Chapter 146: Dissonance (4)
Lian let out a sigh as he looked at Windy May, who had turned her head away with her arms crossed.
“……”
Unlike usual, she was genuinely, sincerely sulking.
Normally, she would’ve stopped halfway through, but this time was clearly different—there was no mistaking it.
“...Um, Master.”
“Yes? What is it? Oh, not that Master—you mean the foolish Dragon who gave you private instruction first, Lian Gwendil.”
“Ah, um.”
Lian couldn’t help but look troubled.
That was because he realized she wasn’t joking like she usually did.
So he tried hard to appease her, doing everything he could to make amends...
But it didn’t seem to be very effective.
Watching her like that, Lian made a bitter expression.
‘You told me during Sky Guide to actively ask people around me…’
In truth, though he was troubled, he also felt somewhat wronged deep down.
Even when he came back after learning from Yuran, she hadn’t shown the slightest discomfort—instead, she had even said something like “well done,” hadn’t she?
So he thought that even if she didn’t say that this time, at least it wouldn’t be a big problem.
But apparently, that had been the exception.
Lian let out a small sigh of belated regret.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through, Master.”
“……”
“I promise never to do it again, so please, would you pity this foolish disciple just once and forgive me?”
“……”
“If you keep acting this way, Master, this worthless disciple’s heart feels like it’s being torn into a thousand, ten thousand pieces. Furthermore...”
And so, Lian kept talking like flowing water for quite some time, and just as Windy May’s ears twitched up and down repeatedly with her head still turned—
“...Phew, fine.”
Eventually, she murmured as if her anger had eased to some extent.
“Alright. Well, it can’t be helped.”
“...I’ll be careful from now on.”
She didn’t seem completely appeased, but it looked like she had decided to let it go here.
Seeing that, Lian inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
“……”
But even so, his expression remained stiff.
That was because a much more important problem remained.
Popolotuass.
It was because of him.
‘Sure enough...’
Outwardly, he was only known for his simple monster-summoning ability—but in truth, that wasn’t all.
He had none other than the ability to reverse time.
It wasn’t just anyone—Talia Poas, a member of the Knights, had stated it firmly, so it had to be true.
Lian fell into thought.
The question was: how much should he tell Windy May?
He had heard the Knights, including Talia Poas, had sworn to hide that truth until their deaths.
They simply couldn’t fathom the impact if that truth were ever revealed.
In Lian’s case, it was a special situation—that was the only reason the truth had been told to him.
But was it really right to keep hiding it, even now?
If he kept that fact hidden and something unforeseen happened...
It might lead to an irreversible disaster.
After much deliberation, Lian finally spoke.
“...There’s something I need to tell you.”
Windy May looked at him with a curious expression.
“What is it?”
“It’s about Popolotuass’s ability.”
Lian took a short breath and continued in a calm voice.
Just in case, he stepped closer and whispered in her ear.
“...He can reverse time.”
In that instant, Windy May’s expression froze.
At her look, which clearly demanded an explanation, Lian began calmly recounting the events that had happened in the Room of Memories.
“……”
Windy May remained silent, lost in thought for a long time.
Lian knew she wouldn’t reach a conclusion quickly, but he hadn’t expected her to contemplate this deeply.
It made him realize once more just how serious the thing he had said was.
Then at last, she opened her mouth.
“...I’ll keep it in mind, at least.”
One of the Five Great Archmages declared quietly.
“But fortunately, I don’t think we’ll need to prepare for that ability.”
“Why is that?”
“Because there’s no way modern people can afford to pay the kind of price that required even the Eight Demon Lords to offer up their very existence.”
Her voice was firm.
At her words, Lian inhaled slightly.
Come to think of it, the Eight Demon Lords had always been nothing but legend to him.
But to Windy May, it must not have been just a legend.
Before he realized it, Lian found himself asking a childlike question.
“If we compare you and the Eight Demon Lords, Master... how big is the gap?”
“That’s a vague question.”
Windy May sighed softly.
But then she nodded as if she understood.
