The Heroine Stole My Regression

40 – Demon (4)

Ultimately, all he needed was Yoo Hana and Cheon Yeoul.

A regrettable necessity, but only the key figures needed protecting.

In the original work, Moras’s seduction of major characters was directed only at those two.

The targets would likely be the same in this world.

The faces of students flickered in his vision.

He was headed to Yoo Hana first.

‘She’s closer, for one.’

And more importantly, there was a strong possibility that Cheon Yeoul had already fulfilled a measure of her desires.

Her influence within the Order had, in many ways, solidified itself.

Yet, Yu Hana’s desire was ever wanting.

Her ‘yearning’ never truly quenched.

Such was the nature of her yearning for martial prowess.

Moras would surely prey on that thirst.

I quickened my pace.

Finally, I reached Arena B.

An evacuation order had been issued; the arena was utterly deserted.

Not even an ant could be seen amongst the stands.

And in the center of the field, a barrier shimmered, violet in hue.

I opened my eyes.

Omniscience.

Beyond the violet curtain, the scene within was laid bare.

Yu Hana.

Sword in hand, facing Moras head-on.

Toes firmly planted.

An intense aura radiating from her subtly trembling fingertips.

I took a shallow breath.

“…Good.”

If this is the case…

I settled into a seat in the stands.

Had she succumbed to temptation, I would have intervened.

But it was unnecessary. Hana had already overcome the lure, and drawn her sword.

Moras wasn’t the most physically powerful of demons, but he was not an opponent to be underestimated. Thus, he would prove a worthy adversary for Hana.

The power emanating from her blade. The crimson blossoming of the Camellia’s Binding.

A blade that vanquishes evil.

The Flower Butterfly Sword.

The swordsmanship I had taught her.

Without my noticing, she was using the skills I taught her, not her family’s techniques.

And, she would perfectly suppress Moras with those techniques alone.

My palms slicked with sweat, I watched her.

‘A little more, a little faster.’

The more I imagined it in my mind, the more she moved as if I willed it. In the direction I desired.

This is…

A sudden realization struck me.

Is this the joy a master feels when watching their disciple grow?

I could feel her being completely dyed in my colors.

A feeling… something warm and fuzzy settles in a corner of my heart.

-Scrritch-

Then, finally, Yoo Hana’s blade severed Moras’s neck.

Even the final strike, it was the swing I had taught her only yesterday.

“Commendable.”

I rose from my seat.

Before the curtain could fall completely.

*

A space like a warehouse, untouched by light.

Damp air.

The scent of mold grazed my nose.

From the darkness, a faint breath could be heard.

The hooded Maine, ‘Arcturus.’

And the giant Maine, ‘Ganian.’

Before them lay a wooden snake doll. No, to be precise, it lay severed, rolling on the floor.

Medusa had failed.

The two silently watched the being seated in the darkness.

Moras.

He would surely succeed.

They had to believe that.

“—Cough!”

A sudden cough.

Moras flinched and hunched forward.

And then, a fistful of blood erupted.

“Lord Moras?!”

Arcturus scrambled to his feet.

But Moras, with a hand drenched crimson, halted his movement.

“One of my reflections…has perished.”

Slowly, he closed his eyes.

And then, just as quickly, reopened them.

“Moreover, the memories…they do not return.”

Arcturus and Ganian’s faces hardened.

When a reflection died, or reintegrated, the memories flowed back to the original.

It was an ‘absolute principle’ that had never, in Moras’s long life, once failed.

But now.

The memories did not return.

His eyes narrowed, sharp and keen.

Ganian and Arcturus could not bring themselves to speak.

He wiped the bloodied tips of his fingers clean and asked quietly,

“Medusa…is she progressing well? I require more time.”

But Arcturus and Ganian remained silent.

Heads bowed, their eyes darting nervously.

“…Is she progressing well?”

His voice, a touch clearer, repeated the question, but the response was the same.

Silence. It was a damning answer.

Moras’s eyes widened, imperceptibly at first.

“ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ!!”

A colossal roar filled the warehouse.

It was then.

“Hack–!! Kuaeeck–!!”

Moras, once more, vomited blood violently.

Arcturus and Ganian stood in shock.

“L, Lord Moras?!”

Moras did not answer, however.

His pupils trembled with a bewildered look.

Just moments before, one more had perished.

*

This was the Arcadia Temple, nestled within the grounds.

Following Yu Hana, I had rushed to confirm if Moras had approached Cheon Yeoul as well.

However, the moment I arrived, I realized.

‘It’s over?’

Cheon Yeoul had already subdued Moras.

As soon as I was certain she was safe, I started to turn away.

But.

“Haein?”

I froze.

And, before I could even turn around—

“Wait a moment.”

