My Illusion Is Survival - Chapter 35

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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 35

 

The promised day.

 

I planned to use the red flower as the core of my grand deception.

 

‘Since it’s a flower that bursts into flames when it touches water, if I use it well, realizing my plan shouldn’t be difficult.’

 

At this point, I needed water to burn the flower and an object to symbolize the promise as well—

 

‘Originally, I was thinking of just scooping up some random spring water from nearby and making a thread ring with just any thread…’

 

The plan had changed.

 

I decided to go as grand as possible.

 

‘Boras’ Spring refers to the spring in the North, a barren land, so it carries great meaning of life force. Meanwhile, Arachne’s Thread is widely known as a token of promises.’

 

I didn’t choose these two things for no reason.

 

‘If I burn the flower with “life force” and hand that “promise” to the other person, could there be anything more symbolic than this?’

 

If I went this far, my plan absolutely could not fail.

 

‘Honestly, relying on just my acting skills and casually using any random spring water—even thinking about it now, that was too arrogant.’

 

What if I failed like this time?

 

But this failure wasn’t just a matter of being briefly embarrassed.

 

Because destruction can never be undone.

 

“So this is what you meant by needing preparations?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Then why are you only bringing this up now? There should have been plenty of time already.”

 

Because originally I had no intention of going this far.

 

But since I couldn’t say that, I offered another reason like an excuse.

 

“I was going to do it alone.”

 

“Alone to the North… and you were thinking of bringing back Boras’ Spring water?”

 

“There are plenty of ways. It wouldn’t have been easy, but.”

 

Of course it was a lie.

 

“But as I said earlier, I changed my mind. Since there isn’t much time left, I want to spend the remaining time with you.”

 

“…!”

 

Just pretending I wanted to be together.

 

Pretending that was all there was to it, I deliberately bit my lips and his red eyes wavered.

 

“…That’s enough?”

 

“One more thing.”

 

“What is it.”

 

“In the future, no matter what selfish request I make, please grant it just once.”

 

It was crazy talk. I knew better than anyone how unreasonable this demand was.

 

‘But deals are about timing, and negotiations are about momentum.’

 

Indeed, when I looked straight at him with both eyes wide open, Azel couldn’t immediately refuse.

 

“That kind of promise isn’t something to make carelessly.”

 

Simoer intervened in the unfair deal happening before his eyes, but it seemed like it didn’t reach Azel’s ears.

 

“Just once would be enough?”

 

“Master?”

 

Simoer called out as if to dissuade him, but that answer was already sufficient.

 

“Once is enough. I won’t make a request that would harm you. I promise.”

 

I intended to take one more thing as compensation for my labor along with survival at this opportunity.

 

‘This is my way of not having regrets.’

 

Though this probably wasn’t what Ron meant, what did it matter.

 

People have different standards for regret.

 

‘Three weeks remaining.’

 

I could do anything to protect the ‘day’ I cherished so dearly.

 

“Thank you, Azel.”

 

*

 

We immediately moved to the drawing room.

 

“Where are you thinking of going first?”

 

Azel was the first to speak.

 

“Do you have a place in mind?”

 

“The North. Boras’ Spring would be good.”

 

“The North is a dangerous place. Especially Boras’ Spring even more so. Rather, how about I go alone—”

 

“I already said it. I want to go ‘together.'”

 

At my firm answer, his fair and delicate brow furrowed.

 

“What’s the reason for choosing the North as your first destination?”

 

Of course there was a reason.

 

‘Because the Capital City is at its noisiest right now.’

 

I could go to the Red Forest anytime, but to obtain Arachne’s Thread, I had no choice but to go to the Capital City.

 

Since Azel and I had caused that commotion in the Capital City Center not long ago, this side had relatively higher difficulty.

 

“Since the Crown Prince and the Temple’s movements have been unusual lately, I just wanted to stop by the North first.”

 

“…So you knew after all.”

 

But the story that came from Azel’s mouth was different from my thoughts.

 

“Well, there’s no way I wouldn’t know—”

 

“Certainly, the Temple is looking for you right now.”

 

“…Excuse me? Me?”

 

“It seems Belrod Christian is leading it and even mobilizing Holy Knights, but the one behind it is probably the Holy Maiden anyway.”

