53
Chapter 53: Exploit and the Magician's Stage
Click-.
Beatrice set down the wine glass she had been gulping from onto the table.
"...That is where my story ends."
"Ah, it was just getting interesting, and you end it there?"
"Just getting interesting...?"
"If you had explained in more detail how you wandered, how you screamed, and how deep your despair went, the story would have been much richer."
"You have a strange hobby."
The rather long story had come to an end. To think that such a hidden side existed to Beatrice's contract with a devil. Thanks to that, it had been a while since I could enjoy wine sliding down my throat so excitingly.
How long has it been since I felt wine was sweet? The stimulation on my tongue feels unfamiliar. At the same time, it feels good. A sharp aroma seems to waft at the tip of my nose. A heady intoxication spreads through me.
It was because I had heard an interesting story. A story of how someone was kind but drifted away due to misunderstandings and distance—a story that is, in a way, common and cliché. Yet, it is a story that is always a pleasure to hear.
Of course, I wasn't just listening. It's not like I'm taking some foreign language listening test at Eden Academy.
I listened with intense focus to find the 'exploit' that Beatrice is keeping tightly wrapped, something she isn't even aware of.
As a result, I finally found it. The true nature of the hidden desire harbored by Beatrice Constantino. Hehe. Now, I am diligently planning a show in my head. A magician's show that will be fantastic once again.
As expected, listening to others' stories is delightful. These tales of human affairs and worldly matters, which are always thrilling no matter how deep you dig, are simply too pleasurable for me.
"Phew... anyway, I enjoyed it! Sharing life stories over drinks with a beauty like you really makes the alcohol go down! I should open another bottle! Haha!"
Furthermore, I learned information I hadn't even expected. The identity of the devil who contracted with Beatrice. The Great Demon, Lucifer.
Once the most superior angel, but one who fell for the sin of opposing the Lord in the distant past. The one who fought the Divine-Devil War against Archangel Uriel and holds the undeniably highest position among the Seven Devils.
Additionally, he is my ancestor. As expected of my ancestor. I quite like the way he sends someone plummeting into the abyss. Though there were a few slight regrets.
Slurp-.
"However...."
As she drained the remaining wine in her glass, Beatrice opened her full lips. A red Different Eyes glints in her gaze.
"Who are you people?"
"Huh?"
"I asked, who are you."
Wait a second. Is it just my imagination that Beatrice's voice, which had been calm while recounting her life until now, suddenly sounds suspiciously low?
There's no way. Beatrice's slender hand moves toward the hilt of the Greatsword standing beside her. It's the same Greatsword she was meticulously polishing when I spied on her earlier today.
"What do you mean by that? Haha."
"Stop playing innocent, demon."
"...Eh?"
"Four years have passed since I entered the Demon Beast Forest, and before that, I lived as a Holy Knight for over a decade. Do you take me for a fool who cannot recognize a demon?"
"Hmm... so you weren't a fool? For someone who was tricked by a devil into committing the sin of patricide."
"You bastard!"
Beatrice flares up in anger. Eyes filled with hostility glare at me. Hmm, I'd better choose my words carefully here.
"Ahaha! But I'm not a devil, so don't worry! Devils and demons are strictly different!"
"Your tone has changed. Was that your true form?"
"Well? Whether human or demon, one cannot live with only one side to them, right? Just as someone is a strict boss to one person and a kind father to another, I can be a bon vivant at times and like this at others!"
"Then, what are you now?"
"A Clown! Or, you could see me as a Director searching for actors to cast! Would you call me Director, Holy Knight?"
Being slick is the best way to deflect murderous intent. I just need to mix in a bit of clumsiness and look disheveled.
"You talk like a snake. Lucifer was the same way."
Sring-.
But it seems that doesn't work on Beatrice, who has already been burned by my ancestor once. The tip of Beatrice's blade points at me. A refined, sharp killing intent pierces right through my chest.
Should I wake Aru up now to escape or launch a joint attack?
...No, if Beatrice truly wanted to kill me, I wouldn't be in this world anymore. The fact that I'm still alive is proof that there's a way out.
"Woah, calm down. You shouldn't brandish such a hideous weapon so recklessly."
"Stop chatting and just answer me."
"Answer what?"
"Your purpose for coming to me. You knew about me from the start, didn't you?"
