64
Chapter 64
The sound of breathing coming through the rosary is ragged. Her breathing is uneven, and her voice is a few tones higher than the Saint's usual tone.
I had contacted the Saint around midnight yesterday. Thinking she would be busy meeting Beatrice, Lucifer, and the Archangels, I reached out early. That prediction was correct, and after the show, I fell asleep leaning on Aru.
As a result, the Saint had been alone for about thirty-two hours without hearing from me. Shivering in a pitch-black darkness where time was unknown, consumed by loneliness and anxiety.
While the actual time was thirty-two hours, she has no way to track time, so it's unknown how long it felt to her. It might have felt like days or even weeks had passed.
[Huu, ugh, huuu... I'm so glad... really... right now, there's nothing I can do for you, Joker... Since I'm in such a helpless state that I couldn't do anything even if something happened to you...]
The Saint is afraid.
Of the tragedy, a nightmare that just imagining it makes me shudder, of something happening to me.
"Saint, don't cry. I was just a bit late because I was tired. Your sense of time hasn't gone crazy."
[Is that so...?]
"Yeah, there's a lot to talk about. First, try to calm down. As you know, our communication time isn't that long."
[Huu... ugh....]
Her sobbing begins to fade. She actually cried because she was worried about me. Imagining the Saint hanging on a cross and crying in an abyss where nothing is visible makes me feel a bit strange.
It's a feeling that's hard to define in one word; a mix of excitement, thrill, and heartache.
Come to think of it, the Saint cannot wipe her own tears. It's not as if she has an Authority that allows her to use hair like a tissue.
I move my finger to the top of the rosary I'm holding. Toward the part protruding like a human head on the horizontal black bar.
I carefully caressed the center of that part. Maybe this is the mouth, and this is the nose. Then the eyes should be here.
[Huu....]
"Saint, does it feel good? Is it refreshing?"
[Thank you. I've been making a scene.]
"Making a scene? You were actually quite cute. I'd always welcome that kind of scene. Was there anywhere itchy? Tell me quickly, I'll scratch it for you."
[Yes, my side is a bit... I'm sorry, but I'll ask you to do it.]
"Why are you apologizing for something like this?"
Rub, rub-.
"Ugh, mm..."
I carefully touched the cross to wipe the Saint's tears and spent a moment scratching the parts of her body she said were itchy.
Once the Saint's voice returned to normal, she remembered that time was limited and immediately asked about the previous day's events.
I answered her step by step. However, I didn't drag it out; I summarized the main points clearly and concisely.
"First, the matter with Beatrice Constantino was resolved. I [Embraced] her as you told me and worked her over to make her my own knight."
[You did well. Were you injured anywhere?]
"Just a bit, but I'm fine. It's not enough for you to use your Holy Power."
[Even a small wound can become serious if it gets worse. Please hold the rosary forward.]
"Honestly, there's no need to use your Holy Power on a tiny scratch like this..."
[Please, do it. My Holy Power has nowhere else to go anyway.]
Reluctantly, I held my burned finger in front of the rosary. Soon, a white Light Aura leaked out and covered my finger; the charred skin peeled away, and new flesh grew. The sensation traveling through my skin was cool.
She is truly a woman of boundless generosity. I stroked the Saint's head by touching the top of the rosary.
"And... to break the contract between Beatrice and Lucifer, I summoned Lucifer and Uriel."
[Do you mean Great Demon Lucifer and Archangel Uriel? Why them... Ah, it must be because of the contractors' wager.]
"The Saint seems to be aware. That's right, it's because of that wager. If Uriel is gone, the wager becomes meaningless, and Lucifer will release Beatrice from her contract."
[...Excuse me? Gone? Who?]
"Who else? Uriel. But don't worry. I didn't actually get rid of her. Though I did demote her rank significantly."
[...!]
Hmm, I suppose for Maria, whose profession is a Saint, the fact that I brought about Uriel's downfall is too shocking. Knowing how devoted her faith in the Lord is, I feel a bit sorry, but I had no choice! I would've died otherwise!
And if you think about it, I didn't do much. Uriel destroyed herself. Who told her to dive into such a strange field?
