NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26
༺ 𓆩 Chapter 26 — Each One’s Contract 𓆪 ༻
「Translator — Creator」
᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃
In the past, being 'untainted' meant to maintain one's purity.
However, in a world where countless people perished at the hands of monsters and the earth itself was set ablaze, being ‘untainted’ no longer signified purity — it denoted naivety.
Thus, in this world, those who remained untainted were the ones who still harbored hope for humanity.
Though they might harbor doubts, they believed in human goodness, and furthermore, considered such belief natural.
And for that reason, Dale was the perfect candidate for a Hero.
'And both the Imperial Family and the Order were always searching for those suitable to be Heroes.'
She could pride herself on making a proposal that would be highly appealing to them.
However, there was one problem - being suitable as a Hero didn't necessarily mean becoming one. Selection as a Hero wasn't determined by suitability alone; the backgrounds, political friction, relationships, crises, and special circumstances surrounding those who chose Heroes all had direct and indirect influences.
Since mere suitability might not be enough for selection, it was necessary to dangle bait before the Imperial Family and the Order.
Thus, she arranged an introduction to someone a commoner would normally never meet.
"Sir Dale. There is someone who wishes to meet you."
And thanks to her position as a Grand Duchess and the connections she had built since childhood, this was something she could arrange without much difficulty.
"It's Archbishop Mikhail."
In this world where monsters and demons poured forth, where no future was in sight, people yearned for the preservation of daily life.
However, since maintaining normalcy was impossible in the current situation, the Imperial Family and the Order needed something to obscure people's vision rather than preserve it.
'It could be through cultural media, or by avoiding mention of the crisis.'
But what proved more effective was propaganda designed to create an illusion of improvement.
And Dale, wearing the mask of a Hero, was suitable for this propaganda. Of course, Dale wasn't the 'only' person suitable to be a Hero in the eyes of the Imperial Family and Order.
Conversely, there was no reason not to choose him either.
Thus, there was a high probability he would be selected.
'If he becomes a Hero this way.'
He would become not just a commoner, but Hero Dale. His dreamed-of revenge would transform from impossible to possible.
𓇘
I was deep in thought, trying to figure out how best to strike back at Dale.
‘Going after him at his lodging would be too much of a risk.’
It was impossible, not only because the situation would escalate beyond my control, but if I stormed into his quarters and caused a scene, handling the aftermath quietly would be impossible.
‘It wouldn’t just end with one or two casualties—there was also a high chance that the ordinary citizens living nearby would witness the commotion.’
If that happened, the option of resolving things quietly would completely vanish, so I needed to find another way.
‘Should I lure him out in secret? Or perhaps set a trap?’
That seemed like the most viable option for now.
That seemed like the most viable option for now.
I even considered baiting him with the mention of a cure for impotence — anything to draw him in.
Just as I was weighing my choices, Siren tugged at my sleeve and pointed in a direction.
Curious, I turned to look and was met with the sight of Rihanna, waiting for me with that ever-sly expression of hers. She approached with ease, as if greeting an old acquaintance, and spoke in a casual tone.
"How have you been?"
In the original story, she had always been a guide who led the way to the right path. However, that applied to Hero Dale, not to the villain Damian, so it would be wise to remain cautious.
‘Still, she’s someone I’d like to bring over to my side eventually.’
I chose to remain cautious, but not outright hostile.
After I returned her greeting, she smoothly got to the point.
"There’s someone who wishes to meet you. I’m here to deliver the message."
Given that she wasn't naming names, this person must be too important to mention on the street. And since she was avoiding mention, they were likely someone of considerable status — meeting them wouldn't be a bad thing, but with my mind preoccupied with Elysia and Dale, it felt less of a priority.
"Sorry, but another time. I have too many problems to deal with right now."
"Hmm. I still think you'd be better off following me."
"Well..."
Right now, sorting out the situation was more important than expanding connections. Moreover, I felt strangely swayed by Rihanna and needed to draw a line.
I was about to brush past her when a rather amusing thought occurred to me; turning back, I made her an offer.
"I’ll go. But answer one question for me first."
"You’re expecting free information from an information broker? My, how bold of you."
When I ignored her words and started to walk past, she grabbed my hand with an "Ah!" and said—
"H-hmm. It's quite audacious of you to make demands after such a cold rejection, but just this once, I'll concede. So, what would you like to know?"
At her response, I asked the question that had been nagging at me the most.
"Do you know anything about a cure for impotence?"
"............"
For the first time, she looked genuinely taken aback, staring at me in silent disbelief.
Seeing her like this, I smiled lightly, thinking how it matched exactly with her description from the original story.
𓇘
A shabby hut near a small monastery.
Judging by how far this place was from the central districts, it was clear that this meeting was something that absolutely could not be overheard by others.
Thinking how peculiar it was that this meeting required such discretion, I entered the hut to find someone wearing a black robe. As I had suspected, they must not have been an ordinary person, for Rihanna, usually unfazed, greeted the robed figure with surprising deference.
"You must have gone through a lot to be here."