My wrist was seized.

A warm sensation.

Her fingertips encircled my wrist.

Slowly, I turned my head.

Bright, clear eyes.

Deep pools, like a clear lake, trembled ever so slightly.

And then.

She began to sob.

“I’m sorry….”

Her voice trembled softly. I stared at her, bewildered.

Cheon Yeoul’s long eyelashes fluttered minutely.

Her face was on the verge of tears.

‘Ah.’

In that instant, I understood.

The incident with the Crusaders attacking me before. It must be because of that.

In the grand scheme, it had all stemmed from the feelings Johann harbored for her.

“This sin, I must repay with my body…”

“It’s fine.”

I cut her off firmly.

I wasn’t thinking much of it.

Furthermore, it was unrelated to her.

Chun Yeoul paused at my reaction.

Her eyes flickered slightly, then she lowered her head.

“…Even so.”

The tips of her fingers twitched.

“You gave me a cross, and in many ways, gave me faith… and I feel like I haven’t lived up to it.”

“…Aren’t you disappointed in someone like me?”

I sighed softly, slowly looking at her.

“Chun Yeoul.”

She lifted her head.

“You just need to do what you need to do.”

“….”

“That’s the surest way to repay it.”

I playfully quirked one corner of my mouth.

As soon as those words left my lips, she stared at me, piercingly.

At least I would never be disappointed in the characters.

They were created as imperfect beings, ones who would grow with time.

How could I be disappointed?

I turned my gaze away.

That’s when I noticed the remains of the cross on the floor.

A chill ran through my entire body in an instant.

This… don’t tell me.

I quickly bent down, scooping up the powder of the cross with my fingertips.

The soft powder scattered across my palm.

I raised my head.

“…This.”

I took a short breath, looking at Chun Yeo-ul.

“Absorbed it?”

Chun Yeo-ul quietly nodded.

In that moment, I gave her a light embrace.

“Well done.”

It was sincere.

It couldn’t have been easy. Really, she did so, so well.

This was far more important than some Crusader’s ruckus.

I quickly regained my composure and lightly stepped back, as if creating distance for myself.

She *is* a Saintess, after all.

As I let go of her hand and took a step back, Chun Yeo-ul quietly watched me.

For a moment, there was no sound.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, more than before.

Her long eyelashes trembled with a subtle movement.

Slowly, so subtly, she took a breath.

She bit her lip, as if suppressing something.

“I can’t…”

Her voice was quiet. And – her hand tentatively, slowly reached out to me.

Just then.

*Thump!*

The doors of the temple were thrown open violently.

“Saintess!”

Paladins rushed in.

“Are you alright?!”

Their gaze went to Chun Yeo-ul first.

Then, it quickly shifted to me.

Chun Yeo-ul quietly looked at them.

Her eyes flickered slightly.

“I’ll be going.”

From this moment forth, the Paladins would be responsible for the Saintess’s protection.

I spared it no further thought, walking out of the temple.

The situation outside was more or less under control. The Paladins relayed that the pursuit had failed.

Apparently, the demon spawn possessed such meager magic, they were difficult to capture.

Besides, news was arriving from all corners of the grounds about Moras being apprehended.

“Almost finished, then.”

I toured the premises, checking for any lingering issues.

The safety of all key personnel had already been confirmed.

Kang Arin was being guarded directly by the Clan Lord,

and Hashion was under the protection of the Vanquisher.

No problems to be found.

I shifted my path.

To patrol even further, to where people rarely tread.

And the forest of the grounds.

It was there—

I encountered Sung Siwoo.

He was facing down a demon spawn.

But, unlike Yoo Hana…

Yoo Hana had drawn her blade and engaged in combat, but Sung Siwoo hadn’t even unsheathed his.

He was merely standing there.

“Well, damn…”

His gaze was locked onto the demon spawn.

The demon slowly, quietly, whispered something.

Sung Siwoo wasn’t even attempting to fight; he was listening to those words.

I had overlooked something.

When he was the protagonist, he actively sought out demons. But not anymore.

Sung Siwoo, by virtue of his protagonist buff, possessed an enormous mana reservoir.

This was what demons coveted and pursued above all else.

I had assumed that, protected by the System, he would be impervious to mind control…

I was, regrettably, mistaken.

I broke free from the earth.

“Hey, wake up!”

A javelin, launched with all my mana.

It streaked through the air, cleaving the emptiness.

-Shkkkt!

In that instant, the spear tore through the unfolded silver screen, then impaled the demon’s neck clean through.

The spear shattered, its fragments scattering in every direction.

I turned my head, looking toward Sung Siwoo.

He clutched at his head.

His breath was ragged.

Sung Siwoo scowled, hands pressed tight to his forehead.