Chapter 296

Chapter 296 Rogue (2)

Before the gate was closed.

Under Lily’s command, the operation to move the messeo via various subspace magic tools took precedence.

Most of the moved messeo were 1 or 2 stars, and they were usually hidden in forests far from the camp or castle.

And before the gate was closed, the elite players, who received instructions from the Association regarding evacuation, entered Biharin through the said messeo.

A single team consisted of six players affiliated with the six orders, excluding the Karlos Order.

They observed and lay in hiding in the area for over two weeks.

‘With the gate disappearing, the emblem vanished as well, so it must have been easier than expected.’

Initially, it was settled to only observe the scale of the army’s movement from afar.

Thanks to the emblem’s disappearance, they all penetrated deep into the castles and cities, conducting a more detailed surveillance until today.

While glancing at the rapidly scrolling comments, I sensed a presence behind me and spoke toward it.

“How should I break the pact between the gods? Should I go to Karlos’s temple?”

“I can guide you there…”

“Then let’s move immediately.”

With a potion consumed to recover physical strength, Gilenios, now looking human as opposed to a while ago, placed his hand on me.

Passing through that suffocating sensation wedged between gaps, I arrived at a place painted entirely in white.

It seemed like the place where I met the Damned System or awaited a trial.

Whichever it resembled, it wasn’t pleasant.

Without bothering to hide my emotions, I grimaced and looked around.

There was no need to search, as it was visible with a slight turn of my head.

Golden and white chains.

And the enormous object entangled in those chains.

‘… Divinity.’

It was writhing without a clear form, as the different divinities entwined together.

This must be the weird object that constantly occupied my thoughts—the infamous ‘contract.’

Yet, my gaze did not fall upon the long-sought contract but rather beside it.

It was evidently a person-shaped entity.

Yet, its appearance couldn’t be discerned.

Dark hair or white hair. Tall or short.

I struggled to focus but could discern nothing.

Only the golden eyes I faced were clear.

An enormous presence that seemed like it could engulf me at any moment.

That presence brimmed with a familiar divinity.

“Karlos……”

Last time, it was Palao and now Karlos himself made an appearance.

Under that persistent golden gaze, I could not move a single finger.

My body froze at the peculiar sensation as if it was prying into my thoughts.

“What brings you here so unexpectedly?”

Fortunately, it seemed Gilenios still maintained his composure, unlike me.

At his words, Karlos’s relentless gaze shifted away.

“Phew.”

Only then did I realize I had been holding my breath. As I exhaled hurriedly, Karlos, who briefly looked at Gilenios, spoke.

「Since things went as desired, I thought you’d be delighted, but that’s not the case.」

“The new master is quite demanding.”

「Really? That’s strange since he resembles Palao you used to like.」

“Huh? How could this guy… No, how does this even resemble?”

「The way he desperately clings to the finite is quite similar.」

If I was to consider the context, it seemed sarcastic, yet it didn’t feel unpleasant.

While my forehead wrinkled deeper, Karlos gestured and spoke.

「Come this way.」

At that instant, my legs moved on their own.

Not through my will, but as if naturally complying with his words just spoken.

As soon as I acknowledged the involuntary action, alarms rang in my head.

Instinctively taking a step back, Karlos spoke again.

「I haven’t come here to harm you, so there’s no need to struggle. You wouldn’t know how to resist something you haven’t experienced.」

Given the nuance of his speech, it seemed I wasn’t the only one experiencing this.

But should I consider that a relief?

It meant this guy could seize control of my body whenever he pleased!

This never happened when conversing with the Damned System.

‘What’s different between Karlos and the System?’

Barely forming the thought, the answer returned.

「The origin of your world hasn’t manifested itself directly, has it? It merely observes from above.」

The implication was clear.

‘Karlos can read my thoughts.’

With instinctive disgust, I retreated once more. There was no special effect, though.

「Don’t consider it disgraceful. It’s a natural occurrence, so just accept it.」

Accept that my thoughts were being laid bare? How could I just let it go?

I scowled and glared at Karlos.

「You’re delaying.」

He seemed not to care how I viewed him, gesturing once more.

My body floated, moving towards Karlos.

Naturally, I wanted to resist.

“It doesn’t matter; if that guy puts his mind to it, you can’t dodge it. Just resolve it promptly…”

With Gilenios’s external advice, I changed my mind.

With my displeasure openly displayed, I faced Karlos.

Karlos seemed still uninterested in my expressions, coolly stating his piece.

「This is what you hoped for.」

A massive collection of power covered with white and golden chains.

Presumably the contract made between the gods.

「I cannot break it. I promised Palao.」

I couldn’t help but laugh silently at Karlos’s words.

‘Indeed, a superficial promise.’

Granting Palao’s authority to me was, in the end, to have me break this contract, wasn’t it?

‘Does it matter just as long as it doesn’t break it themselves?’

Though unable to break it directly, aiding in its destruction was permissible; could that even be called a promise?

It was hard for me to comprehend such thought processes.

Of course, whether I understood Karlos’s actions or not wouldn’t change much.

