Chapter 53

Clack.

Sir Beatrix set down the wine glass she had been gulping from onto the table.

“…And that concludes my tale.”

“Ah, just when it was getting interesting too!”

“Just when it was getting interesting…?”

“How you wandered, how you screamed, how desperate you were – more details on those would have made the story much richer.”

“You have strange tastes.”

The rather long story had come to an end. Who would’ve thought there was such a backstory behind Beatrix making a contract with a demon. Thanks to this, I got to enjoy some wine going down my throat for the first time in ages.

How long has it been since wine tasted so sweet? The sensation of my tongue being stimulated feels unfamiliar. At the same time, it feels good. A spicy aroma fills my nostrils. The buzz is spreading warmly.

It’s because I heard an entertaining story. A tale of someone who seemed virtuous but drifted apart due to misunderstandings and distance – a story so common and predictable. Yet, it’s always enjoyable to listen to.

Of course, I wasn’t just passively listening like some foreign language listening test at Eden Academy.

I was concentrating hard on finding the “weak points” Beatrix is hiding, even if she herself doesn’t realize them.

And finally, I figured it out. The true nature of the hidden desires within Beatrix Constantinople. Heheh. Right now, I’m busy planning a grand show in my head. Another fantastic magician’s show.

Listening to others’ stories truly is fun. The interweaving of human affairs and world events, those waves upon waves of always thrilling tales, are extremely pleasurable to me.

“Huff… Anyway, great story! Sharing life stories over drinks with a ladylike beauty like you really enhances the flavor! Let’s open another bottle! Haha!”

Moreover, I learned unexpected information. Even the identity of the demon Beatrix made a contract with.

The Great Demon Lucifer.

Once the most superior angel, but fell after rebelling against the Supreme God in ancient times.

Fought against Archangel Uriel in the Holy-Demon War, and among the Seven Great Demons, holds the highest position.

He’s also one of my ancestors. Naturally, he’s my ancestor. The way he sent someone spiraling down is quite satisfying. Though, I must admit, there was a slight tinge of regret.

Gulp.

“Hmm…”

While pouring the remaining wine into her mouth, Beatrix parted her plump lips. Her eyes glimmered with a red light.

“Who might you be?”

“Huh?”

“Who are you people?”

“Wait, what? Did her calm voice just drop suspiciously low? Is this my imagination?”

No way. Beatrix’s slender hand moves to the hilt of the Greatsword standing beside her. It’s the same Greatsword she was carefully polishing this afternoon when I was eavesdropping.

“What do you mean by that? Haha.”

“Don’t play dumb, demon.”

“Wha?”

“I’ve been a Holy Knight for over ten years before even entering the Demon Forest four years ago. Do you take me for a fool who can’t recognize a demon?”

“Uh… Not a fool then? Someone who sinned against their father through deception by a demon.”

“You!”

Beatrix voices her anger as if offended. Her gaze filled with hostility locks onto me. Hmm, gotta be careful with my words here.

“Aha! But don’t worry, I’m not a demon! There’s a clear difference between demons and devilkin!”

“Your tone has changed. That’s your true self then?”

“Well? People, whether human or devilkin, can’t live showing only one face, right? Just like someone can be a strict boss to one person and a kind father to another, I can be a busybody sometimes and other times like this!”

“So, what are you now?”

“A clown! Or perhaps a director casting actors! You could call me Director!”

Smooth-talking works best when dealing with hostility. Show a bit of looseness, let your guard down a little, and it’ll work.

“You talk like a snake. Lucifer was the same.”

Swish.

But it seems it doesn’t work on Beatrix, who already tangled with my ancestor once. The tip of Beatrix’s sword points at me. The refined killing intent pierces my chest.

Should I wake Aru up now and run away or team up?

…No, if Beatrix truly wanted to kill me, I wouldn’t still be alive. The fact that I’m still breathing proves there’s a reason for me to live.

“Whoa, whoa, calm down. You shouldn’t recklessly brandish such a hideous weapon.”

“Shut up and answer.”

“To what?”

“The purpose of seeking me out. Didn’t you already know about me from the start?”

