Chapter 240

Rize has a truly gentle personality. It’s no wonder she’s praised as a Saint.

However, her gentle demeanor disappears in two situations: the first is when it involves Chaos.

No matter how gentle she is, she has her quirky side as a believer of Chaos. Moreover, she will never forgive blasphemy.

The second situation is when it relates to enemies. Enemies don’t have to be just demons; they can be humans too.

“Don’t ever mention the interrogation room again. If you do, you won’t return in one piece.”

Just like right now. Rize was emanating a rare murderous intent.

Even I, who was right next to her, couldn’t help but feel my knees buckle and tremble a bit.

It reminded me of when I trained with her to control Berserk, similar yet different.

Back then, just like stepping on an ant, I felt a life-threatening moment with a single punch.

But now, as a fellow human, I felt a strong threat that she could tear me apart.

“I’m sorry. I misspoke. But you are just such an intriguing being.”

“You shouldn’t be too curious about Sivar. He may be hated by Gaia, but he’s just an ordinary person.”

I heard this from Luna. Apparently, I’m not of ordinary birth but a descendant of a demon.

I’m a being that shouldn’t exist in this world, yet I’m treated as a human. Instead of being touched, I was more perplexed.

Why does Rize wrap herself around me like this? How long has it been since we met for her to protect me?

Moreover, it seems she has met the original owner of this body. Too many strange parts.

“Ordinary person… I heard you recover quickly from injuries? Isn’t that also a trait of demons…?”

Alexander’s suspicion didn’t cease. As he said, rapid regeneration is indeed a demon characteristic.

For demons, the body is merely a shell to maintain form. A shell to preserve whatever color remains, even if slightly.

Thus, they regenerate to maintain their shape until their mana runs out. Until they see a chance to strike.

“Regeneration…”

Hearing Alexander’s statement, Rize smiled. It was a grin close to what they call a sly smile.

Then she raised her hand and twisted her fingers in an unusual direction.

*Crack!*

And just like that, she broke them. Her index and middle fingers bent in a way that shouldn’t be possible.

It was a sight that made you cringe just to look at. Fingers are among the most sensitive parts for pain.

Yet Rize had a calm expression as if she were used to such pain. Even Alexander was taken aback by this act.

*Crack! Crack!*

Even injuries that would take months to heal ended up recovering in no time.

The bent fingers slowly returned to their place, looking normal as if nothing had happened.

“If this is the case, am I a demon too? Rapid regeneration is indeed a trait of demons, but it’s not exclusive…”

Rize demonstrated her fingers bending and straightening, showing that she was fine.

Sure enough, regeneration isn’t exclusive to demons. In fact, mine had been similar to an ordinary person at first.

Had I not found medicinal herbs after being bitten by a wolf, I would have bled out back then.

Moreover, I was luckily not infected by any bacteria. When I think back to that time, it truly feels like a stroke of fortune.

“Furthermore, followers of Gaia can also use divine spells for rapid healing. How will you explain that?”

“Um… Now that I think about it, that makes sense. I’m sorry. My thoughts were short-sighted.”

“Having curiosity isn’t a sin. It just leads you down dangerous paths.”

It’s practically half blackmail.

Please refrain from being too curious about me. Otherwise, it’ll get dangerous.

With a saint saying that, even Father Alexander couldn’t do much.

Since he came here alone, it’s likely he’s just here to observe.

He probably came just to confirm whether the rumors are true or false. I have ample evidence that I’m not a demon.

‘Although I’m technically a descendant…’

Let’s skip that. It’s a truth I must hide until my death.

The moment this truth spreads, not just Gaia, but countless others will come to hunt me down.

Just then, Alexander asked with a puzzled voice.

“By the way, Saint.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why are you protecting this person?”

That’s something I’m curious about too. Rize shows a strong tendency to care for me.

While others only had counseling levels of interaction, I was actually living with her.

From a third-party perspective, it probably surpassed mere curiosity. Regardless of how disconnected she seems, a saint is still a saint.

“It’s simple. Brother Sivar is the one chosen personally by Lord Chaos.”

“Ah. That explains it.”

Just being a believer of Chaos seemed to suffice. Yet my own doubts still lingered.

Still, it shows how much Rize cherishes believers of Chaos.

‘But why is the Pope…?’

Suddenly, the image of the Pope, who had desperately begged for his life, came to mind. He had shouted that this place was mad and that he needed to escape.

Even the Gaspar priest who rushed to subdue the Pope. It was truly chaotic, yet everyone else treated it as if it were normal.

What sort of circumstances did they have? I had many questions but held them back.

Didn’t Rize just warn me that curiosity could endanger my life?

If I started asking too many questions like a stubborn cat, it would likely put her in an awkward position.

“Then let’s wrap up the story here. Though it’s suspicious, there’s an abundance of evidence that I’m not a demon.”

“What will you report to the higher-ups?”

“I seem to have drawn the ire of Gaia for some reason. Would this suffice?”

“That should be enough.”

I didn’t do anything. If someone’s to hate, it should be me hating them.

