Chapter 152
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Apology
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By now, the issue of possession had been relegated to something trivial.
No, to be precise, it was more like desperately averting our eyes and pretending not to know.
That alone was proof of how grave the current situation was.
A scenario that absolutely shouldn't happen—one we'd rather die than witness—was unfolding in real time, so it was only natural to become utterly desperate.
"That crazy woman is serious. She's really preparing the wedding...!"
"......"
On the way back to Ger where I was staying, I saw Weller trembling uncontrollably and wore a somber expression.
Setting aside other complications, from her perspective, watching her older sister steadily advancing toward marriage with her younger brother was... nothing short of pure terror.
I had an older sister too, so I knew. Just imagine swapping someone else into my and Charhela's positions, and the feeling becomes crystal clear.
What if Dad publicly announced his marriage to my sister and seriously prepared for it?
What if Mom declared she'd marry me and started scouting venues?
"......"
That must be what formless, pure terror feels like.
I could confidently say it would plunge me into panic worse than the early days of possession.
I'd lose my mind.
"The problem is, there's no good way to stop Charhela."
"No good way? What do you mean? Just cause a scene like you always do!"
Weller shrieked, then gasped and suddenly paled.
"You... you don't actually have feelings for her, do you...!?"
"Sister. Are you insane? Don't even say that. I hate it too."
"How can I believe you! You're...!"
She clamped her mouth shut urgently, but her eyes brimmed with distrust and suspicion.
Yeah. I get it.
I'm not 'Starnassila Alzen'; I'm 'Kang Han-gil'.
"Haa..."
Was now the time to bring this up? It felt like it'd only complicate things more.
"...I have no intention of marrying Charhela. How about we just go with that?"
"Fine. I'll take that as a given."
Fortunately, she seemed to think the same, readily agreeing when I suggested skirting the issue.
"Anyway, causing a scene... Unfortunately, sister, that won't work against an even greater madness."
Even if I splattered urine and feces on Charhela, would she give up?
I seriously doubted it.
My voice, laced with futility and helplessness, made Weller's face scrunch up.
"Then what do we do? Tomorrow, your wedding with sis is happening! We have to do something before then!"
"...Hmm..."
I pondered for a moment, but nothing good came to mind.
What could I possibly do against a madwoman immune to persuasion, force, threats, or begging?
"...What about you, sister? Got any good ideas?"
She thought for a bit at my question, then let out a deep sigh.
"How about we just run away?"
"Run away?"
"Yeah. Even if Lindel sis tries to stop us, with our forces, it should be possible."
"Of course it'd be possible, but... Tsk."
"Why? Something bothering you?"
"Well... You might've heard already, but I promised to help wipe out a demon-related tribe."
"...I heard. Apparently, you're marching out right after the wedding."
She glared at me, clearly displeased.
"Is that really that important? If you just ignore it and bolt, what can sis do?"
"...It's important. Extremely."
I involuntarily lowered my voice and ground my teeth.
The suppressed rage and hatred surged back vividly.
"As you know, we're in this mess because of Kubel's interference. And Kubel's oracle pointed to that demon-backed tribe. I have to at least confirm it. Why I must do that."
I locked eyes with Weller, staring intently.
"Depending on the result, I'll decide whether to play along or betray them."
"...Betray?"
A grim, sharp shadow fell over her face.
"What does that mean? Betray who?"
"The Goddess and the gods, foremost. Humanity too, if it comes to it."
"......"
"I hate being someone's puppet, dragged around."
After saying it, I regretted it a little.
It looked like something blurted out impulsively without thinking.
I chugged my drink out of frustration and watched her reaction.
"......"
She stared at me blankly, her face shadowed and expressionless.
Before I knew it, Murel and Rebecca stood by my side, bodies tense and ready to react, impassively observing Weller.
Kachiolla had circled behind Weller, while Pashutra... oblivious to the situation, dozed off with a sleepy expression.
Yeah. Being cute is enough. Keep it up, Pashutra.
"Haa... I didn't want to bring this up here if possible... but I have to ask."
With that preface, she tilted her head curiously, peering at me without blinking.
"You're not Starnassila Alzen, are you?"
"......"
I'd known this moment would come someday, but facing it left me speechless.
It was fear, and guilt too.
For someone with ordinary values and morals like me, it was a natural reaction.
How easy could it be to tell a family that the stranger who suddenly took their body isn't one of them?
"Hey, why that face? Someone might think I'm bullying you. Just say it casually. Like I said before, I don't care what happens to 'Starnassila Alzen'. He was an object of disgust and hatred to me."
"...Ha, what face am I making? Don't talk nonsense."