Changing from honorifics to commands makes her seem like a different person. She’s become sharp enough to grate on you.

“Actually, I have a question first.”

“Answer my question first…”

“Why did you accept Aru and me?”

“…”

“From the beginning, you knew we were devilkin, you noticed our lies, yet you accepted us? Isn’t that a bit strange? What if we attacked you?”

“…”

“Oh… So you were hoping for that. You wanted us to end your painful immortal life, didn’t you? Am I right?”

“T-That’s not…”

“Heh heh, that could be. It’s entirely possible. Your current state, Sir Beatrix, isn’t abnormal. You know why people commit suicide?”

At my cutting words, Beatrix’s brown eyes waver. Those upright and steadfast eyes, tainted by the demon Lucifer and lost their vitality, aren’t pleasant to look at.

Dying is boring. Whether human, devilkin, or beast. An absolute truth I realized after massacres in my previous life.

“When life becomes more painful than death. When tomorrow becomes scarier than dying. That’s when people choose suicide. Like Sir Beatrix now.”

“…What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Ultimately, everything will be fine once Sir Beatrix decides to live! You won’t feel despair anymore, you can give Lucifer a taste of his own medicine, and fully enjoy your infinite immortality – it’s a win-win situation!”

“Is that something you think possible? After hearing my past. I am someone incapable of happiness.”

“That remains to be seen! I’m a clown, director, and magician! What is a magician? A profession that creates miracles! I’ll help you regain the meaning of life, I swear on the honor of a magician!”

Confidently boasting while sneakily checking Beatrix’s reaction.

Beatrix’s expression was complicated. A faint hope of regaining happiness, the guilt of killing her father binding her, doubt about falling for someone else’s sweet talk again…

It must be confusing. If a random devilkin suddenly declared “I’ll help you regain the meaning of life!” to you, even a saint would ask what nonsense they’re spouting.

“Trust me. You did well during your Holy Knight days, didn’t you? Under the name of ‘faith’. Just change the target, it’s that easy! Simply believe and I’ll help you find the meaning of life! Ah, such a generous event won’t come around twice in a lifetime!”

“I don’t understand…”

“Why?”

“What benefit do you get… doing such troublesome things?”

The fact that she asked back without realizing I led her to do so shows what a perceptive Holy Knight she is.

“Does a dog chasing a butterfly have a reason?”

“Is that supposed to be a metaphor?”

“If you live calculating only gains and losses, why even live? You should do what you want, live as you please. Right now, I want to help Sir Beatrix regain the meaning of life. Why? Because it looks cool! Watching someone struggle to live despite everything! Realizing their hidden desires and pursuing them openly! That’s what I want to see!”

Incidentally, recruiting Beatrix as my assistant. But I shouldn’t say that yet.

“Hmm…”

Thud.

Snap.

Collapsing back into the chair, Beatrix leans her Greatsword against the wall and presses her forehead with a tired expression.

Tap, tap, tap, tap. Beatrix’s index finger taps the table. She seemed deep in thought.

About five minutes passed, sweat trickled cold down my back unsure if my eloquence worked, when Beatrix finally spoke after deep consideration.

“Perhaps I was rude earlier.”

Returning to formal honorifics.

“Huh?”

“Let me properly introduce myself. I am Beatrix Constantinople. Former Holy Knight of the Holy Order.”

“Wow, good introduction! My turn then?”

Beatrix briefly nodded in response to my question. I extended my hand wearing soft white Arachne gloves, palm facing down.

“I’m a traveling magician named Oscar!”

“Oscar is your full name? What about your surname?”

“Where’s the fun in knowing everything from the start? Isn’t there charm in gradually learning?”

“But earlier you introduced yourself as human Oscar, and told that tragic story about being a country boy then a city miner?”

“Calling it a lie sounds bad. It’s more like ‘kabuki’.”

“Hmph… Well, I knew your words were lies from the start. That’s why I don’t particularly trust what you say now. By the way…”

My surname is Lucifer, how could I tell you that? Beatrix who harbors deep resentment towards Lucifer would surely try to kill me.

