Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 116

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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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It’s a café run by the Dark Guild’s heir.
116
Juliano’s eyes gleamed as he turned to survey his followers.
They all looked upon him with reverence and more—the one who had conversed with the entity beyond the Magic Circle.
‘I am exceptional.’
Juliano had heard the voice of the Sealed Entity since childhood.
The first time was at ten years old, when he harbored deep inferiority toward Clione, who surpassed him in every way.
Exhausted by constant comparison, he had bought cursed texts and tested them, hoping for her death.
The people who had whispered that the succession of the household would belong to Clione disappeared after she became Empress, yet their gaze still saw him as a failure.
The inferiority he felt toward Clione twisted him further.
During his formative years, the only friend Juliano had was the voice beyond the Magic Circle.
It always made him feel like the most exceptional being in the world.
It promised that once the seal broke, he would command the world as he wished, telling him repeatedly that he deserved such power.
Thus, Juliano secretly organized his followers and devoted his entire life to breaking the seal.
Despite thorough preparation, the attempt ten years ago had failed—he had used only the Sacred Object from the Strophane Clan.
Afterward, he learned that he needed all five Sacred Objects to break the seal.
‘This time, I will not fail. Not this time.’
As punishment for losing a Sacred Object and burning down an entire village, he was confined to his home under house arrest, but he feigned repentance while continuing to pursue the Sacred Objects of the Five Great Houses.
He had obtained the Statue just recently after five years of effort, and now only one remained—besides the lost Map.
“Mobilize everything to find the last house’s Sacred Object. I will cover all expenses.”
“What about the Map?”
The Map, lost by accident ten years ago.
Even now, thinking of it twisted his stomach, and Juliano clicked his tongue.
“I received information that it fell into the hands of some guild. I’ll retrieve it soon enough. But the Map is last.”
For now, it was more important to learn the identity of the final Sacred Object.
“This time, we may need to offer more sacrifices than before. How many should we gather?”
“Those fools built another village near the mountain. I don’t have exact numbers yet, but I intend to offer the entire village as sacrifice.”
“Excellent. We can fill any shortage by kidnapping additional people from elsewhere.”
“With sufficient lives and all five Sacred Objects, this time will not end in failure.”
Juliano and his followers laughed together, their voices dark and hollow.
“Our faith will surely be rewarded.”
“We believe.”
“We believe.”
All the while, the entity beyond the Magic Circle had been making sweet promises of a beautiful future to each of them, dreamlike and intoxicating.
Juliano and his followers had no doubt that when the seal shattered, that future would become reality.
***
Cayden descended to the village alone during the day to visit the Temple.
The High Priest Lutcher was surprised to see Cayden arriving earlier than his usual schedule.
“I did not expect you so soon.”
“My pouch is full.”
They made their way to the altar, coming to a stop before the pedestal covered in Magic Circles.
“Step back. The energy is intense.”
As Cayden placed the Artifact Pouch on the altar, it swelled and a chilling scream leaked from within.
Lutcher covered his ears and retreated, while Cayden began the Purification Ritual, weaving a seal with Holy Power in a practiced motion.
At the same time, dozens of Magic Stones activated, confining the black energy within the pouch to the altar so it could not escape.
After a moment, the altar fell silent once more, as if nothing had occurred.
The black energy from the pouch had been completely absorbed by the altar. The glow of the activated Magic Circle faded.
Cayden, his complexion pallid, straightened his legs and rose.
“A new Artifact Pouch and sword.”
Cayden stared at the items—replacements for what seemed like the hundredth time—with an expression of weary resignation.
“I need to contact Helitria for a moment.”
“What is the matter?”
“I have something to report.”
“…Very well.”
Lutcher’s expression grew grave, and he led Cayden to an inner chamber of the Temple.
There lay a Communication Device that could connect him to Helitria.
It was used only in emergencies, but Cayden was one of the few who could summon Helitria and the High Priest Gregory whenever necessary.
“I will wait outside.”
The moment Lutcher left, Cayden placed his palm on the Communication Device.
“High Priest Gregory.”
High Priest Gregory—called the Avatar of God—answered after only a brief pause.
“Priest Cayden, this is the first time you’ve reached out like this. Has something happened?”
“Do you have knowledge of Forbidden Sacred Objects?”
The sudden question caught Gregory off guard, and he fell silent for a moment.
“Forbidden Sacred Objects? That’s an old story. How does that relate to your duties?”
