Chapter 77: Cohabitation (1)

In the Northwestern Region of the Empire, there was a small, humble village nestled in the mountains, where about a hundred families lived closely together.

Gerek, a young man from the countryside, was born and raised in this village. Their lives were modest and free from greed; they valued a day's meal more than gold and jewels, and cherished a glass of home-brewed beer with friends after a day's work in the fields more than titles or fame.

Gerek remembered the magical tidal wave that had taken everything from him. The memory of his village being completely submerged by the flood was still fresh in his mind.

The eternal nightmare haunted him with frenzied screams, chilling moans from those struggling in the waves, flashing lightning, thunder pounding in his chest, and the pale, lifeless skin of those who were once human.

His village was swept away by a sudden torrent, drowning his family, neighbors, cousins, friends, and lover. The Yukline family caused this calamity under the guise of demon hunting. Everyone died, except Gerek. He was the sole survivor, clinging to a piece of straw. After that hellish night, the village was no longer a village but a lake.

Yet, Gerek did not feel alone. Staring into the depths of the lake, he sensed a growing presence within himself. The spirits of his sister, father, mother, friends, cousins, and neighbors who had died that day now resided within him.

The eleven personas of the family he thought he would spend his life with now resided within his body. The dam the Yuklines broke had drowned the village, but their souls continued to live inside Gerek.

But then...

“Tell me, was the agony of drowning bearable?”

Deculein's voice brought back the agony of that day, stoking Gerek's fury. From deep within, he could hear the anguished cries of the drowned, echoing through his soul.

***

“... Madman,” Arlos muttered, watching from the shadows.

Inside the barrier, Deculein pointed the gun at his own temple and smiled at Gerek with aristocratic disdain and contempt.

“Second shot,” Deculein said.

Clunk—!

Deculein pulled the trigger. Even though the gun didn't fire, Gerek's presence was still intimidating.

“Wake up, Gerek.”

Deculein relentlessly provoked Gerek. Using his own life as leverage seemed absurd, but it was an effective tactic. Gerek was adamant about being the one to kill Deculein. He wouldn't let anyone else do it, nor would he allow Deculein to take his own life.

"... Deculein," Gerek snarled.

Despite the malice and venom in his gaze and tone, Deculein simply smirked, looking at him as if he were an amusing little puppy.

"Yes. The head of the family that flooded your village is standing right here," Deculein replied.

The professor appeared ready to die rather than surrender the runic letters to the Altar. In this scenario, even Arlos was powerless to intervene.

"... Gerek, don't be fooled. That revolver is a fake," Jukaken said calmly. He scrutinized Deculein within the barrier with a discerning eye.

"Whether it's fake or real, no one knows until it's fired," Deculein said, his hand steady on the trigger. "I trust my luck."

Then, he pressed the trigger.

Confidence shattered by the gunshot, the revolver fired a bullet. Deculein fell, a mist of red spraying from him. The deafening explosion echoed repeatedly.

The silence was profound; not even a breath could be heard. Both Jukaken and Arlos were stunned.

“... What the.”

The barrier made it impossible to determine if he was dead, showing no signs of magic or mana interference. Deculein was a mage, not a knight, and no mere mage could survive a bullet’s lethal force. However, his life or death was irrelevant now. To the already insane Gerek, such things didn’t matter.

“Well, I knew it wouldn't be easy,” Jukaken muttered somberly.

Gerek went berserk. Black mana clung to his body like armor, transforming him into a monstrous being. He rampaged through the area, unleashing destructive power from his mouth, hands, and feet, ripping the surrounding space apart.

Jukaken’s subordinates, the Altar’s mages and executives, and Arlos's puppets were all shredded. Gerek’s kicks shattered the ground, his claws ripped through the ceiling, and he spewed mana blasts from his mouth. His rampage turned the underground chamber into an even deeper pit of chaos. In that hellscape, the only thing left untouched was Deculein's barrier.

***

The original Arlos, free from the puppets, silently surveyed the underground.

Crackle, crackle—

Embers flickered on the ruined ground. Deculein lay dead inside the barrier, while Gerek lay exhausted in the center.

“No vital signs...” Arlos murmured, staring at Deculein within the barrier.

