A Fortunate Day
Indeed, I thought today was a fortunate day.
A comfortable sleep, a warm breakfast, and even learning about the cross-shaped Stigma in my eyes without much effort. It really felt like everything was going my way.
Though I felt a slight sense of unease watching Hayden guide us with a benevolent smile, matching his pace to ours as if considering that we were still children, I soon shook my head and dismissed it as nothing.
"I'm sorry. The place I found is only temporary, for while we're staying in this city, so it's tucked away in a corner. It might be a bit far for you two."
"It's fine, sir. As you can see, my sister and I don't have much besides stamina!"
Seeing our growing anxiety as we turned through alley after alley into darker streets, Hayden tried to reassure us. Pyris thumped his chest dramatically and declared we were fine, and I nodded in agreement.
"Haha, Pyris, you're quite mature for your age. I hope you continue to get along well with your sister."
"Yes!"
"We'll be there soon. It should come into view any moment now... Ah, there it is. Don't let the outside fool you—the interior is quite well furnished, so rest easy."
Hearing his kind words, I looked ahead and saw a warehouse-like building that seemed far cozier than anything we'd managed to find on our own.
When Hayden added that it was a temporary workshop, Pyris grew excited, saying he'd never seen a mage's workshop before. No matter how mature he tried to act, he was still just a child.
—Creak
"Come to think of it, the little lady's name was Leila, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"Well then, what do you think of my workshop?"
As the door opened, I took in the interior—surprisingly neat and tidy despite its shabby exterior—and looked around at Hayden's question.
The inside really did look like a converted abandoned warehouse, with the surprisingly large space divided by purpose.
To the left of the entrance were a table, a sofa, a few potted plants that seemed to be his hobby, and a place to sleep. On the opposite side were various strange objects and flasks filled with colorful liquids, confirming this was indeed a mage's workshop.
And in the center, between them, stood a statue of the Goddess.
Don't mages usually not believe in gods?
"I didn't expect to see a statue of the Goddess here."
"Heh heh... You must like the Goddess."
"Uh... yes."
It wasn't that I particularly liked or disliked her—I'd just noticed it. But he seemed to have jumped to his own conclusions.
I considered correcting him, but seeing him nod as if it were only natural in a world where gods existed, I couldn't bring myself to argue.
"Sir, has that statue always been here?"
Pyris, who had been excitedly exploring every corner, asked Hayden.
"Ah, so that caught your attention. No, this was originally just an empty warehouse. I simply bring the statue with me wherever I stay because I truly adore the Goddess."
"Wow... You must be rich if you carry around a statue like that!"
"Of course."
I'd thought he was just a seasoned adventurer at first, but he seemed far more impressive than I'd imagined.
"Ah, right. I just remembered something about the Stigma in Leila's eyes."
"Really?"
His voice pulled me out of my daydreams about his identity, and I perked up to listen.
"Now that I think about it, Stigmas engraved in the eyes have been extremely rare since ancient times. They're said to mean the Goddess wants you to see the world in her place. It only just came back to me."
"Ooh... So it's even more amazing than other Stigmas!?"
It did sound impressive.
However.
"And a cross-shaped Stigma is the kind that appears only once every few decades, or even centuries."
Something felt wrong.
Why was he suddenly bringing this up now that we'd arrived here?
A sense of foreboding crept in, and as I looked around, thinking we should run, I noticed something else strange.
It was quiet.
Pyris's excited chatter about visiting a mage's workshop had vanished.
"...Brother? Pyris? Where are you?"
"Well, you see..."
"Pyris!!"
Panicking at the suddenly chilling atmosphere, I searched the area and found Pyris collapsed near the statue.
"Pyris! Wake up!!"
"Right about..."
"Kyaa!"
—Thud
As I rushed toward the fallen Pyris, someone grabbed my shoulders from behind with both hands. I screamed and spun around.
It wasn't the kindly smiling Hayden from moments ago.
"It's the mark of a saintess."
"Eek! Let... let go! Let me go!!!"
His appearance hadn't changed.
His expression, his gestures—everything was the same as before.
Except for one thing.
His eyes were anything but normal.
Those eyes were the very picture of a madman.
"Ugh!! Let go!!"
This wasn't the time to worry about looking like a helpless child.
Since he showed no sign of releasing me, I didn't hesitate. I swung my right elbow back, aiming for his groin.
—Thwack!
"Ghk!"
"I told you to let go, you bastard!!"
No matter how good my natural physique was, a five-year-old girl couldn't outrun an adult man in a straight fight. I had to grab Pyris and escape while he was stunned from the surprise attack to his vital point.
