Chapter 070 …
I placed the snake back over my shoulder. It coiled around half of my neck as if it had an assigned seat.
Now was the time to fully step into the role—not as “myself,” but as the cult leader, Cernuan Lumiere.
It had taken ages to go inside, but coming back out took barely a minute.
Outside, I saw Erendor fidgeting anxiously for some reason.
“You’re alive!”
“Of course. Didn’t I say I wouldn’t die?”
“And for some reason, your body seems better.”
“…?”
Erendor rubbed my shoulders and forearms.
That’s probably because of a formal contract… Either way, nosy people with sharp eyes are annoying.
I smoothly avoided his touch.
“And you even brought this cute spirit along. Was this why you came?”
“Yes.”
I held back from talking about the other relics for now. Ifrit, showing immense interest in the snake coiled around my neck, twirled around my shoulder.
“I don’t know what happened inside, but anyway, let’s go back.”
“Thank you for accompanying me.”
“It’s nothing. I didn’t do anything. Just… to hear a friend’s interesting story, enduring a little inconvenience is worth it.”
I walked along with him. At that moment, Erendor suddenly turned his head.
“Are you sure you’re okay going without a shoe? Looks like I’ll have to carry you back too.”
Ah, my shoes…
The snake had eaten one foot, so while my foot had regenerated, the shoe was gone.
“Well, thanks to the protective relic, nothing should really pierce my feet anyway.”
And with four upgrades, I could now defend even over my clothes, so it didn’t matter whether I wore shoes or not.
That had been something I hadn’t realized.
“It doesn’t hurt much, so I’m fine. I also can’t keep relying on you.”
“We help each other out. Isn’t that what brothers do? And isn’t that what the Saint kept emphasizing…?”
Damn it. Once again, I ended up being carried by Austin Gerard.
“Ascetic!”
“Ascetic, huh…”
As we stepped out onto the stairs, two dogs waiting anxiously greeted us.
‘Ah, right—they’re humans, not dogs.’
Calebrin circled me, checking for injuries, while Austin Gerard—uncharacteristically uneasy—interrogated me.
“Did anything happen?”
“I’m fine. Nature is beautiful. Did anyone from Senta come looking for me?”
“Yes? No, there was no one. I checked the surroundings just in case, but there were no threats. Only mindless creatures were around, and I didn’t even see a rabbit.”
Mindless creatures—he must mean the insects I saw inside the World Tree.
Is this also because of the influence of the forgotten gods…?
Now that I knew even a little of the world’s truths, my thoughts drifted toward that.
‘Stop thinking about gigantic things and focus on trivial matters… Remember, you’re a cult leader busy fooling one person, not a god or some dimensional entity! Cernuan Lumiere, you’re pathetic! You’re nothing but a powerless moth!’
Okay, good.
I nodded and repeated my plan.
“Right now, the Senta officials are probably desperate to contact their homeland.”
Since a (self) kidnapping occurred, the high-ranking Senta officials traveling with me must have had their hearts in their mouths—it could have escalated into a diplomatic crisis.
“And they’ll probably begin a search based on your appearance, since you were the one who kidnapped me.”
Austin Gerard listened intently. Calebrin only stared at my neck. The small snake slipped quietly behind my nape.
“If you’re caught, a conflict between Senta and the Empire is inevitable. Therefore, your most important task is to return to your homeland unnoticed.”
The way Austin Gerard could move between Senta and the Empire despite restricted access must be thanks to the banquet hall’s special secret methods.
I subtly hinted at this in front of Erendor. The expression on his face brightened, as if he smelled delicious food.
“…Yes. Uh, Ascetic.”
“Yes.”
“Where is the relic?”
Hmm, I expected this question. One of the reasons Austin Gerard was dispatched here was to ‘find and return the relic.’
Really obedient dog… A sword easy for the banquet hall to use.
Since it wasn’t mine, I didn’t grab the hilt.
I confidently lied.
“Can’t see the relic? That’s troublesome.”
“Is it here right now?”
Gerard looked around, noticing Calebrin’s strange gaze, and then glanced at my neck.
Even with Spirit Affinity 0, she wouldn’t be able to see the spirit or its magical energy.
“Seems it’s not visible. Then I’ll deliver it myself. Of course, I’ll also explain how hard you’ve worked on this.”
“Very well… understood.”
I patted Austin Gerard’s shoulder twice and handed the book tucked under Calebrin’s arm.
“This is…”
“Proof that Calebrin’s family wasn’t wrong.”
I guessed the book contained stories of the nine forgotten gods.
I wondered if I should have asked the snake too.
‘No, then I wouldn’t have gotten more important information. The big snake was only awake for a conditional limited time…’
Still, I gave it to Calebrin, the most skilled in ancient languages.
“…!”
“Why don’t you read it? I haven’t fully deciphered it either, so I’d like you to explain it, Sister Calebrin.”
It was a lie. I hadn’t read a single character.
Still, Calebrin was overjoyed.
“…Yes! Okay, I-I’ll do it…!”
