think, think.
How to turn this to greater advantage?
What path benefits me most?
'The Seven Wings appear after Celestials.
All bent on shattering the world per Celestial will.
Especially Private Interest Trisha—worst of all.
Vowing to cleanly burn this wretched country that killed her brother and gave her misery...'
...Hold on.
Something flashed through Sion's mind.
Stigma bearers gain true power post-Celestial arrival.
But they retain human memories, even after awakening as true Seven Wings—thinking and acting human.
Sion focused on how they aimed to erase all hated, loathed things.
'If I play this right...
King God Emperor potential?'
Yes indeed.
Enemy trash with enemy trash, fire with counterfire.
Just catch the pigeon duo with an unblackened Black Flame Dragon.