Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 183
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 183
What I want is the precise future information that Giuseppe holds.
And based on that information, to prevent humanity’s destruction.
‘The First King failed, but I can do it.’
Haven’t I already verified it multiple times through past experiences? That fate, which supposedly cannot be changed, changes because of me.
Recalling how Vivian, Terry, and Chaser met their end in 【Hirome】, which could be called the original future, I continued speaking without hesitation.
“I mentioned before that I possess the power of foresight.”
“You did.”
“Then as High Priest, you should be able to judge whether I had meaningless dreams or dreams with significance.”
Giuseppe remained silent for a while. He simply stared at me persistently, as if trying to dig into my inner thoughts.
How much time passed like that? Giuseppe finally opened his mouth.
“If that were the case, would you be willing to help prevent the future you saw in your dreams, Marquess?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
I was so dumbfounded that irritation leaked out without me realizing it.
What the hell does this bastard take me for…!
‘Hah, what does he take me for indeed.’
The kingdom’s greatest scoundrel, and the worst kind of human who would pray for the world to perish so that others couldn’t be happy since I’m so miserable.
If he’s seen Belinda’s past, it wouldn’t be strange for him to think that way.
Rather than explaining that I’m not that kind of person now, it would be better to make him think I at least have reasons to prevent humanity’s destruction—that would earn his trust.
“Of course, I’m not moving out of some grand sense of mission to save humanity. It’s just for my own safety. As you know, Cardinal, I have far too much to lose.”
“I understand your position well, Marquess.”
Finally convinced, he regained his faint smile.
“If you truly possess memories from another world, Marquess, then you’re certainly the person I’ve been looking for. However, the problem is that I cannot guarantee all the fates you’ve disrupted will move in a positive direction.”
Ah, this doesn’t look good.
To use a card game analogy, Giuseppe had just become about 80% certain which of my cards was the joker.
“In fact, I don’t view it positively that the Duke of Baluashten, who should be protecting the North, is currently by your side, Marquess.”
Why did Cheri suddenly become the topic of conversation?
“So if you truly intend to lead the future down the right path, would you persuade the Duke to return to the North even now?”
At those words, my mind began spinning rapidly.
Cheri was undoubtedly connected to the future destruction.
Six years from now, the demonic beasts roaming the devastated continent.
Giuseppe’s critical view of Cheri leaving the North.
Like consecutive lightning strikes, certain conclusions hammered into my mind.
Everything begins in the North, specifically in the Barrier Forest. Something happens to the forest, allowing the demonic beasts from beyond to cross into the continent.
But then, exactly how?
Questions remained, but I nodded as if I understood what he was saying.
“That’s not impossible. But I don’t think sending the Duke back to the North will help prevent destruction. He needs rest.”
“The Duke has a role given to him. Don’t you think personal judgment that ignores that might actually hasten destruction?”
“I don’t think so. And watch your words.”
Forgetting that maintaining a poker face was most important at this table, I revealed naked anger and continued coldly.
“That person isn’t some soldier of the god you believe in. He’s just an individual who needs rest.”
“…My apologies. I had no intention of insulting the Duke.”
Giuseppe immediately apologized, but that didn’t mean he was backing down from his opinion.
Though I still had much information to extract from him, I decided to overturn the table by revealing my final card.
“I’ve been thinking our conversation has been going in circles, but you’re mistaken about something, High Priest.”
Saying that, I stood up without asking his permission.
And looking down at Giuseppe, who still wore that annoying smile, I spoke authoritatively.
“I’m not the one helping you—the High Priest should be moving for me. Wasn’t it you who needed me?”
I must not show any weakness to him. If I’m careless, even Leo might get entangled in this.
So I displayed a greedy expression befitting Belinda for the first time in a long while.
“I didn’t come here to gain something, but to see what you could offer me.”
We’re looking toward the same goal of preventing destruction, but our approaches are vastly different.
“If I had known the Temple was this impoverished, I wouldn’t have come here. What a waste of time.”
I turned around with an expression of lost interest, showing no lingering attachment.
But my composed exterior was merely deception.
I desperately hoped he would stop me as I took anxious steps forward.
And just as I placed my hand on the drawing room’s door handle.
“Just one thing.”
Giuseppe’s voice came from behind me.
Got him.
I controlled the corners of my mouth that wanted to curl up and faced him with a bored expression.
“If you accompany me to a certain place, I will trust and follow you, Marquess. Would that satisfy you?”
“What guarantee do I have that you won’t kidnap and torment me once we get there?”
“…I can see exactly how shameless you think I am.”
Giuseppe’s brow furrowed. After a moment, his golden eyes took on a beautiful gleam as he spoke.
“I will swear to God to protect your honor, life, and freedom above all else, Marquess.”
A divine oath.
How convenient. There’s probably no better tool for earning people’s trust than that.
I nodded arrogantly with an expression that finally showed some understanding.
“Good, once we successfully complete this task, the High Priest will unconditionally obey my words.”
“…I wasn’t aware that trust and obedience meant the same thing.”
“Well, it’s all about interpretation, isn’t it?”
This time I truly smiled at him and spoke confidently.
“Send the appointment time and location to the Blanche estate.”
* * *
After Belinda left the Temple.
Giuseppe sat facing the teacup that Belinda hadn’t even touched, just like that day long ago.
Perfect expressionlessness settled on his lips, which usually wore a smile.
“Despite appearances, you seem quite anxious.”
“I will swear to God to protect your honor, life, and freedom above all else, Marquess.”
The Belinda he knew wouldn’t have been satisfied with just that.
She should have noticed how meaningless an oath without a clear time limit was. It was an uncharacteristic mistake for her.
Then, a knock came at the drawing room door, and a high-ranking priest entered cautiously.
“High Priest, a message from the Saintess has arrived.”
Though he knew no one else was around, he deliberately lowered his voice as he whispered in Giuseppe’s ear.
“Once again, all the villagers have gone missing. It’s ‘their’ doing.”
“Understood. I’ll move personally soon, so tell the Saintess to be careful.”
“Yes.”
Even after the priest left, Giuseppe remained in that spot for a while longer.
Giuseppe’s lips twisted crookedly as he mulled over his recent conversation with Belinda.
“That person isn’t some soldier of the god you believe in. He’s just an individual who needs rest.”
To call humanity’s strongest knight just an individual. She clearly didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.
The Duke was the final line of defense against destruction.
Yet after summoning him to the Royal Capital and causing him to neglect his guardianship of the Barrier Forest, she speaks so easily of changing the future.
‘This time we’ll reach a conclusion about whether she’s someone who worsens the future through such arrogance or not.’
Is her existence black or white? This would be a journey to examine that.
Giuseppe finished his tea and rose from his seat.
Though his feelings toward Belinda remained unfavorable, her words about not being God’s foot soldier lingered strangely long in his ears.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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