Obsession... What's That? I Just Wish Someone Would Help Me Escape - Chapter 84
“If you were betrayed by your family, locked up in a cell with a sickly body, and thrown into an arena, would you be sane? I could die any day now.”
She leaned back against the sofa, crossing her arms with a sigh.
“You insolent little thing. So brazen.”
Her tone, which had been pleasant enough, suddenly shifted into that of a haughty noblewoman, the kind to drive 4 million readers to avoid marriage.
I looked at her impassively.
“You’re still young yourself.”
With my previous life included, I could be considered middle-aged, you brat!
Completely changing her demeanor, the Saintess approached and grabbed my wrist tightly.
A shadow fell, darkening her violet eyes as she drew closer.
“I didn’t summon you here because I feared the truths you know.”
“Then why did you call me? Especially if you’re only giving me one plate of cookies.”
Justina’s lips curved in a sharp, blade-like arc, though her eyes held no hint of warmth.
“You, you came from another dimension, didn’t you? I noticed time flows differently there.”
* * *
A chill ran through me, making the hair on my neck stand on end as her cold gaze pinned me.
“But I suppose that’s hardly a weakness to you. It isn’t to me either.”
How on earth did she know I once lived in another world?
Caught off guard by an unforeseen vulnerability, I struggled to keep my surprise in check.
I wanted to ask her what she meant by time flowing differently, but I knew that showing curiosity would only play into her hands.
I forced myself to appear unfazed.
“Well… how about you make a grand announcement to the audience after the Winners’ Match?”
I projected bravado, concealing my unease.
Justina plopped down beside me, casually throwing an arm around my shoulders.
She stretched out her legs with utter disregard.
Was a cleric supposed to sit so improperly?
“You’re the type who never voices what you want outright. Trying to figure out what you can extract from others, aren’t you? You do want edification, though, don’t you? The real thing.”
Her tone had changed along with her demeanor.
“Nope. I don’t mind your preference, but I like men.”
My firm rejection only made her chuckle, lifting her chin smugly.
“Lady Prisoner, since I’ve shown you this much, how about we go all the way with honesty? Then maybe we could be on the same side.”
“Sure, like a truth game?”
I was prepared to admit that I was the one who stole Johann’s underwear. But she spoke first.
“I’m something like you, though not the same.”
Suddenly, the slender arm draped around my shoulders began to feel heavier.
I sensed a strange unease and turned my head slowly.
“Unlike you, I’m not human. I may have granted a few wishes… at the cost of eating a soul or two…”
A rich, low voice rumbled out unexpectedly.
I felt the weight on my shoulder lift, and my eyes widened as I slapped a hand over my mouth.
“Oh… my… this is… unbelievable…”
The saintess was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, beside me sat a well-built, golden-haired man.
The dress she’d worn had transformed into an elaborate, white military uniform.
Beneath that dazzling golden hair, his eyes held a strange glint of madness that sent a chill down my spine.
So the saintess was actually… a saint?
Johann, Enrique, and now this man too…? This completely changes the genre!
Even in this twisted world, I was suddenly desperate to escape.
Come to think of it, wasn’t he the blond priest with the golden eyes I’d seen in passing during worship?
He whispered softly.
“You said you liked men. Do I suit your taste?”
I was at a loss for words, my mouth hanging open.
The man casually tapped his fingers against his crossed arms, adding:
“The saintess followed me so obediently. I granted her wish to turn back time once for free, but as she kept repeating it, eventually, there was nothing left for me to take… so I devoured her. Isn’t that just the way, living in another’s body like you?”
Marbas’s words about equivalent exchange suddenly echoed in my mind.
Could it be… that Justina had paid the price for her endless regression and ended up devoured?
So… does that mean there’s no protagonist here anymore?
The saintess—no, the sainted man—looked at me with a relaxed expression.
“Lady, shall we start with edification? Like you said, I’ll make it nice for you. To the point of losing your mind.”
Drawing closer, he offered a lazy, predatory smile.
