Chapter 167

Ŕêäd̂ ̂​óñ ̃K̀ãt̃R̀êä​d̈ĩǹǵC̀áf̈​ë​

A contract.

Eugene pondered the girl’s words.

What did that word entail?

It wasn’t too complicated. It was a kind of promise. Setting obligations to fulfill and carrying them out. 

Astaroth was proposing a contract. Each had something they wanted, so she suggested making a deal to achieve their goals. 

Eugene couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh. It was essentially a robbery, just without a weapon.

From the start, it was a one-sided coercion with no real choice.

She kidnaps Lucia and then demanded a deal in exchange for her return.

If he refused, what would happen to Lucia?

“…”

Astaroth’s words lacked credibility.

She wasn’t even human, let alone trustworthy.

Her promise to help if he made a contract might be a complete lie.

It could just be a cruel trick to toy with his desperation.

But Eugene had no other options. Lucia’s whereabouts were still unknown, and so was her condition. 

The girl before him was one of the masterminds behind Lucia’s kidnapping. A hateful existence, but the one in need was Eugene. 

If he refused the kidnapper’s demands, who knows what might happen to the hostage.

“…What do you want?”

In the end, Eugene made a decision.

Even if it was as foolish as sticking his head into a tiger’s mouth.

He would play along with Astaroth’s game.

“It’s nothing much.”

At Eugene’s question, Astaroth smiled slyly.

She held up one finger and playfully bent it.

“Someday, when I ask for your help…”

The Chosen One is dangerous. 

The four devils who crossed into this world cannot stand against him. The core reason they repeat countless regressions is because they cannot defeat the Chosen One. 

The boy favored by the gods. The being protected by the providence of the world. 

A man who will one day undergo the process of incarnation and ascend.

But danger can turn into opportunity depending on how it’s handled.

And opportunities are something you create yourself.

How much had she sacrificed to pass on the clues about the Chosen One to the next cycle?

She lost many, but thanks to that, she found the Chosen One before Agares.

This opportunity, too, was created.

Astaroth stroked her red fox mask as she spoke.

“Help me.”

Eugene’s expression turned odd. He furrowed his brows. At first glance, it seemed like a simple request, but it could also be interpreted as a heavy one. 

She hadn’t specified exactly what she wanted help with. It was a blank check. What would be written on that check was up to Astaroth’s whims. Eugene couldn’t easily agree.

“How about it? Simple, right?”

But his hesitation didn’t last long. In the end, with a hostage in play, Eugene had no choice but to accept whatever she said. 

Eugene nodded slightly with a shallow sigh. For now, he would bow his head. He would endure the humiliation. For the sake of the opportunity that would come someday.

“Fine, but in return…”

Just as Eugene’s rain-soaked lips parted.

“Excuse me, this is quite rude.”

Someone stepped between Eugene and Astaroth. Eugene instinctively took a step back. The rain, which had been blocked by the parasol, began to hit his body again. 

His blue eyes wavered slightly. No matter how focused he was on Astaroth, he hadn’t sensed any presence approaching this close. Even now, as he looked at the person, their presence felt incredibly faint.

It was a man with blue-green hair. Though only his back was visible, Eugene immediately recognized the familiar black uniform. 

The uniform issued to members of the Celestial Corps. The shoulder epaulettes were adorned with ornate dragon-shaped gold ornaments. Astaroth’s eyes narrowed behind her mask.

“This won’t do, junior. Didn’t you learn how to handle dangerous encounters at the Academy?”

It was a low, detached, androgynous voice. The man’s hand gently pushed Eugene’s chest. 

As a result, Eugene stumbled back a few steps. His eyes widened. The movement had been light and slow, yet he hadn’t been able to react at all. 

If that had been a hostile attack, his life would have been snuffed out in an instant.

“…Ahaha, look at this.”

Astaroth let out a soft laugh.

“Which division captain are you?”

Having already met three, Astaroth recognized him immediately.

2nd Division Captain, Kallad.

3rd Division Captain, Isabella.

7th Division Captain, Kaen.

And now, the man before her.

Undoubtedly one of the pillars of the Celestial Corps.

“What did you stick in your eyes?”

“Oh, you recognized me at a glance?”

4th Division Captain, Karma, looked surprised.

He always keeps his eyes closed, so how did she recognize him?

Though curious, Karma didn’t ask again.

Before he could, Astaroth’s hand shot toward him.

