Chapter 60

While Rostia was talking to Abelin first, I waited outside for my turn.

It wasn’t like I had enough free time to wander around, and besides, this was the accommodation area where the women stayed, so I couldn’t just roam around carelessly.

So, all I could do was lean against the inn wall and try to calm my body and mind for a moment.

But maybe it was because I had just heard so many stories.

Naturally, all sorts of thoughts started popping up.

‘Why do demons…’

It’s already been over ten years since I faced demons.

Yet, I still don’t understand.

‘Why do demons invade our world?’

I don’t know how deep or twisted their motives are, but at least from what I’ve learned so far, it’s for “fun.”

To demons, we humans are nothing but weak and insignificant beings.

But if they didn’t care about us at all, I doubt they would’ve invaded our world in the first place.

Like pawns in a game, worthless but still used and discarded without a second thought, demons not only take our lives but also sow discord among us, play with our emotions, and ruin everything.

At the very least, it seems we’re interesting enough to entertain them.

‘Gods, the almighty gods…’

According to the demons, they too have their own factions, and each faction has a god-like figure leading them.

So, are those gods just invading our world for fun…?

I clenched my teeth.

‘If only we humans had a bit more power. We wouldn’t be toyed with by these gods, and instead, we could give them a taste of their own medicine.’

Give them a taste.

Thinking that, another memory fragment surfaced.

The moment Abelin’s necklace glowed, right before I traveled back in time and gained a new life.

– I am an apostle. My job is to bring joy to Them. And congratulations. You’ve been chosen. Thanks to passing the test, you’ve earned the chance to become Their servant, just like me. –

– Don’t refuse. Since They desire you, you have no choice. –

– Accept it. This is both a curse and a blessing. Eventually, you’ll praise Them and dance with joy. This world will soon be destroyed by stronger demons anyway. So, join us and serve Them. –

The apostle, who completely overwhelmed me, even though I was one of the strongest in the Vanguard.

But the apostle’s arrogance didn’t last long.

– No! This can’t be, it’s…! –

Abelin’s necklace, which I was clutching tightly, began to glow, and the apostle rushed at me with a pale face.

Then everything was engulfed in light, and I returned to this time.

‘What was that light? And what kind of power and value did it hold to make even the demons, who seemed so carefree even in death, look so shocked…?’

I absentmindedly clenched and unclenched my palm.

The sensation of holding Abelin’s necklace was still vivid.

But the necklace disappeared without a trace when I traveled back in time.

Since then, I have no idea where it went, or if it truly vanished completely…

‘But it’s always there.’

Whether Abelin was wearing armor, training clothes, or casual clothes.

She never once took off that necklace.

Part of me wanted to take it and test it out in various ways.

Seeing how much she cherished it, it must hold far greater value to her than I could imagine, so I couldn’t just do that.

Compared to our past life, where we were at each other’s throats at the slightest provocation, we’re a bit closer now, but we’re still far from being called friends.

And for good reason. When I mentioned we might have to share a room, her reaction was… well.

I knew she’d be angry, but it wasn’t just simple anger.

She even went as far as threatening the innkeeper to give us separate rooms, radiating such intense killing intent.

On top of that, she’s the type to keep secrets to the end, so if I ask about the necklace the wrong way, who knows what kind of treatment I’ll get.

Every moment, my curiosity grows, and seeing how much chaos the demons are causing in this world, my urgency increases…

But in times like these, it’s important to stay patient and calm.

However,

‘What on earth are they talking about?’

I pressed my ear against the inn door, trying to catch as much of the conversation inside as possible.

With nothing else to do outside, it’s only natural to be curious about what’s being discussed inside.

Plus, my heightened senses since returning are perfectly suited for eavesdropping.

They told me to wait outside, but they never said I couldn’t eavesdrop, right?

“I didn’t know. I had no idea my mother’s keepsake held such power.”

‘Oh no, am I too late?’

The first voice I heard was Abelin’s.

I’m not sure what Rostia told her, but it seems like she learned something about the power she possesses.

Her mother’s keepsake…

It must be the necklace, right?

“The power that object holds isn’t something you can use with your head or logic. Do you understand what that means?”

“I had a vague idea. But to think it truly holds such immense power…”

“I’ve only told you one of the ways it can be used. If you can harness its power, victory would be easy, but from what I see, you don’t seem that desperate.”

“… Adults are so annoying. They see through everything, even the parts you try to hide, using their experience as a weapon.”

“It’s not that I want to see. Sometimes, I can’t help but see, or it just comes to me. Well, good luck then. Go and bring Kairon in.”

It seems the conversation just ended.

I quickly stepped away from the door and leaned against the nearby wall, whistling.

Creak-

“Kairon.”

“Oh, are you done?”

“Yes. You can go in now.”

I kept whistling as Abelin slowly walked past me.

But before I entered Riana’s inn, Abelin stopped me.

“Kairon.”

“What is it? The Archmage is waiting.”

“Can I ask you one thing?”

“Sure. We’re in the middle of planning to take down a terrifying demon, and with no idea how it’ll turn out, the fewer questions, the closer we get to certainty.”

“… Do you have any guesses?”

“Guesses…?”

Abelin asked in a very meaningful tone.

But you’ve got to be more specific. Just asking if I have any guesses doesn’t tell me what kind of guesses you’re talking about.

“What kind of guesses are you talking about?”

“The method Rostia mentioned to you, about facing Ronos and giving it a try.”

“Well, I’m not sure. If I knew, wouldn’t I have already planned to use it with you to take him on?”

“I see.”

Abelin nodded, then for some reason, smiled faintly.

And she muttered very softly.

“So, you’re not going to do it alone, but with me…”

“Of course. We’re comrades, aren’t we?”

“… I see.”

I’m not sure what was wrong with emphasizing that we’re comrades, but this time when she nodded, her smile was gone, replaced by a more rigid expression.

“Still, you’re better than me.”

“Huh? You’ve been saying strange things since earlier. What on earth did you and Rostia talk about that’s got your mind so tangled?”

“It’s not just tangled. We talked a lot, and I have to sort through it all and think about the direction we need to take. It was a very profound conversation. You haven’t had a one-on-one with Rostia yet, but I think you’ll end up like me.”

“Of course, my head will be a mess too. But,”

This time, I grinned and added.

“Isn’t it better to have a messy, frustrating head while trying to find a way forward than to stay in an ambiguous state, not knowing what to do? I think that’s the right way.”

“… Hehe, that’s so like you.”

Abelin also smiled slightly again.

“Then I’ll go in now. There’s nothing to do outside, so it’ll be boring. Wait well.”

“Take care. But I won’t eavesdrop like you did.”

“Ugh. What, what? I never did that!”

“You’re the worst at acting. It’s a good thing you became a straightforward warrior.”

Abelin chuckled and gave me a light push toward the door.

“Well, come on in.”

The Archmage Rostia, still with sparkling eyes.

For some reason, she even licked her lips when she saw me.

“You seem to have been waiting for me very eagerly.”

“Half right, half wrong. The conversation with Abelin took a while, and the talk I’ll have with you is anything but light.”

“I’ve prepared myself for a heavy discussion. Let’s get to the point. What method can I use?”

“Before that, let’s clarify one thing.”

Rostia pointed her finger straight at me.

“What are you?”

“Me?”

“Yes. What are you? A human, but not quite human!”

Staring at me with a sharp gaze, Rostia’s eyes gleamed.