His pulse had stopped, and his heart no longer beat. Sighing softly, Arlos growled as she approached Gerek.

“You idiot. You’re such a pain in the ass,” Arlos muttered.

With all the puppets destroyed by the damned madman, Arlos had no choice but to come in person in her original form. She hoisted Gerek onto her back. He was tall and thin, so he wasn’t too heavy.

At that moment...

Arlos sensed a presence behind her. A chill ran down her spine, nearly paralyzing her. She glanced sideways at a man slowly rising.

"... I'm feeling a bit lightheaded."

The voice captivated Arlos, causing her to turn her head sharply.

“

Huh

...?”

Deculein's eyes glowed blue like ghostly flames, cold and piercing as they fixed on her.

“Arlos,” Deculein commanded. She instinctively stepped back, on guard. “Hand over Gerek.”

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"... What are you planning to do?" Arlos asked.

As if it were the most obvious thing in the world, Deculein replied calmly, “It’s easier to kill him.”

But Arlos shook her head and said, “I won’t hand him over.”

It wasn’t out of camaraderie or any noble sentiment. Gerek was simply essential for perfecting her puppetry skills.

Deculein shrugged with a twisted smile and said, “Then I have no choice.”

Blue blades of mana formed around Arlos, lighting up the underground. She braced for battle, but Deculein said something unexpected.

“But to let him go,” Deculein concluded.

Arlos frowned. For Deculein, the logic was simple. He couldn’t defeat Arlos by force. If they fought, he would lose, and he was still dizzy.

“You’ll let him go?”

"Since we're leaving, you will accompany me," Deculein declared as he dispelled the barrier and walked past Arlos, who was carrying Gerek.

Whoooosh—!

The underground, already on the brink of collapse, was completely blocked. Deculein used

Telekinesis

to clear a path. Despite her doubts, Arlos followed him.

"... How did you survive? You didn't use magic, and your pulse had stopped," Arlos asked.

“Controlling my body is simple,” Deculein responded succinctly.

Once they reached the surface, Deculein noticed Arlos's car. It was a luxury vehicle, akin to a modern-day Mercedes Benz.

“You drive. Put Gerek in the trunk,” Deculein ordered.

Arlos complied. Deculein took the right rear seat, and Arlos slid behind the wheel.

“

Hmm

...” Arlos muttered, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

Deculein's posture, expression, and attire exuded elegance and composure, remarkable for someone who had just staged a suicide.

“Let’s get moving,” Deculein said.

Arlos clicked her tongue and started driving. As the car smoothly transitioned from the darkness at the Empire’s edge to a paved road, she asked, “Deculein, was it necessary to ask about the agony of drowning?”

Deculein smiled silently. He had leveraged the well-known enmity between Gerek and Yukline to his advantage. It was a calculated move, and it should not necessarily a bad one. As Kim Woo-Jin, he also knew how to complete the quest to save Gerek from utter chaos.

“By the way, did you leave the ring you bought at the auction at home?” Deculein asked.

Arlos chuckled and nodded. With her original form revealed, there was no point in hiding anything.

“It will look good on you.”

Yet, Deculein's words kept gnawing at her. They seemed to carry hidden meanings, making her feel uneasy and insignificant. His

Intimidation and Dignity

attribute worked that way.

At that moment...

“Stop the car for a moment!”

Up ahead, knights were blocking the road. When Arlos stopped the car, a man approached and commanded, “Open the window and show your identification—”

He looked into the driver’s seat, saw Deculein in the back, and his eyes widened with shock.

“Professor Deculein?!”

Deculein nodded, and the man shouted excitedly, “He’s here! P-Professor Deculein is here!”

At that shout, Arlos saw a huge figure slowly rise beyond the front windshield.

“What? Professor Deculein?” someone exclaimed in surprise.

Zeit von Bluegang Freyden, the head of Freyden, made Arlos shiver with fear. He was the only knight who had traumatized her four years ago.

“Let’s see.”

Thump-thump-thump.

His giant strides closed the distance swiftly. With his white hair flowing, Zeit approached like a ghost or a grim reaper.