“Including me, there are five beings in the modern day known as Great Archmages.”
“Yes.”
“I can say with certainty that even if the five of us joined forces, we wouldn’t match my Master, Edas.”
“Yes.”
“And even that Edas couldn’t compare to Talia Poas of the Knights.”
Windy May shrugged, as if to ask if more explanation was needed.
“It took more than a dozen of such monsters to barely balance against one of the Eight Demon Lords.”
“……”
Lian fell silent.
Now he understood why she had said there was no need to worry.
“There’s really no need for concern. If the ability demands a price that could topple even the Eight Demon Lords, then there’s no way someone today could use it, not even in death.”
She said it with conviction.
“Unless one of the Eight Demon Lords themselves sacrifices their life to use it... But considering what we just saw earlier, I’d say it’s more likely we should prepare for the commonly known abilities. Those are far more probable.”
“Then... what will you do next?”
“If we just know the ability, preparing for it is simple. First of all…”
At that moment, Windy May’s expression shifted as if something had dawned on her.
Then she turned away with a sulky face and snorted.
“…But I’m not telling a traitor.”
“Pardon?”
“Why don’t you go ask the Dragon. Hmph.”
Lian blinked in confusion for a moment, then forced an awkward smile.
“Didn’t you forgive me earlier…?”
“No, I didn’t.”
Windy May replied with a sulky expression, subtly turning her head away.
Though Lian gave a bitter smile, he could discern the reason behind her sudden change in demeanor.
‘She’s telling me to back off and pretend I don’t know.’
Windy May was someone who could clearly separate public from private matters.
She wasn’t the type to hide something even in a situation like this purely out of emotion.
In other words, there was an obvious reason why she was dodging the topic and refusing to speak.
Either it was meaningless for Lian to know, or he absolutely shouldn’t know.
Either way, he had to tread carefully.
“Hmm.”
Windy May spoke in a light tone.
“Let’s have tea together next time.”
“As much as you like.”
“I’ll treat you to my favorite drink.”
“…Ah, understood.”
And thus, their conversation came to a close.
As Windy May wished, Lian decided to back off for now.
“So what will you do now, Lian?”
“If everything’s done, I suppose I should head back.”
He asked her casually.
“If you’re free, would you like to take a stroll through town together?”
She slightly raised her eyebrows as if pondering.
“Hmm… I do still have things to do…”
“You could use a duplicate, couldn’t you?”
Windy May answered with a dejected look.
“No can do. I tried that before, but even my duplicate insisted on going out to play. We ended up in a huge fight.”
“Ah…”
Lian wore a peculiar expression.
It almost sounded real, but knowing her, she wouldn’t make such a clumsy mistake. This must be a gentle way of declining.
Indeed, she let out a small sigh and said,
“It can’t be helped. You should head back alone today.”
“Yes, understood, Master.”
Lian bowed his head slightly but threw in a casual question.
“…But did I really need to come here today? Honestly, I don’t think I was any help.”
Windy May shook her head immediately.
“No, that’s not true.”
She spoke with conviction.
“Your presence here was meaningful.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Because I made it clear to everyone that I’m protecting you.”
For a moment, Lian stared blankly at her.
Windy May gave a small smile, almost as if mocking.
“To the Holy Sun Church, the Demons, and even the Imperial Family who are surely watching.”
“……”
Lian was left speechless.
What could he possibly say to that?
“…Anyway, go on now. Be more cautious than usual.”
“…Yes, understood.”
“And only snack a little on the way. Oh, right.”
She gestured for Lian to come closer and slipped something into his hand.
It was a few coins.
“Master, this is…?”
“Pocket money for when you buy snacks.”
“…I’m fine, really.”
“Ssshh.”
Windy May made a shushing sound like she would to a child.
In the end, Lian accepted the coins and tucked them away, saying he’d gratefully use them.
“Anyway, once again—get back safely.”
She emphasized particularly,
“Especially if a suspicious Demon woman talks to you—absolutely ignore her.”
“Yes. Understood.”
