Home/I Became the Protagonist of a Reverse Harem Romance Novel with an Obsession with Men/We've never even met before?
Chapter 16
We've never even met before?
Sibellius.
A woman who had reigned as the Empire's greatest magician for centuries.
She was also one of the Empire's top military powers.
Some people even gave up on the idea of opposing the Empire simply because Sibellius lived within it.
Despite her overwhelming strength and centuries of magical contributions to the Empire, she held no noble title.
Half-demon.
Because she was born of mixed blood, part demon, she was subtly discriminated against and did not live within the capital but in a forest just outside it.
She wasn't even allowed to enter the capital without permission, but surprisingly, Sibellius herself was content with this treatment.
She disliked meeting people.
As long as the imperial family provided her with research funding on time, she didn't care about anything else and immersed herself in magical studies.
In fact, she disliked visiting the capital even when allowed.
So, the successive emperors, who were uncomfortable with her, rarely summoned her unless there was a strong reason.
And so—
"What are all of you?!"
It was the middle of the night when hundreds of people came to find her in the capital. Sibellius was more shocked than she had ever been in her entire life.
What is this!
As usual, she had been deeply immersed in her research in her workshop, located in the forest. Suddenly, soldiers had arrived.
Even with her centuries of life, she couldn't maintain her composure under such clear signs of an abnormal situation.
Don't tell me… is Emperor Viole finally trying to eliminate me?
For a moment, she thought the imperial family had finally come to get rid of her.
But—
…No, this force is too weak.
The ones who came were hundreds of fully armed soldiers,
and dozens of mana-using knights.
A tremendous force, but not enough to kill a half-demon archmage.
If they really wanted to kill me, the Emperor herself or someone like Hero Alios would be included.
After assessing the situation, she realized who they were.
This force of living soldiers was a warning.
A warning that said: "I'm serious enough about this to send even this much."
"Hurry up and say your piece."
Sibellius urged one of the knights who had stepped forward as a representative, though the woman couldn't even make proper eye contact.
"Uh, H-Her Majesty the Empress has summoned you, Lady Sibellius…"
"I'm no noble, so drop the 'Lady'. More importantly, what exactly does she want from me?"
"I-I don't know either, but… if you don't come…"
"If I don't?"
"…she said to strip you of your status and have you brought in as a criminal."
Sibellius's expression immediately twisted.
She knew these people couldn't possibly drag her in. Even knowing it was an empty threat, it was still infuriating.
The previous emperors had respected her as much as they feared her. None had ever treated her like this. But now this brat dared?
"Viole, you damn brat… calling yourself emperor and getting cocky…!"
Just as she was about to explode—
"But if you come, she'll increase your research funding tenfold!"
"...Is that true?"
The knight quickly added a too-good-to-believe condition, and her fury instantly evaporated, leaving her dumbfounded.
"Seriously, what's going on that she'd increase it tenfold?"
"I-I don't know that either! But if you don't come, you're a criminal. If you do, ten times the funding, it's obviously better to go!"
"…True enough."
Though reluctant, she had no choice but to admit it.
Curious about what could possibly warrant such a thing, Sibellius nodded.
"Let's go."
"We're saved!"
The knight blurted it out without realizing.
It had been a mission where offending either side would mean death. Now that it succeeded, she guided Sibellius in relief.
Once inside the capital, Sibellius was led to the imperial family's quarters in the imperial palace, and was surprised.
They're letting me in here?
They didn't even allow her into the capital without permission, let alone the imperial palace or the royal family's residence.
It was practically a restricted zone. Yet they let her pass without any resistance, which she found fascinating as she entered.
Inside one of the rooms, she saw two familiar faces.
"Emperor Viole."
"Can't you at least say 'Your Majesty'?"
Viole responded rudely, as expected of the one who had summoned her.
"And High Priest Hames. Why are you here too?"
"…Don't mind me."
Her expression darkened at the sight of the high priest, someone with whom she had an uncomfortable relationship due to their backgrounds.
They briefly exchanged glances, then looked away to avoid unnecessary conflict.
"If even a High Priest is here, is there someone who needs healing?"
"Yes. Heal that child."
Following Viole's gaze, Sibellius saw the third person in the room for the first time.
Shining silver hair.
Skin white as snow.
A face so beautiful it looked like it had been sculpted by the gods.
"Ceres Hyperion?"
She recognized them immediately.
So this is the Empire's most beautiful person. Recently, they've even been called an angel for healing people with divine power? It's all true. No, actually, the rumors don't do them justice.
Even someone like her, practically exiled in a forest, had heard of their beauty.
Seeing them in person, she was awestruck, and puzzled.
"Why is Ceres Hyperion here? I heard they were so sick they couldn't even walk."
She asked, but no one answered.
Instead, Viole shut her mouth and Hames gave her a condemning look, she got the idea.
So she caused another incident.
Grumbling as she roughly assessed the situation, she spoke.
"Ah, fine. Whatever the reason. But know this, no matter how skilled I am, I cannot fix someone who was born with a weak constitution."
"No. Just a little while ago, he was able to move on his own. Then suddenly, a mana surge occurred and he collapsed!"
Mana surge?
Hearing Viole's words, Sibellius examined Ceres with suspicion.
'For a mana surge, this feels a little strange. What is this?
Sensing the flow of mana inside Ceres with her mana perception, she felt something unusual.
"The mana is circulating in a compressed state. I've seen this a few times before. But the symptoms are subtly different because of another force interfering while healing the body."
Sibellius explained, troubled.
"It will probably take quite some time to heal him."
"I said fix him now!"
"Don't be ridiculous! Do you want this man to suffer a mishap because of rushed treatment?"
"Ugh!"
Since it was a valid point, Viole couldn't argue.
"Then, at least, can't you reduce his pain? Normal painkillers and anesthetics don't work."
"Understood."
Sibellius reached into the air and pulled a syringe from her personal subspace.
She approached to inject a specially prepared drug into Ceres, but—
"Doesn't this man give off a scent? Something pure and strangely delicious."
Finding the scent odd, she asked, and Viole replied.
"A refined floral scent or something like that? If that's it, it must be the perfume Ceres always uses. He must like it, since I always smell it when I get close. But... is that really a tasty smell?"
"Well, he is a nobleman's son, so of course he'd wear perfume. I quite like it. I'll ask where it's from once he wakes up."
Just as the two were about to brush it off as perfume—
"Ceres doesn't use perfume."
Hames, who had been silently listening, cut in.
"I've never seen him use any. That scent even comes from his bare skin. So I think it's just his natural body scent."
"And how would you know what he smells like with no clothes on?"
"I had reason to find out."
Hames replied calmly to Viole's suspicious glare.
He smells like flowers even without perfume? From a man's body? What nonsense is that?
Sibellius inwardly scoffed at their conversation.
Has she developed some weird fantasy from staying in the temple all the time, away from men?
Even someone like Sibellius, who'd lived hundreds of years in isolation in the forest, had never imagined such a thing.
Not believing it at all, she injected Ceres with the syringe.
And a moment later—
"…!"
Ceres opened his eyes, and his icy blue pupils locked onto her.
***
Who's this woman?
Thanks to the pain lessening somewhat, I was able to regain consciousness.
But I was confused to see a woman I had never seen before in front of me, instead of Viole whom I last remembered.
She had long black hair and wore a black dress-like outfit.
Like everyone else here, she was taller than me, with a mature yet slender figure.
She gave off a proud, yet lonely atmosphere.
She was a classy beauty, like a beautiful witch, but for some reason, I felt repulsed the moment I saw her.
There was a black-haired, black-clothed male lead in the original... could it be?
"Sibellius?"
"I'm surprised you recognize me, even though I lived secluded in the forest."
Damn it, it really is Sibellius!
The Empire's archmage and the craziest lunatic among the male leads!
Ah, my beloved Ceres. It's your fault that you awakened my demonic instincts. Now I can't live without you. Even down to the last drop of your blood... because it's a taste I'll never forget.
That lunatic who said crazy lines like this, why is she right in front of me now?!
"Ceres, you're awake!"
"Ceres, look at me!"
Viole and Hames grabbed me, clearly relieved I'd come to.
