Demon of Sorrow (2)

Fear of fire.

What was the reason I overcame it? What caused me to naturally act this way without even realizing?

If I had to pinpoint the exact timing, it was probably in Nidavellir. That’s definitely right since that’s when I first started using a lighter.

Then what changed?

What transformed within me?

“Memories?”

Back then, I summoned the <Dreamer> Morpheus with my own hands.

Didn’t I summon Morpheus using the fragment I carried like a charm to subdue Pinocchio?

If anything changed, it was then.

The me back then and the me now. My attitude toward fire that had changed without me noticing.

“I see.”

Back then, I paid the price with my own hands to borrow power.

Yes, the difference between me then and me before that.

It was the fear of losing things.

I had been desperately clinging to what remained of me, including my memories.

But after the regression, I learned that I had to give up one thing at a time, including memories, to gain something new.

And that culminated then.

I was able to protect the present in exchange for losing my happiest moment.

“I must have experienced losing something to flames.”

I only realized the cause of my trauma after overcoming it. How ironic.

But thanks to that, I found my direction.

If Ilina Crowley felt a kinship with me for similar reasons, it would be much simpler and more genuine for me to help her.

I know why she’s so desperately obsessed with money.

She must be pouring money trying to change her attribute.

It’s foolish. Like trying to control raging flames with streams of water.

She must understand deep down too. That what she’s doing now, pouring all this money, is ultimately meaningless.

It was because she realized this that her future self was able to overcome that wall.

Pouring money like water. And only after realizing it wasn’t working despite that.

Finally she looked back at herself.

That what needed to change wasn’t her attribute but her attitude toward it.

I don’t know exactly what happened in her past.

But she ultimately overcame her past and trauma.

Then all I need to do is bring that process forward a bit.

Keep that in mind while approaching the trauma she must be carrying.

Guide her to unburden her worries and break free from her past.

If she can overcome that fear, she can reach 7th circle anytime.

*     *      *

I had my direction. But I had planned to build up meetings with Ilina Crowley gradually.

First by chance, then actively seeking her out.

Finally reaching a relationship where we could make appointments.

Building up relationships step by step like that.

That naturally means our stay here will be longer.

In a way, this will fulfill my promise to Linea too.

“Now, if you do this here like this… Surprisingly…!”

The academic city was different from what I had imagined.

Of course, being scholars, many people were holed up in their studies doing research.

But it was unexpectedly lively.

Some would share their knowledge in the main square.

Or demonstrate their new inventions in front of many people.

And most importantly, other scholars would debate the pros and cons of these processes.

It’s fun watching the debates and looking at inventions.

The proportion of seemingly meaningless toys was higher than expected too. A place to demonstrate technologies that might not have immediate practical use.

That’s the feeling I got.

“In some ways it feels even livelier than Nidavellir?”

“Right. Though for me, having so many people is a bit painful…”

For Linea with her keen senses, this clamor must be tough.

But rather than pure discomfort, it was closer to a wry smile.

“Heeheeheehee!”

“Oh my goodness. Lilia, if you keep wandering around absently like that… Oh, what’s that? How cute…”

Probably because of how our little ones are enjoying Arcanum. It’s heartwarming just to watch.

The shared reactions of Lilia who was close to pure innocence and Claire who usually showed such mature aspects.

Just the fact that those two could set everything else aside and act like children shows what an enjoyable place this city is.

“Whoawoawoawow!!”

“Hmph, hmph. It’s nothing special really.”

Lilia with sparkling eyes and Claire pretending not to care while secretly stealing glances at the street scholar’s inventions.

“She could just enjoy it normally.”

“Looks like she’s trying to maintain her dignity as the unnie.”

Linea giggled watching Claire like that.

Seems she’s enjoying Arcanum in her own way too.

Which makes me feel even more apologetic.

“Linea, get ready.”

“Ah, is she already close by? Don’t worry. Doctors learn how to interact with people too.”

An encounter with Ilina Crowley.

