Chapter 57

Of course, Nemesia was extremely wary.

“No.”

See? She’s only ever cold to me.

Ah, maybe I came on too strong at first? Not that I could’ve predicted this.

‘I can just change tactics now.’

Sure, I could just walk in since the door was open.

But there was definitely a barrier cast on this room—one that would sound a warning if someone unauthorized entered.

“Anyway, your guardian will be here soon, won’t they? That former Hero of yours.”

Nemesia flinched.

For a moment, her eyes sparkled with trust. Oddly, Usher felt a twinge of disappointment.

It was fine. That kind of trust could be manufactured with brainwashing.

“…Still don’ like it. Dunno what you’ll do.”

With no one else around, Nemesia didn’t bother hiding her resistance or suspicion.

“I said I’ll spare you, didn’t I?”

“…How can I trust you?”

“Then should I kill your follower instead? I don’t care either way.”

Nemesia’s expression twisted. A flicker of disgust passed through her round eyes.

But only for a second—an unexpected glint pierced him straight through.

“Fine. Better than lettin’ you in. If I gotta sacrifice a civvy, then what’s so hard about that?”

“…”

Usher’s eyes widened slightly.

“In the end, I’m the most important. Even to the Order, I’m a candidate, y’know?”

She was saying she knew exactly what was in the report Bennett had submitted. And even if the Committee heard, they’d have to side with her.

A chill buzzed down Usher’s neck. That rush—adrenaline.

A sensation he hadn’t felt outside of battlefields or covert ops.

‘Strange.’

The more she talked like this, the more she resembled his “ideal.”

‘Still, getting swayed by emotions like this… it’s pathetic.’

But on the other hand, contradictions were at the very heart of the Evil God’s teachings.

“Aiish, too smart for your own good, huh? You want something?”

So that’s why she didn’t shut the door but kept stalling?

“Hmm, dear Candidate. What should I do? You want me to swear an oath or something?”

Usher chuckled softly—right before Nemesia’s eyes flashed. He missed it.

“Yeh. Swear sumpin’ y’can’t break.”

“To God?”

“No.”

He froze.

“Stake a token.”

Usher’s gaze dropped to the child’s slightly trembling hand.

…It felt like she was deliberately avoiding swearing to God. Was that just his imagination?

There were two types of oaths a Holy Knight could make.

1. An oath sworn to God, staking one’s divine power and very existence.
2. An oath tied to a token, using divine power to imbue an object.

The former left a mark on the body. The latter left one on an object.

A token-bound oath still used divine power, so the difference wasn’t major.

Usher flashed a charming smile.

“Alright. It’s ‘cause I scared you last time, isn’t it? I reflect on that. As proof… I’ll swear on my life that I won’t kill you.”

It was almost funny.

A Holy Knight swearing not to kill a pope candidate? Yet both of them were completely serious.

Usher unpinned the emblem from his chest.

As he summoned power into it, a blue glow gathered inside the gem in its center.

Brilliant, sacred light enveloped both Nemesia and Usher, forming a divine sigil between them.

“Happy now?”

He held the emblem out, but Nemesia still didn’t come out.

‘Hmm, not fooled, huh?’

Smart little thing.

“…Toss it. Quick.”

In the end, he dropped the emblem to the floor and nudged it forward with his foot. It rolled right to Nemesia’s feet.

She picked it up with a flourish and tucked it deep inside the inner pocket of her clothes. A spot obviously hard for anyone else to reach.

Even then, she didn’t let her guard down. Only then did she finally step back.

“…Come in.”

Usher grinned.

He would keep the oath. Of course.

All he had to do was not kill her, right?

Clack!

The door shut and locked behind him.

Usher moved fast. As soon as his hand grabbed the nape of her neck—

Thud!

Nemesia collapsed to the floor. But there was no impact.

Usher had skillfully caught her weight and lowered her gently.

Not a scratch on her.

“…!!”

Lying flat, her eyes widened at the hand hovering threateningly over her throat.

“I promised not to kill you, didn’t I?”

Usher smiled sweetly.

So easy to fool.

Stupid. And adorable.

“Of course. I’ll take care of both of you. Don’t worry.”

Since they’d already wasted time in the hallway, he needed to move fast.

“Shhh. Stay still and no one gets hurt. Gently, kindly. Remember?”

“Yur nuts! Urk!”

His ability, Persuasion, consisted of three steps: Suggestion, Hypnosis, and Brainwashing.

‘Let’s skip to brainwashing…’

As Nemesia glared at him in shock, the eye contact required to activate his skill had already passed.

So now…

Crash!

Usher’s eyes widened slightly.

