Chapter 25 : Didn’t someone else say that line already ?

All treatment was done by around 3 PM.

Even with that whole damn mess of fighting a demon in the middle, it wrapped up fast!

Thanks to switching to a method of spreading divine power through light, I was healing hundreds of people per second.

Once everything was over, we accepted the Arsen king’s invitation and headed to a party.

“Sir Ceres, you truly are as beautiful as the rumors say. Even your appearance is saint-like.”

“Not only did you stop the plague, but you defeated a demon too—how incredible.”

A bunch of nobles I didn’t even recognize kept coming up to talk.

“Sir Ceres Hyperion, if you’re free later, may I meet you in private?”

“Ceres doesn’t have time for that.”

There were women clearly trying to pull something, but Alios blocked every one of them.

Honestly, the whole party was just a hassle.

It wasn’t like I could say no to a foreign king’s invitation—not with my status—so I had no choice but to come.

At the very least, I thought I’d enjoy the fancy food.

“No.”

The moment I reached for a drumstick from a roast chicken, Alios quickly took it away.

“What are you doing trying to eat meat whole in that body?”

“I’m fine now.”

“You just got better not long ago. You need to take it slow and ease into it step by step.”

I was disappointed—I really thought I could finally eat properly now that I was healed.

“You say you’d endure anything for me, but you won’t even let me eat?”

I voiced my complaint, and while I was at it, I brought something else up.

“Don’t do that again.”

“Do what?”

“Don’t go doing something extreme for my sake, like letting someone else die. Don’t just cross the line so easily.”

“Why not? It’s natural to value the person you love over a stranger. Or would you let me die for some random person instead, Ceres?”

“…No, I wouldn’t. Even if I hesitate, I’d still end up choosing you, my friend.”

What I meant was—she said it too easily.

At the very least, she should’ve struggled with the choice, only deciding after she was sure there was no other way. Her choice felt too… light.

“Did it seem light to you?”

Alios cut in.

Her face was hard—without a trace of a smile—as she spoke firmly.

“If you think I said that on a whim, without any resolve, then I guess my feelings still haven’t gotten through to you.”

“What?”

“Ceres. That day, when I went to kill Viol to save you… You became someone who must come first. Above all else.”

…Pretty sure even the original story never went this far.

Original Alios said similar things, but that was more like, “I’ll have you no matter what.”

Not “I’ll do anything just to save you.”

So is this obsession like the original? Or not?

What the hell do I even say to that?

I was still trying to figure out how to respond—

“Could I borrow the two of you for a moment?”

Someone cut in. It was the Arsen King.

She looked a bit awkward as she continued.

“Sorry to interrupt what seemed like an important talk, but a guest has arrived.”

“A guest?”

“A noble from the Empire, like the two of you. She said you’d know if I said Count Hurion.”

The king asked if I knew her—I nodded.

Count Hurion was Ares’s friend. Her territory bordered ours.

After all that drama, I even ended up healing her daughter. I could never forget her.

“She’s here?”

Why?

“She said it’s urgent. That she absolutely had to meet you right away.”

“I understand. I’ll meet her now.”

I gave the Arsen King a small nod and glanced at Alios.

“…Let’s go.”

She seemed like she was waiting for my answer, and though she looked reluctant, she followed me.

Surprisingly, the king led us to a secluded corner of the palace gardens.

“She said she wanted to speak with just the Empire’s people. I’ll give you some privacy. Whatever it is, I hope it resolves well.”

“Thank you.”

I gave my thanks to the Arsen King—she’d been considerate, likely out of gratitude.

And in the corner of the garden, half-hidden in the shadows, stood a familiar face.

Count Hurion.

Same age as Ares, and like her, a stunning beauty with long black hair.

“Ceres, it’s been too long!”

She greeted me warmly as soon as she saw me.

“When I heard the Emperor had taken you, I was worried. I’m so glad you’re safe.”

“Her Majesty… never intended to harm me.”

“Just as I thought. I had intel saying as much, but Ares wouldn’t listen.”

“Did my mother do something?”

A bad feeling hit me.

