CHAPTER 94…………………….
“Your Grace.”
“Yes. I saw a carriage I didn’t recognize mixed in with the others, so I came to see what it was.”
Even to Esther—who had a fairly refined sense of aesthetics—the man was undeniably beautiful.
His long golden hair shimmered as if brushed with honey, and his pink eyes carried a gentle warmth.
From a distance, one might easily mistake him for a woman.
He wore clothes of pure white, made from fine, luxurious fabric that wrapped elegantly around his body.
His gaze met Esther’s.
“And that child?”
“My daughter.”
“Ah, so that’s her. The one who has newly been summoned by Lord Armos, correct?”
The man bowed slightly and smiled pleasantly at her.
‘…Why does this feel so disgusting?’
Of course, instead of smiling back, Esther furrowed her brow deeply.
It was a familiar kind of disgust—the kind she knew all too well. Narrowing her eyes, she studied him warily.
Everything about this man was painted in colors Esther despised, even if his appearance was flawless.
“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Samael.”
Esther stared at him blankly, then abruptly turned her head away.
She saw no reason to return his greeting. Instead, she yawned openly and looked to Kaelos.
“Dad, I’m hungry.”
“All right. I’ll have them prepare food at once.”
“Mm-hm.”
“Can you stay here for a moment?”
Esther nodded quietly.
“I’ll step away for a bit.”
Samael simply nodded in acknowledgment.
With permission granted, Kaelos turned and walked toward where the camp preparations were underway.
Once they were alone, the man spoke again.
“May I ask your name?”
“No.”
Esther replied firmly, smiling sweetly as she looked up at him.
“…….”
He seemed genuinely at a loss for words at such a blunt rejection.
“Do you dislike me, perhaps?”
“Yeah.”
At Esther’s curt reply, the man calling himself Samael fell silent again.
“Yeah, so go away now.”
“May I at least know what part of me you dislike…?”
Samael did not retreat easily. By this point, Esther couldn’t help frowning in irritation.
‘This bastard… he looks just like him…’
Yes.
He resembled that man—the one who used to cling to Agreus and pretend to be his lover.
Those sly eyes, that smirking persistence, the shameless way he refused to back down—
Even the way he leaned in close and fluttered his eyes, trying to charm her—it was exactly the same.
“You’re ugly.”
Esther snorted.
The man froze, as if she’d just said something unbelievable.
“Ugly? Objectively speaking, my looks are considered quite exceptional.”
“Nope, not really~”
“Oh dear, I suppose your aesthetic sense hasn’t developed yet—you’re still a child.”
“Bleh. Guess I wouldn’t know since I’m just a kid.”
Sticking out her tongue, Esther brushed past him.
Pretty-boy faces like that were absolutely not her type.
Worse, he reminded her of that insufferable bastard, Michael Enoch.
…Michael Enoch?
Halfway to where Larksa was, Esther froze in her tracks.
No way.
Her head turned slowly, suspicion burning in her narrowed eyes as she glared at Samael.
He was already watching her—those curved eyes soft and glowing with honeyed warmth.
So gentle it was almost sweet.
And seeing that only made Esther’s eyes sharpen.
Why the hell is that lunatic here?
Once suspicion took root, she saw through his disguise easily.
No matter how powerful a god might be, they couldn’t forge a human destiny.
Sure enough—he had no star.
And a person without a star was one without a destiny.
All living humans were born with fate; to lack it meant only one thing: either the person was dead, or they were something that could not possess destiny—like the head of a race.
“…What a shameless bastard.”
As if he’d heard her muttering, Samael’s lips twisted into a sly smile.
Just as Esther turned abruptly to march toward Larksa—
“You’ve gotten sharper. That’s quite an improvement, Agreus. You never used to notice before.”
“……”
Esther’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“It’s been a long time. We should at least have a chat, don’t you think?”
“Nope, don’t think so.”
Esther grinned brightly—and plopped down onto the ground.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
“What in the world—”
“Daaad! Larksa! This man—! He tried to grab me! I’m scared! Waaahhh!”
