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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Journey (5)
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The Goshen mansion we arrived at, despite being situated halfway up a mountain, was built with immense grandeur and splendor.
"Wow, it's really magnificent. Like an imperial palace."
"The view is incredible too."
"A mansion with different scenery front and back!"
"Agh, this is what makes travel worth it."
And the club members, having entered the mansion's grounds, were each exclaiming in admiration, seemingly pleased with the surrounding landscape.
'They certainly decorated it well.'
The vast forest stretching out before the mansion, the grand spectacle of a massive cliff unfolding behind it like a magnificent backdrop, and on top of that, the mansion's opulent exterior.
If there were a mansion built in paradise, it would surely look like this.
The Goshen mansion boasted such beautiful majesty that even I, who tend to be stingy with praise, thought so.
'The problem is it's all show and no substance.'
To put it nicely, that's the case. To exaggerate a little, the Goshen mansion was, in fact, no different from the entrance to hell.
This was the place where the Grand Bishop—that bastard—gathered innocent people, abused them to maximize the size of the wickedness within them, and then massacred them all at once to absorb their souls as his demonic energy or offer them to an evil god.
Of course, in the original story, that bastard met a horrific end at the hands of the grown-up Fran.
But that bastard, who had laughed and chattered about devouring the souls of over 2,000 people in just over a year, was one of the worst villains to appear in the original work.
'Well, I planned to deal with that bastard before he could gather strength anyway.'
No need to think about it now.
As I was thinking that, the woman standing at the very front of the several figures waiting to greet us bowed to us.
"Welcome, everyone. I am Siretta, the head maid of the Goshen Count's family."
"I'm Professor Zikel, the supervisor. But, where is Lord Goshen…?"
"He seems to be occupied with some business and will likely arrive around dinner time. He asked me to convey his apologies. Originally, our butler was supposed to greet you, but he is currently away, so I, inadequate as I am, have been compelled to welcome you."
After saying that, Siretta began to guide us, and Zikel and the club members were soon able to observe the interior scenery of the mansion.
Spacious interiors, expensive luxuries decorating every corner, sophisticated design.
"Wow, this is insane."
"I can't believe this is the home of a noble, just like me."
"How much money did they make to be able to do this?"
Naturally, the club members were once again open-mouthed and busy looking around, and I was no different.
'Look at these. They're really going all out.'
Having examined the interior of the mansion with my True Sight, I immediately clicked my tongue and came to one conclusion.
The black magic circles scattered everywhere would fully manifest when the moon reached its zenith.
'This is going to be tiring.'
Looking at the level of the magic circles etched everywhere, one thing became certain.
Whoever harbored these intentions, they were a strong individual whom I could never deal with unless I tricked the Scales.
"First, you must be tired from your journey here, so it would be best to unpack your belongings. We will assign you rooms. Oh, and Professor Zikel, as per the Count's instructions, the carriage…"
Siretta gave instructions to the maids, then approached Zikel and continued speaking to him.
After finishing her conversation with Siretta, Zikel approached Yukir, the head of the travel club, and whispered something.
Then, for a moment, he stared intently at me. As if to say, *don't cause trouble*.
When I met his gaze directly, Zikel frowned, then began to walk outside.
'I don't want to cause trouble either.'
But what can I do? Looking at the magic circles etched everywhere, it seems clear that I'll have to step in.
'The problem is I need to visit the temple first.'
Assuming I apply an appropriate acceleration spell to myself.
The estimated time it would take to visit the temple where the quest activated before six in the evening and return is about an hour.
And the time the magic circles visible to my True Sight are expected to fully manifest is at least after 10 PM.
So, even if I leave for a short while, there should be no need to worry.
'No.'
Just as I was about to conclude that, I shook my head and decided to reconsider.
'I need to account for the worst-case scenario.'
Who knows? Even if the magic circles don't activate, the Count Goshen might reveal his intentions and try to harm the club members before I return.
Therefore, as someone who would inevitably have to leave, I needed to prepare a contingency plan.
'Though I don't trust him much.'
The only one who could buy me time until I get back is that guy.
Thinking that, I began to approach Fran, who was being assigned a room.
****
After being assigned a room, Fran was walking along the cliff edge behind the mansion.
Then, upon discovering something, Fran had to chew on his lip and mutter softly.
"Just what kind of guy is he to…?"
…know something like this? With that unspoken thought, Fran began to enter the small cave before his eyes.
"Huh!"
Fran found a small green crystal embedded in the cave wall, uttered that sound, placed his hand on it, and poured mana into it.
Then.
—Rumble!
Suddenly, the sound of falling rocks echoed, and his vision instantly darkened.
—Flash!
Not long after, the sound of a magic lamp turning on from the ceiling was heard, and his vision brightened again.
