Chapter 327: Ouroboros (2)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 327: Ouroboros (2)

It was like watching a monster die.

Shaaaaaa!

Jerome's body, which hung limp on the floor of the sewer, broke up into little flecks of light and fluttered away. Some items were left behind as it did, but most were things without value. His expensive-looking sword, armor, and other items were all covered in light and disappeared with him.

Is it Iblus...?

I had a guess as to which essence was at play here, but that wasn't important right now.

The silence was filled only by the sound of flowing water. Auril Gavis, who was still grinning like his face was stuck that way, spoke again. "Let me ask. Are you an evil spirit?"

It wasn't so much a question as a statement. Well, if he came all this way, he must already be convinced that the rank-six adventurer Nivelles Enze, whom he hadn't been able to find anywhere in the city above, was Iron Mask.

Still, the reason he asked is probably because he wants to hear it from the source...

Having just seen him render the palace's greatest knight incapable of combat with a flick of the wrist, I decided to activate Barbarian Confucian Mode. "Evil spirit? I don't know where you got that impression but I am not, sir."

"You're lying," Auril said, distrustful despite my polite tone.

Ha, I guess he can use his lie detector here as well.

I sort of expected that, but it still rubbed me the wrong way when my attempt ended up being in vain. However, there was no time to waste on despair. After all, we were not inside the community right now. If I wasn't careful about how I handled this, it could lead to problems down the line.

"Haha, I guess I can't fool you. You're incredible." I quickly changed my tune. Since any further deception would ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠come across as arrogance, I decided to acknowledge and own up to the bare minimum. "Yes, I am the person you are looking for. I never thought I would run into you out here, so I was startled and couldn't be honest with you."

"Startled, huh...?"

"Yes, startled. And I didn't actually lie, did I?"

Auril scoffed at my bold question. "Haha, yes... come to think of it, you did not lie."

That was right. I didn't lie back then. His question about the state of the city? I answered honestly that the castellan had teamed up with the palace and attacked Orcules. I'd responded yes when asked whether a barbarian had come to the city about five or six months ago, and when asked for his name, I informed him it was Bjon, son of Thor.

"Yes, I couldn't bring myself to lie to you—"

"But do you want to know something?"

"...Sorry?"

"Do you realize that being deceived in that way feels a lot worse than being told an outright lie?"

"Ah..." That was a good point, not that there wasn't a way to counter it. I started off with an apology and decided to offer him an explanation. "...I'm sorry. I have a problem."

"...A problem?"

"Yes. Living in this world, I've been forced to deceive others against my will. I know I really shouldn't live like this, but..."

I wasn't going to take the full blame here. If my environment made me like this, the one who pushed me into the said environment was this old man.

"Haha..." Suddenly called out and assigned partial blame, Auril laughed incredulously. Luckily, though, his eyes were smiling as well as his mouth this time. It seemed he was rather amused by how bold I was being.

Okay, now that things have gotten less tense...

"Anyway, did you come here because of me?"

"That's right."

"Hmm, it doesn't feel that great to have a background check done on you..." I trailed off and eyed him, making sure to make my discomfort known.

Auril cleared his throat. "Ahem, but if I didn't do that, I wouldn't have been able to meet you."

"What? Ah... Right. Why did the community suddenly close? I thought you might have banned me."

"Ah, there was a reason for that."

"Reason?"

"Let's just say there was some royal intervention. But the space has been recovered now to some extent."

"Oh, then will I be able to see you there starting next month?"

"No. I recently transferred ownership to a friend. I'll be difficult to reach from now on."

"By friend... are you talking about the GM?"

"That will probably be the case."

Curiosity piqued, I asked who the GM was, but Auril did not answer. Rather than it being top-secret information, it seemed more like he was sulking and didn't want to tell me.

"Well, there is no particular reason to keep it a secret... But try and figure it out on your own."

"Sorry?"

"If you only see me as someone you have a transactional relationship with, I have no choice but to treat you the same."

"Ah, right..."

Jeez, a man over three hundred years old is going to pout over something like this? It's your fault for getting tricked while holding a lie detector.

"So, how long are you going to keep speaking that way?"

"Sorry?"

"You didn't talk to me like that there. You sound like a different person here. It's quite strange."

"Haha. That was just an act."

"Act?"

"Yes, another character. Let's call it an attempt by the weak to not be looked down on. There's no way I would be rude to you in real life unless I've lost my mind."

