My Body Has Been Possessed By Someone - Chapter 279

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story Episode 10
No. No, that won’t do.
Silvien Valentino licked his parched lips. He suppressed the impulse.
‘Why would I even think such a thing…’
Kanna Adis was a capable alchemist, after all.
It seemed he’d developed a habit of collecting talent.
‘No. She’s not worth making an enemy of Alexandro Adis.’
In the end, after delivering her to the Adis Mansion, he disappeared. The incident concluded that way, but…
“I’ll kill you!”
“Remember me!”
“I’ll find you. I’m the one who will kill you!”
For a while, she lingered in his mind like an afterimage.
It had been such an intense moment.
But he was far too occupied to be captivated by fleeting curiosity. For instance, Raphael, or Raphael, or Raphael…
Matters concerning Raphael.
* * *
“Your Grace! He’s—!”
Deep in the night, upon hearing the servant’s report, Silvien Valentino made his way to Raphael’s chamber. Raphael lay face-down on the bed, breathing in ragged gasps.
“Raphael, are you alright?”
In that instant, Silvien Valentino froze. Turbulent magical energy swirled around him. Yet that energy…
‘It’s monstrous.’
A chill ran down his spine. Never before had he witnessed magical energy of such brutal, aggressive hue.
“I’m coming closer. Do you understand? Do not attack.”
Silvien Valentino approached cautiously. At last, he drew near and placed his hand upon Raphael’s back. As he infused his magical energy, Raphael’s breathing began to settle.
“…I’m sorry.”
How much time had passed? Raphael muttered while still lying face-down.
“I showed you something shameful.”
“That’s not true. Were you having a nightmare?”
“Yes.”
Raphael nodded.
“I dreamed of my time at the Divine Temple.”
“Is that so?”
“There, I consumed many priests.”
Silvien Valentino was startled, but he maintained a composed expression and listened intently. This was the first time Raphael had spoken of his own past.
“As if you’d eaten soap?”
“No.”
Raphael looked up at Silvien Valentino with hollow eyes. Then, without warning, he seized his wrist.
“Like this.”
And he murmured as though lost in a dream.
“If I draw it in like this… their life force and magical energy…”
In that instant, Silvien understood with the force of a lightning strike.
I had grown careless.
Careless, like so many defeated fools who had died before me.
“Is that so.”
Yet Silvien responded with a composed smile.
“You wish to consume me as well?”
At those words, Raphael’s eyes gleamed like those of a beast.
“Yes.”
Crunch. Raphael’s grip tightened. He muttered under his breath.
“You would surely taste exquisite.”
Silvien’s gaze turned glacial.
I had kept him nearby thinking he might prove useful someday, but not at the cost of my own life….
“But that’s enough.”
In the next moment, his body temperature plummeted as though it were a lie.
“That is a deed worthy of death.”
Raphael covered his face with his hand.
“Leave, Silvien.”
“….”
“I am ravenous now. But I no longer wish to live consuming such things. I will endure.”
“….”
“Yet you appear far too appetizing. So leave before I devour you.”
This was the first time I had heard him speak at such length.
‘He must be restraining himself considerably.’
Silvien found that peculiar appetite both fascinating and amusing.
“Raphael, you seem to be under a misapprehension.”
Silvien grasped Raphael’s fingers, which shielded his face, and lifted them away. Thus revealed were violet eyes stained with hunger—the visage of a dragon starved for a thousand years.
“You see,”
Silvien smiled thinly.
“I am not food you may consume whenever you desire.”
Then he seized Raphael’s throat and unleashed his power in a violent explosion.
“…!”
Raphael’s eyes widened in shock. By instinct, he desperately drew upon his strength to resist.
But he was a moment too late. The impact would be considerable.
Silvien poured his power forth, observing the spectacle with cold indifference.
Not that I particularly intended to kill him.
‘Or perhaps I do. Perhaps he will die.’
Silvien laughed apathetically.
Then let him die.
If he were the sort to perish so easily, it mattered not whether he died now.
How much time had passed? Silvien slowly withdrew his power, folding it inward like closing wings. The light that had filled the room faded away.
And Raphael….
“You’re alive.”