I felt a bit guilty tricking the innocent lamb, but it had to be done—for your own good… no, for everyone’s good!
“Where should we go now?”
Austin Gerard asked.
“I originally intended to return to the previous location, but it’s better if we exit the Elf Forest and meet elsewhere.”
I handed the remaining shoe to Erendor.
“Take this back to the Senta officials.”
“What about my friend? The Elf Forest is inaccessible without me.”
There’s a method!
{“Brrring.”}
With this spirit, passing through the protective barriers in the Elf Forest becomes easy.
“I just found a way and came out.”
The baby snake slid along my neck and lifted its upper body. Erendor seemed to notice something.
“Ah, that’s the method… So the spellcaster goes with you?”
“Yes. Calebrin tracked me to find me.”
“Communication?”
“As before, I’ll contact directly through my mind.”
Erendor nodded and vanished instantly.
‘Even though he was right in front of me, I have no idea where he went.’
A level difference of several dozen is indeed hard to overcome.
‘Even after grabbing relics and causing a scene, my level barely rises. Maybe because it’s item-based rather than skill-based.’
At my current level, I can barely read the NPC guards.
“Where should I take you? I don’t know Senta’s geography well yet, so you’ll need to guide me.”
Austin Gerard assumed I’d be carried, naturally.
“Take me to the city just before the Elf Forest—Torenbel.”
“Oh, the small city next to Basgar?”
“Yes. Drop me off in the forest there. I’ll return to Torenbel with Calebrin.”
With a portal in Basgar, travel will be easy later. Arriving in Basgar itself would raise suspicion, so Torenbel is the safest choice.
“Then I’ll have to carry you in my arms. Is that okay?”
Without Erendor, it’s the obvious choice, but saying it out loud feels strange.
And since Calebrin is with us, maybe walking would be better… right, Calebrin?
Being carried like a sack in Gerard’s arms is awkward. Even if it’s faster, walking seems better.
I looked at Calebrin. She looked up from the book.
“Okay, then I’ll be on the right…”
Karma, huh. Paying for my sins in this way.
We were carried in a ridiculous sack-like pose in Austin Gerard’s arms. His sword pressed against my waist.
‘Earlier, I didn’t feel pain, just nausea. Now, with the protective relic, it’s quite comfortable.’
Of course, the pose was 0% cool, but no one was watching.
We dashed through the Elf Forest at full speed toward Torenbel.
A secluded forest near Torenbel.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Ugh…”
Compared to my composed state, Calebrin looked pale. Her hands were white from gripping her staff and book tightly.
After habitually firing a few healing beams, Calebrin’s expression lightened.
“I’ll make my way back from here.”
“Yes, take care.”
Austin Gerard nodded and disappeared like Erendor.
Neither Erendor nor Gerard were visible to my eyes.
‘Power is everything. Without it, you just cheat and scheme your way through life. Damn it.’
I walked with Calebrin to Torenbel, bought a pair of shoes at a stall, and contacted the Senta guards.
I also contacted Yelena and Erendor via telepathic message. They’re perceptive enough to herd them out of the forest like sheep.
While waiting, we ate street food from Senta’s alleys.
Eating the alley food NPCs enjoyed in the game in real life—truly moving. Feeling blessed.
‘This is why life is worth living. Now… let’s plan what to do with the info we got.’
While scheming like a villain, Calebrin hurried over, chewing something, and offered me a candy-like treat.
“Mm-mm-mm.”
“Is this for me?”
“Mm-mm-mm.”
Scheming while chewing candy…
‘Brat.’
Escorted under heavy guard, we traveled to Basgar, then used a portal to Senta’s capital.
Upon arrival, we were immediately put in a carriage. Across from me sat the country’s second-in-command, whose face I had memorized.
“This was our mistake… That kidnappers could enter the Elf Forest due to personnel restrictions. Thankfully, you were unharmed. Did the kidnappers demand anything?”
“They requested treatment for an incurable disease. A suffering soul. After giving a few words while healing, they vanished in tears. A tragic soul… Please consider leniency if they are found. They harmed no one and made an extreme choice in pain… Please show mercy.”
The second-in-command looked at me like, ‘Ah… that’s the concept.’ After listening, they seemed to understand the situation.
“Of course. If the Saint wishes it, we shall proceed as such.”
“Thank you.”
“But… what about the Empire…”
The second-in-command brought up the main topic.
“Oh, I haven’t contacted the Empire yet. If Senta agrees, I’d like to keep this matter confidential…”
“That would be fortunate. But why make such an offer?”
“I hold a relatively important position in the Empire. If I, here as a peace envoy, were kidnapped by a warring Senta, it would ruin the ceasefire negotiations. The Empire would retaliate against Senta, causing more suffering. I don’t wish to see that happen.”
They seemed impressed by my words. Okay, we can proceed like this.
“Such profound intent… Truly, Saint, you are remarkable.”
“You flatter me. I have one more proposal… may I?”
“What is it…?”
If Senta falls to the Empire, disaster. Their power must grow…
I smiled and spoke.
