Chapter 565: Jealousy is My Power (65)
Chapter 565: Jealousy is My Power (65)
‘Delphirem.’
That name carried an inexplicable weight. Even I, who had never once laid eyes on his true form, found myself babbling incoherently the moment I heard it.
It was as if I had fallen into a state of total panic.
“So, in the end, you’re telling me to cooperate with Delphirem? Are you insane? And what exactly is Delphirem doing? Two of the Seven Deadly Sins are at each other's throats, and even knowing that, he’s…”
“Shh, shh.”
The torrential downpour of words was finally quelled by the girl’s intervention.
Pressing her index finger to her lips, the girl wore an inscrutable smile. Like a femme fatale plotting the downfall of a kingdom, the corners of the Black Priestess’s eyes crinkled slightly.
“That is not a name to be spoken so profanely. He is… the spokesperson for those abandoned by God, and the one who will soon become the master of this entire world.”
“Don’t make me laugh.”
I spoke through gritted teeth.
Scenes flashed through my mind.
Guildford, the orphanage director, and the children who had screamed as they were turned into Flesh Seeds.
The faces of the test subjects who became Mitram’s puppets and were forced to kill their loved ones, and Ned, who lost his life trying to protect his younger sister, rose to the surface one after another.
Leoric? The elves? Yuren and the orphans?
Of course, I remembered them all. Every time I recalled the blood they spilled, I felt a stinging pain in my veins.
As if I had been transfused with the wrong type of blood.
That was the weight of the sins I had committed. And Delphirem, who had turned them into monsters, surely bore a burden of sin far more horrific than mine.
“Spokesperson for those abandoned by God? All you’ve done is use them and turn them into monsters. How can you say something so shameless after shattering precious bonds and abandoning all humanity?”
“It was the world that made us this way.”
“Don’t give me excuses…!”
“Everything is an excuse anyway, isn’t it? Change the world through ‘just’ means? Who sets the standard for what is ‘just’? You want us to change the world bit by bit while catering to the whims of those high and mighty? When? After we’re all buried in the ground?”
The girl’s voice remained calm as she countered my points one by one.
That was what made it so alien. It was the attitude of a fanatic who had never once questioned her reality.
“Everyone says that. They tell us to sacrifice ourselves as if it’s the natural thing to do. ‘Just endure a little longer, the world will change eventually even if it’s not by your hand’… Do you know what the people who talk like that have in common? Even if they are generous and patient, their lives are never at risk. But us? Do you have any idea how many people on this continent would starve to death if they yielded even a fraction of their rightful share?”
“So you’ll trample on their dignity and treat them like tools? All because of your grand ego and your claim of changing the world?!”
“Because no one else will save us.”
I felt a surge of anger and tried to raise my voice, but I was stopped by the girl’s silent, steady gaze.
My own flesh and blood, who was never saved in the end.
My heart skipped a beat and then seemed to stop.
“Since neither God, nor the world, nor even my brother saved us… we have no choice but to save ourselves. Even if that means committing cruel acts that trample on humanity.”
There were many things I could have said.
That even that was ultimately just an excuse. I could have asked how they were any different from the current world if they were merely tearing the flesh from other weaklings to guarantee their own lives.
But I couldn't bring myself to voice that rebuttal.
The girl had already stood up and was lightly walking past me. Strangely enough, I felt no desire to hurl accusations at her lonely back.
The conversation had reached its finale.
As if signaling the end, her clear voice echoed through the room. There was a hint of melancholy in her tone.
“Don’t worry, I’ll let you know Jealousy’s location separately. And also, be careful… inside the ‘Boundary,’ nothing is impossible. Things might happen that even the Caster cannot foresee.”
That was the end.
As the girl prepared to step away, I squeezed out one last remaining question.
“What about Celine?”
The girl’s footsteps came to a sudden halt.
She didn’t turn around, so I couldn't see her expression. I simply asked again, my voice more desperate.
“And where did Seria go? If you have any information, anything…!”
It was then.
Whoosh. The girl’s breath brushed past the tip of my nose. It happened in the blink of an eye.
Before I knew it, she was back within arm's reach, scanning my face as if licking it with her eyes.
Then, the ticklish sensation of her soft palm sliding down my cheek.
“Are you that worried?”
“……Of course I am.”
The girl gave a faint, sorrowful smile.
“I wish you had saved me like that, too.”
It was a statement that made my breath hitch every time I heard it.