Given my origins, it ultimately led to this situation of loathing.

The fact that prayers in the temple haven’t been answered likely stems from this reason.

“Will you be staying here for a while longer?”

“Well, seeing as the situation is what it is, returning to Byzantium wouldn’t lead to anything productive either.”

No, please just go back. It’s overwhelming with you around.

Not to mention there are likely still hunters in the forest. If they realize a hunter is near, it could lead to a tricky situation.

‘Or I might turn the tables on them.’

Hunters are among the best assassins out there.

In a fitting scenario, even Alexander would take a hit in one blow.

It’d instead be better to send them away and block access to the forest.

“Not having anything to do, is it really something Father Alexander should say?”

“I believe the Saint knows well about our circumstances.”

“Knowing or not doesn’t matter. It’s tough to cultivate priests right now, isn’t it?”

“··· ···”

Along with that statement, Rize smiled brightly while Alexander’s expression stiffened.

Hearing that made me blink in confusion. They couldn’t cultivate priests?

Originally, there is a method of nurturing to become a follower of Gaia in the Soul World. It’s a late-game cultivation method.

But for that path to be blocked? That seems too bizarre. There could be cases of lacking talent, but the nurturing itself shouldn’t be obstructed.

“······If I may, there’s an outsider right next to us. Please be careful with your words.”

“Brother Sivar is fine. He’s not interested in that part, so he’ll forget quickly.”

“Ah, come to think of it…”

Alexander glanced at me. It seemed he recalled my background.

I did grow up in the forest. But I’m not foolish.

I know enough to not just let that slip by.

“When did this start?”

“I can’t tell you exactly, but I’ll say it’s been ongoing for a while.”

From what I can gather, something’s definitely amiss on Gaia’s side. I don’t know the specifics.

Fortunately, Erica had believed in Gaia since childhood, so she’s fine, but after her, it’s not the same.

Luckily, aside from Erica, no other priests come to mind.

‘Moreover, Luna certainly wouldn’t start believing in Gaia.’

Being a priest is already a tough path to follow. Yet now it’s become even harder to the point of being outright blocked.

Not to mention, Luna was too busy improving her basic techniques to care about being a priest.

‘Could it be that Gaia didn’t choose not to answer, but couldn’t?’

That’s a quite plausible idea. Gulrak could at least drop lightning or send a messenger.

However, Gaia did none of that. Sticking with only silence, even curses didn’t faze her.

Everything I knew has suddenly shifted. How did this turn of events happen? It’s quite difficult to grasp.

‘If I think it through…’

The very existence of this body is puzzling too. In the Soul World, my existence here was treated as nonexistent.

But abruptly barging in seems to have created this situation. I think I need to ponder this part slowly.

“Anyway, that’s all I can share.”

“Thank you. Will you be heading back right away?”

“As stated earlier, I wouldn’t have anything to do even if I went back.”

As Alexander spoke, he smiled brightly. It didn’t bother me as long as he just smiled, but his gaze turned toward me.

In a moment of inexplicable anxiety, my body went tense when Alexander spoke.

“Speaking of which, you mentioned you have the favor of Lord Chaos and Lord Gulrak?”

“Gulrak is not involved.”

Gulrak treats me like a fool. He drops lightning on me whenever he’s bored.

Either way, Alexander kept his smile while correcting me.

“It should be Lord Gulrak, not just Gulrak.”

“Okay.”

“How about showing some faith in Lady Gaia while you’re at it?”

I answered immediately.

“Nope.”

For everything else, I could accept, but I absolutely didn’t want to believe in Gaia.

Her divine power did more harm than good to me, so why would I choose to believe?

“I hate Gaia.”

“··· ···”

Father Alexander’s kind smile warped.

*****

Father Alexander decided to stay at the Academy for a while longer.

Actually, it was more of a “what the heck, why go back?” kind of stay for just one night.

The situation was resolved better than expected, and now it was just a matter of attending classes until the final exam.

‘What was the final exam about again?’

The professors were slowly figuring out how to handle me. They were quite capable in various ways.

Thinking that to myself, I headed back to the dormitory. By now, Grace should have returned from class.

‘Ah, was she supposed to be with Godin today?’

I heard they would be doing research together until late in the evening.

That doesn’t mean they would be alone. Jane, who was treated as a graduate student, would probably be with them as well.

So there’s a high chance that I won’t see them until late evening. I opened the door wide, thinking so.

*Click!*

“Huh?”

“······?”

But as I opened the door, an unexpected scene unfolded before my eyes.

Why are Danyerin and Lee Yeon-joo in a dormitory where no one should be?

And why are they tangled up with each other? Furthermore, Lee Yeon-joo was holding a tiny dagger in her hand.

In this oddly silent situation, I blinked and looked back at the door. I needed to check the room number.

“Ah.”

I must have opened the wrong door without realizing it.

But anyway…

“What are you two doing?”

“··· ···”

“Wrestling?”

“Shut up and help me.”

Hearing Danyerin’s words, I immediately approached them.

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