studiobondurri Chapter 217: The third story (3)
Chapter 217: The third story (3)
Number 45 momentarily hesitated to proceed with his sentence.
[No way. It can’t be true.]
Russell denied what Number 45 was about to say.
“But I don’t know what happened to the divine beasts now. Originally, we were supposed to escape together...”
“Wait a moment.”
Lucion stopped Number 45’s words.
“Are you suggesting that Nevast is targeting the divine beasts? What implications does this hold?”
“Yes?”
Number 45 appeared perplexed, struggling to grasp the question.
“Nevast is supposed to be a holy nation. They worship the divine beasts, don’t they?”
“Who... who says that? Who says that Nevast worships the divine beasts?”
Thud.
Lucion grabbed his head at that statement.
-Of the five divine beasts that once existed in Nevast, three have already disappeared from this land.
Troy’s words echoed in his mind.
“The divine beasts in Nevast are nothing more than pretty decorations. Three of them have already disappeared...!”
‘This... damn bastards.’
Lucion gritted his teeth.
-Not just that child, but anyone who possesses the power of light cannot hear my voice.
The lamenting voice of Troy echoed painfully once more.
If even Veros, Troy’s master, could not hear Troy’s voice, then who could hear the divine beasts’s call? They wouldn’t have heard the final cries of the divine beasts either.
[I don’t know anymore who is blessed by the darkness and who is blessed by the light. This... this doesn’t make sense. Why would they target the divine beasts?]
Bethel’s lips moved, but she seemed to lose her words and looked up at the sky with narrowed eyes.
She felt so lost.
Her orange eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
—Did the uncles who looked like Uncle Troy die? Ratta... Ratta really likes Uncle Troy.
Ratta whimpered.
Ratta hadn’t heard anything because she had been unconscious due to Troy.
How shocking would this sound be to her now?
[That’s not true, Ratta.]
Russell awkwardly changed the subject, hesitating to curse because of Ratta’s voice.
“I have heard that there is a saint chosen by the divine beast in the Empire.”
Number 45 cautiously spoke up, assessing the situation.
“There is.”
Right within reach.
“I need to meet that person to inform them of this fact. I... I’m unsure how to find them or what steps to take.”
Just by saying that, it was clear how naive and inexperienced Number 45 was.
Shh.
Lucion put a finger to his lips.
“This story should not be shared with anyone else.”
“Will you, Mr. Hamel, tell the saint about this?”
“I’ll try. But I must reiterate, don’t say what you just said to anyone else besides me.”
“Why? It’s crucial for everyone to be aware of Nevast’s secrets!”
“The divine beasts hold immense value, unlike the situation in Nevast.”
“That’s hard to believe...”
“Above all, if this fact is revealed now, the culprit will escape. Will you give me some time for now?”
Number 45 nodded at Lucion’s suggestion.
“Yes. I will follow your lead.”
“That’s not allowed.”
“Why... is that not allowed?”
“Decisions about your own life should be yours.”
“Then... is it acceptable if I follow your suggestion?”
“Yes, that much is acceptable.”
As Lucion turned his head, he caught sight of Hume, who looked inexplicably proud, for reasons unknown.
“I will follow Mr. Hamel,” declared Hume, surprising Lucion.
* * *
“My beloved son, Owen.”
Despite his words, Ketlan’s tone was icy.
Trembling, Owen was filled with fear.
He had never imagined that his father could be such a terrifying person.
Just a moment ago, he was chatting with his aide as usual, dreaming of the crown that had just been placed on his head.
But then he died right in front of him.
He bled black blood as if he had been poisoned, leaving eight claw marks on his own neck, as if cursing him.
And then his father’s knights stormed in, as if anticipating this event.
“Owen. Where is your explanation?”
“I, I, told you everything!”
Owen twisted his bound body and shouted.
“What did you say?”
Ketlan asked calmly.
The affectionate gaze that had always been on him was cracked like parched earth.
“It was a mistake. Someone framed me!”
Owen shouted, then frowned.