‘If I’m to break it anyway, what does it matter who helps and how?’

I wasn’t willing to waste energy trying to understand a god’s chaotic state of mind.

Thus, I reached out. Right past the chains, almost as thick as my thigh, to the power ceaselessly writhing.

“Ugh！”

Various voices and records abruptly flowed in.

An unpleasant sensation as if those were being stuffed into my head.

Much like when the magic bought from the shop scrambled through and settled in my mind.

From the end of that nasty sensation came understanding devoid of effort.

‘Just hope and it happens.’

I seemed to be treated as Palao’s successor or deputy involved in this contract.

As long as you pass the trial and become the successor, dealing with the contract seemed to resolve naturally.

‘If I had known it was this easy, I would’ve just informed them……’

Fearing failure, I explained nothing to the Biharin side.

By assuming the worst-case Scenario regularly, I unintentionally chose the harder path.

It was frustrating, but nothing could be done about past events.

Suppressing a wry smile, I casually glanced aside.

Due to a new post popping up on the open message board I’d left on since revamping the website function.

「Title: Explanation Needed, K – Author: Jordan Lodiel」

As if unable to wait any longer, an explanation was requested by Jordan.

Leaving a comment, I said to Gilenios.

“When I break it, move beside Rashar Bennett.”

“Huh? How will I know where that is?”

“…… Chedaltman.”

“Huh.”

“Does it need to be more specific?”

“That detail should suffice then……”

Awkwardly using formal language, he darted his eyes around, seemingly gauging my mood.

Simultaneously, an intense gaze seemed to bore into my cheek—there was no need to check who it belonged to.

Initially, I intended to ignore it and focus on my task ahead.

It wasn’t as if there was any personal business or that it was a presence I welcomed.

Karlos, who persistently watched me, did not seem to have such intentions.

「Indeed, it’s similar.」

It wasn’t surprising that he’d suddenly blurt out what he wished to say.

「Was this the reason it had to be you…….」

I suddenly tensed, my shoulders twitching, as a faint smile seemed to lace his words.

Unconsciously, I looked up to ascertain Karlos.

Yet, his face remained impassive still.

Frowning reflexively at the brow, Karlos relayed his intent through that usual flat tone.

「Don’t try to understand; I’ve never wished for you to comprehend.」

I had already abandoned trying to understand, even before being pointed out.

「Yet, you often exhibit displeasure each time I steer; your mind finds my choices disagreeable.」

With no rebuttal available, his deduction wasn’t wrong.

The unveiling of my internal musings was unwarranted, especially without uttering a single word.

「I cannot grasp why you beings are irked by such matters either, so let it pass as is.」

I fought against endings, entrenched in my mortality.

In contrast, Karlos, infinite, struggled to usher an end.

Mutual comprehension was lacking between us.

Yet, one couldn’t deny an uncanny similarity despite the absence of understanding.

Stewing inside my mind over that incongruous conclusion, I stared quietly at Karlos.

Silently asking through an inferred question about whether he had more to say, Karlos slowly extended his hand.

I tilted my head away, seemingly to evade the hand approaching my head.

Karlos, however, uttered just one word.

「Be still.」

That alone halted my movement.

‘Damn it.’

Affirmation of my inferior stature, incapable of opposing that being, was irksome.

Scowling even further, I glared at Karlos.

Indifferent to my resistance, he rested a hand on my head and murmured.

「Now, struggle with all your might.」

Just as I was about to jab into what he was doing, not even scratching someone’s back—

A notification message promptly refreshed; Karlos vanished without a trace.

What on earth was he planning now?

Immediately, I activated the second Inheritance Candidate Trait.

「?」

Barely a question mark marked the explanation entry.

Unhesitatingly, I shut off the status window upon seeing the solitary punctuation mark.

Time was too precious to waste brooding or fury over an unsolvable puzzle.

No longer needing to wait, I shattered the contract at once.

No momentous ceremony or particular effect accompanied the act.

The chains dissipated, releasing the compressed divinity in all directions.

That was it. For the preponderance that the contract conjured—from awareness to the present—it certainly felt anticlimactic.

* * *

Northeast from Habon Fortress, the closest rear base was Chetaldman.

Late last night, refugees flooded into this place, densely filling outside the castle.

Having deemed it doubtful to repel Kulgul’s legion autonomously, everyone deserted Habon Fortress and evacuated to Chetaldman.

The sheer number of people didn’t even allow space to wedge a foot amongst themselves outside the castle.

Should the crowd spread too thinly, burdens on Temoria’s apostle would rise.

Thus, most people sat tightly together with strangers they’d never met.

Perhaps because of this, many noticed the sudden changes.

“The Order of Palao people seem a bit restless.”

“Even the holy knights suddenly look grave.”

“Hope nothing’s happened?”

Changes began with the knights belonging to the Order of Palao.

Patrolling to prevent crimes under substantial stress, knights wandered among refugees.

Suddenly, they halted on their spots, soon gathering to exchange words with severe expressions.

Damned System