Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 70

After that, Michelle and I traveled together, helped save the ruling family of Viscount Riofendarl’s domain during a stampede, and settled in that city.

I became engaged to the viscount’s daughter, dedicated myself to improving the city, was deceived and left wandering the abyss, somehow made it back, suppressed another stampede, condemned my treacherous former fiancée, and then became engaged once more—to her younger sister.

And now, I had become Count Werdeen, favored by His Majesty the King.

“You’ve always had a tendency to summarize things far too abruptly, but it’s good to see you well.”

“It has been a long time, Your Majesty. And you as well, Crown Prince Lienfeld.”

“Indeed. I must apologize for what happened in Meldor’s capital. To think I would be manipulated so easily… it was entirely my failure.”

His Majesty had aged slightly but still looked well.

His expression was severe, but his gaze remained as warm as ever.

At the royal capital’s ceremony, I had sensed that something was off, and now I understood—Lienfeld had been under Disemna’s control.

It was shocking that Disemna had been able to possess someone of Melvina’s bloodline, one of those who had once sealed it away.

However, it seemed he had been cornered into a situation where he had no choice but to wear a cursed magical artifact.

“Lax, I understand that this involves both your former and current fiancées, which may not be a pleasant topic for you…”

“It’s fine. My priority is protecting my fiancée—Shifa. Please, go on.”

Even though it was just a small gesture, the fact that His Majesty considered my feelings reminded me of his kindness.

“I have already explained this to Lienfeld, but I believe they intend to use the corpse of the deceased daughter of House Riofendarl to create the ‘Doll’ as a vessel. That way, they can deceive the ‘Seeker’ and those searching for Disemna. At the very least, it may mask the demonic presence.”

“I see.”

His Majesty’s explanation was more grotesque than I had imagined.

The thought made me sick.

Eranda, whom we had sent off with dignity, might be returned to us—but as something entirely different.

Not as herself.

As Disemna.

The moment I found it, I would destroy it immediately.

I could not let Shifa see something like that.

She would surely be tormented by the sight.

“To desecrate the dead… What could possibly justify such an atrocity?”

While I hardened my resolve, Michelle’s voice was filled with open disgust.

That was the normal reaction.

“It relates to how the Abyssal Demon was originally sealed.”

His Majesty continued.

“The ‘Dancer’ lured it in, the ‘Doll’ and the ‘Seeker’ tracked it down, the ‘Warrior,’ ‘Mage,’ and ‘Guardian’ fought it, and the ‘Sage’ sealed it away. That power must be gathered again. But this time, the demon intends to disrupt our forces before they can unite. Eranda was the ‘Doll,’ and Lax’s fiancée is likely the ‘Seeker.’ It wants to interfere with our preparations.”

His Majesty’s face darkened as he laid out the plan.

From the demon’s perspective, it was a logical move.

But to humans, it was utterly repulsive.

“I hate to rely on you, Lax, but if we leave it unchecked, this demon will inevitably threaten not only the people but also us—including you and your loved ones. I ask you to fight alongside us.”

“I understand. I have no reason to forgive that demon. If it were merely escaping to some far-off place, I could let it be. But if it intends to remain close and continue causing harm, then I will hunt it down.”

It was clear now—our objectives aligned.

That was why they had welcomed me back so readily.

“Melvina had both direct and indirect allies. Three of them were her direct companions—those who fought the demon. The other three supported them from the shadows, searching for Disemna and drawing its attention away. We need to gather all of them. Until now, we have kept this hidden to avoid alerting the demon, but we are nearly there.”

His Majesty’s voice was filled with conviction.

This was no longer a time for secrecy.

“Melvina did not want her allies to be targeted, so she set a grand scheme into motion. Ever since, we have followed that plan, allowing us to close in on the demon without actively searching for it. But in the end, the trap failed to catch its prey.”

“I’m sorry.”

“There is no need to apologize. It was inevitable. The strategy allowed us to approach it without fully realizing it ourselves, but it was not designed to erase intent entirely. Since the first plan failed, we must now move forward with the next—gathering the six individuals once more to confront Disemna.”

“I believe we have already identified a few of them. Michelle, you must be the ‘Guardian.'”

“…!?”

His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and Michelle all looked equally shocked.

…Wait, was I wrong?

I had been certain.

“Am I mistaken?”

“No, we do not know for certain. What exactly does the ‘Guardian’ do? Is there some kind of mark or proof of it?”

“Hmm… Maybe it’s a skill?”

“A skill, huh…? I don’t think I have anything particularly rare, though.”

“Let’s go see the dungeon administrator together sometime.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. We don’t have time to wait around for you to figure it out on your own. We’ll go together and have them check your skills. Shifa too… and maybe Melia?”

“Them as well?”

“Yeah. Based on what we’ve discussed, Shifa is most likely the ‘Seeker.’ Claire too… and that means Melia is suspicious as well. She may have some hidden ability, and we might have all gathered here unconsciously because of it.”

“Got it.”

And so, our search for allies—or rather, confirming who our allies were—had begun.