Chapter 223

I spoke, opening my eyes.

At the same moment, their Magic Power flowed down my cheek to my neck.

Whoosh—

A different kind of wind swept across my face.

The scenery changed. I was atop an unfamiliar clocktower, not in Berlin or Munich, with a strange city sprawling below.

They must’ve warped me here, anxious even with space magic layered, to keep my friends from finding me.

The fierce wind brushed long platinum hair against my cheek. Realizing their gaze was much lower than mine, I laughed.

‘This bastard.’

The person before me was an Old Human woman, the most harmonious-looking I’d ever seen. Her appearance, hitting every beauty standard of this era, could’ve fooled me into thinking she was a Wittelsbach Old Human.

Even as the drug kicked in, making my heart race, this was transparently manipulative.

They came to meet me not as their true self but in another transformation?

‘Impressive transformation stats.’

Not because of her looks, but because Wittelsbach Old Humans don’t exist in this era.

Analysis later.

For now, no laughing. It wants to come out, but I can’t.

This plan’s core is my disillusionment and exasperation.

In this moment, “I” am desperate to escape this torment, eager to confront the stalker, negotiate, and end it.

‘Why go this far?’

Because they’re risk-averse and opportunistic.

If they knew this was all my plan, they’d bolt and harass me from afar. To buy time to subdue them, I need to keep them feeling like they’re winning.

I took a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. My face and shoulders slowly tensed.

I’m not facing a rat caught in my trap; I’m a weary person here to negotiate an end to this.

Repeating that resolve twice, my expression shifted accordingly.

Or maybe it looked like the drug was working. I could hear my own heartbeat.

“Haha…”

Joy spread across their face, like someone who’d achieved their goal. Their breathing quickened, voice trembling.

“Didn’t plan to meet like this.”

“……”

Of course not.

They haven’t perfected their game yet; they just fell for my strategy. Think you’ve won all you want.

The Old Human in front of me, eyes unblinking, scanned my face. A thin voice cut through the wind. “This day’s finally here.”

I stared blankly, trying to lose focus.

Their pale hand contrasted with flushed cheeks. Softly curled platinum hair fell over my hand gripping theirs. Sea-blue eyes shimmered with heat inside pale lashes.

No one could deny their refined, clear features, carrying an air their original owner likely never bore.

‘…Not their real body, so obvious.’

I briefly opened their status window, then looked back at their eyes.

Like with Abraham, something unknowable lurked in their gaze. But unlike Abraham’s rise from nothing, this one felt like they’d crawled from an abyss. Danger stirred my drugged senses.

“…You’re better up close. First time touching you. Better than I imagined…”

Knowing they’re unhinged, their nonsense didn’t faze me. Instead of anger, I checked the scenery behind.

From the Grand Hotel terror, they’re likely Pleroma.

True to Pleroma, they’re skilled in space magic. The distant expanse was fully separated by new space magic. The city’s silence confirmed we were alone.

Feeling my heart race faster, I slowly met their blue eyes. “I came to negotiate.”

“You must feel the same as me now.”

Like a lunatic, they ignored me, saying what they wanted.

“I said I came to negotiate. I did as you replied, followed your song lyrics. If you keep the line, I’ll do what you want, so let’s stop this.”

“Stop?”

They muttered, smiling as if hearing nonsense.

I drank the drug, so I should be in love, yet I’m cutting it off coldly—hard to grasp. I need answers, so I can’t play lovesick.

First, does cognitive distortion magic work?

Second, how much do they know about me?

If cognitive distortion works…

‘No need to drag this out.’

I’d handle them immediately.

Gripping their hand on my cheek, I rapid-fired, —*Unless Yahweh keeps the city, the watchman’s wakefulness is in vain. Enter through the narrow gate!*

Boom—!

Chanting both spells, I released the restraint spell binding our hands and stomped back. Blue light burst from their hand.

A second slower, my face would’ve been blown off, but with my skills this year, not last, I wasn’t dying.

More importantly…

‘Tch, this is… tricky.’

I muttered curses, drawing my wand.

I confirmed at the Grand Hotel, but their thoroughness isn’t exactly welcome.

They didn’t fall asleep or get brainwashed.

Cognitive distortion magic not working answers both my questions.

Their use of “Müller” to mess with me wasn’t random—they know I’m Nicolaus Ernst and that I can use Divine Power.

They’ve fortified their Mental Strength with artifacts to avoid capture.

This raises issues, the biggest being they know my identity…

Luckily, they can’t broadcast it to all of Pleroma.

‘They want me for themselves first.’

Revealing I’m Nicolaus would tip off every Pleroma parish to their prey’s location.

So, this stalker’s probably praying other Pleroma parishes don’t find out.

Bang, Crash— Bang—!

I drew my wand, deflecting incoming Vitriol. Another Vitriol, like Leo’s vines, slithered for my ankle. Stomping it to bits, I chanted a guidance spell.

—Yet Yahweh knows all my paths!

Boom—! Thud—

With the sound of crumbling bricks, their surprised laugh and landing elsewhere echoed.

The air turned black, obscuring my view. Their ability suggested they weren’t small fry, and they’re not. They’re on par with Ainsidel.

‘Gotta play this light.’

Why?

I’m planning to lose on purpose.

Using purification magic to clear my vision, I resumed my earlier calculations.

‘Now their limits and mine are clear.’

They can’t use my Nicolaus identity to attack, limited by their desire for me.

I’m limited because they know my identity and are fully prepared, restricting my abilities and strategies.

Cognitive distortion doesn’t work, and their skill rivals Ainsidel’s, so I’m at a disadvantage. What now?

Call my friends?

I told them my plan, so they’d find me eventually.

‘Problem is, that resets everything.’

Given their risk-averse nature, if I call friends, they’ll bolt, like the rat they’ve been.

Feeling the wind’s flow, I gripped my staff with both hands, swinging toward the wind’s source.

—Be my rock of refuge where I can always hide.

Crack— Thud!

My whispered spell formed a barrier, blocking two distinct attacks from the left. But the wind scattered left instead of hitting the barrier. What’s that mean?

‘Right.’

They’re using guidance magic from the right to misdirect.

Boom—!

Charging with force, their wide blue eyes appeared inches away. Swinging my wand-turned-sword at their neck, the air blackened, and they vanished.

Completely gone. No breath in the air where I stood.

Boom— Crash—!

Turning my sword back to a staff and raising it, they broke my dome barrier from above, descending.

‘Hmm.’

Yeah, close combat’s tough with them. Especially in this disorienting darkness.

I knew that since the wet glove incident.

At 70% output for a casual response, their complexity makes it a good time to act like I’m going all out.

Flames surged from my staff, something exploding.

Pop—!

—The Lord of Hosts will punish them with thunder, earthquake, loud noise, whirlwind, tempest, and devouring flames…

I swung my staff. The blazing flames lit the darkness.

—The nations attacking Ariel, all who distress and besiege her, will be like a dream, a vision in the night!

With a roar, the floor burned red. Magic Power surged, engulfing the city. The city turned red as I poured it out.

A mutter came from the sky. “As expected.”

They were up there, falling but unfazed, used to it. I swung my staff, redirecting the wind. Caught in it, they laughed, surprised, and made a small barrier midair.

They’d use it to pivot and change their fall’s direction—a trick I’d used in spars with Leo.

Crash—!

Fragments of their broken barrier flew at me.

Clang—!

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