Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Pouring Water into the Pit (7)
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Worried that I might summon the guy, he deliberately shoved a slave my way and all. The name he had intentionally avoided mentioning to me for days.
'Right, it was Pierre.'
The name of that servant I had messed up with on the first day I possessed Abel's body.
"I see."
Cold sweat began beading on Philip's forehead.
"Young Master, I swear Pierre said nothing. No matter how naive the boy is, he's not that thoughtless."
He desperately scraped together excuses.
"After that, Lord Diego finished his meal without any change in expression. He gave me no separate instructions either."
I slowly curled up the corners of my mouth. The more my lips rose, the more sweat gathered on Philip's brow.
"Is that so?"
It wasn't a smile born from thoughts of summoning the guy back and whipping him again. It was simply that everything was proceeding as it should, and I couldn't hide my smile.
'So it was him after all.'
The one who had been reporting my daily life to Diego.
In the original story, Diego often felt an eerie sensation every time he returned to the castle. As if everyone was being crushed under something, sensing a dark and damp atmosphere.
He had one of the servants secretly observe Abel's life and report it to him.
But by the time he returned to the castle again, the only news left was that the servant had packed his bags and gone back to his hometown.
'That must have been today.'
Sensing something off, Diego relentlessly interrogated those around him. And he learned that Abel had beaten the servant nearly to death.
Enraged, he laid excessive hands on Abel, and as a result, their relationship crossed an irreversible river.
And three days later, Requiem descended upon Ovest Territory. The beginning of a tragic end where the son beheads his father.
'Well, that's not going to happen now.'
I leaned back in my chair with a satisfied smile.
'I figured the informant was among the servants.'
In the original story, there were frequent hints that Diego had planted surveillance in the castle to monitor Abel. But it never specified who it was or when he realized it.
'To pinpoint it in one go like this.'
I had safely navigated a situation that could have ruined everything. If Diego's surveillance intensified, it would restrict Abel's actions.
Things were going so smoothly. A cheerful mood bubbled up, bringing laughter.
"Keuk."
The eerie laugh leaked out, and Philip's eyes shook like there was an earthquake.
"Y-Young Master..."
I glanced at him and sneered.
'Pierre said nothing?'
What a clueless fool. If he really hadn't said anything, I'd be the one summoned to Diego by now.
'I've gained a lot.'
Now that I knew who Diego's spy was, I could efficiently block his eyes and ears.
'Now, what to do next.'
I maintained my smile as I sketched out future plans.
Tomorrow, Diego would head back to the border. After hearing the report, without harboring any particular suspicions about me.
'I need to stay put for now.'
By the time he arrived at the border, I wouldn't be in this castle anymore.
'I have to go to Magna Morten.'
❖ ❖ ❖
The next day.
"Hoo."
I let out a sigh toward the mirror.
'I need to stay in top condition.'
I'd gone to bed early, trained without overexerting myself, and focused on recovery with nutrient-rich meals.
But,
'What kind of nightmares...'
Requiem appearing earlier than expected, grabbing the territory's people there, and turning the territory into a wasteland.
Or successfully grasping Requiem for the first time but failing to control it, becoming a murderous demon.
The dreams always ended the same as the original story.
'Stabbed in the heart by Cain.'
My body growing cold, vision gradually blurring. My last memory was Cain's back as he stood facing away from my collapsed form on the ground.
"Damn it."
Irritated, I rattled the bell cord to summon Philip.
"You called, Young Master."
"I'm going out. I need a packed lunch."
I tapped my chin for a moment, then added,
"About three days' worth."
"Pardon? Three days?"
Philip's face twisted in complicated emotions. He might be glad I was leaving for a while, but heavy-hearted thinking about what I might do out there.
"Enough for three people. Use plenty of meat, and prepare things that keep well."
"Understood."
Philip showed a flicker of surprise at my orders but obeyed immediately. In the meantime, I grabbed the gauntlet Alessia had made for me.
A short time passed, and
"Young Master, it's ready."
Philip returned to the room with the packed lunches. Instead of taking them, I said,
"Pick those up and follow me."
Philip flinched but quickly prepared himself. The place we headed to was, naturally,
"M-Magna Morten?"
Philip, stepping down from the carriage, was aghast.
"Young Master, why here..."
He alternated between looking at me and the Magna Morten tower, trembling.
"And why did you bring me..."
Without a word, I strode toward the gate. Philip hurriedly followed behind.
