Chapter 27: When we meet, we say hello with a kiss-kiss-kiss

Chapter 27

There is a saying.
That the one who knows the most about scams is a scammer.

Then who knows the most about the human soul?

Naturally, it would be the demons who prey on human souls.
Like Kelazak, who was right here.

That was why he was confused.

‘…Have my eyes gone dim?’

Talent that would be fitting for a supreme ruler.
A little kid, enveloped in a brilliance so bright it would blind his inner eye, was clutching a shabby instrument as if it were a treasure.

It was no wonder Kelazak doubted his own eyes.

Was this like setting out to rob a jewelry store, only to find a Fabergé egg on the street?
To think ‘How lucky’ and pick it up would be the more abnormal reaction.

‘I’ll have to watch a little longer.’

The ancient demon opted for caution.
It was for the rather humiliating reason that he found it hard to trust his own judgment.

“Huh?”

Just then, Chloe, noticing the stare, turned her head.
But the cunning demon had already scurried back to his spot.

‘Was her name Ersenne? I’ve heard that name somewhere before.’
[It’s in the original novel’s timeline!]
‘Oh, really?’

My ears perked up at Clicker’s answer.
After all, my faith in it was just starting to return thanks to the tangible result of my talent’s transformation.

Chloe decided to accept Clicker’s claim.
Beep-boop-bop. Come in, Clicker.

[Yes! I will now show you the timeline for ‘The Star-Counting Mage’!]

[Setting Memo:
Imperial Year 145. Nelsus launches the Adventurer’s Guild.
Imperial Year 146. Ersenne fails to summon the Spirit King.
Imperial Year 148—]

That infuriating name is right at the top again.

Even setting aside the tuition thief Nelsus, what calendar is this Imperial Year based on anyway?
Honestly, they should have organized their setting notes more neatly.

But anyway.

‘Her name really is in the middle of the timeline. Ersenne.’

Ersenne fails to summon the Spirit King.
According to the timeline, it was an event that had yet to happen, but there was no doubt.

Still, it didn’t seem like she was a main character.
Her name didn’t appear later in the timeline either.

“It is time. Please begin your final rehearsal.”
“Alright! Let’s go, everyone!”

However, the kindness with which Ersenne encouraged the choir was more than enough to call her a saintess.
A sense of pride could be felt from the priests who followed her.

All of this was easy for Kelazak.

For the most part, goodness is performed with a certain level of consciousness.
A person who performs good deeds as naturally as breathing is rare.

Therefore, a villain who consciously performs good deeds appears more virtuous than the average person.

This was why demons could so easily deceive humans.
Because humans are creatures that do not belong to the realm of absolute good.

‘Humans are truly unremarkable. They haven’t grown at all in over a thousand years.’

Moreover, he was Kelazak.
An ancient demon, on a different level from the lower-class demons who get their possessions discovered and are exorcised.

Yet, no one suspected his true identity.

“When the starlight whispers, an unforgotten name—.”
“The heavens open, and the bells resound—.”

The woman who had accidentally released Kelazak’s seal.
The bard, Ersenne.

By adding the demon’s power to her talented body, delivering a song that could captivate the souls of its listeners was a piece of cake.

‘Oh? This is impressive.’

Chloe, who had been waiting for her turn, watched with wide eyes.
It was a performance fine enough to warrant such a reaction.

But Chloe’s impression ended there.

In her past life, Chloe had frequently attended orchestral concerts.
South Korea was a developed nation, after all.
She had listened to some of the world’s finest, top-class orchestras several times, so she was less amazed.

That was why Chloe’s surprise was of a slightly different nature.

‘It’s possible to have a performance that rivals a German philharmonic with just a small motet (a cappella choir piece).’

I was never interested in vocal music, but seeing it now, it’s quite something.
Is the music fantastical because this is a fantasy world?

‘Should I try studying a cappella if I go to a monastery?’

Her impression was only about that much.
In other words.

‘…This is a rehearsal? This?’
‘This is a blatant attempt at intimidation, you religious snobs!’

