Ch 235
『Title: No way, Night of Deception, what the brat?!』
Content: Is it something like, ‘The one you just killed was also Mental Magic, hehehe’?
Dude, I clearly killed it, why is the Elf slum in shambles?
-: Destroy only the World Tree and High Elves VS Destroy the World Tree, High Elves, and everyone else
Which one do you choose?
-: I… I can’t choose…ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
-: You’re a selfless fellow. As a reward, I’ll give you both.
-: Uh, damn, how can you give me both?
-: So, you mean Jeong Pyeongtaek intentionally received both?
-: Jeong Pyeongtaek, this crazy woman!
-: I was just staying quiet.
-『Author』: What the hell is going on?!
-: Killing the Night of Deception is good, but
if you kill her, the aftermath explodes, turning the city’s Elves into zombies.
About 1/5 of them.
So you have to kill her properly.
-『Author』: What the hell is killing her properly?!
This is insane.
✦✦✦
“Master Caroer!”
It was an urgent voice that brought Lisir and Caroer’s conversation to a halt.
Their gazes turned to the entrance of the room.
Although Elves rarely show their disarray, he was gasping for breath.
Lisir and Caroer immediately recognized that his agitation stemmed from mental shock.
Inferring an emergency, the two simultaneously rose from their seats.
“Speak, if you have something to say.”
“The, the Night of Deception-…! You must come quickly!”
“Did she escape confinement?”
Lisir’s face contorted in disgust.
‘I heard that the Night of Deception was subjected to maximum confinement, unable to use even a speck of Mana… Could it be that she caused trouble in that state?’
Lisir fervently prayed that wasn’t the case.
Because if that were true, he no longer wanted to be involved with such a monster.
“N-No, that’s not it!”
“Oh, I’m horrified.”
“Then what is it?”
“The Deception has finally spoken, requesting an interview with Master Caroer!”
“Did she request a meeting with an Elder or Guardian? Or━”
“Specifically, she named Master Caroer!”
“Understood. I’ll go immediately. Lisir, you━”
“Just in case, may I accompany you?”
“…”
After exchanging glances, the two followed the Elf to their destination.
✦✦✦
The dungeon located beneath the Verdant Council.
Its deepest part.
In that place, bathed in artificial sunlight, a figure was bound by tough vines.
Those swirling purple eyes radiated presence.
“Night of Deception. You called for me?”
“…”
Even after Caroer spoke, those purple eyes remained fixed elsewhere.
On Lisir, standing beside Caroer.
The Night of Deception looked at Lisir and touched the wound on her neck—the scar inflicted by Lisir.
As if reminiscing about that moment.
“Yes. Guardian Caroer. I called for you. Not that dreadful monster.”
The Night of Deception was genuinely disgusted.
Caroer’s eyes gleamed with interest at her expression.
“Night of Deception. You seem afraid of this man.”
“Ha!”
The Night of Deception let out a sarcastic chuckle.
However, that was all.
She couldn’t refute Caroer’s words.
The Night of Deception completely averted her gaze from Lisir.
As if she didn’t even want to look at him. No.
As if she didn’t want to acknowledge his existence.
“Caroer. Kill everyone except you.”
Now, the Night of Deception was completely focused on the High Elf.
Even in her bound state, she spoke without losing her presence.
Did she really have a trump card left?
After a moment’s hesitation, Caroer dismissed the guards and personnel guarding the dungeon.
“Master Caroer…!”
“It’s alright. Leave.”
Only one person.
Except for Lisir.
The Night of Deception’s expression twisted sharply.
“Are those uselessly long ears deaf?”
“It’s proof that I feel nothing more than a little curiosity about your last-ditch effort.”
“…”
“If you intend to pique my interest, then show me.”
Lisir recalled a fact he had momentarily forgotten.
Caroer.
The fact that she was the foremost High Elf even among the exclusive Elves.
And the fact that she was at the very top among those High Elves.
