episode_0053

Dalkak-.

Beatrice put down the wine glass she was gulping down on the table.

“… This is the end of my story.”

“Ah, it was just about to be fun, but it ends there.”

“It’s about to get fun… ?”

“The story would have been richer if you had explained in more detail how you wandered, how you screamed, how much despair you felt, etc.”

“You have a strange hobby.”

A fairly long story has come to an end. Who would have guessed that there was such a hidden side to Beatrice’s contract with the devil? Thanks to this, I was able to enjoy wine down my throat for the first time in a long time.

How long has it been since I last felt that wine was sweet? The feeling of stimulation on my tongue is unfamiliar. At the same time, it feels good. A spicy scent seems to be wafting from the tip of my nose. I feel intoxicated.

Because I heard an interesting story. In a way, it is a common and obvious story about a person who was good but grew distant due to misunderstanding and distance. However, it is a story that is enjoyable to listen to any time.

Of course, I wasn’t just listening. Right now, I’m not taking a foreign language listening assessment like you would at Eden Academy.

I listened intently to find the ‘strategy point’ that Beatrice was hiding and that she was not even aware of.

As a result, I ended up finding out. The identity of Beatrice Constantino’s hidden desires. Tsk tsk. Right now, I’m hard at work planning a show in my head. Another fantastic magician’s show.

After all, it’s fun to hear other people’s stories. The always thrilling story of the waves and waves of human history and world affairs is so pleasurable to me.

“Phew… Anyway, good to hear! Sharing your life story over a drink with a beautiful woman like a lady makes the drink really taste good! I’ll have to open another bottle! Haha!”

Moreover, I learned information I had never thought of. Even the identity of the devil who made a contract with Beatrice.

The Great Devil, Lucifer.

He was once the most superior angel, but was corrupted due to his sin against the Lord in the distant past.

He fought a divine battle with Archangel Uriel, and is by far the highest ranked demon among the seven great devils.

Additionally, he is also my ancestor. After all, he is my ancestor. I really like the way you send one person to hell. There were some regrets, though.

Whoop-.

“But… .”

Beatrice pours the remaining wine in her glass into her mouth and opens her plump lips. There is a red glow in her eyes.

“Who are you?”

“Yes?”

“Who are you?”

Oh, wait a minute. Is it just my delusion that Beatrice, who had just been telling the story of her life in a calm voice, now sounds suspiciously low?

That can’t be possible. Beatrice’s slender hand moves to the handle of the great sword that was standing next to her. This is the great sword that Beatrice was carefully cleaning when I spied on it earlier during the day.

“Well, what do you mean? Haha.”

“Don’t act like a fool, demon.”

“… Huh?”

“ Four years have passed since I entered the Demon Forest, and before that, I lived as a Holy Knight for over ten years. Do you see me as a vulture who doesn’t recognize even a single demon?”

“Bill… You weren’t a fanatic, were you? A person who was deceived by the devil and even committed the sin of immorality.”

“You bastard!”

Beatrice gets angry as if she is indignant. Eyes full of hostility stare at me. Hmm, I guess I should say this better.

“Ahaha! Don’t worry though, I’m not the devil! Demons and demons are completely different!”

“Your tone of voice has changed. Was that what you saw?”

“Well? Whether you’re a human or a demon, you can’t live with just one appearance, right? Just as a strict boss to some is a kind father to others, I too have times when I am a pompous person and times like now!”

“Then, what are you doing now?”

“It’s a clown! Or, you can think of it as a director who goes out to cast actors! Would you please call me director, paladin?”

Being sly is the best way to overcome murderous intentions. All you have to do is mix in a slightly sloppy look and look disheveled.

“You speak like a snake. Lucifer was like that too.”

Sereung-.

But it doesn’t seem to work for Beatrice, who has already been touched by her ancestors once. The tip of Beatrice’s sword is pointed at me. The sharp, refined flesh pierces my chest.

Should I wake Aru up now and run away or attack him together?

… No, if Beatrice truly wanted to kill me, I would no longer be from this world. The fact that I’m still alive is proof that I have room to live.

“Whoa, calm down. You must not carelessly use such a hideous weapon.”

“Don’t talk nonsense, just answer.”

“What?”

“Purpose of coming to me. Didn’t you know me from the beginning?”

Maybe it’s because I changed from a Hao body to a command body, but it seems like the person has changed. It’s become so sharp that it’s annoying.