But I didn't have the presence of mind to respond.
The insane Sibellius had discarded the empty syringe and was pulling out a new one to inject into me.
No way, what are you trying to do to me?!
"S-Stop."
"I refuse. This is a matter tied to research funding, so I must give you this injection."
Research?! What the hell are you talking about? Are you trying to experiment on me or something?
You crazy mage bastard!
A sudden uncontrollable fury surged within me.
Your very existence disgusts me! You're so filthy and vile that I want to cut away the part of my body you touched, so eat this and get lost!
"You disgust me. You're so filthy and vile that I want to cut away the part of my body you touched, so eat this and fuck off!"
I ended up saying the exact line Ceres said in the original when he rejected Sibellius's obsession.
"That's... a little harsh."
"Why would you say something like that?"
Viole and Hames were flustered.
"…"
Sibellius was visibly offended.
Chapter 17
Why you?
"Cough!!"
As soon as I cursed, a rough cough escaped my throat.
It was because I had forced myself to yell with an exhausted body.
"Ceres!"
"See? Why did you yell like that?"
High Priestess Hames and Emperor Violet Zadenbium quickly held me, checking my condition as I continued to cough.
Meanwhile, only Sibellius showed no reaction.
Her face was terrifyingly devoid of expression.
"Have we met before?"
Sibellius's question sounded like a final attempt to hear some excuse. I squeezed out a voice in response.
"No…"
I knew her, but she didn't know me.
But still—
"You're one of the people I hate the most."
I despised Sibellius so much that I couldn't even manage to speak civilly.
"This is ridiculous. Why would you hate someone you've never met? Or are you one of those who believe in the absurd rumors about me? That, because I'm a half-demon, I secretly kidnap and eat people?"
"No, I don't believe that. You're not that kind of person."
I could say this with certainty, the only person Sibellius ever tried to consume was Ceres.
As I spoke the truth, Sibellius's eyes flickered with a strange light.
"Then why?"
Why?
Because you are the one who made Ceres unable to use her divine power and reduced her to a terminally ill state.
Sibellius.
A half-demon archmage who has lived for centuries, summoned by Violet to treat Ceres's body.
It was Sibellius who discovered everything, my attempt to increase Ceres's divine power affinity using holy power and the use of mana to protect her body.
Because of that, their relationship wasn't particularly bad at first.
In fact, among the four, Sibellius was the closest to Ceres.
To Ceres, he was a benefactor who had fully healed her body and, among all the lunatics around her, the only one who could be reasoned with.
But that closeness was what led to disaster.
Despite his youthful appearance, Sibellius was an ancient being who had lived for centuries. Yet, he developed a twisted obsession with the much younger Ceres.
Maybe it was because it was his first time experiencing love so late in life, but his possessiveness was utterly overwhelming.
He even claimed that her demonic instincts had awakened because of Ceres, and then he drank Ceres's blood!
"I can no longer live without Ceres. So I will make sure you can't live without me either."
That's what he said. Taking advantage of a moment when the other male leads couldn't act, he kidnapped Ceres.
Then, he conducted countless magical experiments, trying to cast spells that would bind Ceres to him forever.
As a result, Ceres lost her divine power.
Even when she was eventually rescued, the damage had been done. Not only had her divine power disappeared, but she had also become terminally ill.
Sibellius had effectively delivered the final blow to Ceres's life.
I cursed him even while reading the novel. Now that I had become Ceres, how could I possibly stay calm in front of her?
"Get out…"
Still clutching the syringe, Sibellius made me instinctively reject her. My sluggish mouth barely managed to form words.
"…Get out now."
"As you wish."
Sibellius obeyed without complaint and turned to leave, but Emperor Violet stopped her.
"If you walk away without healing her, I'll kill you!"
"Do as you please. If she refuses, there's nothing I can do."
Ignoring Violet's threats, Sibellius showed no interest and walked away.
But then—
"I'll triple the support! No, multiply it by ten! And then triple that again, making it thirty times!"
"I'll treat her."
Sibellius spun around immediately.
"Why, why?"
I tried to protest to Violet, but she held onto me, trying to soothe my panic.
"Ceres, that woman isn't here to hurt you. I called her to treat your mana overflow."
Mana overflow?
Was that why I was feeling this sick?
"Ceres, this requires an expert's help. Even if you dislike her, you must accept her treatment."
High Priestess Hames also tried to persuade me. And they were right.
If the illness was related to mana, Sibellius was undoubtedly the most capable of treating it.
Even though she might lose her mind like in the original story!
Damn it.
My body was too weak to resist. I couldn't reject her any longer.
Without waiting for more objections, Sibellius injected me with the syringe and then instructed them.
"Take her to my residence. Proper treatment requires better facilities."
"Can't it be done here?"
"Unless there's someone here who understands magic better than I do, my residence will be the best option."
"…Fine."
Violet personally lifted me into her arms.
"Let's go."
"Are you planning to carry him yourself?"
"Yes."
"Wait a moment."
Hames suddenly stepped forward.
"I'm coming too."
"High Priestess Hames, you as well?"
"Is that a problem?"
"Of course, it is!"
Sibellius vehemently objected to both the Emperor and the High Priestess following her home, but neither backed down.
In the end, she had no choice but to take all three of us with her.
However—
"Do not enter my workshop."
After carrying me inside, she firmly shut the door on Violet and Hames, leaving them outside.
Violet's eyebrows twitched in irritation.
"Are you telling me, the Emperor, to wait outside like a commoner?"
"The Emperors of Zadenbium have never invited me into their homes, so why should I return the favor? Besides, you would only get in the way."
Sibellius coldly spoke, then turned her gaze to Hames.
"As the High Priestess, you won't be of much help in this situation either. The best thing you can do is step aside and not interfere."
"Then can you heal Ceres?"
"As long as neither of you gets in my way."
"Understood."
When Hames nodded, Violet cursed under her breath.
With one agreeing, she knew she couldn't insist on staying without seeming unreasonable.
Unable to argue further, she could only watch in frustration as I was carried into Sibellius's arms.
Yes, alone.
I was being taken, completely defenseless, into the arms of the very person who could turn me into a ruined shell.
...Why is this the one time she's not obsessed?!
I wanted to blame those two for handing me over to her and not even trying to follow, but it was already too late.
Sibellius laid me down on a bed in a dark, ominous room filled with magical tools.
"I'll begin the examination. Don't resist unnecessarily."
She warned me, but I waved my trembling hand weakly.
"No, get away…."
"Why the hell are you acting like this when I'm trying to treat you?"
Hearing her sharp retort, I clenched my jaw.
Being subjected to her magic under the pretense of treatment was a trauma I couldn't shake.
Because this might just end in another death sentence.
"Don't touch me…."
"Stop making this difficult."
My weak thrashing only made her more irritated. Her face twisted in frustration as she grabbed both my hands, restraining me.
Even though I continued to struggle, her expression shifted from anger to disbelief.
"Even though I numbed the pain, you're still trying to move? Impressive."
She sighed, as if this was a pointless ordeal.
"Fine. Let's find a compromise."
"…A compromise?"
"You hate me, and I hate you. But if I want my research funding, I have to treat you, whether I like it or not."
Since my cooperation was necessary for the treatment, she was offering to meet my demands — within reason.
"If my face bothers you that much, shall I wear a mask? Or would you prefer I vow never to engage in any personal conversation with you?"
It was a rare opportunity. But my mind, fogged with pain, couldn't think clearly.
What should I ask for? My body hurt too much to come up with anything clever.
In the end, I blurted out the most direct demand.
"Don't… love me."
"…That's your condition?"
Sibellius's eyes widened in disbelief, and then she scoffed.
"Do you really think I'm going to fall for you? After all the nonsense you've said to me?"
"If I'm unlucky, you might."
"The so-called most beautiful man in the Empire! You must have seduced so many women to think it's inevitable, huh? I'm impressed by how naturally arrogant you are."
"…."
"But don't worry."
Sibellius leaned in close, her face hovering right above mine. Her cold eyes locked with mine, unwavering.
"I'm not like those fools outside, bewitched by your ridiculous appearance. Falling in love with you? That will never happen. Absolutely not."
