The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 121

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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 121

 

I reflexively tensed up.

 

Eon hesitated.

 

“Oh, well then I’ll be heading out now. Is there anything else you need?”

 

“I’d like to ask about Kalebrin’s well-being. She was badly hurt and had to stay bedridden.”

 

“Ah, you mean that woman with the jet-black hair? Yes, I’ll bring news when I come back!”

 

Eon left. And not long after, the clicking sound of high heels could be heard.

 

Was I caught? Is Teacher angry about that… and coming to punish me…?

 

I squeezed my eyes shut.

 

“Hello, it’s been a while. I heard you collapsed, so I came to visit.”

 

“…Teacher.”

 

Even in this private setting, she was wearing her veil. Even though we clearly knew each other’s faces.

 

“How’s your body? You seemed to have taken quite a beating, so I was worried.”

 

Just like when I couldn’t control my energy in the beginning and tried to consciously suppress it.

 

“Did you handle the outside situation well?”

 

“Well. There wasn’t much to handle. Nothing except the plaza being half-destroyed. We couldn’t find the source of those ‘unidentified terrorists’… but since the Empire has stepped in, we should be able to resolve it soon.”

 

Teacher is practically the one who controls the Empire. Those words must mean she’s personally taking charge of handling this matter.

 

When she mentioned the ‘unidentified terrorists’, her eyes seemed to flash behind the veil, but if I worried about that too, my stomach would start hurting even when it wasn’t supposed to, so I stopped.

 

‘Erendor and Tuba’s trail will be caught. But even that is probably what Harmony wants.’

 

I spoke like a ‘model student’.

 

“Since Teacher has stepped in, there’s no need to worry further.”

 

“…Hehe. So, did you gather any information about those unidentified terrorists while fighting?”

 

“The man with the great sword who faced me directly identified himself as Erendor of the Harmony Mercenary Group. I’m not sure about the man behind him, but he’s probably from the same mercenary company.”

 

Teacher nodded and took my hand. Her two hands, smaller than one of mine, overlapped.

 

“I heard about Kalebrin. That sorceress child you keep by your side. Those unidentified terrorists attacked her, didn’t they?”

 

“…”

 

Is she testing me?

 

“You’ll have to be careful so that another precious person of yours doesn’t get attacked. If you act carelessly… ‘once again’ someone by your side will get hurt.”

 

…!

 

I felt adrenaline dominating my body with anger rather than tension.

 

The knuckles of my gripped hand turned white.

 

This isn’t my will. It’s ‘Sernuan Lumiere’s’ will.

 

A memory surfaces.

 

When I left the orphanage and made my own family…

 

No, now isn’t the time to think about that.

 

I gritted my teeth.

 

Swoosh.

 

Teacher stroked my tightly clenched hand. The only hand I have left, that is.

 

“You have to attend the masquerade ball, right? Teacher will be going too. Wearing a mask.”

 

“Is that so.”

 

Teacher knew I was angry, but treated it as if it were nothing.

 

“I’m not sure if you’ll be able to recognize me with a mask on. You’ll be busy too, so Teacher will be going now. See you then.”

 

Through the veil, I could see red lips curved in a smile and a beauty mark at the corner of her mouth.

 

“Now, shall we review before I go?”

 

“….”

 

“Today’s lesson was about how ‘every one of your actions will become the Empire’s course of action, so be careful with your conduct’… Smart Cel will handle the scope of that conduct well on his own.”

 

Teacher knew that I wasn’t just existing as a victim in this ‘terror’ play.

 

That’s why she came to warn me personally.

 

If I move recklessly, they die.

 

Antonio, Alderion, Cardil… everyone.

 

The previous attack on Kalebrin had been a declaration of war.

 

This visit now was a kind of gentle warning.

 

I had caused terror and ruined the festival, but since there was no real damage, she was letting it slide…

 

‘How tearfully considerate of you, Teacher.’

 

Teacher wanted to control me.

 

If I escaped from that control, I would lose something precious again. My family…

 

Cold sweat dampened my back.

