Translator and Editor: nieye

Chapter 63

“…Then, did Michael make a contract with Verkley?”

Eliana asked, hesitating to fulfill her deep-rooted curiosity.

Because the only Hanev she knew of was a man who took on Verkley’s appearance.

If he was the one responsible for bringing her here, it might mean she couldn’t see Verkley again.

The unease of the possibility that her past life’s death was somehow linked to Verkley haunted her.

Upon seeing Eliana’s anxious expression, Gabriel shook her head. 

“Unfortunately, you’re mistaken. In this world, there are two Hanevs.”

“…”

Eliana breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that there were two Hanevs. 

At least, her death wasn’t directly linked to Verkley.

Gabriel asked Eliana, who seemed relieved.

“Surprisingly, I thought you would ask me about your powers first, but instead, you asked about the connection with Verkley Owen.”

“That’s…” 

“Could it be that you have feelings for him?”

‘I like you.’

Gabriel’s question brought Verkley’s confession to mind. 

Eliana hadn’t given any response to his confession.

Or rather, she leaned towards not responding.

As long as she feared being around Verkley, as long as he didn’t stop seeking revenge, their relationship would always be precarious.

It was a fact both Verkley and Eliana knew.

Eliana asked with a somewhat forlorn expression,

“Is it wrong to have feelings for him?”

I want to have feelings for him.

No, I already have feelings for him.

Gabriel saw how much affection Eliana had for him.

However, Gabriel warned without any change in her expression, “No. Don’t have feelings for him.”

Her words painfully pierced her heart.

“You shouldn’t have feelings for him.”

In response to Gabriel’s repeated firm statement, Eliana frowned and asked, “Why?”

“Because, during this ceremony, I will kill him.”

Eliana stared at Gabriel, her mind going blank.

Gabriel calmly uttered the words that she would kill Verkley.

In an instant, a clear sense of fear overwhelmed her.

The image of him dying right before her eyes…

Eliana desperately protested, “Wa-wait! Verkley hasn’t done anything wrong yet!”

“He is a sinner who made a contract with a Hanev.”

“But…! Killing him just because he made a contract with a Hanev is too cruel!” 

Eliana rambled on, trying to defend Verkley.

He hadn’t gone insane like in the original story, and he hadn’t killed Hera or blinded Mary.

If he had to die just because he made a contract a Hanev, it seemed incredibly unfair.

Gabriel adjusted her posture in response to Eliana’s objections.

She crossed her legs and relaxed her back.

“No, he sinned the moment he made a contract with a Hanev.”

“But Verkley thought it was a demon. If he knew it was a Hanev, he wouldn’t have made the contract!”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Pardon?”

Eliana flinched at Gabriel’s composed response. 

Gabriel went on to cooly explain, “I’m asking if he would’ve still made the contract had he known the entity in front of him was a Hanev.”

“That’s…” 

Eliana couldn’t respond immediately, hesitating with her words.

With being unable to offer an immediate response, Eliana’s argument had lost its persuasiveness. 

In truth, Eliana shared a similar line of thought with Gabriel. 

She believed that if it were Verkley, he wouldn’t have stopped the contract even if he had known that the “demon” was a Hanev. 

Therefore, she couldn’t come up with a strong counter-argument. 

But that didn’t mean she could simply let him die.

“Still, killing him is too cruel,” Eliana insisted, even though she knew it might sound forced.

Gabriel tried to persuade Eliana with her argument. 

“It might be better for him to be killed off now. The fate of those who give their souls to the Hanevs always ends in ruin.”

“…” 

“Are you crying?”

Gabriel tilted her head slightly as she gazed at Eliana.

Eliana didn’t shed tears.

Gabriel shrugged her shoulders, as if somewhat surprised. 

‘She’s just doing her job. It’s true that Verkley made a contract with a Hanev. But…’

Eliana couldn’t help but feel that she was being cruel, despite her role.

After a while, Gabriel touched her chin and began to speak.

“I have no other choice either. As long as the contract exists, the Hanev can’t be sealed away unless we kill the contractor.”

Her tone sounded like an excuse.

“But waiting for the moment the contract holder’s soul is consumed isn’t an option either, as it might interfere with Verkley’s revenge.”

“…”

Eliana, with a stiff expression, avoided Gabriel’s gaze. 

