Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: A New Target
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Rhys Ganiol.
This bastard with the sparkling eyes was one of the key figures involved in the fall of Riverune.
He was the vice-commander of the Magic Corps back then, too.
‘But how is it possible for him to be in the same position for twenty-two years?’
The heads of the four great families had also kept their positions, so I could understand that much.
But it was a mystery why he hadn't been promoted despite such accomplishments.
It was ridiculous to be having such thoughts with an enemy right in front of me.
But I was doing it on purpose.
I felt I had to distract myself to suppress the urge to strike him down right now.
—Such pure vengeance... I quite like it. What are you waiting for? Cut the bastard's head off! Draw Calipe now!
As if sensing my emotions, Alkheim chattered on in his smooth, oily voice.
A ploy to somehow infiltrate my mind while it was momentarily distracted.
‘Isn't there a way to get rid of this damn thing with magic?’
Once I got to Everfilt, I’d have to find a way to reseal the Dark Spirit King.
I could take care of it while I was spying on them.
“I will begin.”
Whoosh—!
As Rhys Ganiol focused his mind, the cube floated up and emitted a strange sound.
The teleportation magic was activating.
A clean casting of magic, with no cumbersome incantations or unnecessary movements.
Just what you'd expect from the continent's greatest family of mages.
Flash—!
A brilliant white flash erupted, completely blinding me.
I felt a lurch in my stomach and the sensation of being sucked somewhere.
Fwoosh! Whoosh...
I only blinked a few times, and the teleportation was already over.
The white light that had enveloped me gradually faded, revealing the surrounding scenery.
‘It's kind of dreary.’
The atmosphere was gloomy, like a subterranean torture chamber.
I frowned and looked back at Rhys Ganiol.
My gaze asked what kind of place he'd brought me to.
He scratched the back of his head and gave an awkward laugh.
“It seems the other teleportation ports are occupied. This is a destination that's only opened temporarily.”
“It looks like some kind of torture chamber.”
“You're right. It was used for that purpose a very long time ago.”
“What! Seriously?”
When I gave him a suspicious look, Rhys Ganiol waved his hands in alarm.
“Th-this place is a sort of museum. It was built as a reminder to reflect on past mistakes and never forget them. It's absolutely not...”
“I was joking. Why are you overreacting? It only makes you more suspicious.”
“Ahem!”
I subtly teased the greasy man with the sparkling eyes.
After that, my boiling anger seemed to calm down.
I guess people are most comfortable doing what they're good at.
“Anyway, where's the exit? It's really hard to spot.”
Leaving Rhys Ganiol to feign ignorance, I glanced around.
But just then.
A bizarre sound came from a corner of the torture chamber.
“Ghhhk. Khhhaaa?”
A shiver ran down my entire body.
For a moment, I thought some kind of lingering spirit from the torture chamber had appeared.
Of course, it wasn't that I was afraid of ghosts.
‘But for someone who lives by the sword, ghostly monsters are always a pain to deal with.’
But my unease quickly subsided.
Someone at Vice-Commander Rhys's level should be able to drive away a ghost.
And since I could use magic too, it wouldn't be a major problem.
However, when I glanced back, Rhys's face was filled with horror.
‘He seems surprised for a different reason, though.’
The moment that thought occurred to me, Vice-Commander Rhys hurriedly blocked my path.
“The way out is this way. Let's get moving.”
“But I just heard a strange noise from over there.”
“Ahaha! You can just ignore it. It happens from time to time.”
“It's really bothering me. What if a ghost follows us? We should drive it out now that we've found it.”
“Well...”
While he hesitated, I leaned my upper body slightly to the right.
Rhys Ganiol immediately tried to block my way again.
Swish.
But a mere mage could never keep up with the movements of a top-tier assassin.
In an instant, I switched directions and slipped past the Vice-Commander.
“Huh?”
While he stumbled and fell to the floor, caught off balance, I made my way to the corner of the room.
Then, I rounded the corner and peeked my head into a dark hallway.
Without a moment's hesitation.
Soon, I came face-to-face with the source of the ghastly sound.
“Th-this is!”
A white dress, long, unbound hair.
A woman swaying slowly, her head tilted to one side.
The identity of the person standing in the eerie hallway was...
‘A beauty!’
Judging by her perfectly normal feet and skin, she definitely wasn't a ghost or an undead.
So what was she?
She had to be human.
She was doing something weird all by herself in a sealed-off torture chamber, but so what?
“She's pretty, so she passes.”
Clap! Clap! Clap!
As I clapped and nodded, Rhys Ganiol, who had caught up, slapped his forehead.
“Sigh. Again...”
“What is it? Do you know her?”
“It's a bit difficult to reveal her identity, but she is a member of our family. She suffers from somnambulism.”
“Aha!”
If it's just sleepwalking and not a mental illness, it's not that serious.
It can easily be treated with magic.