“It must have been Cetyl! Surely Cetyl tried to push me aside...”
“Owen Tesla.”
Snap.
The black figure snapped his fingers, and a sofa appeared.
‘Sit comfortably, Lucion.’
‘You seem to be getting stronger?’
Lucion spoke with caution.
‘It might seem that way. But don’t be wary. I am definitely on your side.’
Even with the black figure’s sly, amused voice, Lucion’s guard didn’t drop easily.
Lucion sat on the sofa created by the black figure.
‘Who exactly are you?’
‘So that’s what you’re curious about. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal who I am.’
‘Why?’
‘I told you before. If you stay here too long, you’ll be eaten by me. That’s why.’
‘But you said you’re on my side?’
‘That’s right. I’m on your side.’
‘That doesn’t make any sense.’
‘Lucion, I understand your impatience. But one way or another, the truth about who I am will soon be revealed, whether I want it or not. Can’t you see it in my form?’
The black figure spread its arms wide.
It was evident, even without him saying it, that figure was gradually regaining a certain form.
The black figure examined itself thoughtfully.
‘Fortunately, I haven’t encountered Veronia since then. As for the current state... well, it’s still about the same.’
‘What did you mean by being a part of a twisted world?’
‘Unfortunately, I don’t have all the details myself.’
‘You don’t have all the details? Who told you that?’
‘What I do know is that the world is currently covered by something, and that something was created by Veronia.’
‘Veronia... that guy? How does he possess such power? Is he even human?’
‘You’ll get a clearer picture of who Veronia is after hearing today’s story. Want to listen?’
‘Go ahead.’
At Lucion’s permission, the black figure chuckled lightly.
‘Do you remember the last story?’
‘I do. You said that the balance was broken because of those who were blessed with light, and corruption covered the world.’
‘That’s right. You have a good memory.’
The black figure subtly complimented him.
But seeing no change in Lucion’s expression, the black figure cleared its throat and continued.
‘Corruption gnawed at the servants of darkness, and the servants of darkness became monsters.’
‘...?’
Lucion flinched for a moment.
The thought of Ravien becomes a monster when corrupted.
‘The light killed the monsters and even the servants of darkness.’
The black figure continued speaking, intently observing Lucion’s reaction.
‘The servants of darkness, in desperation to survive, sought out the darkness they once worshiped and pleaded for help.’
Lucion’s mouth fell slightly open.
The one cloaked in a mantle.
He didn’t know who it was, but he had dreamt of becoming that figure before.
Someone had begged him, pitifully.
To be saved.
To be helped.
‘Was that person Veronia?’
‘That’s right. It was Veronia. You saw him through your dreams, didn’t you?’
‘Why would I dream of that guy?’
‘Because you’re a vessel. The broken vessel is healing now, isn’t it? Isn’t it natural for things to pop up during the recovery process? Anyway, is there anything else you don’t understand?’
Lucion bit his lip and nodded.
The feeling from the word ‘vessel’ was even more unpleasant than when he had first heard it.
To dream of Veronia in such a manner.
‘Does Ravien truly transform into a monster? Or...’
‘That’s right. Originally weak to corruption, if consumed by it, they literally turn into monsters.’
Monster.
It was the first word Hume had used when introducing himself.
Indeed, a monster.
The monster known to the world was really a Ravien eroded by Corruption.
‘So, be careful. Never let Hume get close to corruption.’
The black figure expressed concern for Hume.
‘About Hume.’
Lucion seized the opportunity to voice his doubts.
Asha had introduced herself as the last Ravien.
At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it.
She had expressed joy upon encountering Hume, another Ravien, implying a sense of kinship.
However, being the last Ravien held profound implications.
It signified the absence of any predecessors or successors, hinting that Hume did not originate from Ravien’s lineage.
As if to prove it, Hume said he had been created by a warlock.
He said he had been locked in a small room and had spent a very long time there.
Lucion hadn’t understood it back then, but now it all made sense.
There was no black magic capable of giving life.
‘Who... on earth created Hume?’