“...”

The first thing Gideon realized when he woke up was the fact that he was lying on an old wooden bed.

He inferred that he was most likely at the Campbell Barony. Because, to his recollection, there was no other land nearby that could provide such a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

“Since you seem to be struggling to grasp the situation, I’ll briefly summarize it for you.”

Before he could fully gather his thoughts, a voice came from the side.

The owner of the voice was Dowd Campbell, the man who was leisurely reading a book with his leg stretched out.

“We’ve cleanly finished the subjugation and all the other members have disbanded. There were no casualties and Margrave Kendride had returned to his territory.”

He spoke in a calm tone without even turning his gaze toward Gideon.

“Since the Margrave seemed to have suffered a lot in this subjugation, I’ve decided to visit the North during the next Pilgrimage Homecoming. You have no objections, right, Your Grace?”

“...”

There was no way that he had any.

The fact that the incident ended without a major catastrophe was more than enough for him.

Gideon looked down at his chest.

His last memory was that of the Devil’s Fragment flying towards him and embedding itself there.

“The Devil’s Fragment has been successfully fused with Eleanor. It’s her second one now.”

“...!”

Gideon widened his eyes as he abruptly stood up.

“What in the world does that me—”

“If we were to prevent that thing from fusing with her, that would be the same thing as turning a blind eye to her condition. But, I assume that you know that, don’t you?”

Gideon’s pupils shook.

“Even if the Fragments are attached to a different person, in the end, they’d gather towards someone with the highest ‘compatibility’. Out of all the humanoid Vessels, the Heretic Inquisition stated that she had the highest compatibility in history, no?”

“...You.”

His voice trembled.

“How on earth—?”

“I know that the Imperial Court is keeping such information from spreading. I also know they’re using that as leverage to make you work to your bones.”

Accompanied by the sound of flipping pages, Dowd continued to talk with a flat tone.

Even though this wasn’t a topic that should be brought up with such nonchalance.

“And I also know what you’ve been doing to protect Eleanor.”

The reason why he tried to eradicate the madness of his household was for his daughter's sake, after all.

After listening until this point, Gideon didn’t even know what question to ask and could only let his hand tremble while maintaining his silence.

This was all because the words that came out of this man’s mouth were the nightmares that had been haunting him for his entire life.

“Putting that aside, let me congratulate you on successfully removing the Devil’s Fragment ‘without killing’ that person, even though it was infused into you. Isn’t that what you’ve been researching all along?”

Even his ‘goal’ was brought to light.

With the same nonchalance.

The man’s words flowed out smoothly, almost as if he was discussing the weather.

“So, as someone who’s casually revealing information that only you would know, I suggest you listen to my proposal.”

Dowd yawned, closing the book with a thud.

“I’ll give my full cooperation to protect Eleanor. To be more precise, I’ll prevent the ‘catastrophe’ that will inevitably come her way.”

“...”

“However, I’d prefer if you completely leave the method to me.”

“...”

“Trust…has been more or less established between us, hasn’t it? You know that my only intention is to help both of you, at least.”

If he had intended to do something nefarious, he could have done it dozens of times already.

That was what he was trying to imply.

Hearing this, Gideon responded with difficulty.

“...Is attaching two Fragments to that child also part of your plan?”

He found it hard to believe, but every word that this man had spoken so far was undeniably true.

As for how he managed to find out about such things, it didn’t matter. This man wasn’t the type to give an explanation for free. In other words, there was no way for Gideon to find that out at the moment.

However, he still felt the need to at least understand the reason behind his action.

“You already know what would happen if those three Fragments—”

“As I mentioned before, the three Fragments gathering to Eleanor is an inevitability. However, it will become a different story if I’m ‘involved’ throughout the whole process.”

“...What?”

“I’m trying to say that I won’t let you experience what you’ve gone through in the past. Going out of my way to make the Fragment ‘stop over’ at you was also part of that process.”

With those words, a scene unfolded in Gideon’s mind.

Summer. Library. A day where cicadas were noisily buzzing.

That one day flipped over his entire life.

In his hand, a blood-stained longsword. On the floor, a corpse.

“...”

‘This man…’

 

‘Even knows about that?’

 

‘How much does he know? How far did he plan? How far did he foresee?’

Gideon went silent as he watched Dowd stretching.

“Ah, Dowd. You’re he—”

As he was pondering such thoughts, someone walked into the room.

It was Eleanor.

Her gaze lingered on Gideon, who was now sitting up on the bed.

“...”

“...”

Silently, Eleanor’s gaze fixed onto him before swiftly turning away.

“...The heirloom you requested from Chester County has arrived. They said that a carriage is waiting for you.”

“Okay, I’ll go out right away. The Intermediate-Grade artifact came as well, right?”

“Mm. I’ve even confirmed the certificate.”

With just those words, Eleanor quickly turned around and left the room.

Although to others, they could appear like they were still ignoring each other’s existence…

“...”

For the person in question, Gideon, he felt a shock that was akin to being hit in the back of his head.