Her finger, aimed precisely at his eye, was like a hook.

Karma leaned back to avoid the strike aimed at gouging out his eye.

Astaroth’s hand cut through the air, and a fierce gust of wind swept through.

The wind, generated purely by her grip, tore through the surroundings like a sharp blade.

“You’re really insane, huh?”

Astaroth spoke in a tone of disbelief.

“You’re not human, are you?”

“I am, though?”

“What kind of lunatic sticks something like that in their eyes?”

“If it’s useful, I’ll do anything. That’s what humans are.”

It’s not like my eyes were functioning properly after losing sight, so what’s the problem with replacing them with something else?

Karma spoke with a calm smile. Astaroth made a disgusted expression. Well, it’s not wrong. It’s not wrong, but… no matter how you look at it, implanting that in your eyes isn’t something a sane person would do.

“Astaroth, right? I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“And if I am? Are you here to kill me too? Do you think you can handle me alone?”

“Haha, of course not.”

How could I possibly handle someone who fought three captains and escaped unscathed all by myself?

Karma shrugged. His relaxed attitude was unusual for someone facing a monster on par with three captains. As Astaroth’s eyes narrowed at his blatantly defenseless posture, Karma spoke.

“Why don’t we both save our energy and part ways?”

“Huh?”

“I’m here to pay my respects, not to fight. It’s raining, and I don’t feel like sweating.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then one of us will die, right?”

“Is that a question? Isn’t it obvious who’s going to die?”

“True. Do you guys have funeral customs? If you do, let me know before it’s too late. Dead people can’t talk, after all.”

“Ahaha.”

“Hahaha.”

Astaroth and Karma burst into laughter. 

It was a forced, cheerful laugh, but Eugene felt his blood run cold. At first, the man had been completely undetectable. 

But now, it was different. Like a curtain being drawn back, a massive pressure centered around Karma began to engulf the surroundings. How had he hidden such a presence? Eugene unconsciously rubbed the goosebumps on his arm.

“Whatever, fine.”

Then, abruptly, the laughter stopped.

“You’re not a fool, so you wouldn’t have come alone. The other captains are probably on their way by now, right?”

“Maybe.”

“You showed yourself before the other captains arrived because you thought I might harm him, right?”

“Could be.”

Even Astaroth would struggle against three captains.

From their last fight, she had learned that lesson.

Of course, she didn’t think she’d lose.

But she would have to endure significant damage.

That wasn’t something Astaroth was keen on.

Killing the man before her before the other captains arrived didn’t seem easy either.

“Fine, I’ll do as you say.”

“Oh, really?”

“Or would you prefer bloodshed?”

“I’m a pacifist who dislikes fighting.”

“That’s a boring joke.”

Spouting such a murderous aura while calling yourself a pacifist.

Even though he acted like he was ready to devour her, it was surprising that he actually stepped back.

Was it because the damage from a fight here would be uncontrollable? Or was he really here to pay his respects? The reason was unclear, but Astaroth decided not to dwell on it. Her goal was already half achieved.

Astaroth looked at Eugene one last time.

Eugene was also glaring at Astaroth.

For a moment, their gazes locked in silence, and the girl spoke.

“See you later, big brother.”

With those words, the girl vanished like a mirage.

That’s how it seemed to Eugene, but not to Karma.

Karma tilted his head back and looked up at the sky.

“She jumps high without even a preparation, huh.”

At his muttering, Eugene also looked up.

All he saw were dark clouds and the increasingly heavy rain.

“Now then.”

With that preamble.

Karma turned around.

Eugene finally got to see Karma’s face. Blue-green hair. A slender jawline. Closed eyes. A black uniform that remained completely dry despite the pouring rain. 

A sudden chill washed over Eugene. Even though Karma had suppressed his energy, a subtle pressure remained.

A snake.

Eugene swallowed dryly at the thought that came to mind. The faint smile on Karma’s lips reminded him of a snake flicking its tongue.

 Karma brushed back his cold, snake-like blue-green hair as he approached Eugene. Eugene instinctively took a step back. 

His body stiffened at the slightest movement. It felt like a snake coiling around his neck. Like a viper’s fangs piercing the back of his neck.

“Ah, don’t be so scared. I just have a question for you.”

Karma’s eyes curved softly as he spoke.

“Can I ask what you were talking about with that girl, junior?”

The snake was whispering.

◆

‘Well, he seems really scared.’