Time to stage that chance meeting. And the protagonist for this stage is Linea – even for a chance meeting, it’s easier to be at ease when first meeting someone of the same gender.

Looking at it this way, it almost feels like we’re plotting a crime but…

“I’m counting on you, Linea.”

“Yes, just trust me.”

Perhaps thanks to Teacher Revenna helping resolve things last time?

She’s being quite cooperative.

She who always seemed to carry worries in her heart.

She’s brightened up as if some of that mental burden has been lifted.

And so Linea departed in the direction I indicated to stage our coincidence.

But when she returned, her drooping ears told the result.

“Didn’t go well?”

“No… I’m sorry.”

I had considered she might not engage in conversation.

But isn’t the timing of her return a bit too quick?

Was she rejected as soon as she tried speaking? Does she reject interaction with others to that extent? It’s hard to believe considering her behavior yesterday.

“What happened?”

“Ah, well…”

Linea hemmed and hawed before finally hugging herself as if shrinking away.

Just what happened?

Seeing her face turn red too, maybe I shouldn’t have asked.

“…She said she won’t meet privately with women who have larger breasts than her.”

“…”

“She was… too resolute about it…”

“No, um. Right. Good work. I made you do something unnecessary.”

“…It’s okay.”

Though she said that, Linea took a step back to create distance.

An incredibly awkward atmosphere. This has been happening more frequently lately.

It wasn’t like this at first.

I don’t know how we ended up this way. Is it backlash from getting closer than before?

“Ahem!”

While trying my best not to look at Linea, I turn toward the little ones playing energetically.

Fortunately the kids were too absorbed in the street performance to notice what happened over here.

“…Play with the kids. Today seems already ruined so I’ll go see Duke Forys.”

“Kay.”

With the atmosphere like this, we’d only negatively impact the kids who are enjoying themselves.

Better to step away. Originally the kids prefer Linea over me anyway so this works out.

Titan?

That guy headed to the arena early this morning.

There are many scholars curious about orcs and even more magicians wanting to experiment.

Isn’t it the perfect stage?

He can try all sorts of experiences he wants.

Moreover, since most opponents are magicians, it’s perfect for his goal of learning aura.

So I’ll leave him be.

Duke Edge Forys. The person to meet that raccoon-like old man…

Will just be me alone.

*     *      *

The eastern district of Arcanum.

Edge Forys said I’d know where he was when I got there.

And true to his words, as soon as I arrived in the eastern district, I could immediately tell where Edge Forys was staying.

“What tower did he build?”

A tower 3-4 times taller than surrounding buildings stood prominently in the center of the eastern district.

He said I’d know when I got here. Well it’s pretty obvious when you can see something like that.

Is it because he’s a noble that he’s in such an eye-catching place, or does he get such treatment for being a grand mage?

Anyway, fortunately it won’t take time to find.

“Hmm… I didn’t expect you to be here like this.”

That’s when I got closer to the tower. Of course there was a gatekeeper.

But unlike the homunculus or golem we saw entering Arcanum, this was different.

A person was directly guarding the door. Well, since the person I’m meeting is human there shouldn’t be any issues but…

“Sir Allen, as a guild master is it appropriate to stand guard?”

“…I’ve received many favors so I must repay them.”

“Isn’t this too much?”

“Considering his status as a duke, not really.”

“I suppose you could think of it that way.”

It’s not my problem to worry about.

So I naturally tried to pass by Sir Allen’s side.

“…Are you stopping me?”

Sir Allen blocked my path with his sheathed sword.

This is strange. I’m sure I had permission?

“I have orders to let no one in right now.”

“Why?”

“Because there’s a previous guest.”

“Hmm…”

I stepped back for now.

It’s irritating. We clearly had an appointment but he received another guest first?

I’m surprised Edge Forys would do something so lacking in etiquette.

But I’ll be patient for now.

I’m not Titan – I won’t start a fight just because I got snubbed like this.

“Sir Allen, let me ask you. Is the person inside higher ranked than me or Duke Forys?”

“That’s… no.”