Her extremely arrogant atmosphere made her opponent feel infinitely small.
‘Back in my day, even as the Grandmaster’s acquaintance, I was treated… somewhat decently, wasn’t I?’
Lisir thought that even the Night of Deception wouldn’t be completely free from that blatant contempt.
However-
Contrary to Lisir’s expectations, the Night of Deception met the High Elf’s gaze head-on, showing no sign of being intimidated.
“…”
Instead, a subtle hint of tension appeared on the High Elf’s face.
Night.
The presence that her name held couldn’t be completely erased even by thorough confinement.
Even at this point, Caroer was wary of the trump card the Night of Deception might have hidden.
And.
The Night, even at this point, was gauging the timing to reveal her hidden trump card.
As the tension created by the two strong individuals clung and intertwined-
“Wouldn’t it be better to show a little more self-awareness?”
“…!”
“…!”
A third voice intervened between them.
Lisir.
He was now looking at Night with a meaningful gaze.
Clack.
His gritted teeth produced a chilling sound.
Night of Deception.
It was a situation and emotion far too unfamiliar for someone of her stature.
Such humiliation.
She could bear it no longer.
The Night of Deception intended to unleash the trump card she had hidden until the very end.
The seeds of deception she had planted in some of the Illathein citizens—as a precaution for any unforeseen circumstances—
She would make them bloom.
Those seeds, which bloom the moment the Night of Deception gives up her power or meets her death, completely deprive the target of their self, turning them into bloodthirsty beasts.
The noble Elf city would become a beast’s den overnight.
Kin turned into beasts.
Elves slaughtering them.
And Caroer.
The Night of Deception, imagining her expression, produced her characteristic sarcastic smile.
That’s right.
Even if the plan failed, she wouldn’t be defeated.
Even if it was broken, her power remained intact.
Thus.
The Night of Deception surrendered to madness, seeking to reaffirm the meaning of her existence.
“You’d better not do anything reckless.”
“…!”
At that moment.
“You haven’t forgotten why you’re in this state, have you?”
Lisir’s voice echoed again.
“From the moment you set foot in this city, I have been watching you.”
“What…━”
“Otherwise, how could I have been free from all your power? How could I have foreseen and thwarted all your plans?”
He looked down at the Night of Deception and stroked his neck.
“Just like the wound on your neck, it’s best to keep it in mind.”
Then, the Night of Deception unconsciously touched her own neck.
The scar he had inflicted.
“All your plans are in the palm of my hand.”
“…!?”
A large ripple spread across those purple eyes.
People tend to fear what they don’t understand.
The unfathomable power he had shown was constantly expanding the man’s importance in her thoughts.
Therefore.
The Night of Deception had no choice but to believe the man’s words at face value.
That absurd statement that all her plans were in the palm of his hand.
“…You’re quite talkative. So, what do you want to say?”
The Night of Deception produced a sarcastic smile.
It was clearly artificial composure—in other words, a bluff.
“Acknowledge that this time was bad for you, and surrender completely.”
“You’re quite good at telling a piglet to be docile and get slaughtered.”
“Your treatment hasn’t been decided yet.”
“Are you guaranteeing my life? Are you telling me to believe that?”
“Of course not. However, I can guarantee something else for sure.”
Lisir approached Night and met her gaze.
Then, with his characteristic amiable smile, he said.
“In that case, I will completely withdraw from your interrogation. There will be no reason for me to participate anymore.”
Night of Deception.
Her interrogation was proving difficult.
It was clear that such a worst-case scenario wouldn’t fear ordinary interrogations or torture.
In that sense, it was surprising.
“…”
If you surrender completely, at least I won’t participate in your interrogation.
The Night of Deception showed clear agitation at Lisir’s proposal.
Everything was discovered-
In a situation where all plans were meaningless-
She would struggle pointlessly-
And suffer unimaginable torture from that ‘dreadful monster’.