“…What trick is this now…”
Samael faltered, stepping back in confusion.
At that instant—whoosh! Two metal projectiles sliced through the air, grazing both his cheeks.
“……”
Esther gave him a mischievous grin and buried her face in her hands.
“Lady Esther! Larksa is here!”
Larksa rushed in, wrapping Esther protectively in his arms.
A faint red gleam flickered in Esther’s eyes—
—and Samael suddenly staggered backward and fell flat.
Caw—caw—caaaw!
Plop—
Splatter-splatter-splatter—
A swarm of crows appeared out of nowhere, raining down some sticky liquid over Samael before vanishing again.
It was less like “they dropped it” and more like “they poured it.”
His golden hair, once gleaming like honey, turned chalk white.
And his pure white clothes—utterly defiled by the foul mess.
“Ah!”
With his head bowed, shadows obscured his eyes, making the air feel tense—
—but Esther only gasped exaggeratedly.
“A bird just pooped out of nowhere…” she said with mock sympathy.
“How unfortunate, right, Larksa?”
“Indeed.”
Larksa played along perfectly, even bowing politely before turning away.
“Esther!”
Kaelos arrived, wide-eyed.
He barely glanced at Samael sitting on the ground before rushing to Esther.
“Are you hurt?”
“No. That man suddenly grabbed my arm and then—crows just came out of nowhere! It scared me.”
“…Did they now? Strange. Anyway, I already told the maid Shiphon to prepare the meal. Go eat; I’ll handle this.”
Only after checking Esther over did Kaelos finally approach Samael.
“Are you all right, Your Grace?”
“Hmm…”
With a smile, Samael lifted his head and rose.
“No, I’m rather… disgusted.”
As he muttered, divine light surged around him, cleansing away every stain instantly.
“…Your Grace?”
“It’s nothing. It seems Sir Kaelos’s daughter is quite the spirited one.”
“She takes after her mother.”
Kaelos accepted the comment without hesitation—if anything, he looked proud, which somehow made Samael’s mood even worse.
So that’s how it’s going to be, is it?
His eyes narrowed.
“Well then, I suppose it’s time to eat.”
He turned, glancing once at Esther seated by the makeshift table before walking away.
What the hell is that smug bastard doing here?
And with that face, no less. It reminded her too much of a certain time, a certain place.
While I’m at it, I should make him hand over whatever’s sealing Mother’s power.
Her eyes narrowed again.
But—not now.
Right now, she needed peace of mind.
“Shiphon! Give me something sweet!”
Her voice took on that imperious edge she used when she wanted something.
“I’m afraid not.”
Shiphon smiled as she refused.
“…Why?”
“Dinner is almost ready. If you eat sweets now, you won’t have an appetite later.”
“…Not even a little?”
She really wanted something sweet—something sugary enough to melt her brain.
“But…”
“I’ll give you plenty after you finish your meal.”
A fair trade.
And since Shiphon wasn’t wrong, there was only one thing Esther could say.
“…Fine.”
“Yes, I’ll be right back.”
“…Mmph.”
Shiphon left quickly, pretending not to notice Esther’s sulky expression. Why she fled like she was running for her life, though, was anyone’s guess.
“By the way,” Larksa said, setting down the utensils, “that earlier—was that a divine shell?”
“Probably. The bastard who made me like this.”
“I see…”
He stroked his chin thoughtfully and placed a dish before her.
“Can you kill him?” Esther asked.
Larksa only smiled softly.
His silence could mean many things.
“If I could, would you want me to kill him?”
Esther blinked.
“Me? Why would I?”
“Excellent answer.”
He smiled, satisfied.
“Unfortunately, I cannot kill that one. Ah—there’s no water. I’ll fetch some.”
“Okay.”
Larksa’s tongue flicked briefly across his lower lip before he slipped away soundlessly.
And the moment he vanished—
—a blinding white light enveloped the space.
[At last, we can speak properly.]
[Oh great, what a rude way to start a conversation.]
Esther’s face twisted in irritation as she spat out fluent ancient language.