Raphael muttered, gazing up at Silvien Valentino with vacant eyes.
“I thought you were dying just now.”
“Is that so?”
“If I’m to consume you, I’ll have to stake my life on it.”
“Indeed you will.”
“Then try to do something about me.”
Wait. What is this reaction?
“Let me show you that coveting your power is futile.”
Raphael slowly raised himself up.
“I’m tired of watching from behind and licking my lips.”
Layer by layer, as if unwinding the iron mask that had concealed him, violent savagery blazed across his face.
“Is that so?”
If this was something I had to face eventually, it was better to settle it now.
“Follow me. There are many people here. Let’s go to the Hunting Grounds behind the estate. And….”
Silvien Valentino smiled and raised his finger.
“Don’t sulk later.”
* * *
By the following evening, most of the Valentino-owned Hunting Grounds lay devastated.
Silvien Valentino too had nearly collapsed from exhaustion by the end. Fortunately, his opponent was in the same state.
“I see.”
Raphael wiped his blood-soaked face with his palm and conceded.
“I give up. I can’t consume you. You’re not something I can eat.”
“You’ve made a wise decision.”
Ugh, it hurts. Silvien Valentino grimaced. The inside of his mouth had split open.
“The Grand Temple is more worthless than I thought. To think you’ve been fed priests all this time.”
“I ate them too, so I’m the same.”
“You just blindly accepted whatever came your way without knowing better. It’s obvious.”
“The result is the same. I deserve to die.”
“This is why proper diet matters. From now on, you just need to eat what’s right.”
Groaning, Silvien Valentino pushed himself up.
“Let’s go now. When we return, I’ll prepare tea that’s good for sound sleep. Have a cup and rest well.”
“What if I have nightmares again?”
“I’ll be there, won’t I? I’ll come wake you, so don’t worry.”
It was a thoughtless remark.
But at those words, Raphael fell silent. He gazed intently up at Silvien Valentino. His face looked just like a gentle lamb.
“You’re truly a good one.”
“….”
Silvien Valentino laughed softly.
Could this fellow be weak to sweet words? Either way, he’s surprisingly naive.
It was then that Raphael asked.
“Have you ever had nightmares?”
Suddenly? It was an utterly unexpected question.
Yet Silvien answered faithfully.
“Yes. Very occasionally.”
“What kind of dream?”
“A sinking dream.”
“Sinking? Where to?”
“Beneath a lake.”
“Why is that a nightmare? Don’t tell me you can’t swim?”
What is this? Why had he suddenly taken such interest in me?
Growing weary of the conversation, Silvien answered with a lie.
“Yes. I cannot.”
* * *
Some time later, Silvien obtained a piece of information—intelligence regarding the Eastern Continent, which I had been pursuing all along.
“Our destination is Cretia Island. Word has come of information related to the Eastern Continent, and I intend to go. Will you accompany me?”
“Very well.”
Raphael nodded without hesitation, and I found it satisfying.
Ever since that day when I corrected his misguided eating habits, Raphael seemed to have opened his heart. He acquiesced to whatever I said without question.
‘Is this what it feels like to tame a wild animal?’
Silvien boarded a ship for the first time in ages. As I stood on the deck gazing out at the sea, Raphael approached.
“You don’t look well.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Is something bothering you?”
“It must be a misunderstanding.”
“Then it’s fine.”
As Raphael turned away, I exhaled a shallow breath.
‘How did he know?’
He lacked common sense, yet his powers of observation were considerable.
Raphael’s senses were almost animalistic in nature, allowing him to perceive what others could never discern.
Just as he had now.
Three days after boarding the ship, I had been plagued by nightmares.
Dreams of sinking beneath the cold Frozen Lake.
* * *
“A storm!”
And on the fourth day.
“What are you doing! Drop anchor at once!”
“Turn the bow to starboard!”
An unexpected tempest descended upon the ship. The captain and crew did their utmost to maintain control, but….
“Oh, merciful God….”
There was nothing we could do against the towering tsunami that bore down upon us.
“Everyone, hold fast!”
A wave as tall as a fortress wall engulfed the ship whole. And in that instant, everything shattered into fragments.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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