ALL NOVEL Chapter 25
At first, I thought I was imagining things.
However, even after closing and reopening my eyes, there was no mistaking it; Saint Ophelia was right in front of me.
A flurry of questions rushed through my mind.
I cautiously called her name.
“…Ophelia?”
“Ugh.”
“Why on earth is Ophelia here…?”
I was flustered.
Why is Ophelia, who should be at the Cathedral of the Saint, here?
Before I could even articulate my thoughts, Ophelia clenched her fist and punched me right in the throat. After years of swordsmanship training, her punches had grown increasingly powerful.
I felt breathless.
“Gah.”
“Die, you bastard! Just die already!”
Still hurling harsh words, Ophelia kept throwing punches, then suddenly bowed her head deeply.
A clear tear plopped down onto her knee.
I felt a pang of suspicion.
“Ophelia, why are you crying?”
“I-it’s because of sand in my eyes!”
“Sand? We’re in the Great Forest; wouldn’t it make more sense to say pollen got in your eyes?”
“…Do you want to die?”
“I’ve already died once and come back, so if I do die, I won’t have any regrets.”
Though I said it jokingly, the look in Ophelia’s eyes trembled.
“If you… even jokingly say that again, I will kill you.”
“Well then, I must have already died a hundred times in Ophelia’s hands.”
“Then I’ll learn necromancy and resurrect you as a zombie. You… are bound by the Gears. You’re collateral for me.”
While it wasn’t something a saint would usually say, I couldn’t help but think that Ophelia might actually do it.
I chuckled and shrugged.
“I see. I’ve gotten myself involved with someone very terrifying.”
“Exactly. You’re in deep trouble.”
Ophelia grinned widely.
I slowly placed my hand on her head.
Unlike before, Ophelia didn’t shrug it off. She simply snuffled.
“How long have I been out?”
“Ten days. Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t wake up. Yurede couldn’t even give a solid diagnosis about your condition. That crazy guy went off to pray for you today.”
“Oof.”
Ten days. Longer than I had expected.
Surely, after being caught in that explosion, I needed that much recovery time. If I hadn’t wrapped mana around me to minimize damage, I might have ended up meeting my ancestors. Without Ophelia’s Holy Magic, I might not have survived.
When Ophelia saved me, I must have looked like a complete wreck. I sort of understood why she was crying.
“By the way… what happened to the other Elf who was with me? They shouldn’t have been caught in the explosion.”
“That strange fellow? He brought a healing Love Potion for you. I just gave him some money and sent him on his way. Since he pulled you out of the cave, a token of appreciation was due.”
I felt somewhat moved by Wuzmund.
He truly had a sense of loyalty.
“And what about the Dark Elf?”
“As soon as he figured out who I was, he tucked his tail and ran. This place is a residence provided by them.”
Well, no matter how much he hated humans, he wouldn’t dare mess with a saint.
So, this was Nua Diel.
It was way too far for the Saintess of the Saint.
“How did Ophelia end up here?”
“Of course, I chased after you. Yurede took the lead.”
“How did Yurede persuade you?”
“Crushing heresy.”
“What did you say to the Cathedral?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Does His Holiness the Pope know?”
“If he did, I wouldn’t be here.”
“Right.”
Ultimately, it was a case of unauthorized departure. A situation similar to mine as a deserter.
If she ever returned to the Cathedral, there would be an enormous interrogation waiting for her. But if Yurede defends her to some extent, I think it’ll be alright.
Probably.
“So….”
Ophelia began to speak.
“How’s your condition?”
“I’m fine. It’s all thanks to Ophelia’s Holy Magic.”
“Uh, uh-huh.”
Ophelia stifled a giggle and cleared her throat. I raised my bandaged hand. After not moving for a while, my joints screamed in protest, but I could endure this much.
During my mercenary days, I had endured worse injuries.
“Have you settled your matters of vengeance?”
Ophelia asked cautiously.
Vengeance. Owen also mentioned something like that, so it was clear she was misunderstanding.
But I decided not to correct her.
