Chapter 74: Trichel and Paladam
They say fun times fly by quickly. But why is it that boring times refuse to pass just as fast?
For me, this time is nothing but torture.
I slip away without letting the clan members or anyone else notice, and meet him at our secret rendezvous point. The house looks ordinary from the outside, but it hides a basement unknown to outsiders. In a way, this place could be called my true home.
Naturally, the person I meet here is someone deeply tied to me—and at the same time, someone who makes me wish, every single time, that I’ll never have to see him again.
His name is Paladam. A member of the White Clan—and my foster father.
At the same time, he is the person I most despise. If I had the chance, I’d gladly kill him with my own hands.
"So, that was how it ended, then."
I report the events as they happened. Formally, this man is my supervisor.
He accepts it with nothing more than a nod, as if it were only natural, and that alone makes me seethe.
"I see. And Salem’s core?"
"Right here."
I had worried about what excuse I’d use if Riven asked me to hand it over, but it never came to that. He must have already known I wouldn’t give it up.
"Hm. Hard to believe she was defeated… In a head-on fight, we wouldn’t stand a chance."
"Exactly. Honestly, I don’t think I could beat her in a straight fight either."
"Troublesome. It’s fortunate the Princess isn’t in immediate danger, but the Black Clan… who knows when they’ll change their minds."
"They are, after all, the Clan of Betrayal," Paladam added.
Truth be told, I don’t know the details of the old war. Because I don’t need to. What I do know is that the Black Clan once lived alongside the White Clan—until they betrayed us and began our persecution. And the spark that set it off was a White Child of God… someone in Charlotte-chan’s position.
For the White Clan, the Child of God is irreplaceable. More precious than every other White put together. And once… they lost her.
That’s why they’re twisted now. Determined never to lose her again.
Salem seeks to annihilate the Black Clan.
Paladam seeks to erase them from the public stage.
Different methods, different motives, but both working to secure the Child’s safety.
I don’t think that’s wrong. I feel the same way. We of the Blue, children born as White retainers, swear our loyalty to them. We were born for that, we live for that. I’ve never doubted it, never thought of any other way of life.
But with these two… it was different. They deliberately raised me this way, shaping me into a piece that resented them—knowing one day they’d need it.
"Trichel, the Princess has awakened, hasn’t she?"
"Yeah, without a doubt. If I’m wrong, I’ll gouge out these eyes myself for being blind."
Well, she didn’t seem the least bit aware of what had happened to her body. But that overwhelming pressure—that was undeniable proof she’d awakened the power of the White Child.
She even healed Riven’s body, which Salem had warped. No one but a White could have done that.
"Then there’s no more need to simply watch. The time has come to carry out the plan."
"You mean gathering the people we scattered through the city?"
"Exactly. The forces I stationed to safeguard the Princess will be redeployed for the plan. Her safety will become less certain, but it cannot be helped. I’ll coordinate with the Alliance to reduce the risks."
The only reason careless Charlotte-chan has been able to live safely in this city was because we were working in the shadows. Now, even if only for a time, that safety net will be removed. That alone proves how serious Paladam is.
"By the way, Trichel. You’ve grown very close to the Princess lately, haven’t you?"
"…I guess you could say that."
"From your perspective, how is she as a person? Has she changed?"
Changed, huh? Compared to what? No… I get it. Compared to the previous Princess.
I only know the stories. All I can do is give my impression.
"Once she lets someone into her heart, she devotes herself to them completely. She’s a little too kind for her own good."
"I see. Then she hasn’t changed. I see…"
His voice carried a deep nostalgia, the sound of someone reliving a distant past. Hearing it, I couldn’t help but think—so he could still sound like that.
"You’ll be hated for this. Without a doubt."
"I am prepared. If the Princess will turn her back on the world, then this body is a small price to pay. Even if my core is shattered, even if I vanish drenched in corruption, I’ll have no regrets. Let history brand me with a name of scorn—I don’t care."
What would Charlotte-chan think if she knew this?
…The old me wouldn’t have thought that way.
It infuriates me, but I do believe Paladam is right. I’ve prepared myself to be hated too.
And yet, after everything… after knowing her so deeply, I can’t help but think: if she learns the truth, maybe she’ll forgive us.
Is that greed, I wonder?
I will betray her. I will do something unforgivable to her.
It’s something I’ve carried in the back of my mind for a long time, but now that it’s facing me in reality… I can’t help but have thoughts.
"Keep Salem’s core with you."
"Me? Why?"
"Though the form differs, she’s a comrade who shares our resolve. I cannot bear to let it be tainted by the sins of the one who would sink her fangs into the Princess."
"…Alright, alright. I’ll hold onto it, then."
It probably doesn’t matter who holds it.
Well, fine. If it doesn’t make a difference, either way works.
"Trichel. Your magic is the key. You’re not planning to abandon your role, are you?"
"…Of course not."
"Good. Then it’s settled. We’ll send the orders across the entire area by tomorrow."
Ah… today was truly enjoyable.
Playing and goofing around with Charlotte-chan, teasing that stubborn one…
I wish that time could have just kept going forever.
"We will carry out the ‘Nightmare Town’ plan. The Princess will be made to lose faith in the mundane world, and withdraw from it herself."
Once this plan is set in motion, I will never be able to face her head-on again.
I am ready. From the very beginning, that was my intention in approaching her.
Yes… I have been deceiving her all along. So I must discard any lingering attachment.
Everything is for the Princess. I must devote this body entirely.
…Born for this, die for this.
Dedicate yourself to the blood-bound fate, and die in accordance with destiny.
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