Noble Chain Assault Incident (3)
Sitting alone in the guest room of the Armitas Duke's mansion, Eunhyeon sank deep into thought.
He had asked Abros for permission to borrow a room so he could sort out his thoughts.
Abros had nodded readily, lending him the guest room and instructing him to come find him once everything was clear in his mind.
Countless thoughts swirled through his head, but among them all, the first to surface was the whereabouts of one particular girl.
He shook his head, forcibly shoving Erin's face from his mind, and wracked his brain to devise the next plan for luring out the demons.
But even so.
The image of Erin—the girl he hadn't been able to watch over—kept resurfacing unbidden.
I've been too arrogant.
No matter how meticulously he set the stage or laid his groundwork, situations had often spiraled beyond his predictions, yielding entirely unexpected outcomes.
He knew from countless experiences that there was no guarantee things would unfold according to his designs. So why hadn't he anticipated Ashton laying hands on Erin? Why hadn't he prepared countermeasures in advance?
It hit him anew: he was still laughably immature.
"Hoo..."
He covered his face with both hands and let out a deep sigh.
How long had it been since he'd felt this shaken, this lost in turmoil?
My child.
"......"
My child?
"Ah, Goddess... you've come."
Verdandi's manifestation hadn't taken as long as he'd expected.
The moment she descended to the mortal realm, she saw Eunhyeon slumped on the sofa, his face weary as he pondered deeply, and asked in bewilderment.
...What happened?
"...Yes."
Eunhyeon began explaining everything that had transpired in the kingdom during Verdandi's absence, step by step.
Once she'd heard it all, Verdandi frowned in displeasure.
Lesser demons... In the end, what was bound to come has arrived.
The fact that demons had begun targeting Fernin, the heart of the Pernias Kingdom, meant this wasn't a problem confined to Pernias alone.
Likely, other demons were plotting similar chaos in different nations or cities, just like the culprit behind these assaults.
This chain of attacks was nothing less than the opening salvo in the war against the demons.
But it doesn't seem like the demons are what you're agonizing over.
"Erin seems to have been kidnapped. It looks like the demons manipulated Ashton's mind, amplifying his insecurities to push him into extreme action."
I see... So you've been worrying about how to rescue that kidnapped child?
"No."
Hm?
"Ashton's reckless solo act was a complete blind spot, a total blunder. But what we need to prioritize right now is..."
When problems arose—and not just one, but many—a single human body could only tackle them one at a time.
Thus, everything had its priorities.
Dealing with the demon assaulting the kingdom's nobles versus rescuing one girl.
The words to prioritize capturing the demon over Erin wouldn't come easily.
Why was that?
Was it a sense of responsibility because Elvin, on his deathbed, had entrusted his sister Erin to him?
Or had some bond formed in that short time he'd trained her?
"Erin..."
Merely uttering her name, he still couldn't decide what to do about her.
Verdandi stared at him, wide-eyed, at this uncharacteristically shaken version of the man who always handled everything with unflinching composure and leisure.
People said you couldn't weigh the value of a life, but rationally, saving more lives over one was the obvious choice—and Eunhyeon agreed with that cold logic.
Verdandi, as a goddess, felt the same.
From a goddess's perspective, they existed to bless and protect humanity, but without personal attachments to individuals.
If sacrificing one could save many, and it was the most efficient path, they would adopt it without hesitation.
The goddesses loved humanity boundlessly, yet in some ways, they could make heartlessly pragmatic choices for humanity's sake.
Wasn't that mindset precisely what had forged Eunhyeon as the first Apostle of the goddesses?
Bearing burdens and trials no single person could endure, writhing in agony, yet never breaking—pressing on steadfastly as their apostle.
This wasn't the first time he'd stood at such a crossroads, reason clashing with emotion.
For the greater good, to fulfill the goddesses' mission, he'd sacrificed a few more than once or twice.
Among them were those with whom he'd built bonds, sparked special feelings, created cherished memories.
Each time, he'd despaired, wailed, but risen again.
Because he had his mission.
This time was no different.
He had to prioritize the demons over Erin.
