Tantalizing Eye in Chaos
Luke could not stop his body from trembling.
*Four endings. Each one leads inexorably to one of the Four Evil Gods of Ruin. The fact that this being has appeared means it is already linked to the self-destruction ending—even if only slightly.*
A cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he recalled the final path of Sacred Souls. The world reduced to ash, every soul dragged into an endless war that ended only in mutual annihilation. The Tantalizing Eye in Chaos, the one whose eyes glittered like rainbows against a void of darkness, was the catalyst for that particular hell.
The eye in Malcadin Brayden’s borrowed body spoke, voice dripping with condescending amusement.
*[How amusing. My third disciple seemed useful. I had hoped you would prove a better prize. This is what you’ve wrought.]*
It laughed softly, as if genuinely entertained.
*[Haha. How interesting. So very interesting. I adore this sort of situation.]*
Behind Malcadin, a black silhouette began to rise, slowly, deliberately.
Ellis shouted without hesitation.
“Close your eyes!”
Terre and Iria obeyed instantly. Ellis, tears already streaming down her face, raised her witch’s staff and began the chant.
“Protect us. Guard my mind from the wound of evil. Mental Wall.”
The humans present felt the barrier slam into place. The Tantalizing Eye in Chaos chuckled.
*[Hm. The witch is quite intriguing. Why not, then? Would you not consider severing your contract with that lower evil god and becoming my third disciple? A mere underling can be crushed so easily.]*
The words sounded almost sweet, yet Ellis knew the truth. To entangle oneself with such a creature was hundreds of times more dangerous.
“I refuse. I know that any existence entangled with someone like you would be driven mad.”
A single white eye opened in the darkness, drawing a perfect arc.
*[How disappointing…]*
The white eye fixed itself on Ellis.
*[The conditions are reasonable. I can grant them.]*
At that moment Luke stepped forward.
“Hey. That’s far enough. You’re not touching my nanny.”
*[You…?]*
The eye in Malcadin’s body registered genuine surprise.
*[Facing me and yet looking…completely sane?]*
Luke’s lips curved into a perfect smile.
“That’s because I’ve got a pretty solid head on my shoulders.”
Even as he spoke, his mind raced. *Mind of Clear Mirror and Still Water. Does that mean even Evil Gods can’t break through?*
If mental interference was impossible, then perhaps fear itself could be defied.
Luke’s eyes ignited with calculation. From his meta-gaming memories came Baal Commentarius—ancient cursed grimoire that contained secrets even the Evil Gods feared to discuss.
*The Four Evil Gods of Ruin… I need the entry on this one.*
His brows furrowed.
*What do I remember about the Tantalizing Eye in Chaos?*
It was the only Evil God among the four that genuinely cherished chaos above all else. The other three tolerated it with clear distaste. And the one it loved most of all was war.
*If I give it the spark of war, it will be ecstatic.*
He remembered another passage from the game’s imperial archives. *At this point in the timeline, where could war break out?*
The northern borders of the Repelheim Empire. The eternal enemy of the empire—the ruthless Emperor Baor Repelheim—had been watching that region with particular unease. A land where the Ember Tribe of Northern Barbarians lurked, and where, soon, the great warrior and one of the Eight Talents would rise.
*If I tell the Tantalizing Eye about Tarkhan, it will go wild with delight.*
Luke’s eyes burned brighter.
*This is going to pay off. I know it.*
“Listen. I have information I’m willing to trade. Are you interested?”
*[Oh. Oh oh oh. How bold. A little merchant, aren’t you? Very well. I enjoy watching those who face me without flinching.]*
“You’ll like this. The northern frontier of the empire. The barbaric tribes who form the backbone of its greatest warriors.”
*[The barbarians are quite entertaining. They fight wars from time to time. It’s rather satisfying.]*
“A great chieftain and warlord will soon appear there, the one who will unify all the tribes. How’s that for intriguing? A duke family that has ruled the north for centuries is about to be threatened?”
*[Oh?]*
It worked.
