Episode 47
“…I think you’ve got the wrong person.”
Perhaps because I had changed my appearance, Esia didn’t recognize me.
She looked at me with curiosity for a moment, then quickly returned her gaze to the stage, which made me stifle a laugh.
“That can’t be. You even gave me a gift personally, didn’t you?”
“……”
“I was planning to return the favor, but I didn’t expect to run into you like this.”
Esia paused, and only then did her golden eyes flicker as she realized who I was.
She was about to stand up hastily, but I spoke in a low voice:
“Sit. If you don’t want your identity exposed here.”
If word got out that the Saint had appeared at the black market, it would seriously damage the temple’s image.
Fearing her secret would be revealed, she reluctantly sat back down, her gaze fixed on the stage. She finally spoke:
“Why are you here?”
“I think I asked that first. Imagine how disappointed the Empire’s citizens would be if they knew.”
Truth be told, I was already disappointed.
I didn’t dislike Esia, but before possessing Lehel’s body, I thought she wasn’t bad.
Her pure-heartedness rivaled that of a hero, and she seemed to embody the word “Saint” itself—a character representing absolute goodness. Meeting her in this black market was bound to be disappointing.
“I won’t ask why you’re here, so please don’t ask me either.”
“You can ask if you want. Unlike you, I have a perfectly legitimate reason.”
Esia gripped her clothes tightly as if suppressing her emotions, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.
Meanwhile, empty seats continued to fill, and as most were occupied, the commotion indicated the event was about to start.
“So, what gift are you planning to give this time?”
“…Think whatever you like.”
She didn’t seem interested in answering me. I turned my head toward the stage.
What is she planning this time?
Since she came to the black market herself, it was clear she was scheming alone.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have risked being recognized.
“Don’t do anything reckless. Stay quiet at the temple. If you keep bothering me, I won’t hesitate to take action.”
I had tolerated her so far because she was just a character in a game. I had some attachment to her, so I avoided direct interference.
But if she crossed the line again, I was prepared to handle her myself.
I had zero tolerance for meddling without understanding the situation.
“……”
Esia couldn’t respond, only biting her lip tightly.
Silence settled between us.
“Thank you all for waiting!”
A loud voice rose from the stage. The host drew everyone’s attention with a flourish.
Taking advantage of everyone focusing on the host, I scanned the crowd, but couldn’t see Pamiel.
“Here, we have rare and unique items you won’t find anywhere else! Enjoy!”
At that moment, all lights went out, leaving the stage illuminated—and the one I was looking for appeared.
White furred ears, a soft-looking tail, a small frame, and eyes brimming with tears.
Not human at all, the audience gasped.
“That’s a monster!”
“Was there a species that cute?”
“If they show something like this first, today’s other items will be worth watching too.”
People raised their hands, bidding furiously. Sitting quietly among them twisted my stomach.
Partly because I couldn’t intervene. Rian had begged me not to step in.
If I intervened, other humans might get caught up in it.
“Is it the creature from your castle?”
“Yes. It fell into someone else’s hands while I looked away for a moment.”
Unlike the others, Esia didn’t bid and quietly observed.
I guessed that having her identity revealed, she intended to just let it slide today.
“Any more bids?”
The humans glanced at each other nervously. Watching them, my mind went cold.
…Do I just endure this? While a child under my protection is treated like this?
The reasoned part of me almost snapped.
Boom—crash!
With a huge impact, the back door connected to the stage shattered, and people fell to the floor.
Dust spread instantly, turning the place into chaos.
Amid it, I spotted Rian grabbing a man by the collar and tossing him aside effortlessly, and I laughed.
That was a true occupational hazard.
❖ ❖ ❖
I had suspected Rian would save all the captured humans the moment he went to the back door.
I still didn’t approve of his actions. I saw no need to save strangers.
But that was his way of life, and even if I didn’t like it, I could only watch.
“Everyone, escape this way!”
