Chapter 58

58. The Deal with Caron (3)

"Hehe, I had the same question. So I did a little investigation."

"Investigation?"

"Yes. Well, I didn't get much information. Just that they were researching holy power."

"Black mages researching holy power?"

It's a ridiculous situation.

It's like a scientist researching folk beliefs.

The problem is, this scientist is a mad scientist.

"Yes. They were conducting research and experiments on holy power, hearts, demons, and humans."

"Hmm... hearts..."

It's not a big deal. Holy power, demons, and humans.

These three are closely related.

The heart is a bit unusual, but it's not a significant issue.

At least, not under normal circumstances.

"But putting the pieces together just now, I'm getting a sense. Husek did more than I thought."

"Stop beating around the bush and speak. What sense are you getting?"

"What is the weakness of demons?"

"Holy power."

"Does it work on humans too?"

"No, it actually heals them. Wait, you don't mean...!"

Fear flashed in Caron's eyes.

His expression was one of disbelief.

But what he's thinking is correct.

"Yes. If... if holy power doesn't work on demons that have been fused with humans?"

"...The worst-case scenario."

He nodded in agreement.

Demons are not weak, and summoned demons are even less so.

Fighting them with weapons imbued with holy power is already difficult. What if holy power doesn't work at all?

Worse yet, what if it heals them?

"The Hellscape will unfold."

Caron is right.

The Galleta region will suffer near-total destruction because of that Chimera.

'A Chimera that holy power doesn't affect.'

That's exactly what the Mad Creator is researching and doing.

"Hehe, it's just a hypothesis. Surely, such a thing won't happen."

"Biased assumptions are not good. If you want to live as a rat, change your attitude immediately."

I didn't say, "You're not a rat, but a baby rat."

I wanted to send Caron away as quickly as possible.

'I'm reaching my limit.'

If the conversation continues, my cute face might age drastically!

...It means it's that difficult. To the point of saying such crazy things.

'Partly because I met Caron unprepared...'

The longer the conversation, the worse it is.

The information I've revealed might conflict and create errors.

'Caron won't miss even the tiniest error in information.'

Moreover, I've already provided him with significant information about the Mad Creator and the Chimera.

I also need to calculate the changed future.

"I'll be busy. I'll provide the artifact as soon as I get it."

"Hehe, I look forward to it."

"If you remember anything else, contact me. Cuckoos are everywhere. The contact code for this month is 'Desolation.' Remember it well."

By mixing the word 'Desolation' into the conversation, any nearby rats will inform Caron.

It means Caron will initiate contact.

'What is desolation, desolation? How do you mix that into a conversation?'

Hehe, Miss Luna. Should I desolate you?

-If I said that, my body might be desolated.

"Hehe, a charming code."

"Arrogant brat. Fix that roundabout way of speaking. It's a bad habit."

"I'll try."

"Tsk."

Caron vanished out the window.

We're on the third floor, by the way.

I peeked out the window, but there was no sign of Caron, not even a strand of hair.

The constant ringing of [Hyper Senses] also quieted down.

It means I'm alone in the room.

"Phew... One problem solved."

Leaning against the wall, my body slid down.

From the upper-classman to playing with Luna, to the deal with Caron.

Ah, there were really too many things.

But I can't go to bed yet.

I need to organize the information, process the new things I learned, and delete the useless information.

Rustle.

I pulled out a stack of papers from the drawer.

A collection of various information about this game.

Ah, right.

'Caron must have seen this too.'

Caron is an expert in espionage.

He wouldn't have missed the opportunity when I was away.

He must have checked everything in my room.

It's a big deal.

The game's information has fallen into Caron's hands.

But.

"Hehe, you'll waste time on a useless task."

It's not a problem at all.

* * *

Rustle.

Caron, leaving Zero's room.

In his hand was a stack of papers.

The material was different, but the same text was inscribed.

'Transcription is nothing.'

He cut the paper to the same size, copied the position and arrangement, even the font size and small dots.

All the information Zero wrote about this world, characters, hidden pieces, and future events.

It all fell into Caron's hands.

But.

'What is this?'

A paper that could change the fate of the world.

But Caron couldn't read it.

All the information was written in Korean.

'Too long to be a letter, and the arrangement is chaotic.'

It's ambiguous to be a coded message for sharing information.

If it were, it would be shorter and more concise, and a smaller paper would suffice.

Then the conclusion is one.

'Is this an encrypted version of the information he knows?'

Round and angular, mysterious characters.

At first glance, they look like pictures, even cute.

'...I have no idea.'

Caron, who has encountered various scripts while living as a rat in the empire.

