Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: 2. Blue Moon
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Ludwig gazed down at the black grimoire stained with ink.
Nepia Organon. The remnants of the transcendent black mage, Malkar Zerheim.
The sentence he had been translating caught his eye.
"O contractor of the abyss, in exchange for burning all that is yours, I shall fulfill your desires. The lantern of the soul shall eternally fuel the abyss."
Ludwig picked up the black grimoire and walked out of the cave.
A few surviving Blue Moon members sat outside in the open space, tending to their wounds.
Everyone fell silent the moment they saw him.
"Benches is dead. Marcelo too."
"What...?!"
"That Marcelo, why—"
"The two of them were killed by the Empire. The auction house was a trap laid for us."
"W-wait, what does that mean?"
"That can't be—"
Ludwig cut them off.
"But none of that matters anymore. Remember? I said I'd summon a demon using this black grimoire. I'll explain why now."
"…"
"With this demon's power, I'll crush the Empire. And rebuild it from the ruins."
His friends were dead. But so what?
They had died because of him, while Ludwig himself had survived.
That fact was enough.
Even if I shatter, I press forward.
Ludwig had resolved to uphold his ideals until the very moment of his death.
"We're changing our name. No more Blue Moon. We'll stand at the forefront against them."
"…!!"
"We'll hold the demon summoning ritual in Pirendel. That will mark our new beginning."
And so, history's worst terrorist was born.
[No sign of their movements. They've completely dismantled their hideout.]
Blue Moon had vanished without a trace.
With Benches' identity compromised, there was no longer any way to track them.
Unless they reveal themselves, finding them will be tough.
[But... is this really okay? I think those bastards have gone completely insane. They were terrorists hell-bent on toppling the Empire to begin with.]
"What's got you so worried? What, scared they'll snap and start a war with the Empire?"
[Nepia Organon. If they summon a demon with that thing, the Empire might end up like the North. I have to live here!]
This world revolves around humanity. But that doesn't mean human nations are the only ones.
Not in the central continent dominated by the Empire, but farther out on the periphery.
The North. Where black snow falls eternally, a demon nation holds sway.
It's quiet now, but back when I was deep in public service, they were at war with the Empire.
"That sounds fine by me. I don't just like despair tales. I enjoy human odes too. Berserk was a favorite. Ah, still is. Can't remember the plot, though."
[H-human ode?]
A human ode is literature that extols the excellence of humanity.
I typically use the term for the beauty of humans struggling against inescapable apocalypse.
That explanation drew a fierce reaction.
[Fuck! Doesn't that just mean dooming all of humanity?!]
"Anyone can talk a big game about world-ending or whatever. But I don't actually do it."
I'm serious. I've tried it once, so it's lost its thrill.
[Fine then. I don't care what you do with your toys, just watch out for that. I hate skipping morning coffee and brunch. And wire the payment for this job quick.]
"Got it."
I was about to end the call when a sudden question popped into my mind.
Why was this Broker so obsessed with money?
"By the way, why are you so money-hungry?"
[...Why do you wanna know? W-wait, you planning to use me as a toy too...?]
I had no intention of turning the Broker into a toy.
Setting aside the fun factor, he was too competent. If he weren't, he'd have been toyified long ago.
"Not at all. Just curious."
Though it might be amusing. Where else am I gonna find a character like this? Maybe look into his family when I get time.
[Don't even think about it. Please. Yeah? Mess with me, and you go down too. I'll take it all down with me.]
I decided against it.
"I promise. I swear on the Empire's storied honor and my own biography."
[...Keep your word.]
The call ended. The cramped room fell silent in an instant.
What play should I dive into next? As I pondered briefly, a knock sounded at the door.
"C-can I come in...? No. May I come in?"
"Oh, Ceres. Come on in."
Ceres entered the room. She still wasn't used to speaking informally.
"What's the matter?"
"Uncle. Um, you see. I... I have something I want to do."
Already bounced back? How?
By my reckoning, Ceres was still in a fragile state.
She hadn't fully shaken off her childhood friend's death.
I knew she was still plagued by nightmares.
"I told you, no need to ask permission. I'll help with anything you want. Go on, tell me. What do you want to do?"
"The Sword Saint... offered to teach me the sword. So, I want to... learn it too."
"The Sword Saint?"
"Y-yeah."
Instinct, maybe. She might've vaguely realized they're in the same boat as toys. But even without full certainty, this situation right now...
I liked it.
Risk of getting found out? There's fun to be had in discovery too.
I savor the predictable, but variables are always welcome.
"The Sword Saint must've spotted your talent. Great opportunity. I hope you learn as much as you can from this."
Ceres gave a faint smile.
Somehow, she could already muster such a bright expression.
A positive shift.
Worried she might shatter completely. Guess youth helps them recover fast.
I'd deliberately helped her shake off the grief, which played a part too.
"Thanks, Uncle. But... um. Why are you so nice to me...? I don't have anything to give you..."
"Ceres. That's not true. You have plenty to give me. I've already received it. I... I..."
I put on an expression as if overcome with emotion.
"...Just having you alive is enough. That's all I need. I'm sorry. Maybe... maybe I've been seeing echoes of my lost daughter in you."
Tears welled in Ceres's eyes at those words. My feigned emotions had landed perfectly.
In truth, there wasn't a shred of real feeling.
"N-no, it's okay. I... I thank you too, Uncle. Without you, I'd be..."
Ceres trailed off. I pulled her into a tight embrace.
No ulterior motives. Lusting after toys wasn't my thing.
Ceres and Arbelia von Carmilla began sword training in the clearing.
Starting with the basics. Strength exercises first, followed by high guard, low guard, and thrusting.
Three Basic Sword Forms. The foundational technique from wuxia tales.
I was the one who'd taught it to Arbelia.
What a strange feeling. My disciple passing on my teachings to another.
Nostalgia or regret? I had no taste for reminiscing.
I'd discarded all that long ago. Now, I moved purely by whim and interest.
If it's fun, that's enough. If not, it's meaningless.
Ceres noticed me watching and waved.
"Uncle! How long have you been there?"
"Just arrived. Anyway, you're working hard. Doing great. I told you, you've got talent."
Arbelia bowed politely to me. She eyed me with unmistakable suspicion.
Instinct and déjà vu. Those were what drove her now.
Not full certainty yet. No reason for it, either.
"Sword Saint. Thank you so much for teaching Ceres. I don't know how to repay this favor..."
"No need for thanks. This is purely my whim. But since it's fate, I'll teach Walther the sword as well."
"Oh! Truly? I dreamed of becoming a knight as a child. What an honor."
Arbelia handed me a sword. Her gaze lingered on my grip.
She was scrutinizing my technique.
Hiding it would kill the fun. Let her pierce the veil herself.
I gripped it in my old familiar way.
If she felt no dissonance even after this, I'd be disappointed in Arbelia.
"...!"
"Like this? Is that the right way?"
"Yes, correct. But twisting it this way might feel more comfortable."
Arbelia's focus sharpened. That single clue had amplified her suspicions.
How long until she figures it out?
I was tempted to have a heartfelt reunion with my former disciple right then and there.
I already had over six scripted scenarios ready.
There was even a yandere route. But its priority—and feasibility—was low.
The reason was simple.
The fallout would be a nightmare to handle. No helping it.