Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Sanctuary (2)
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‘What the hell.’
Lee Shin-hyeok succeeded in killing me?
Then why the hell did this bastard regress in the first place?
‘No, that’s not what’s important right now.’
Hesitating now would only raise more questions; that much was obvious.
I had to play this off as naturally as possible.
“The moment I plunged my spear into his heart, he scattered into a handful of black dust.”
I answered in a calm voice.
Since there was no way to prove how the Heavenly Demon died, she had no choice but to believe my words.
In a case with no evidence, a witness's testimony was as good as the truth.
[So that is what happened.]
Vega nodded, letting out a sorrowful exclamation.
Thankfully, she didn't seem suspicious.
[Then is there a way to find the Master of the Black Heaven?]
A way to find him? He’s right in front of you.
“Not at the moment. The only way is to wait for him to make a move.”
[Hmm. When does this Heavenly Demon begin to move?]
“Three years from now.”
I gave a generous timeframe to allow for ample preparation.
Three years was enough time to conjure up a Heavenly Demon if I had to.
“Until then, we must build up as much strength as possible. Of course, if an opportunity arises in the meantime, we'll search for clues about the Heavenly Demon.”
[That seems reasonable.]
Vega stroked her chin and nodded.
‘Time to wrap this up.’
There had been a bit of a risk in the middle, but so far, everything had gone according to plan.
Now was the time to play the ace up my sleeve.
“Two days from now, a new gate will open in Mok-dong.”
Information about the future, obtained from Lee Shin-hyeok's memories.
The moment this became reality, I would be free from all suspicion.
‘This is information only a true regressor could know.’
A prophet is called a ‘prophet’ not when they make a prophecy, but when that prophecy comes true.
It was the same for a regressor.
The moment something ‘only a regressor could know’ actually happened was when one would be acknowledged as a true regressor.
[A new rift… Is there a particular reason you’re concerned with it?]
“A holy relic lies dormant there.”
I didn't know what abilities the relic actually had.
No, I didn't even need to know.
‘That’s not what’s important.’
The fact that I knew in advance that a holy relic existed inside a gate appearing in two days.
Proving that fact itself was the core of this plan.
[Indeed. You mean to seize an advantage only a regressor can enjoy.]
Vega nodded with a satisfied smile.
[…My child.]
*Flutter.*
Her beautiful dress, made of starlight, spread out wide.
She slowly floated through the air toward me.
‘My child?’
Do all constellations call their apostles ‘child’?
‘Does that mean I have to call her Mama Vega?’
No matter how I thought about it, that sounded insane.
[The fate of the world may rest on your shoulders, but please… do not overexert yourself.]
She slowly reached out and caressed my cheek.
The soft touch tickled my skin.
“……”
A mother’s touch so comforting it warmed my very soul.
For a moment, the conscience buried deep in my heart screamed.
Should I really be deceiving and using this kind constellation?
‘Of course I should.’
I’ll die otherwise.
I gently stomped on my screaming conscience.
To survive, I’d sell my conscience as many times as it took.
‘No, this is about more than just survival now.’
Now that I’ve started, I'll use her thoroughly.
Even if she was the constellation known as Polaris.
“I’m not overdoing it.”
I shook my head and smiled brightly.
Let’s sprinkle a little MSG on top to finish it off.
“Lady Vega… no, Vega. For you…”
I gently took the hand that was caressing my cheek.
“I’ll do anything.”
*Gaze slightly downward.*
*Voice, low and deep.*
“It’s alright if you don’t remember. It doesn't matter if you can't recall the past.”
*Don't get excited, stay calm.*
*Serenely, as if reciting a poem.*
“If you can keep smiling like you are now—that's all I need.”
And finish with a bittersweet smile!
‘Yesss! This is it!!’
It was cringey enough to make my hands and feet curl, but in this moment and atmosphere, it would be more than effective.
[Ah…]
Vega let out a soft gasp.
I could feel her hand, held in mine, tremble slightly.
[H-How can you… say such things so casually…]
I could see the goddess's cheeks flush red.
‘Nice.’
Looks like the MSG I sprinkled on at the end was super effective.
‘So constellations’ emotions aren't that different from humans after all.’
Then of course this would work.
“…I should be going now.”
*Bow.* I bowed and turned to leave.
‘Not bad.’
It wasn't perfect, but at least I hadn't done anything to arouse suspicion.
‘Lee Shin-hyeok's memories were a huge help.’
If I hadn't been able to read his memories through the Black Heaven, things wouldn't have gone this smoothly.
‘If this plan goes well, the rest will be a piece of cake.’
Constellations couldn't easily leave their sanctuaries without accepting certain restrictions.
Nor could they monitor their apostles' actions in real-time.
In other words.
Even if I made a mistake that was ‘unbefitting of a regressor,’ she would never find out unless I told her.
‘If I can't pull this off, I should just quit being a con man.’
Actually, at this point, it wouldn't be hard to deceive her even without a history of scamming.
How could I possibly get caught when I wasn't under suspicion or surveillance?
‘It's like cheating on a test with no proctor.’
In game terms, it was basically easy mode—
[Wait.]
“Hm? Is something wrong?”
[I shall go with you.]
“…Excuse me?”
*What?*
“What do you mean, go with me…”
[I mean it literally.]