"Hmm, I guess I can see what you're trying to say." Auril quietly nodded and didn't say much more for a while, a moment of silence settling between us. It was some time before his mouth opened again. "Anyway, I came to find you because I wanted to give our relationship a fresh start." He sounded like someone who wasn't over their ex-boyfriend.

"...I'm sorry?" I wasn't able to hide how baffled I was.

The old man quickly offered an explanation. "I want to be on friendly terms with you. It is clear we can be helpful to each other, but continuing to go around in circles will be frustrating for both of us."

"Ah..."

"That's why I even prepared a gift for you."

"A gift..." I subconsciously flinched at that word. While I was excited by the prospect, I was also worried. I couldn't figure out his angle.

"Don't be nervous. It's nothing bad."

"Could you give me more information?"

"As you know, I want ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you to open the Gate of the Abyss. In that sense, I called it a gift, but it is also something that benefits me."

Okay, now that things have gotten less tense...

"Anyway, did you come here because of me?"

"That's right."

"Hmm, it doesn't feel that great to have a background check done on you..." I trailed off and eyed him, making sure to make my discomfort known.

Auril cleared his throat. "Ahem, but if I didn't do that, I wouldn't have been able to meet you."

"What? Ah... Right. Why did the community suddenly close? I thought you might have banned me."

"Ah, there was a reason for that."

"Reason?"

"Let's just say there was some royal intervention. But the space has been recovered now to some extent."

"Oh, then will I be able to see you there starting next month?"

"No. I recently transferred ownership to a friend. I'll be difficult to reach from now on."

"By friend... are you talking about the GM?"

"That will probably be the case."

Curiosity piqued, I asked who the GM was, but Auril did not answer. Rather than it being top-secret information, it seemed more like he was sulking and didn't want to tell me.

"Well, there is no particular reason to keep it a secret... But try and figure it out on your own."

"Sorry?"

"If you only see me as someone you have a transactional relationship with, I have no choice but to treat you the same."

"Ah, right..."

Jeez, a man over three hundred years old is going to pout over something like this? It's your fault for getting tricked while holding a lie detector.

"So, how long are you going to keep speaking that way?"

"Sorry?"

"You didn't talk to me like that there. You sound like a different person here. It's quite strange."

"Haha. That was just an act."

"Act?"

"Yes, another character. Let's call it an attempt by the weak to not be looked down on. There's no way I would be rude to you in real life unless I've lost my mind."

"Hmm, I guess I can see what you're trying to say." Auril quietly nodded and didn't say much more for a while, a moment of silence settling between us. It was some time before his mouth opened again. "Anyway, I came to find you because I wanted to give our relationship a fresh start." He sounded like someone who wasn't over their ex-boyfriend.

"...I'm sorry?" I wasn't able to hide how baffled I was.

The old man quickly offered an explanation. "I want to be on friendly terms with you. It is clear we can be helpful to each other, but continuing to go around in circles will be frustrating for both of us."

"Ah..."

"That's why I even prepared a gift for you."

"A gift..." I subconsciously flinched at that word. While I was excited by the prospect, I was also worried. I couldn't figure out his angle.

"Don't be nervous. It's nothing bad."

"Could you give me more information?"

"As you know, I want you to open the Gate of the Abyss. In that sense, I called it a gift, but it is also something that benefits me."

Ugh, what's with the lengthy explanation?

"I see. So?"

"It is an ability that will be of great help to you when it comes to keeping your identity hidden in the future." Auril then gave me a summary of the gift. In short, he was going to use his power and expertise to grant me a buff.

"So, if I accept this, I won't be affected by spells like Verification or other interrogation-type items like Misplaced Trust?"

"Exactly. It only applies a protective shield to the body, though, so it won't be effective on the mind when it's in a pure state."

"A pure state?"

"Like it is in the place you are sent to every month, for example."

Ah, so it doesn't work in the spirit world. Then telling straight-up lies at the Round Table won't be possible, I guess.

"How is it, my gift?"

I thought it over for a brief moment. First, there was no doubt that it was a very helpful ability. He said it himself: with this power, I wouldn't be at the mercy of things like Misplaced Trust anymore.

But when you look at it objectively, it seems like he could be secretly scheming behind my back.

I didn't know much about magic. If Auril planted a tracking device on the gift, I would have no way of finding and removing it.

The problem is, I can't refuse it.

This was the old man who sent the Knight of Light to his grave with a single wave of his hand. Put simply, if he intended to harm me, he could make it happen—even by force.