Did she switch from formal to command tones? She feels like a different person. She's become sharp enough to be irritating.
"Before that, there's something I want to ask you."
"Answer my question first..."
"Why did you accept Aru and me?"
In moments like this, you have to seize the initiative. I don't mind Beatrice leading the conversation, but I can't be the one dragged along. I don't want to produce another subordinate like Aru, who chews out her own master just because she hit puberty.
"You knew from the start that we were demons, and you noticed I was lying, yet you still accepted us? Isn't that a bit strange? What if we decided to attack you?"
"...."
"Oh... so that's what you wanted. You hoped we would end that painful life you cannot end yourself. Am I right?"
"It's... not that...."
"Hehe, that's possible. Entirely possible. Dame Beatrice's current state isn't strange. Do you know why people commit suicide?"
At my point-blank remark, Beatrice's brown eyes waver. They are steadfast and straight eyes, but the pupils, stained and drained of vitality by the devil Lucifer, are quite unsightly.
Death is boring. Whether human, demon, or beast. This is an absolute truth I realized while committing massacres in my previous life.
"When life becomes more painful than death. When tomorrow becomes more terrifying than dying. That is when a person chooses suicide. Just like the current Dame Beatrice."
"...What is your point."
"Ultimately, everything is solved once Dame Beatrice herself wants to live! Since you won't feel despair, you can give Lucifer the finger, and if you enjoy the remaining infinite eternal life, it's truly killing two birds with one stone!"
"Do you think that is possible? After just hearing my past. I am a person who cannot be happy."
"We'll have to wait and see! I am a Clown, a Director, and a Magician! What is a magician? Isn't a magician someone who creates miracles? I will help Dame Beatrice find the meaning of life again! I promise this on the honor of a magician!"
I make the bold claim with confidence, while subtly stealing a glance at Beatrice's reaction.
Beatrice's expression was complex. A faint hope that she might feel happiness again, the despondency of wondering if that's possible for someone bound by the guilt of killing her father, and a dim suspicion that she might be fooled by sweet talk once again.
She must be confused. If a demon she met for the first time today suddenly says, 'I'll help you find the meaning of life!', she'd ask what kind of nonsense that was even if a Saint were standing there.
"Trust me. You were good at it during your days as a Holy Knight, weren't you? In the name of 'Faith.' You just have to change the object of that faith. See, it's easy, right? Just believe, and I'll find the meaning of life for you! Ah, a generous event like this won't come twice in a lifetime!"
"I don't quite understand."
"Why not?"
"What profit is there for you... to go through such a tedious effort?"
She probably doesn't realize that even that question was guided by me. Oh, perceptive Holy Knight.
"Is there a reason why a dog chases a flying butterfly?"
"Is that supposed to be a metaphor?"
"Why live life if you only calculate profit and loss? You have to do what you want and live as you please; that's what life is. Right now, I want to help Dame Beatrice find the meaning of life. Why? Because it looks good! Struggling to survive no matter what! Realizing one's hidden desire and pursuing it without hesitation! That's what I want to see!"
And while I'm at it, I'll bring Beatrice on as my assistant. Though I shouldn't mention that just yet.
"Haa...."
Thump-.
Tuk-.
Beatrice collapsed back into the chair, leaning her Greatsword against the wall. She pressed her hand to her forehead as if exhausted.
Tap, tap, tap, tap. Beatrice's index finger drummed on the table. She seemed to be deep in thought.
About five minutes passed. Cold sweat trickled down my back, unsure if my silver tongue had actually worked, when Beatrice finally spoke after finishing her reflections.
"I believe I was quite rude earlier."
She had returned to her formal, polite manner of speaking.
"Pardon?"
"Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Beatrice Constantino. A former Holy Knight of the Holy Church."
"Ohh, introductions are great. I should do mine too, right?"
Beatrice gave a short nod in response to my question. I extended my hand, wearing the white and soft Arachne's Gloves, with the back of my hand facing down.
"I'm just a passing magician, Oscar!"
"Is Oscar your full name? What is your surname?"
"It's no fun if you learn everything about me during our first meeting. Where's the charm of getting to know someone slowly?"
"Earlier you introduced yourself as the human Oscar. Was that all a lie? The unfortunate tale of you being a country boy, then experiencing life as a city miner?"
"Calling it a lie sounds so harsh. Let's accurately call it 'blatant bullshit'."