The voice was delicate and gentle — the kind one might imagine when thinking of the word 'benevolent.' As I looked at her while hearing this voice, she made a careful gesture inviting us to sit down.
"I'm truly grateful that you accepted my invitation."
I nodded while taking a seat.
Seeing me seated, she continued in a composed voice.
"First, let me express our gratitude on behalf of the Order."
The Order. Gratitude.
The moment I heard these two words, a thought crossed my mind…
No… it couldn’t be.
After all, that particular character was someone of noble standing, the very embodiment of purity — someone who wouldn’t even know how to arrange a clandestine meeting, let alone actually go through with one.
Yet despite my denial, the silhouette was remarkably similar.
‘I don’t know if I should even say this…’
It reminded me of an old internet comment describing a character from an isekai novel: "When I got transported to another world, I met a woman whose chest was as big as her head."
Even beneath the loose, draping fabric of her black robe, her figure was… unmistakable. Of course, jumping to conclusions based on that alone was reckless, so I tried to dismiss the thought.
But the resemblance refused to leave my mind.
'Saintess Rwen.'
A character who always maintained a gentle smile and embraced everyone with kindness, no matter how desperate the situation. She was so popular that most original fans referred to her as the 'True Heroine.'
'Though this is just speculation. I can't be certain if she's really Saint Rwen.'
So, burying my doubts for now, I looked at her as she posed a somewhat abstract question to me.
"... What do you think about the Order, Damian?"
Was she trying to gauge my thoughts?
Unable to discern her meaning, I reflected on everything that had happened so far.
'Given that she commands Rihanna, she probably knows about our family's connection to the Dark Mage.'
Additionally, since she expressed gratitude on behalf of the Order, she must also know about the contract between the Dark Mage and the Order.
'Moreover, considering how this meeting must remain absolutely secret, and her choice of this location...'
I offered a measured response to the woman before me, suspecting she likely held no friendly stance toward those who preyed on the Order.
"The situation doesn't look particularly good."
"Ah..."
At my words, she let out a brief sigh in a subdued voice, then continued after another exhale, "I hope you’ll understand that we don’t have much time, so I must get straight to the point."
I wasn’t sure what exactly was going on, but it was clear that simply being here was a significant risk for her.
She didn’t have long to stay.
When I nodded in understanding, she took a deep breath and continued.
"As you may already know, the state of the Order is far from ideal. Some of the clergy have begun to stray from their sacred duties."
Hearing this, I began to doubt my earlier speculation that the robed figure might be Saint (Rwen). After all, she had always been portrayed as solely focused on saving others, showing no interest in the Order's corruption.
It was such a stark contradiction to the Rwen I knew that I nearly dismissed the idea altogether.
And yet… something still nagged at me.
I couldn’t quite place it, but something about all this didn’t sit right.
As I pondered what this might be, a question surfaced —
'Was everything shown in the original story truly accurate?'
The original story was written in first-person, not third-person.
In other words...
The story unfolded from 'Dale's' perspective, not from an omniscient author's viewpoint that encompassed everything.
As this realization dawned on me, while I was still confused by the lingering images of Elysia's behavior, the black-robed woman before me slowly removed her robe and spoke:
"So, will you help me? I’ll offer you anything you desire in return."
Golden hair cascaded down, spilling over the table like liquid sunlight.
As my gaze followed the motion, slowly trailing upward to her face—
I beheld a visage, face so breathtakingly beautiful that it radiated nobility with just a single glance.
When I remained momentarily speechless before her stunning beauty, Loraine spoke up in confusion.
"S-Saintess?"
"It’s an embarrassing title, but… yes, that’s what they call me. Though, in truth, I don’t think I suit the role at all."
"Ah... No, that's not true at all!"
While Loraine waved her hands in protest, Saint Rwen seemed unmoved by such words, merely offering a bitter smile as she looked at us.
"Of course, if you decline, there's nothing to be done, but I truly hope you'll help us. You're the only one who can save the Order."
With these words, she carefully took hold of my hand and gazed at me. Though her ears turned bright red, betraying her unfamiliarity with holding a man's hand, Rwen tried to maintain her composure as she spoke.
"So please, help us. I'm not trying to force you... If circumstances don't permit, then it can't be helped, but if possible..."
At her words, I began calculating in my mind, weighing whether accepting such a proposal would be beneficial.
'Let's consider the drawbacks first.'
Making enemies of the Order's core factions would be one. This would cause significant problems, so from this perspective alone, refusing would be the right choice, but...
'Haven't I already made an enemy of the Order to begin with?'
I had openly challenged the Order to save Sister Lilia, so retribution would come soon enough.
'Besides, didn't they say House Carsaril and the Order weren't on good terms?'
Even without forming a contract with Rwen, the Order's core factions would likely start treating me as an enemy anyway.
Having reached this conclusion, I firmly grasped Rwen's hand and spoke.
"Then shall we discuss the terms first?"
After all, that was that, and this was this.
I smiled, deciding to be careful with the contract and terms of agreement.
END of CHAPTER
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