I'd planned to keep acting like a terrified child until Pyris woke up, but seeing him completely motionless filled me with worry. My instincts screamed that this was my only chance, so I had no choice but to act—even if it seemed impossible.
"Pyris!! Wake up! Hurry!!"
The sensation from my elbow felt off, but I had no time to dwell on it. At least the hands on my shoulders were gone. I rushed to Pyris and checked his breathing—thankfully, he was still alive.
I shook him and even slapped his cheeks, but he didn't stir. Something was wrong.
"I was going to enjoy watching your hidden feisty side a bit longer, but I suppose a child is still just a child."
Ah.
We're screwed.
Did that bastard train his balls or something?
The fact that he'd groaned and staggered after my hit, the fact that he'd released my shoulders—it had all been an act.
From the situation, it was clear Pyris had been knocked unconscious by some method. If it was poison, I wouldn't have been safe either. It was probably magic.
I'm scared.
Facing a kind of terror I'd never encountered in modern society, my mind went blank.
Korea had good public safety. Ordinary people like me never had to deal with kidnappers or methods to knock someone out.
The fear and dread of the situation made my teeth chatter. Is there... no way out?
No, no. Pull yourself together, Leila!
I need to assess the situation. There has to be a reason. Recall what he said. Figure out what's true and what's false.
When we first met, his eyes hadn't really seen us. It was like he'd spotted some small animal while resting peacefully.
When had it changed?
Right. After he saw my eyes.
That expression that had flickered between interest and shock—that, at least, had been genuine.
And what he'd said earlier—he'd definitely called me a saintess.
That meant even if everything else was a lie, he was interested in the Stigma in my eyes—the mark of a saintess—and had acted on impulse.
In that case...
There was still room to negotiate.
I wasn't a warrior. I wasn't a mage. I was just an ordinary office worker.
Do what I can.
I still have my weapon.
—Step. Step.
I hear footsteps approaching.
Drop the frightened expression and put on the mask of a working adult again.
Yeah. It's fine. I can do this.
Once I confirmed my expression was set, I stopped trying to wake Pyris and turned around confidently.
"Oh?"
His face showed a flicker of curiosity, as if he hadn't expected this.
First step—capturing his interest—success. Time for the second step.
Confirm what he wants. At the same time, organize what I can do.
"I have a question."
"Let's hear it."
"Is it my eyes that interest you? Or is it me?"
"I'm not uninterested in the eyes, but ultimately, it's you I want."
Second step—got the answer I needed.
Then I can do this. Move to the final step.
"In that case, I'd like to negotiate."
"Negotiate? Why should I?"
He was right. He already had me completely in his grasp.
After what just happened, he knew I wouldn't abandon Pyris and run. I was already in his hands.
"I'll cooperate."
"Hmm?"
"Whatever you want from me, I'll do it."
"And you know what that might entail?"
"Even if you make me a slave, use me to satisfy your lust, cut off my arms and legs, gouge out my eyes, or use me as a test subject until I die."
Even if I'd only blurted it out because of the smugness from remembering my past life, even if I'd never said it to anyone before—
I'd made a promise.
To protect Pyris.
Even if it costs me my life, that's my choice. My responsibility to bear.
Following this man was my decision, so I can't drag Pyris into it.
So, final step—negotiation begins.
"Interesting. Go on."
"I'll do anything. So..."
"Let the boy go?"
"Wouldn't it be better to have someone obediently follow your orders without unnecessary killing, rather than harming an innocent child and then having to break a rebellious me?"
"Hah. You'd risk your life for someone who's not even blood-related family?"
"He's still family, even so."
He'd probably realized long ago that I wasn't an ordinary child.
If even a madman like him still had some reason left, he'd understand the weight of my words.
"..."
A brief silence. Fortunately, it seemed my words had gotten through—he appeared to be thinking it over.
Sorry, Pyris, but this is the best I can do. All that's left is to pray that this madman chooses to spare him.
"I suppose I've lost."
"Then...?"
The silence that felt like a year ended with his declaration of defeat.
Hiding my relief and joy as best I could, I pressed him for confirmation.
"I'll spare Pyris. He wasn't particularly useful to me anyway."
"Thank you for your generosity."
"However."
"Yes?"
I swallowed and waited for his next words.
"The memory of meeting me today will be erased."
"That's fine."
Magic really can do all sorts of things.
If his memories are erased, Pyris will notice I'm gone once he wakes up and search for me for a long time. But I still want him to live.
It'll take time to escape, but if we meet again someday, I'll apologize then.
This is a world with gods, after all. I want to believe that kind of fate exists.
"Let me confirm one more time. If I spare Pyris here, you'll obey me from now on. No mistakes?"
"Yes. No mistakes."
