< Chapter 122: The Fluttering of the Butterfly (4) >
Four days had passed since the Gate Rampage Incident had come to an end.
Yu Hwa was in her room, talking on the phone with Maiden.
“I really can’t believe it.”
―Yu Hwa. It’s a good thing. Think about the brand reputation.
Right after the incident ended, Yu Hwa released prepared information and data on the event’s details to the media.
Information on Gray Out provided by Kang Seo-yul (from Rena’s information) had been a great help.
As a result, Yu Hwa became the hero who resolved the Gate Rampage. Currently, the brand reputations of Yu Hwa’s Bihon Guild and Shin Jia’s Shinwa Group are skyrocketing.
―Is Si-yeon really okay?
“Yes. She says it’s overwhelming.”
―Well, their company doesn’t care much about brand reputation anyway.
“Rather, an awkward, increasing restraint could become a poison.”
Yu Hwa did not release information on Ha Si-yeon, Rena, Goldie, and White Tiger to the media.
―Still, take good care of her.
“Of course, I should.”
The benefits gained this time weren’t solely Yu Hwa’s achievements. It’s only fair to share with everyone.
“How are you, unnie?”
―Are you asking because you don’t know? I’m struggling as well. Life can be quite a challenge at this stage, you know.
Maiden sighed.
She was deeply involved in handling this incident. She had even provided her magical weapons at close to the production cost and had taken command at the front lines.
As a result, she earned the public’s favor.
The fact that Maiden, a foreigner, had helped Korea so wholeheartedly in its time of need deeply touched people.
In fact, if it weren’t for Maiden’s equipment, the damage would have been incomparable to what it is now.
As it stands, Maiden’s image has become that of a virtuous person who doesn’t think about profit or loss and focuses solely on saving lives.
She had stepped into the Gate Rampage Incident just thinking of repaying a debt to Kang Seo-yul, and the result was immense gain.
―That kid. He couldn’t have calculated all this, could he?
If so, that would be chilling.
“Even if he didn’t calculate everything, he probably anticipated some of it?”
After all, it was Kang Seo-yul who had advised collecting information before engaging in the Gate siege.
And it was also Kang Seo-yul who later provided indisputable evidence against other corporations and the public.
So, at least a rise in Bihon Guild’s brand reputation was part of the plan.
―…What happened to that devil?
“He disappeared.”
The devil, presumed to be dealt with by Kang Seo-yul, turned into dust at some point and completely vanished.
―Was it really a devil?
“Yes. It was smaller than the devil that appeared in the Gangwon-do field some time ago, but it definitely had a similar appearance.”
―And the kid took care of it alone?
“…Yes. I didn’t see the battle myself, but the circumstances make it highly likely.”
If we look back at the appearance records of Mephisto, it took at least 15 S-rank superhumans to handle that amount of magical power.
―So, that means he must possess at least top-ranker level combat power… Is that even possible?
Is it possible to possess such combat power at the age of 20?
“I suspect the power obtained through experimentation might be much greater than we thought. Rena also showed an unbelievable level of skill.”
Yu Hwa thought about Rena. Her capabilities were beyond what one would expect from a 10-year-old girl.
―She’s capable of using a total of 7 types of attributes, right?
“Yes. She seems to have a large amount of magical power, and her activation speed is fast. Not to mention her control.”
Yu Hwa twirled her hair around her finger.
―Considering Rena’s combat capabilities, the kid must at least possess that level of power?
“Yes. Plus, Seo-yul also uses ancient relics, doesn’t he? So it wouldn’t be that strange to say he has top-ranker level combat power.”
―Ancient relics…
Maiden had personally seen Kang Seo-yul using the Archangel’s Cross and Distorted Balance.
They were indeed incredibly powerful. If one can use such relics, possessing single-digit level combat power could be conceivable.
―This is purely my opinion, but that kid. It seems like there are restrictions to using ancient relics.
“…Restrictions?”
―Yes. I suspect there’s at least some kind of usage limit, either duplicate usage restrictions or perhaps a time limit.
Maiden’s reasoning was very sharp.
