Sphiros POV
Curse that day.
Curse the day I sought out that Entity.
If only I had known what would befall me… I would never have searched for it...
The Entity that emerged five years ago piqued my curiosity. I studied his victims' cases.
I found one of the Entity victims, a person who was a mercenary, the child of a fallen noble family…
That victim had fallen in love with someone, but was rejected because he had no family left and was not considered of noble blood. So the victim kidnapped the girl.
The girl's name was Alice. But it didn't take long for her family to find them. The mercenary's name was Micah…
Micah turned the girl's brother into a frog.
Micah was a Level 5 mage…
Even so, he was on the brink of death when the Entity appeared.
Micah wanted immortality. It was his lifelong dream. And he got what he wished for… but not what he wanted.
That's a story for another time. What matters is that Micah is still alive, if you can call it living, and Entity still hasn't taken his soul yet.
Micah hired me. Paid me a fortune. I searched. I specialized in theology. I delved into ancient myths, seeking the purpose of this divine Entity in our world.
But I went blind. I studied forbidden texts about demons.
That Entity resembles a true devil.
Songs written in the Entity name terrified even small children.
I received support from the Empire. After all, I was one of the most renowned researchers at the Academy.
Finally, it appeared before me. Though blind, I could still see its smile; it seemed so warm.
"Oh, I'm glad you're interested in me. Actually, I was interested in you, too, Sphiros. But I didn't expect you to go this far."
Entity voice has chilled me, yet it was strangely friendly.
I coughed, and I was terrified: "What are you? Mephisto or something? Because you really look like him… with your deal-making ways…"
"Professor, don't confuse me with him. He's quite angry with me; I stole his job after all. Anyway, listen carefully. You've stuck your nose where it doesn't belong, so your death is near. But I like you, Professor. I have a beautiful offer for you. I'll ensure your protection."
I was scared because Entity was telling the truth. Ghostly creatures, ghouls, tried to attack me over and over. I suffer from things I cannot see. Maybe there's hope… I don't know. But I will not make a deal.
Then he drew something on the floor as if granting me sight again. There was a pentagram, candles at each corner.
I stood in the very center of the circle he drew. "Since you've taken such an interest in me, this is your reward. As long as you stay inside this circle, no evil can touch you."
He was telling the truth.
A weight lifted from me. I relaxed. I was already old—a Level 6 mage.
If I couldn't reach Level 7, I'd die anyway.
Not from illness, but from my soul being taken. Yet he asked for nothing in return. But his favors always come with a price.
I'm afraid to leave. The way it spoke terrifies me. I made a mental note: I will never try to leave the circle he drew.
And just as it said, I could feel black mist-like entities.
They couldn't pass through the circle. They were malevolent, sent to kill me.
I stopped eating properly. I slept constantly. I laid a mattress on the floor inside the circle. The Empire promised to protect and feed me.
Moreover, they praised me for the information I gave them about him, and now they're repaying me.
Then I began having dreams. The dreams felt so real—I could feel and see everything…
I had a wife and a little daughter in that dream.
At first, I thought he had done this. But no.
I became so immersed in the dream that I started waiting to sleep. The moment I woke, I tried to go back to sleep.
I was so happy with my daughter. She was growing up. But when she reached adolescence, she succumbed to an illness. An unknown disease formed hollows in her body, slowly rotting away.
While I was awake, I researched the disease, then returned to sleep and tried everything.
But nothing worked. In the end, my daughter died. My wife couldn't bear it and took her own life, leaving a letter behind.
That day, I cried. An old man like me wept like a baby.
After that, even without dreams, I wanted to die.
But no, I couldn't. I wasn't allowed to kill myself inside the circle, and I couldn't risk my soul by stepping outside.
I stopped eating. I slowly let death take me.
Even the Emperor sent a letter expressing concern, but I ignored it.
Curse Micah. I curse the day I met that man. The entity said Mephisto hates him.
Eventually, the Church came. They said they'd protect me. But back then, the house shook, and even the Saintess came; she was very young, just turned 15.
"Curse that Entity, my God. Have mercy on this poor soul, my God."
Her voice was so soft, but it reminded me of my daughter's.
Suddenly, I was filled with hope. Maybe I'd finally be free.
But the ground shook. I lost my balance and fell.
My neck hit the chair. And I died.
Ah, Micah… this is all because of you...
Raul POV
Seriously, Sphiros just died.
And I'm still here, learning the fine art of being a maid from Bella.
I felt someone trying to curse me, so I waved my hand. Must be divine wrath. I waved slowly.
Bella stopped when she saw me: "What are you doing, Raul? Were you even listening to me?"
Oh, my ears hurt.
"A mosquito tried to suck my blood, so I just swatted it," I answered slowly.
Bella grinned, but it looked weird: "Pfft, you're really strange, Raul. I have no idea why Lady Victoria wanted you."
"Shhh, want to hear a joke, Bella?" I said, smiling. I want to fix things with her.
She has brown hair and golden eyes. Damn this otome game—why does everyone look like a model?
"Hmm, go on," she said. We started walking down the hall toward Victoria's room.
I coughed: "What do you call it when you kill your best friend?" I said slowly. Bella paused for a moment.
"What?" She was curious.
"Homie-cide," I said. Bella's face twisted, and she walked faster.
If she goes any faster, we'll be running: "What do you call an alligator that wants to be a detective?"
"STOP TALKING!" Bella started running, covering her ears: "AN INVESTI-GATOR!!!"
Bella was sprinting through the ducal mansion…
Raul followed behind, but Bella kept her ears covered.
Finally, we reached the room: "Lady Victoria, it seems you need help."
We both entered Victoria's room. Bella looked like she'd been sweating: "I don't need something for now; Raul hasn't learn to act as a butler yet. So help him, Bella."
"HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!!!" Bella shouted as if her life depended on it.
Thank goodness I closed the door behind us.
Victoria looked shocked, then turned to me: "What did you do to her, Raul?" She sighed.
"I just told her a few jokes, but she's acting like a total drama queen…" I said with a sigh.
Victoria gave me a strange look: "I didn't know you had a sense of humor."
"Want me to tell you one?" The moment I said that, Bella clamped her hand over my mouth:
"Please don't kill my lady, she's still so young…"
I sighed and pulled my head back: "Fine, I'll shut up."
Victoria's serious face broke, and she laughed: "HAHAHA, you two make such a great pair. Why don't you just date?"
"HELL NAH," I said.
"NEVER," said Bella.
Then we looked at each other, and I turned my head away.
"Well, the greatest loves start with hate. I saw it on Eyetube," Victoria said, starting to brush her hair.
Bella coughed: "Hmm, no, that's not it. One day with this guy feels like it takes ten years off my life."
"Oh, so now you're an old grandma, Bella? Where are your grandkids? Won't you retire?" I whispered so only she could hear.
She whispered back so only I could hear: "Fuck off."
Victoria was looking at us in the mirror while continuing to style her hair: "We'll need to attend a banquet soon. Bella, I hope you can get along with Raul," she said with a grin.
"As you wish, milady," we both said and bowed in perfect sync.
Then I was kicked out and told to wait in front of the door. Bella stayed inside, helping Victoria put on her clothes.
Ah, damn it. How the hell did I end up in this mess?