Without pressing further on my surname, Beatrix asked something else instead.

“Exactly how do you plan to give me the meaning of life?”

Ah, that’s what you’re most curious about, isn’t it?

I whispered close to Beatrix’s lips, bringing together my index and middle fingers.

“It’s late today, so I’ll tell you tomorrow. Sir Beatrix.”

I need time to prepare the stage too.

Miracles don’t just happen. They don’t randomly appear just because you wish for them absentmindedly.

“I’m not expecting much… If it doesn’t work, just kill me. I want revenge on Lucifer, but I have no attachment to living.”

“Sure thing.”

That’s right, don’t expect anything.

The less expected a performance is, the greater the pleasure of watching it grows.

***

Beatrix gave Aru and me a room to stay in. After throwing the completely drunk Aru onto the floor, I climbed onto the bed.

Then I slowly took out the rosary that had cooled down from my pocket.

Beatrix’s story was long. Starting in the evening, her story ended past midnight, and it was time for the rosary’s cooldown period to communicate with the Saintess.

“Tel.”

Even if I communicate with the Saintess tonight, I won’t be able to tomorrow.

Since tomorrow is going to be very busy anyway, it’s better to do it tonight.

“Mm… Mr. Joker?”

After waiting about ten seconds, the Saintess’s sleepy voice came through the rosary. I covered the rosary and myself with blankets to prevent sound from leaking out.

“Saintess, were you sleeping?”

“It’s fine. Please speak.”

“Good to hear. I met Beatrix earlier, but I probably won’t have time to talk tomorrow, so I’ll communicate now.”

“Yes, I’m fine with that.”

Afterwards, I told the Saintess about Beatrix Constantinople’s past. Summarizing as much as possible due to lack of time.

“Mm… Such a pitiful background story.”

“Right? I didn’t expect there to be such a backstory behind making a contract with a demon.”

“Since Great Demon Lucifer was involved… Mr. Joker, are you sure about this matter? Lucifer is a dangerous being. Meddling with his contractor might bring unnecessary trouble…”

“I’ve considered everything. Saintess, you don’t need to worry.”

Even after summarizing so much, the communication time was almost up. I managed to convey today’s harvest, but the real reason I contacted the Saintess was to ask a question that came to mind after hearing Beatrix’s story.

“Saintess, I have a question.”

“Please speak.”

“The war between the Holy Kingdom and the Titan Kingdom… Of course there were many reasons, but the biggest one was the difference in ideology, right? The Titan Kingdom believing in Olympian gods and the Holy Order believing in the Lord and Messiah having different ideologies?”

“That’s correct.”

“Typically, people who believe in religion often label those who believe differently as heretics and ostracize and oppress them, right?”

So…

“I’m curious about your thoughts on this, Saintess of the Holy Order.”

I can’t imagine the compassionate Saintess behaving like typical religious zealots.

How does the Saintess react to heresy? Curious about this, I asked, and after a brief silence, the Saintess answered.

“To be honest, it would be a lie to say it’s not awkward.”

“Really?”

“Our Order’s doctrine states that God is only the Lord. Other so-called gods are merely beings that feed on human faith.”

“Hmm.”

“But…”

The Saintess speaks with firm resolve.

“The Lord commanded us to love our enemies.”

“Hehe.”

“Regardless of differences in religious ideology, responding with violence and threats is wrong. That is true disrespect and betrayal.”

“Very Saintess-like words.”

In short, no matter how much others condemn her, she will silently love them. It’s a good statement. Even if it’s just pretense, I like the Saintess’s words and actions. I know they come from pure sincerity without a speck of dust.

“Today I heard another good saying.”

“Did my answer satisfy your question?”

“Yeah, it was great. Time’s almost up. I’ll disconnect now.”

“Just a moment! Mr. Joker!”

“Huh? What is it?”

The Saintess urgently calls out to me. Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?

Ah, is she asking for ‘that’?

“Almost forgot. Saintess, I love you.”

“I love you too, always.”

This line can’t be missed. Especially for the Saintess who waits anxiously for my communication magic while nailed to the cross.

---