Fragments of porcelain rained down from his head.

A decorative piece from the display case had ‘coincidentally’ fallen right above him.

It didn’t hurt.

But it was strange.

‘Why now?’

He didn’t have time to dwell on it. Just as he tried to activate his brainwashing again—

Slip.

His firmly planted foot slid out from under him.

He glanced down. The carpet was slightly bunched where his foot had landed—another ‘coincidence.’

Could it be divine power interference? But he didn’t sense anything like that.

Maybe the barrier surrounding the room? But now that he’d been granted entry, it shouldn’t affect him.

So it could only be… coincidence.

‘Wait a sec— there’s way too much divine power here…?’

The divine power for the barrier was fixed. But he was sensing several times that amount scattered around the room.

Cough cough!

While Usher was off balance, Nemesia let out a rough cough.

He grabbed for her again.

“Hey now, Candidate? I wasn’t rough… Must be sensitive. Just hold still for a second?”

He was just about to activate his skill again when—

“Go on.”

Her shining eyes locked onto his.

Cough. “Do it. Let’s see.”

Strangely enough, there was no fear, no wariness left in her eyes—none of what he’d seen earlier at the door.

“…Huh?”

She was smiling.

As if she were genuinely amused.

Usher felt something was very wrong.

* * *

[Congratulations! Your Luck has increased by 150%! (Duration: 1 week)]

One of the abilities I got from the divination priest was Luck.

But despite the big number, my daily life didn’t feel exponentially luckier.

At most, I’d find two candies in a snack bag instead of one.

And now, I knew why.

“Candidate, death is approaching within the week.”

This luck only kicked in the moment death was right around the corner.

[Luck 150% effect activated!]

The message popped up the moment Usher grabbed me and tried to brainwash me.

No, even before that—when he was plotting to enter my room.

Actually, even before that—when I was planning things out with Daddy.

‘The death foretold in the prophecy is connected to this bastard Usher.’

It wasn’t a hard conclusion to reach.

Sure, I forced him to swear on a token so he couldn’t kill me…

[Luck is active! (Effect: 150%)]

But the message floating in front of me was crystal clear.

‘If I get taken, it’s over.’

Even if Usher didn’t kill me here, I’d be dragged off and killed by another fanatic.

Maybe not even by a person—could be a monster, or a ritual, or something else.

By then, not even Luck could save me.

“Hmm?”

Fortunately, right now, my Luck was working overtime.

Usher tried to grab my neck again, but his hand somehow slipped on my hair.

All thanks to Luck.

“…Seriously? ‘Try it’? What was that supposed to mean, huh?”

He wasn’t smiling anymore. Not that he realized it.

“No, no. You don’t need to answer. I’ll just find out for myself.”

“Let! Go!!”

But Luck wouldn’t last forever. Usher snapped out of it and grabbed my shoulder.

“We’re short on time… I’ll go with Suggestion or Hypnosis.”

His voice was quiet, but I could make it out.

And that reminded me of something.

The other ability I got from the divination priest: The Power to Not Fall Asleep.

Why that one? Duh.

‘It’s for moments like this!’

A time-pressed fanatic like him wouldn’t use slow brainwashing—he’d go for quick and easy suggestion or hypnosis.

“…”

His brows furrowed.

Sure enough, a flicker of confusion crossed his face. I smirked.

“What, not workin’ like ya want?”

Usher’s face twisted slightly.

“You… What do you know?”

“None o’ ur biz. Let go!”

Damn right I’m the ultimate counter to nutjob fanatics!

I’m guessing he’s behind Daddy’s imprisonment too.

But he can’t afford to do this more than once or twice without losing his position.

‘I know he has another reason for sneaking in here.’

He won’t get a second chance like this.

So I had to end it now!

“Aaaahhh!!”

Taking advantage of his distraction, I grabbed his hand and bit down hard.

“Urgh…!”

He jerked his hand back.

It was a tiny opening—but enough.

I didn’t hesitate.

“Daaaaddy!!”

[Danger detected! Let’s try summoning “Daddy”!]

[“Daddy” cannot be summoned in this area! (Location: Inquisition Department Underground)]

Yeah. The Inquisition building prevents guardian summons.

Doesn’t matter.

I didn’t call him to summon him.

“He’s the bad guy!!”

You really think I let a fanatic into my room without a safety net?

I grinned.

‘Your move now.’

A flicker of confusion passed across Usher’s face—just before he whipped his head around.

There, behind him, stood a blinding white silhouette.

Piiiiiinng—!

Usher’s eyes widened in horror.

“What? Why the hell is that thing here—it should be on the battlefield…!”

“Die, you bastard.”

BOOOOM!