"All right. Are you going to give it to me right now?"

"Well... I actually already did it. The moment I found you again here in the sewer."

"What? But I didn't feel anything of the sort."

"Because that's my specialty."

Ah, I see. I already knew I had no choice, but it feels like I've been violated.

No wonder he had been speaking in the past tense ever since earlier.

Once talk of the gift concluded, Auril decided to be blunt. "I'm saying this just in case, but I have no intention of forcefully controlling you."

That was good news. Although I couldn't be sure how long that promise would hold, it was better than being strangled with magic and threatened right now. "That is very like you, sir. Much respect."

"Haha..." Despite my flattery and the old man's humble laugh, we both knew this was all crap. However, sometimes charades like this were considered good manners in social settings.

I laughed cheerfully as I gathered my thoughts. From here, I had two options. The first was to somehow get rid of Auril and go rescue Amelia.

"Haha, it was nice to see you. You said you wouldn't use force against me, right? Then I'm actually busy right now, so I have to go... Stay healthy!"

The second option, exploitation of the elderly—get help from Auril directly. It didn't take long to make a decision. After all, I tried to avoid him once, but I ended up running into him again like this. It would be impossible to stealthily get rid of him. Even if I chose the first option, this stalker-like old man was sure to follow me.

If this old timer puts his mind to it, the iron mask covering my face could 'fall' right off... And at that point, figuring out my name will be a piece of cake for him.

If I was going to end up giving it to him anyway, I figured I should at least get something in return.

Might as well milk him dry.

Making my decision, I cautiously opened my mouth. "Um... sir."

"Ah, speak."

"Can I ask you a favor? If you grant this for me, I will reveal my name and face to you."

"Name and face...?"

"Yes, haven't you been curious?"

"That is true..."

"So why don't you do this one job with me?"

Auril did not respond to my suggestion. He just stared at me with a look in his eyes that seemed to ask, What is this bastard trying to pull this time?

***

Meanwhile, Amelia was running through the sewer with the sisters when she abruptly stopped in her tracks.

"W-Why are you suddenly stopping...?"

There were no presences nearby. However, one of her skills, which she had been keeping active since earlier, had shut off out of nowhere.

"He's here."

In other words, Ricardo Lüchenprague, the Traitor, was nearby.

So this is how it's going to go... In that case, what happened to Yandel?

That was the first thought that popped into her head, but Amelia shook off her concerns. She said she would trust him. That wasn't what she needed to worry about right now.

Laura flinched at Amelia's words. "By him, you mean..." In response to an earlier question about her severed arm, she had told the sisters that Ricardo Lüchenprague ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was chasing her.

"Yes, him."

When Amelia confirmed it, the two girls began to tremble. They could still remember the sight of him cutting down hundreds of adventurers a few hours ago.

"Amelia, Laura."

"Y-Yes!"

"Listen carefully. We're almost there now." Keeping her explanation as short and concise as possible, Amelia gave them directions to the city. "Go. I'll do my best to stop him."

The sisters had two conflicting reactions to that. "Why are you helping us like this...?" Her younger self was at a loss. She also seemed worried about leaving Amelia alone.

However, her sister Laura was different. "Amelia, come quickly."

"B-But—"

"Hurry!" Though there seemed to be a mix of both suspicion and gratitude on her face, she cool-headedly led her younger sister down the passage Amelia told them about. Laura had something more important to worry about than her own feelings.

Amelia watched the two sisters run away holding hands. Without even needing to close her eyes, she could vividly remember the end of that dark passageway and what she experienced there.

Could she really change the future? She couldn't be sure yet.

"They seem to be precious to you," a deep male voice said softly. "Good." When she turned around, Ricardo Lüchenprague was there, smirking at her. "That means I'll be able to show you what loss feels like."

Amelia gripped the dagger in her hand tightly.

Ugh, what's with the lengthy explanation?

"I see. So?"

"It is an ability that will be of great help to you when it comes to keeping your identity hidden in the future." Auril then gave me a summary of the gift. In short, he was going to use his power and expertise to grant me a buff.

"So, if I accept this, I won't be affected by spells like Verification or other interrogation-type items like Misplaced Trust?"

"Exactly. It only applies a protective shield to the body, though, so it won't be effective on the mind when it's in a pure state."

"A pure state?"

"Like it is in the place you are sent to every month, for example."