We all know why revenge is called the path to self-destruction. In the process of seeking revenge, one becomes exactly like the target, leading to profound self-loathing and despair.
Uriel, despite being an Archangel, was no different from this universal truth.
"I just talked a bit. And then she lost her wings on her own."
[Hmm... certainly, if it's that Uriel...]
"Oh, you understand?"
[The Church in the West doesn't even recognize her as an angel. Of course, my Church counts Angel Uriel as one of the four great Archangels... I met her in my previous life. She was the epitome of the Destruction of Evil, yet she was someone who inspired worry rather than reliability.]
"It couldn't be helped. I can't exactly beat Uriel with brute force. I'd be roasted alive immediately. Anyway, after I suppressed Uriel... three Archangels descended. You know them, right? Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael."
[Those three? S-so, what happened?]
"What else? If I stayed quiet, they might have viewed me as a threat and executed me. So I talked my way through it again. Since the wingless Uriel couldn't return to the Heavenly Realm, I told them to decide whether to leave her with me or Lucifer. I threatened them that if I died, Uriel would die too."
The Saint's voice trembles faintly. I chuckle where she cannot see me.
[To three Archangels? Joker, aren't you afraid of them? You hardly have any power...]
"It's fine, I'm confident I can survive. I expected them to choose Lucifer, of course. The mood was definitely leaning that way. You know it too, right? The lingering feelings between Lucifer and the angels. I tried to use that."
[Yes, that's true.]
"But then? Suddenly, baby angel wings sprouted from Uriel's back. Tiny, but vivid. Then Uriel said she wanted to reach the truth and regain her position as an Archangel... After some blah blah blah among themselves, they suddenly said they'd leave Uriel with me."
[What... did you say?]
"They said they'd leave Uriel to me. Claiming I'm the only one with the potential to bring enlightenment to Uriel."
[T-that part I can understand... but is the conclusion that Archangel Uriel will be traveling with you from now on? Did I understand correctly?]
"Oh, exactly. Very sharp. As expected, the Saint is quite wise."
As I answered slyly, the Saint couldn't speak. The sound of her anxious swallowing reaches my ears.
[Archangel Uriel... is she female?]
"Yeah, Uriel is female. She's sleeping next to me with Beatrice right now."
[I heard angels are free from gender... Could you please ask her to remain in a male form?]
"Why bother?"
[Ah...! I-I mean...! It's embarrassing...! Between you, a man, and her, in female form, I can't imagine what kind of awkward situations might occur...]
"Aru and Beatrice are both women; why are you suddenly like this?"
[Hmm...]
"Besides, it probably won't work. Uriel's Authority has almost completely vanished, like a baby angel's. She probably doesn't have the power to choose her gender right now."
[I see... sigh...]
The Saint's voice trails off. I know exactly why she's acting like this.
"Hehe, are you jealous right now? Because the number of women around me is increasing?"
[...I cannot deny it. My heart is uneasy with this feeling of jealousy.]
"Don't worry. I have no interest in the opposite sex other than you, Saint. Even throughout my previous life of five hundred years, I loved no one but you."
[I know that, but I still cannot easily put my mind at ease. After all, the human heart does not always follow one's will.]
"True. You're right."
But I really have no feelings for Uriel. I've had plenty of experience mating with females, but that was only for the sake of strategy when seducing women.
As a side note, in this life, I am a virgin. And I intend to remain so until I meet the Saint. Once I've decided to love, I should at least offer my purity.
"Saint, what do you want to do first when we meet later?"
[Are you speaking of the day we meet at Eden Academy?]
"Yeah. It's a distant future for now, but imagining is free, right? Let's indulge in some sweet fantasies like a normal couple."
I really need to give my poor Saint some peace of mind. It's great that her love for me is so strong, but it would be incredibly tedious if that turned into obsession.
Though, imagining that elegant Saint consumed by lust and obsession makes my mouth water. Still, I couldn't bring myself to let that happen.
[Hmm... if we were to meet again... then....]
"Yes, go on. I'll grant almost anything you ask."
Under my coaxing, the Saint spoke shyly. Perhaps because she had been crying, her voice sounded very moist.
[The kiss we couldn't finish in Tartarus... I wish to do it properly then.]
