Chapter 64: Wouldn’t it be boring if you knew that? (5)
I stared in horror at the fragment of the Inquisitor resisting annihilation. As the Holy Fire gradually weakened, his body showed signs of slowly regenerating.
Oh, no! If that thing comes out, the Imperial Capital will……! No, the Empire is finished!
“Hey! Someone send that thing far away!”
Just then, Lucy’s confident voice was heard. Turning my head, I saw the owner of the voice leaning on his staff, bleeding from his nose. What happened to the magic?
“Lu, Lucy?”
“Ugh! Quickly! A bigger one than expected came out! You have to send it at least 10 meters away! Otherwise, everyone will be erased!”
“What, what are you talking about!”
“Argh! You there! Big guy! Throw the spear and blow that thing away!”
Lucy gritted his teeth and spoke to Joey.
“Eh……? Ah? Ugh!”
Joey didn’t know what to do, then clenched his teeth and stood up. Then he pointed his spear at the Inquisitor.
He still had Divine Spells left, and a white light gathered on his spear. Joey took a throwing stance, aiming at the Inquisitor.
“Send it flying into the air!”
“Ah, alright!”
At that moment. The descending Holy Fire disappeared, and the Inquisitor roared.
“Koooooo-!”
“Haaaaap!”
Joey threw the spear with all his might.
Kwaak!
The Inquisitor, falling from the air, was pierced by the spear and soared into the night sky. And Lucy shouted in a cheerful tone.
“Ruler of Space! By his authority! I will erase even the residue! Ol Keres Pendens’s Delete-!”
Ttaak!
A cheerful sound rang from his left hand.
An unnatural cheerfulness that didn’t fit the situation. But that cheerfulness must have been the cheerfulness of magic.
Keeeiing-!
Is the air crying, or is the void trembling?
The Inquisitor, flying pierced by the spear, stopped in mid-air……? How, how can I describe this?
Space is folding in?
Like liquid glass before it solidifies, the space within 10 meters around the Inquisitor was folding in. It was being sucked in.
It was being erased.
Keeeiing-! Jeong! Jeoong!
Like the ice of a lake cracking in midwinter, a sound was heard. The Inquisitor was shaking his head and struggling, but the sound was blocked by the screams of space.
If the Inquisitor in the Holy Fire had melted away a while ago, this was like erasing a drawing on sand with the palm of your hand.
Jjeong-! Jeong-!
The Inquisitor disappeared from the waist within the erasing space, leaving only his upper chest and head. The demon was in agony, and then at some point, he stopped struggling.
And there was a hideous voice that echoed in my mind.
<Even though I disappear, the curse I leave behind will rule for 100 years!>
When the Inquisitor opened his mouth, there was a black mass inside that could be called luminous darkness. That is……!
It’s trying to curse this land with its dying breath!
“Eeeeeek-!”
I jumped to my feet.
I can’t let it curse this land now. This is where I will continue to live. This is the heart of the country I must live in.
I still have loved ones here-!
“Joey!”
“Yes? Ah!”
I ran towards Joey, extending my left hand. Holding my sword in my right hand.
Joey quickly realized what to do. He grabbed my left hand and spun me around, throwing me towards the disappearing Inquisitor.
“No! You’ll be erased too-!”
“Risel-!”
Leaving behind Lucy’s horrified voice and Levidian’s scream, my body soared through the air like a soaring eagle. In front of me was a lump of curses that looked like it was completely packed and about to explode.
Since I still have Divine Spells left in my body……! I’ll draw them all out!
If I succeed this time, even attend the service! Lynin!
<All humans on this land will not survive-!>
“You die-!”
Ignoring the Inquisitor’s last words echoing in my head, I swung my sword with all my might towards the lump of curses.
The sword, which seemed to be made of white light, cut through the darkness within darkness.
Kwaaang-!
Feeling the strength drain from my entire body, fragments of light scattered in all directions.
My hand lost its grip on the sword, and my body floated in the air.
Why does this fleeting moment of floating feel so long?
During that floating time, I saw it.
The remnants of the Inquisitor disappearing, caught in the massive explosion of white light. And the sight of the curse being devoured by the light and erased.
I smiled with relief, and then something hit the back of my head hard.