Karma flicked his finger to block the rain as he thought.

The air around him flowed abnormally, creating a barrier of wind.

At the same time, he heated the temperature of the wind. Creating a warm, but not hot, breeze to warm the rain-soaked boy. Even so, Eugene trembled slightly. It didn’t seem to be just from the cold. Karma tilted his head.

‘Well, it’s understandable.’

Facing such a monster.

Even as a captain, his spine had tingled, so how much more for a young boy?

Recalling what had just happened, Karma’s shoulders shivered.

Even now, the thought made his heart sink.

The anniversary was approaching. Although a month was still left, Karma had come to the national cemetery to pay his respects to his fallen subordinates. 

The graves of the 4th Division members who had died during the Great Calamity five years ago were also here. 

Karma often visited the cemetery whenever he had time. As a captain, it was his duty to honor the dead.

Today was no different.

He had taken some time to visit the cemetery.

Then he witnessed an unexpected situation.

The girl in the red fox mask, whose appearance he had memorized from intelligence.

And the boy facing her.

His body moved before he could think. The ominous aura emanating from the girl left no time for hesitation. Only after blocking the girl in the red fox mask did he realize his mistake.

‘Ah, I’m screwed.’

I should’ve called for backup from the other captains.

But I acted without thinking.

Still, ignoring a boy in danger would be a failure as a captain.

Facing Astaroth, Karma’s mouth went dry.

How could he, alone, face someone who had fought three captains and escaped unscathed? 

Karma didn’t overestimate himself. Even Kallad, of all people, hadn’t been able to defeat her. 

His chances alone weren’t high. The girl in the red fox mask was even more of a monster than he had imagined.

Pretending to be calm, Karma desperately racked his brain.

If they fought, he’d likely lose.

The chances of holding out until the other captains arrived were low.

Even if he did, if Astaroth noticed the backup and fled, there was no way to stop her.

Fighting was pointless.

There was nothing to gain. And everything to lose.

After finishing his calculations, Karma chose to bluff with a smile.

He acted as if he had all the time in the world, exuding energy as if he was about to explode.

‘Fall for it, fall for it, fall for it… if you don’t, today’s my death anniversary… ugh, my god… I didn’t visit the graveyard to enter a grave!!’

Fortunately, it worked. Astaroth misunderstood and chose to step back. Karma swallowed dryly. 

Backup from other captains? There’s only me here. I came to pay my respects to my old subordinates and almost ended up with them physically. 

Karma let out a hollow laugh.

“Ah, don’t be so scared. I just have a question for you.”

After Astaroth retreated, Karma spoke with a familiar smile.

He had heard about the boy before. His name was Eugene, right? Isabella had her eye on him as a promising recruit. 

He was a candidate for the next captain, and it was clear why. To reach this level at such a young age. Even he, who had been called a genius in his youth, hadn’t been this strong at that age.

Karma tried his best to put on a gentle expression for Eugene, who looked as pale as a frightened frog. 

Karma knew it himself. That he had a rather suspicious face. So much so that Azazel, the 5th Division Captain, had even given him advice.

“Hey, you’ve got that shady look, so try smiling more often. People might mistake you for a Family boss instead of a Celestial Corps captain. 

Smiling will soften your expression a bit, right? Then you’ll get fewer misunderstandings.

What? You already smile often to avoid making others uncomfortable? 

No, not that kind of smile, I mean, you know, the kind that’s reassuring.”

Taking that advice to heart, Karma spent several days practicing his smile in front of a mirror.

The results were quite good. He could now smile naturally, as if wearing a mask. Karma was quite pleased with his soft, reassuring smile.

When Azazel saw that smile, she made a slightly uncomfortable expression and said, “Uh… how about just going around with a straight face…? That smile looks like it could drown someone…” 

But she must’ve been joking. She often enjoyed teasing people, after all.

Clearing his throat, Karma looked at Eugene. As a captain of the Celestial Corps, he tried his best to reassure the Academy student with a gentle voice and smile. He slightly lifted the corners of his lips and narrowed his eyes.

“Can I ask what you were talking about with that girl, junior?”

Yeah, this should do.

Even he thought it was an appropriate smile.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Being narrow-eyed doesn’t mean you’re a villain!

You’re just an ordinary idiot!

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Just because he has closed eyes doesn’t mean he’s a villain!

Anyways, just wanted to make that reference, heh.