The emotions the Night of Deception felt towards Lisir were stimulating her imagination.
Finally.
The Night of Deception succumbed to that imagination.
“Can you swear on your power and soul that you won’t participate in my interrogation?”
“I always try to be a kind person. I try to make sure that what goes around comes around.”
“…”
After a while.
The Night of Deception stuck out her tongue.
As time passed, a faint pattern appeared on it.
Magic completed with blood.
She revealed her final trump card.
“I should also tell Master Caroer what you were trying to do with that.”
“…You were trying to paralyze the reason of the citizens of Illathein and turn the Elf city into a city of beasts.
“…!”
Caroer had to do her best to feign composure.
Even though she had used every means to restrain and neutralize her-
She was still the Night of Deception.
‘What would have happened if that magic had been activated…’
Recalling the Night’s Mental Magic that had dominated the High Elves, Caroer felt a dizzying sensation.
Caroer immediately stepped forward and destroyed the magic.
Then, the strange tension in the room completely disappeared.
The Night’s expression seemed both relieved and empty.
Caroer finally realized that the Night had been completely neutralized.
“…”
She unconsciously looked at Lisir.
‘What on earth… Could it be that Labella foresaw all this and sent this man to me…?’
The High Elf, feeling indescribable emotions towards the man, managed to compose herself.
“Is that all your business?”
“…”
The purple eyes, instantly devoid of malice, stared at the High Elf.
Soon.
An enigmatic smile appeared on her lips.
“Guardian Caroer. You’re a friend of Forest Night. I know you’re still connected to Forest Night.”
“…!”
“And I also know that the evil spirit of the past, Forest Night, hasn’t completely died.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“Don’t worry. No.”
Deception moved her head, looking at her bound hands one by one, and said.
“In this situation, should I say don’t be relieved? Because I’m not interested in you.”
Inferno.
She softly whispered the name.
The name of another worst-case scenario that reigned as night, along with the forest, during the chaotic era.
“That evil spirit of the past wants to send its regards to another evil spirit of the past.”
“…What’s your relationship with that thing?”
“It’s not the kind of relationship you’re thinking of. It’s more like a small debt. I received a little help from that thing in the process of obtaining the necessary item—and in return, I promised a small reward. To throw a spark of anxiety into Forest Night through you.”
Hoo.
Night’s eyes closed slowly.
When her eyes opened again, a burning flame resided within them.
“Tell Forest Night that all preparations are complete, and I’m ready to burn you.”
“…”
Caroer immediately understood Night’s state.
At this moment.
Deception had become Inferno’s messenger.
Of course, that connection is very shallow.
Deception didn’t even allow Inferno access to her sensations.
Only emotions and will.
The emotions and will Deception felt now would be conveyed to Inferno.
“Do you have anything else to say? Inferno is waiting for your answer.”
“…”
Caroer hesitated to speak.
The suddenly mentioned being was a terrifying existence she didn’t want to recall.
As Inferno’s shadow pressed down on Caroer-
“Kuk━”
A burst of laughter caught their attention.
Lisir.
He had a face that seemed to find the situation unbearably funny.
“…”
The emotion for Lisir, imprinted on her instincts.
Deception’s presence was greatly diminished as it was stimulated again.
Lisir looked at Deception and said.
“It’s late. Isn’t it too late?”
With a very meaningful smile.
“…”
At that moment.
The flames that had been burning fiercely in Deception’s eyes lost their intensity.
It was what happened after the messenger felt the fear, anxiety, and vagueness, which were conveyed somewhere.
✦✦✦
─────────────────────
▷Fate 8: World Tree ━ Deactivated.
The corresponding bonus will be given.
─────────────────────
✦✦✦
“Huh?”
At that moment.
The meaningful atmosphere Lisir had created faded.
He looked at his body and muttered softly.
“My level increased.”
“…”
The High Elf and Night also felt it.
That the man’s level had suddenly increased.
“Level increased…?”