No way… she didn’t…

“Listen carefully. Ares is planning to defy the Emperor to rescue you.”

…I told her not to do anything stupid!!

I told her to stay put and not worry—and she’s gone and started a rebellion like in the original?!

“She even asked for my help.”

“And?!”

“I’ve already pledged myself to your side, Ceres. I swore to always be your ally. But I couldn’t move without knowing the full situation.”

Apparently, Ares got furious when she said that.

She managed to calm her down… but not for long.

“A few days ago, she disappeared—said she’d come find you herself. Right now, your estate is desperately trying to cover the fact that the heir and the lord are both gone.”

That’s odd.

I specifically asked Viol to tell her I was safe.

Why did she lose control like this?

“I had a feeling she’d do something reckless, so I tried to find you first and relay everything. Then I heard a strange rumor—that you were here.”

“So you came yourself to meet me.”

In the original story, Hurion was the one who reported Ares’s rebellion to the Emperor.

But since I healed her daughter, she’s taken my side instead?

I forced my anxious heart to stay calm as I asked,

“Where is my mother now? She hasn’t already attacked the Emperor, has she?!”

“No word of that yet—but it’s only a matter of time.”

Hurion frowned as she explained.

“Before she disappeared, she told me—‘I know where Ceres is. If you won’t help, I’ll go alone. I don’t care what terrifying being stands in my way. As soon as I find my trump card, I’ll fight.’”

“Terrifying being? Trump card?”

“I don’t know what the trump card is, but I assume the terrifying being is the Emperor.”

That made sense, but—

“No, it’s not.”

Alios, who’d been silent until now, spoke with a grim face.

“Think about what she said. She found out where Ceres was. So where had Ceres been all this time?”

I thought of the place I was before I came here.

And right away, I realized who she meant by “terrifying being.”

“Sibellius!”

Sibellius.

A fearsome archmage and a scorned half-demon.

A name known for many reasons.

Right now, she was writhing on her bed.

“Aaargh, Ceres! What are you doing to me?!”

Why was she acting like this, calling for Ceres?

‘That human won’t leave my head!’

Even though it had been days since he left, he kept popping into her thoughts.

That silver-white hair and porcelain skin.

Those fierce blue eyes that still held unshakable will, even in pain.

That cold voice that always snapped at her—yet, sometimes, showed a dazzling smile.

She couldn’t forget any of it.

But most of all, the scent.

It was so vivid, like he was still beside her, only to fade like a dream. It was driving her mad.

‘Wait… was that scent cursed or something?!’

Otherwise, it made no sense.

She couldn’t even do her beloved research anymore—her thoughts were only of Ceres!

‘Yeah… no normal human smells like that. Maybe it’s some special ability, like demons have. Maybe he’s not even human.’

An otherworldly face like an angel. The power to heal instantly. And that tempting scent.

…Yeah, it all tracks.

A wild, half-delusional theory—but the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.

There’s no way someone like that is just a person.

Sibellius convinced herself: Ceres wasn’t human. He must be some unholy being sent to toy with her.

Ceres would’ve genuinely asked if she’d lost her mind if he heard this.

But lost or not, there was no helping it.

She hadn’t even slept properly since he left.

“I’ll uncover your true identity!”

Sibellius tore through her collection of books.

Special species, divine beings—anything that might give her a clue.

Then she stopped on one page.

“This is it! ‘Celestial beings are always immaculate and emit a natural fragrance.’ I knew it, you’re an angel!”

She was laughing to herself like she’d solved a great mystery—
When—

“Who’s there?”

Sibellius froze. Something felt wrong.

She stepped outside—

And saw a familiar face.

“Count Ares?”

A cold beauty with silver bobbed hair.

She’d only met her once long ago, back when the old Emperor brought her around.

‘Ah… right. That’s Ceres’s mother.’

So she’s here for him.

Sibellius was about to say he wasn’t here, but her expression changed.

Because in Ares’s right hand—
Was something that shouldn’t exist.

A unique blade, almost organic in shape—pure black.

“Black Pain. The cursed sword used by the Demon King a thousand years ago!”