Reason insisted it was correct, but his emotions screamed otherwise.
The longer the silence stretched without an answer, the deeper he plunged into his dilemma.
My child.
"......"
My child!
"Ah... yes. Sorry. Where was I?"
Verdandi floated over to him through the air, drawing his head to her bosom and gently stroking his hair.
It's all right.
"Yes?"
If you want to save that child, then do so. You needn't make such heartless choices just because you're the Apostle of the goddesses.
"But..."
You can do so now. Didn't I tell you before?
Eunhyeon recalled their reunion on the goddesses' throne, when she'd smiled gently and given him permission to act as he wished.
At the time, her words hadn't truly sunk in.
He hadn't trusted himself to make choices truly driven by his own will, so unconsciously, he'd shoved the issue deep into his mind, postponing it for later.
But far from rejoicing at her words now, his expression grew even more troubled.
Verdandi tilted her head, puzzled by his reaction.
Is something troubling you?
"Yes... it's troubling."
What?
"Why... why say this now?"
Hm?
"The memory of Sylvia unnie smiling and saying she was fine as she died, taken hostage by the dark elves in the Fairy Forest—it's still vivid."
Ah...
"Hyun-seong hyung's face, regretting we never shared a drink before he left like that—it's still etched in my mind. Bryunak's final words, enduring without a scream as her body shattered sealing Astaroth, are still carved deep in my heart. Every time I use the magic Elishea taught me—branded a witch because I gave up on her, executed—her face comes back to me."
Eunhyeon continued naming those who'd gladly sacrificed themselves before his eyes due to his choices, prioritizing his apostolic mission over their lives—people he'd abandoned.
Oh, my child.
"Why tell me this now, and not back then?"
Th-that's!
"If you'd appeared then, like now, and told me..."
He might not have sacrificed them. If she'd only permitted it, even if it was troublesome and exhausting, he might have found a way to resolve things without their deaths.
Over his long life, the many people he'd saved weren't solely the result of his own power.
He'd received help from countless others, including sacrifices from comrades under the banner of "the few for the many"—paving the path to those rescues.
All were decisions where he'd rejected emotional judgment after hesitation and doubt, ruthlessly prioritizing efficiency and results through reason.
Thus, Verdandi's gentle words now felt unbearably cruel to him.
For the man who'd survived to this point on comrades' sacrifices, stepping on reason and efficiency, to now prioritize his emotions and save Erin...
It was betrayal of those who'd died for him.
Hypocritical. Deceptive.
Eunhyeon knew full well that Verdandi couldn't descend to the mortal realm from the divine plane, that she had no choice but to adhere to the gods' mindset, all the circumstances.
Yet knowing that, he couldn't hold back these childish complaints.
Verdandi couldn't bring herself to scold his near-resentful outburst.
She knew exactly the sentiment behind it.
Guilt over the precious people he'd abandoned.
Oh, my child...
Verdandi fell silent, gazing at Eunhyeon's broken-doll expression.
This man, who over his near-eternal life had never harbored resentment or irreverence toward the goddesses, had finally vented words bordering on blame toward her.
He'd always hidden it, treating her with kindness and smiles.
But from the moment of his appointment as apostle, his spirit had been eroding bit by bit—a realization that dawned on her now.
She'd thought him strong and resolute, his near-immortal body and brilliant mind unbreakable.
Yet ultimately, Eunhyeon's core was the soul of an ordinary human.
Just as Erin had bottled up her emotions under unfair glares and violence, Eunhyeon had accumulated feelings and memories of his comrades deep within.
It was Verdandi's failure not to have read that profound inner self.
I'm sorry, my child. Truly, so sorry...
Goddesses couldn't shed tears.
But that didn't mean she lacked emotions.
Among them all, she was the exceptional one who harbored special feelings for humanity.
She tightly embraced the dazed, hollow-eyed Eunhyeon, repeating her apologies.
After all, she was as much to blame for reducing him to this state.
But my child, if you don't save her here, that girl might break completely.
"......"
To ensure you never endure such a thing again, I persuaded many gods—that's why I'm here by your side now.