As if she had made a firm decision, Vega's golden eyes gleamed as she placed a hand on her hip.
[I shall personally manifest on Earth and accompany you.]
Wait a minute.
What the fuck is that supposed to mean?
“B-But constellations, because of the restrictions of the Law, on Earth you…”
[Huhu. Who do you think I am?]
She puffed out her chest proudly and continued.
[Of course, there are many restrictions, and the time I can manifest is limited, but it is possible to some extent with this method.]
*Wooooong!*
A brilliant silver light emanated from Vega's body.
Along with the light, her body began to shrink, eventually becoming a small figure about thirty centimeters tall.
‘What is this now.’
My jaw dropped as I stared at her, now shrunken to the size of a doll.
Vega chuckled, *huhu*, then floated through the air and landed on my shoulder.
[Here, take this.]
Vega, perched on my shoulder, placed a silver pendant around my neck.
“This is…”
[If you wear that, I can manifest near you in this state for a few hours a day.]
“Y-You don't have to do this.”
*Please.*
Why are you doing this to me, Mama.
[…I did not intend to go this far at first. Even using such a loophole does not completely free me from the restrictions of the Law.]
“In that case.”
[But did you not say it yourself? That you would do anything for me.]
Sitting on my shoulder, Vega reached out a small hand and gently stroked my head.
She continued, her smile full of affection.
[How could I remain idle after hearing such words from my child?]
Oh, fuck?
It was because of what I said earlier?
[Do not worry. I shall carry your burden with you.]
No.
[Your dark and lonely path ahead—I shall walk it with you.]
They said it was nonsense that MSG is bad for you.
They said it was fine to sprinkle it on.
“……”
Ah.
‘I’m screwed.’
Fuck my life.
* * *
[Hmm, it has been a long time indeed since I last leisurely gazed upon the scenery of Earth.]
On the way home.
Perched on my shoulder, Vega's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked around.
“……”
Her shimmering silver hair brushed against my cheek.
It tickled.
[Why have you been so quiet?]
“…No. It’s nothing.”
I shook my head and forced strength back into my weak legs.
‘What’s done is done.’
Dwelling on regret and frustration now wouldn't change anything.
‘Since it has come to this.’
I’ll just have to be more thorough in deceiving her.
Having a proctor didn't mean you couldn't cheat, after all.
“Huu.”
I let out a deep sigh and headed for his house.
As I entered the familiar, rundown hillside neighborhood, a dreary atmosphere settled in.
[…Is this where you live?]
“Yes.”
[You live in quite a shabby place.]
“Because I have no money.”
I answered nonchalantly.
Poverty was unfortunate, but it wasn't shameful.
[Hmm. I wish to help, but… I possess nothing of monetary value to humans.]
“Haha. It’s fine.”
I’d become an Awakened now, so I could earn as much as I wanted from here on out.
‘And well, I could move out right now if I wanted to.’
I had saved up that much money over the past eight years.
It was just that there were more important things to do than move.
-Creeak.
With the sound of a rusty door opening.
“Did you have a good meeting with that Vega-or-whatever, you punk?”
Ha-eun, who was again pacing on her crutches, greeted him warmly.
“What took you so long?”
“Nunna, I have something to tell you.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“Well…”
Before I could explain the situation, Vega looked Ha-eun up and down and spoke.
[—Are you the child who lives with my child?]
“Kyaaaaaaak!! Shit!!!”
*Crash!*
I hurriedly caught Ha-eun as she screamed and started to fall backward.
“W-What was that?? Whose voice is that?!”
She looked around frantically.
[Hmm.]
Vega gazed at her for a moment, then straightened her back, crossed her arms, and spoke.
[My name is Vega. The constellation of Lyra.]
“A… A constellation?”
Ha-eun stammered, reaching out to pull on Oh-jin's sleeve.
“W-What's going on? Wh-Wh-Why is a constellation here?”
“I'll explain.”
“Hurry. I think I’m about to lose my mind.”
I helped the stumbling Ha-eun to the bed and began to speak.
“So…”
Oh-jin briefly explained what had happened today.
Of course, he and Vega had already agreed to hide the part about him being a regressor.
“…Seriously, what Awakened in the world hangs out with a constellation!”
[Just because there are none does not mean it cannot be done, does it?]
“……”
Ha-eun's jaw dropped, dumbfounded.
[By the way…]
Vega's eyes narrowed.
Her gaze fell upon Ha-eun's eye and right leg.
[You are an infirm child.]
“……”
[How did you become—]
“Lady Vega.”
Oh-jin cut her off in a low, somber voice.
“Let's not talk about that.”
*Smile.*
he said with a smile.
[…….]
Vega turned to look at Oh-jin and slowly spoke.
[So you… can make such an expression as well.]
“Pardon?”
[I apologize for my rudeness.]
*Bow.*
Vega bowed her head slightly toward Ha-eun.
“N-No! More importantly!! La-Lady… Vega? Weren't constellations not allowed on Earth because of some restriction thingy, I mean, not permitted to be, I mean, is ‘allowed’ okay to say? A-A-Anyway, wasn't that the case…?”
[Your words are a complete mess. If you are uncomfortable, you may speak casually.]
“Then why the hell are you on Earth, you bitch.”
[That is a little too casual.]
…Nunna.