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[Translator - Tangrine ]
[Proofreader - Seeker ]
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Chapter - 13: Greetings are important
The moment I stepped into the chapel, the first thing I noticed was the stained glass depicting the Libra.
.
Rays of red, blue, and green light streamed through the glass, spilling across the chapel like a rainbow.
Dust particles danced in the air, catching the light as they shimmered.
The whole scene was profoundly sacred—almost ethereal.
“Duke Nosferatu, kneel before the God of Libra.”
“Understood.”
At the center of it all, the priest’s voice summoned me.
Following the ritual, I was supposed to kneel on one knee at the altar.
-“Sigh…”
-“Just pretend you didn’t see anything. My leg’s acting up.”
Rather than kneel for real, I conjured an illusion of myself doing so and sat comfortably cross-legged on the floor.
The priest proceeded with the divine induction ceremony.
Only the priestess of Libra was fully aware of what I was doing.
I intended to handle the entire induction ritual with illusion magic.
“Do you swear to uphold the virtues of fairness and faithfulness, and bring no shame upon the divine name bestowed upon you?”
“I swear.”
To prevent this world’s destruction, I’d use whatever unjust or immoral methods were necessary.
Virtue is vice.
In this world of 'Endless', both heroes and demon lords destroy the world.
There is no eternal virtue and no eternal sin.
“Do you swear to keep your promises, uphold your contracts and fulfill your duties with diligence?”
“I swear.”
So if betrayal or broken contracts were ever needed, I wouldn’t hesitate.
I would lie, cheat, scheme, and operate in the shadows as much as necessary.
I’d stab a hero in the back while standing at their side and strike down a demon lord from within their ranks.
“From this moment, we declare that the Duke has inherited the divine title of Nosferatu. Under the fairness of the Libra, you shall honor your contracts.”
Compared to the end of the world…
Being deceived by a conman is nothing special, isn't it?
“That is your calling.”
The priest handed me a small set of scales and a ritual dagger.
This time, I didn’t rely on illusion.
I raised my real hand, pricked my finger with the dagger, and let the blood drip onto the scale.
The scales tilted to one side.
The weight of blood… was heavier than I’d expected.
“Never forget that your scale always tilts toward yourself. Guard against injustice.”
“Understood.”
“Duke, rise.”
And just like that, the divine induction ceremony was over.
I’d successfully skipped out on making any real vows.
-“You are… such a dishonest person.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
.
.
.
On the way home, escorted by the priestess and the witch.
The carriage swayed gently.
Kanaria tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
“Did the previous Duke Nosferatu also take that divine oath?”
“Of course.”
“Then… how could someone who swore such things before a god go on to kill so many people?”
“Because he was fair. That’s why he killed without hesitation.”
“What…?”
“The first person the Duke killed was his lover. The one person he truly loved and he killed her with his own hands.”
Kanaria fell silent at the secret story of 'Nosferatu' flowing out of my mouth.
Her pupils trembled faintly.
Even Priscilla pricked up her ears with subtle interest.
“Doing good and not doing evil are two very different things, right? Just like being fair isn’t the same as being kind.”
The former Duke Nosferatu was undoubtedly scum.
But he was scum equally to everyone.
For the god of Libra, that alone may have been enough to earn favor.
“Honestly, the title of ‘The House of Assassins’ is ridiculous. What kind of assassin gets famous?”
Greetings are important.
This is also written in the Kojiki.
The Nosferatu never hide their crimes.
That’s why they were given the absurd nickname.
Every noble house ruined by Nosferatu…has the right to resent them. Just like Kanaria did.
“The former Duke was a terrible monster. But when it came to contracts, he was always fair. A murderer but not a fraud.”
And that’s a path I can’t take.
Because I am a fraud. I’m not here to kill. I’m not here to assassinate.
What I’m trying to do… is con the very ‘Triggers of Destruction’ into changing itself.
Which means my name must never be known.
"... You're stupid."
Priscilla finally opened her mouth.
As if she hadn’t meant to speak aloud, she flinched the moment the word left her lips.
I chuckled watching her reaction.
“You’re right. He was my father but he was an idiot.”