Instead of the hostility and loathing that had always appeared in the child's eyes…

Although it was very miniscule, he sensed a ‘different emotion’ mixed in it.

The girl who had regarded him as an enemy for her entire life ever since that day…

Was now starting to see him differently, albeit only a little.

“...I also know that you’ve been treating her as if she didn’t exist due to your guilt, but…”

Dowd, who was about to leave to follow Eleanor, let out a bitter smile.

“Who knows, maybe your problem is easier to resolve than you think.”

Even when he lost his rationality in the midst of madness.

Even in a situation where the Devil’s Fragment weakened his last sliver of reason and manipulated his mind.

She was the one person who he absolutely did not want to harm.

Even after Dowd left, after saying such a meaningful sentence…

Gideon only sat there blankly, reflecting on the gaze Eleanor had just given him.

“...That took so long…”

I staggered into my room and collapsed onto my bed.

No seriously, wasn’t this supposed to be a vacation? I didn’t even get to rest though? Hello? What was this bullshit?

“...”

However, I still had things I needed to check.

I laid down on my bed and brought up the system window.

System Message

[ Side Quest ‘Disturbance’ Completed! ]

[ Rewards Available! ]

[ 1 Intermediate-Grade Artifact Received! ]

I scanned through it and nodded my head.

The artifact I received was sent to my dorm in Elefante along with the heirloom.

After all, it was an artifact mostly for ‘training’. As soon as I arrived, I planned to unpack it and start using it immediately.

And, more importantly…

System Message

[ Confirming the ‘deal’ with the ‘Grey Devil’!! ]

[ Stage 1 Restriction of ‘The Fallen’s Seal’ is released. ]

System Message

[ Your attribute will gradually change from ‘human’ to ‘·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞’. ]

System Message

[ The more intimate relationships you form with ‘Devils’, the faster the attribute change will occur. ]

I let out a bitter smile and closed the system window.

Well, sure, I asked for this, but seeing it written like this left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“...”

I swept my hand over the Fallen’s Seal wriggling on my chest as if it was alive.

As more time passed, it felt like this sensation gradually became stronger.

This phenomenon started after I summoned this thing to ‘my body’ during my duel in front of the Pope.

And now, after making a deal with the Grey Devil, it became much more vivid.

As mentioned in the message window, this thing would slowly transform me to ‘something inhuman’.

Since the progress would become faster as I formed more intimate relationships with Devils, its speed would probably further increase as I conquered more and more Devil’s Vessels.

‘...It’s do or die now.’

If I had the choice, I wouldn’t ever think about laying my hand on this.

Because this was inherently set up as one of the most extreme ‘gambles’ a person could take in the worldview of Sera.

A Deal with the Devil. Regardless of the specific Devil, if one were to get involved with them, it usually led to a not-so-pleasant end.

If I couldn’t ’resolve’ this Seal at a reasonable time, I would transform into something that would be better off dead.

‘Fortunately, my demise isn’t set in stone yet.’

I was already drawing up an insurance plan in my mind.

It was difficult as fuck, but it was definitely possible. A method to preserve my humanity and ‘survive’ without any aftereffects.

This insurance was the reason why I went ahead and did this sort of thing in the first place.

“...Sigh.”

Of course, to achieve that, I had to walk an arduous path while busting my balls once again, but…

With a sigh, I rose from my seat.

The risk I was taking was substantial, but the resulting effects were nothing short of astounding.

‘With this, the progression on Chapter 3…’

While Chapter 1 and 2 focused on conquering powerful single bosses, Chapter 3 was more about overcoming simultaneous ‘crises.’

In other words, instead of facing one formidable foe, I would have to deal with numerous enemies that were slightly less powerful.

And in such a situation, if this ‘Restriction Released Fallen’s Seal’ had the power I was thinking of…

Then it would undoubtedly boast terrifying efficiency.

Originally, it was not a skill that players could use. I mean, it was obvious that carrying such a skill would make the conquests way too easy.

“...”

Besides, I had a reason to get this powerful ability even if I had to take such risks.

‘Yeah, I’m not really a fan of getting dragged around by those motherfuckers.’

I had been pondering this ever since I had succeeded in clearing the boss battle with Valkasus.

As I continued along the main scenario, there was a high probability that unexpected variables would pop up, just like in Chapter 2 when the Prophet interfered however she wanted.

This was the counter that I had prepared for such occasions.

After all, it was very likely that the Prophet wouldn’t expect for me to have even prepared ‘this kind of thing’.

As such, this would be a very fitting response to that bitch’s impending wicked schemes.

With such thoughts in mind, I subsequently glanced at the next window that had popped up.

System Message

[ ‘Grey Devil’s Fragment’ is fusing with target ‘Eleanor’. ]

[ Target ‘Eleanor’s’ status as a Vessel is elevated! ]

[ She can handle the Devil’s Energy more skillfully! ]

[ Changes in personality occur! ]

[ Emotional upheaval occurs towards some targets! ]

I scrutinized such windows that continued to pop up.