 

This was bewildering.

 

No, why me? I urgently asked for the reason first at this incomprehensible news.

 

“Wh-what did they say was the Holy Maiden’s reason for looking for me?”

 

“Probably because of that conversation back then. Since you talked about ‘faith’ in front of that crazy woman, it would have been hard for her to just let it slide.”

 

‘I’m screwed.’

 

This definitely seemed screwed.

 

However, Azel didn’t notice my face turning pale.

 

“Are they having any success?”

 

“As if. Despite all the commotion, they’re having quite a hard time.”

 

That was fortunate at least.

 

‘Should I change Arachne’s Thread to something else even now?’

 

It might be better than getting entangled with the Temple for no reason.

 

“Anyway, is the reason you chose the North because of the Capital City’s atmosphere?”

 

“Um, Azel—”

 

I opened my mouth to change the subject, but suddenly someone knocked on the drawing room door.

 

“Master, I apologize for interrupting your conversation. There’s urgent news I need to report—may I come in for a moment?”

 

“Come in.”

 

It was one of Azel’s subordinates.

 

“The Crown Prince has made his move.”

 

At the sudden news, not only Azel but everyone’s gaze turned in that direction.

 

“Those who call themselves the ‘Inquisition’ have already left the Capital City.”

 

It seemed the Crown Prince had finally assembled an army to capture Azel this time.

 

But something was strange.

 

‘This never happened in the game?’

 

The problematic Inquisition had never once left the Capital City, as far as I could remember.

 

“Did they discover the manor’s location?”

 

“That doesn’t seem to be the case. Based on their northward movement, we estimate they’re heading toward the Egmund Estate.”

 

At this point, Simoer stepped forward.

 

“That’s a bit strange. While the current Crown Prince gathered the Inquisition for your ‘judgment,’ Master, I didn’t expect him to actually deploy them at such a critical time.”

 

He was right.

 

It was a well-known fact that the Inquisition’s purpose was ‘Azel’s judgment.’

 

However, this was merely a nominal reason—the Crown Prince’s real purpose was something else entirely.

 

“Furthermore, there’s another rather strange piece of news.”

 

But the surprising story didn’t end there.

 

“Strange rumors about the Crown Prince are circulating within the Inquisition.”

 

“Rumors are circulating?”

 

“They say the Crown Prince has gone mad.”

 

What kind of talk is this now?

 

I was internally flustered by this unexpected news, when for some reason I made eye contact with Azel.

 

“…?”

 

It wasn’t just Azel either. Simoer and Linoa Marigold were also looking at me.

 

“…Why?”

 

Why are you suddenly looking at me? When I asked back in confusion, Azel’s eyes narrowed.

 

“Did you perhaps choose the North on purpose because of this?”

 

“…No?”

 

I have no idea what kind of nonsense that is.

 

The problem was that Azel wasn’t the only one thinking this way, as Linoa Marigold went even further.

 

“When you said the Crown Prince and Temple’s movements were unusual, you were referring to the situation in the North, not the Capital City.”

 

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked at me.

 

“Perhaps, did you receive a revelation?”

 

“Reve… what?”

 

What kind of bullshit is that now?

 

Right then, Simoer interjected.

 

“Linoa Marigold, calm down. That can’t be possible.”

 

“What gives you the right to interfere so carelessly?”

 

“Didn’t I already tell you that your speculation is too absurd?”

 

“I don’t see any reason why I should listen to you.”

 

“Linoa Marigold.”

 

“…This is why assassins are…”

 

Then suddenly they started fighting among themselves.

 

Linoa Marigold’s attitude was particularly hostile. I had no way of knowing why she, who had at least treated Simoer as a butler in front of me according to their roles, had suddenly changed like this.

 

However, fortunately their fight didn’t last long.

 

“Enough. Stop there.”

 

“But,”

 

“Don’t cross the line, Linoa.”

 

“I apologize.”

 

It was because Azel stepped in to mediate.

 

“Stop the pointless fighting and let’s finish discussing the North for now.”

 

Azel didn’t ask me any more questions, but his gaze remained fixed on me for quite a while.

 

For me, this was an unfair situation.

 

“….”

 

No, I really didn’t know anything!

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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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