Blue Coral watched the being called the Demon Knight whirl around.

SPLASH.

At the same time, something visible only to him rippled. A sea battered by wind and rain overlapped the crystal-clear night sky.

“I see you feel like talking now.”

Blue Coral sat on the coat his escort had spread out, rolling up the blanket he had brought to prop behind his back. It offered little real support, but it was better than nothing.

“There we go.”

Even that small movement taxed his body considerably. He paused to catch his breath.

CLANG.

Meanwhile, the other man had pressed almost right up against the bars. A wilting wildflower flickered over the half-gray young man, bearing a profound otherness that proclaimed it was not of this world.

“What... did you just...?”

“What did I say?”

Quietly observing him, Blue Coral took an object from inside his clothes. Once its range was set, the item absorbed sound within that area and allowed it to resonate only inside its bounds.

In other words, the soldiers and Knight outside its range could never overhear their conversation. A precaution, just in case.

“I called you a precious soul from another world. An innocent person who should never have been treated this way, either.”

Now there was nothing more to worry about.

Blue Coral set the object on the ground and continued breathing carefully. An ocean formed from the tears of a single person swallowed his labored breaths. It was a sea that existed only within his sight.

“Was what I saw wrong?”

“...”

How strange it felt to be submerged in the sea while on dry land.

Yet that did not make it unpleasant. Blue Coral lifted a hand as the bewildered man opened and closed his mouth.

The sorrow flowing between his fingers was salty and bitter indeed.

“Was yours a soul of this world?”

Yet it was comforting and peaceful, too.

Like the warmth of the sea within the womb through which all must pass to be born, like the tender embrace that enfolds the grieving, everything touching his skin was simply merciful.

“... No.”

And so he could not worry, even if he tried. Could not imagine it.

“No.”

Someone whose tears for others had formed an ocean could not possibly succumb to mere wrath now.

“I’m not from here...”

The man called the Demon Knight burst into tears. In that instant, the sea grew deeper still.

“... So I was right.”

Watching him, Blue Coral lamented as well.

He himself had harbored the suspicion, but precisely for that reason, part of him had hoped to be wrong. If the man truly came from another world, there was not a single reason he should have to endure such suffering here.

“I was right.”

But that was the truth now revealed. It scraped at Blue Coral’s heart. The discomfort was all the greater because he had come here to ask for yet another sacrifice.

His mouth drew into a hollow line.

“I, I’m not even from this world...”

Fortunately, some grief could be honored simply by keeping silent and sharing warmth.

So Blue Coral remained where he was, listening attentively to the young man’s sorrowful words.

The wildflower—a common bloom that a little botanical knowledge would identify as chickweed—shed endless tears between its withered petals. They were the tears of an ordinary person, someone who should have remained ordinary.

“Ahh...”

“Tsk.”

The grief of a perfectly ordinary person who should never have suffered any of this.

“Have you finished crying? If you have, I’d like to tell you why I came.”

“...”

Yet he had to make another cruel request of this man.

“... Tell me you’ll live. That you’ll live, no matter what.”

To save more people.

For this world.

... Perhaps for you.

Blue Coral’s mouth felt as though thorns had sprouted inside it.

“... Why?”

“That’s...”

“Why?”

“...”

It would hurt less to be bedridden from a relapse of his internal injuries.

Blue Coral bit his lip at the sight of that face, glistening and wet with sorrow. He wanted to retract his words, to claim his tongue had run away with him.

“Because... if you die now, there is a strong chance the demon will emerge in your place.”

But he could not. That humble soul was not the only thing harbored within this sea of sorrow.

“And I’m not making this proposal based on what the demon said. I’m... speaking only of the truth I witnessed for myself.”

Blue Coral lowered his gaze to examine what the sea concealed.

When he erased the solid ground of reality from his sight, deep in the sea lay a net branching from a single thread and spreading like a spiderweb. Behind it was a mass of pitch-black chains, largely hidden from view. It was another soul dwelling in this body.

“You are the weight holding the demon down. For now, your hold is absolute, and will likely remain so for a long time.”

And at the center of those chains forged from a soul burned a flame that would not go out despite being submerged in the ocean—a flame that could leap out at any moment and burn everything on land to ashes.

There was no need to guess the identity of that fire, fueled by all the world’s resentment, hatred, loathing, and enmity. That was the demon.

Even after one being had pledged their soul to bind it in chains of contract, it could not be controlled, forcing them to bring in another person. That thing had to be the Great Demon of Wrath.

“So I... want you to live. If the demon you’re suppressing rises to the surface, we will witness horrors again.”

What would happen if something like that cast off all its restraints and entered the world? Would they not face destruction itself, rather than merely witness horrors?

Blue Coral could not stop thinking about it. Ultimately, those thoughts were what had prompted this shameless request.

The future of ruin was too plain to risk.

“... So, that’s why you’re asking me not to die? Me, of all people?”

But the other man only smiled sorrowfully at his words.

“Even when everyone wants me dead?”

... It was not difficult to understand. Blue Coral had never personally witnessed him fight, but considering the accounts of those around him and how events had unfolded, it could hardly have been an easy battle.

Worse still was what came after he overcame the ordeal. He had fought a grueling battle, yet instead of praise, he was treated as a criminal, with those around him speaking of execution. Anyone would feel wronged.

“... I understand their choice. I won’t resent them for it. Humans are simply that sort of creature. I never expected anything to begin with, so I won’t ask anything of them.”

But to swallow even that sense of injustice and reveal his disappointment in humanity...