The gatekeepers were visible from afar. Since I'd been coming frequently lately, they didn't wear the same shocked expressions as before.
"Young Master Abel."
"Welcome."
They bowed to me, then noticed Philip standing behind.
"What's the butler doing here?"
"Are the two of you together?"
A belated question arose on their faces.
"......"
Philip just shook his head low. A gesture saying it wasn't his choice.
I stepped forward and asked,
"How many people are currently visiting Magna Morten?"
"Not exactly sure, but... around eight, I think."
"I see?"
I nodded, then boldly commanded,
"Tell them all to come out."
"Pardon?"
"I'll give you five minutes."
I pulled out the pocket watch I always carried. And in the most elegant tone imaginable, I said,
"Anyone left after that, I'll take it as meaning they want to stay here forever."
Staying here would surely make them Requiem's meal.
It was as good as prophecy based on truth. But the gatekeepers interpreted my words differently.
"No, wait..."
"What's this all of a sudden..."
As a threat to kill them personally and bury them here.
The gatekeepers' faces turned pale. They seemed to realize from the madness gleaming in my eyes that this was no joke.
"P-Please wait a moment!"
"We'll go right now!"
They all started sprinting toward Magna Morten. Watching them go, I muttered,
"Did I give them too much time?"
"No way they'll use the full five minutes. They'll probably clear everyone out in that time."
Philip desperately tried to calm me.
"And why are you still here?"
"Pardon?"
Philip's face went blank for a moment, then he let out an "Ah" as realization dawned.
"I-I'm going too!"
I gave a parting glance to Philip's hastily retreating back. Leaning against a nearby tree, I tapped the ground with my foot to pass the time.
Soon, the visitors began pouring out of Magna Morten in a group.
"Please go back home now."
"Leave as quickly as possible."
Behind them, the gatekeepers and Philip were pushing with all their might. The visitors protested with bewildered expressions.
"What the... out of nowhere..."
"Telling people to leave like this..."
But their murmurs died down the moment they saw me standing at the gate.
"......"
They all bowed their heads as if by prior agreement. And acted as if they knew well the virtue of silence.
All the visitors quietly crossed the bridge. And as soon as they reached the gate,
"Well then."
"Farewell."
They politely bid goodbye and swiftly vanished. Like squirrels scattering after barely escaping with their lives.
"Young Master, there's no one left inside now."
The gatekeeper approached, wiping his brow. I pocketed my watch.
"You're lucky. It took exactly five minutes."
The two gatekeepers exchanged looks, their faces aged ten years.
Now it was time for me to enter. But first, I had a task for them.
"I have something for you to do."
The gatekeepers' faces stiffened at my words.
"Until I come out, let no one in."
"......Understood."
"Got it."
"Remember, until I come out."
Emphasizing it, one gatekeeper gave a puzzled look.
"Young Master, just how long... do you plan to stay?"
"No idea."
"Pardon?"
The gatekeeper gaped, but had no retort.
Requiem was supposed to appear tomorrow, as far as I knew. But in case—just in case—it could come even sooner.
'Like tonight, for example.'
And even if it came exactly tomorrow, I didn't know if I could fully subjugate Requiem in just one day.
In other words, I truly had no idea how long I'd be here.
I waved my hand dismissively.
"Alright, off you go."
"......Yes, Young Master."
"And Philip, remember what I told you to prepare earlier? Bring that and follow."
"Yes."
The gatekeepers returned to the gate, and I headed to Magna Morten with Philip.
"Set it down here."
I had them place the lunches at the spot I'd already scouted—the base of the tower. Philip hesitated over, then set down the bags.
"Y-Young Master."
"What."
"Um..."
His face showed he couldn't even guess what I might do here alone. Or rather, he could guess but couldn't bring himself to say it.
The Abel he knew... the only thing he'd do alone in Magna Morten...
'He must think I'm up to no good with the dead. And packing proper meals for every mealtime.'
Of course, a wrong assumption.
Because of that, Philip's face was forlorn.
"......No, it's nothing."
But he remembered my earlier warning to the bone. Without further argument, he submitted and stepped back.
"Then I'll head back now."
He probably thought inside that I'd come out before Diego returned.
As Philip left, a chilly silence enveloped Magna Morten.
"Somehow, it's eerie."
I rubbed my arms, suddenly feeling goosebumps. Well, with no other living soul here but me, it was only natural.
"I can't be scared off by this much."
I lifted my head and glared upward. At the tower piercing the sky.
"Come on out, Requiem."
Waiting for it to appear below.