Adopt 183

Episode 183

What I want is the precise information about the future that Giuseppe holds.

And with that information, I intend to prevent the destruction of humanity.

‘The First King failed, but I can do it.’

Had not my past experiences already proven, time and again, that fate—said to be unchangeable—could shift because of me?

Recalling Vivian, Terry, and Cheshire’s final moments in , the so-called true future, I pressed on without hesitation.

“You mentioned before that you possess the power of insight.”

“I did say so.”

“If that’s the case, then as High Priest, you can judge for me whether the dream I had was meaningless or if it holds true significance.”

For a while, Giuseppe did not answer.

He simply fixed me with that persistent gaze, as though probing my very soul.

Knowing he could see the past with the power of insight, I wanted nothing more than to avert my eyes from his sharp, spear-like stare.

Nevertheless, just as I would when bluffing in a card game, I met his gaze directly and behaved with unflinching confidence.

Stay calm.

Did I not recall from the First King’s memories that to see a person’s past with his insight, physical contact—skin to skin—was required?

So, even if Giuseppe’s gaze was upon me, he would not uncover my past or discover the lie.

…Though, truth be told, I was under so much stress I feared my skull might be burned clean through.

How much time passed before Giuseppe finally spoke?

“If that’s so, my lord, do you intend to help prevent the future you saw in your dream?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

The absurdity made irritation slip from my lips before I could stop myself.

Just what does he take me for…!

‘Hah, what else could he see me as?’

He’d no doubt see me as the kingdom’s worst scoundrel—so miserable myself that, rather than let anyone else find happiness, I’d rather the world be ruined.

If he had looked into Belinda’s past, it would be no wonder he thought so.

At this point, instead of trying to explain that I was not that kind of person, it would be better to let him believe I, too, have reasons to prevent humanity’s demise—that would win more of his trust.

“I’m not moved by some grand sense of duty to save humanity. It’s merely for the safety of my own skin. As you know, Your Eminence, I have too much at stake.”

“I see.”

He seemed convinced by my words, and that faint smile returned to his lips.

“If you truly possess memories of another world, then you are undoubtedly the one I have been seeking. Yet there remains the problem that not all the fates you turn aside will necessarily move in a good direction.”

Ah, it was a troubling sign.

To use a thief’s analogy, Giuseppe was now about eighty percent certain of which cards in my hand were the jokers.

“In fact, I do not regard it as a positive thing that Duke Valuashten, who should be in the North, is now at your side, my lord.”

Why had Cherie come up so abruptly?

I hid my puzzlement and replied with practiced ease.

“That happened before I ever saw the future.”

“If so, can you at least give me your word that you will try to persuade the duke to return to the North as soon as possible?”

Those words sent my mind spinning.

Cherie was involved in the world’s destruction.

Six years in the future, magical beasts that roamed the devastated continent.

Giuseppe’s critical view of Cherie’s absence from the North.

Lightning struck through my mind, conclusion after conclusion pounding home.

Everything started in the North, in the barrier forest, no less.

Something happened in the forest—magical beasts crossed into the continent from beyond.

If that’s true, then how?

Feigning understanding, I nodded gravely.

“I could. However, I don’t believe sending the duke back north will do anything to prevent destruction. He needs rest.”

“The duke has a role to fulfill. Do you not think a purely personal decision to disregard that role could hasten destruction?”

“No, I do not. And watch what you say.”

Forgetting that a poker face was crucial at this table, I let cold fury show as I spoke, my tone icy.

“The duke is not some pawn of your so-called god. He’s an ordinary man in need of rest, nothing more.”

“…Forgive me. I had no intention of insulting the duke.”

Giuseppe apologized at once, but I did not believe his words.

Giuseppe was someone capable of putting even himself on the scales and sacrificing his own life.

If his own sacrifice was a given, so too would he see others’ sacrifices as only natural.

I still had much I needed to learn from him, but it was time to fold and reveal my last card.

“I thought our conversation was getting nowhere. It appears you’re laboring under a misapprehension, High Priest.”

Saying this, I rose from my seat without his permission.

Looking down upon Giuseppe’s persistent, smug smile, I spoke imperiously.

“It’s not that I am here to help you, but that you, High Priest, are the one who should act for my sake. Aren’t you the one who needs me?”

I could not afford to let him see a single weakness.

If I slipped, even Leo could be drawn in.

So, for the first time in ages, I gave him a smile as greedy as only Belinda could manage.

“I didn’t come to this place in hopes of gaining something. I came to see what you could offer me.”

We share the same goal—to stave off destruction. Yet our paths to get there could not be more different.

With that realization, I turned and walked away without a backward glance.

“If I’d known the temple was this impoverished, I’d never have come here.”

Just as my hand closed around the doorknob of the parlor—

“One thing.”

Giuseppe’s voice called from behind me.

As I turned, I found him gazing at me with that irksome smile still fixed in place.

“If you will accompany me to a certain place, I will show you what I can offer, my lord.”

“And what guarantees you won’t abduct or persecute me the moment I am there?”

“That…”

Giuseppe couldn’t immediately answer, but not because I’d seen through his intentions—more that he’d never even considered such a possibility.

After a brief silence, Giuseppe finally spoke, his golden eyes gleaming with a strange, beautiful hue.

“I swear before God that your honor, your life, and your freedom will be safeguarded above all.”

An oath before God.

Convenient, isn’t it?

When it comes to gaining another’s trust, nothing is quite so useful.

Suppressing a sigh, I nodded.

“Send the time and date to Blanche House.”

I still had more to extract from him—I couldn’t withdraw yet.

---

After Belinda left the temple.

Giuseppe, just as on that day, was left facing a teacup that Belinda hadn’t even touched.

Always smiling, his lips now wore a perfect and utter blankness.

At that moment, someone rapped at the parlor door; a priest entered with deliberate caution.

“Your Eminence, a message from Her Holiness.”

Though none were nearby, the priest checked again before lowering his voice to whisper in Giuseppe’s ear.

“Once more, the entire population of the village has vanished. It was ‘their’ doing.”

“I understand. I will act personally soon. Tell Her Holiness to take care.”

“Yes, sir.”

Even after the priest left, Giuseppe remained in place for some time.

As he replayed his earlier conversation with Belinda, his lips twisted in an oblique, grimace-like line.

“The duke is not some pawn of your so-called god. He’s an ordinary man in need of rest, nothing more.”

To call humanity’s greatest knight just an ordinary man…

She clearly did not grasp the gravity of the situation.

The duke is humanity’s last line of defense against destruction.

Drawing him to the capital and weakening his vigilance over the barrier forest—that, and yet she blithely speaks of changing the future with almost reckless optimism.

It angered him, and yet at the same time, it filled him with a wretched sort of pity.

‘Whether she is the one who will worsen the future—this opportunity will tell.’

After draining his teacup, Giuseppe stood.

Though his feelings toward Belinda were far from warm, her words—that the duke was not God’s pawn—echoed curiously in his ears long after.