Chapter 264
Chapter 264 . You Cannot Escape from the Saintess (4)
Chapter 264 . You Cannot Escape from the Saintess (4)
Ciara blinked with a confused expression . I could call it cute, but because of my aversion towards her, she only looked hateful no matter what she did . However, now was the time to set aside my feelings . I let out a dry cough and continued .
“I already told you . What was the reason I needed your help?”
[Because enemies that could nullify the dungeon’s power appeared… right?”
“Yeah . ”
[And that’s why Hero-nim called me . To read their movements and prepare beforehand . ]
“Right . ”
[Then for me to get stronger, shouldn’t I…]
“No, no . ”
I shook my head . Of course, Sherafina told me I needed to make Ciara a dungeon explorer . However, that’s because Sherafina didn’t know about Lespina .
The Dungeon Lord wasn’t a god . She wasn’t omnipotent, nor was she omniscient . Her suggestion was reasonable, but not in this case . Against enemies that could ignore the dungeon’s power, how could we fight them with the dungeon’s power? That was partly why I gave up on grinding stats! Easily raised levels from the dungeon? They were different . Rather than the sweet fruit given as a reward for completing the dungeon’s tests, I wanted the tests themselves .
For this reason, climbing the dungeon was beneficial for combat type ability users . There was a huge difference between those who experienced combat and those who didn’t . Those who won against powerful enemies gained experience different from the levels the dungeon gave . I considered this another aspect of one’s league . I believed that this was also the reason so many gods had their eyes out for me .
However, Ciara was different . She was frail . Most likely, the limit of her physical strength was picking up a knife and a fork . Her underdeveloped body could be easily seen from the outside . Although she carried a special and boundless mana, she could only use it when she used her ability . Most of the time, it was just leaking out of her body . Her mana wasn’t being used . Setting aside her talent for magic, she had never even wielded her mana .
Even she entered the dungeon, what could she do? Of course, if I paired her with another ability user, it would be possible to make her stronger . During that process, Sherafina would most likely read Ciara’s ability and help her develop it . However, as I said before, such an ability was useless in front of enemies like Lespina . It might not even activate properly .
“How much did your ability grow?”
[The range increased by another 20km radius . ]
“So it’s still growing?”
[Yes, Hero-nim . My ability gets stronger the more I use it . I don’t know the origin of it, though . ]
“Good, then I have an idea . ”
When I felt confident I could develop her ability, I took out a piece of paper . It was a Soul Contract .
[I can feel an amazing power from it… and an ominous aura . ]
“Yeah . I can’t trust you so easily, so it’s a failsafe method…”
At that moment, I hesitated . Then, I fell in thought . Ciara couldn’t see with her eyes, but she realized what I was doing and turned to face me . I could call her action admirable, but because of my aversion towards her… The rest didn’t need to be said .
I asked .
“Why do you like me?”
[Because it’s my fate!]
I hate… No, endure it .
“What I said before, can you do it?”
[I don’t think it’s very efficient . If Hero-nim allows it, I’ll look for another method . There’s a lot to be prepared for the world Hero-nim will rule!]
“Can you still do that after cutting ties with your family?”
[It’ll be slightly more difficult, but I can do it! As long as I have the authority to grant abilities, I can coerce ability users to… Ehem . In any case, it’s possible!]
“Rejected . ”
[Uuu… Okay . ]
“I’m going to put an observer on you . Is that fine?”
She did not give an immediate answer . She then tilted her head and asked .
[The object Hero-nim took out can restrain my actions, correct?]
“Right . It can even restrain the way you think . It’s a scary object . ”
[Then why would Hero-nim not use it and put an observer on me instead?]
It was a fair question . Did I feel bad about using the Soul Contract on Ciara? Not in the slightest . I had already used Soul Contracts on many people . As long as the contract’s terms were kept, a Soul Contract was nothing more than a piece of paper, something that didn’t pose much danger . If the target was Ciara, I didn’t really need to hesitate .
Even so, this was the decision I came to .