The audience screamed, fleeing through the broken door. Esia was among them.
By the time they escaped, I noticed the adjacent seat was empty and shook my head.
“Boring.”
Left alone, I rose and climbed onto the stage.
“…Lehel.”
“You’re quite troublesome.”
Removing my mask, the child’s eyes welled up when she saw my face. I broke the chains binding her wrists and ankles.
“Any injuries?”
“…No! Thank you for saving me.”
I had expected her to cry, but she pressed her fists to stop herself, and I watched in mild amazement.
Rian approached, dust on his hands, and I shot him an incredulous look.
“You told me not to interfere?”
“You’re not great at controlling your strength.”
I bit back a comment while seeing him toss humans around.
“All the captured people are freed.”
“I know.”
I gave a resigned smile.
“…Let’s go. Staying longer will only be unpleasant.”
With the recent commotion, knights could arrive any moment.
Before we moved, a chill ran down my spine as a faint breeze passed my back. Pamiel’s presence—I hadn’t felt it before—was there.
“Why are you late? You invited me, yet you enjoy keeping guests waiting?”
The surroundings darkened, and Rian vanished. Pamiel had ensured no one could interfere.
“I was delayed. But you found me quickly. I thought it would take days.”
“Predictable where you’d go.”
I sighed, continuing.
“Pamiel, if you want something, just say it. Don’t waste time with games.”
“If I had said it outright, you wouldn’t have listened. I knew from the start you were indifferent to others.”
“Huh…”
“If I hadn’t played this prank today, we wouldn’t be talking like this.”
I wanted to argue, but she was right. My expression stiffened.
Why was she clinging to me as if it had to be me?
“Speak plainly. I don’t want to waste more time.”
Though still a bother, I was curious what she wanted so badly that she drew my attention.
“And if you don’t listen, I’ll keep pestering you. I can do that.”
She was a devil, after all.
“We had a bet, right? Whether humans would reward you.”
“I never accepted that.”
“Looking at the results, humans noticed you again, didn’t they? They were jealous.”
How did she know that?
Frowning coldly at her, she only smiled—seemingly knowing everything—which annoyed me.
“So, since you won the bet, you want me to grant your wish?”
“You’re always so easy to talk to. I like that.”
“Ah, I see.”
No wonder I got entangled with Pamiel from the start. The devil seemed to enjoy feeding off others.
I sighed, conceding. Her method had worked, so I decided to hear her out.
A dark glimmer passed in her black eyes.
“Take Linefried’s power from him.”
“…What?”
Knowing Pamiel’s sincerity, I was even more shocked.
I knew she was close to Linefried.
“Does that mean betraying Linefried?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Now I understood why she hesitated. Had she demanded it bluntly, I would have ignored her.
I planned to gain everyone’s power eventually, but I wouldn’t force myself.
“If you take Linefried’s power, I’ll give you mine too.”
She was offering to relinquish her position as Demon Lord.
Pamiel’s proposal was tempting—two powers at once—a rare opportunity.
Yet I felt like I was missing something important.
“I need the reason first. I can’t allow it if you’ve set a trap with Linefried.”
“Well…”
She hesitated, reluctant to answer.
Suddenly, a murderous intent toward me made Rian draw his sword in alarm. Something moved under my feet.
“Pamiel, you…!”
“Sorry, Lehel.”
As her words ended, a massive magic circle lit up beneath me. I instinctively sensed teleportation magic.
She had set this up in advance. It had been planned from the start.
“Lehel!”
Rian tried to approach, but I shook my head and threw him a sword—the one I had been holding.
My reason for returning it was simple:
“Run, Rian. By any means necessary.”
Linefried despises humans, especially heroes. Seeing Rian, he’d strike immediately.
Without me, Rian might die.
“Lehel…!”
As he reached for me, the magic circle’s bright light enveloped me, transporting me elsewhere.
Squinting from the intense glow, I opened my eyes to find myself standing alone in an unfamiliar place.