 

Both Sernuan Lumiere and I were frightened.

 

Having something to protect. Having someone to trust…

 

Conversely, that meant having weaknesses.

 

Humanity.

 

Teacher was trying to grasp and shake that.

 

I barely managed to speak.

 

“…Yes, Teacher. Don’t worry.”

 

Smile.

 

Teacher smiled and patted my head before leaving the room.

 

I sat frozen on the bed.

 

And so the morning of the 7th day of the Dawn Festival broke.

 

*

 

A strong and good morning!

 

I finished preparing while hoping for that.

 

Since it was a ‘masquerade ball,’ I wore my specially made mask instead of a veil.

 

It was just… a fancy white and gold mask covered with various gems and jewelry.

 

Since it was a ball attended only by nobles and high-ranking officials, even I, who usually dressed rather modestly, dressed up a bit more lavishly just for today.

 

‘Teacher said she’s coming too, right?’

 

Even though she said it would be hard to recognize her with a mask on, I could recognize Teacher. Even if her whole body was wrapped up, I wouldn’t fail to recognize that sticky aura.

 

I contacted Erendor once more before leaving.

 

-‘Boss says how about the week after next? Is that okay?’

 

The week after next. A pleasant day after the event wraps up.

 

I said it was fine and set the appointment before leaving the room.

 

Festival day 7.

 

Citizens dance or hold neighborhood feasts.

 

Nobles wrap up the hunting festival that took place during the day and hold a banquet with their catch. After that comes this ball.

 

The highlight of the ball is the fireworks display that shows off the Empire’s solid prestige.

 

The fireworks display, where some Mages belonging to the Central Church burst their mana freely, can be called a spectacular sight of the Empire.

 

‘I am looking forward to the fireworks.’

 

Though my stomach is churning at the thought of seeing Teacher soon.

 

I entered another room. Kalebrin greeted me awkwardly from the bed.

 

“Sister Kalebrin. How are you feeling?”

 

Her black curly hair was sticking out in all directions as if she had just woken up.

 

“Mmm… I’m, I’m fine. Except for feeling dazed…”

 

Yelena was also assigned as a guard. I was worried about Kalebrin, but… it should be fine. Erendor and Tuba agreed to take care of it. The safest place right now is Harmony.

 

Harmony’s Boss will actually treat Kalebrin well if he hears her story. Since she’s Tribal People oppressed by the Empire.

 

‘The problem is me… Pure Imperial bloodline and noble class. It’ll be fortunate if their Boss doesn’t draw a sword the moment he sees me…’

 

I tidied up Kalebrin’s hair that was sticking out.

 

“Erendor will come to ‘pick you up’ soon. I’ve already informed the attendant in charge, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

 

Kalebrin didn’t look very happy.

 

I thought it might be because she was sick, but something felt subtly different.

 

A feeling like stones were lodged in her heart, rolling around uncomfortably…

 

“Is there something bothering you?”

 

Kalebrin shook her head. I pressed her.

 

“It’s okay, feel free to tell me.”

 

“I…”

 

She looked like she was about to cry. Like a country puppy with its ears back whimpering, my heart naturally softened.

 

“Am I, am I help, helpful?”

 

What is our top utility dealer saying?

 

“You’re asking something obvious. Is there a reason you’re thinking that?”

 

“…Will you keep ta, taking me with, with you?”

 

If anything, I should be the one begging here?

 

“Of course. If Kalebrin wants to continue being with me, anytime.”

 

“I’m… afraid that I won’t be help, helpful to the Ascetic… So the Ascetic won’t need, need me…”

 

I couldn’t see Kalebrin’s expression as she hung her head low. But Kalebrin’s emotions, connected to mine, came flooding in like waves.

 

Anxiety and fear that she might be abandoned if she doesn’t prove her usefulness to me.

 

I reflexively blocked the emotions flooding in like waves.

 

‘Wait, feeling emotions this directly isn’t right…’

 

This felt like crossing a line.

 

Looking into her deepest inner self without permission…

 

My expression darkened.