The reactions of the other musicians were far more shocked.

Even if the priesthood had become a means for social climbing in the secular world, wasn’t this going too far?
What kind of clergy is that?
They were burning with competitive spirit, practically declaring a challenge.

The musical troupes of the Prince-Electors and the great merchants.
And the renowned wandering troupes famous enough to be invited here, all thought so.

Even as they thought this, they found themselves continuously captivated by their song.

‘The lyrics… I need to check the lyrics.’
‘Where was my section? I was told this morning it needed a little tuning, so…’

A tone that filled the performance hall with a majestic air.
It carved an irresistible thrill into them.
It pierced through their revulsion and contempt.

That was the Holy See’s choir.

“…I think I’m going to lose my confidence.”

The wandering storyteller, Michelle, said with a trembling voice.
She felt her insides burn black from the gut-wrenching difference in skill.

Michelle’s companions felt the same way in their hearts.

– There’s no other stage like this! If we do well here, the three of us will surely be invited to the troupes of the nobles!
– Let’s aim for a Count’s family!
– No, think bigger! A Duke’s family! A Prince-Elector! Her Majesty the Empress!

Where had the passion that had fueled them gone?
It felt as if it had burned too brightly, leaving only ashes behind.

“Was the choir always this good?”
“Well, they must be the vocalists hand-picked by the Holy See…”

Even within the Prince-Elector’s own troupe, some musicians were intimidated.
Some of their minds went blank at the thought of competing against them.

Just as the audience mentally admitted defeat.

“Everyone, get up. It’s our turn to practice.”

Only the Empress’s troupe calmly ascended the practice stage.
Drawing the surprise and admiration of the other musicians.

‘Even if it’s just a rehearsal, how can they be so composed?’
‘Is it a case of, ‘I may not have confidence, but I can’t let it show’?’

Or was it something else?
Do they have an ace up their sleeve?

That was the only way their attitude could be seen,
and it was the correct answer.

“Chloe, this way.”
“Yes.”

A young girl stood in the center of the Court Orchestra.
A child with her orange hair tied back neatly.

The choir members, who were moistening their throats, frowned.

“Aha. So that’s why they were so confident. They’ve been secretly using tricks to curry favor with the Empress?”
“Ah, is she the one? …But she has hair?”
“It must be a wig.”

Murmurs. Murmurs. Murmurs.
Judging gazes.

‘This feels familiar.’

It reminds me of the first day I went busking.
Busan had so many tourists, I was so embarrassed.

[Believing in yourself and moving forward even in such situations is what’s truly cool. 😊]
‘Save the flattery.’

I gave a bitter smile,
raised my bow,
and played.

What crossed my mind was the conversation we had before practice today.

– You’re asking how you should match with us?
– No, no. Don’t. Don’t you ever think that.
– Chloe, you don’t need to match with us.

After she had tried playing in harmony with the entire orchestra.
Having received the unspoken consent from everyone, she had said with sparkling eyes.

– We will match ourselves to you.

There is only one Elven Queen.
Therefore, there is also only one queen of instruments who will dominate this piece.

For one violinist,
The Luntraval Concerto for Chloe.

Composed by Lindaril F. Aeris.

‘The Isle of Fairies.’

When that single piece reached its beginning and its end.
Michelle couldn’t help but finally cry out.

“…How can something like this exist!”

Months of effort, giving it their all.
It was the cry of an artist who had just realized that all that time was just to become a supporting act.

In Luntraval, an artist is synonymous with an intellectual.
It was the same on Earth before the modern era.

That must have been why.

“…Isn’t that the Kotodama-ka phenomenon? That concerto just now.”
“Does that make sense? There wasn’t a single line of lyrics, let alone an incantation!”

The musicians who had watched Chloe’s practice stage.
For them to realize the meaning of the performance they had just witnessed.

It was unbelievable.

“Hmph.”

Look at these fools, so surprised.
I wanted to smack the elven music director, who was preening with just such an expression.

