Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Possession
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The people in the Hero Party each had at least one thing they were better at than Gray, fundamentally speaking. That was why even that haughty Hero kept them by her side.
When it came to overall combat prowess, none of them could even reach the tip of Gray's toe. But each had their own specialized field.
Vespa with magic, Panhima with swordsmanship, and Drexler with...
[...Insane antics.]
"...Please just say she's good at long-range support."
[...I remember her being better at insane antics than shooting arrows or guns.]
"..."
It was hard to deny.
Drexler was just that kind of guy from the start.
Anyway.
Panhima's swordsmanship was leagues ahead of Gray's. Even without any special events, the fact that she could swing her sword at a level comparable to Gray's current proficiency was proof enough of her talent.
Gray might not look it, but she was born with a silver spoon in the grand ducal house. For someone with top-tier talent and background to be caught up by near-self-taught learning? It was absurd.
[So, why are you dwelling on that now?]
"If I need to pick something to do in the next few weeks, training them up would be the most efficient."
Gray only had one way to teach her—drawing out the Holy Sword—but for the others, providing the right conditions wasn't hard, and their growth potential was explosive in return.
'Not that there aren't any creepy things about it...'
For instance, take the power Vespa wielded.
...Her talent was exactly as he'd seen it in past loops, but the 'source' of the power she channeled through it remained a mystery.
"..."
Carlyle sat silently, twirling a pen in his hand as he sank into thought.
What to call it.
He could see the pattern.
[...? What pattern?]
"Nothing's the same as before."
He'd gone through countless regression loops, but this one was utterly alien in every way.
Of course, starting much earlier than his usual regression point played a part.
But beyond that, the 'traits' of people he thought he knew like the back of his hand were off in droves.
Someone like Felix, whom he hadn't even known existed? Fine. But Vespa—a core Hero Party member whose every detail he knew inside out—showing anomalies? That was weird.
'...And no guarantee it's just her.'
It was just a hunch for now.
But Panhima and Drexler were likely changed too.
That was the 'pattern' he'd analyzed through this loop so far.
"...Whether that's good or bad, we'll have to test it."
[Test it?]
"I mean, I'll clash with them directly and find out. See exactly what's different from what I knew."
No progress without digging in deep.
As he said that, a worried voice came from the Holy Sword.
[...You sure that's wise?]
"What's unwise about it?"
[You can't treat them like before. Think about what you've shown them.]
"...Can't deny that."
Carlyle gave a wry smile in response.
No one would react normally after seeing him pull off something so bizarre they couldn't even guess his species.
No direct clashes yet, but if they sat down for a heart-to-heart? They'd probe hard.
[...And honestly, I'm waiting for your explanation too.]
"..."
[How did you end up like that? What happened to you?]
Hm.
Carlyle shrugged lightly.
"If I say I'm fine, isn't that enough? No need to worry."
[Why do you always dodge the important talks like that?]
"What's the point, old man?"
...It'd just poke at old wounds.
For a moment, he recalled a certain demon's voice whispering poison in his ear.
Asking if he could stay with the Hero to the end.
"..."
Yeah.
He'd manage.
With that thought, Carlyle flashed his usual smile and changed the subject.
"Enough chit-chat. Let's focus on what to do next."
[...You're really...]
Ignoring the Holy Sword's grumbling aura, he pressed on.
"So, who to contact first..."
Drexler was still MIA, but Vespa and Panhima needed max growth ASAP in weeks.
'...Panhima needs extra attention, though.'
The Ten Glyph Society—folks from her homeland—being tangled up screamed she was key to resolving this mess.
But he couldn't focus solely on her. Facing an Archdemon this time would be the toughest slog yet. He'd need every tool available.
No one was expendable.
"...How about a dartboard? Go with whoever's name hits first—"
"Carlyle!"
"..."
Hm.
No dice.
Carlyle looked dourly at the person kicking open his door.
Vespa stood there pale-faced, panting hard.
"S-s-sorry! But right now, I, I, I—ma, ma—"
...Hm.
He'd been pondering who first.
And here was someone compressing that dilemma into one.
What could be so urgent to rattle her this bad...
"...Vespa. Calm down first and explain."
After seating her, giving her cold water, and guiding deep breaths, he finally heard her out.
"We need to go to the Mage Tower now!"
"Huh? Why?"
"I can't use any magic at all!"
"...Wh-wh-what does that—?"
"...Carlyle, c-c-calm down—!"
...Talk about irony—he was the one losing it.
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...Anyway.
Her explanation en route to the Mage Tower went like this.
"So, the magic you normally use involves 'communicating' with some entity..."
Now, that entity wasn't responding at all.
So her entire magic system was down.
"Since when?"
"...Since you... did that thing. It's been like this."
"..."
Ah.
Must've been when she saw him revive via Demonic Energy while stopping the capital collapse.
Carlyle had no explanation for that, so he just sweated coldly and stayed quiet. Vespa stammered on.
"I've frequented the Mage Tower with Letty before... We tried fixing it ourselves."
"And?"
"...It did respond—to her."
The enigmatic entity chatting with Vespa had one demand.
Bring Carlyle.
Make him able to 'converse' with it.
That was it.
"..."
Hm.
...Hm.
Carlyle scratched his head awkwardly.
"It wants me?"
"...Yes. I didn't want to bother you... But I couldn't solve it alone..."
"Why not say so sooner? I'd never mind helping you."
"...You hide a lot."
...He'd tried his usual smile and kind words.
But her teary voice stabbed between his ribs like a needle.
"...Vespa."
"I know you shoulder everything alone. That's why."
Then she smiled faintly.
A poignant, pitiable smile.
"...I wanted to handle it myself. No more burdens on you."
"..."
Carlyle gazed at her.
The Holy Sword was right.
Not shattered trust or anything dramatic.
But not sharing the core stuff had built a wall.
"Vespa."
So, what he could do now.
"...Let's solve the problem first."
"......Okay."
"One promise."
Just speak from the heart.
No matter how or what he became.
A vow he'd never broken.
"I hide a lot, sure. But I'd never let you get in trouble."
Better to die first.
The happiness of those he wanted happy—that was the root keeping Carlyle alive. The sole barrier between him and death.
"..."
Vespa clutched her knees tight as she listened.
"...Okay."
Somehow.
Her expression softened a bit.
"I know that for sure."
"Yes. Exactly."
Carlyle was on her side. Always.
No matter what she did, he'd smile and accept it.
'...Should've set some boundaries on that, though.'
And exactly ten minutes later.
Carlyle massively regretted his declaration.
Mainly because of Vespa pinning him down, staring unfocused.
...After several steps, this was the result.
Her hands held him down, eyes vacant as she loomed.
Like something else—not her—had possessed her.
"Vespa, snap out of it—"
[Mine.]
"...Vespa...?"
[-Not anyone else's. Mine.]
...Something.
About the immense possessiveness in those words.
"..."
How'd it come to this?
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