Chapter 13: A Shrouded Mist

As Laila swayed toward Mann, the person following closely behind her came into everyone’s view.

He wore a pure black butler’s uniform, with white gloves that seemed to be made of silk on his hands.

The man was meticulous in every detail, his gaze fixed on Laila’s every move with concern. But that look held something more than just care—there was something else hidden within.

…Rien. In the Divine Revelation, it was he who had killed us all.

As Mann looked at him, the man seemed to sense something and glanced back.

Just one look, and both of them confirmed each other’s identity as Divine Emissaries.

“What? Do you two know each other?”

Laila turned and asked Rien behind her.

“No, just somewhat familiar.”

Mann also tactfully averted his gaze.

“You may withdraw now, Rien. You’ve been busy all day; you should rest.”

“Yes, Lady Laila.”

After Rien withdrew, Laila approached Mann.

“Really, Brother Mann, it’s been ten years, and you’re just standing there? Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

Say? Say your grandpa! Should I tell you about the time I was attacked by the Heretic God Sect?

“Haha, you’re joking.”

“Ah, look at me, I’m so muddled. What can’t be said tomorrow? Young Mann has been traveling in a carriage all day; he must be very tired now.”

Campbell sensed the awkward atmosphere and quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

“Come, young Mann, I’ll take you to rest. Laila, you should go rest too. It just so happens that tomorrow you can take young Mann to get familiar with Campbell City.”

Laila just smiled, seemingly not taking the unpleasantness to heart.

“Well then, see you tomorrow, Brother Mann.”

“Mm, see you tomorrow.”

Mann responded perfunctorily, then turned and followed Campbell away.

To be honest, even if they weren’t enemies, he felt he could hardly handle someone with Laila’s personality.

And in the original owner’s memories, young Laila was vastly different from now.

“Uncle… young Laila’s personality wasn’t like this.”

“You weren’t as gloomy as you are now when you were young either!”

He had wanted to probe for information, but Campbell’s remark caught him completely off guard.

He wanted to retort, but there was no flaw in the statement.

“……”

“As your elder, I have to say something. You’re about to become a member of the Campbell family. Just say whatever you want directly. Isn’t it uncomfortable to keep it all bottled up?”

Well, that was true. It was pretty uncomfortable.

“Alright, you’ll sleep here.”

Pointing in the direction Campbell indicated was a room even more luxurious than his original one.

“Tomorrow Laila will take you around the city. Don’t be so distant like today.”

“…I’ll try…”

“Rest well, young Mann.”

“Mm, good night, Uncle Campbell.”

With that, Viscount Campbell turned and waved as he left.

Only after the footsteps had completely faded did Mann collapse onto the massive bed in relief.

“First, I should report my situation to Lord Duruve.”

Mann pulled out his Communication Artifact, but as soon as he activated it, Duruve’s voice came through.

“Sir Mann?”

“Duruve?”

After confirming each other’s identities, Mann informed him of the situation here and expressed his intention to postpone the plan.

“What? You’re saying the plan is postponed?”

“Yes.”

“Then what about the squad leader?”

“For now, don’t act rashly. That’s the safest approach.”

Mann stated firmly.

“How can you be sure the Heretic God Sect will wait for you?”

“That’s what you need to do. Keep an eye on anyone traveling from Campbell City to Matthews Territory.”

“This… alright.”

Duruve finally conceded reluctantly, after all, the other side had a Divine Emissary as a trump card, making hasty action unwise.

“Also, Lord Duruve, the Church should have artifacts targeting Divine Emissaries, right? Try to get as many as possible for emergencies.”

“Got it. I’ll contact you again.”

After putting away the Communication Artifact, a wave of drowsiness washed over Mann.

“Time to rest… tomorrow I still have to…”

Before he could finish, Mann drifted off into a deep sleep.

In his dream, he once again arrived at the god’s space.

“Kid, you’re pretty laid back, huh? Didn’t you see the Divine Revelation? You don’t have many days left to live!”

The speaker was the god leaning sideways on the Clock Throne.

He still looked down at Mann with a mocking expression.

If he hadn’t brought up the Divine Revelation, Mann might not have gotten so angry. But now, he was even more furious.

He couldn’t even be bothered to look at him, and shot back:

“What? Don’t want me dead?”

“Ridiculous. Your death has nothing to do with me.”

“Then shut your mouth! Helgort!”

Mann glared at the god on the throne, filled with resentment.

This guy could have let him see the future directly, but instead he set up a perspective from the dead, even syncing the pain of death. Clearly just for his own amusement.

“Looks like you’re quite satisfied with my improved Divine Revelation.”

“I’m satisfied with you @#¥%@#¥%!”

“Hmph! If you have nothing else, I’m leaving. Wasting my time!”

“Oh? Can you leave?”

As soon as the god finished speaking, a huge spiked hammer swung down toward Mann’s head.

Before Mann could even react, he was smashed to pieces.

But the next second, Mann reappeared in the same spot, completely unharmed.

He looked at the shadow shrouded in black mist before him. The enormous spiked hammer still had bloodstains on it.

“That… wasn’t an illusion just now! What did you do?”

The god still rested his cheek on one hand, looking intrigued.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to get stronger? I happen to feel the same way. After all, having a weak emissary damages my reputation.”

“What do you mean?”

“This is a phantom made from the Paladin you fought alongside. Train with him. That is, if you have the courage.”

With that, the god vanished. The entire space was left with just Mann and Duruve’s phantom.

“Hah… get stronger? That’s fine by me.”

“Then let’s start…”

Before Mann could finish, he was again shattered by the hammer.

The next morning, Mann felt like his whole body had fallen apart.

“That damned Helgort, even in training he had to seal my abilities!”

Thinking back to how many times Duruve had crushed him in his dream last night, Mann couldn’t help but shiver.

At least he hadn’t come away empty-handed.

Mann opened his panel and found a new ability.

[Holy Light LV1 (Basic faith-based skill. Has the advantage of consuming no Mana. Slightly enhances curse resistance, and is highly effective against the Demon Race. Can be attached to attacks to add a small amount of power)]

A basic skill? Well, better than nothing.

He reached out and attached Holy Light to his hand.

“Alright, let me test it.”

With that, he punched the wall.

A dull thud echoed, but Mann only felt something odd.

“No obvious recoil, and there are faint scorch marks around the point of impact.”

“Is that… Holy Light? I didn’t realize you were a believer.”

A somewhat familiar voice.

Mann turned around and saw the person he least wanted to meet—Rien.

But he didn’t seem hostile.

“Oh, excuse me. I should introduce myself.”

“My name is Rien Yorkston. I currently serve as Lady Laila’s butler. I look forward to working with you from now on.”

Facing Rien’s outstretched hand, Mann barely suppressed his hostility.

“Mann Matthews. Nice to meet you.”

“Very well, then, Sir Mann, please follow me to freshen up. Lady Laila is still waiting for you.”

Mann said nothing. He followed Rien, his expression growing solemn.

Fine, let’s see what this woman named Laila is really trying to pull.