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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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“There’s no need to dispel the barrier and try to kill me. The explosion will occur even if I die. That’s how it’s designed.”
“I’m going to save you.”
“…Save me?”
Ruin was momentarily taken aback.
She hadn’t planned on surviving.
Therefore, her continued existence here required a highly inefficient series of events.
‘Inefficient,’ in this context, naturally meant an absurd expenditure of knowledge and mana resources.
“Yes. Save you.”
But Jekkiel showed no hesitation, no fear.
He simply believed this was the right course of action.
He had faith that Ruin, too, could be redeemed, that she would eventually aid the key players.
That was all.
“You can live happily.”
“Happy? Happy?”
Ruin laughed, a hollow, disbelieving sound.
Tiny droplets welled in her eyes.
“Happy… happy, you say. I’ve never been happy in my life. You speak so casually.”
“These aren’t casual words.”
He murmured, pouring his focus into dispelling the barrier.
A ludicrous amount of his life force was consumed, but the barrier, fueled by that very life force, began to unravel.
Finally, with a crack, the barrier dissipated.
Constructed entirely of life force, the barrier scattered its energy upon breaking.
Reabsorbing it was a simple matter.
They faced each other, the shimmering crimson curtain no longer a barrier between them.
“……”
Ruin was momentarily startled by the barrier’s disappearance, but she didn’t lose her composure.
It didn’t matter.
The explosive curse was irreversible, and if Jekkiel, driven by impatience, killed her, the explosion would simply trigger on a larger scale.
But then…
Ruin looked at Jekkiel, who was staring intently at her.
His eyes held unwavering conviction.
There seemed to be no room for doubt within him.
He knew the curse was incurable, yet he remained steadfast.
“Well… fine. Try something. I won’t erect another barrier.”
It was a clear provocation.
If Jekkiel killed her, the explosion would be amplified.
That was her aim.
“Hmm.”
Jekkiel studied Ruin, then slowly walked towards her.
Each step was deliberate, unwavering.
It didn’t take long to close the distance.
Jekkiel sighed softly.
He gently took hold of Ruin’s wrist.
She didn’t resist.
Or rather, there was no need to resist.
“Indeed, there’s no way to dispel it.”
“Hah.”
Ruin chuckled at Jekkiel’s words.
A curse even Jekkiel couldn’t dispel.
Which meant her plan would come to fruition, that she would die.
An unfamiliar emotion surged within her.
Perhaps, when faced with death, one becomes more contemplative.
—But then.
Ruin’s body reacted.
“What?”
Her eyes widened.
She quickly circulated her mana, assessing her physical condition.
Thump—!
Her heart beat strongly.
It was an impossible reaction.
It shouldn’t have been possible.
“My… my heart is beating?”
Ruin froze, eyes wide with disbelief.
The moment she had invoked the curse, her heart had ceased functioning.
It had become an organ solely under the curse’s control.
Had the curse been applied improperly?
That was impossible.
A curse either took hold, or it didn’t.
A chill ran down Ruin’s spine as she struggled to understand.
“You underestimated me.”
A voice, like a sudden clap of thunder, struck her ears.
Even now, amidst Ruin’s confusion, his tone remained calm, almost leisurely.
“If it can’t be dispelled, then it doesn’t need to be.”
“……!”
He knew she was startled, yet he seemed unconcerned.
“I’ve taken many things in my life. Things I shouldn’t have.”
He murmured cryptic words, his red eyes fixed on Ruin.
She simply stared back, afraid to comprehend his meaning.
If she did, she knew she would falter.
“But… if I had to choose, this is something I must take. This curse doesn’t suit you. You are a remarkable demon, and a remarkable human.”
Every demon had discriminated against her.
Every human had discriminated against her.
Yet, this being, who had once held the highest position amongst vampires, declared her remarkable.
“What… what are you…”
She tried to pull away, but it was impossible.
Once held, his strength was overwhelming.
So, she could only watch as he performed an unthinkable act.
And when she finally understood what he was doing, she could only cover her mouth with her free hand.
“This… this is a curse…?”
He was transferring the curse into his own body.
His fingernails dug deep into her wrist, deceiving the curse into believing their bodies were one.
This was a feat possible only for a high-ranking vampire.
“I know.”
He replied calmly.
He showed no sign of pain or regret, even as he absorbed the catastrophic curse.
“The moment I touched the barrier, I could have detonated it. But you deliberately allowed me to approach, to think, to speak…”
Their eyes met again.
“…Which means you were hoping for salvation. I will grant it.”
Ruin couldn’t argue.
Tears streamed down her face.
She had, indeed, been hoping for salvation.
“Yes…”
She finally nodded, wiping her tears with her sleeve.
“I didn’t want to live like this. I wanted to be happy. I… I just wanted an ordinary life. The ordinary life everyone else takes for granted… it’s salvation to me… This isn’t fair.”
Words she had never spoken, buried deep within her heart, finally poured out.
“Please… save me.”
Thump— Thump—
And finally, her heart began to beat again.
A testament to her revival, to her salvation.
“It’s done.”
There was no need for a grand speech.
Ruin, given a new life, would hold herself accountable.
Before Ruin could speak, burdened by guilt, Jekkiel patted her back.
“Now then.”
Jekkiel pointed upwards with his index finger.
“Let’s resolve everything.”
Ruin nodded silently.
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The strange entities referred to as ‘ghosts’ were merely illusions Ruin had projected into the minds of the other mages.
In other words, the problem vanished the moment Ruin changed her mind.
It wasn’t a detriment to him.
The explosive curse, if not triggered by Ruin herself, would only detonate upon her death… and he wouldn’t allow that.
When he returned to the hall, most of the mages had already congregated.
They stared at him with a mixture of awe and bewilderment.
Miant, the Head of the Association, approached him, one arm heavily bandaged.
“Professor Adrian. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that is me.”
“There are rumors that you resolved the incident. Is that true?”
The other members of the Association drew closer.
He considered how best to respond, when Demeri and Ruin spoke up.
“I, I saw it! Adrian dispelled the demonic barrier in the basement!”
“That’s right! He took care of the ghosts, too!”
Just then, another member of the Association emerged from the basement and reported to Miant.
“Yes. We confirmed multiple demonic signatures in the basement… and Professor Adrian’s mana signature as well.”
The gazes directed at him shifted.
Most seemed surprised, but they acknowledged his power.
Miant snapped her fingers, amplifying her voice throughout the hall.
“This is Miant, Head of the Association. The unfortunate incident has been resolved, but as a precaution, today’s gathering will be adjourned.”
With that, the mages were dismissed to their quarters.
Miant then approached him.
“And as for you, Adrian… we must offer you compensation. Come with me. Luigh Kiran will show its gratitude.”
There was no reason to refuse compensation.
He followed her silently.
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