‘Ugh, that detestable pointy-ear.’
‘Boo! Go back to your island!’

Though their faces were all scrunched up, the choir members couldn’t bring themselves to curse out loud.

Because they would have made the same expression.
If they had been the only ones who secretly knew about a monster like this.

In fact, when they went on stage with Ersenne, they had worn similar expressions.

‘As expected! My eyes were not mistaken!’

And that very same Ersenne.
That is, Kelazak, also wore a smile.

Kotodama-ka that transcended the barrier of language.
It was because he had caught a glimpse of a state comparable to spirit magic.

‘Even if she might be lacking in martial power, she would be a far better vessel than Ersenne’s body.’

No, would she even be lacking in power?
This was practically letting talent go to waste.

This body isn’t bad, but there are limits to masquerading as a clergywoman.

‘As a demon, I cannot handle divine power.’

The limit was to handle it indirectly by putting Ersenne’s personality at the forefront.
Even that had its unnatural aspects that caught the eye.

It wasn’t noticed because it’s surprisingly common for people to change as if they’re a different person when they sing,
but masquerading as a nun meant more occasions to use divine power.

It meant a higher chance of the incongruity being discovered.
If that was the case, being a bard who handles mana was better.

Just as that was why he had chosen Ersenne in the first place.

“Wonderful! What an amazing performance!”

Thus, Kelazak went straight to shake Chloe’s hand.
I’ll inject my power just like this, and snatch her body!

“Thank you. Your song was amazing too, big sis. Hmm, I still have a lot to learn.”
“A lot to learn! Chloe, you are already as good as a master bard… big sis?”

Why big sis?

Even after perfectly setting up the conditions for possession, Kelazak’s great intellect was momentarily stunned.
It was at that moment, when he faltered in surprise, that he missed his timing.

“…Hmm?”
“Huh.”

A red light burst forth from Chloe’s body.
A spray of water that was truly reminiscent of blood.

-Pshaaa!!

“Kyaaaaaa-?!”
“M-murder!”
“The Holy See’s choir went mad with jealousy and killed a child!!”

Pshasha, a splash of what looked like several buckets of blood.
Screams erupted from below the stage.

Gazes of terror and hostility poured down on Kelazak.

“…No.”

I haven’t done anything yet.
Kelazak felt wronged.

The city outskirts.
A shady lodging untouched by the festival’s fervor.

“Kuaaaack-!”

Peggio, the head apprentice of the Painter’s Guild Leader, screamed as he rolled on the floor.
A hammer made of ice had just slammed into his solar plexus.

“So you were hiding in a place like this. It was a pain to find you.”

-Thump, thump.
Emil, who had sent him flying, dusted off her hands.

“Seeing as you ran away, you must have known everything. What your master was doing and where.”
“Th-that is…”

Peggio trembled and averted his eyes.

The way Emil spoke to him and her expression were the same as always.
It wasn’t strange.
She was, by nature, a heavenly painter who had no interest in others.

That’s why it was strange.

The unconcealed anger was transmitted through her gaze alone,
but her voice was as flat as if she were ordering bread.

“S-save me! I didn’t know that man was involved in such a serious crime!”
“Make your excuses in court. I don’t plan on killing you.”

Emil raised an empty hand, without even a staff.

“Because Chloe would hate it.”

Ehlaine, Terrenos.
Mana transforms into shackles, surges, and freezes.

The Kotodama-ka incantation recited internally.
It was a restraint for the purpose of arrest.

But it was hard for Peggio to feel relieved that he was alive.

“We still have things to settle, don’t we? Senior apprentice Peggio.”

Because those familiar faces surrounded the now-immobilized Peggio.
The party Emil had brought with her to the Holy Empire.

They were the painters who had been deceived, threatened, and coaxed like Chloe,
and worked like slaves.

“G-guys…? What’s wrong! We’ve gotten along so well until now! Right?”
“Gotten along? That must have been just you.”
“While you embezzled the money you exploited from us.”

Ah.
They found out everything.

Peggio squeezed his eyes shut.

