I was dumbfounded by his audacity.

So, all of this wasn’t a novel, but a grand scheme to bring me here?

And Rose was a body prepared by Morisias?

“…Why me of all people?”

To my question, Estiago answered confidently.

“The conditions were favorable. You happened to be reading the fate of this world that we leaked just before your death, and since you were a soul that was going to die anyway, it was easier to bring you here than others.”

He scratched his chin and continued.

“It seemed impossible to bring a perfectly healthy soul. It was quite difficult to break through the surveillance of your dimension.”

Is he seriously saying this?

“Of course, it’s hard to believe everything I’m saying right now.”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“Obviously. Why should I believe you?”

“You should believe my words.”

“And why is that?”

To my question, Estiago smiled and answered.

“Don’t you want to return to your hometown?”

I was momentarily tempted by his words.

Returning home.

It was certainly a sweet and enticing offer.

But I just smiled along with him.

‘This bastard must think I’m an idiot.’

He said it took 400 years in this world’s time to bring me here.

From what I’ve heard, the demons summoned by humans during the Magic Era came over with their bodies.

These guys just brought my soul alone.

And adults have said not to carelessly believe such absurd promises.

“You said I died. So how can I go back?”

“If we can just free Lord Morisias from his seal, it’s entirely possible.”

I crossed my arms and quietly looked at him.

And asked again.”So, how exactly, in what way is it possible?”

To be honest, it might be better not to go back.

Besides, even if I came back to life in my own body, what am I, Jesus?

Dying and resurrecting?

I’d be lucky if I wasn’t dragged to NASA for experiments.

I picked up the golden book that was still on the floor.

I might not understand everything else, but I seemed to grasp one thing.

The situation had become quite shitty.

Isn’t my current situation exactly like the role of a villain chosen by the strongest dark force in the world?

“Why can’t you answer?”

At my question, his brow furrowed in apparent annoyance.

I needed to get out of here before this guy did something even crazier.

‘But how do I get out!’

I quickly scanned my surroundings. First of all, even if I ran, I felt I should take this book with me.

This is driving me crazy.

‘What should I tell Calix about this situation?’

The imperial family was already under suspicion from the temple because of what the 2nd prince had done.

And now if it’s revealed that I’m connected to Morisias?

Then the arrow would undoubtedly point straight at Calix.

No, it wouldn’t end there.

Having kept the closest servant who worshipped the greatest evil god on earth, there’s no way the temple that worshipped Kamesis would stay quiet.

“If we tell you that in advance, wouldn’t we be at a disadvantage?”

“Why? You mean I could go back on my own if you just tell me how to return?”

“Do you think a human can dare to encroach upon the realm of gods?”

He shouted angrily at my words.

I took a step away from him.

“Just let me out of here first.”

“You must believe my words.”

“If you let me out of here, I’ll think about it.”

At my words, he openly mocked me.

“Do you think you have a choice? You’re barely alive because you were chosen by Lord Morisias. Be grateful that you were chosen.”

I felt my brain going numb.

What should I do? I can’t even gauge how big this situation is getting.

‘What would happen to me if I refused here?’

Surely they wouldn’t use magic to harm me, right?

“…What exactly do I need to do to help?”

As I cautiously probed him, he finally seemed to think I was willing to cooperate and continued with a broad smile.

“Use Calix Posman.”

I widened my eyes at the sudden mention of the familiar name.

He seemed to like my expression and approached a step closer, chuckling.

“And change his fate. You can do it.”

“…!”

Suddenly, he snatched the golden book from my hand.

Then, with a rustle, he opened it and thrust it before my eyes.

“Look, isn’t it pitiful? To be born with such a powerful soul, only to live such an empty life and die?”

The page he opened showed none other than Calix’s death.

“He kills his friend, kills his siblings. In the end, he too is killed by Duke Tianel.”

His lips curled up unpleasantly.

“You can change his fate.”

The guy patted my shoulder as if to reassure me and continued.

“This is a good offer for Calix Posman too. If he abandons Kamesis and worships Morisias, his fame will spread widely to future generations. Not as a tyrant remembered in history, but as a wise ruler.”

He shrugged, closing the book again.

“If you wish, there’s also a way for you to push Calix Posman aside and sit on the imperial throne yourself. Of course, I know you won’t do that.”

I asked, frowning deeply.

“How do you know that?”

To this, he answered with an annoyed look, as if I was asking something obvious.

“Don’t you care for Calix Posman? You have to.”

I felt dazed as if something had hit my head.

‘I care for Calix?’

I just worked hard because serving Calix was my job.

“Then why didn’t you run away earlier? He’s a tyrant, isn’t he?”

He approached even closer with a relaxed face.

“Well, if I ran away from Calix, the Duke would,-

“Come on. Didn’t you go to Desart too? Why didn’t you stay there? The Duke wouldn’t have been able to send someone that far to kill you.”

I closed my mouth.

“Answer me. What is Calix Posman to you?”

“Calix is…”

I couldn’t easily come up with an answer about him.

“If you reject my offer, Calix Posman will meet a miserable end as destined.”

I gritted my teeth. And glared at him.

Let’s just say I understand for now.

Getting out of here is an urgent priority.

“Fine. I’ll do as you suggest, so let me go.”

“Indeed. An excellent choice!”

As soon as I agreed, the emerald lamp floating in the air spun around above my head.

As if congratulating me.

“Now then, before you leave here, could you hand over the diary for a moment?”

He smiled brightly and politely bent his waist, extending his hand.

“Come on. I think the condition of Mellory trapped inside is a bit strange.”

“Mellory?”

“Ah, you don’t know.”

He clicked his tongue, seemingly disappointed, and abruptly extracted the diary from my bag without permission.

“What are you doing!”

“This diary is a divine object of Lord Morisias. It’s an artifact made from Lord Morisias’s last physical body left on earth.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. What on earth?

“The soul inside this is a faithful servant of Lord Morisias named Mellory. He’s been waiting silently for 400 years for you. Isn’t that admirable?”

Admirable my as$. It gave me the creeps.

The existence of that diary was meant to make me resurrect Morisias from the beginning.

Not to help me.

I felt like I was the protagonist of “The Truman Show”.

Is he spouting such nonsense expecting me to feel good about it?

But, wait a minute.

Didn’t the system message say a vaccine was installed when I entered this place? If that diary is Morisias’s divine object, what on earth was the system message that appeared in the diary?

“Oh my. The condition is more serious than I thought.”

My mind snapped to attention. It was almost instinctive.

I hurriedly snatched the diary from his hand.

And I ran away from him without thinking.

It felt like I had to do that.

“Damn it!”

No sooner had I bolted from my spot than I heard a chilling laugh from behind.

“Hahaha! Where… are you going?”