Chapter 96

“……”

“Why, did you think I wouldn’t know? As you’re aware, your acting is very awkward. That’s probably why you became a warrior instead of an actor.”

Commander Balthazar, with an incredibly relaxed gesture, lightly clinked his glass against mine and took a sip.

“Honestly, I was on the fence. Your awkward acting made it easy to tell you were hiding something, but I couldn’t figure out exactly what. Because…”

Commander Balthazar pointed a finger directly at my chest.

“The blessing you received isn’t an ordinary one. There are three gods of chaos. But each governs a different domain. And they don’t get along well. Riana, you listen too.”

“Me, me too? Uh-huh……”

“It’s a fact known to anyone in the Vanguard. Demons are largely divided into three colors: violent red, nauseating yellow, and ominous purple. Usually, one only receives a blessing from one of them. But you’re different. You’ve absorbed the aura of the red Cerberus, the yellow Sophia, and the purple Ronos. Isn’t that right?”

Commander Balthazar shook his head as if it were absurd, then downed the rest of his drink in one go.

“I’ll bet. Not just in this world, but in many worlds, those who serve the three gods would envy you. You carry the blessings of all three gods in one body.”

“What does that even mean? That what I carry isn’t a curse but a blessing? How can it be a blessing when I, a human, possess such power? And besides…”

It was still vivid.

The intense rage that dominated my body when Rostia’s illusion magic nearly drove me mad.

Even though I knew what I was seeing was an illusion, it made me go berserk.

At the same time, the immense power I felt still lingered vividly within me.

“Didn’t I tell you? The three gods enjoy amusement. In that regard, you’ve been playing the role of a very interesting toy for them. Haven’t you noticed lately? You’ve changed a lot.”

“Changed? What do you mean……”

“You’ve not just grown stronger. Your wounds heal quickly, and you’ve become more thoughtful and suspicious than before. Is that really your own change?”

I couldn’t help but tense up.

If what Commander Balthazar is saying is true, then my physical condition and the plans I’ve been executing are all……

“But know this clearly. You are not a demon.”

“…… What’s the difference? If the blessings of those gods have filled my body, and I’m moving according to their whims for their amusement?”

“No, that’s not it. What they’ve given you is purely a blessing. And what they find amusing is how you use and wield that power. They won’t interfere much with what you do with that power, but they’ll watch from afar. However……”

Commander Balthazar reached out and carefully took the glass from my hand, placing it on the table.

“That power is exactly the same as the demons’. If you let it consume you completely, you’ll become no different from a demon—a demon yourself. And you’ll lead the charge in destroying the very world you sought to protect, wielding the immense power of all three gods. And,”

The glass Balthazar handed back to me was now full again.

“Watching the one who tried to protect the world turn around and destroy it—that would be quite the spectacle for them. Heh heh……”

I unconsciously took the glass.

The drink inside swayed, releasing a sweet yet bitter, dangerous aroma.

With the taste still lingering in my mouth, I took in the scent, and a mix of emotions flooded me.

The power I intended to use against demons might be the very thing turning me into one.

“No, I won’t give them that final amusement. I’ll use this power to kill as many demons as I can, and then……”

“Oppa!”

Riana grabbed the glass I was holding and pulled it away.

“No, Oppa. You don’t have to do that. Why do you think you’re the only one fighting for this world? There’s me, Abelin unnie, and the other Vanguard members. Don’t try to shoulder everything alone.”

“Riana……”

“Hoho. See, Kairon? The change is already happening.”

Commander Balthazar looked at me and Riana with a satisfied smile.

“Remember how childish Riana used to be? That little girl has grown up and is now saying she’ll share the burden of protecting the world. Truly a mysterious and admirable thing, isn’t it?”

“…… And you’re the one who assigned a demon as her teacher, aren’t you?”

“Out of love.”

“Did you just say assigning a demon as her teacher was out of love?”

“Yes. According to my plan, this world won’t perish overnight. But honestly, I don’t know if it’ll last another hundred years. Even if this world perishes, I don’t want to lose Riana. So, I made sure she could coexist with demons, even if the world ends.”

“Dad……? What about the others?”

“…… It’s about time I told you.”

Commander Balthazar gently stroked Riana’s head, frozen in shock.

And then he added.

“You’re not the daughter your mother gave birth to.”

“Not Mom’s daughter? Then……?”

“Your mother and siblings died that day. But I held you, who was dying but still breathing, and begged. I begged to save just you, and in return, I’d do anything, even become a slave.”

Commander Balthazar smiled proudly, as if what he’d done was something to be proud of.

“But the gods of this world didn’t answer my pleas until your heart stopped. When your heartbeat ceased, I screamed. And in that moment, they answered. The Crow God reignited your fading heart with his magic. In exchange, he took my soul.”

“Dad’s soul……?”

“It’s okay, Riana. I don’t regret it. I’m only grateful. That’s why you can’t learn ordinary magic. Your body flows with mana of a completely different nature from this world.”

This conversation was clearly not normal.

Yet, Commander Balthazar, proudly recounting how he traded his soul and the world to save his daughter, had the face of a loving father.

“I think I’ve said all I needed to. Do you have any more questions, Kairon?”

“None. But just one thing.”

“What more…… Ugh!”

I couldn’t hold back and punched Balthazar in the face.

Caught off guard, Balthazar fell backward, chair and all, rolling on the floor.

“Ah, Dad!”

Startled, Riana jumped up from her seat but didn’t move to help her father up.

She’d need time to process the shock.

How to face the man who was the center of her life and the warmest adult she knew—she probably couldn’t even begin to grasp it.

Moreover, though Commander Balthazar took my punch head-on, it seemed he let it happen.

After all, he quickly straightened up and smiled at me as if nothing had happened.

“Feeling better now, Kairon? If you’ve vented, that’s good. Everything has already begun and can’t be stopped, so you’ll have to accept it. When you acknowledge the crisis and think about how to overcome it, that’s when humans truly transform and grow stronger.”

Commander Balthazar stood up as he spoke.

“Get used to that power. It’s rare for the three gods to agree and bestow their blessings. If you don’t use it well, it’d be a waste. Grow stronger, Kairon. And if I ever lose myself, I hope you’ll strike me down once more. Take care, Riana. See you later…… Huh?”

Suddenly, Commander Balthazar’s expression darkened.

“Kairon.”

“You told Riana to take care, but do you have more to say?”

“Kairon!”

The urgency in Commander Balthazar’s voice was unusual.

“It seems what we’ve done has upset the three gods. We need to move now. Right now!”

“What? But how……”

“Grab my hand! Riana, you too!”

Compelled by an inexplicable force in his words, Riana and I instinctively grabbed the hand Balthazar offered.

In that moment, countless small crows flew up from beneath our feet, and I closed my eyes.

When I opened them again.

“Emergency, emergency! Wait, who are you?”

We were on the highest building in Rostia.

A watchtower meant to monitor the movements of strangers or enemies from the outside.

But a bell was ringing above us.

A massive bell signaling an emergency.

And on the horizon, covering the land as they approached……

Were demons.