“Well, well, Professor Deculein!” Zeit exclaimed as he lowered the front window with his hand. He alternated his gaze between Deculein and Arlos. “Who is this mysterious young lady? I rushed here after receiving a report of your kidnapping, but is this an affair?”

When Zeit frowned, Arlos felt her impending doom. With just one word from Deculein, Zeit’s fist would crush her head like a watermelon.

Did that snake really foresee everything up to this point...

Arlos thought, glaring at Deculein in the rearview mirror and silently cursing herself for following his lead.

“An affair?” Deculein inquired.

Arlos felt lost, unsure if she was a puppet or herself. Never before had she wished so desperately to be a puppet.

But then...

“It is beneath my dignity,” Deculein declared, making his second strange statement of the day. “She is merely a passerby I encountered along the way.”

Arlos heard Deculein’s words but needed a moment to comprehend their meaning.

Zeit asked, “Merely a passerby?”

“Yes. I requested a ride as her car was passing by.”

Arlos couldn’t discern Deculein's intentions. Before she could respond, he got out of the car and approached Zeit.

“Now that you’re here, she can depart,” Deculein said.

“

Hahaha

. But she is quite beautiful. It would be a shame to let her leave. Some of our knights seem to have already taken a liking to her.”

Arlos smiled bitterly at Zeit's playful words. That damned six-foot-seven monster.

“Clear the way!” Zeit commanded.

Soon, the knights cleared the path, and Arlos slowly drove on, glancing at Deculein in the side mirror. He watched her as she drove away.

Five minutes later, Arlos pulled over to the side of the road and caught her breath. She glanced at the seat where Deculein had been sitting. There lay a letter and a crystal orb. She picked up the letter first.

Arlos,

Chaos, though shapeless, is not always purely evil. Gerek is part of that chaos, so I leave him to you. Find a better solution than killing him. Consider this crystal orb our connection. I am confident we can be good partners.

Reading the letter, Arlos narrowed her eyes and murmured, “... What is he planning?”

The tension that had wound her up finally released. Since Zeit, Deculein was the only one to push her to such psychological extremes. His mere presence was a burden.

“He’s a mystery...”

It felt like he was pulling her into an abyss. His intimidating and noble aura concealed a monstrous presence of indeterminate size. Arlos suddenly noticed a hawk perched on a branch, watching her. It was a well-crafted familiar.

“They mentioned a kidnapping report. Could it have been filed by the hawk?”

As their eyes met, the hawk flapped its wings and flew away. Arlos pressed the accelerator and drove away.

***

My plan was straightforward. I would rebuild the barrier as solidly as possible, provoke Gerek, and then quietly slip away while he rampaged. To achieve this, I needed confidence in my

Iron Man

attribute and a method to lessen the bullet’s impact. I trusted

Iron Man

's capabilities, but I had never faced the power of a revolver before.

If I hadn’t woven a faint web of mana around the muzzle, I might have died. After taking the shot, I used

Iron Man

to slow my blood flow and bring my heart to a near-stop, entering a state of feigned death. Even an enraged beast like Gerek wouldn’t bother a corpse if there were enough living people around.

“Professor, are you feeling dizzy or experiencing any headaches—”

It was eight in the morning. The incident had ended, leaving the peaceful morning filled with birdsong.

“No,” I interjected, pushing away the doctor attempting to examine my head. I couldn’t risk anyone discovering the nature of my

Iron Man

body.

“Still, you should undergo a proper examination,” suggested Lillia Primien, who had been observing nearby.

We were at Equilibrium, the main office of the Ministry of Public Safety. Deputy Director Primien had brought me here under the pretense of protection and investigation.

“I will be fine by tomorrow,” I responded.

“Her Majesty is also concerned. Some of the royal officials have come to see you,” Primien said, stepping aside to reveal a royal official who handed me a sealed letter. “You seem to be in Her Majesty’s favor. I must admit, I am envious.”

“... Favor?” I said sharply, glaring at her.

Primien cleared her throat and looked away.

The royal official said, “Her Majesty requests that you read this immediately.”

“... Very well,” I said, opening the seal. The letter contained just two lines.

If one who claims to be my mentor is kidnapped, it is a disgrace. Should this occur again, you will be dismissed.

I put the letter away, and the royal official continued, “Additionally, by Her Majesty’s command, an escort knight will be assigned to protect you.”