Even he has never seen these characters.

'Is this an independently created script? Impressive.'

Pure admiration for Zero.

Not just for creating an independent script.

'Noticing my presence.'

Caron could deceive even an 8th-class knight if he wanted to.

Yet, Zero not only acted relaxed but even turned his back.

He must have a special method to detect stealth.

'Wait, did he notice my presence back then?'

In the ant nest's breeding chamber.

If he noticed my presence then,

'He deliberately showed me the island. To talk to me.'

To create a connection with me and make a deal, he deliberately set up that situation.

He threw the Lester family as bait to make me take the initiative.

Even though it wasn't like that, Caron couldn't help but fall into the illusion.

The pieces of the puzzle couldn't fit together so perfectly.

"...Arrogant brat."

If he had made a slip of the tongue, he would have met his death immediately.

Yet, he did such a thing.

'He must have been confident.'

Daring to engage in psychological warfare with me, a rat of the empire, and confident he could win.

An incredibly arrogant brat.

But.

Chuckle.

"Arrogant brat. I'll teach you a lesson next time."

Despite his harsh words, Caron was smiling.

To think he could think so much at that age.

It's not just about being smart.

It means he has experience.

'He must have had a rough life.'

I want to take him in, raise him carefully, inject him with various things, and give him the position of the next rat.

Isn't that just kidnapping, imprisonment, and brainwashing?

...It's a misunderstanding.

'If it weren't for Luna, I would have kidnapped... no, taken him already.'

Though he's an unknown, he seems better than the others.

I can trust him for now.

'But that's not the important thing right now.'

Caron's eyes changed.

A Chimera that holy power doesn't affect.

It's still a hypothesis, but it's a possibility.

And finding information to support the hypothesis is what we do best.

Swish.

Dozens of shadows gathered behind Caron.

"Relay this."

To the Galleta region.

"Deploy all the rats."

* * *

"In other words, even if the same sword technique is used, the muscles trained differ depending on the family's sword technique, so the difference is..."

Yawn.

Morning class.

I couldn't help but yawn.

I stayed up all night organizing the information.

Reviewing the conversation with Caron was important, but more than that...

'After entering the game, I did something that would change the future for the first time.'

Aren't the actions I've taken so far the same?

Not at all.

Welcoming Luna as a companion, restoring Luther's honor, receiving the medal.

These are all minor things.

'This game is vast.'

The world isn't so fragile that it would be affected by my actions so far.

But the information I provided to Caron yesterday is different.

'The future will change significantly.'

Knowing what will happen in this world.

That's my greatest strength and weapon.

In other words, changing the approaching future means losing my strength.

But.

'If I can weaken the enemy, it's a good deal.'

The destruction of the Galleta region.

The first reason the empire began its path to ruin.

A strategic location where all the empire's roads connect.

If the Galleta region had remained intact, half of the future events could have been prevented.

'The Chimera is a nuisance.'

Holy power, which deals at least double damage to 'Evil' aligned enemies.

But the Chimera created by the Mad Creator is unaffected by holy power.

It even heals.

'In the game, I had to carry a weapon without holy power separately.'

Using a regular weapon to attack the Chimera and a holy weapon to fight others.

Switching weapons cost one turn, which was a significant disadvantage.

'But if I can prevent the Chimera from being created?'

I can gain an advantage in the battles to come.

'The Four Kings and the Six Legion Commanders.'

Four black mages who spread calamity despite being human.

And the Great Demon, the commander of demons, and the 6th Legion Commander.

The ultimate mastermind of this game and the enemy we must defeat.

'I need to take care of as many as possible before reaching the final boss.'

But it's impossible for me, trapped in the academy.

So I hinted to Caron.

Using barbarians to fight barbarians.

It's like using a killing machine to defeat the mad black mage.

'Hehe, as expected of a country.'

I'm not sure how strong Caron is, but I know he can stand against the Four Kings.

What if Caron dies?

'Not my problem.'

The bad ending maker who strangled me.

I don't care if he lives or dies.

'Actually, the two are unlikely to meet.'

The Mad Creator is cautious.

He'll send subordinates, not go himself.

Besides, Caron is bound to the academy.

"Zero."

"..."

"Hey, I'm calling you."

Luna poked my side.

I was so focused that I didn't hear anyone calling me.

It was Mr. Leang de Fleurs, who teaches 'Basics of Swordsmanship.'

"It seems my class was boring. I'll give you one demerit."

"Teacher! A demerit! That's too harsh for just dozing off a little..."

"Miss Luna, do you want a demerit too?"

"Yes, give it to me. Not to him."