"Hmm... well, I knew it was a lie from the start. Which is why I don't particularly trust your words right now. Regardless."
My surname is Lucifer; how could I possibly tell her that? Beatrice, since you harbor such deep resentment toward Lucifer, you'd surely try to kill me.
Beatrice didn't pry further as I vaguely brushed off the question to hide my family name. Instead, she asked something else.
"Just how exactly do you intend to give my life meaning?"
Right, as expected, that's what she's most curious about.
I brought my index and middle fingers together and pressed them against Beatrice's lips, whispering.
"It's late today, so I'll tell you tomorrow, Dame Beatrice."
I need time to prepare my stage. Miracles don't just happen. They don't suddenly appear just because you wish for them without thought.
"I don't have high expectations... If it doesn't work, just kill me. I do want revenge on Lucifer, but that doesn't mean I have any attachment to life."
"Of course."
That's right, don't expect anything. The less an audience expects from a performance, the greater the pleasure of the viewing.
*****
Beatrice provided a room for Aru and me to stay in. I tossed the completely wasted Aru onto the floor and climbed onto the bed.
Then, I pulled the rosary, which had almost finished its cooldown, out of my pocket.
Beatrice's story was long. Her tale, which began in the evening, only ended after midnight, and by then the rosary's cooldown for communicating with the Saint was up.
"Tell."
If I communicate with the Saint now, I won't be able to do so tomorrow. But since tomorrow is expected to be quite busy anyway, it's better to do it tonight.
[Hmm... Joker-nim?]
After waiting for about ten seconds, the Saint's groggy voice drifted through the rosary. I covered myself and the rosary with the blanket so the sound wouldn't leak out.
"Saint, were you sleeping?"
[I am fine. Please, speak.]
"That's a relief. I met Beatrice earlier, and I don't think I'll have time to talk tomorrow, so I'm calling now."
[Yes, that is fine.]
After that, I relayed Beatrice Constantino's past to the Saint. Since time was limited, I abbreviated as much as possible.
[Hmm... she is a person with a pitiful story.]
"Right? I had no idea there was such a background behind her contract with a devil."
[To think Great Demon Lucifer was involved... Joker-nim, are you truly alright with this? Lucifer is a dangerous being. If you touch his contractors, unnecessary repercussions might fall upon you...]
"I've thought it all through. You don't need to worry, Saint."
Even with all the abbreviations, the story was so long that the communication time was already running out. I had shared the day's gains, but the real reason I called was to ask one question that occurred to me after hearing Beatrice's story.
"Saint, there's one thing I want to ask."
[Please, go ahead.]
"The war between the Holy Nation and the Nation of War... there were various reasons, but the biggest one was the difference in ideology, right? The Nation of War believes in the Olympian gods, while the Holy Church believes in the Lord and the Messiah."
[That is correct.]
"Usually, people of faith are like that. If someone believes something different, they call them a heretic and ostracize or oppress them."
If that's the case. "I'm curious how the Saint of the Holy Church feels about this."
I can't imagine the benevolent Saint acting like other religious fanatics. So how would the Saint react to heretics? As I posed the question, the Saint remained silent for a moment before answering.
[Honestly, it would be a lie to say it isn't uncomfortable.]
"Is that so?"
[According to our Church's doctrine, the only God is the Lord. The other gods... though called gods, are in reality merely a race born from feeding on human faith.]
"Hmm."
[However....]
The Saint spoke with firm resolve.
[The Lord told us to love our enemies.]
"Hehe."
[Regardless of how religious ideologies differ, treating others with violence and intimidation is incorrect. That is the true blasphemy and apostasy.]
"That's exactly what I'd expect from the Saint."
In short, she's saying she'll love them silently, regardless of whether they slander her or not. Beautiful words. Even if they were just empty words, I like the Saint's way of speaking. Because I know they spring from a heart of pure sincerity.
"I heard some great words again today."
[Did that answer your question?]
"Yeah, perfectly. Time's almost up. I'll hang up now."
[Wa-wait a moment! Joker-nim!]
"Hmm? What is it?"
The Saint calls out to me urgently. I wonder why she's suddenly doing that. Ah, is she asking for 'that'?
"I almost forgot. Saint, I love you."
[I love you too, always.]
It would be disappointing to leave this part out. Especially for the Saint, who probably waits longingly for my communication magic while nailed to her cross.