Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Pushing and Pulling to Get What I Want (8)
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"……!"
Rachel realized that Abel had orchestrated this situation. In other words, she and he were the only ones in this chapel still in possession of their faculties.
"What have you done?"
Rachel glared at him, her entire body tense. She tried her best to muster the dignified voice unique to a saintess.
"I used a little drug. One that emits a colorless, odorless gas."
Abel stepped out into the central aisle and began walking toward her slowly.
Tap, tap.
The measured sound of his footsteps echoed through the quiet chapel.
"By the time everyone comes to, they won't even realize they fell asleep."
Abel pulled a pocket watch from inside his clothes, checked it, and spoke.
"It lasts about ten minutes? That should be plenty."
"Plenty for what?"
Rachel shot back sharply. She had no choice but to be on guard against someone whose intentions were inscrutable.
"Time to talk."
Abel's languid voice drifted through the air.
"But honestly, this stings a bit."
Throb, throb.
A slow heat spread across Rachel's shoulder blade, where Serenade's emblem was etched. The burning pain intensified the closer Abel drew.
Even though the situation was the same for him, the smile lingering on his lips didn't falter in the slightest.
"Stings? What does?"
Rachel had never been more grateful for her veil than she was today. Without it, she would have had to expose her horribly twisted expression.
"You're playing dumb too much, Saintess."
Unlike Rachel's, Abel's voice was smooth as silk.
"You summoned me yourself yesterday."
In the most infuriating way possible.
When he tapped his own shoulder blade,
"Ah……!"
Rachel reflexively clutched hers. The spot now felt scorching hot.
"Would it be proper for a saintess to engage in such distractions during sacred prayer time?"
Rachel's heart plummeted to the floor with a thud.
'He saw me?'
That wasn't all.
Abel's tone made it sound like he knew exactly what she'd done yesterday.
No, it was more than that. He sounded as if……
Tap, tap.
Finally, Abel's footsteps stopped.
"……."
He paused briefly at the base of the pulpit, then hopped up onto it in one smooth motion.
Standing right beside Rachel, he looked down at her. His eyes held nothing but her reflection.
"Ah……."
A sigh escaped Rachel's lips before she could stop it.
She felt it. This overwhelming presence, the pull that seemed to draw her very soul in.
He was, without a doubt, the undisputed master of Requiem.
"Abel…… Ovest Kindriel."
In that moment, Rachel thought she saw Abel flash a sly smile. But she couldn't dwell on the thought.
Rustle.
Abel's fingers brushed her veil. The translucent fabric that had obscured her vision was gently lifted upward.
"……!"
Time seemed to slow to a crawl, moment by moment.
She saw his sharp jawline, thin and delicate lips, refined nose—and finally, their eyes met, his a vivid blue-violet.
"……."
Rachel felt it.
The hands of her long-stilled watch beginning to turn once more.
"Nice to meet you, Saintess."
A blooming smile spread across Abel's lips.
❖ ❖ ❖
I could feel the vibrations through the veil I held in my hand.
Her ragged breathing, the frantic pounding of her heart threatening to burst.
"What…… is this…… what are you doing?"
Rachel's voice trembled, mirroring her inner turmoil.
"Ah, I was just curious. About the face of the 'Saintess' hidden behind that veil. When else would I get the chance?"
I released the veil and took a step back.
"Seeing you in person like this……."
From a slight distance, Rachel truly seemed small. A petite face, slender shoulders, a dainty stature.
"……It's really something."
No one would ever guess that a woman several hundred years old was contained within.
Among the original story's characters, Rachel held a unique significance for me.
The first sword's owner I had ever encountered—one who possessed Serenade, Requiem's sister blade.
'The other two haven't claimed their swords yet.'
My gauntlet grew warm inside. Requiem was writhing, sensing Serenade's presence.
It seemed confused, or perhaps coveting Serenade.
'Either way, not happening.'
Claiming Serenade could wait. Not now, at least.
"……."
In the meantime, Rachel stared at me with an inscrutable expression before slightly lowering her head.
"……I see."
When she looked up again, the bewilderment had vanished from her face as if washed away.
"I called you here."
Her tone was gentle, like that of a teacher instructing her flock.
"Because of the wicked evil spirit possessing your body."
"……An evil spirit."
Wow, she was really milking this for all it was worth.
No underestimating the experience of someone several hundred years old. Composing herself in an instant and slipping into character.
'Impressive reflexes.'
I could read her thoughts plain as day in that tiny head of hers. How far could she stretch this 'benevolent' saintess act?
"Yes. An evil spirit in the form of a sword. Doesn't it tempt you? Whispering to carve open human flesh and drink their blood?"
Rachel took a step closer. Her voice, honed over centuries as a saintess, drew people in.
"I've already sensed its presence. I worried it might dominate you. That's why I've always watched you from afar."
"……."
"I'll help you. Accept my aid, and you can be free of that evil spirit."
Her fervent tone and earnest expression made it feel like she truly cared for me.
"Help me how?"
"Stab me with that sword."
An innocent allure spread across the girl's pure face.
"I'll help 'purify' it. With the divine power dwelling in me, it's possible."