“Before that, I also want to ask you something.”

“Answer my question first… .”

“Why did you accept Aru and me?”

In times like this, you have to be a player. It’s okay for Beatrice to lead the conversation, but I shouldn’t be dragged around.

I don’t want to produce more subordinates like Aru, who chew on their master just because they hit puberty.

“You knew that we were demons from the beginning, and you even noticed that we were lying, but you accepted us? Isn’t it a little strange? What if we attack you?”

“… .”

“Oh… That’s what you wanted. He wanted us to end that painful life in which he could not die of his own accord. Am I right?”

“That… It’s not like… .”

“Tsk tsk, that’s possible. That’s quite possible. There’s nothing strange about Sir Beatrice’s appearance right now. You know what? Why do people commit suicide?”

Beatrice’s brown eyes waver at my sharp remark. The eyes are stiff and straight, but the pupils have lost their vitality because they have been polluted by the devil named Lucifer, and they are very unattractive.

Being dead isn’t fun. Whether human, demon, or beast. This is an absolute truth that I realized while committing a massacre in my past life.

“When life becomes more painful than death. When tomorrow becomes more fearful than death. That’s when people choose to commit suicide. Like the current Sir Beatrice.”

“… What do you want to say?”

“In the end, if Sir Beatrice herself wants to live, everything will be resolved! Since you won’t feel despair, you can feed Lucifer, and enjoy the rest of your infinite eternal life, so you’re killing two birds with one stone!”

“Do you think that is possible? I just told you about my past. I am a person who cannot be happy.”

“That remains to be seen! I’m a clown, director and magician! What is a magician? Isn’t a magician a profession that causes miracles? I will give Sir Beatrice back the meaning of life! I promise on the honor of a magician!”

Speak confidently. I glanced at Beatrice’s gaze.

Beatrice’s expression was mixed. A faint hope that he might be able to feel happiness again, a discouragement that it is possible for him who is bound by the guilt of killing his father, a faint suspicion that he might be deceived by someone else’s flattery once again, etc.

It must be confusing. The demon I saw for the first time today suddenly said, ‘I’ll give you back the meaning of life!’ If you keep doing this, people will ask you what nonsense you are talking about even if you bring a saint.

“Trust me. You were good at it when you were a paladin, right? In the name of ‘faith’. All you have to do is change the target. How about it? It’s easy, right? Simply believe and you will find the meaning of life! Ah, such a wonderful event will never come again in a lifetime!”

“I don’t understand.”

“Why?”

“What is the benefit to you… Are you saying you want to do such a troublesome thing?”

You won’t be able to tell that I prompted that question. A quick-witted paladin.

“Is there a reason why a dog chases a butterfly when it sees it flying?”

“Did you say that was a metaphor?”

“Why live your life if you’re going to live only by calculating the pros and cons? Doing what you want and living the way you want is life. Now I want to help Sir Beatrice find the meaning of life. why? Because it looks good! Struggling to survive somehow! Become aware of your hidden desires and pursue them without hiding anything! I want to see that!”

On top of that, I also hired Beatrice as my assistant. I shouldn’t say this yet.

“Ha… .”

dump-.

chin-.

Beatrice sits down on a chair and leans her sword against the wall. She touched her forehead tiredly.

Tap, tap, tap, tap. Beatrice’s index finger taps the table. She seemed to be thinking deeply about something.

After about five minutes, when cold sweat was running down my back, unsure whether my words had worked, Beatrice finally gave up after struggling.

“I guess I wasn’t polite earlier.”

I returned to the formal Hao Che.

“Yes?”

“I will greet you formally. My name is Beatrice Constantino. He is a former Holy Knight of the Holy Order.”

“Oh, that’s a good introduction. Of course I should do it too, right?”

Beatrice answered my question and nodded briefly. I held out my white, soft Arachne-gloved hand. With the back of your hand facing down.

“There is a magician passing by, his name is Oscar!”

“Is Oscar your full name? What is your last name?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if you knew too much from the first meeting. There’s something called the joy of learning slowly, right?”

“You introduced yourself as human Oscar earlier, but that was all a lie? What is your unfortunate story of being a country boy and then working as a miner in the city?”

“It doesn’t feel right to say it’s a lie. To be precise, you say ‘frog’.”

“Hmm… Well, I knew it was a lie from the beginning. That’s why I don’t really have any faith in what you say right now. By the way.”