The message that needed to be especially paid attention to was the last sentence.

Since it was blinking as if there was more to it, so I tapped it to check further.

System Message

#1

[ Target ‘Eleanor’ holds confusing emotions towards target ‘Gideon’. ]

[ The existing hatred towards this target is alleviated! ]

[ Some changes occur in the main scenario’s branching routes! ]

[ Condition for Hidden Event Fulfilled! ]

System Message

[ 1 Trigger Condition for Hidden Event ‘???’ Met! (2/3) ]

There we go, Baby!

I had suffered all this time just for this one thing. It was that crucial of a requisite.

But why was it labeled as #1?

Were there others?

System Message

#2

[ Target ‘Eleanor’ realized that target ‘Dowd’ is much more popular than expected! ]

[ Possessive Desire intensifies! ]

[ Due to her Possessive Desire, preparation for planned actions are expedited! ]

[ ‘Engagement Ring’ production schedule is accelerated! ]

“...”

No wait.

Hold on.

What the fuck did I just read?

“...What have you been doing during the break to be in such a state? You look like a walking corpse.”

“I gained the recognition of the Margrave of the North, improved the strained familial relationship between the Duke and his daughter, and additionally, they are planning to confer a Viscounty on me.”

“...”

“Also, apparently, Lady Tristan is currently crafting an engagement ring for me.”

The expression on Headmistress Atalante’s face seemed to say, ‘I told you to rest, but what in the world have you done while you were gone?’

Yeah, I know, right?

The only silver lining was that thanks to all the various things that occurred, the dilemma of choosing between Eleanor and Iliya seemed to have disappeared.

Honestly, whichever side I picked would’ve only led to a hellish result. However, due to the incident that had happened with Gideon, I ended up choosing to have an ‘exchange’ with Margrave Kendride first.

“...First, I’ll share some of the issues I’ve already heard.”

The Headmistress let out a sigh as she spoke.

“Suddenly jumping from the status of a student to a peerage of Viscount is quite a significant matter. After all, the faculty will have to treat you differently from now on.”

“...Wait a minute. Is it fine to just acknowledge something like that so easily?

When Eleanor had just acted however she wished and thrown some land my way, I thought dealing with all of it would be a pain in the ass. However, hearing Atalente’s explanation, it sounded like everything had been resolved.

Was she even allowed to so arbitrarily decide the succession of a territory in the Empire?

“Firstly, all the lands near Baron Campbell’s area are considered the most remote even out of remote lands. Honestly, it’s highly likely that the Imperial Court doesn’t care much about what happens with those lands.”

“...”

Okay, that one was a little harsh.

Our land wasn’t a cursed land, you know?

“There are no special resources, no notable characteristics, and it’s not really a shady place either. Isn’t that also why you don’t seem to have any interest in managing the territory?

“...”

Right...

Well honestly, to me, gaining the territory was more about obtaining the entrance pass to Dungeon Conquests and Artifact Explorations. I had casually tossed the management aspect to my father before fleeing to the academy.

Maybe I would visit once in a while during vacations to inspect it.

“And secondly…”

Atalante pushed her monocle up before continuing.

“All this was possible because it’s you.”

“Huh?”

“Whether it’s the Tribal Alliance, the Holy Land, or the Empire’s Imperial Court, you're quite the hot potato for all of them. I hope you haven’t forgotten how flamboyantly you made a name for yourself in front of the Pope, right?”

“...”

“Since the Imperial Court wouldn’t want to argue with such a precious resource over something like this, they would absolutely not obstruct you. If they do so, the Holy Land or Tribal Alliance will think it’s their chance to win you over into their respective countries.”

Huh, That… actually made sense...

I didn’t know I was that much of a hot potato though.

However, there was one thing that I was curious about…

“...Why have you looked so displeased since a while ago?”

“Because everything that I said is connected, Dowd.”

Atalante rummaged through her desk before pulling out a document.

“When a student’s accomplishments are recognized to the point of becoming Viscount during their enrollment, we have no choice but to make them skip a grade. To put it simply, it’s hard for us to continue treating you as a freshman.”

“...But, I didn’t do anything…”

“It is what it is. After all, there are things we can’t ask of a freshman.”

As I listened to Atalante, I received the document and read it.

It contained rules to be followed when a freshman was promoted to be a second-year student.

“...”

And as soon as I saw this, my face instantly stiffened.

“Becoming a second-year student allows you to participate in an incredibly wide range of events and activities both inside and outside the academy. Among them, there are exchanges with other academies. As such, it seems that the rulers of the continent were eagerly waiting for you to enter the second year.”

I examined the very last item on the document.

Invitation. To the Forge of Struggle. In one week.

“...Also, among them, it seems that the Tribal Alliance, in particular, had a keen interest in you.”

I knew about this event as well.

The ‘Academy Exchange Student’ Event.

After all, this was none other than a prelude to the beginning of Chapter 3.