* * *
"Damn it!"
Violet punched a nearby boulder, shattering it instantly.
She had been forced to stay outside, denied entry into Sibellius's residence. Her frustration only grew as the seconds passed.
He won't get worse while I'm out here, will he?
The thought of Ceres suffering inside gnawed at her.
Even smashing the rock didn't bring her any relief. She kicked a tree, snapping it clean in half, then stomped the ground, tearing up the dirt.
Consumed by her rage, she lashed out at whatever lay in her path, unable to calm herself.
…Ceres.
If they were anywhere else, someone would've warned her to control herself and mind her dignity as the Emperor. But the only one present was Hames.
The High Priestess showed no reaction, ignoring Violet's destructive outburst. Her eyes remained fixed on the door Ceres had disappeared behind.
They were lost in their own thoughts when—
"Who's there?"
"You?!"
Both of them whipped their heads around at the sound of an approaching presence.
A beautiful woman with long blonde hair tied in a ponytail stood before them.
Alios Gravius.
The Empire's greatest knight had appeared, fully armed, with her sword at her side.
"You… why are you here?"
Violet's eyes narrowed as she questioned her, dread forming in her gut.
Alios calmly met her gaze, her voice cold and detached.
"To kill you."
Chapter 18
Freeze!
That day.
Since the incident at the party, Alios Gravius had been confined to her house.
It was only natural, she had attacked the Emperor.
Violet had reluctantly forgiven her for Ceres's sake, but the act of defiance itself hadn't been forgotten.
Her mother, the current Duchess of House Gravius, had flown into a rage upon hearing the news.
After scolding Alios for losing her mind and telling her to cool her head, she had strictly forbidden her from leaving the house.
But if a simple scolding could calm her down, she wouldn't have lashed out in the first place.
"What happened to Ceres?"
Alios anxiously questioned the woman who had snuck into her room.
The woman was a spy Alios had stationed in the imperial palace to keep her informed.
Even while she was confined, she had been receiving updates about Ceres through her. But today's news was impossible to believe.
"Ceres collapsed? Why!"
The worst news imaginable. Alios immediately pressed the spy for answers.
"Tell me everything!"
"I don't know the exact cause, but the Emperor gathered all the royal healers after he collapsed."
"And? Did they treat him?"
"No."
Alios's expression darkened as the spy's response weighed heavily on her.
The royal healers were some of the best in the empire. If even they couldn't treat him…
It was different from the last time Ceres had been sick. Something was terribly wrong.
Violet. That crazy woman!
Alios didn't need to think further. She was convinced this was Violet's doing.
'I thought it was strange that she left Ceres alone for a while. So she finally crossed the line!'
In her mind, she imagined the tyrant violently beating Ceres until he collapsed.
How dare she harm my Ceres!
Unforgivable.
Unable to contain her rage, she demanded more information.
"If they couldn't heal him, what happened to Ceres? And where is that bastard Violet now?"
"The Emperor summoned Archmage Sibellius and took Ceres to her residence."
"Are they seriously entrusting Ceres's treatment to that dangerous woman?"
Alios had heard plenty of unsettling rumors about Sibellius.
She didn't believe all of them, but she was still wary. The fact that Violet had brought Ceres to someone like her made her blood boil.
"Or… is she using this as a cover to have Sibellius kill him?"
"I-I don't think so. If she wanted him dead, she wouldn't have bothered calling for treatment. Besides, after Ceres collapsed, the Emperor was almost, almost like she'd gone insane…"
"Ceres!!"
Alios didn't wait to hear the rest.
Ignoring her mother's orders to stay put, she gathered her things and stormed out of the mansion.
And now—
"I'm here to kill you."
Having tracked them to Sibellius's residence, Alios finally found Violet. Her voice was sharp and filled with deadly intent.
"Unbelievable."
Violet's expression hardened as she stared at Alios, who was pointing her sword directly at her.
"Does your mother know you're doing this? She practically begged me to forgive you, saying she'd make sure you never cause trouble again."
"If I kill you, she won't have to beg anyone for anything."
"…I'm already on edge because of Ceres. You really want to add to my problems?"
Violet's voice was cold, but soon a vicious grin spread across her face.
"Fine. I'll humor you. To be honest, I've never liked you either."
Raising her voice, she turned to Hames.
"Stay out of this!"
"I won't interfere. Settle it between yourselves."
Hames didn't care about the fight. Her eyes remained locked on the door where Ceres had disappeared, her face filled with concern.
"I never liked you either!"
Alios's furious retort echoed as the tension crackled.
This wasn't a scene from the original novel.
In the original story, the male versions of Violet and Alios weren't this reckless.
Alios, as a knight, would never have threatened his own sovereign so carelessly. And Violet, though erratic, still viewed Alios as a valuable subordinate.
But in this world, with their genders reversed, things were different.
While Ceres often thought of it as a mere gender-swap, the reality wasn't so simple. Physical differences naturally led to subtle personality changes.
Because of that, the relationship between Violet and Alios had become far more hostile.
"Just because you're the Emperor, don't act like you're better than me! Stay away from my Ceres!"
"Your Ceres? Don't make me laugh! I've always hated how you pretend to be so noble and kind when you're nothing but rotten inside!"
* * *
Meanwhile…
Could I really believe her?
Sibellius had confidently declared that she would never fall in love with me.
I glared at her, distrust clear in my eyes.
"You better keep that promise."
"Of course."
"Oh,my beloved Ceres… Don't you dare say anything like that."
"Even if you begged me to love you, I wouldn't."
Sibellius's deadpan tone was accompanied by a look of exasperation. She seemed to think I was completely delusional.
"I've lived a long time, but I've never seen a man as deluded as you."
She clicked her tongue in irritation and brought a series of magical tools to my side.
Soon, glowing magic circles materialized around me.
It was a terrifying sight, even someone else would be afraid in this situation.
But I stayed put. I'd chosen to believe her, at least for now.
After all, in this timeline, she had no reason to do anything to me.
If I avoided getting close to her like the original Ceres did, then she wouldn't fall for me.
And after all the warnings and harsh words I'd thrown at her, it was even less likely.
"Now, I'll begin the examination…"
Just as I let my guard down and Sibellius leaned in to diagnose me—
Boom!
A thunderous explosion shook the building, echoing like a bomb had gone off.
What the hell?
I had heard the occasional noise from outside earlier, Violet had been breaking things in frustration.
But this was different.
This was the kind of destruction that could only mean one thing.
Someone was trying to kill.
"What now?!"
Sibellius shouted, her annoyance peaking as she quickly conjured a viewing spell. A transparent image of the outside world appeared in the air.
What we saw left me speechless.
Alios and Violet were fighting.
Why was Alios here?
She was supposed to be confined to her house. Yet there she was, fully armed, locked in battle with Violet.
And even more shockingly —
She was fighting on equal footing.
Alios threatened with her sword, glowing with a brilliant aura.
Even Violet, as powerful as she was, didn't dare underestimate her and quickly widened the distance. But in a flash, Alios drew a dagger from her sleeve and hurled it.
The blade, aimed straight at Violet's eyes, forced her to raise her arms to shield herself.
Seizing the opening, Alios instantly closed the distance and thrust her sword toward the unguarded spot.
"You damn wench!"
With no other choice, Violet grabbed the aura-clad sword with her bare hands to stop it.
Blood dripped from her palms, but she had successfully halted the attack.
Just as Violet was about to rejoice, believing she had gained control —
Alios headbutted her directly in the mouth.
"Ugh!"
"Argh!"
Blood trickled down Alios's forehead, but despite her own injury, Violet staggered backward.
It was the perfect opportunity.
Abandoning her sword, Alios kicked Violet in the stomach, sending her flying.
Violet was undoubtedly stronger, but her weight was still that of a human.
Without the chance to brace herself, she was thrown back like an arrow, slamming into the outer wall of the house.
The impact shattered the wall, leaving a gaping hole.
"My house!"
Sibellius shrieked in despair.
"Why the hell are they fighting like this in front of my house?!"
"How would I know…? More importantly, I didn't realize Alios was this strong."
"She's a Sword Master. Of course, she's strong."
That wasn't what I meant.