The eye in Malcadin’s body visibly brightened with interest at the mention of the empire’s trembling north.
“You must adore war. If a warlord strong enough to shake the three great ducal houses of the empire appears, you’ll be thrilled, won’t you?”
*[Oh.]*
“What do you say? Give me the name of this warlord, and I’ll give you something in return. A deal.”
*[Intriguing. Very intriguing. There seems to be an angle here, yet the content itself is delicious. The barbarians moving against the empire…]*
The eye drew a sharp arc.
*[Yes. I can sense you’re after something, yet I must admit the deal is tempting. The movements of those barbarians are quite amusing.]*
The eye sharpened its focus on Luke.
*[Speak. I’ll hear you out.]*
Luke did not hesitate.
“The other three Evil God cults. Their followers’ movements. I’m curious.”
*[Hoo.]*
The eye regarded him with genuine curiosity.
*[You Who Caress Fear, Gatekeeper Cultivating Dread, Primordial One of Emotion. Tell me about the movements of those three cults’ followers.]*
“Gladly. I’ve always been rather interested in the Evil Gods.”
*[Khhkhkh! Excellent. I accept your conditions. I will give you one important fact from each of their movements.]*
The dark eye traced a light arc.
*[One piece of information for three. The exchange value seems off, but the worth of information is for me to judge. I am satisfied. Speak.]*
“The warlord who will unify the tribes and threaten the empire is Tarkhan. Chieftain of the Ember Tribe.”
*[Oh. Oh oh oh. Most interesting. I’ll keep that in mind. Young one, now it’s my turn.]*
The eye spun once in the air.
*[Simply put: the followers of You Who Caress Fear are in the Mountains of Demon Kings. The followers of Gatekeeper Cultivating Dread are scheming in the crowded kingdoms. And the followers of Primordial One of Emotion are in the kingdom of that foolish woman who wishes to protect you.]*
The eye laughed.
*[Haha hah! That exchange should be sufficient. The rest will be the joy of discovery. How does it feel, young one? Satisfied?]*
“More than satisfied.”
It was a fair trade.
While Luke smiled secretly, the Tantalizing Eye in Chaos spoke again.
*[I will take my leave now. This rabble is yours to do with as you please. My interest has waned.]*
The last of the oppressive fear and dread in the space began to withdraw.
An Evil God had left.
A level Calamity Evil God had retreated.
“Hah… huff…”
The moment the eye vanished, Luke staggered and collapsed onto the floor. A relief he had not known he was holding flooded through him. Not only had he traded with a Calamity-level being, but he had gained genuine information as well.
It was a profitable bargain.
He immediately turned to Ellis, wiping the blood from the corner of her eye.
“Nanny… how… how did you trade with an Evil God…?”
“Master. First, let’s clean the blood. And you who have traded with one before should not scold me for it.”
“Master, I thought my heart would stop…”
Luke soothed the shaken Ellis. Ter and Iria slowly opened their eyes.
“…Hah. My little brother has been terrorizing us in succession…”
“Newcomer, I hope you’ve realized what it means to be Luke Cerberki’s older sister.”
“Ugh. My heart hurts because of you, little brother…”
“You’re too dramatic.”
Ter clutched her chest in mock pain when someone suddenly rushed over.
“Hey!”
“Aiya, Your Highness the Imperial Princess. Why are you gripping my shoulder so tightly?”
“What exactly have you done? Trading with an Evil God is bad enough. Telling an Evil God about a future warlord of the barbarians? If that barbarian ties himself to the Evil God and drags the empire into danger…!”
“…I don’t think that will happen.”
“…What?”
Luke waved a hand reassuringly.
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. That warlord has an incredibly strong will. He’ll never fall for an Evil God’s temptation. He’ll probably laugh at it.”
“…Really…?”
“Absolutely. Even if the Evil God itself descended, it would come to nothing. That warlord is made of steel. Of course, the Tantalizing Eye won’t give up on war just because of one man, but it will throw itself into a frenzy trying to lure him… and even then, Tarkhan is no ordinary human.”