Night unconsciously repeated the words.
That absurd statement that disregarded reason-
Was uttered in a very casual tone.
At that moment.
The flames burning in Deception’s eyes completely subsided.
They didn’t know.
At this moment.
The fact that the ancient evil spirit that had been stirring in an unseen place was overcome by vague anxiety.
The fact that the brakes were applied to that momentum, like a wildfire.
✦✦✦
─────────────────────
▷Fate 55: Burning City ━ Deactivated.
The corresponding bonus will be given.
…
…
…
All fates in this area have been deactivated.
─────────────────────
▷Area: Ash City Bauntifall ━ Deactivated.
The corresponding bonus will be given.
─────────────────────
✦✦✦
“Oh.”
Lisir touched under his nose.
Blood was flowing from every opening in his face.
What.
It increased again?
What day is it today?
He muttered.
“…”
The Night of Deception thought.
Just before.
The decision to give up everything to escape that monster was undoubtedly the best decision.
✦✦✦
“Lisir.”
Lisir’s party, having parted ways with the Night of Deception and escaped the prison.
Immediately after leaving the prison, Caroer spoke to Lisir.
Her arrogant atmosphere had completely disappeared.
Standing there was just a High Elf struggling in confusion.
“What… what on earth happened? Knowing all of the Night of Deception’s plans… and saying it’s too late…”
Forest Night.
Could that thing have orchestrated all this behind the scenes?
That was the first point Caroer’s thoughts reached, but her thoughts had already moved away from that point.
Even if it was Forest Night, it couldn’t be this unfathomable.
Caroer looked at the man with trembling eyes.
What on earth.
What kind of incredible answer would come back?
Caroer, who couldn’t even dare to guess, could only fear.
“Ah, about that.”
Lisir opened his mouth with his characteristic amiable smile.
“Actually, it was all a lie.”
“…What?”
“Since that person seemed to be extremely wary of me, I tried bluffing. And somehow, it worked perfectly.”
As if to prove it wasn’t a lie, Lisir let out a deep sigh of ‘Hoo-‘ and shivered.
“That Mental Magic almost spread throughout the city. Isn’t it terrifying to even imagine?”
The High Elf couldn’t hide her astonishment at his nonchalant demeanor, showing a very human side.
The arrogant High Elf’s mouth and eyes opened wide.
“What the…”
✦✦✦
Afterwards.
After parting ways with Caroer, who was escaping him, Lisir headed towards the Green Tower with his guide.
The guide.
It was the Watcher, Ratsil.
“Lisir! By the way, do you know!? My younger sibling is the Master of the Green Tower! If the Tower Master refuses to teach you Nature Magic, don’t worry! You can ask my sibling to teach you then! If I tell my sibling about Lisir’s achievements, Rasiel, that child, will be eager to teach Lisir Nature Magic!? Ah! Right! I shouldn’t reveal that story to the outside yet!? Ah! Come to think of it, I haven’t told you that yet, Lisir!? Do you know!? The fact that the Green Tower has a close yet distant relationship with the Verdant Council! You see, the High Elves are descendants of the World Tree!? So they are close yet distant from the Elves. Above all, they thoroughly━”
Chatter chatter, babble babble, giggle giggle.
“Ughhhhh.”
It was the same as always.
Ratsil’s guidance, a thorough mockery of boredom!
Lisir barely managed to endure it, almost becoming a dried-up twig from exhaustion.
Before he knew it, they had reached their destination, the main gate of the Green Tower.
“You’re the human they talked about at the Verdant Council. Follow me.”
An Official at the main gate immediately recognized Lisir’s party and guided them to their destination.
“…Huh?”
Thus, arriving at the Tower Master’s office, crossing the grounds of the Green Tower.
Lisir, whose heart was pounding at the thought of facing the Master’s Master, momentarily forgot everything.
‘Grandmaster…?’
Because an Elf who looked exactly like Sajjo was standing there.
✦✦✦
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