“…Sh*t. I should’ve just grabbed the valuables and run.”
“Get him!”
“I’ll break this b@stard’s wrist! Don’t stop me!”
“Gwaaaaaah?!”

A bloodbath.
Emil nonchalantly let the blood-splattered screams wash over her.

“Hand him over to the knights with your own hands. If you don’t want to be tied up with the Guild Leader and arrested as a group.”
“Thank you. For everything, from one to ten.”
“If you’re really thankful, say it to Chloe.”

Emil nonchalantly opened the door and walked past.

“In the end, she’s the one who saved you all.”

The painters Emil brought to help Chloe.
In turn, Chloe had saved them.

‘…Did they say her nickname was the Saintess?’

Perhaps it was a fitting nickname.
Emil smiled imperceptibly.

“I’m leaving.”
“W-we will escort you!”
“Don’t. It’s a hassle.”

A witness who would prove the Guild Leader’s corruption.
With them as her trump card, the trial would be swift.

She had dealt with the pawn, the so-called head apprentice, too.
Now there should be nothing to worry about.

It must have been because she believed that and let her guard down.

“Kekekeke…! Kuhahahaha!”

The laughter from behind.
Her heart went cold at the ominous feeling it contained.

“You !diotic b*tch! The fact that you came to catch me means Yaltarion isn’t by Chloe’s side either!”
“…What are you trying to say.”
“You didn’t notice? Of course you didn’t! You probably never imagined the necklace Chloe is wearing was a magic item!”

Peggio cackled, mocking his enemy’s ignorance.

An unsummoned spirit is no different from a natural element.
The blood spirit dwelling in the necklace.
Its presence would have felt like nothing more than clotted blood.

“It’s the Necklace of the Blood Spirit! The one on that brat’s neck!”
“……Ugh!”
“Can you imagine! When master realizes he’s done for, what order he’ll give to the blood spirit!”

The enemy who had ruined his prospects and his life.
Chloe.

How he would take revenge on that insolent brat.
Peggio could more than imagine it.

Because the Painter’s Guild Leader was that kind of person.

“……Move!”

Emil gritted her teeth and dashed out into the city.
Leaving behind the party members who moved aside in surprise, and the mocking laughter from behind.

“It’s already too late! You shouldn’t have come for me, you should have gone to save your friend!!”

Hahaha. Kuhahahaha.
The nauseating laughter grew distant.

Was it because the distance from the vile villain was growing?
Or was it because Emil’s own mind was growing faint?

Unable to distinguish, Emil ran.
To where Chloe was.
To the performance hall, just before the Empress’s birthday celebration.

And.

“My goodness. How could this…”
“Huh? Why, why are there tears…?”

The crowd murmurs, gathered in a throng before the room.
Outside the stage where Chloe should be.
They swarm as if they’ve seen something miraculous.

“……Ah.”

The metallic smell of iron rising from her overexerted lungs as she ran.
Amidst it, Emil could smell it.

The scent of blood wafting from the stage.

“……CHLOE!!!!”
“Huh? Why?”

?

The reply that came back to her scream, which she’d let out as if vomiting blood.
Emil was so dumbfounded she was at a loss for words.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you shout.”

Then, a beautiful girl’s face popped out from between the crowd.
She frowned prettily.

“But you need to pick the time and place. It’s a nuisance, you know.”
“……………….”

Emil felt wronged.
So she glared at the dolphin spirit, which was as red as her sense of injustice.

The suspiciously red dolphin circling next to Chloe.
The blood spirit didn’t even give Emil a second glance.

She was too busy talking to her new master.

• Ppu-eh! Ppo!

I can’t take it anymore.

Keep playing that piece I just heard, it was saying.

—

🔓 Confirming formal contract with the Blood Spirit, Orvar.
✨ Acquiring contract reward.

[Acquired: Passive Skill – Steadfast Blood Flow (Unique)]
[Effect: Final Strength Correction Level +3.]

🗡 Current Strength Level: 1 (+3)

—