Allen watched as a pigeon flapped its wings and flew past him, and spoke softly:
“Marianne, the driving force behind my life’s struggles might not be the same as everyone else’s. For most, it might be dreams. I have no dreams. My Ultimate Dream in life is simply to lie down and rot.”
“All the motivation that pushes me forward comes from my unwillingness; from my anger; from seeing my romantic ideals trampled and tormented; from all the pain I’ve suffered in my previous 999 Cycles of Reincarnation. I keep moving forward just so I can rot in comfort later, to wear down that unwillingness in my heart, to finally let go.”
“But I just can’t let go… No matter what, I can’t. Whether it’s you, myself, or Livia. I loathe all of this! I want to know—who is it pulling the strings behind this damned Destined Tragedy! If it’s this Twisted World, then I’ll take Revenge on the world; if it’s those Evil Gods, or that Observer… then I’ll take Revenge on them!”
“The Flame of Vengeance has burned my soul for eternity, yet it also fuels me anew, driving me to run tirelessly ahead. Marianne, I don’t want you too close to me, precisely because this flame… will burn you too.”
“I think, in the end, it’ll burn the whole world, burn everyone around me, and finally… turn me to ashes.”
“So… you and Livia should stay together. No matter how things turn out, at least this time, you have a chance to live.”
Suddenly, Marianne threw her arms around Allen in a tight embrace.
This time, there was nothing ambiguous or possessive about her hug—just deep affection and empathy.
“I’m not afraid of your flames burning me, nor am I willing to survive alone! Aren’t we companions? For your Revenge on this world, please let me join you! Livia… she’s so pitiful, I want to save her too. Can’t the three of us… can’t we find happiness together?”
“Marianne…” You really are a fool, completely hooked now.
At an angle where Marianne couldn’t see, the corners of Allen’s mouth curled up into a sly smile—a villain’s plot coming to fruition.
Once again, Allen maxed out Marianne’s affection. Clearly, he already had this little maid completely in his grasp.
Though she still had a bit of “madness” deep inside, she was utterly different from the self-destructive girl from past Cycles of Reincarnation.
Now she had a new goal, and her heart had found a firm pillar of support. That self-destructive tendency had transformed into courage and sacrifice.
At this point, Allen believed that even if he asked Marianne to die for him, she’d carry it out without hesitation.
Very good!
Though a trace of self-loathing rose in his heart, Allen knew that this PUA had to be carried out to the end.
Marianne now bore a true Brand of Shadow—he absolutely couldn’t let her be Corrupted or betray him, not even the tiniest bit. She had to be tightly bound to him.
Even if it meant “sacrificing” himself, he needed Marianne to serve as a key piece on the board and play her role to the fullest.
She couldn’t be weak, couldn’t hesitate—she had to be utterly and wholly at his disposal.
Mutually using, mutually tormenting… this was exactly the most twisted and most unbreakable relationship he wanted!
This world doesn’t need Salvation, and he, Allen de Laval, needs it even less!
The humiliation and anger that the Stellar Cycle brought him finally erupted in full.
That guy had only said a few words to him, and nearly drove him mad and destroyed his body.
Such was the powerlessness of an ant. He hated being this weak!
Spoiling my story? Controlling my fate?
What a joke!
I am no one’s pawn! You bastard, you think you can use me to achieve your unspeakable goals?
Hmph, just wait… I’ll flip the whole board you’ve set!
Allen’s death wasn’t important. What mattered was that he would, with every last ounce of strength, fiercely slap those arrogant bastards in the face.
Allen had made up his mind: when he wiped out the Thieves’ Guild the day after tomorrow, he would thoroughly vent this long-suppressed frustration.
Let the blood of those who deserve it even more than him douse his rage.
As a villain, there was no need to hide his bloodthirsty nature.
For a thousand years, the unpunished have filled graveyards to bursting.
Allen never thought he could wipe out all the evil in the world—he was not Livia, and wouldn’t waste time on useless things.
He just planned to stomp out the most annoying cockroaches he could see right now. As for killing them all—he didn’t care.
Yet, such a ruthless, nearly mad Allen appeared utterly different in Marianne’s eyes.
This boy—bereft of his mother, tormented over a thousand Cycles of Reincarnation, wounded countless times, yet still shouldering the mission of Salvation—he was a true Apostle.
Master’s heart… how kind it is.
