160. The Venomous Spider That Found a Home (2)
160. The Venomous Spider That Found a Home (2)
- 1 -
"Haha... Hahahaha!"
A laugh tinged with emptiness and frenzy echoed off the walls of the demon realm prison where Areupina was confined.
"To think I... that I would be bound...! By a mere worthless demon!"
Having realized the truth of the contract, she ultimately abandoned everything.
All that remained was a shattered heart and fleeting moments of pleasure.
"I can play around until it's time to get to work, right...?"
Once outside, she indulged in freedom and pleasure for a time.
Her former obsession with power and perfection had vanished without a trace, and only pure pleasure filled her days.
Though she directed her steps southward according to the contract, there was no will in her movements.
"An information broker, daring to propose a deal with me? Ha...!"
Even the task entrusted to her by the contract was nothing but a nuisance.
Even though she knew that failure to execute it would exact an unimaginable price, everything felt so meaningless that she couldn't bring herself to act.
In the end, four days ago, she impulsively tried to manipulate some of the information merchant guild as she pleased, but...
By coincidence, the events that followed did not go as she intended.
She knew Libertas was a being who pleased her aesthetic sensibilities, but her motivation had been so diminished that she dawdled.
And in that time, assassins wearing the masks of information brokers came for her.
"You damn bastards...!"
While Seojieoseu held her at bay, Branch Chief Oyson and all the other information merchants below him were 'disposed of.'
In the end, she fled, worn down by the ever-tightening net of information merchants and the mercenary forces they had assembled.
She had more than enough power to defeat them, but because everything felt so hollow and futile, all she wanted was to run.
And so, time passed.
"Grhk...!"
A sharp pain burrowed into her chest.
The moment when she had to execute the contract was drawing near.
The binding force of a contract with a demon was never a light matter.
'I have to go south.'
Flight and the contract.
These were the only two words left in Areupina's head now.
The helplessness from her defeat at the hands of fate had driven her into a state of despair.
For someone in that state, the prospect of hiding away for a while, evading the information brokers pursuing her, could only seem like an immensely attractive option.
"There she is—!!"
"You persistent pests!"
She didn't stop for a single moment.
She simply moved, heading blindly toward the south of Hysen, where she thought Libertas would be.
Unbeknownst to her, the informants chasing her were actually a mix of not only information merchants but also members of the information guild.
She never realized that, later on, the merchants gave up the chase and only the guild members were 'driving' her southward.
"So it's here."
Thus, Areupina reached the south of Hysen, the eastern part of the Eisenlight Mountains.
Among her many abilities was detection magic, so once she had come this far, finding the location of Libertas's dungeon was not a difficult task.
After all, Libertas's dungeon, which would logically have no human outpost nearby, was openly radiating the presence of the demon realm.
'As expected, still so weak.'
The presence she sensed from Libertas was far weaker than that of the powerful beings she had encountered so far.
It was partly because Libertas's actual power was indeed less than theirs, but at the same time, Areupina had no way of knowing that Libertas was deliberately restraining her presence.
She had never seen a dungeon lord behave that way before.
"No wonder those three dungeon lords got beaten by someone like this. Makes sense."
A twisted sneer, mixed with disgust and contempt, curled Areupina's lips.
Though she was in a state of despair, she wasn't being stupid about it.
Death might be easy, but she still wanted to avoid suicide or pain.
Thanks to the cooperation of the 'Baron of Insult,' she had been able to obtain at least basic information about the subject of her contract.
'They told me almost nothing about her combat power... but there's no need to worry.'
At the very least, knowing she was an 'upper-grade dungeon lord' was enough; such minor details didn't matter.
A being of that level could never hope to approach her anyway.
"The demon nobles who sent me to kill something like this are fools too."
It was just as she was sneering with contempt, advancing into the cave through a narrow passage.
Sarak...!
A chill, like something licking her spine, accompanied by an odd sensation as if someone were pulling her hair, washed over her.
An instinctive detection, triggered by a powerful intuition.
And when she unconsciously turned her head, following that feeling.
Areupina discovered 'her.'
'That's...'
A woman clad entirely in black, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.
- 2 -
Dalkak.
"How is it?"
The black liquid, calm as a still water surface, rippled inside the teacup.
"Mm. It's still too bitter for my taste."
Myur Relix set the teacup down as she spoke. Her pale face wavered on the black surface.
It was not a satisfying answer at all.
"A pity. It's so delicious."
How rare it was to find someone who recognized the true value of this taste.
Aside from my three close female aides, I had never met anyone who could drink this espresso I first obtained from Leonis.
Even mages similar to him were utterly disgusted by it.
Maria used to drink it with me fairly often, but she was probably busy working in Daniel's mercenary corps by now.
"It can't be helped. Let's begin today's lesson."
"Yes... it was about the reincarnation technique, wasn't it?"
Mure leaned back in her chair and continued.
The espresso had long since been pushed far away from her.
"This is certainly a magnificent power for self-preservation, but it requires many precautions."