The truth was, I had indeed rushed here to punish the one who killed the hero.
“…It’s over.”
The problem was that the last words that guy left behind were truly explosive.
The Possessor was summoned by the Demon King.
They were acting like puppets with the Mark engraved on their bodies for the Demon King’s Army’s victory.
So, what about me?
I am a Possessor. That much is certain. My memories from Earth guarantee it.
Then why am I Elliott and not part of the Demon King’s Army, and not carry the Mark?
“…”
I wasn’t in the right condition to think about that.
My mind felt hazy.
I would think about it later.
For now, I had to address the situation at hand first.
“Well then, speak up.”
Ophelia said suddenly.
She was staring at me with a very pouty expression.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re my Knight, and you vowed to give your life for me using the Gears, right? Am I wrong?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Then how can you abandon the person you’re supposed to protect for a mere personal vengeance? Are you insane…?”
Her shoulders were shaking.
It seemed she was really furious.
But I was mistaken. Ophelia slammed the bed and shouted.
“If you’d just told me about this sooner, I would have helped! Even if I treated you harshly, I wouldn’t be so cold-hearted as to not help with your revenge!”
“…”
“I would have sent Yurede along, and if you needed more, I could have gotten you the Knights! Also, also… D-dick….”
“Dicktooth.”
“Yeah! Anyway, that guy named Dick or whatever would have gone with you too! But you just vanished, saying you would do it alone, and then returned like this? Are you really that much of an idiot?”
“Um.”
“You have no right to call me a b*tch. You are a… real bastard. The worst kind of bastard you can imagine…”
As she spoke, she seemed to get overwhelmed with emotion again and bowed her head deeply.
As a result, my hand, which had been resting on Ophelia’s head, fell away.
I quietly lowered my gaze.
“I’m sorry.”
“More.”
“I’m truly sorry. I didn’t appreciate Ophelia’s discernment and acted recklessly.”
“More.”
“Uh… Thank you?”
“Right.”
Did she want gratitude instead of an apology? For some reason, it felt like Ophelia’s pride was lifting slightly.
I chuckled and started to get up. Ophelia startled and tried to stop me, but I didn’t mind.
I swung my legs off the bed and tightened my waist, sending a tingling pain through my spine.
“Hey, hey. Rest a bit more. If you start moving in that condition, you’ll die.”
“If I rest here longer, I’ll be terrified of the aftershocks when I return to the Cathedral.”
More than anything, it seemed better to review my future plans in the Cathedral, where I had spent over three years, than to sort out my thoughts in the prickly Great Forest.
Possessor. Demon King. Mark. Slave.
Various words swirled chaotically in my mind.
I winced and started to unravel the bandages that were wrapped around me.
“Eek.”
At that moment, a high-pitched scream rang out.
For a moment, I thought it was another girl’s voice.
But even when I washed my eyes and looked, there were only Ophelia and me in the room.
Ophelia was covering her eyes.
Of course, through the gaps of her hands, her emerald eyes glimmered.
“…Wait, did that scream just now come from you?”
“…Uh, uh-uh.”
“Um, well… I respect that. I suppose there could be times like that.”
Ophelia’s face flushed red as she kicked my shin.
“Shut up! It’s weird that you’re flailing around naked in front of a maiden! Have you got exhibitionism? Pervert! Quickly put some clothes on!”
“I have no clothes.”
“I’ll bring some, so wear….”
Suddenly, Ophelia’s words halted.
She stared at me blankly. Precisely, at my hand, which just cut the bandage.
“Why do you look like that…?”
With those words, I followed her gaze and saw—
“…”
I was once again left in shock.
On the back of my hand, which had been hidden beneath the bandages.
A distinct, inverted sword-shaped Mark was etched into it.
“Hey.”
Ophelia spoke, her face now pale.
“You… that…”
I knew.
It wasn’t just me. Most of the people on the continent likely knew about this symbol.
Well, it was the most famous Mark in this world.
“…the Hero’s Mark.”
Ophelia muttered, and I swallowed hard.