Her voice scattered like the chapel's light, reverent as a god's. Compelling obedience.
"You saw it at yesterday's consecration ceremony, didn't you? The Lord commanded me to purify your evil spirit."
"……."
"That was the source of the intense light you witnessed yesterday."
Rachel placed a hand over her chest.
"Now, draw that sword. And pierce me here."
"If I do that, you'll be in danger, Saintess."
"It doesn't matter."
Her face shone with the pride of fulfilling a righteous duty.
"Now I understand. Why the Lord sent me here."
"……."
"It was all to help you. To purify the evil spirit in your body and save this world."
A flawless speech, a heart-stirring whisper.
"For that, I can gladly sacrifice myself."
Rachel spread her arms and approached me.
Her emerald eyes flickered with madness. Eyes that should have been gentle as spring sunlight gleamed with reptilian cunning.
"……."
My hand twitched involuntarily. Spotting it, Rachel's eyes gleamed brighter.
"Come on, now."
She was utterly convinced I was swayed by her words and would obey.
Of course, she'd think a twenty-year-old novice wouldn't know better.
The problem was, I wasn't the original Abel Kindriel.
Clap, clap, clap……
Instead of drawing Requiem, I raised my hands and applauded loudly.
"……?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Rachel's face.
"What…… are you……."
"I kept listening because I was curious what you'd say next."
I continued clapping as I spoke.
"Not bad for saintess experience points. Or maybe it's just the several hundred years making your tongue so slick?"
Rachel's complexion changed drastically.
"……What did you just say?"
"Did I get it wrong? Saintess?"
I smirked and crossed my arms.
"Or should I call you Rachel?"
"……!"
Rachel's emerald eyes widened in shock. The saintess mask shattered in an instant.
"H-how……."
A sob mixed into her voice.
"My name…… how do you know my name?"
Rachel clasped her hands tightly. Her knuckles trembled uncontrollably.
"That name…… no one's known it for centuries. Only Theodore……."
"Don't assume you're the only one who knows about the Four Seasons Swords."
I stared straight into her shaken emerald eyes.
"I might know as much as you—or maybe even more."
"You even know about the Four Seasons Swords……."
Rachel gasped, her lips trembling.
"Want me to spill more?"
I ticked them off on my fingers one by one.
"First off. The one I wield is Requiem, the Sword of Autumn. It has the attribute of void and craves life."
Rachel could only gasp raggedly, unable to breathe.
"Second. That power emanating from you isn't holy power—it's Serenade's. Requiem's sister blade, the Sword of Spring."
Rachel's hands clenched, crumpling the fabric of her skirt beneath them.
"And finally…… third."
A stronger blue light flared in my eyes, turning them a colder hue.
"That you harbor an impossible wish."
"-That's!"
The deep despair she'd momentarily suppressed crept back across Rachel's face.
"How do you know that? That's something only……."
"I told you. I know more than you."
"……."
My evasive answer to the key question twisted Rachel's delicate brows.
"I wondered how a mere human could wield Requiem this long. You're no ordinary man."
Rachel fixed me with an intense gaze.
"Who are you, really?"
"Bad memory? The priest said it earlier."
I pointed at myself.
"Abel Ovest Kindriel."
"That's not what I mean!"
Rachel's voice rose in agitation.
"How does an ordinary human know about the Four Seasons Swords, and……."
She ground her teeth.
"……know so much about me!"
"……."
"It's impossible! It doesn't make sense!"
"That's just your opinion."
I pretended to dig in my ear and changed the subject.
"Anyway, let's get back to what you were saying earlier."
Rachel's face paled rapidly.
"That……."
"You're really laying it on thick with the con, aren't you? So many red flags."
I crossed my arms and mocked her openly.
"Evil spirit, purification, the Lord's will, blah blah blah…… We'll skip that. You probably wanted to bite your tongue while saying it."
Rachel's face began to rot with dismay.
"Next, the temple knows full well that Princess Violet and I are here. You think I'd be crazy enough to kill you?"
Rachel's lips twitched momentarily, but she suppressed it and replied.
"It doesn't have to be today. I'll find a way to create an opportunity away from prying eyes……."
"Bullshit. You can't even move freely without the Emperor's permission."
"……."
Rachel fell silent. Anger and suspicion flashed in her narrowed eyes.
"Besides, what do I gain from it? Nothing."
"……."
"I'd just end up branded a saintess killer. How honorable."
At my biting sarcasm, Rachel made a face like she'd chewed dung.
"Then I'd have to deal with the Emperor's pursuit. Ha, you sure sell this pitch without even wetting your lips?"
"……."
"Why would I take such a raw deal? The losses are way too overwhelming."
Rachel bit her lip hard and glared at me.
"And you want me to take Serenade?"
I laughed as if it were the funniest thing I'd ever heard.
"That's telling me to die, isn't it?"
"……."
"You know what happens when the unqualified touch Serenade."
Just as those who wield Requiem become mindless murderers, those who take Serenade meet ruin.
Unable to handle the overflowing life force, they revert to primordial beings. Which means complete death.
"You……."
I smiled faintly at the trembling Rachel.
"You thought you could toy with a green kid like me, huh? Not as easy as you thought?"