What I was learning from Mure today concerned the various curses and sorceries I had come to know while investigating Areupina's life.
Obtaining information hadn't been difficult.
Information guilds existed in the north as well, and as Areupina moved down to the central region, those parties had actively cooperated with Talhan.
But I had no intention of using her techniques as they were.
They were not only incomplete but also dangerous.
"What are the points of caution?"
"If the proper procedure is not followed, a part of yourself is left behind in the previous body."
A smile touched Mure's lips. But the meaning carried in those words was as chilling as a blade.
"Then, couldn't one say the existence is no longer considered the same?"
"The self before and the self after would still consider themselves 'identical.' Since the conscious subject does not change."
Moonlight seeping through the window gap stained her face blue.
Her soft voice continued.
"Was it Abelus? Before and after being captured by him, quite a lot about her must have changed. Her appearance, her aura... even the consistency of her actions would have changed."
Her insight was accurate.
The records Talhan had collected detailed Areupina's transformation before and after that incident.
Everything from minor preferences and personality to the way she wielded her power had altered significantly.
"The Dream Witch herself may not be aware of it... but she has already lost an important part of herself. And so, she must have begun to crave something to fill the void in her soul."
"Indeed...."
Her words added certainty to my plan.
"Then what if, in that state... she were to lay eyes upon a woman possessing utterly perfect looks and grace? An incomparably beautiful woman whose soul's wavelength matched her own."
"Aha..."
Mure smiled a calm yet meaningful smile, as if watching a moth flutter toward a flame.
She seemed to have perfectly read my intentions.
"Though you, my Lady, have yet to grasp the essence of soul magic, it is only a matter of time.
Even now, unless one is among the 13 Stars of the Continent or the Masters of the Six Thrones, there is no one capable of breaking through the barrier surrounding your soul."
The 13 Stars was a title referring to the greatest adventurers on the continent, and the Masters of the Six Thrones referred to the demon realm archdukes existing on the continent.
Ever since this matter began, I had been receiving her teachings while simultaneously having her scrutinize the state of my soul clearly.
It was to confirm the final key to my plan.
"Yes... I'm relieved now."
As expected, she was an excellent teacher.
"Come here."
""Yes.""
At my call, my close aides, who had been waiting in the shadows, all walked out.
Evangeline, Shue, Ran, Sonia.
The people I trusted the most right now.
Today, my intention was to have them look inside my inner world.
It was to confirm what kind of shape the monster that held my feelings captive within me was taking, and whether it could be utilized for this affair.
"If you are endangered by my unconsciousness, pull out without hesitation."
The reason all four of them were entering together was that the task was that dangerous.
If my spirit proved stronger than expected, they could be the ones in danger instead.
Just by entering my mental world.
"Do not worry, Master. We will definitely come out safely. Because if we are hurt, you, Master, would be the one who hurts most of all."
"Don't worry... it'll be fine."
"That is so. It is a task that shall be accomplished without fail, even if it takes time. We will not overdo it."
"If you, Teacher, are this worried, there's no way your unconsciousness would harm us."
After nodding to them as each answered in her own way, I turned my gaze toward Mure.
She, who had been watching us with somehow pleased eyes, smiled and answered.
"Preparations are complete."
At her signal, the magic activated, and as I closed my eyes, I felt four lights burrowing into my heart.
If I slept and woke like this, they would be before me again.
- 3 -
"How was it?"
The four who had emerged from Libertas's ego had each fallen into different states, but no one could immediately answer Mure's question.
"Hoo..."
Evangeline let out a long breath.
Her calm face was marked with traces of deep enlightenment.
Though it was unclear what she had gained from Libertas's heart, it seemed certain that she had attained an inner image of at least a higher stage.
"Oh my... really... truly...!"
Ran's voice trembled deeply.
Her eyes, as if intoxicated by ecstasy, still seemed to be looking at something.
Her face was filled with wonder.
Like a believer who had witnessed a heavenly sight, or a fanatic who had witnessed the countenance of the Demon King.
"It would've been okay to stay a little longer..."
Shue murmured in a regretful voice.
Like an audience member lamenting the end of a beautiful song, her tone was thick with deep attachment.
"..."
Sonia still hadn't regained consciousness.
Fortunately, it wasn't for a serious reason.
Her soul had simply been momentarily exhausted from making contact with Libertas's powerful consciousness.
Her face was peaceful, and she seemed to be dreaming of something.
"Ah."
A moment later, the gazes of the three who had recovered their senses turned toward Mure.
"Inside the Master's consciousness... was wonder."
'As ever.'
Representing the three, a single word flowed slowly from Evangeline's lips.
Though there may have been words left unsaid, her tone conveyed the full weight of that emotion and awe.
"I see..."
Mure felt a bit regretful. Regretful that she hadn't been able to directly enter Libertas's consciousness.
Because it seemed clear that they, at least, had undergone an unforgettable experience.
Now, Libertas's plan to capture the Dream Witch was complete.