I knew that Alios was a master swordswoman, I'd seen enough to be impressed by her flawless techniques.
But what she showed now wasn't refined swordsmanship.
This was a brutal, dirty fight, something you'd see in a back alley brawl.
If the male Alios from the original novel were to face the female Alios of this world, there was no doubt in my mind, he would lose.
The original Alios was, for better or worse, the epitome of a noble knight.
He would never resort to this kind of fighting. Even if their skills were equal, the male version would be overwhelmed by the unpredictable, vicious tactics the female Alios used.
When did she become like this? And why was she so intent on killing?
"Argh, you bastard!"
Meanwhile, Violet, though weaker compared to her original counterpart, was no pushover.
Unable to gain the upper hand, she thrashed like a wild beast.
"Tsk, what a waste of potential."
"Agreed."
Sibellius and I both clicked our tongues.
Despite being slashed by aura-covered blades, Violet had yet to suffer any fatal injuries, a testament to her incredible talent.
But it was painfully obvious how much she had squandered that talent.
"I don't care for the royal family, but I can't let their bloodline end while I'm alive."
With a sigh, Sibellius dismissed the floating magic circles around me.
"If she had an heir, I'd let her die without a second thought. Ceres, I'll be right back, so wait here."
"Wait."
"What now?"
"Take me with you."
"Are you insane? Do you even know how weak you are right now?"
"Still… it's not like they'll listen to you if you try to stop them."
They needed me to stop this.
I forced my trembling body to move.
With every step I took to get off the bed, searing pain shot through me.
"You're out of your mind! If you move like this, the pain suppressed by the medicine will come back!"
"Then help me!"
My sudden shout made Sibellius grimace.
"Dammit."
Unable to refuse, she grudgingly supported me as we stepped outside.
And with all the strength I could muster, I yelled.
"Everybody, freeze!"
"Why are you out here?!"
Hames was the first to react, his eyes widening in shock.
Why hadn't he stopped them? I'd seen him just standing there, staring at the door. He immediately ran toward me.
"You! What about your treatment?"
"Ceres!"
Violet and Alios finally noticed me, their attention breaking from their fight.
Both rushed toward me, but I raised my voice once more.
"What the hell are you two thinking?!"
They froze as I glared at them.
"Do you even realize your positions? One of you is the Emperor of the Zadenbium Empire, and the other is the heir to the Gravius Ducal House and the Empire's greatest knight!"
"She said she was going to kill me!"
"And she's the one who dragged you away and made you collapse!"
"Are you saying this is my fault now?"
If either of them had died, the Empire would've plunged into civil war.
Ares, who had become like family to me, and the people I had healed would all get dragged into the chaos.
I was already in pain, and now I had to deal with this?
"Neither of you is allowed to fight. If I catch you at each other's throats again, I swear I'll never forgive the one left standing. I will never see or speak to you again!"
I used myself as leverage, trying to shake some sense into them.
"If you don't want to see me lose my mind, then stop this. Understand?"
"…Fine."
"Understood."
Violet and Alios reluctantly agreed, both lowering their heads.
With the last of my strength, I reached out and summoned what little divine power I had to heal their wounds.
Then—
"I'm going to pass out now, so behave yourselves."
Having spent every ounce of energy I had left, my vision went dark as I collapsed.
Chapter 19
I Assure You
The moment Ceres lost consciousness—
"I just found him again!"
"All this trouble because of these idiots?!"
"Why did he collapse and break my heart again?"
The uproar resumed.
Alios, Hames, and Violet.
All three rushed toward Ceres at the same time.
Sibellius, who was supporting him, could only think one thing.
What kind of insane circus is this?
It was absurd. And yet, there was a strange sense of admiration mixed in.
He managed to make all three of them fall for him?
Each of them possessed extraordinary power, status, and influence.
Not to mention, they were all incredibly difficult personalities.
Yet here they were, acting like lovesick fools, ready to throw away their pride for him.
Is this the power of being ridiculously handsome? At this point, it's practically a divine ability. They call it "the beauty that brings down a nation" in the East, don't they?
Considering how Violet and Alios's fight nearly destroyed the empire, the phrase seemed oddly fitting.
…I'm in debt to him now.
Even though Ceres was technically the cause of the chaos, he was also the one who put an end to it.
If he hadn't stepped in, the fight would have undoubtedly continued.
And just like he said, they wouldn't have listened to me. I'd probably have gotten dragged into the fight, trying to stop them by force. And if someone accidentally died…
The mere thought of what would've happened sent chills down her spine.
Sibellius felt a reluctant sense of gratitude.
"Everyone, back off."
Even as she scowled at Ceres, Sibellius did her best to support him.
"There's no point crowding around an unconscious patient."
She repeated herself to emphasize her authority.
"I'm going to investigate how to treat him now. Stay here and don't get in my way."
"Can't I come in and check too?"
Alios, speaking for the first time, protested.
It was understandable. She hadn't seen Ceres in a long time, and her worry drove her to insist on going inside.
But Violet blocked her.
"Are you a doctor? What's the point of you going in there?"
"Ugh!"
"Keep glaring all you want. I'm only tolerating your presence because of Ceres."
"That's my line!"
They both radiated barely restrained killing intent, yet neither dared to act.
Ceres's words had struck deep. Neither of them wanted to break the vow they'd unwillingly made.
Watching the absurd display, Hames sighed.
"Just go inside. I'll stay here and keep watch."
"Understood."
Leaving Hames to stand guard, Sibellius carried Ceres back into the house.
* * *
Back inside, Sibellius laid Ceres on the bed and activated various magical devices.
The intricate examination spells would take time, so she waited.
Ten minutes passed, and without realizing it, Sibellius felt a pang of hunger.
I shouldn't be hungry yet… Is it because of that scent?
The fragrance lingering in the room was strong, undoubtedly coming from Ceres.
It was pleasant, but strangely, it kept stimulating her appetite.
Pinching her nose to block the scent, Sibellius scowled.
This isn't going to work. I need to eat something.
Leaving the automated magic to run its course, she headed to the kitchen.
Something meaty will do. Maybe sausages, the kind stuffed in pig intestines.
Despite the rumors claiming she consumed human flesh as a half-demon, it was nonsense.
Even full-blooded demons didn't exclusively eat humans.
While they did absorb power from devouring human flesh, it was merely a method to grow stronger. Most demons consumed normal food, and Sibellius was no exception.
She fried the sausages, plated them, and grabbed a bottle of wine.
But no matter how much she ate—
"What's going on?"
An unsettling sensation remained.
It was as if she were eating snow, no matter how much she swallowed, the emptiness persisted.
No way…
Realizing something was terribly wrong, Sibellius quickly returned to the room where Ceres lay.
The moment she re-entered, the scent overwhelmed her senses once more.
Strangely, the hollow hunger within her eased slightly.
This… This can't be!
There was no mistaking it. The cause of her unrelenting hunger was the fragrance emanating from Ceres.
What the hell did he put on his body?!
She had initially assumed it was perfume, but that explanation quickly crumbled.
It's not just a good scent. It's making me feel… nourished.
Was it some cursed fragrance?
But no, even if there was a magically enhanced perfume, it shouldn't be potent enough to affect someone as powerful as her.
And if Ceres had something that dangerous, why would he apply it daily?
She recalled Violet mentioning that he always smelled the same. Then Hames's comment echoed in her mind.
He smells like that without perfume. It's just his natural scent.
Back then, she dismissed it as a joke. But now, it gnawed at her.
Could it be true?
The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
Ceres had already proven to be an abnormal existence. If his body naturally emitted such a scent, then…
Unable to resist, Sibellius leaned closer.
The sweet, crisp fragrance wrapped around her. Unlike the overwhelming perfumes of the court, this scent was refined and serene, like a noble flower in full bloom.
It's like a dignified floral scent. No wonder Violet was so obsessed.
But the idea that a person's bare skin could naturally smell like this was impossible.
Is he really human?
Compelled by curiosity, she leaned in further.
Her hand moved as if possessed, slipping to his chest to loosen the fabric.
She wanted to know.
Did the fragrance linger on his bare skin as well?
But just as she was about to pull his clothes aside—
Their eyes met.
