LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 23
“This shard, it was something the child I helped a few days ago was holding…”“What?”At Elsez’s words, both Cassian and Astaire looked at her simultaneously.“You mean that kid who ran into the Ones gang?”“Yes. This was inside the box the child was holding.”“Do you remember the kid’s face?”“Vaguely.”Elsez carefully examined the shard in Cassian’s hand.‘It feels like I’ve seen this before.’It was a sharp fragment, as if crafted from the darkest black in the world. Just looking at it radiated a sinister aura.Elsez turned to Astaire and asked,“What exactly is this shard?”“This used to be a dimensional fragment, originally existing within the dimensional rift. It wasn’t black like this but clear and transparent.”Elsez remembered seeing dimensional fragments a few times back when she was Ruel.No wonder it seemed familiar. Though the color had changed, the shard’s shape was indeed similar to what she remembered.Astaire took out a parchment from his inner pocket and showed it to Elsez.The symbols drawn on it were identical to the magic circle Elsez had discovered the previous day.“This is the magic circle you saw, correct?”“Yes.”“It’s a black magic circle that manipulates space and time. Someone used this shard as a medium for dark magic to open a dimensional rift. That’s why it’s turned black.”“Why would someone do that?”Even though Elsez already had a guess, she still asked, hoping her assumption was wrong.Astaire’s voice grew colder as he answered,“To resurrect the Demon God.”Elsez’s eyes wavered at his words.The Demon God was already resurrected. She herself was the proof.“The Demon God gains strength from mana of other realms. Every time a dimensional rift opens, he grows stronger since it lets that foreign mana flow into this world.”“……”“That power source is why they’re trying to bring him back.”Elsez swallowed hard.‘A demon cult without a demon, huh…?’She didn’t know who was trying to resurrect the Demon God without realizing he was already back. But one thing was certain:The more they stirred up trouble, the stronger the Demon God’s power would become, shortening the time she could remain undetected.“There have been two other similar incidents recently. The temple wanted to alert the public and urge caution, but the imperial family refused, saying they couldn’t spread fear over something uncertain.”Astaire’s additional explanation made both Elsez and Cassian frown.The imperial family had always been like that.Even when dimensional rifts appeared all over and monsters attacked nearby villages, they were more concerned with protecting their wealth than their people.“From what we’ve gathered so far, it seems this isn’t the work of a single individual but an entire group.”“The child I mentioned… Is he part of that group?”“Most likely.”Astaire nodded, continuing,“Since this involves potential conflicts with the imperial family, we’re investigating in secret. But I need someone to assist with the case…”Astaire trailed off, his gaze shifting toward Elsez.“Would you be willing to help us with this, miss?”“M-me?”Elsez blinked, eyes wide in surprise at Astaire’s unexpected proposal.‘Why would he trust me so easily? This is such a sensitive matter, yet he’s just… asking me?’She hadn’t even known him for long. And now he was asking her to assist with a classified investigation?‘Could he have sensed the Demon God’s power in me and wants to keep me close…?’But his gentle, smiling expression didn’t seem to hide any ulterior motives.While Elsez tried to figure out his true intentions, Cassian stepped in, objecting.“Why her? What makes you think she’s suited for something this important?”“I’m trusting your judgment, perhaps?”“Then I’ll do it. If I step in, I’ll crush that group in no time—”“Exactly why you can’t. You’re too aggressive, and more importantly, your face is too well-known.”Astaire, ever the kind cardinal to everyone, delivered the sharp remark with a smile.Elsez flinched at their exchange.‘If we’re talking about public figures, I’m technically famous too, being Tezette’s fiancée…’For now, she decided to stay quiet.Cassian, unable to argue with Astaire’s logic, eventually relented with a sigh.“Fine, but take someone else. She just joined the guild. You can’t put a rookie in such danger.”Astaire gave him a long look before replying.“I already told you, this mission needs to be as discreet as possible. We can’t involve more people.”“……”“And besides, it’s not like we’re at the point of direct confrontation yet, so it won’t be that dangerous.”“But—”“This isn’t our decision to make, Cassian. The important thing is her choice.”Astaire’s gaze shifted back to Elsez, and Cassian reluctantly followed suit, both waiting for her answer.“What do you think?”Elsez looked between the two men, both clearly expecting a response.‘Ugh, why does it feel like I’m choosing between them?’But since this was clearly related to the Demon God, her choice was already made.“I’ll do it.” **** Cassian stared at Astaire, who sat across from him with a sullen expression.The chosen one was leisurely sipping his tea with a calm face.“Then let’s do this. If I successfully complete the quest I was given, I’ll take on this task too.”That was how Elsez ended up accepting the Mamarung quest and heading into the forest.Cassian couldn’t shake the feeling that he had somehow been caught up in the pace set by Astaire and Elsez. But since it was Elsez’s choice, there wasn’t much he could do about it.Unable to hide his displeasure, Cassian openly showed his irritation to the person before him, effectively dismissing him.“If you’re done here, leave. Stop being a nuisance.”“There’s something I haven’t told you yet.”Cassian gave Astaire a bored look.Astaire set down his teacup and finally spoke.“The truth is, the Demon God has already been resurrected.”“What?”Cassian, who had been lounging with his chin resting on his hand, immediately sat up straight.“You’re joking, right?”“I wish I were.”“That’s impossible. Do you know how hard we fought to take him down?”At the mention of the Demon God, a certain face immediately came to mind.“All that sacrifice… She died because of him…”Cassian clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. Even now, recalling that memory felt like a blade piercing his chest.“Then why aren’t you telling anyone else? You were the first to criticize the imperial family for covering up the recent incidents.”“Knowing there are groups trying to open dimensional rifts allows us to prepare for possible damage. But knowing the Demon God has returned would only spread fear.”After all, fighting the Demon God was their responsibility as those who held power. There was no need to burden the masses with such terror prematurely.“That fear is ours alone to bear.”Cassian silently stared at his comrade.His voice was calm, as if stating something obvious.No matter how others saw him, to Cassian, Astaire was a true hero.He had always been that way, but after Ruel’s death, he seemed to embody that role even more.As if living as a hero was his way of honoring her.“I’m leaving now.”Astaire finished his tea, set the cup down, and stood.Cassian also rose, following his movements, and asked,“Is Rashiel still holed up in the Tower?”“I heard rumors he’s been bedridden, but the details are unclear. That place has always been so secretive. If you’re worried, why don’t you go check on him yourself?”“Worried? About him?”Cassian grimaced as if he had swallowed something bitter. But his expression soon grew serious as he continued.“…He’s not actually researching dark magic, is he?”Astaire immediately understood what Cassian was concerned about.“No matter what, he’s not that kind of person. You know that. Remember how he was after the Master… after Luel died?”Ruel’s death had devastated all four of them. Rashiel was no exception.He had disappeared, taking Ruel’s body with him.Even after Astaire searched for him multiple times, Rashiel refused to meet anyone.But a month later, he suddenly returned her body.Preserved perfectly, as if she had died just moments ago.Yet he hadn’t attended her funeral. After that, he vanished entirely.The next thing they heard was that Rashiel had killed the previous Tower Master and taken his place.Since then, the Tower, already known for its isolation, became even more closed off.All they could hear about Rashiel were rumors.There was no way someone like him would want to revive the Demon God who had taken Ruel’s life.Astaire was sure of that.Cassian wanted to believe it too. But the lingering doubt refused to fade completely.“Do you trust him?”Astaire lowered his gaze for a moment, thinking carefully. Then, with firm conviction, he met Cassian’s eyes and replied,“I don’t trust him…But I trust the Master who believed in him.”