Chapter: 492
– Ah. This is fun. I think I understand why you insist on that kind of tone.
Adri, who had come back after annoying Luca, looked pretty pleased.
I get that feeling. When someone’s on the receiving end, they get all heated up, but when they’re the one causing trouble, it’s just pure joy. Yup.
– But, kid. You know this is just dragging things out, right?
“Old hag, do I look like my brain is rotting like yours? Don’t project your rotten brain onto me!”
As Adri had said, everything I was doing right now was merely a delaying tactic.
Dragging in those who were sacrificed by Luca in the past, causing a rift between the Followers of the Void and Luca, and making Luca hesitate with psychological tactics would ultimately not completely crush their power.
But that’s fine. The goal is to buy time, so what’s the problem with that?
“While the dementia-ridden old hag is chuckling away, I’ve been suffering up here.”
So far, it’s gone as planned. In fact, with Luca entering here, the situation has improved.
As the Followers of the Void use their power to deal with the spirits, the power of the Void within the barrier is diminishing.
Thanks to that, those remaining on the ground find it easier to deal with the Followers of the Void.
Being able to see Luca’s shocked expression firsthand is also a huge advantage.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any problems.
“When will the Pitiful Prince wake up from his sleep?”
Arthur needs to wake up before the Followers of the Void complete their plans. That’s the only way everything can come to a conclusion.
If Arthur doesn’t open his eyes by then, I’ll really have to roll around in my real body.
“Doing this won’t make the cute princess kiss you. That’s such a pathetic way of thinking. How sad.”
Watching Arthur, who was still staring blankly at the void, I let out a deep sigh and set a plan for contingencies.
In the end, I have a responsibility in this whole mess for having facilitated the followers’ plans.
When the worst-case scenario arrives, I’ll have to do something crazy without worrying about the consequences.
*
“That’s just a trace left behind by that person. It’s not Lord Erginius.”
When Arthur mentioned the Great Wizard they had met last time, the kid crossed his arms and grumbled.
“I was expecting too much. No matter if it’s Lord Erginius, he can’t overcome the limits of humanity.”
The name Erginius seemed to carry a lot of weight, and the kid’s expression was filled with disappointment, but Arthur didn’t care at all.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but even if what I met was a fake, it’s still truly something of Lord Erginius.”
“I guess so. It’s fake, made by him anyway.”
“Then it makes sense that I can handle the barrier.”
“I get it, I get it! I’ll let you go, so stop whining.”
The kid, shaking his hand, took a deep sigh and walked up to Arthur.
“Promise me one thing. Once the urgent matters outside are over, you’ll come back here again.”
“Is it okay for someone undeserving like me to do that?”
“If a fake with Lord Erginius’s knowledge told you, who carries the blood of Soladin, about the barrier, then it must mean something. So, during that time… No, hold on. What’s going on?”
While rambling out his opinions, the kid suddenly stopped speaking. The panic in his soliloquy clearly indicated something had gone wrong.
“Please tell me this isn’t because you can’t let me out due to some problem?”
“…That might be the case.”
“Ugh. Damn it. Then explain what the problem is.”
“You’ll figure it out without me explaining.”
“What kind of nonsense is that…”
The peaceful blue sky suddenly turned black, and an ominous presence filled the air around Arthur.
As a chill ran down his spine, Arthur blinked in shock while the kid clicked his tongue as he observed the changes around them.
“You were right. The Followers of the Evil God are taking control of the barrier.”
“Does that mean the Evil God’s influence resides in this space?”
“Exactly. Because of that, letting you out has become difficult. Gradually, I am losing my authority too.”
The kid whined as he waved his hand in the air. For a moment, the environment returned to normal, but that change didn’t last long.
“…Tsk. Hey, descendant. Didn’t you say you wanted to get out of here quickly?”
“Yeah.”
“Then pass the exam and take control of the barrier. That’s the quickest way now.”
“An exam?”
“I don’t have time to explain in detail. Do it or don’t, but tell me.”
While the kid raised his voice in urgency, the ominous presence around them continued to thicken. I wish we had at least a moment to think.
Damn it. Lucy Allen. Is this really what you were aiming for?
Is everything going according to your expectations?
If it is, you should have told me at least! I deserved time to mentally prepare!
“Hurry and decide! There’s no time!”