* * *
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Sibellius.
And for some reason, she was right in front of me.
She was leaning over, her hand reaching toward my chest.
"…What are you doing?"
I glared at her in disbelief.
Startled, she immediately pulled away.
"I was… checking your condition."
"And why would checking my condition involve unbuttoning my shirt?"
"You…"
She coughed awkwardly, clearly flustered.
"Let me explain. Apart from the general examination, I detected a strange smell coming from your body. I simply intended to investigate its source."
"What Smell?"
"A floral scent. What is it?"
I don't know!
That fragrance had always been part of Ceres.
In the original story, every time one of the male leads met her, there would be a description of the pleasant scent wafting from her body.
The novel never explained why. Probably just one of those things that happens because she was a romance fantasy heroine.
"I don't know why either. It's just… there. But why are you asking?"
"It's nothing. It just caught my attention."
Sibellius tried to brush it off as if it was no big deal.
But that made me even more suspicious.
Come to think of it, didn't she specifically mention Ceres's scent in the original?
"You do realize this is sexual harassment, right?"
Just in case, I decided to issue a warning.
"You promised me. You swore you wouldn't fall in love with me."
"I was merely investigating because it was strange!"
She seemed almost offended at the accusation, firmly denying it. Then, in an attempt to change the subject, she added, "It's unpleasant to be misunderstood. Let's end this conversation. …More importantly, how do you feel?"
Her sharp gaze scanned me.
"You're speaking more comfortably. Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, a little."
The pain was still there, but it was manageable.
It felt like something that had been tightly blocked was finally starting to loosen.
Had yelling before I passed out somehow helped me?
"Hmm, perhaps the outburst you had during the mana overflow forced your mana pathways to widen further."
Sibellius quickly deduced the cause.
"In a way, it acted like a breakthrough, similar to the intended effect of your original method."
"Intended effect?"
"Take a look."
She dismissed the magical circle that had been hovering over me and instead conjured a series of complex symbols, like a floating report.
"This is the result of the examination. Can you understand it?"
Not a chance.
Although I could read the language of this world, the words were a tangled mess of specialized jargon.
I frowned.
"To put it simply, a highly efficient mana cultivation technique is now operating within your body."
Seeing my blank stare, Sibellius gave me an exasperated look and explained further.
"Your mana has been compressed, enhancing its strength. It's now circulating throughout your body, drastically increasing your mana training efficiency."
"Wait, hold on."
I was dumbfounded.
A terminal illness would've made more sense. But this?
"Why the hell is something like that happening in my body?"
"That's exactly what I'd like to ask you."
She scrutinized me with narrowed eyes.
"You're using mana in an extremely peculiar way. Rather than benefiting from its natural advantages, you're forcing it to act as a shield within your body. It's like you're fighting against something."
"I was trying to restore my health."
"To protect yourself from some unknown force?"
I nodded. But then Sibellius's next words made my eyes widen.
"That method is incorrect."
"…What?"
"Even if mana protects your body, the external pressure you're resisting won't disappear. Eventually, your mana will be overwhelmed too. Even if you seem fine now, it's not a sustainable solution."
What the hell?
I was using the exact method described in the original story, the one Sibellius herself had developed.
Yet now she was saying it was wrong?
"Then what would you have done?"
"In my case, I would have balanced the effects. By counteracting the force naturally, I'd neutralize it instead of trying to overpower it. Of course, I'd have to sacrifice the physical enhancement benefits."
Damn it.
Her words made me realize my mistake.
In the novel, the concept of using mana to protect oneself wasn't as simple as brute force.
The real method was closer to using opposing forces to cancel each other out, like mixing dangerous chemicals to create a neutral state.
What I did was the equivalent of thinking I could fight poison by just making my body tougher.
A stupid, reckless strategy.
"So you understand now? Your misguided method resulted in unintended consequences."
Sibellius continued her explanation.
Since the external pressure hadn't been eliminated, even my protective mana had been suppressed.
But instead of failing, the mana adapted, it had evolved.
It became denser and more refined, almost as if my body had undergone a high-level cultivation process.
"The aura that Sword Masters wield is a result of their mana being intensely compressed. Some warriors have even thought, 'Why not train with compressed mana from the start for faster growth?'"
"And how did that work out for them?"
"Most became invalids. The lucky ones barely recovered."
"Why? Isn't it like an intense workout?"
"As a man, you might not understand, but overexertion doesn't always make you stronger."
"I think I get it."
Even in regular training, doing random exercises without guidance wouldn't guarantee results.
In the worst case, it could lead to injuries, that's why trainers existed.
And this was no ordinary workout.
It was like a martial arts novel scenario where reckless cultivation led to internal injuries, a literal case of "Qi deviation."
"They ruined their bodies with uncontrolled training."
"Exactly. The same should have happened to you. But for some reason, the force suppressing you also healed you. That's why you only suffered minimal damage."
Sibellius gestured at me.
"You're still in pain, but you're conscious and talking. That alone is evidence of the force's influence."
"…So how do I fix this?"
"You noticed how pushing yourself earlier made you feel slightly better? It's likely that forcing yourself to act under extreme conditions functioned like an unintended training session."
"Are you seriously telling me to train again, even in this broken state?"
"Correct. The current situation is the result of an improper cultivation method. You'll need further training to reverse the side effects."
I scowled at her blunt answer.
But Sibellius, undeterred, gave a smug smirk.
"It's not all bad. I assure you, if you succeed, not only will your body fully recover, but the benefits of the high-efficiency mana technique will remain. You'll become exponentially stronger."
Chapter 20
With This Body?
The first thing I did was call in the three who had been kicked outside.
Alios.
Hames.
Violet.
After explaining the situation to them, I was met with three completely different reactions.
"Are you insane?"
Alios, unsurprisingly, immediately questioned my mental state.
"Training instead of treatment in your condition? That's just insane!"
"This is the only way. What else can I do?"
"I'll find another way!"
Alios was firmly against it. She declared she would do anything to fix me, anything but let me train like this.
"Ceres, what do you want?"
Hames, on the other hand, calmly turned to me.
"What matters most is your will. Do you really want to train in this condition?"
"Yeah."
It wasn't like I had any other choice. And honestly, I couldn't deny my curiosity.
Sibellius said that if I succeeded, I wouldn't just recover, I'd become far stronger.
I'd ended up in a fantasy world. Why wouldn't I want to step into the realm of superhumans using mana like them?
Just because the gender roles were reversed here didn't mean I wanted to stay weak forever.
Living like some frail damsel, constantly protected and overpowered by women, was not an option.
"I want to get stronger too."
"I see. Then I'll support your decision."
With Hames's approval, Alios immediately shot her a fierce glare.
"Just like with Count Hurion! You're pushing Ceres into something dangerous again!"
"I've already told you. What matters is Ceres's will. Not yours."
"I'm worried about him! That's why I'm trying to stop him!"
Today, Alios was particularly combative.
She had already fought with Violet, and now she was glaring daggers at Hames.
I appreciated her concern, but this was too much. Just as I was about to step in, Violet interrupted.
"Shut it, idiot."
"Who are you calling an idiot?!"
"You. I don't want Ceres to suffer either. But the problem is that the person suggesting this method is her."
Violet scowled as she pointed at Sibellius.
"There's no magician better than her. If she says there's no other way, then there really isn't."
"…."
Alios fell silent.
She was from this empire. She knew Sibellius's reputation. If the archmage who had lived for centuries declared that this was the only method, it was impossible to argue.
"Don't worry."
I met Alios's eyes as she continued to stare at me with concern.
"You know how powerful my healing abilities are. As long as I have this power, I won't die."
"How can you be so sure? Even if you don't die, won't it still be excruciating?"
Alios's eyes welled with tears as she looked at my trembling body, still unable to leave the bed.
"How are you supposed to train when you can't even stand?"
I raised a shaking hand.
With effort, I reached for hers and grasped it tightly.
"We've known each other for a while now, haven't we?"
"Ceres…?"
"I didn't want to, but we ended up getting close."
At first, I had treated this Alios as if she were the same as the male Alios from the original story.
I resented her. I despised her.
But after spending time together, I realized the truth.
She wasn't him.