Yet, to me, who still couldn't let go of my lingering attachments, she simply shrugged as if it were a joke.
“I don’t know about that Vampire Kin, but Sister Celine is doing well, so don’t worry. Once everything is over, you’ll find out where she is.”
“How can I trust you?”
“You shouldn't trust us.”
With that, as if it were truly the final word, she poked my chest and stepped back.
“Try trusting Sister Celine instead. If you can.”
And just like that, she vanished like the wind, exactly as she had appeared. I stared at the empty space where not even a trace remained for a long time before walking over and flinging open the cupboard door.
Cheap whiskey.
Tonight was a night where I craved a low-quality, potent spirit.
The die was cast.
'Greed' had promised me her cooperation. She seemed inclined to stop at merely revealing 'Jealousy’s' location, but what if the decisive moment arrived?
The relationship between the two was already broken beyond repair. 'Greed' had even revealed that this conflict was happening with Delphirem’s tacit approval.
It wasn't that she couldn't cross the line. If she had the will, she could act as a useful pawn at any time.
The final battle would come soon.
But as the saying goes, good news always travels with bad news.
It was around that time that a report of misfortune arrived alongside the good news.
First, the good news.
The Princess had finally opened her eyes. Since her collapse was due to massive blood loss, there was no reason she wouldn't regain consciousness once her blood volume was restored.
However, when I visited the temple with a glad heart, I was met with a heavy silence.
The Emperor, the Sword Duke, and the Great Witch were all tight-lipped and silent. On the bed, Cien was glancing at the adults as if she were a criminal.
What happened?
The details were soon revealed through Cien’s statement.
Seria had sucked Cien’s blood. Like a 'Vampire,' until she collapsed.
The moment I heard those words, I raised my voice.
"No, why on earth would she do that?!"
The reason was obvious.
Seria carried the blood of a vampire. It wouldn't be strange for her to harbor a monster's nature.
The question was, why now?
Why?
Seria had been quiet until now. She hadn't even shown signs of going berserk when she encountered other Vampire Kin.
Various counterarguments swirled in my head, but—
"I-I'm sorry. Sir Ian..."
Seeing the Princess bow her head in tears, I snapped back to my senses.
Right, the Princess was the victim.
If we were to weigh the severity of the fault, the heaviest burden of responsibility lay with me.
I had hidden Seria’s origins. Not just from the group, but even from Seria herself.
It was a foolish judgment.
To be honest, I was afraid she would be hurt, and I was afraid that suspicion would spread among the group.
Aside from Celine, the only comrade who truly trusted and cared for Seria was Senior Delphine.
And this was the result.
Perhaps I lacked the will. Maybe I had a secret hope that things would just work out somehow.
What a moron.
But regret, no matter how early, is always too late.
I could only offer words of apology.
"No, Your Highness. It is my fault. I should have been able to predict this situation..."
"N-No, it's not!"
However, the Princess’s reaction far exceeded my expectations.
Cien began to panic, looking overwhelmed with guilt. It looked as if she might prostrate herself if I let her.
“W-What are you saying… It was my fault, Sir Ian. Please don’t say that. Please don’t abandon me. I-I was wrong…”
The sight of the girl trembling and muttering to herself was clearly not normal.
Especially not to her father and great-grandfather who were watching.
“Can we talk for a moment?”
And so, I was only able to return after having a sincere conversation with the Sword Duke.
It didn't feel bad.
On the contrary, it gave me a chance to cool my head. Though no clear way to break through this situation came to mind.
Seria had become a new variable. I had no idea where she had gone, but I desperately wanted to save her.
It was then that someone came to find me.
The woman called the Sun of Alphenhauser, one of the renowned Alphenhauser twins, Sienne Alphenhauser.
"It's been a while, Sir Hand Axe Moron-Moron. Today, I shall specially forgive your past rudeness and engage in a more meaningful conversation... Gack."
And then, thwack.
Another man struck her on the back of the head, knocking her unconscious.
He was a man of sculptural beauty. His flowing hair was like a stream polished by nature itself, and his passionate blue eyes sparkled like jewels.
And despite his delicate face, he had a well-trained, muscular body.
The man, who seemed anything but ordinary at a glance, spoke with a faint smile.
"Sir Ian, shall we have a talk?"
The First Prince of the Empire, Vilteon.
He was the man who would be the final piece of the puzzle before the ultimate showdown with the vampires.