“Then who is it?”

“I cannot say.”

“Then should I take this as disrespecting me, an apostle of the gods?”

“Pardon…?”

Now I’ll apply political pressure.

I’m someone who can do that now.

“Blocking the path of a saint who carries out divine will – isn’t this tantamount to a heretical declaration rejecting the gods?”

“No, this is…”

“Would Sir Allen have blocked the path like this even if the emperor came?”

“L-Lost?”

“Then who’s inside? The Mystic King? The emperor? Who the hell is it?”

Is that bastard higher than the gods?

If I went straight to the Pantheon Temple and just opened my mouth, I could have all the temples in Forys’ duchy withdrawn.

That’s the position I’m in.

The empire, kingdoms, even Arcanum all have temples and churches, and priests. There aren’t many professions as good at saving people.

Doctors are already premium personnel, but what if I withdrew all the priests from this vast city and territory?

I guarantee I could bankrupt a year’s worth of Forys duchy’s finances with just one word.

“What a childish temper. Causing trouble because you can’t wait a moment?”

While I was harassing Sir Allen like that, the person I was targeting appeared. The person who had pushed back our appointment saying he had a previous guest.

Duke Edge Forys.

His relaxed attitude was brazen to the point of shamelessness.

“Oh my, wasn’t this a test? Seems like you were trying to confirm how far I could go, so shall I show you?”

So I responded just as shamelessly.

Do you still see me as that powerless youngster who was confined in the mansion?

Shouldn’t I have proven my worth in the arena? Yet this treatment is disrespecting me.

That won’t do.

I’m now the proxy of the gods and a figure representing the faithful.

If there was a previous guest, he should have at least offered me the inner reception room.

“The brat’s especially prickly today. Got a taste of power, is that it? Fine then, what if I cancel this year’s donations from Forys duchy to the Pantheon Temple? Can you still talk big then?”

“Yes, I can.”

Isn’t it obvious who loses more?

I just need to crush Forys duchy even if I take some losses.

I’m neither a politician nor a lord after all.

Of course I don’t actually plan to do such an atrocious thing, but I need to show that I could.

“You crazy bastard…”

“Originally you shouldn’t mess with crazy bastards. Didn’t you know?”

“Fine, I lose.”

I won.

If you fight childishly, I can be just as childish to any extent.

“Then you need to pay up.”

“Here.”

I snatched what Edge Forys threw in midair to find it was a seal engraved with his family crest.

The seal of House Forys.

This is politically useful.

Essentially meaning he’ll forgive me even if I use his name once.

“If it was another priest they would have gotten angry saying faith shouldn’t let power seep in…”

“…Faith and power should remain separate.”

“Enough, kid. At least wet your lips before lying.”

“Well, I’ll gratefully accept.”

Passing by Sir Allen who was frozen with a blank expression, I enter the tower. Edge Forys patted Sir Allen’s shoulder and said:

“You still have far to go. How could you be so helpless against a kid 5–6 years younger than you?”

“That’s, well…”

“And you kid. Why bully such an innocent one?”

“One must face society’s trials to become an adult.”

“…Seems like you faced a bit too many trials.”

“That’s right.”

I took many hits.

That’s why I became someone who could be ruthless when needed.

Appropriate compromise? That’s what you say when you have no power.

Not using what you have is foolish. That’s why Sir Allen, who ran away from home hating his family’s ways, couldn’t argue against me at all.

“So who was the previous guest?”

“I don’t see why you’re curious.”

After I started following Edge Forys through the tower interior.

I asked what I was curious about.

There can’t be many people with enough power to make me take second place.

“A kid called Another Hope. An even younger kid than you so I showed some consideration. Why? Jealous?”

An insignificant reason. Hence the grumbling that followed like a joke.

But it was a bit different for me.

I don’t know who Another Hope is. But I can’t forget that family name.

“Hope…?”

“Yes, House Hope.”

King of Darkness, Belial.

His other name was Wallace Hope.

House Hope is the name of the family that bastard established.