―The Archangel’s Cross is one thing, but the Distorted Balance has many questionable aspects.
“In what way?”
―It would have been sufficient to deal with the large-scale monsters pouring out from the gate near the magic circle using ‘Efreet’s Blessing.’
After all, the objective of area annihilation would be the same.
“Maybe he just thought it was more efficient to do it that way?”
―No. That kid has a pathological obsession with hiding his identity and power. Why would he reveal a new relic in front of me? It’s improbable unless there’s a good reason.
“…That does make sense.”
Thinking about Kang Seo-yul’s meticulous personality, it does seem a bit strange.
―If he’s collecting as many ancient relics as possible regardless of their performance due to some limitations on wearing them, then I’d understand.
“…If there were no limitations on wearing them, he would just collect the high-performance ones.”
―It could also be a side effect of an experiment.
“…If the ability to wear ancient relics is a result of an experiment, then any limitations on wearing them could be considered side effects. That makes sense.”
―Exactly.
The more we discuss, the more coherent it becomes.
―Well, in the end, all we have are speculations without any evidence. It’s not even that important.
Maiden laughed heartily.
“That’s true.”
Yu Hwa gave a wry smile.
―Ah, crap. The break time is over.
“Ah, me too.”
We lost track of time talking about Kang Seo-yul.
―Take care, and let’s talk again later.
“Yes, you too, unnie.”
* * *
Today, as usual, I was being pestered by the princess.
―Tell me, how did you really handle Lucifer?
She clings to me and looks up with a sulky expression.
―I told you. Lucifer was in a weakened state.
―Hmph! Speak sense! I know very well how strong Lucifer is! Regardless of how weakened he is by a seal, he’s not an entity that can be defeated with your insignificant power!
That ‘insignificant’ feels like a harsh word.
―We were both unable to use our magical power…
―If you’re going to talk about how we couldn’t use our magic because of the blackout, just stop. I’ve heard it dozens of times, to the point where it’s grating on my ears.
The princess perks up her ears and glares at me with droopy eyes.
―As I’ve said, I know your abilities well. Even if Lucifer couldn’t use his magical power, you would never be able to defeat him physically. You’re not a Transcendent.
She’s correct.
Lucifer is a Transcendent.
And the only ones who can beat a Transcendent are other Transcendents
―If you managed to defeat Lucifer, you must have a hidden trick. Speak up!
The princess grabs my clothes and shakes me vigorously.
What should I do?
I can’t exactly say it wasn’t me who defeated Lucifer in this atmosphere.
To explain how Lucifer was defeated, I would have to delve into all sorts of details based on the original work and the transcendental system.
I can’t explain every little thing.
―You…
As I continue to maintain my silence, tears begin to form at the corners of the princess’s eyes.
―Princess?
―You don’t trust me.
She bows her head and leans it against my chest.
Her ears droop, and the top of her head spasms intermittently.
She’s crying.
―Right now, you are all I have… I can share everything with you…
In this world, the princess is a heretic.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the only person she can trust is me.
―So, I still haven’t earned your trust, have I?
―No, why wouldn’t I trust the princess?
I pat the princess’s head. I wondered why she had been so persistent in asking these past four days, but she was thinking like this.
―No, it was me acting like a spoiled child. I’m sorry.
―Princess?
Her ears droop down as low as they can go.
―To begin with, asking someone’s secret is rude. I forgot even the basics because I was impatient. I’m sorry.
“….”
What should I do?
Suddenly, I’ve become pessimistic.
I sighed inwardly, still looking down at the princess who was resting her head against my chest and fidgeting her fingers.
…It can’t be helped.
I can’t share everything, but I have to tell some extent of the truth.
I took out ‘Lucifer’s Lance’ from ‘The Craftsman’s Mini Forge’.
Clang-!
―Ah! Wh-what is this!
The princess let out a short scream at the sound of metal hitting the ground.
Tears are pooling in her eyes as she turns her head to look at the source of the sound.
…
At that moment, the princess’s eyes widened.
―Lu, Lu-ci…Lucifer’s Lance!