"Hmm... Good. Then let's pack up this place first. Releasing Pyris comes after."
"Yes. I'll follow."
"No need to worry about packing. Just stand near the statue."
"Yes."
Following his instructions, I stood beside the statue. He muttered something, and all the items in the warehouse vanished.
My mood was foul, but I still had questions.
"This is...?"
"Storage magic. A type of spatial magic. Depending on the spell, the quantity and capacity vary, but it ranges from convenience spells inscribed on clothing to storing entire spatial structures like this."
My curiosity satisfied, I lost interest again. When I fell silent, he seemed displeased and kept talking.
Why didn't he store the statue?
"Come to think of it, the city seemed quite chaotic today. Do you know anything?"
"I heard they're searching because a dangerous criminal from another country was spotted near the city."
"Hmm..."
"Do you know something?"
Old habits from flattering my boss kicked in—I found myself engaging enthusiastically even in a topic I didn't care about.
Better to play along than risk offending him by ignoring it.
"They're probably looking for me."
"I knew it..."
"Heh heh. You're quite sharp."
"The city guards are all blind fools."
So that "dangerous criminal" was the bastard right in front of me.
But how could they not find someone setting up a workshop and leisurely drinking tea inside the city?
"That's not it."
"What?"
"Your eyes are the strange ones. They're not at fault."
"What do you mean?"
"I had a spell set up around me to repel people and an illusion spell active because I wanted a peaceful rest while drinking coffee today. Simply put, unless someone consciously notices and focuses on me, I appear as if I'm not there."
"Then the way you look now is an illusion?"
"No, the illusion I cast today wasn't particularly powerful. It was just enough to make me unnoticeable unless someone actively paid attention."
"Then how were we able to find you?"
I was genuinely curious.
He'd cast that spell, yet we spotted him so easily? Was he just a fraud?
Though the storage magic earlier suggested otherwise...
"Those eyes."
"The Stigma?"
"Yes. Eye Stigmas sometimes allow one to sense flows of mana or resist illusions. Yours is probably that type."
"Damn eyes."
"Kuk kuk. You're not even bothering to act innocent anymore."
"Since you already know, there's no point hiding it. Pyris will be fine, right?"
Thinking that these eyes had caused this situation made curses slip out naturally. It seemed he'd finished packing and was preparing to leave, so I asked about Pyris.
"It's just a simple sleep spell. He's only in a deep slumber, so don't worry. Now I need to erase his memories."
"Please do."
"Of course. He's a precious child who'll help fulfill my wish."
With a sinister laugh, he reached toward Pyris's head and muttered something. A purple glow rippled and briefly enveloped Pyris's head.
It wasn't the time for it, but I still found the sight beautiful as I stared blankly.
Now it was time to part. I prayed Pyris would survive safely. That he'd live to see the day we meet again. I prayed to the Goddess.
Watching him lay Pyris before the statue, I finished my own preparations to leave.
"Then, one last confirmation of our contract. If I spare Pyris here, Leila will obey my every word from now on. We're clear?"
"That's what I want to ask. If I follow you, you'll properly spare Pyris, right?"
"Of course."
"I'm relieved."
"Then..."
I was inexperienced.
With only memories of a peaceful life in the modern world, I'd been foolishly overconfident in myself.
That's why I overlooked it.
What it truly meant to be called a madman.
—Shunk!
"The greatest despair Pyris can give you right now will be this."
"Huh?"
—Thud. Plop.
A red rain fell.
—Thump.
Pyris's body collapsed to the floor.
But...
The fallen body had no head.
That was the price of my foolish choice. The responsibility I now had to bear.
"The way to plunge those who prioritize others over their own lives into despair is simple."
"A... Aaa... Aaaaaaaaah!!!!!!"
"Give them hope, then let them watch the life they tried to protect slip away meaninglessly before their eyes."
* * *
The abandoned warehouse was filled with the stench of blood.
The man standing inside looked at the girl who had screamed in despair before fainting, his face filled with ecstasy. Then he turned his gaze to the statue, now stained red from the blood gushing from the boy's neck he'd just killed, and spoke.
"Ah... O Goddess. Do you see? This child, beloved by you, in despair!!"
Anyone would see him as a madman, yet—
"I'm truly looking forward to it."
He looked like a devout believer praying.
"This Stigma, clearer and more beautiful than any saint before, proof that you've bestowed your favor upon her—this saintess!!"
The man now looked not at the statue but at the sky, invisible from inside the warehouse, and cried out.
"The sight of her cursing you. I anticipate it more than anything."
His name was Hayden. Wanted and hunted by the entire world, yet no one had found a trace of him.
The apostate. Hayden.