Ah, so it doesn't work in the spirit world. Then telling straight-up lies at the Round Table won't be possible, I guess.

"How is it, my gift?"

I thought it over for a brief moment. First, there was no doubt that it was a very helpful ability. He said it himself: with this power, I wouldn't be at the mercy of things like Misplaced Trust anymore.

But when you look at it objectively, it seems like he could be secretly scheming behind my back.

I didn't know much about magic. If Auril planted a tracking device on the gift, I would have no way of finding and removing it.

The problem is, I can't refuse it.

This was the old man who sent the Knight of Light to his grave with a single wave of his hand. Put simply, if he intended to harm me, he could make it happen—even by force.

"All right. Are you going to give it to me right now?"

"Well... I actually already did it. The moment I found you again here in the sewer."

"What? But I didn't feel anything of the sort."

"Because that's my specialty."

Ah, I see. I already knew I had no choice, but it feels like I've been violated.

No wonder he had been speaking in the past tense ever since earlier.

Once talk of the gift concluded, Auril decided to be blunt. "I'm saying this just in case, but I have no intention of forcefully controlling you."

That was good news. Although I couldn't be sure how long that promise would hold, it was better than being strangled with magic and threatened right now. "That is very like you, sir. Much respect."

"Haha..." Despite my flattery and the old man's humble laugh, we both knew this was all crap. However, sometimes charades like this were considered good manners in social settings.

I laughed cheerfully as I gathered my thoughts. From here, I had two options. The first was to somehow get rid of Auril and go rescue Amelia.

"Haha, it was nice to see you. You said you wouldn't use force against me, right? Then I'm actually busy right now, so I have to go... Stay healthy!"

The second option, exploitation of the elderly—get help from Auril directly. It didn't take long to make a decision. After all, I tried to avoid him once, but I ended up running into him again like this. It would be impossible to stealthily get rid of him. Even if I chose the first option, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this stalker-like old man was sure to follow me.

If this old timer puts his mind to it, the iron mask covering my face could 'fall' right off... And at that point, figuring out my name will be a piece of cake for him.

If I was going to end up giving it to him anyway, I figured I should at least get something in return.

Might as well milk him dry.

Making my decision, I cautiously opened my mouth. "Um... sir."

"Ah, speak."

"Can I ask you a favor? If you grant this for me, I will reveal my name and face to you."

"Name and face...?"

"Yes, haven't you been curious?"

"That is true..."

"So why don't you do this one job with me?"

Auril did not respond to my suggestion. He just stared at me with a look in his eyes that seemed to ask, What is this bastard trying to pull this time?

***

Meanwhile, Amelia was running through the sewer with the sisters when she abruptly stopped in her tracks.

"W-Why are you suddenly stopping...?"

There were no presences nearby. However, one of her skills, which she had been keeping active since earlier, had shut off out of nowhere.

"He's here."

In other words, Ricardo Lüchenprague, the Traitor, was nearby.

So this is how it's going to go... In that case, what happened to Yandel?

That was the first thought that popped into her head, but Amelia shook off her concerns. She said she would trust him. That wasn't what she needed to worry about right now.

Laura flinched at Amelia's words. "By him, you mean..." In response to an earlier question about her severed arm, she had told the sisters that Ricardo Lüchenprague was chasing her.

"Yes, him."

When Amelia confirmed it, the two girls began to tremble. They could still remember the sight of him cutting down hundreds of adventurers a few hours ago.

"Amelia, Laura."

"Y-Yes!"

"Listen carefully. We're almost there now." Keeping her explanation as short and concise as possible, Amelia gave them directions to the city. "Go. I'll do my best to stop him."

The sisters had two conflicting reactions to that. "Why are you helping us like this...?" Her younger self was at a loss. She also seemed worried about leaving Amelia alone.

However, her sister Laura was different. "Amelia, come quickly."

"B-But—"

"Hurry!" Though there seemed to be a mix of both suspicion and gratitude on her face, she cool-headedly led her younger sister down the passage Amelia told them about. Laura had something more important to worry about than her own feelings.

Amelia watched the two sisters run away holding hands. Without even needing to close her eyes, she could vividly remember the end of that dark passageway and what she experienced there.

Could she really change the future? She couldn't be sure yet.

"They seem to be precious to you," a deep male voice said softly. "Good." When she turned around, Ricardo Lüchenprague was there, smirking at her. "That means I'll be able to show you what loss feels like."

Amelia gripped the dagger in her hand tightly.