“I have seen one of them with my own eyes.”
“What?”
“The Demonic Energy I purify—I detected the presence of a Sealed Entity within it. As a Guardian, I recognized it immediately.”
“…….”
“Is there a hidden meaning to the Forbidden Sacred Objects?”
Through the Communication Device, Cayden could sense Gregory deliberating.
“It is strange that the Sealed Entity’s presence resides in a Sacred Object, and that it should be an artifact of the Demon Realm. Do you know something more?”
At Cayden’s repeated question, Gregory released a sigh before answering.
“…If what you say is true, it may be connected to the Seal. I’ve heard it said that these were objects present at the time of sealing, but given the sealed being’s immense power, there’s a possibility they divided its strength among items brought from the Demon Realm to scatter it.”
Cayden’s expression turned grave.
“If such objects are in circulation… could the Seal not break?”
“Who would know such a thing? And even if they did, to attempt to break the Seal… that would bring catastrophe. Who could possibly…”
Even as he spoke words of absolute denial, Gregory’s voice had grown dark.
“His presence grows stronger. I begin to feel it now. He is… speaking to me.”
Cayden spoke with difficulty, his fists clenching.
“You must be exhausted. I understand it’s hard. But a Sealed Entity cannot speak to you. It’s a misunderstanding.”
“I am telling the truth. Do not dismiss what I say.”
“……I will search for records similar to yours.”
“Perhaps the balance of the Seal has already been broken. We need to confirm it.”
“Understood.”
After ending his conversation with Gregory, Cayden returned to the mountain.
He had thought to rest for a day, but he could feel that the energy emanating from below the Temple was in a state requiring purification as soon as possible.
“…I told you so. This is strange.”
The Barrier leading to the Seal was going berserk.
Cayden sighed deeply, collected the newly received sword, and descended underground.
As the Demonic Energy beyond the darkness grew stronger, Cayden’s physical condition worsened.
Guardians’ lifespans varied, but his was in a state where death at any moment would not be surprising.
“Rosia would worry if she knew.”
Cayden felt Rosia’s presence growing within him.
Yet knowing well the fate assigned to him, he could never let his feelings show.
Before the altar where he always prayed before purification, he smiled for the first time with self-mockery.
“Why did You show me? Why tempt me to desire? If only You hadn’t… I wouldn’t be left with such lingering attachments.”
He found himself wanting to live.
There was no way to live. He knew his days were numbered. Yet desire kept rising, and everything fell apart.
“…Grant me Your blessing.”
Setting aside his tangled thoughts, he devoted himself sincerely to prayer.
For now, performing the Purification Ritual came first. To do so, he had to clear his mind of all distractions.
Moments later, Cayden rose with resolute determination in his eyes and seized the sword at the altar. It was light, newly received.
He left the chamber and walked to the end of the corridor, approaching the darkness. He inserted the key into the lock wound between the tightly coiled chains.
The moment the door opened, the intensified Demonic Energy and suffocating heat enveloped Cayden.
As the force infiltrating his mind grew stronger, Cayden felt the sealed being with increasing clarity.
An absolute evil and malevolence that must never awaken.
He immediately began swinging his sword, clenching his teeth harder to resist losing consciousness.
“Remember. I am a Guardian… the one who protects this place.”
As always, his soul was torn and his body wounded by Demonic Beasts, but he endured and persevered, calling upon his purpose.
After some time, as Cayden finished purification and turned to leave, he coughed violently, spitting blood.
Bloodshot eyes wept streams of red as capillaries burst.
This had become routine.
“Haah, haah.”
He rubbed his mouth roughly and barely dragged himself back through the corridor.
After locking the door and winding the chains tightly, he staggered toward the chamber where the hot spring awaited.
As he submerged his body in the scalding water, it seeped into his wounds, and his face twisted with barely endurable pain.
‘I must endure.’
Cayden, well familiar with the wound-healing process, clenched his teeth and plunged his face beneath the surface.
***
It was time to close the shop. As I stepped outside to turn the sign, a cold touch brushed my cheek and I looked up at the sky.
“…Snow?”
It was the first snow of winter.
Since it rarely snowed at this time of year, I lingered at the shop window for quite a while, watching it fall.
As the snow began to fall more heavily, I grabbed my coat and stepped outside.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m heading to the Temple.”
Meyson muttered something behind me, but I pretended not to hear and closed the door.

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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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