Even if their origins were the same, her path could change. Her actions weren't predetermined.
She could become something different.
"I might not love you, but I consider you a friend. And I'd like it to stay that way."
"So you want us to stay friends forever?"
"No, that's not what I mean. I just… I don't want you to become the worst version of yourself. The one you're afraid of."
"What are you talking about?"
Alios's face twisted in confusion. Of course, she wouldn't understand what I meant.
But I shook my head.
"You don't have to understand it now. Even if I explain it, it won't make sense to you yet. But there's one thing I want you to know."
"What's that?"
"I want the friend I care about to trust me."
Her face crumpled. She opened her mouth like she was about to argue, then clenched her jaw tightly.
Alios said nothing more. She didn't agree, but she no longer protested.
"Now, how exactly is this training supposed to work?"
Turning away from Alios, I directed my question to Sibellius.
"Am I supposed to pour mana into my body or something?"
"It's simple. Just like when you pushed yourself earlier, you'll need to place your body under continuous stress."
"So, basically… exercise. Sounds straightforward enough."
"Not at all."
Sibellius gave me a grim smile.
"Your body is in a constant cycle of injury and recovery. Right now, you're only feeling better because you're lying still."
She warned me that any vigorous movement would bring unbearable pain.
"And for the record, I won't be able to suppress all of the pain."
"I get it."
This was my responsibility. No one else could endure it for me.
"So, should I get up and try something now?"
"Are you actually stupid? You tried a ridiculous method to 'heal' yourself and ended up like this. Do you think I'll let you ruin yourself even more?"
Sibellius clicked her tongue in irritation, then turned to Violet.
"I'll need some supplies. Can you get them?"
"For Ceres? Anything."
Without a second's hesitation, Violet's firm resolve surprised even me.
"But if you fail to heal him, I'll kill you myself."
"Terrifying. Just get the exercise equipment."
"And attendants?"
"Those two will suffice."
Sibellius gestured toward Alios and Hames.
Violet scowled.
"You're saying we need them too?"
"We're dealing with extreme training. Is there anyone more useful than a Sword Master and a High Priestess? They'll be far more helpful than you."
"…Fine. I'll notify the Gravius family and the temple that I'm borrowing them for a while."
With that, Violet returned to the palace.
* * *
Not long after, the requested supplies arrived, not just exercise equipment, but also medical supplies and other essentials.
"Let's start with this."
Ignoring the rest, Sibellius grabbed a pair of crutches.
"Before anything else, you need to practice walking on your own."
"Crutches? Seriously? You think I can't even handle that?"
I grumbled as I tried to stand, grabbing the crutches for support.
But the moment I put weight on my legs—
"Ugh!"
Pain shot through me like a thousand needles.
My arms shook, and my legs barely held me up.
It wasn't just uncomfortable, it was agonizing.
This wasn't going to be easy.
Even with crutches supporting me, I couldn't walk far before my body wobbled dangerously.
"Ceres!"
Alios rushed forward and caught me before I fell.
"Your arms were already weak, and using crutches like this is too much. You're even worse than before! Training in this condition is reckless!"
After staying silent for a while, she finally exploded in protest.
"Sibellius, you're an archmage. Is this seriously the only solution?"
"Unfortunately, this is the best I can think of right now. So yes, it is."
"…You're incredibly cold."
"And why is that a problem? I'm receiving a hefty reward for treating him, and he agreed to the treatment. I simply recommended the most effective method available."
"But it's painful!"
"That's not my concern. He chose to endure it."
"You wicked half-demon…"
Alios's fists clenched in frustration, but before she could lunge at Sibellius, I stepped in.
"Sibellius is right. You're not helping by acting like this."
"But—!"
"If you really want to help me, then stand by my side and make sure I don't mess up."
My firm words finally got through to her. She bit her lip but reluctantly nodded.
"That's not right. Move more gently. You're wasting too much energy."
From then on, Alios stayed close, correcting every step I took. She pointed out the unnecessary strain in my movements, her meticulous guidance making each attempt slightly easier.
"I'll infuse you with divine power. It may not be much, but it should ease the pain."
Hames, though it wasn't necessary, frequently used her power to relieve my discomfort.
It took me days just to learn how to walk properly again.
But once I finally managed that, the training became even harder.
"…Damn it."
Even lifting a small dumbbell felt like hoisting a massive sack of rice. My arms shook violently.
"No, not like that. Keep it natural. Use strength, but don't overdo it."
Alios gave me vague, frustrating advice that I struggled to follow.
* * *
"How are you holding up today?"
Despite the grueling training, Violet visited me daily.
Just like when I was confined before, she brought food, ensuring I ate properly.
"Don't you have imperial duties?"
"I finished everything already. Just eat and stop worrying."
After every session, I would sit down and eat the meals Violet brought.
Weeks passed like this.
Then one day, Sibellius approached me with a rare smile.
"You're making good progress. In a few months, you'll be fully recovered."
"Months?"
"Is that a problem? It's not like you have any urgent plans."
She had a point.
I wasn't exactly in a rush. A few months seemed reasonable for a complete recovery.
But I let my guard down. I forgot something important.
I forgot about the way this world worked.
* * *
A Month Later
I had improved significantly. My body was still weak, but I could walk without crutches.
I was waiting for Violet to arrive with lunch when the door suddenly burst open.
"You damn lunatics!"
Violet stormed in, seething with fury. Everyone in the room stiffened.
She'd always greeted me with a smile, but today was different.
"What happened?"
When I asked, she scowled.
"It's about you."
"Me?"
"You know that small neighboring country, Arsen? They're demanding to borrow you."
"Borrow me?"
"A plague broke out. Apparently, they heard rumors about you and sent envoys begging you to come."
A plague.
In Arsen.
The moment she said it, a name flashed through my mind.
"Airan!"
"…Who?"
Violet blinked in confusion, but I couldn't explain.
I'd really been out of it.
I couldn't believe I'd forgotten one of the major events from the original story.
Normally, this request would've come much later. My growing reputation must have accelerated things.
In the original, a severe plague spread through the Kingdom of Arsen.
The royal priests were unable to contain it, leading the desperate kingdom to plead for help from Ceres.
And just like now, Violet had rejected their request.
Do you think I'd be insane enough to send you there?
That part happened in the original too.
But the real problem came after that.
When Ceres didn't show up, a woman named Airan appeared in Arsen.
Unlike Ceres, she had no divine power. But she did possess immense holy power.
Using it, she miraculously cured the plague, earning the people's adoration.
And then —
She's a fraud! I'm the true Saintess!
For reasons unknown, Airan despised Ceres.
She used her newfound fame and influence to spread malicious rumors, branding Ceres as a false saint.
With support from disgruntled nobles and priests like Hames, who had grown jealous of Ceres — she succeeded in destroying his reputation.
That was the villain Airan.
Or rather… him.
Since genders were reversed in this world, Airan would likely be a man.
Regardless, the result would be the same.
If I didn't stop him, the whole mess from the original story would unfold again.
Violet's rejection had already set things in motion.
But this time, I had a plan.
I could prevent Airan from gaining that fame.
The best way to stop him was to steal his spotlight.
I had intended to go to Arsen eventually — at the right time.
But now—
"…With this body?"
Sure, I was getting better. But my strength still wasn't back.
How was I supposed to travel to a foreign country in this state?
Chapter 21
That's Not What I Meant?
I faced Violet directly.
"I have to go to the Kingdom of Arsen."
I had no idea how I would manage it in this state, but refusing to go wasn't an option.
I explained that I had to get there and treat the plague victims, no matter what.
Violet's response was blunt.
"You must've overdone it with your training today. You're spouting nonsense."
"I'm serious."
"I'm not listening to this."
At first, she dismissed me like I was insane. But when I pushed harder, she outright refused to hear another word.
"Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?"
Alios, alarmed, tried to stop me as well.
"I have a bad feeling. Remember when I told you to trust me before, and you avoided the demon attack?"
"Are you saying you have the same bad feeling now?"
"Yes. If I don't go, things will get worse."
And not just for Arsen. For me too.
Since I couldn't exactly explain the real reason, I gave a vague excuse.
Of course, that didn't go over well.