"Pfft. Saying that with a puppy-about-to-cry look kills your credibility."
"......"
Her light tone, belying the heavy topic, lightened the weight on my shoulders a bit.
"Hoo..."
Still, I needed more booze, so I gulped it down.
"...Yeah. Right. I'm not Starnassila Alzen. Not even remotely related."
"I see... As expected. I suspected from the start."
I secretly sighed in relief at her calm nod.
"So, what's your real name?"
"...Kang Han-gil."
"Weird name. No family name?"
"Kang is the family name, Han-gil the given."
"Really weird name... Like something from another world."
"......"
I couldn't say that much, so I shut my mouth tight.
"Hey, relax your face. I'm not digging deeper."
"No, you're wrong? What face have I been making? I was just blank."
"Puhaha. You serious? Idiot. You're super easy to read. A few days of watching, and your bottom's laid bare. Right, Murel?"
Suddenly called out, Murel nodded warily toward Weller.
"...Yes."
"See? You tried hiding with booze, but it's all transparent."
"That's actually a good thing."
"Eh... Not sure about that."
"......"
I scowled, and Weller grinned mischievously before clearing her throat a few times, returning to seriousness.
"So, what's your real goal?"
"...Goal."
"Yeah. Seeing how Saintess Cecilia and Knight Wendy of the Dawn treat you, and the World Tree calling you the 'Goddess's Arrangement,' you must have some destined mission."
"Killing the Demon God. That's my goal."
"Demon God?"
She frowned suspiciously after a pause.
"...You mean that seriously?"
"Dead serious. Ah, not that I'll kill it myself—a hero will appear soon, and he'll do it."
"Hero...!?"
She seemed more shocked by 'hero' than 'Demon God.'
"That hero? The legendary one?"
"Yep. That legendary one."
"...Wait, the scale just exploded; my head's not keeping up..."
She groaned for a bit, then waved it off.
"Whatever. We'll set that aside."
"Set aside? Pfft!"
"Obviously. It's got nothing to do with me."
Her straightforwardness was refreshing.
This woman was no normal person either.
"Nice. I like that attitude even more."
"Good then. I was scared you'd ask me to hunt the Demon God with you."
"Oh? Sounds not bad. Wanna try?"
"Don't be ridiculous..."
I glared as I cursed, and she resumed questioning.
"Anyway, so you didn't choose to possess that body, right?"
"Right. How'd you know?"
"Gods have always been like that historically. Pretending to help humanity but never explaining, acting unilaterally. Personally, I hate gods."
"Oh... We agree there."
"Anyway... Hm, yeah. So it makes sense you'd insist on wiping out that barbaric tribe backed by demons. You're not convinced yet, right? Whether the gods are on your side."
"Spot on. Wow... You get me so well; feels like a weight lifted."
"Just a guess."
She pondered, then looked puzzled.
"But do you really have to go with Lindel sis?"
"Huh?"
"Can't we just go ourselves, wipe them out quick, and see what's up? Our forces seem plenty strong."
"...Huh? Can we? Wait, but the oracle came to Charhela..."
"Treat the oracle separately. No rule says you have to move with the one who heard the god's voice."
"...True, now that you say it."
Seems I'd been stuck in a rut.
"The issue is, we don't know which tribe it is or where."
"A little probing should reveal it. I'll handle that."
"You, sister? Can you?"
"Yeah. Gotta do it fast so I don't see you and sis's wedding farce."
"...I'm not Starnassila Alzen; I'm Kang Han-gil?"
I asked mischievously, and she shot me a contemptuous glare.
"Shut up. Whoever you are, seeing a little brother marry his big sis is hell no."
"Totally agree. We're clicking today."
"Hmph... Anyway, fine. I'll move right away. You prepare too. Soon as I get intel, we bolt."
"Got it. I'll relay via flame message."
As I messaged the group through flame communication, she stood and headed to Ger's exit.
"...Hey."
"Yeah? What?"
"Me understanding you doesn't mean I'm on your side. Or that I trust you."
"Thanks for clarifying. So kind. I already knew, no worries~"
"Who said I was worried about you?"
She pushed open Ger's door with an annoyed look, then stopped abruptly.
"...Sorry about before."
"...What?"
I whipped around at the unbelievable words, but she'd already dashed out of Ger.
"...Ha, no way."
I'd never dreamed she'd apologize for the past.
"An apology to 'Kang Han-gil,' not 'Starnassila Alzen.' Not bad... Though tomorrow the sun might rise in the west."
"...Surprising."
"Lady Weller's cuter than expected... Makes me smile involuntarily."
I downed my drink amid Murel and Rebecca's words.
The Belterger milk liquor tasted better than usual today.