With that, Lian bowed respectfully to her and began walking out of the building.
He could sense presences and gazes from all around, but not a single person showed themselves.
Not even the Vampire who called himself Valdemar, nor even Archbishop Onnime.
Windy May must have done something.
“……”
Just as Lian was stepping outside the building—
Ding.
He thought he heard a chime from somewhere.
At the sound, Lian unconsciously touched his collarbone.
The shopping street on the outskirts of the Academy was as bustling as ever.
Students out for a light stroll, laborers finishing their work, merchants going in and out of shops.
And even the Merchant Group of Demons.
Noisy as usual, yet filled with a pleasant kind of liveliness.
And walking gracefully through that crowd were two women.
None other than Selendis and Cecilia.
The two sisters, with their pale blonde hair, subtly drew attention from those around them—but they didn’t seem to mind at all.
“Cecil, look at this.”
Selendis’s eyes sparkled as she pointed to a roadside stall.
There were rows of intricately crafted ornaments.
“Aren’t they pretty?”
“Yes, I think they’d suit you, Sister.”
“And you? Nothing catches your eye?”
“No, not yet.”
At that, Selendis quickly lost interest and turned away from the stall.
She had been dragging Cecilia around all day, trying to spend some quality time together…
But despite all her efforts, Cecilia’s response remained dry and indifferent.
‘Hmm…’
How could she get Cecilia interested?
Just as Selendis was pondering that—
“Huh?”
Cecilia blinked.
A familiar face had entered her field of vision.
“That person is…”
A short distance away, Lancia was walking toward them.
She, too, seemed slightly surprised as she spotted Cecilia.
“…Everglenn?”
Cecilia nodded reflexively.
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
“It’s nice to see you like this.”
“Likewise.”
Only then did her gaze shift to Selendis standing beside Cecilia.
“Um, and this is…?”
“She’s my sister.”
Selendis gave a polite nod.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Selendis Everglenn. It’s a pleasure.”
“Oh, I’m pleased to meet you as well. I’m Lancia Jintia.”
After the brief introductions, a short awkward silence followed.
In truth, though they’d run into each other a few times, it wouldn’t be wrong to say they’d barely spoken one-on-one before.
“Uh, um…”
“Hmm…”
They could’ve just parted ways then and there—but perhaps it was because of the book titled “The Basics of Socializing!” that they’d read a few days ago.
The two began struggling to come up with light conversation topics.
“……”
Noticing the situation, Selendis deliberately stepped back a little and simply watched like an observer.
Cecilia was the first to speak.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Ah, yes. Thanks to your concern.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“……”
“……”
After a short pause, Lancia spoke this time.
“Are you doing well too, Miss Cecilia?”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
“I see.”
“……”
“……”
As the awkward exchange continued for some time, Cecilia suddenly asked a question that came to mind.
“Miss Lancia.”
“Oh, yes?”
“In the Holy Sun Church, does denomination mean much to the believers?”
Lancia blinked at the unexpected question.
“Hmm, honestly, maybe for the upper ranks, but for the majority, it’s not a big deal.”
She nodded lightly.
“If I had to point out a difference, I’d say that views on dating or marriage can vary a bit depending on the denomination.”
Marriage.
At that word, Cecilia couldn’t help but recall the past.
Since she could remember—or even before then—she had been engaged.
But due to an incident caused by the spirits, it was immediately annulled. Over time, the steady flow of marriage proposals had also dried up completely.
‘…I probably won’t get married.’
She thought to herself, calmly.
It was such a given that she’d never really dwelled on it before.
‘Come to think of it…’
Her older brother was already married, and her sister had a fiancé as well.
But she…
‘Ah.’
And then, in that moment—
For some reason, Lian’s face suddenly came to mind.
Maybe he, too, had someone to whom he was engaged, like her sister—a future already promised.
It was then.
Throb.
“…?”
Cecilia instinctively pressed her chest.
‘…What was that?’
A strange pain, with no discernible cause, briefly passed through her.
Cecilia tilted her head in puzzlement.