I Sought Out the Tragedy's Scheming Mastermind

Eliana and Rube walked side by side between the tall trees.

“You seem to enjoy taking walks.”

“Ever since I was young, I’ve only ever lived in the estate, so I guess I like walking like this.” Eliana lied breezily.

Rube’s eyes strangely darkened and then returned to normal.

“You’re welcome to come whenever you’d like, even after the debut is over. You seem to be interested in the Itdeoni myth…”

“The original myth’s story is interesting,” Eliana admitted, smoothing her hair.

Actually, she was more interested in the demon who signed a contract with Verkley rather than the myth’s story.

Just in case there’s a way to get rid of a demon in the Itdeoni myth.

“There is very little known about the Itdeoni myth.”

“You know Algiers well, right? Because you’re the Priest?”

“I don’t know all of him either.”

“You’re modest.” Eliana pursed her lips and shrugged.

Rube spoke as if to appease Eliana.

“I’ll lend you the Scriptures the next time we meet.”

“The Scriptures?”

“There are many different opinions about the Itdeoni myth. Among those opinions, only the consensus became known to the public.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, if you’d like, I can lend you the Scriptures to an unverified myth.”

“Oh, is that okay?” Eliana asked, visibly pleased.

She stopped walking and turned her head to him. He was closer than she thought.

If it’s an unverified myth, it might be more detailed about the demon.

‘I just hit the jackpot, didn’t I?’

Eliana double-checked, fearing Rube would change his mind.

“Are you sure? You can’t go back on your word.”

In response, Rube smirked and whispered, “But don’t tell anyone that I lent you the Scriptures. There’s actually only one.”

“What?” 

“They’re the Scriptures I personally had.”

“Ah… That’s a bit of a burden.”

“You don’t have to feel pressured. I’d be happy to give it to you.” Rube smiled softly at the end of his words.

Does he personally own the Scriptures because he is the Priest?

It took him a while to say that there is only one, but that means it has scarce value, so it’s expected to contain important information.

“Anyway, thank you in advance.” Eliana thanked him with excitement. Her footsteps became lighter.

Rube watched Eliana’s retreating figure, who was walking with a purpose in her steps.

Then she turned around and smiled softly.

“I’ll watch it carefully and return it to you, so don’t worry!”

Rube nodded subtly.

His silver hair glistened in the sunlight. His dark gold eyes were like the eyes of a bird, gazing at its prey.

She was sure there were very few people who looked good with silver hair.

Eliana murmured to Rube in passing words.

“I don’t think you’re from this world either.”

“What do you mean?”

“You look like an angel from heaven. Anyway, I don’t think you or His Majesty are human.” Eliana giggled in amusement.

It was funny to say, “You look like an angel” to a grown adult, but it was a thought she had since she first saw him.

If Verkley was like a statue sculpted by God, could you say he is like an angel?

Rube replied with a smirk at Eliana’s lame joke.

“I feel like you’re more of a god, so does that make me your servant?”

“Oh, I like the sound of that. A God with a handsome servant.”

Eliana spoke like she was about to die of laughter.

A God…

If she were a god, she wouldn’t have reincarnated into a novel like this.

‘Even if I did reincarnate here, I wouldn’t have this role. I’d be living a much better life in a neighborhood without a name. A noble young lady as a supporting character.’

Eliana didn’t know who sent her here.

No, there may be no one who sent her at all.

Just because of the providence of the universe, she could have fallen into this dimension unluckily.

“Do you believe in God, Rube?”

Eliana asked in a slightly subdued voice. When he smiled, it was lopsided.

“Eliana, you are the first person to ask the Priest if he believes in God.”

“Ah, you’re right. That was a stupid question.”

Talking about angels and gods made her get carried away.

Eliana hurried her pace with an awkward smile.

The Devil exists, so there must be a God who created him.

‘If Algiers really does exist, I’d like to interview him. Why did you send me here? No, I want to ask if it was you who sent me here.’

After walking in silence for a while, Rube whispered. “There is a God.”

“I suppose so.”

When Eliana replied, he continued.

“Just by looking at the nature around you, you can see how delicate Algiers is.”

It was something a Priest would say.

Eliana smirked at him, seeing how he answered her question seriously.