 

Even though I had only briefly felt her emotions, it seemed like her anxiety would become entirely my own.

 

Being able to completely understand her was good, but right now…

 

This kind of thing was too early for me.

 

To be swayed like this just by touching another person’s emotions slightly.

 

But I could at least understand why Kalebrin had brought this up.

 

I sat facing her on the bed and patted Kalebrin with one arm. I regretted not having the other one.

 

“I won’t abandon you, Kalebrin.”

 

“…”

 

“Kalebrin, you’re not weak. Of course, you don’t have Yelena’s heavy attacks or Cardil’s magic, but you have your own weapon, don’t you?”

 

“…”

 

Hmm.

 

I exhaled briefly. Kalebrin was startled by that alone.

 

“Then shall we make a pact? I know that a Sorceress can make a pact of fate… something like that if she knows the other person’s real name.”

 

She lifted her head with a start.

 

“H-how do you kn-know that…?”

 

“It was in a book.”

 

That was a lie.

 

“If Kalebrin is okay with it, I’d like to make a… yes, a small promise between us.”

 

I extended one hand and raised my ring finger.

 

“‘I will not abandon Kalebrin. If I ever harbor such thoughts, I will die.’ I’ll make a promise with this content.”

 

Kalebrin hesitated.

 

“That kind of promise… y-you shouldn’t make it c-carelessly.”

 

“It’s not careless. I have no intention of abandoning Kalebrin, and I won’t do so in the future either. So I can make a light promise like this.”

 

Kalebrin seemed to think I didn’t know what this was, so she began explaining.

 

“The name’s brand… ex-exchanging each other’s true names, w-with mutual agreement, or when there’s a gap between the caster and target, it can be done un-unilaterally… Those branded with it must k-keep their promises, and if they f-fail to do so, they die…”

 

“Yes, I know.”

 

“Are you really okay with this?”

 

Kalebrin asks with worried red eyes. If she’s that worried, she could just refuse to do it herself, but she doesn’t seem to like that idea either.

 

‘Anyway, we’re a party that’ll be together until we kill Lumensia~’

 

I just smiled at her.

 

Getting a reliable dealer this way would be cheap.

 

Kalebrin’s hand, several sizes smaller than mine, hooks onto my ring finger.

 

“…What’s your name?”

 

“Sernos. No family name. I’m an orphan.”

 

“I’m Kalebrin… You can call me Lina…”

 

“Yes, Lina. You can call me Cel too if you’d like.”

 

A subtle heaviness wraps around my heart.

 

Eyes with settled red energy look at me.

 

“That’s… a nickname?”

 

“Yes. But I’d be happy if Kalebrin would call me that.”

 

I hope this helps Kalebrin get her mental state back together.

 

“Mmm, Cel.”

 

“I should go prepare for the ball now. Please give my regards to Erendor and Tuba.”

 

Kalebrin waved her hand from the bed to see me off. Her expression looked relaxed compared to how worried I’d been, which was a relief.

 

I got into the carriage I had prepared. Even the carriage was twice as fancy and gleaming as the ones I usually rode.

 

These bourgeois bastards. The citizens below are working themselves to the bone and can’t even afford proper meals!

 

The South Korean citizen trait of ‘rising up when the higher-ups can’t do their job’ was about to activate, but since I’m the higher-up now, let me set aside such feelings for the moment.

 

Taking the carriage, I reached the location quickly. I entered the palace-like mansion that I’d seen so many times I was sick of it, yet somehow never got tired of.

 

Alderion said he’d be coming too.

 

‘Where could he be?’

 

Since I’m here, I should exchange some greetings…

 

My feet hesitated.

 

Among the crowd of people, I could see a tall, lanky man.

 

A jet-black mask with bird feathers attached to it.

 

Those pink eyes behind the mask. His wavy jet-black hair was neatly arranged, and his formal wear was very high-class.

 

It was Alderion.

 

From fingertips to toes.

 

‘…’

 

I froze in place.

 

The masked Alderion smiled and greeted me.

 

No.

 

Teacher, wearing Alderion’s appearance, smiled and greeted me.

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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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