My last name is Lucifer, how could I tell you that? Beatrice, you have a deep grudge against Lucifer, so you will most likely try to kill me.

Beatrice didn’t bother to ask any questions when she saw me vaguely hiding my last name. Instead, I asked something else.

“How on earth does it give me meaning in life?”

Yes, I guess that’s what I’m most curious about.

I placed my index and middle fingers together on Beatrice’s lips and whispered.

“It’s late today, so I’ll let you know tomorrow. Sir Beatrice.”

I also need time to prepare for the stage.

Miracles don’t just come. It doesn’t come to you out of the blue just because you wish for it without thinking.

“I don’t have much expectations… If you don’t think it will work, just kill me. I want revenge on Lucifer, but that doesn’t mean I have any regrets about life.”

“No problem.”

Yeah, don’t get your hopes up.

The more unexpected a performance is, the more pleasure you get from watching it.

*****

Beatrice gave me and Aru a room to stay in. I was so drunk that I threw Aru on the floor and climbed onto the bed.

Then, Cooltime took a money rosary out of his pocket.

Beatrice’s story was long. Her story, which started in the evening, ended only after midnight, the waiting time for the rosary to communicate with the saint.

“Tel.”

If you communicate with the saint now, you will not be able to communicate tomorrow.

Since I’m going to be very busy tomorrow anyway, it’s better to do it tonight.

[Uhm… Joker?]

After waiting for about ten seconds, the saint’s rustling voice came through the rosary. I covered my rosary and myself with a blanket. So that the sound does not leak out.

“Saint, were you sleeping?”

[it’s okay. Please speak.]

“Then I’m glad. Did you meet Beatrice earlier? But I don’t think I’ll have time to talk like this tomorrow, so I’ll communicate in advance.”

[Yes, I am fine.]

After that, I told the saint about Beatrice Constantine’s past history. Since I don’t have time, I’ll try to condense everything as much as possible.

[Uhm… He was a person with a pitiful story.]

“Right? I didn’t know there was such a hidden background behind making a contract with the devil.”

[The arch-devil Lucifer was involved… Joker, are you sure you’re okay with this? Lucifer is a dangerous being. If you mess with his contractor, you may face repercussions… .]

“They all have their own thoughts. You don’t have to worry, saint.”

Even though I abbreviated the story, the communication time was already running out, probably because it was such a long story. Although I told her all about today’s harvest, the reason I contacted the saint was to ask one question that came to mind after hearing Beatrice’s story.

“Saint, I want to ask you something.”

[Please tell me.]

“The reason why the Holy Kingdom and the Tui Kingdom went to war… Of course, there were many reasons, but the biggest reason was the difference in ideology, right? Is it because the ideology of fighting for the country, believing in the Olympian gods, and the ideology of the Holy Church believing in the Lord and the Messiah are different?”

[That’s right.]

“Most people who believe in religion are like that. If something you believe is different from their own, they reject and oppress you, calling it heresy.”

then.

“I was curious what the saint of the Holy Church thought about this.”

It is hard to imagine a benevolent saint rejecting her like other religious figures.

So how does the saint react to heresy? I was curious about this and asked a question, and the saint was silent for a moment before answering.

[Honestly, it would be a lie if I said it wasn’t annoying.]

“Really?

[According to the doctrine of this church, the only God is the Lord. Other gods… They are gods, but in reality, they are just a race created through the nourishment of human faith.]

“Um.”

[but… .]

The saint speaks with firm determination.

[The Lord told us to love our enemies.]

“Giggle.”

[Regardless of differences in religious ideology, it is not right to treat them with violence and intimidation. That is true blasphemy and apostasy.]

“Says befitting a saint.”

In short, does this mean that you will silently love your partner regardless of whether he or she criticizes you?

That’s a good thing. Even if they are just superficial words, I like the saint’s words and actions. Because I know that it comes from flawless sincerity.

“I heard good things today too.”

[Did this answer your question?]

“Yes, very good. Time is slowly running out. I’ll hang up.”

[Now, wait a minute! Joker!]

“Huh? Why?”

The saint urgently calls me. Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?

Oh, are you asking me to do ‘that’?

“I almost forgot. Holy girl, I love you.”

[I love you too, always.]

It would be a pity if these words were left out. Especially for the saint who was nailed to the cross and anxiously waiting for my communication magic.