BXBX NOVEL Chapter 55 – Beast (2)
Chapter 55 – Beast (2)
Finally, dawn broke.
Just as I was waking up and barely getting my bearings to leave the room, I came face-to-face with Diana, who was standing at the door.
“Good afternoon, Master.”
Diana greeted me with her usual stoic expression.
I responded with a faint smile.
“Are you feeling better?”
“About what?”
“You didn’t seem to be in good shape last night.”
“…I don’t remember at all.”
Was she so embarrassed that she lost her memory?
I chuckled softly and continued walking.
On a typical day, I would waste time idly or casually keep an eye on Isabel’s movements, but today’s schedule was a bit special.
“When is tonight’s dinner?”
“Three hours from now.”
“We have plenty of time.”
Since the Duke started staying here, the atmosphere inside the Papal See had become quite tense.
With Isabel openly cursing at the imperial decree, saying “fuck that,” and the Royal Family challenging the authority of the Papal See—the environment was inevitably hostile with people ready to stab each other in the back.
The conflict between the Papal See and the Royal Family was essentially a clash between Rudine and Isabel.
Neither would back down, and I expected this tense atmosphere to continue until the Duke left the Papal See.
But my prediction was pleasantly wrong.
‘I never thought Isabel would give up first.’
The Papal See suddenly changed their stance, announcing that they would comply with the Royal Family’s demands.
Although there were various conditions attached, it was enough to gradually ease the previously tense atmosphere.
“Tomorrow morning, the Pope, the Saintess, and key figures of the Papal See will all depart for the Eastern Continent.”
“The Eastern Continent?”
“Yes, it seems they are planning a significant expansion into the Eastern Continent.”
Indeed, it was about time for the Papal See to expand their reach. The Eastern Continent was also suffering from the Black Mist, just like the Empire.
From the perspective of the Papal See, which thrived on faith, the Eastern Continent would be a treasure trove.
‘I should start preparing to leave.’
Luna would be released in a few days, and once Isabel left for the Eastern Continent, I would be left with no choice but to be dragged back to the Royal Family.
After all, the Royal Family demanded Kyle Winfred’s presence at the Imperial Palace.
I no longer had anything I needed or any tasks left to do here.
“I’ll find an opportunity once I leave this place.”
There’s plenty of time.
With only a small percentage left to reach the final goal, there’s no need to rush.
Yes, that’s that.
[ Scenario Progress: 83% ]
‘Why did it go up again?’
From 81% to 83%.
Just by waking up, the progress increased by 2%.
Did Isabel cause some trouble again?
It was unsettling, but at this rate, reaching 100% was not far off.
As I walked down the corridor, I vaguely dreamed of neutralizing the system, obtaining the Relic, and then returning to my original world by crossing the dimensions.
It was really not far off now.
While I was organizing my thoughts, a soft female voice called from behind.
“Kyle.”
Ah, the tiresome Isabel.
Just seeing her made me sigh.
“I’m… leaving for the Eastern Continent soon.”
“So what?”
When I responded, Isabel gave a serene smile.
“Just letting you know.”
“…”
“I heard you’re going back to the Imperial Palace?”
“Yeah. Why, are you going to start spouting nonsense again like last time?”
I retorted coldly.
Even so, Isabel remained unusually emotionless.
She didn’t shout, get angry, or even feel jealous.
“You don’t have to be so wary.”
“…”
“No one will dare touch you from now on.”
“I think you’re the most dangerous threat to me?”
Isabel just smiled softly without any further response.
There’s no time to waste here.
I couldn’t hold back a cold remark.
“At least it’s a relief. Rudine doesn’t spout crazy nonsense like you.”
“…”
“If you have nothing more to say, get lost.”
I glanced at Isabel out of the corner of my eye.
She was probably about to start babbling like a madwoman again.
How could you do this to me, Rudine is a dangerous woman, I’m the only one who truly cares about you…
A flood of typical responses that Isabel might give filled my mind.
Ah, it’s so annoying.
What nonsense will she spout this time…
“Alright, you must be busy. Go ahead.”
“…”
…Huh?
Isabel is acting normal?
“Make sure to attend the dinner.”
“Why should I?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t be attending the dinner because I have some work to take care of.”
“…”
“You know I’m leaving for the Eastern Continent tomorrow.”
What’s wrong with her?
As I stood there, baffled and unable to respond, Isabel looked at me with a gentle smile.
It was a leisurely smile, like that of a winner who had already gained everything.