Fran's gaze turned towards the cave entrance.
"…"
He didn't know when they had fallen, but white rocks blocked the cave entrance.
"It was true."
Seeing that, Fran wore a grave expression and began to chew over the words Kamel had uttered, which he hadn't believed.
—"If you really can't trust what I've said so far, go check the place I mentioned."
—"If he tries to make a move before I return, don't try to fight back. Take these guys and buy some time in the place I told you about. You should be able to hold out for an hour."
—"I'll tell Daisy, Rose, and Sage too, so you can work together."
He thought it was nonsense, but it wasn't entirely nonsense.
Having concluded that, Fran sighed deeply, stroking the cherished sword the Sword Saint had bequeathed to him.
It was understandable. Despite being the next Hero candidate himself, Fran hadn't noticed anything.
"How pathetic."
He had even been told by someone his own age not to fight evil if he saw it.
Fran felt as if his insides were burning black and had to stand in place for a long time.
****
I lay on the bed in the room where I'd unpacked, rubbing my still-sore bottom, resenting the two women.
"If it weren't for them…"
My backside wouldn't be aching like this.
It was regrettable. If those two friends, Daisy and Sage, hadn't stepped in, I could have ridden all the way here on Kamel's broad back.
"His hand was even touching me…"
More than anything, I missed the feeling of Kamel's large, warm palm, which had been on my thigh and then naturally settled on my bottom.
On the other hand.
The back of the spirit summoned by Sage was too hard, cold, and even uncomfortable, unlike Kamel's back. Thanks to that, I ended up having to rub my backside like this.
"Hard…"
Just then, I felt my face suddenly flush crimson and had to cover it with the blanket.
It was understandable. What I recalled was the sensation of something hard touching my lower abdomen when I lay with Kamel in his bed.
"Why, why is it so hot…"
Was it because of the embarrassing thoughts?
Or was it still the lingering hangover?
"Since earlier…"
My body doesn't feel well. My stomach is churning, and my head is spinning. A slight fever has also been persistent since earlier.
On top of that, I feel strangely anxious and restless in fits and starts.
This feeling is probably because of what Kamel told me.
—"There's something here. I don't think anything will happen until midnight, but just in case…"
Kamel had left, leaving behind those cryptic words.
What on earth could be there that made him speak with such a serious expression?
I don't know anything for sure, but one thing is certain: I trust Kamel, so I will follow his words and prepare my sword.
If, by any chance, something happens here while Kamel is away, I will draw that sword and act as Kamel advised.
—Knock, knock.
As I was thinking that and preparing my sword, a knock sounded.
When I opened the door, Daisy, who had tried to shove me into a subspace, was looking at me with displeasure.
"Let's go, Kamel told me to look after you."
I was already spoiling for a fight because of that fact, so this was perfect. I should say something to get under her skin.
Just as I was about to ask why she was calling him 'Kamel-nim'.
"Ah, might you be Miss Rose of the Darmian Viscount family?"
Suddenly, a voice, somehow familiar, chimed in.
My stiff neck slowly turned.
"I am Jeki, the butler. I am currently guiding the guests to the party hall."
Indigo hair came into view. A middle-aged man with skin beginning to wrinkle appeared.
He was clearly a face I had never seen before, someone I didn't know.
But why?
Why did my heart feel so constricted, so suffocated?
"…Especially the chocolate parfait here is as sweet as to evoke childhood nostalgia. Please be sure to try it. You might not have another chance to taste it after today."
Why did my legs feel like giving out at the butler's words to Daisy?
****
"What is this now?"
Having arrived at the temple where the Primordial Saintess was clutching her thighs, I held a fingernail-sized purple orb in my hand and tilted my head, looking at the notification window that appeared in the air.
[You have acquired 'Sinful Thought – Pride'.]
[Main Quest 'Ancient Contract' has begun.]
[Collect all seven 'Sinful Thoughts'.]
[Upon success, you can obtain a special reward.]
So, there *was* a main quest after all. To only find this out seven years after possessing this body. What an extraordinary transmigration life this is.
It was at that moment.
—Swoosh.
Along with the sound of a sword being drawn, a sudden, vast surge of mana was felt.
—CRASH!
I reflexively dodged and turned my head to look at where I had been standing.
A shattered statue.
A deep, clear sword mark etched into the floor.
And even a faint demonic aura emanating from within it.
My gaze returned. This time, to where the one who had made this sword mark stood.
There, I saw a man draped in a black robe, wearing a grotesque mask.
A conclusion was immediately drawn.
This man was incomparably stronger than the avatar of the Seven Deadly Sins I had faced.
"Oh, for heaven's sake…"
Realizing this, I immediately tricked the Scales and drew both swords from their sheaths.