Lightning flashed before my eyes.
Ah, I’m sorry for the joke, Lynin……
But isn’t lightning a bit too much?
When I opened my eyes, it was 18 hours later.
Namias’ diagnosis was that I had depleted my physical strength due to the fatigue and the strain of forcibly drawing out the remaining Divine Power from my body.
Fortunately, thanks to magic, Divine Power, and force (?), the incomplete Inquisitor completely disappeared. I was truly relieved that this land wouldn’t be cursed.
But there was something that wasn’t fortunate. It was the fact that Artshever, who possessed the ability to summon an Inquisitor, didn’t become an enemy of the Lynin Religion for summoning a demon.
Namias didn’t say anything about that.
I was quite angry that she wouldn’t tell me, considering I was already involved in the incident. She even stole my first kiss after my resurrection. Ah, that’s not it.
She just said in a quiet tone:
“Everything will be revealed like light when the time is right.”
I wanted to interpret this as ‘I will tell you someday.’ Otherwise, I would have been furious at the powerful High Priest. I should send a letter to the Gardener High Priest through Lime-hyung later.
Cleaning up the incident became quite complicated.
The serial murders were the jurisdiction of the Security Bureau, but the demon involved was under the jurisdiction of the Temple. Aila said there might be a power struggle between the Security Bureau and the Temple. How did she know that?
Anyway, the case was solved.
There was quite a bit of complicated cleanup left, but now that the case was solved, there was no reason to cancel the masquerade ball. The cleanup could be done slowly.
Actually, considering the gravity of the incident, holding a ball wasn’t desirable. But it would take a few more days for the rumors to spread. Rumors are like frogs, holding their breath and then jumping up.
In the meantime, I wanted to do everything I could.
Thus, today, November 14th, 372nd year of the Imperial Calendar.
The Arisein Pen Herduke hosted Saint Mars Cuerad’s Day Commemorative Masquerade Ball was grandly opened.
“Hmm. Aren’t you tired? After all the commotion yesterday?”
“Namias and the Battle Priests who arrived later treated me well. I’m fine now.”
“Alright. I understand. I’ll go in first.”
Aila, wearing a red butterfly mask and a black wig, entered arm in arm with Rob-hyeong.
Although the masquerade ball is meant for all attendees to be unaware of each other’s identities, there are exceptions.
Masquerade Ball Rule #1.
The host of the ball has the right to identify all attendees, and attendees cannot refuse this.
Originally, this rule was intended to allow Artshever to attend, but now its weight seems to have diminished somewhat.
I chuckled and erased the useless thoughts. And I rang the bell.
Clang. Clang.
At the small signal, the door opened and another couple entered. A man wearing an opera mask escorted a petite woman wearing a black veil.
I know who they are without even looking at the invitation.
“Welcome, Eri. Nice to meet you, Sir Vincent.”
Sir Vincent gave a dignified smile and bowed politely, and Eri, holding up her skirt, greeted gracefully and suddenly rushed to hug me.
“Uh……? Eri?”
“Thank you, brother.”
I looked at Vincent with an awkward expression, and he smiled softly and bowed his head.
“The Lady’s sorrow has greatly diminished. I truly thank you.”
“No, it’s nothing……”
Did my grandfather tell her?
Embarrassed, I scratched my head with an awkward expression. I could hear Eri sniffling beside my ear. She stayed like that for a while, then pulled away.
She lifted her veil and said with a bright smile:
“Thank you. I will definitely repay this kindness.”
“It’s not a kindness. Just enjoy the ball, that’s enough.”
I exchanged pleasantries and let them in. I was so focused on Artshever that I couldn’t pay much attention to Eri…… I’m a little embarrassed to hear her greetings like this.
After that, countless invitees entered, each with their own unique appearances. I received invitations from each of them and checked their identities.
After more than an hour of meeting and greeting over 100 people, I was starting to get tired.
Clang. Clang.
When I rang the bell, this time one person entered.
No matter how I look at it, it’s an appearance I don’t want to describe. But I have to describe it, or I’ll regret it.
His purple pants were ridiculously puffed up, and on top of that, he wore a vest with different colors on each side and a completely mismatched shirt, and his shoes were mismatched in color and stretched out, with their tips pointing straight up.