“I got it! I’ll just do it!”
As Arthur hurriedly nodded, the kid grabbed Arthur’s wrist, and in an instant, the two of them vanished.
In the place where everything had disappeared, the energy of the Void seeped in.
Because it is nothing, it can be anything, and because it is nothing, it is filled with a jealous force toward something else.
*
Karl was swinging his sword tirelessly in a hell where nothing existed.
I’ve failed again. I couldn’t accomplish the mission the Young Lady entrusted to me.
What’s so hard about just capturing one person!?
Filled with anger toward himself, Karl moved fervently to get out of this space, but the hellish landscape showed no signs of ending.
No matter how many demons dwelling in hell he killed, more demons kept appearing. And no matter how madly he pushed to find the end of hell, the scene of hell never ended.
Because of that, Karl was getting increasingly impatient.
He needed to get out of here quickly. He needed to carry out the orders given by the Young Lady properly.
He had to do his best to not become a stray dog.
There’s no time to just sit around here.
Damn it.
Damn it.
“Damn it!?…”
Cursing under his breath, as Karl opened his eyes, he was met with Erin’s concerned gaze and gasped for breath.
What… is this?
Just a moment ago, I was wandering through the scenes of hell, right? Why is Erin here?!
“Get a grip, you foolish man.”
The voice that pierced through Karl’s confusion was a stern reproach from an elegant woman.
Assuming Lucy wasn’t beside her, Lina stood next to her, commanding two foxes made of smoke.
“Can’t you even realize you had a dream until just now?”
“It was… a dream? All of that scenery?”
“Spending your days treated like a dog has turned your intelligence into that of a dog as well? How could an incomplete deity send everything in this space to hell?”
Hearing Lina click her tongue and scanning the surroundings, Karl realized her words were all true and let out a sigh of relief… only to notice the most important and precious person wasn’t here.
“Young Lady! Where is she?!”
“If you mean the Young Lady, she has left to do her work. Knight.”
“Which way did she go?! I’m—”
“Karl.”
At the cold voice settling like frost, Karl momentarily closed his mouth.
Only then did Karl realize that the Erin he knew in the past and the Erin now were significantly different.
The first Erin he had met was simply a weak and pitiful branch family member.
She was just a woman sold to carry the connection with the Allen Family, assigned the dirtiest work.
But what about the Erin now? Having continuously grown beside the Young Lady,
She had become someone not to be underestimated even among the maids in the mansion.
She was strong enough to warrant the attention of the Head Maid.
Her willpower was so strong that it could overwhelm even Karl, who had endured all kinds of hardships.
Now, she had transformed from something that needed protection into someone who was not lacking compared to the person she served.
“The Young Lady you want to protect— is she a weak Young Lady who can’t do anything without someone protecting her?”
“…No, that’s definitely not the case.”
Could Lucy Allen be someone who needed protection? No way. If Lucy were that weak, Karl wouldn’t have had to prove his worth in the first place.
“The Young Lady entrusted you with her work.”
“…Yes. She did.”
“But what if you can’t trust the Young Lady?”
Hearing Erin’s reproach, Karl lifted his head for a moment, only to let out a weary laugh.
“I apologize, Erin. It seems I’ve become so powerless that my failures have made me frantic.”
“Is that so? The Knight I know doesn’t seem to be someone powerless.”
“Haha. I used to be that way. Back then.”
As Karl smiled, Erin looked at him quietly before sitting cross-legged across from him.
“Knight.”
“Yes?”
“Are you going to give up being at the Young Lady’s side?”
“…No. As long as the Young Lady doesn’t abandon me, I will continue to stay by her side.”
“Then get up. Even if you’re floundering in the mud, our mission is to be a help to our master, right?”
Hearing Erin’s words, Karl stared at her face blankly before smiling wryly and getting up from his seat.
“You’re truly a strong person, Erin.”
“I’m just trying to look strong. I feel like I can’t be weak if I’m to stay by the Young Lady’s side.”
“Well, creating a warm atmosphere is good and all, but don’t take it too easy. We’ve got work to do.”
As Lina frowned and said something, Karl stood up and checked his equipment.
Then he asked Lina.
“What should I do?”
“It’s simple. Be the teeth of Allen and smash through the obstacles.”
“That’s what I do best.”
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