She felt utterly helpless, not knowing how to intervene in this situation.

It was equally frustrating not being able to stop Verkley.

When Eliana remained silent, Gabriel let out a deep sigh.

“Well, I suppose there is a way.”

Eliana’s attention snapped back.

“What is it?”

Her anxious tone reflected how she had been hanging onto every word.

As Eliana fixed Gabriel with determined eyes, the latter chuckled wryly.

“But I’m not sure if he can do it.”

“He can, he definitely can. Just tell me what it is.”

Eliana’s determination was unwavering, desperate for any solution.

Gabriel spoke with a composed tone, explaining, “He needs to resist the Hanev’s temptations and not fulfill the terms of the contract he agreed to.”

“Verkley won’t be stubborn when faced with the possibility of death. If we explain things properly, he’ll surely stop seeking revenge.”

Eliana replied positively, her face brightening with a sense of hope.

Firstly, it was essential to figure out Gabriel’s intention.

When Eliana expressed her optimism, Gabriel shook her head.

“No, stopping his revenge won’t be enough.”

“Really?”

“If the terms of his contract with the Hanev were for revenge, then he must genuinely forgive Hera and her daughter. It’s a matter of deep inner feelings.”

”…” 

“If even a trace of revenge remains in his heart, the Hanev will seize the opportunity. And the moment he gets his revenge, he will no longer be the Verkley you once knew.”

Eliana’s lips tightened as she observed her pessimistic attitude.

“…He can do it!”

Eliana shouted, fearing that Gabriel might change her mind.

She wasn’t entirely confident, but she didn’t want to see Verkley die at her hands.

Gabriel chuckled, staring at the determined Eliana. 

Almost as if her smile was saying, ‘Give it a try.’

“Yes, I trust you.”

“Thank you, Miss Gabriel.”

“Of course. I’m not just blindly trusting you. If you weren’t by Verkley’s side, I would have killed him without hesitation.”

“So does that mean I’m helpful to Verkley?”

Eliana asked with a more relieved expression.

Gabriel began to explain slowly, “When you first met Mach, didn’t you find it strange?”

“Mach…?”

Mach was the 6th Demon, the last demon of the 12 Army Commanders. 

Among the remaining literature, he wasn’t a Hanev, which left Eliana even more perplexed.

Gabriel replied, “In the remaining records, he may have been a demon, but now he’s a Hanev. Not just any Hanev, but a freshly corrupted one, with a strong desire for power and a violent temper.”

“So, Verkley must’ve been fooled.”

“It’s possible. Either way, he’s currently more interested in you than Verkley’s soul.”

“Does it have anything to do with Verkley stabilizing when he touches me?”

Eliana hinted at her speculation.

Gabriel nodded in response to her words.

“That’s right. Occasionally, there are human souls blessed by the divine, known as ‘Pure Souls.’ These souls are very similar to Lord Algiers’ soul.”

“…”

“Your soul is something to be protected by angels and demons, but for the Hanevs, it’s a delicious morsel. Eating it will make him stronger.”

‘You shine alone. Your soul looks so delicious, can I eat it?’

Eliana recalled the words the Hanev spoke when they first met. 

She hadn’t understood the meaning behind Mach’s words at the time. 

So why couldn’t Mach kill her and why did he seem tormented by her presence?

Eliana furrowed her brows, not understanding the situation. 

“Then why was Mach afraid of me?”

“Well, I can’t be certain either.”

“Pardon?”

“But perhaps it’s because Michael was tricking you.”

“Are you saying that my power over him can disappear at any moment?”

“Yes, so it’s best to avoid situations where you might encounter Mach as much as possible. It would be wise to be cautious even when touching Verkley.”

“Easier said than done…” Eliana mumbled in a daze at Gabriel’s request.

Then a single question arose in her mind.

If Michael was truly dangerous, wouldn’t it be better if Gabriel told her who he was?

But Gabriel hadn’t explained who Michael was.

“…Who is Michael?”

Who on earth is he, that he would ruin her past life and torment her even in this life?

Michael was terrifying, seemingly watching her from an unknown place, waiting for the right moment.

‘What could Michael, who became corrupted due to his excessive love for Algiers and his desire to possess him, be trying to gain by controlling me?’

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand.

“I can’t tell you that.”

“You’ve told me everything else, so why can’t you answer the most important question?”