I wiggled my index finger, catching the Vice-Commander's attention.
“Hey, Vice-Commander.”
“Yes?”
“You said Everfilt would cover all expenses incurred during the additional investigation, right?”
“Ah! Of course. We plan to provide payment based on the duration. The budget has already been set.”
“Instead of money, could we just call it even with an introduction?”
“Pardon?”
I gave a meaningful smile and pointed at the beauty wandering like a ghost.
At that, the ever-present smile on Rhys Ganiol's face twisted.
***
Vice-Commander Rhys was reluctant until the very end.
From what I gathered, he didn't have the authority to do so.
So I decided to get consent immediately.
Directly from the person herself, that is.
As a result, I was able to meet the beauty from the torture chamber, just as I'd wanted.
Not in that gloomy place, of course.
We moved up to a luxurious drawing room and enjoyed a light tea time.
While we were doing that, the greasy man went to report to the main family.
“To show you such a sight at our first meeting... how embarrassing.”
“It's quite all right. It wasn't that strange a sight. In fact, it was rather charming. Should I say that even in your unguarded state, you possessed a certain grace?”
“Ho ho! Was that so?”
“Now, let me introduce myself properly. My name is Ray.”
“I've heard about you. A direct descendant of Rantzverger, I believe.”
“Yes.”
“I am Elisia Everfilt. It's a pleasure to meet you.”
The moment I heard her introduction, it felt like I'd been struck in the head with a hammer.
It wasn't just a shock born from surprise.
It was because the perfect method to achieve my goal at Everfilt had just occurred to me.
None other than a honey trap.
‘What is my greatest weapon?’
The swordsmanship I've honed since my past life?
The Demonic Soul, obtained by merging two energy arts that reached their peak?
My naturally handsome face?
‘None of them.’
In truth, those advantages were merely secondary.
My ultimate weapon is my shameless ability to flirt with any woman.
That, along with my excellent acting skills and lack of conscience.
‘No, it sounds a bit strange to admit my own character is shot.’
That's not to say I'm some lunatic who can commit immoral acts without a second thought.
It's the resolve to cast aside even my humanity for the sake of completing my revenge.
That's what it meant.
Yes.
I have nowhere left to retreat.
To face a formidable enemy, I must not be picky about the means...
Thwack!
‘Ugh?’
As I was smiling at Elisia, someone suddenly struck me on the back.
Not for real, but a vision of it momentarily flashed through my mind.
The one who sent a chill down my spine was Adel Richter.
The thought of her suddenly surfaced, interrupting my train of thought.
‘Well, it's not like she expected some heart-wrenching, pure devotion from me, right?’
In fact, Adel knew full well what I was up to back in Venderford.
The fact that she still agreed to date me must mean she accepts that part of me, right?
She probably wouldn't even care.
This isn't genuine, after all. It's just part of my life's great undertaking.
Of course, if I get caught, I'll probably get thrashed a bit.
“My, your expression changes so much in such a short time. You're quite an interesting person. You weren't even fazed by my disgraceful behavior.”
“I just had something on my mind. Anyway, it's strange. Why would the Everfilt family leave a simple condition like somnambulism untreated?”
“Ah, this is...”
In the middle of her explanation, Elisia looked away with a troubled expression.
It seemed she was a bit hesitant to talk about her sleepwalking.
Prying persistently at a time like this would only be counterproductive.
I smiled gently and waited in silence.
A handsome man's gentle smile, a considerate attitude, and a comfortable atmosphere.
‘With this, I can get what I want even by staying still. Now, for the countdown. Three, two, one.’
The moment she lets her secret slip.
Something special would form between us.
Of course, it seemed the people of the Everfilt family, including Rhys Ganiol, already knew about the somnambulism.
But this would be the first time she told an outsider.
Her face now blushing, Elisia looked at me and continued.
“I'd rather not say.”
“...Pardon?”
No, it can't be!
My honey trap, which has reached the ultimate level, didn't work?
How can this be?
I stared at her, dumbfounded.
But as Elisia gently shook her head, her eyes held a firm resolve.
The determination to never speak of it.
‘Hoh...’
Thump. Thump.
My heart pounded as if I had met the rival of a lifetime.
It wasn't just fluttering from a connection with a beautiful woman.
It was simply... welling up from deep within my chest.
‘My competitive spirit.’
The desire to capture this woman's heart excited me.
Wait, saying it like that makes me sound like a guy who's crazy about women.
That's absolutely not it.
This is truly just a preparatory step for the great work of revenge.
‘I'll finish it cleanly and professionally, you know?’
While delivering a devastating blow to Everfilt's back.
As I had these thoughts while looking at Elisia, her smooth skin and harmonious features caught my eye.
Her large, round eyes were like a lake.
Before I make my move, a moment of silent prayer...
‘Father, it's okay if I take my time with revenge, right?’
He'll probably understand.
He knows better than anyone what kind of guy I really am.