“No, I thought I shouldn’t continue using Soul Contracts on my allies . ”
[I’m touched, Hero-nim! I finally became Hero-nim’s woman! Aaah, I’m so happy!]
“Don’t change the topic . ”
Ciara was trembling from elation . Although seeing her gave me the chills, I knew I could restrain her even without using a Soul Contract .
The reason was simple . She… Kuhum, she liked me way too much . In the end, her every action was for my benefit . She accepted any sacrifice and justified any action if it was in my favor . That’s why I didn’t want to be involved with her . I was afraid she would do something I couldn’t control .
However, that wasn’t the case now . I had more than enough power to control her actions . There was a reason to be afraid . Moreover, rather than avoiding what I feared and ignoring it, I knew it was better to keep it next to me and watch over it . This was the decision I came to after analyzing the data collected by the succubi’s investigation .
“I’ll say it again, get rid of the organization you’ve been forming . ”
[An enormous amount of money and manpower have already been used . I’m sure it will be of great help to Hero-nim’s future!]
“I don’t need it . Get rid of it . Or, you can just give it to your family and tell them to do what they want with it . ”
As I said that, I thought for a moment . The Kenex family would undoubtedly oppose me taking Ciara away . A tiny clash might happen in the process… and I can use this chance to get rid of this organization . Yep, that sounded like a good plan .
In any case, Ciara’s answer was interesting .
[Yes! Then I’ll make it so that we can regain control over them at any time!]
“That won’t be needed . I already obtained everything I wanted . Including you . ”
[… Yes . ]
For some reason, Ciara twisted her body and blushed . I pondered which part of my statement caused her to act so annoyingly, but since I wasn’t really interested in her, I just ignored it .
I put away the Soul Contract and thought how this was a good opportunity .
Some of Revival’s members were still collared . Ilayda Van and Laz Michel… They were trustworthy people, but I wanted to watch over them for a little bit longer . However, Leon, Walker, and Sophie were already on Revival’s boat and couldn’t get off . Even setting that aside, I already knew what kind of people they were . Soul Contracts weren’t needed . Putting collars on their necks was nothing less than an insult . I decided to get rid of them .
Walker might curse me and attack the moment he was freed from his Soul Contract, but getting hit once wouldn’t be so bad . I could always return it a hundredfold too .
[Hero-nim, what are you thinking about? I want to hear it too!]
“No . In any case, from this moment on, you’re a member of Revival . Though, you won’t enter the dungeon . ”
[A secret agent? Just for Hero-nim!?]
“… Well, let’s call it a secret agent for Earth . ”
I made a bitter smile and nodded . Then, I continued .
“I’ll be the one training you . Hwaya will also help . The two of us are skilled with handling mana, and it’ll help you develop your ability . ”
[Hero-nim’s training… Can I go outside and calm myself from this excitement?]
“No . Don’t be excited . Don’t calm yourself down . Hwaya will be there too . Got it? Hwaya will be there! Don’t forget that!”
[I wish only Hero-nim was there…]
Just what did this girl eat to be so extreme at just thirteen-years-old!? I needed to hear the Kenex family’s education policy . Then, I’ll make everyone kneel and apologize .
“First, let’s open your eyes and mouth . It’s not my style to work people without properly reimbursing them . ”
Except for Walker .
[Mm… This might be rude, Hero-nim, but can I say something?]
Ciara made a sorrowful expression that I’d never seen before as she shook her head .
[It’s not that I want to doubt Hero-nim’s words, but I’ve never been able to fix this disability I was born with . ]
“Maybe you’ve only met bad doctors . ”
[It was impossible with modern medicine . Even though mana stones and monster remains brought huge advancement in medicine and science, it wasn’t enough to fix my eyes . It was the same for my mouth . They said that something unapproachable by science was blocking me . Something like a curse . ]
“So?”
[The Kenex family and I tried mobilizing all healing ability users . The Kenex family is larger than what Hero-nim thinks . All healing ability users on Earth tried to cure me . One of them was Miss Ilayda Van, who is currently in Revival . No one could recover my sight, nor my voice . Although Miss Palludia wasn’t one of them, I don’t think she’ll be different . ]
“Mm, yeah, Ludia’s power might not be enough . ”
I shrugged .