It was a wish that brought a smirk to my face. Simple yet beautiful, and exactly the kind of wish I want to tease her about.
"A kiss is too small. How about sex?"
[H-how lewd.... I was taught that a priest serving God must remain pure.]
"You didn't say no or that you hate it. I can take that as a yes, right?"
[I do not believe this is a matter to be argued here. Let us discuss it when we meet.]
"Hehehe, talking with the Saint really is the most fun."
Ah, right. I was so busy teasing her that I forgot I planned to ask the Saint about how to handle Uriel.
"What should I do with Uriel? Because of the Archangels' warning, it seems I have to keep her around, but frankly, I'm not sure."
[Didn't you say earlier that Archangel Michael entrusted Uriel to you?]
"Yeah, he did."
[Then it should be fine for her to simply accompany you. Do not overthink it; just keep her by your side. Just act as you always do. Archangel Michael likely had a plan.]
"Well, whether Uriel finds the truth and becomes an Archangel again or not is none of my business."
It's not like Uriel has any particularly positive feelings toward me.
Hmm... or does she? Uriel is an Archangel after all. If I earn some points with her, it might be useful later. It could return as an unexpected benefit.
"Time is almost up."
[Already?]
"Yeah, I think we have to end the communication. I'll call you again at this time tomorrow."
[W-wait a moment!]
"Why? Is there something else you want to... ah."
I almost forgot something important.
"Saint, I love you."
[I love you too.]
I almost forgot something very important.
*****
After ending the communication with the Saint, Beatrice woke up from the sleeping spell shortly after. Noticing she was awake, Aru started barking loudly.
"Woof woof! Young Demon! The human woman is awake!"
"Ugh, my head..."
Looking over, I saw Beatrice sitting up while pressing her hand to her forehead. I waved my hand in front of her eyes to get her attention.
"Dame Beatrice, are you back with us?"
"Oscar... my Lord... gasp!"
Suddenly, Beatrice gasped, clutching her forehead and groaning. It was a situation similar to yesterday. She remembered that I am a descendant of Lucifer.
I could erase her memories with magic, but tampering with the memories of someone as strong as Beatrice is dangerous. Since this is a hurdle I have to clear anyway, I decided to face it head-on.
"Do you remember everything that happened yesterday?"
"Ugh..."
"If not, I'll explain. The contract between Dame Beatrice and Devil Lucifer has been broken. Now, it is time for you to form a contract with me. You remember that I am a demon, not a human, right?"
"Ah..."
"Of course, you can still back out. After all, I am the offspring of Lucifer, whom you despise. It must be unpleasant to remain tied to him even after the contract is gone."
"..."
Beatrice lowered her lonely gaze to the ground. Her face looked as if she were in deep agony over something.
"But I can guarantee this. The exhilaration, pleasure, and excitement you felt yesterday—I will make sure you experience all of them again. Think carefully. Of course, my path might not either be to your liking. I am no saint. If anything, I'm closer to a villain. But if you still want a contract with me, take my hand."
I whispered secretly in a soft voice and reached out my hand.
Beatrice remained with her head bowed, still pondering.
I'll wait. I awakened her desire and gave her a chance. Now that the bait is set and the line is cast, all that's left is to wait patiently.
How many minutes passed?
Beatrice finally looked up. Her face wore a firm, expressionless mask, impossible to read.
"...A knight."
"Have you made your decision?"
"How could a knight flip their loyalty to a chosen Lord like overturning a palm?"
"Oh."
"Even if my Lord had secrets I was unaware of, a knight must take responsibility for their own words and actions. That is what it means to be a knight."
Then, she reached out. Beatrice's white hand rested upon my palm.
"That's a great choice, Dame Beatrice. You won't regret it."
"I will not regret it. For the past four years, I have experienced more than enough regret to last a lifetime."
"Then all the better."
I am a magician. A director filming a movie, an actor starring in my own film, and a clown who performs miracles.
I am also someone's love, someone's salvation, someone's enemy, and someone's captain.
And now, I am the Lord to a knight who had lost her way.
Beatrice knelt on one knee before me. Bowing her head and raising one hand above her head, Beatrice declared in a solemn voice.
"I, Beatrice Constantino, officially greet my Lord as the Lord's sword."