### Chapter 465 – Room 206, The Cursed Room – ‘Demon King Revives After 100 Days’ Re (24)
—
– Han Kain
Date: Day 552
Current Location: Floor 1, Room 105 – ‘Room of Rest’
Sage’s Advice: 0
—
“Hey, you really need to fix your tone.”
“…”
At first, it was just an act to seem mysterious in front of NPCs, but somehow, that gravity-laden speech has stuck to ‘Sun Kain’ like glue.
Then, the other side spoke up, seemingly in disbelief.
“Sun Kain? If I’m Sun Kain, are you like… Mage Kain?”
“That’s just too childish…”
What even is the difference between tangible Kain and intangible Kain?
At least I’m the only one with a body for now.
“Who’s occupying the body is kind of ambiguous. You can switch it out anytime, right?”
Suddenly, I realized the other side was reading my ‘unspoken’ thoughts.
“You’re the same. Some parts you mentioned about your serious tone weren’t even vocalized. Of course, you don’t have a physical mouth right now.”
Memories and current thoughts shared in real time.
Can beings like this truly be considered ‘others’?
If they aren’t others, then who am I even conversing with?
Is there even a conversation happening?
Maybe it’s just me lost in delusion—
“Stop, stop. I’ve figured out how we should address each other. I’m Normal Kain, and you are Crazy Kain.”
“…”
“You thought so, didn’t you? That the grimoire is hyper-rational while the Sun is emotional? That’s your opinion; mine is different. The grimoire is loony, and the Sun is human.”
Ironically, that statement didn’t seem too wrong either.
“Let’s return to the beginning. Remember Miro’s advice? Seeing you in your loony state, it’s clear that the Sun’s influence isn’t hitting you properly.”
Last night, as I realized the second part of the thought from Se, I split into two.
At that moment, our roles weren’t divided as they are now.
Of course.
The grimoire was an independent legacy, not some tool made to suppress the Divine Sun.
The brilliant idea of ‘isolation’ for each split self came from Miro.
And so here we are now.
If I had to liken it to paints the patron loves, it feels like we split the water bowl to isolate black paint from white.
“I’m not sure if this counts as a plausible solution, but it seems better than before. Miro’s first piece of advice was useful. Let’s check the second one when we can.”
Miro’s first advice of ‘isolation’ proved valuable.
How about the second piece, ‘Excess Leads to Detriment’?
“And speaking of the solution for Room 206, nicely put, it’s ingenious; poorly put, it has too many gaps.”
“…”
“The empty spots feel like we’re praying everything goes our way… But what can we do? We should just do our best.”
I agree.
No, his thoughts are my thoughts, so it might be more accurate to say I reflected on the plan rather than agreeing—
“Ugh! Are you trying to be some depressed German philosopher? Just stop it! You’re giving me a headache. Let’s call it a day on this talk.”
With that, the flickering flame-like being slowly faded away.
“It’ll work out somehow. I’ll just fill in the gaps in our plans.”
Who just said that? Me? Or the other side?
… I think I should get some sleep too.
—
The next morning, the fourth attempt for Room 206 began.
*
– Kim Ahri
In pitch darkness and suffocating silence,
Soon, a mystical voice heralding the commencement of Room 206 echoed.
“I pray amidst approaching doom. May the unyielding reason support this world. Thus, may the chaos overflowing in the universe not invade our little cage.”
…
“Unyielding reason! Protect the world with this veritable logic!”
This is sort of a prologue.
It probably marks the first spark igniting the Unyielding Reason established in Paradise.
And after a bit of time passes, it’s awakening moment.
“…”
I awakened in a modest room.
Stepping outside, some higher-ups, including the sect’s elders, were chatting about this and that.
“It’s truly joyous that the number of believers has increased with every gathering—”
“At tonight’s assembly, Elder Odiant will be preaching—”
“There have been many reports of Informers spotted on Route 17, so let’s be cautious—”
It goes without saying, but running a cult in this harsh dystopia isn’t exactly easy.
“Oh, Apostle Ahri! You’ve overslept today.”
“… Yes, Mr. Raymond. I’ll be careful.”
“Haha! Careful? You’ve still got a lot of sleep to catch up on. Feel free to rest more.”
Fortunately, I didn’t need to take on such annoying tasks myself.
I suppose it’s due to my age in this setup.
— Creak!
As I headed toward the sect’s treasure vault, several people glanced my way, but no one stopped me.
I’m quite high up, after all, and just this morning was seen as a devout and virtuous girl.
Besides, there’s not some grand weapon in the treasure vault anyway.
“…”
At least, that’s what the cultists seem to think.
Just a place with a few historically deep items.
I thought so during my first run too.
“…”
“Hm? Apostle Ahri, have you taken an interest in space suits?”
Seeing the grinning old man made me smile too.
Have they really mistaken protective gear for space suits after keeping it for two centuries?
It looks similar, but functionally, it’s just too different!
Of course, they’re NPCs, so they couldn’t use protective gear, but its abnormal sturdiness is evident even without needing to use it.
The stage created by the hotel often reveals weak plausibilities in these trivial details.
“…”
Gently stroking the protective gear, I pondered one last time.
Is there anything more to gain from the Demon King sect?
…
No.
Having recharged the Holy Sun, there’s no longer a need to leech off the sect, and the plan to worship the Demon King has also been scrapped.
If there’s just one leftover ‘bait’-type location, it’s the sanctum, but the sanctum is somewhere I can go even without these people.
So…
It might be wise to take care of any people that could cause unnecessary confusion in the plans beforehand.
— Click!
“Uh? Uh! What’s this? H-How did you—”
I donned the protective gear.
