Chapter 19: Peddler got a pet, Part 3

In Amadeus, Lena had a peculiar habit of gravitating towards demons.

Most players, myself included, assumed it was a manifestation of the Star Curse, a form of hatred born from the curse’s demonic origins.

But we were mistaken.

“Um… what’s… your relationship…?”

After I freed her from the cell, she acted like a starstruck fan, a stark contrast to the Lena I remembered.

The Lena in my memories was timid and reserved, but also incredibly intelligent for her age, often serving as the strategist in the story.

Now, she resembled an obsessive fan more than a brilliant tactician.

Considering her relentless two-year search for me during my time with the organization, the “obsessive fan” label seemed fitting.

And her object of obsession wasn’t a renowned hero, but a demon.

I wondered how the Amadeus community would react if I revealed Lena’s true feelings.

But I had more pressing matters to attend to.

While only Iris had pursued me so far, reinforcements were a possibility.

And since some Moonshadow members possessed awakened divinity, my Leviathan-induced fainting tactic might not be effective.

I could probably handle one opponent, but multiple enemies, even for a Swordmaster-level fighter, would be overwhelming.

I decided to address Lena’s question first.

“Us…? Hmm… It’s complicated, but… we’re contractor and contractee.”

…Indeed. That describes our current relationship.

The princess’s eyes sparkled as she leaned closer.

“So, so… does that mean Kayleen can use Leviathan’s powers?”

Incorrect.

“Huh…?”

Leviathan answered Lena’s question before I could.

Kay— No. Kayleen doesn’t wield my power. This contract is different. Kayleen is the one in control. She commands me.

“Ooh…!”

Hmm…?

Something felt off.

I understood I held the power in the contract. It was a ridiculously unfair agreement where Leviathan offered its services to the protagonist, humanity’s supposed savior.

But why did Leviathan hesitate before correcting itself and using my name?

It wasn’t like with Iris, where I needed to conceal my identity. Lena already knew who I was.

Perhaps it was a delayed reaction to my repeated warnings not to reveal my real name.

Further contemplation seemed pointless, so I shifted my attention back to Lena.

Her eyes shone even brighter. She glanced around, then reached for her shirt—

“What are you doing…?”

Despite my surprise, I managed to maintain a neutral expression.

“I have something to show you…!”

Lena lifted her shirt, revealing her abdomen.

I hesitated. Was it appropriate for me to be looking? But she’d offered… it wasn’t illegal, right? I glanced at her lower abdomen, and…

Hmm…

The CEO of Amadeus, a married man with children, seemed to have… questionable tastes.

I knew Lena, afflicted by the Star Curse, had a large mark on her body, similar to a holy stigmata.

But since the locations of such marks on non-playable characters were never revealed, I’d assumed it was somewhere inconspicuous.

But this…

In subculture terminology… it was right on her… you know.

On a prepubescent girl…?

If this curse detail had ever been revealed during the story’s development, the community would have erupted, regardless of any legal repercussions.

“A curse mark.”

“You recognize it…!”

Lena beamed, delighted that I knew what it was.

It was a cute reaction, but the reason for her excitement—that someone associated with demons (me) recognized her curse—was disturbing.

Ah. So it was you I sensed in the past.

Leviathan, observing the scene, floated closer, as if suddenly recalling a memory.

“Follow me…!”

Led by Lena, Leviathan and I navigated a narrow passage deep within the sewers.

It appeared to be an emergency escape route for the royals.

Judging by the sudden commotion near the secret passage entrance, we would have been in trouble if we hadn’t followed her.

The low ceiling forced me to hunch over, which strained my back, but Lena practically skipped ahead, her footsteps light and carefree.

I’d expected a negative reaction when she realized her curse was connected to the demon Leviathan, but her devotion was more profound than I’d anticipated.

She didn’t view it as a curse but as a blessing from demons, the opposite of divine favor.

A mark signifying her connection to them.

She insisted on accompanying us. If that wasn’t feasible, she confidently offered to vouch for my identity within the kingdom.

However, traveling with a royal, especially the beloved Third Princess, would be problematic.

The Moonshadow were rumored to have methods of tracking royals, so an encounter seemed unavoidable.

And as for her vouching for me… even if she were the queen or a direct heir, it was unlikely she could clear a Magic Tower fugitive.

A mere Third Princess held no such authority. I politely declined.

Lena looked disheartened, but…

Having a contact within the kingdom could be beneficial.

“Are you planning a demon invasion right in front of a human?”

Hmph. Human? Do you really believe that princess is ordinary?

Leviathan inscribed a small mark on Lena’s hand, instantly lifting her spirits.

The mark, like the contract between Leviathan and me, formed a connection, enabling communication through mana signals.

I’d seen that mark before.

In the original story, Lena’s stigmata had appeared unusually late, a fact documented by the Magic Tower…

So, it wasn’t a stigmata after all.

Witnessing these hidden details, unseen in the original game, reinforced the reality of this world.

I’d known this wasn’t just a game since I lacked a status window, but still…

The elated princess, in exchange for the mark resembling a stigmata, guided us through the royal escape route and diligently answered my questions.

“Do you happen to know… where I can obtain… the Mask of Anonymity…?”

“Ah, that…”

Despite her… unusual circumstances, Lena had recognized me from the crudely drawn wanted poster, even with my mask and hood.

And Iris, even if she hadn’t gotten a clear look, had a chance to observe my face. She’d even seen me retrieving Leviathan’s contract.

Even if the Magic Tower didn’t conclude that “Kayleen” and the executive of Under the Lamp were the same person based on Iris’s testimony, they would likely deduce a connection.

That meant I was now wanted by both the Magic Tower and the Moonshadow.

Two of the most relentless organizations.

While I was confident in my ability to evade capture, restricted movement wasn’t ideal. I needed something to completely conceal my identity.

That’s when I thought of the Mask of Anonymity.

Items and skills in Amadeus often had flavor text.

Background information or lore describing their origins, a feature appreciated by players who delved into the game’s world-building.

The Mask of Anonymity’s flavor text read: “An artifact once worn by a legendary thief, said to render its wearer unidentifiable.”

In the game, the text was merely flavor text, and the item itself only offered a minor defense boost. But this world was different.

A world where magic, Aura, demons, gods, and other fantastical elements were real.

Hidden details, like “Kayleen’s” item-trading secret and Lena’s demon worship, were coming to light.

Therefore, the flavor text couldn’t be entirely fabricated.

Of course, it could be misinformation, but trying was what mattered.

“I think… I saw it at an exhibition…!”

“Do you know where it was held?”

Stealing was a crime, but as I’d mentioned before, even adventurers dabbled in illegal activities in this era.

And even in my original world, people committed minor offenses like illegal downloads.

One more false accusation, of being a demon and a heinous criminal, wouldn’t make much difference. Or so I thought.

“It was at the Royal Academy…!”

It seemed things were about to change drastically.