His face was divided in half at the nose and painted gold and silver. His lips were painted black, and the area around his mouth was also made up to look like a smiling face.
And with a six-sided, multi-colored, bell-shaped hat, a perfect clown entered.
I could tell exactly who this person was, in a different sense, but I said with sincere disdain:
“The circus is through the back door.”
“Oh dear. Should I have shown you the invitation after all?”
“No. I was waiting for you, Artshever.”
I sighed and snatched the invitation he offered. I thought he would come in an unconventional outfit, but I didn’t expect him to create such a perfect clown.
I crossed my arms and asked with an indifferent expression:
“So. Are you happy that the masquerade ball is being held?”
“Actually, I didn’t expect it either. Hmm, well, let’s just say I’m happy. How did you like the ‘gift’ I gave you?”
“Oh, it was truly thrilling. What the hell are you? You managed to pull that off without getting caught. I bet even if we arrested you and checked if you were lying with Divine Spells, there wouldn’t be a single trace. Right?”
“Wow! Correct!”
Whew! Clap, clap, clap!
Artshever whistled and clapped three times, a truly clownish commotion. He said in a playful manner:
“I thought it would be difficult, but I had a lot of help. What do you think? Thanks to that, we also learned about the abilities of that High Priest. Besides, killing a demon is something not just anyone can do.”
“Not just anyone can summon a demon like that either. Are you a demon, perhaps a high-ranking one?”
“Well, what do you think? One thing’s for sure! I’m a proper human being. Haha!”
It’s absurd that I feel this way, and it’s even more absurd that he’s definitely human, but it’s true. I’m certain he’s human.
“Damn it, talking to you makes me feel weird.”
“Now, now, don’t be like that. That’s just how the world is. Isn’t this a place to have fun? So let’s have fun today. Hahaha! Thanks to that major failure, I have to lie low for a while. The grounding period will be at least a year, if not more.”
This is also true. To be honest, it’s a relief. If something like yesterday happened every month, reality would fly across the Sair River in my mind.
Artshever continued speaking cheerfully with a grin.
“Then, it’s time for a reward. So, is there anything you want to ask? I’ll give you a proper answer.”
The problem is what’s ‘proper’ from his perspective…… But he seems willing to answer.
I stroked my chin and thought for a moment. He’ll probably dodge the question about his identity, and if I ask why he became an enemy of the Lynin Religion, he’ll probably give the same answer.
What should I ask……
Alright. Let’s go with that.
“What are you trying to achieve by provoking me?”
“Haha! If you knew that, wouldn’t it be boring? Oh dear, you’re close to the core, but that’s a difficult question to answer. Too bad!”
Clap!
He jumped up and clapped loudly once. I bared my teeth and growled, then stopped. Getting angry at this guy is more foolish than being friendly with him.
I sighed and said casually:
“Then let’s change the question. Who are you?”
“I’m Artshever Le Setrife. My nickname is Als. I’m just a clown who likes to imitate. Hahaha! Then I’ll go in!”
He laughed cheerfully, opened the door, and went inside. And as I watched his back and the slowly closing door, I wondered about the feeling that had just washed over me.
What he just said was true.
“Ha, this is ridiculous, I was literally played by a clown.”
I let out a hollow laugh and ran my hand through my hair.
At least it’s a relief that he’ll be quiet for a while? He’ll probably provoke me again after I’ve dealt with all the unknown damage he’s caused.
What is he really up to?
He suddenly appeared out of nowhere, not even in the history I remember…… Is he someone who died and came back to life too?
No. It feels different. A strange feeling that something is fundamentally different won’t leave my chest.
“What the hell is his identity? Haa, does that mean it’s no fun knowing now? Damn it.”
No matter how much I think about it, there are things in the world that I don’t know right now.
Artshever seems to be one of them.
And as is always the case with these kinds of things, it makes me itch to know right now.
“One…… One thing’s for sure.”
I muttered to myself as I picked up the bell. It’s just confirming what I’ve always thought, but…… It’s a relief that there’s at least one thing I’m certain about regarding him.
‘Artshever Le Setrife’ is ‘my’ ‘enemy’.
This will never change.
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