"Ceres, enough!"
Even Hames, who had tolerated my stubbornness until now, grabbed my shoulder in frustration.
"I told you to think about yourself! Why can't you listen? Why do you keep doing this?!"
"I'm sorry."
No matter how much they protested, I couldn't back down.
"Look, it's just not realistic. You can barely walk!"
"You only just managed to stand up!"
Alios and Hames tried to persuade me, pointing out the obvious.
Even if they carried me to Arsen, how could I possibly treat anyone if I collapsed again?
I knew they were right.
What I needed now was a way to heal my body faster.
"Sibellius."
She had mentioned that it would take months to recover. But I'd already spent a month in training.
"There's only a few months left. Isn't there a way to speed it up?"
Sibellius hesitated, clearly reluctant to answer. But eventually, she sighed.
"…There is a way. Especially for you, it would be 100% effective."
A method she hadn't told me about.
I immediately felt a wave of unease, and judging by their expressions, so did the others.
"Your body has muscle memory from the training you've endured this past month. By forcibly amplifying that memory, you can accelerate the recovery process."
"…But wouldn't that mean I'd experience months' worth of exhaustion all at once? Won't I die?"
"Yes, you would. Which is why you're the only one who can attempt it."
My divine power would keep me alive, that's why it would work for me.
But the pain would be unimaginable.
Far worse than anything I'd felt so far.
"…."
"…."
Alios and Hames were speechless.
Finally, Violet exploded in frustration.
"What the hell are you trying to prove?!"
Good question.
What was I trying to prove?
I told myself I was doing this to survive.
But I wasn't alone anymore.
These four had been by my side for the past month, doing everything they could to help me.
I could rely on them. There was no reason to suffer like this alone.
So why was I still so determined?
I thought about it.
And then it hit me.
The realization struck me, and without even thinking, I muttered:
"I want… to protect Ceres's dignity."
The words came from somewhere deep inside me.
Ceres, the pitiful character.
She had done nothing wrong, yet suffered endlessly. All because she was beautiful.
She had been humiliated and tormented until her death.
It disgusted me.
I wanted to change that.
No matter what it took.
Some might say I was being ridiculous, getting so emotionally invested in a fictional character's suffering.
But that didn't matter.
Because I wasn't just thinking about Ceres anymore.
I was Ceres.
And no one else could understand how that felt.
Protecting Ceres's dignity meant protecting my own.
That's why, without even realizing it, I'd been yearning to face the major events of the original story head-on.
To change everything with my own hands.
"I can't believe it took me this long to figure that out."
I felt strangely relieved, even as the weight of my decision sank in.
But now, I could say it without hesitation.
"I'm doing the accelerated training. Starting now."
* * *
Ceres lay on the bed, motionless.
Sibellius had performed the accelerated training method, but the effects weren't immediate.
He had fallen into a deep sleep, and the four of us stood around him, our expressions heavy.
Logically, we should never have allowed this. If he kept insisting, we should have restrained him for his own safety.
But—
"What did he mean by that?"
We couldn't bring ourselves to stop him because of what he had said.
I want to protect Ceres's dignity.
"Why would he say that?"
Alios broke the silence, her face clouded with confusion.
He was Ceres.
Yet he spoke as if he were someone else, as if the name belonged to someone he deeply cared about. The weight of those words had been undeniable.
"It was as if he was willing to risk everything for someone precious to him."
"Or," Hames calmly interjected, "he was simply using the third person to emphasize his point. There's no need to overthink it. He was asserting his own dignity."
"But why?"
Violet, her frustration palpable, lashed out.
"Does anyone here not know who Ceres is? Even if people don't know my name, they know his. He's the Empire's most famous beauty, the precious jewel of the highest noble family! And yet, he says he wants to protect his dignity?"
She couldn't understand.
From her perspective, Ceres had everything, beauty, status, admiration. What could he possibly be lacking?
It was then that Sibellius, who had remained silent, spoke.
"Perhaps even in such luxury, he couldn't find the self-worth he needed."
Her voice was calm, yet pointed.
"And when he gained his healing abilities, he might have thought helping others would prove his own value. That it would confirm his dignity."
"Then why did he lose his sense of self-worth? Did that wretched woman Ares abuse him behind our backs?!"
Violet's voice rang out, her protective instincts flaring.
But Sibellius shook her head.
"You don't understand. Titles like 'precious jewel of the House of Gravius' or 'the Empire's greatest beauty' mean nothing."
"What?"
"To someone who could barely leave his house, what good are those words?"
Ceres's body was frail, so weak that the succession of his family had always been uncertain.
Even if he was called beautiful, what was the point if he couldn't venture outside to experience the world?
It's like trying to grasp a dream that never becomes reality.
Sibellius recalled her own past.
Her mother, a demon, had cherished her half-demon daughter dearly.
To protect Sibellius from harm, she had confined her within their home, whispering words of reassurance.
You have the greatest potential. One day, you may even become the Demon King. Just wait a little longer.
It wasn't an empty promise.
Considering her current power, her mother's prediction had been accurate.
But back then, none of that mattered.
What use is being told I might become a king if I can't even step outside these walls?
Even as an adult, the isolation of her youth had twisted her perspective.
She chose solitude, sealing herself away voluntarily.
Perhaps Ceres felt the same.
He had lived confined by his own limitations, surrounded by empty praise.
Just like her, he had struggled to believe in his worth.
And when the opportunity to help others arose, he seized it, thinking it would validate his existence.
We may have more in common than I thought.
The realization softened Sibellius's gaze.
But at that moment—
"Aaaaaaah! Aaaah!!"
Ceres's sudden, agonized screams shattered the silence.
All four of them froze before rushing to his side.
"Ah, Ceres!"
"Can you hear me?! Wake up!"
Hames and Alios held him down, calling his name desperately. But Ceres only thrashed, his body writhing in agony.
Why? Why is this happening? He should succeed. The pain was expected, but not like this…
A cold wave of fear gripped Sibellius.
She had been certain the accelerated training would work. Yet watching him suffer, she began to doubt.
"Stop this! End it now!"
Violet's voice rang out, her concern overpowering her fury.
"I-I understand!"
Sibellius raised her trembling hands, beginning the reversal process.
But her fingers faltered.
Why am I shaking? Why does my heart feel like it's about to burst?
Then—
"…."
The screams stopped.
The sudden silence was unbearable.
For a terrifying moment, none of them dared move.
"…His eyes are open!"
"You're awake!"
Violet's voice was filled with relief as she noticed his fluttering eyelids.
"Thank goodness!"
Alios, overwhelmed, reached out to touch him, but Hames quickly stepped forward, summoning his divine power to heal any remaining damage.
But—
"What are you doing?"
Ceres's voice was firm as he pushed Hames's hands away.
They all froze.
Instead of lying still, Ceres sat up with ease.
Then, to their disbelief, he stood.
"Wait, what—?"
Ignoring their stunned expressions, Ceres crossed the room.
His steps were steady. Strong.
Finally, he stopped in front of a massive barbell in the corner, a weight over 100 kilograms.
It was one of the training tools Sibellius had brought, far too heavy for his frail body. It had simply gathered dust until now.
With a casual grip, Ceres grabbed the barbell.
It lifted without resistance.
"…It's light."
The once feeble arms that had struggled to lift even small weights now handled the massive barbell with ease.
Ceres's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
Chapter 22
If Only Things Could Stay Like This
The accelerated training method had been agonizing.
I thought I had grown used to pain after enduring so much in this frail body.
But no.
I was wrong.
I vividly remember wanting to throw in the towel, groaning out apologies to Sibellius, and seriously contemplating giving up.
But, just like how a meal tastes ten times better after a day of hard labor, the rewards of the unbearable suffering were enormous.
"Hup!"
I grabbed a thick log from the pile stacked outside Sibellius's house and snapped it in half with my bare hands.
The wood split like a piece of dried squid, fibers fraying apart. Then, I took off running, the wind whipping past me.
I must have been hitting speeds of at least 40 kilometers per hour.
Strength. Speed.
My body had changed.
It felt like I could outrun an Olympic sprinter and outlift a champion weightlifter.
However—
To the four people standing nearby, my feats were unimpressive.