“But I’m different . ”
[Of course, I have the greatest faith in Hero-nim’s power! But Hero-nim, I don’t want to be disappointed at Hero-nim . I don’t want to be disappointed in myself, who is disappointed in Hero-nim . I’m happy as I am now . It’s fine . ]
Ciara’s attitude was clearly unnatural . She was shaking her head like she was afraid of something . I had some doubts, then I remembered something obvious .
She was only thirteen .
She was smart and headstrong for her age, so I never considered her to be a thirteen-year-old . Right . She was young . The time she had might have been too short for her to naturally accept her disability .
From the day she was born, she couldn’t see, hear, nor talk . It seemed she accepted her disability as a payment for becoming an ability user . She acted proudly, and she never doubted her actions . Since she paid such a great price when she was born, she had no qualms about using the power she had . A saintess chosen by God… It made sense that that’s how she viewed herself .
Even so, it was hard to say she overcame her disability . In fact, her actions showed how much of a complex she had towards her disability . Her current reaction proved this theory completely .
I became disappointed in myself . I knew that at the basis of her blind actions was her disability, but I had been carrying hostility towards her all this time .
I was rather proud of my ability to see through people for my age, but it seemed it was just a rookie’s folly . I still had much more to learn in this regard . Who was I to judge people and hate them? I was only twenty two! It was good that I realized it now . Even if I didn’t want to, my position required me to think and act this way .
Some of her actions were certainly unforgivable . She committed a crime that couldn’t be justified in any way . I felt that her way of thinking wouldn’t change, and so accepted my decision to restrain her actions . No matter how much good she did, since she would never repent for her sins, she would forever remain a sinner, and I would forever hate her . That’s what I had thought .
Now, however, I felt like I saw a tiny potential . A way to open her heart, which, in some way, could never ben opened or changed . Making her realize her faults and making her act on her own volition rather than for me .
Since I planned to do it anyways, there was no need to hesitate . I took out an Elixir from my inventory .
[This is…?]
“Ah, this won’t be enough . It’s a miraculous medicine, but it’s still a bit lacking to resolve your curse . It would be a waste to use two, so I’m only going to use one . ”
I gave her a short reply and took a breath . After looking around, I nodded and muttered .
“Overlord . ”
In an instant, the power of Enigma enveloped me . It automatically split itself for offense and defense, then followed the path of Peruta Circuit to circulate around my body . I grabbed this mana of Enigma mid-path .
[Hero-nim, what… what an amazing power . I can’t see you . Are you really there?]
“I’ll let you see with your own eyes soon . ”
I grinned and focused entirely on the Elixir in my hand . I had considered it for a long time . Strengthening items with Enigma’s power .
It wasn’t impossible . At this moment, Enigma was mine . If I couldn’t use it as I wanted, how could I call myself its master? As if to prove this, Enigma’s mana followed my control, thoroughly entering the bottle of Elixir . Ciara, who couldn’t see, only trembled at the energy she felt .
“Done . ”
[What… What do I need to do, Hero-nim?]
Ciara’s voice was shaking . I smirked and grabbed her tightly clenched fist . After opening it slowly, I put the bottle of Elixir on her hand . Then, she grabbed it carefully, afraid it would break .
“Just drink it . ”
Finally, I controlled Enigma to open the bottle . With trembling hands, Ciara put the Elixir on her mouth . Then, she drank it all in one go . She didn’t doubt in the slightest . Her affection again gave me the chills . When she opened her eyes and saw me, would she see how I was different from her image, become disillusioned and lose her affection for me? Oh, please! Let that be the case! For a moment, I had a wishful dream .
Then, as if how she couldn’t open her eyes was a lie, she opened her eyes too naturally .
“Ah, aaah…”
“Ciara, you…”
The moment I saw her eyes, I realized why such a great curse was placed on her .
“Hero… nim…”
Large black irises that were as clear as the starry sky and a white cross clearly inscribed in each eye .
She was the only innate Evil Eyes holder birthed by Earth .
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