“...I’m sorry. That was rude of me.”
“Well, it’s why he ended up betrayed and dead at the hands of his son.”
“What…?”
Right now, I am playing the role of Nosferatu, the one who holds fairness under the scales of
Libra as his virtue…
If it were truly Nosferatu speaking, he would say something like this.
“You didn’t know? I figured you might’ve guessed what with a young boy suddenly showing up at the temple to inherit the family name.”
“……”
“I killed him. My father.”
In that moment, Priscilla’s expression hardened.
A grimace laced with unmistakable disgust.
It seemed the notion of killing one’s own family just to inherit a title struck her as utterly repulsive.
How… unlike a witch. But she wasn’t a witch anymore.
She was just a small, pitiable girl who had given up so much to save her mother.
To her, I must seem like a truly wretched man.
“Well, that’s just the Nosferatu way. Kill the one you love most with your own hands and one day, be killed by the one you love most.”
“……”
What a delightful reaction.
I had to forcibly hold back my grin, my gums were beginning to ache from the restraint.
Ah… so this is the face Priscilla makes now that she’s no longer the harbinger of the apocalypse.
If this were a game, I’d have taken a screenshot and posted it online already!
“A fitting end for that piece of trash—urk.”
Suddenly, a bug bit the back of my hand.
A shadowy black insect.
I casually flicked it off with a wave.
“Must be because we’re riding through the forest. Bugs are getting into the carriage.”
“……”
“You don’t look too pleased. Do you think I made the wrong choice, servant of Libra?”
“……”
Priscilla remained silent.
And in that silence, I found the clearest affirmation.
It wasn’t she who broke the silence but Kanaria.
“Lady Priscilla…”
There was a hint of sorrow in Kanaria’s gaze as she looked at Priscilla.
Well… that couldn’t be helped. Kanaria had schemed alongside me.
It was only natural for her to develop some sympathy for the girl.
“I hope you won’t think too badly of the Duke.”
“…Of course. I feel nothing at all. He has nothing to do with me.”
"That's..."
“I’m only here as one of Heinrich’s disciples. I apologize for saying something rude. I spoke out of turn.”
Her tone was impeccably polite.
As if to say she had no interest in continuing the conversation.
Kanaria gently tapped the back of my hand.
A signal to link our telepathy.
-“Why go out of your way to make such a bad impression?”
-“I’m just acting like Nosferatu. That’s the image I’m supposed to project to the world.”
Only when the whole world curses Nosferatu.
Nosferatu can truly be said to have fulfilled his duty.
-“...Then why not just tell her the truth—that you saved her? She’s no longer the Trigger of Destruction. Even if she learns the truth, the world won’t end anymore.”
- "There's a risk that other people will find out about this plan."
If she were to find out that he was just the scoundrel Nosferatu, there’s no telling how she might react.
There’s no reason to take that risk.
-“…You’d save the world and not ask for any reward or recognition?”
-“If I wanted something that petty, I wouldn’t have picked a plan this stupid.”
This is a really ridiculous and annoying world.
The funniest thing is me, who's spent thousands of hours on this game.
.
.
.
Temple of the Libra. Baptism Chamber.
Priscilla stood before an enormous basin, dressed in a white gown.
Only two people were present in the chamber, Priscilla and the priestess.
“Priscilla.”
“Yes.”
“Today, you will receive the Baptism of God.”
“Does that mean… I’m becoming a hero now?”
“No.”
“Huh?”
The priestess shook her head.
Priscilla looked confused.
Wasn’t the reason she was summoned to this temple because she was deemed hero material?
“…Then am I becoming a priestess?”
“Something far more glorious. He really adores you."
“He… does?”
“Priscilla. You were once the great witch who held eternal life. You gave that eternity up by your own will.”
“……”
At the mention of her past as a witch, the color drained from Priscilla’s face.
What followed from the priestess’s lips was even more shocking.
“You will become His priestess. And you will come to know all the truth.”
“……”
“Even the truth about that being you so longed for—‘Gigachad.’”
Priscilla’s face twisted in utter shock.
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[Translator - Tangrine ]
[Proofreader - Seeker ]
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