"That's enough."
Just as I was about to punch the wall for another strength test, Violet grabbed my wrist.
Her grip was so powerful that even with my newfound strength, I couldn't break free.
"I get that you're excited about getting stronger, but don't push yourself too far."
"But I'm fine now."
"Maybe you're fine, but I'm not. You collapsing again is the last thing I need."
She stared at me with a tired expression, practically begging me to stop.
When I glanced around, I noticed that Alios, Hames, and even Sibellius were looking equally worried.
Seeing their reactions, I reluctantly lowered my arm.
Alios, who had been watching me anxiously, finally sighed in relief.
"Still, I'm glad you've gotten a bit stronger. At least you won't suffer like before."
A bit stronger?
To Alios, a Sword Master, my new abilities must seem like child's play.
Even with my massive improvement, I was nothing compared to the people standing in front of me.
It stung my pride a little, but there were more pressing matters to deal with.
"I need to go to the Kingdom of Arsen now."
That was why I'd undergone the hellish training in the first place.
"I'd rather you didn't."
Violet, still exhausted from worrying about me, shot me a pointed glare.
But even as she protested, she ultimately relented.
"Fine. I'll arrange for a portal and contact the other side."
A Transfer Gate.
A large-scale teleportation device, accessible only to a select few. But with the Emperor's authorization, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Using it will cut down your travel time significantly. Consider this a gesture of goodwill. The sooner you leave, the sooner you come back."
"You're not coming with me?"
"Why would I? I'm the Emperor. Do you think I have the luxury to follow you around?"
Thankfully, she responded like a rational adult.
Honestly, I'd been half-worried she might ignore her responsibilities and insist on joining me.
Just as I exhaled in relief—
"But I'll assign the entire Imperial Knights Order as your escort."
"Absolutely not."
What was she thinking? Taking the entire Imperial Knights Order to a foreign nation would scream 'We're declaring war!'
"Are you trying to give Arsen a heart attack? They'll think we're invading!"
"You'll need protection."
"With my current abilities, I don't think that's necessary."
"I don't care. You're not leaving without proper guards."
Ah, this again.
It reminded me of how Ares had once tried to confine me at home for my 'safety.'
Time to use the same trick I pulled back then.
"Come with me."
"Gladly."
Just like before, I directed my words to Alios. And, just like before, she responded without hesitation.
"Why is it okay to bring a Sword Master but not the knights? She's even more dangerous."
Violet grumbled, but she didn't object further. Alios's presence was at least a reliable guarantee of my safety.
However, when Hames quietly began preparing to leave alongside me, Violet stopped her.
"Having a High Priestess accompany you would be useful, but the temple is already complaining. They want to know how much longer I'm planning to keep you here."
"…I see. That's unfortunate."
Hames reluctantly backed down.
Honestly, I couldn't blame her. She had stayed by my side, offering me divine support whenever I needed it. I owed her a lot.
"Thank you, Hames. I'll send you a gift once I get back."
"I don't need it. Knowing you're safe is enough."
His gaze lingered on me with a hint of regret before he left.
"And you."
I turned to Sibellius, who had been silently observing the scene.
"Thanks for everything. Now that I'm leaving, you don't have to worry about me bothering you ever again."
Sibellius, who hated unnecessary involvement with others, had only endured me because of the situation. Now that I was leaving, it was probably a relief to her.
Consider it my final gift, freedom from dealing with me.
"…Thank you. I'm glad to know we won't cross paths again."
Her response was immediate. Though she hesitated for a second, her expression remained stoic.
It seemed we were both satisfied with this parting.
And so, with all preparations in place, I set off for the Kingdom of Arsen.
* * *
Alios and I stepped through the Transfer Gate.
To my surprise, the person waiting to greet us wasn't just some noble or emissary, it was the Queen of Arsen herself.
"Oh! You truly came!"
The Queen of Arsen was a middle-aged woman with chestnut hair. Flanked by her attendants, she looked both relieved and overjoyed to see us.
"That face — without a doubt, you must be Ceres Hyperion, the Empire's greatest beauty!"
"It's an honor to meet Your Majesty."
As the legitimate heir of the House of Hyperion, I was well-versed in noble etiquette. I bowed gracefully, giving the perfect aristocratic greeting.
"I heard you requested my help. I've come to offer it."
"Indeed! I've heard of how you healed every patient in your family's territory. The thought of your aid was the only thing keeping me from despair!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at me, her voice trembling with gratitude.
"I begged the Empress of the Empire to send you, but she refused. I must admit, I resented her. But now… why the sudden change of heart?"
"It wasn't because Her Majesty was unwilling. The truth is, I was unwell at the time. Empress Violet had no choice but to decline your request."
"Ah! So that's why! And now… are you truly better?"
"Yes. Once I recovered, Her Majesty permitted my departure."
Of course, that was a complete lie.
I couldn't exactly tell her that Violet didn't care whether Arsen burned to the ground. The Queen's current admiration would shatter in an instant.
No, diplomacy required a little tact.
"Empress Violet must have cared deeply for our kingdom, after all."
"Indeed! She even sent Ceres Hyperion and Alios Gravius, two of the most famous figures in the Empire!"
The murmurs of the Queen's advisors filled the air.
They were fully convinced.
It wasn't like I was going to explain that I'd come of my own volition and dragged Alios along as my personal guard.
With her tears flowing freely, the Queen clasped her hands together.
"The Empress's kindness and your selfless dedication will never be forgotten."
"I'm simply doing what must be done. Please, Your Majesty, lead me to the afflicted. I'll begin treating them immediately."
"Such a noble heart! Not only beautiful in appearance but pure in spirit as well!"
The Queen quickly explained the situation.
The plague had spread through a large province near the capital. The residents had been isolated, but with no cure in sight, desperation was growing.
"Although they remain quarantined, I fear they won't last much longer. Supplies are running low, and some have even attempted to escape in search of food."
"I understand. I'll ensure it never comes to that."
With Alios at my side, I set off for the plague-stricken province.
The Queen dispatched hundreds of soldiers to accompany us. Their purpose was to maintain order, much like how our own guards had handled the situation back at my family's territory.
"Everyone, gather here!"
"Do not be afraid! The Empire has sent a savior!"
"This is Ceres Hyperion, the one they call the Saint of the Empire!"
The soldiers shouted my name, their voices echoing through the crowd.
The frightened and sickly people, trembling in fear of the soldiers, grew still. But when they laid eyes on me, whispers of awe spread.
"It's true! No one else could look so radiant!"
"That beauty… it can only be Ceres Hyperion!"
"We're not being tricked into a mass execution. He's really here to save us!"
My face had become a symbol. It gave them hope, like a beacon in the dark.
As the soldiers ushered the sick forward, I scanned their weakened faces.
Most of them were wheezing, struggling to breathe, with visible pain in their eyes.
According to the Queen, the symptoms began with severe abdominal pain and difficulty breathing, eventually leading to uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth.
No one knew what the disease was.
I wasn't a doctor. Even if I were, the original novel never gave a name to this mysterious plague.
But that didn't matter.
I didn't need to know.
"Healed."
"Yes, you're healed too. Next!"
I barely had to lift a finger. As soon as my hand brushed over them, the divine power surged, cleansing their bodies in an instant.
"Unbelievable! Even those in the final stages are recovering!"
"At this rate, the plague will be eradicated within days!"
The soldiers and patients alike were astounded.
It was undeniable, my healing speed was absurd.
At this rate, I could cleanse the entire province in less than a week.
Of course, the fact that the plague had yet to reach its peak played a part.
In the original novel, the situation had been far worse, with the province reduced to a living hell.
But because I had come earlier this time, I'd arrived before it reached that point.
"Everything seems to be going well."
Alios, standing beside me, lowered her guard slightly as she watched the treatment progress.
"Yeah. Let's finish this quickly and head back."
I nodded, feeling a flicker of relief.
If things continued like this, everything would be fine.
Or at least, that's what I thought.
Until—
"Alios! You wretched creature! I'll repay the humiliation you inflicted upon me!"
On the third day, a demon appeared out of nowhere, aiming straight for Alios.
Because, of course.
Nothing could ever be simple.