“Whoa! Could it be that Lady Apostle received a revelation from the Demon King—”
— Crunch!
The old man in charge of managing the old treasure vault’s neck twisted.
I don’t think he felt any pain.
… Probably.
“Ah! S-Someone’s dead—Gah!”
“What the heck! Apostle Ahri has gone mad!”
One by one, people from the sect fell.
Many of these folks were psychic, so ordinarily, people wouldn’t be able to take them down so easily.
But this isn’t outside Paradise; it’s inside.
Within the realm ruled by the Unyielding Reason, they all become ordinary humans.
Meanwhile, the protective gear operates independently, having been confirmed during the second attempt.
Why? Is it a product of pure science?
If so, what about the Final Glare or the bracelet?
Arguing this point feels pointless.
Room 206 is merely a stage reenacted by the hotel.
Whatever the case, none of them could stop me.
“Ugh! P-Please spare us! M-My son—”
“Stop! This cursed girl is definitely someone sent by Kardiroff!”
If they were average folks, they might have reported me to the Informers, but being in the Demon King sect leaves them with no options, resulting in people being killed senselessly.
Realizing they couldn’t win, many people rushed toward the narrow passage.
Having become a bit tired, I didn’t even bother blocking them.
For some reason?
Some people realized something after seeing I wasn’t stopping their escape.
“Hah! Is someone waiting in the passage?”
“… Raymond.”
Raymond, the highest-ranking elder of the Demon King sect and nearly the leader.
He certainly had insight.
In the passage was Kim Sang-hyun waiting.
“Heh, what in the world is happening… Is this the end of the sect’s fate?”
“…”
“There’s no way! It can’t end like this! This wicked gal, that witch of Kardiroff!”
It seems someone else thought the same thing before; Raymond sees me as an assassin sent by the mayor.
With these clueless people, it’s no wonder they’re misled.
“We! We won’t end like this! You might think you’ve won today, but the Demon King will—”
“That’s right. You won’t end like this.”
I wonder if my words can bring him any comfort.
But since I saw this old man as a decent human, I wanted to say at least this much.
“Think of this as a dream. A long, painful dream. Just everyone having a little nap.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“When you wake up, no one will remember today’s events. Sleep well.”
— Crunch!
And so it begins in earnest.
*
– Yu Songee
“Haha, Mayor. According to the last quarter’s financial report—”
“Here’s yesterday’s report from the mine—”
“There’s been a massive embezzlement case at the Pleon Company—”
The reports from civil servants and upper echelons within Paradise keep pouring in endlessly.
Mayor Leon Kardiroff wasted not a single second, tirelessly handling his duties.
In the second and third runs, I had practically taken on the role of mayor halfway through.
How would past me compare to the current Leon?
…
Ahem.
Let’s just admit it here.
Watching the mayor work, I realize that past me was just barely playing a complex game of house.
O-Of course, I had no choice.
I’m not keeping pace with a guy who’s both a genius and has been managing administration for over 30 years.
Still, I’ve come to a renewed understanding of how remarkable Leon Kardiroff truly is.
“Songee.”
“…”
“Songee Kardiroff.”
“Uh? Uh? Yes?”
Surprised, I looked up, and the mayor paused for a moment to look at me.
“It’s a bit early, but it’s time to clock out.”
*
As we return to the wealthy mansion, an extraordinary place where the Unyielding Reason can’t impose its supernatural hold, the mayor began to speak.
“So, what do you think about shadowing my work for half a day?”
“…”
The moment I woke up in Room 206, I asked the mayor if I could observe his work.
In case of refusal, I had backup plans concocted, but surprisingly, the mayor readily agreed.
Well, looking back at the second run, he’s probably seen me as a potential candidate for succession.
Given my age, he might think it’s high time I learned about this.
“Dad, your work is really fast and precise.”
Leon answered with a light laugh.
He didn’t seem to mind it at all.
“I’ll arrange for a summarized report to be sent to you starting tomorrow.”
“…”
What’s this?
Is he suddenly pampering me because his daughter showed interest in important matters?
Don’t do that.
You’re just going to make me soft-hearted.
“… Dad.”
“Yeah?”
“What kind of plan do you have?”
“A plan?”
“To save a nation at the brink of apocalypse.”
“Is that so?”
“Will we succeed? I’m not sure. But there’s a possibility.”
“Exactly what kind of plan is it?”
“Well, um, that’s hard to explain.”
“Try talking.”
“The problem is, executing the plan requires an immense sacrifice.”
“…”
“It’s not a matter of dozens or hundreds of deaths. It’s something unthinkable for an average person—”
“A million?”
“Far more than that.”
“Hmm.”
“Chances are, it won’t even be a peaceful death. It’ll likely be extremely painful. This type of plan—”
“Are you asking if you should go through with it? For the city?”
“…”
“Is this question about sacrificing currently living people for an uncertain future? Is that it?”
“… Exactly.”
The mayor lowered his head for a moment.
It seemed he was choosing his words.
“Songee.”
“Yes.”
That tone felt oddly gentle.
Not that I was treated particularly lovingly.
“That is the most important role of a ruler. To confront the painful dilemmas and make decisions that weaklings can’t face.”
“…”
“I don’t know exactly what dilemma you’re stuck in. So, it’s tough to tell you what choice to make. But at the very least, don’t shy away from making a choice. If you die, die on the path you chose.”
No matter how heavy the situation, don’t run from your choices.
Even if you die, die on the path I took.
That’s a classic mayor’s response.
A fitting eulogy for a mayor.
“Did that help?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I could solidify my resolve.”
“Whatever it is, I’m glad for you.”
“Goodnight, Dad.”
“What? It’s still not bedtime—”
— Bang!
—
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