“Then, I’ll be going first.”
Isabel turned her back without hesitation.
And as she passed me, she added one more thing.
“See you later.”
****
I went straight back to my room.
I didn’t attend the dinner.
Isabel’s absurd insistence that I attend the dinner ruined my appetite.
And most importantly,
“What the hell is this?”
I clicked my tongue, recalling the recent events.
— Alright, you must be busy. Go ahead.
Isabel’s expression, actions, and tone.
Everything was extremely unsettling.
She was acting too differently from her usual self.
The woman who was consistently crazy was acting sane today, making it even more suspicious.
Just then.
Knock knock—
An irregular knocking sound echoed in the air a couple of times.
“Oh, it’s a pleasure to see you.”
The person who appeared when I opened the door was an ordinary priestess from the Papal See.
She stood at the door with a cart full of food and tea.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
She pushed the cart inside and began setting the table with various dishes.
“The food looks particularly shiny today, doesn’t it? The chef put in a lot of effort because it was prepared for the banquet.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! It would have been even better if you had attended the banquet yourself.”
After bustling about for a while and setting the table, she closed her eyes tightly.
After murmuring a prayer, she smiled brightly and politely took the cart out of the room.
Tap tap tap—
The distinct sound of footsteps gradually faded away.
And when it had completely disappeared.
“Diana.”
I called for Diana.
Soon after, the familiar sound of her heavy footsteps approached.
And then,
“You called for me.”
Diana, who had been waiting nearby, entered the room.
Her room was quite far from mine.
Even so, I had a reason for calling her at this late hour.
I couldn’t risk eating the food here with peace of mind.
“Smell this.”
Diana, as if expecting this, slowly brought her face close to the food.
After a few minutes.
Having smelled all the food, Diana leisurely raised her head.
“There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong.”
“Really?”
“Yes, at least from the smell, there’s nothing unusual.”
Normally, I would have started eating as soon as Diana said it was fine.
But Isabel’s attitude this afternoon was too unsettling.
I couldn’t let my guard down.
There are many colorless and odorless poisons in this world.
I was still hesitating whether to skip dinner or take the risk and eat.
Watching my hesitation, Diana suggested a solution.
“If you’re worried, I can take a bite first.”
“What if it’s poisoned?”
“Don’t worry. If there’s a problem, I’ll spit it out before swallowing.”
Apart from other things, Diana’s keen senses and immunity to poisons were unmatched.
Nodding lightly, Diana sat down and began tasting the food, one bite at a time.
As time passed,
“…Ugh!”
As she tasted the food, Diana suddenly turned her head and spat it out.
“Ugh, cough!”
She covered her mouth with her hand and kept coughing.
There could only be one reason for such a strong reaction.
It had to be poison.
A strong warning echoed in my head.
“Diana!”
As I sprang up from my chair, Diana, who was seated, started to wobble.
And then, thud—her heavy body collapsed to the floor.
I held my breath as I checked her pulse.
“…”
Her pulse was calm.
No internal injuries, just unconsciousness.
Which means.
“…She’s asleep?”
It’s not poison.
Then what is it?
It didn’t take long to figure it out.
“Sleeping powder…”
Sleeping powder, a high-end consumable that induces a powerful sleep state.
If it was strong enough to knock out Diana, who had the highest resistance to status effects, it could only be one thing.
“Damn it, Isabel…!”
You again.
Now you’re even messing with the food?
Rage boiled up like lava.
At the same time, the transparent system in the air began to fluctuate.
— 84%
— 85%
…
…
The progress started to increase.
And then,
Clang clang—
The locked doorknob kept making metallic noises.
Someone was trying to unlock the door.
‘No way…’
The creaking doorknob suddenly stopped.
Creak—
The door slowly opened.
And through the gap, someone entered.
“Oh.”
The woman sighed softly.
“This won’t do…”
Golden hair shimmered under the pouring moonlight.
“Why are you still awake, Kyle?”
Isabel began to walk into the room.
Her lips were smiling, but her eyes were fierce as she looked at me.
Her blue eyes glinted menacingly.
She muttered in a polite tone.
“This makes things troublesome for both of us.”
“Are you really crazy?”
“Maybe, I guess.”
“What are you planning to do by putting me to sleep? Kidnap me?”
“Yes, I was going to take you to a safe place. I’ve already prepared a place for us to stay.”
Isabel tilted her head and smiled softly.
But I couldn’t focus on her smile.
— 87%
— 88%
…
…
Shit, how far is this going to go?