Luke had faced Tarkhan in Sacred Souls before. The man who would one day be the Calamity of Defiant Fate. Had he been born in the empire instead of the barbarian lands, he might have reached the pinnacle of the military. That steel-like resolve was why Luke had willingly offered the information.
In the end, the Tantalizing Eye in Chaos had received nothing but bait.
Luke had been properly served by an Evil God.
“…I won’t ask how you obtained that information. You obviously have your own network. Still, the existence of the barbarian warlord should be reported to the imperial family.”
“Of course. It’s better we do it first. The Tantalizing Eye, once it learns of Tarkhan, will try to force him into battle and stir chaos between the empire and the barbarians. Better to prepare.”
“…Hah. You really are an impossible person to understand.”
“…I think I understand even less why the Imperial Princess switches between casual speech, honorifics, and formal speech so freely.”
“Ugh, you’re impossible!”
As the two continued their conversation, distant commotion erupted.
“Over there! There’s a disturbance!”
“No! Sixth Imperial Princess! The missing Sixth Imperial Princess is here!”
Imperial knights rushed toward the group.
Luke exhaled in relief. The incident had ended.
***
For the next several days, the imperial investigation proceeded.
At its core, the public story was simple: the Fourth Prince had been deceived by a heretic cultist calling himself the Tantalizing Eye in Chaos and had nearly triggered a palace terror attack.
But those involved knew the truth.
The Fourth Prince had been blinded by jealousy toward the First and Third Princes and committed unforgivable acts.
“…Strip the Fourth Prince of his right to succession and imprison him. All those involved in this incident will be put to the sword.”
Under Emperor Baor Repelheim’s direct command, those implicated were swiftly purged. The Fourth Prince was confined to one of the imperial palaces.
A clean ending in form, yet the aftertaste was bitter.
Once the investigation concluded, the victor’s rewards were announced.
The emperor himself presided over the distribution, yet neither Luke nor Ellis received any share.
It was the result of a private conversation they had already had with Iria.
“I don’t wish the world to know my nanny’s true strength. Just let Ter Unnie and Your Highness handle the aftermath. Would that be all right?”
“Are you sure? Seizing a third disciple from an Evil God is a huge honor. You might be able to take something back from the palace.”
“Hmm… that’s a bit complicated… but if my identity is exposed, I’d only draw attention from both inside and outside the family. Ter Unnie and Your Highness should receive the credit.”
“…I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Iria crossed her legs, an enigmatic smile on her lips as she gazed at Luke.
“Speaking of which… what if we joined forces from now on?”
“I was actually about to suggest the same.”
“Excellent.”
Iria extended her hand.
“How about we both win the ducal succession war and the imperial succession war at the same time? Doesn’t that sound thrilling?”
She winked.
“If one of the three great ducal houses of the empire sides with me, I’ll be a tremendous power after I ascend the throne.”
Luke clasped her offered hand.
“I look forward to our alliance.”
“Well, then, let’s hear what my life-saving ally wants in return. Within reason, I’ll give you anything.”
Luke did not hesitate.
“…People. I need information. Both internally and externally.”
“Be specific. Hmm… the way you speak makes me think you already have an organization of your own.”
“That information from the Evil God trade was mostly luck.”
“Hmm… I see. Someone who can speak so calmly even before an Evil God. That luck must have been extraordinary.”
Iria smiled sweetly.
“I’ll get it for you.”
A smile lingered on Luke’s lips.
***
Several days after the terror attack on the Repelheim Imperial Palace.
In his private chamber, Luke leafed through the intelligence Iria had procured.
*Scarlet Caros…*
His brows drew together.
*Amian hyung warned me about her ambition. But there’s something… off about the profile.*
While Luke clicked his tongue in mild unease, a knock sounded at the door.
Luke turned toward it.
“Luke! Luke! It’s me!”
“…Sis?”
“Coming in!”
The door burst open to reveal Terre Servalki—Luke’s third older sister.
“Luke, what’s this…?”
Her expression was complex, almost troubled.
(End of chapter)