She recognized it right away.
―This is my secret.
I also took out various other ancient relics and laid them on the ground.
―I can use all relics regardless of race restrictions. This is my secret.
―Race restrictions…
With eyes full of moisture, she stared at me blankly.
―Princess, you are the first person I’m telling this secret to.
―Oh… really? I am the first?
―Yes, you are the first.
The Princess’s lips quivered.
She seemed to be forcing a smile.
―So you used this ancient relic to deal with Lucifer. I understand.
The Princess returned with a bright smile. Knowing the deceptive power of the ancient relic better than anyone else, she seemed to have immediately understood.
―Anyway…
The Princess said while intently staring at Lucifer’s lance.
―Using Lucifer’s own lance to defeat him… I can only imagine how bewildered he must have been. I wish I had seen it myself.
It seems she’s had quite a history with Lucifer.
―Have all your questions been answered, then?
―Yes!
The Princess nodded her head with a satisfied smile.
* * *
That afternoon.
I was sitting on a bench in a nearby park, blankly staring up at the sky.
The sky is blue.
The sound of cicadas is comforting.
It’s completely summer during the day.
Having been running non-stop for a while, I felt recovered just by sitting here aimlessly.
“Ah. I want it to be like this all day.”
It was when I was muttering to myself, unaware.
“We’re on the same page.”
Lust approached me with a slight smile.
“Is it a coincidence today as well?”
“Yes. The weather is nice, so while I was taking a walk, we happened to meet.”
Lust smiled slightly.
“Was it also a coincidence when we met 4 days ago?”
“Yes. The weather was gloomy, so while I was taking a walk, we happened to meet.”
“You’re lying.”
At my blunt words, Lust smiled like a flower.
“Yes. I’m lying. That day, I had a purpose for seeking you out, Seo-yul.”
It was a very playful smile.
“A purpose?”
“That’s a secret.”
“Is it? Then there’s nothing I can do.”
We remained silent for a while.
“It’s been 4 days since we last met.”
“Yeah, what have you been up to?”
“This and that? My vacation got extended, so I had some matters to attend to.”
“Work as a secretary?”
“Something like that.”
Silence flowed again.
“You’re not asking about that day?”
“Asking what?”
“About my power, or about my appearance.”
“You mean, the wings and the tail?”
“Yes.”
Lust’s eyes trembled, seemingly uneasy.
“You looked like a Succubus, something that only appears in legends.”
“…Yes.”
Now even her lips were quivering. She wore the expression of a prisoner awaiting a death sentence. It seemed she was carrying trauma related to her appearance.
“Never mind.”
I chuckled softly.
“…Excuse me?”
I guessed that her appearance was probably due to the manifestation of something called ‘Transcendent Lineage’.
It’s similar to the ‘Transcendent Lineage’ that the Elf race, to which Jia belongs, exhibits—likely the Succubus race’s version.
“I said it doesn’t matter. Whether you were hiding your power or you looked like a Succubus. What does it matter?”
“It doesn’t matter…?”
“Right.”
I grabbed Lust’s hand.
Just as before, a pure white soul caught my eye.
This woman is indeed good.
I don’t know through what causality she made it into the ranks of the Saviors of Truth, but that much is clear.
“The important thing is that you saved my life.”
Moreover, you are the benefactor of my life.
“Ah…”
Suddenly, Lust bowed her head.
Her face was hidden by her long hair, so her expression couldn’t be seen, but from her intermittently trembling shoulders, it was clear that she was crying.
“As expected… Seo-yul is…”
Her voice trembled.
With a trembling voice, she slowly lifted her head to look at me.
“You’re special.”
Innocent eyes.
It was a completely different expression from the cheerful one I had seen until now, an expression as innocent as a child’s.
Was her previous demeanor all an act? This innocent look suits her better.
“Thank you.”
She expressed her gratitude to me while crying.
“The one who should be thankful is me.”
Seeing her like that just now, I was certain.
Shirakawa Ai.
I can be in the same boat with this woman.
< Chapter 122: The Fluttering of a Butterfly (4) > End
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