His will… how unbreakable.
I… I want to become someone like Master!
“Marianne, let me ask you: just how long are you planning to keep touching me with your sneaky little hands? Also, don’t you smell the oil all over me? Yet you still keep sniffing?” Allen’s helpless voice snapped Marianne out of her adoring reverie.
“Master smells sweet everywhere,” Marianne answered devoutly.
“You perverted brain! Reflect on yourself!” Allen gave her a light karate chop on the head.
The pair of foolish Master and maid walked down the steps of the Saint Elliott Cathedral, and looked up to see Bernard Viscount and the old butler Jean searching anxiously nearby.
Seeing his son safe, Bernard finally let out a sigh of relief, rushed over and hugged Allen tightly. “Son! Are you all right? I was so worried!”
“Dad, easy… I’m not a plush toy, why does everyone like hugging me?” Allen struggled helplessly.
The butler also gave him a concerned look.
Allen nodded to both, showing a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. But, you two might be in trouble soon.”
“Eh?” Bernard froze.
Allen’s expression grew serious. “Dad, the minions of an Evil God have come for me.
But your son isn’t so easy to take down—the Church helped purify the Evil influence.
By the way, we’ve gained Church Sanctuary, a personal promise from Luthien, the Archbishop.”
“Now, you both, as my most important family, have become my greatest weakness. I know this sounds cold, but you’re in real danger now. Please, always pay attention to your own safety. If you ever feel your thoughts or personality change, seek help from the Church at once. Also, if you fall into the enemy’s hands, especially those of Heretics… in that case, ending yourselves is the wisest choice.”
“Don’t count on me too much—I’m not an omnipotent Superman. I might not make it in time to save you. If you fall into the hands of those Heretics, your fate will be a thousand times worse than death. Even if I rescue you by chance, the mental Corruption may be irreversible. I don’t want to see my family end up like that… The only thing I can do is avenge you.”
Allen spoke simply and bluntly, even coldly.
For his family, for those he trusted most, hiding or softening things would only lead to the worst outcome.
Allen wouldn’t allow himself any weaknesses, nor let those weaknesses make him hesitate or hold back.
After hearing Allen, Bernard was first stunned, then a flicker of joy, and finally an indescribable complicated emotion crossed his face.
After all, hearing your son say “if caught, just kill yourself” was indeed heartless.
But Allen was a “Chosen of the Gods.” As his father, he was destined to face threats beyond any normal person’s imagination. These threats were mere ripples to Allen, but could utterly destroy them.
Because of this, they must never be a burden! Allen trusted them without reservation—they mustn’t let him down!
That’s what it means to be a family!
“I understand, son!” Bernard gave Allen’s shoulder a heavy pat, eyes turning steely with resolve. “Even if it means death, I won’t let those evil plots succeed! Allen, you’re a good kid, I know you’ll do your best to save us. But if… if you can’t make it in time, don’t let it weigh on you… We’ll see each other again in the Lord’s paradise!”
“I’m the same, Master.” The butler bowed slightly, his voice steady. “These sorrows should not be yours alone. Death comes for all—we are not as important as the fate of all mankind.”
“Mm.” Allen nodded, eyes cold. “Rest assured, if that day ever comes, I won’t let any enemy off. I’ll hunt them to the ends of the earth. As for the Heretics… I’ll make them taste true terror.”
After speaking frankly with his family, the bonds within Laval House grew tighter and stronger.
Allen trusted his father and the butler could look after themselves, but he still had to prepare for the worst.
After all, his “death” was already written into the Script, and his father and butler might not escape their own destined fates.
Allen had only just avoided the downfall of Laval House this Sunday, but that was only the beginning.
The appearance of the “Star Listener” was like a wrecking ball to the original 《Starlit Serenade》 plot; the following Church arc was now utterly unreliable for reference.
He had to be ready to face an utterly unknown future.
Allen had maxed out his survival skills, but his father and the butler were just ordinary people—so fragile.
In truth, Allen lived every day with his family as if it were the last.
Even if his father died the very next moment, he could swallow his grief instantly and turn into a vengeful demon.
The kind of weakness where the protagonist needs to grow and transform—Allen had no right to such things.
From the start, he was complete—a thorough, mad yet clear-headed, ruthless villain!
To live is to go mad!