“An escort knight?”

“Yes. For the next three months, Her Majesty deems you a crucial individual in need of national protection.”

Primien added, “That is understandable. The runic language is an incredibly valuable form of magic, attracting many malicious forces. This incident was somewhat predictable.”

“If it was predictable, you ought to have prevented it.”

“... Are you departing now?” Primien inquired, changing the topic.

“Yes, I am,” the royal official replied, bowing before departing.

I sighed, feeling a sudden headache, and replied, “Refusing would be considered an insult to the Imperial Palace.”

“Correct.”

I glared at Primien, finding her every word irritating, and said, “We shall leave now.”

“It may be troublesome to leave at this moment.”

“Why would that be?” I asked, ignoring her as I stood up.

My head was spinning slightly, but I knew I would recover soon enough. I stepped into the elevator, and Primien, who had followed to guide me, pressed the button for the first floor.

Ding—

When the doors opened to the lobby, I understood why she had warned me it would be troublesome.

“

Oh

, Professor! Are you well?”

“What a relief! We were quite worried...”

“Who would dare commit such an act!”

The lobby was filled with officials, merchants, and businesspeople. They asked me various questions, feigning concern, but they were primarily interested in the contents of the letter from Empress Sophien.

“I appreciate all your concerns. Now, everyone, please return to your respective places,” I said curtly as I exited the building.

In the parking lot, my butler Roy was waiting with a new car.

“Master, are you well?” Roy asked.

“Yes, there is no need for concern.”

“That is reassuring.”

I got into the back seat. Something felt off. The seat next to me wasn’t empty. I turned and saw a knight in light armor sitting there.

“... What are you doing here?” I asked, tilting my head in confusion. I wondered if I had gotten into the wrong car.

The knight responded, “I am currently on duty.”

“... What duty?”

The knight turned to look at me, her white eyes mirroring my image.

“I am Professor Deculein's escort knight,” Yulie responded.

Her words silenced me, and I envisioned the Empress laughing. I let out a sigh.

Clunk—

The front passenger door opened abruptly.

"I’m here. Explain exactly what happened—"

This time, it was Yeriel. She looked at Yulie with wide eyes.

“What are you?” Yeriel asked.

“Yeriel, do not speak to her in that manner.”

Yeriel frowned silently.

Yulie responded, “I am Professor Deculein’s escort knight as of today.”

“Escort?”

“Yes. It is by Her Majesty’s command.”

“What? Are you being serious?!” Yeriel exclaimed, her face twisting in disbelief.

***

I thought about asking what had happened or if he was hurt, but it was pointless. From his appearance, it seemed nothing significant had occurred. Besides, pretending to be siblings now would be laughable.

Let's be clear, the promise to hand over the headship does not mean our relationship is mended. I know why he’s offering it, because of Yulie. That woman must be the reason

, Yeriel thought irritably, glaring at Yulie through the rearview mirror.

The knight remained vigilant, her expression as stern as a stone statue. She was so unnecessarily serious and earnest.

"

Tsk

..."

Yeriel often wondered how such a dull, rigid, and stubborn woman could capture the interest of someone as sharp and sensitive as Deculein. She also pondered why Deculein was fond of her.

“... So, as his escort knight, you will be staying at the mansion?”

“Yes, I will,” Yulie replied.

“What?!” Yeriel exclaimed, her voice filled with shock.

However, Yulie, still in her official duty mode, remained rigid and unyielding.

“This is the first time Her Majesty has issued a command to a private knight’s order since her ascension. The term is three months, so I will remain nearby for that duration,” Yulie said.

"Nearby? That doesn't necessarily mean our mansion, does it?"

“It is Her Majesty’s order. I would be grateful if you could provide even the smallest room. My personal residence is too far, and I would not be able to fulfill my duties properly.”

“I can’t believe this. You refused to live with us before, and now—”

“Yeriel, that is enough,” Deculein interjected.

“... I don’t even know who my family is anymore. This is unbelievable,” Yeriel muttered softly, turning to look out the window. A hawk flew overhead, persistently following the direction of their car. “What’s with that hawk...”

Everything seemed to irritate Yeriel today.