"Yes..."
So from now on, whatever choice you make, I intend to support it. Even if emotion overrides reason, even if it leads to wrong choices or outcomes—as long as it's what you truly desire, I won't stand in your way.
"Those words..."
My child, gods bless and protect humanity, granting grace—but sometimes, we can be ruthless. Even I am. But...
Verdandi lifted Eunhyeon's face from her bosom, gazing directly into his eyes as she pressed her lips to his.
"Mmph?! Mmmph?!"
Startled by Verdandi's sudden action, Eunhyeon flailed, trying to pull away, but she firmly held his face with both hands, refusing to release the kiss.
When he resisted more fiercely, she went further, slipping her tongue into his mouth.
Her tongue entwined with his, sending an indescribably pleasurable sensation through him. The familiar feeling only deepened his confusion.
Déjà vu?
For a fleeting moment, he recalled his first meeting with Verdandi.
"Pha! G-Goddess! What was that all of a sudden?!"
Hee hee, surprised?
"Of course I am! Don't tell me this is another weird blessing...?"
No, this time I simply wanted to. I'd only observed from above how humans express affection, but seeing you so flustered like this—it's too adorable to resist.
Verdandi licked her lips with her tongue, a satisfied, enigmatic smile playing on her face.
She'd done it because she wanted to—that was the real problem, wasn't it?
More importantly, who the hell had taught his goddess such seductive, lascivious knowledge?
As Eunhyeon brooded deeply, Verdandi spoke again.
My child, I don't regard all humans equally.
"Pardon?"
I will pursue only your happiness, think only of your future, and never concern myself with harm to other humans, no matter the cost.
"...Goddess, isn't that dereliction of duty?"
Verdandi frowned, displeased by his response.
Such a buzzkill you are. That witch child's phrase about 'dumping tact into soup and choking it down' fits you perfectly.
"That's... from Iliana?"
I went to such lengths to set the mood—don't mention another woman's name before me.
"...Yes, ma'am."
No way? Nah, couldn't be. But it was a kiss? Still... she's a goddess? I'm just human?
No matter how tactless he was said to be, after two deep kisses and this level of affection, even Eunhyeon had to start suspecting that 'possibility.'
He denied it only because Verdandi wasn't in the same category as humans—she was a goddess, an entirely different dimension of being.
Well... I admit my feelings differ somewhat from other gods'...
Reading his thoughts, Verdandi sighed deeply, muttering to herself.
As I said earlier, I have no desire to impose the gods' ways on you. Even if it's a choice valuing emotion over reason and efficiency, even if it breeds mistakes or poor results—as long as it's what you want to do, I won't stop or blame you. Only...
Verdandi caressed his cheek tenderly, smiling.
Please don't make choices that leave you blaming and breaking yourself with regret.
Even if it was right, she didn't want to see him crumble from the aftermath.
"...Can I really be that selfish?"
Of course.
"I'm, uh, pretty greedy."
I know. But my child, didn't I tell you?
"Pardon?"
You no longer need to play the role of an 'extra.'
"Right. Ah..."
That meant he could lead the story in a different role, not as an extra.
'Protagonists' in stories are greedy by nature. Go wild as you please. If it brings you happiness and averts the fate of 'the mortal realm's destruction,' I'll support your actions. Forever.
"Thank you."
If anything, I'd love to see you at your dashing best.
"That's a tall order."
As reward, I'll grant you one more kiss from the goddess.
"Th-that's a bit..."
Recalling the earlier sensation, Eunhyeon waved his hands in exaggerated embarrassment, though the memory lingered stubbornly in his mind, leaving him conflicted.
Averting his gaze from Verdandi, he rose from his seat.
"Don't spring it on me like that. That's..."
Hee hee, hee hee hee! You're just too precious.
Verdandi beamed joyfully, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind.
The ever-composed, confident Eunhyeon showed this shy side only to her—it delighted her immensely.
I'll be with 'you' forever...
Verdandi murmured so softly even Eunhyeon couldn't hear.
Thanks to her, Eunhyeon found his resolve.
With only action left, he immediately sought out Abros.