Just as the heavy conversation ended, Allen immediately shifted back to his everyday self, as if the cold-blooded statement from a moment ago had never happened.
“By the way, Dad, how did the Triumphal Procession go? No trouble?”
“Nothing major, all went as usual. But His Majesty acted out of character and actually met the Count of the Borderlands and your fiancée, Miss Livia. The nobles are all talking about it.”
“Then there was the Celebration Banquet—actually, our family was invited too. But that new good friend of yours, Hugo du Bernard, told us you had heatstroke and were sent to rest—but how could my son get heatstroke! Old Jean and I asked some Dawn’s Children still in Observer training. They said a Church cleric took you away, so I knew something was up. As soon as the ceremony ended, we rushed to the Church to find you.”
“Oh right, the banquet’s already over. I ran into a few nobles on the church steps just now. They said only the Count of the Borderlands attended the Celebration Banquet; Miss Livia did not. Quite a few people were disappointed not to see her up close.”
Livia didn’t attend with her father? Wasn’t she a dutiful daughter in the early game? That’s strange.
And… she met the king, yet only her father went to the banquet? Could she and the king be holding some secret meeting?
Tch, just as I thought! Louis XI is definitely plotting something. Livia has “returned” with her memories, so she’ll definitely try to avoid the Prophecy of Doom.
Zero points for both of you!
Livia, the harder you try to change things, the happier those Evil Gods will be. You’re just helping the enemy!
Allen instantly decided to put the king on his “potential enemies” list as well.
He’d already committed crimes that would see him executed for treason—there was no turning back, and in the end, he would inevitably clash with the whole machine of state.
He needed to prepare an escape route right now, to move Dad and the butler somewhere safe.
The Thieves’ Guild headquarters would serve as their Safety House.
The Capital is just too dangerous. After all, as the story’s Main Stage, how could it ever be truly peaceful?
At that moment, Bernard nudged Allen with his elbow, eyebrows waggling. “Speaking of which, your fiancée… she’s really beautiful! Son, you really don’t feel anything for her?”
“Oh, I’ve got good news for you, Dad. Our engagement probably can’t be called off.” Allen replied expressionlessly.
“And here’s some bad news: Livia is likely a minion of an Evil God. If you want to push for this marriage, you’d better think in advance—will your future grandkids have horns or tails?”
“Eh? Eh?! Eh——!!!!” Bernard was instantly petrified, flustered. “W-What should we do? Should I try to break off the engagement?”
“No need. Don’t do anything, and don’t let on that you know. If she comes to our house, just act normal. Do as you should. With me here, all you have to do is keep her stable.”
“I’m sorry, Allen, it’s my fault as a father… I never thought it would be my son sacrificing his looks to save the world… sob sob… Son, your life is too hard… I used to think she looked a bit like a legendary Succubus—turns out she really is…”
“Uh… Can you not be so perverted? That’s rude! She’s not a Succubus!”
Allen corrected him, exasperated. “She just looks like a beautiful girl, but she’s a Demon who eats from a skull bowl! She’s a Chosen of the Gods! What you should be worried about is whether your son will keep his head, not anything below the waist!”
Marianne almost wanted to snark: The way you two talk about Livia, you’re just as bad as each other!
“Oh right!” Bernard’s thoughts instantly took a strange turn.
“What about your good friend, Hugo du Bernard? Is he friend or foe? He seemed polite, a good lad. The Bernard family just arrived in the Capital, heard they’re down on their luck—I’d been thinking of visiting to see if we could befriend them.”
Allen considered for a moment. “He’s… a friend for now, I suppose.”
“Hey, with a noble swordsman as a friend, you’ll fit in with the young nobles better. I’ve heard his family crest is impressive?”
“More or less, among the Capital’s younger generation, it’s one of the top.”
“When did you become friends?”
“This morning.”
“Uh…” Bernard was left speechless, genuinely thinking: Is my son the real Succubus here? His charm is unreal!
So this is the Chosen of the Gods’ charisma? Terrifying!
“Let’s go, Dad. I’m hungry. Still got things to do this afternoon,” Allen urged.
“Son, shouldn’t you rest a bit? Didn’t you have a close call just now?” Bernard asked, worried.
“Rest?” Allen looked at his father, the butler, and Marianne, his gaze growing sharp and resolute. “Our enemies will never close their eyes, so I must keep mine on them at all times.”
“Until the day of final judgment arrives—”