He surely was a dedicated Priest.

“If God were real, why would he let the Hanevs be born into existence?”

“So it really was true that you were interested in myths.”

“I had no reason to lie about that.”

Rube walked silently for a while before he spoke.

“They themselves will not know why they have become corrupt. Temptation always appears out of nowhere.”

“Temptation?”

“They were all equal beings to God. Some were angels, some were demons.”

“Yes, I’ve heard of that.”

“The purpose of their creation was to live according to His providence, but they were not satisfied with it. As a result, they were put to the test. The test of temptation.”

“I see. It’s the first time I’ve heard of that.” Eliana responded with interest.

Rube continued, staring at Eliana.

“In the beginning, the Hanevs came from one of the first angels Algiers created.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Like the first angel he created, he inherited a lot of power from God. It was recorded that he was very strong and beautiful.”

“What is it that made such a man sin? I would have been blessed with the grace of God.” Eliana murmured with a look of incomprehension.

The meaning of ”first” is powerful.

First love, first job, first relationship, first child.

Being inexperienced because it’s your first time, giving generously because it’s your first time, and pushing yourself until the end because you don’t know how far to go.

There was a first for everything.

Rube explained calmly.

“He had a certain thought. He wanted to have God to himself.”

“Is that wrong?” Eliana asked, not seeing the problem.

He caused no particular harm. It was just a thought, and it seemed a little harsh to be classified as a sin.

Rube smiled softly. “Algiers loves everyone equally. Trying to monopolize him was already an unacceptable sin. Whether it caused harm or not.”

“That’s harsh. I can’t believe he was punished for loving someone too much. Usually, it’s our nature to want something we like… Ah, can I say this to the Priest? It’s a bit disrespectful, right?

“That’s all right. Everyone interprets information differently.”

Rube shrugged his shoulders as if it were no big deal.

According to him, the Hanevs originated from an angel named Michael, who was one of Algier’s best disciples.

He was the commander of the army and an Archangel favored by Algiers, who was said to be the most similar to God.

“But then he suddenly began to feel a sense of emptiness, and the misfortune began.”

Before she knew it, the story was moving on to the Itdeoni myth.

Rube explained like he was telling an old story.

“Emptiness quickly turned into jealousy and he was immediately disqualified as an archangel. From the moment he fell, he was chased.”

“Did Michael get caught?”

“No, he was just too powerful and corrupt.”

“I hope you don’t get caught. You’ll die the day it happens, just like any other Hanev.” Eliana said to Michael, feeling emotional.

There’s only one sin he’s guilty of. 

Loving too much.

It was his sin to want to monopolize a being he could only love and not have to himself.

After Michael fell, Algiers feared that other angels and demons would also fall and took back half of the power he gave them.

Later, he gave very little power to those born.

It was to prevent people from becoming obsessed with themselves by inheriting strong power.

However, it was not possible to stop the sin that had already arisen.

Those who inherited the slightest power and those who gave it back instinctively began to crave it.

Eventually, several power-hungry angels and demons frequently began killing their companions and taking their power, and the Hanevs grew exponentially.

Once the sin of the fallen was created, it got worse with each passing year.

In the end, it was said that it was left to the commanders of each army to capture the Hanevs.

Eliana shook her head when she heard only his short summary of the myth.

“Being God is very tiring. I don’t think I’d have anticipated making that decision.”

“The good thing is, the Hanevs have a mark.”

“It’ll be easier to identify them because of it.”

“I doubt this will happen, but if you see anyone with this mark on their body, avoid them.”

Rube pulled a booklet and flipped through the pages until he stopped.

He showed Eliana the image in the booklet.

At first, the image seemed magical.

The shape of a small snake with its mouth open, biting a piece of gold larger than its body.

It was an image sufficient enough to symbolize those who have fallen by craving what was beyond their means.

‘Oh, I’m sure I’ve seen it somewhere?’

Before she knew it, they reached the entrance of the palace.

Eliana asked the last question with a puzzled face.

“Why should I avoid them?”

Rube covered the booklet, revealing…

“Because those who have signed a contract with the Hanevs always have tragic endings.”

T/N: 50% sure Hanev isn’t a person, and it’s just a race (?) of fallen angels/demons.