A Promise Kept
"H-Huh... I guess I asked for too much. I'm sorry. If you don't like it, I won't push anymore..."
The chieftain's shoulders slumped in deep disappointment as he turned away, cradling the head in one hand. Watching him go, Gellios shrugged and remarked,
"Who would've thought you'd reject it so fiercely. You don't happen to be..."
"Be what?"
"Into guys or something?"
"What the hell kind of nonsense is that?!"
Yoahim let out a sharp yelp at the utterly out-of-left-field comment. Flames flickered menacingly from his neck amid Gellios's laughter—the dullahan clearly found his reaction hilarious.
"So why'd you turn it down? If it were me, I'd at least meet her once."
"I've got my reasons."
"What reasons?"
"Reasons I can't talk about..."
It wasn't a lie. He couldn't exactly spill to Gellios about Lilith.
Yoahim glanced at the oak staff, then quietly stood, picking it up.
"Gonna step out for some air."
"Terrace that way. No railing, so watch you don't fall. Though even if you do, I can just revive you as undead, so no worries."
It sounded like a joke, but didn't feel like one. Haellagos's subordinates—demons and dark elves alike—were all resurrected as undead upon death.
Damn, that's efficient.
Even in death, they fought for Haellagos. A single death didn't end the battle, which was why the undead's infamy spread far and wide.
"Be right back."
Yoahim headed to the terrace, oak staff in hand. Stepping out through the door, a cool breeze hit his face.
"No railing for real."
Maybe they figured revival made safety rails unnecessary. Yoahim shook his head to himself.
He scanned the surroundings to ensure no one was listening, then addressed the oak staff.
"Lilith? Lilith?"
It was a long shot. The staff had no communication function. If it did, he'd have spotted it in the item info, even without Lilith mentioning it.
How the hell is Lilith keeping tabs on me?
The flames from the staff, the writing scorched into the floor—those were unmistakably her doing. She was watching him somehow.
Isn't this obsession a bit much?
He knew she was pathologically fixated on him, but to think even the gift wasn't pure goodwill.
Come to think of it, don't I have way too many stalkers?
Haellagos had monitored him through the crystal he'd coincidentally picked up. It saved his life, sure, but constant surveillance wasn't exactly thrilling.
Lilith might swoop in personally if he got into danger, just like Haellagos might have. She was stronger than Haellagos, with far superior magic—entirely plausible.
"Why? Miss me already?"
"Gahhh!"
Lost in thought while enjoying the breeze, Yoahim screamed at the sudden voice. He stumbled, nearly tumbling off the terrace, but barely regained his balance.
"W-What the—Lilith?!"
"What, is there another woman? Hehe, might have to get jealous then."
"...Lilith for sure. How are you even talking to me? The staff doesn't have comms. Were you watching me through it?"
"That staff's an artifact enchanted with my mana. I just followed my mana back, sending my voice through the connection. Watching you? Perish the thought. I'd never. I was merely protecting you. With love and adoration."
That's called stalking, lady. Yoahim swallowed the retort.
Now that he knew she was watching, he'd have to watch his step.
"Lilith, I get you're worried, but spying like this is too much."
"Misunderstanding. Yes, I'm watching over you. But it's not spying. I don't have time for that anyway. Mostly observation. Only peek in when I have a moment... like today."
Her tone chilled suddenly; Yoahim cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Fine, misunderstanding it is."
"What did I misunderstand?"
"Well..."
"You grinning ear-to-ear at the marriage proposal—that was the misunderstanding?"
"...Ahem. Yeah, that. I was gonna refuse anyway. And I wasn't grinning."
"Ahh... so that was my mistake?"
Why the hell am I the one getting grilled? Yoahim sighed softly.
Talking with Lilith always drained him.
"Anyway, misunderstanding aside. Doing well? Looks like you've joined Haellagos."
Thankfully, she shifted topics. Yoahim nodded.
"Wasn't planning to meet him so soon, but things got messy."
"Witchkill, right? Alkados, that hack pretending to be a mage—made me nauseous."
"You said you only check in occasionally? How do you know everything that happened to me?"
"Had a free moment then."
Look at that shamelessness. Yoahim bit back a retort.
"Anyway, because of that, I'll be staying here awhile. Oh, and I completed your errand perfectly—no worries there."
"Yoahim, don't stay there too long."
"Why?"
"Dangerous."
Dangerous? From what? Haellagos? Yoahim checked his surroundings again before speaking.
"...Dangerous how?"
"You acted as messenger, so you know—the mage towers allying over Haellagos's dungeon. Kalsara and Tolstone Towers, plus two more have joined. Fine so far; they won't move immediately."
"Then what's the danger?"
"The temples. Raello's temples. Holy Knights are gearing up. If they move, Melos royalty follows. Full-scale war. Two choices: kill Haellagos before it starts, or flee before it does."
War. With Melos Kingdom.
Yoahim swallowed hard. Haellagos's forces were formidable, and he himself was mighty. But no guarantee of victory in all-out war with Melos.
The biggest issue: the Withered Land split in two. With Lich Alzahar holding out, Haellagos couldn't commit fully against Melos.
Even a temporary alliance wouldn't help against the temples—Saintess Liana and Holy Knight Radius would join, overwhelming Alzahar and Haellagos.
War meant the outcome was predetermined.
"Even starting preparations now takes months. Melos hesitates due to foreign issues, but can't be too optimistic. If war breaks, Holy Knights burn the Withered Land clean. Not a bug left."
Yoahim thought of Leon and Sasha. They'd lost village and family to Holy Knights. Sole reason: faith in Kakali.
He knew Kakali wasn't absolute evil. Gods had no good or evil—only believers did.
He pitied Leon and Sasha, their tragic backstory. And countless dark elves here shared it.
Did they deserve death? Just for believing in Kakali?
Yoahim thought no.
War has no good or evil.
Only killing and dying.
Kill Haellagos now or flee to Lilith—war comes, people die either way.
Not about saving lives. About who to fight for.
Apostle Yoahim, you can never escape fate.
Haellagos was right. Fate was like that.
He had to live as Kakali's apostle.
I'm with this side in the end. Can't go over there.
Kakali's apostle couldn't become Raello's dog. Fleeing fate was mere delay.
If war came, his place was clear.
"...Thanks for the advice."
"Such a worried face. No need. Whatever happens, I'll guarantee your life."
"Melos would execute me if they caught me, right?"
"Doesn't matter. I'll just burn Melos to the ground. I told you—I adore you. Others? Who cares. Only you matter to me."
Yoahim gulped. Lilith wasn't joking. She had the power to raze Melos—Lv.200 grand mage.
Liana and Radius would counter, but Melos would bear massive scars.
"Let's talk again when there's time, Lilith. Gotta head back to the hall now."
"Sure. Yoahim,"
The connection cut. Yoahim sighed, facing the cold wind.
Turning back to the hall moments later, he halted at Gellios, who appeared as if waiting.
"What?"
"You took your sweet time with that air. Was about to come fetch you."
"Me? Why?"
"Lord's summoning you."
"Haellagos? Why?"
"Beats me. Message delivered—I'm out. Phantom horses acting up in the stables."
Gellios vanished in a flash. Yoahim tilted his head, returning to the round table.
Haellagos sat alone, others dismissed. Seeing Yoahim approach, he spoke slowly.
"I've been waiting, Apostle Yoahim."
"Heard you called. What's up?"
Haellagos shrugged, as if the question was obvious.
"You've earned merits—fitting you receive rewards, no? And I promised new power if you came to my domain. Demons don't lie."
With a low chuckle, Haellagos continued,
"Speak your desires. I'll grant them as best I can."