“But that doesn’t mean I want to live and endure their stares. I, I’ve endured enough. I, I really...”

Blue Coral reconsidered whether a human being could truly love this much without expecting anything from humanity. Whether it was right to make such a request of someone so exhausted that even that love could no longer sustain him.

But he had no answer. He could see only the essence of the world; the future was a matter of conjecture.

“... If what torments you is everyone around you demanding your death, I can resolve that.”

And so, swallowing against a dry throat, Blue Coral continued.

Was this right? Who could say? But even setting the greater good aside, surely it was not right to leave such a radiant soul to perish alone.

“I’ve kept silent because it is too important a matter to announce without your permission. But I do have something that can persuade them.”

Fortunately, with one soul acting as the first restraint through a contract and another brought in to hold the demon down, there was almost no chance of its escape.

In other words, he could thoroughly refute the argument that the Demon Knight had to be executed for fear of the demon running rampant.

“Of course, I cannot eliminate their hostility entirely. Probably only soften it. In the worst case... your survival may be assured, but their scornful gazes may remain unchanged.”

The minor problem, yes, was that if he disclosed this, the Temple might take issue with the contract.

Since the soul serving as the weight was not party to the contract, he thought it unreasonable to persecute him as a contractor... but one never knew. The Temple’s inflexibility was nothing new.

“That is why I waited for you to wake rather than speaking without your consent.”

Still, he thought it too precious an opportunity to abandon out of fear. All the more so because he did not intend merely to demand that the man endure for everyone else’s sake.

“In return... whatever else may happen, I can promise you this. If you choose to live and endure, I will devote all my strength during that time to returning you to where you belong.”

“...!”

If only this man held on, he would spare no effort to bring this soul home.

“... You’ll send me back? Me? Home...?”

“I will not promise certainty. I am a Mage, after all.”

He had something that might serve that purpose, too. Had he not recently developed a spell that filtered and purified corruption—demonic energy—to extract magical energy?

“But I can promise to do my best.”

Of course, that would not solve everything. Applying the spell to this body would merely neutralize the demon—if even that succeeded.

Moreover, even if the demon were neutralized, a problem remained. It would allow them to kill this body without fear of the consequences; it would not mean this soul could return home.

“I am pledging my name and all my honor to help break through the contract between the two beings who dragged you into this world, so you can return home unharmed.”

There was also some danger involved. Indeed, if the demon were neutralized, what would become of its existing contract?

If it remained intact, they would lose nothing, but if it broke, that would be a gamble. No one knew whether this soul, bound by that contract, would return home upon its dissolution or remain tied to this world.

The same applied if the demon died rather than merely being neutralized. Blue Coral had no intention of gambling with a soul that had worked harder than anyone.

“I apologize that I cannot guarantee it. But when I say I will try, those are by no means empty—”

But if he were given time, time to devise a safer method, he would find a way somehow.

“... Wait. Two beings? A contract?”

He intended to, no matter what.

“... So you didn’t know about the contract after all?”

Blue Coral drew a brief breath and looked at the loop fastened to the humble wildflower. The thread attached to it connected to the net used to conceal the pile of chains.

In other words, it prevented this soul from leaving the sea, while doing nothing to stop it wandering lost beneath the water.

“I don’t know where to begin.”

What a cruel contract it was. Even if the goal had been to imprison the demon, to use someone without telling them anything...

“The demon isn’t the only being in your body. There is the demon, the soul suppressing it through a contract with it, and you. A total of...”

But that thought did not last. In the middle of speaking, Blue Coral’s eyes widened and his mouth snapped shut.

「You mustn’t tell him...!」

SNAP.

Part of the net concealing the sealed flame tore. The chains imprisoning the demon’s fire writhed as though they might unravel at any moment.

CLINK, CLINK.

Tongues of flame flickered between the chains.

“Ah.”

Something had gone wrong. Blue Coral realized it, but it was already too late.

RIP.

The man who was ordinary yet extraordinary, altruistic yet capable of selfishness, had already learned a fragment of the truth.

RIP.

More of the net tore away. The chains—the chains of the contract—began to show more clearly.

“You were here.”

At the same time, demonic energy began boiling out of the Demon Knight’s body. Enough for the Knight standing far away to notice something was wrong.

“What is happening?”

“You were here.”

“... Listen.”

“You were... here all along...”

Fortunately, the net did not tear away completely. But could it possibly be a good sign that the contract, hidden until now, had begun to show?

Blue Coral stared at the soul who had been used without knowing anything. Perhaps that... that ignorance...

“Great Sage!”

“Stop!”

Ignoring the Knight’s call for the moment, Blue Coral reached through the bars. Thank goodness the other man had come close. He could lay a hand on his shoulder.

The blood welling up from his sudden movement hardly mattered.

After a hacking cough, he forced out a whisper through clenched teeth.

“I misspoke. This, what I just said...”

“If I do as you say.”

But he was interrupted. The man with flames darker than night clinging to his collar lifted his head and met his eyes.

“Will I truly be able to go home?”

Red liquid streamed down cheeks that had dried without him noticing.

“That—”

“You called me the weight holding it down. Said the demon would run rampant if I were gone. Do you think the others will send me home under those circumstances? The same people who say that, though they pity me, the demon is dangerous and executing me is the right thing to do?”

“...”

“And how long must I endure before your uncertain research overcomes all those obstacles and succeeds?”

He could not possibly answer.

“Great Sage, get away from him!”

“... I don’t want to do that.”

The Knight behind him, realizing what was happening, called out. But Blue Coral could not respond to his shout.

“I don’t want to.”

“Jack, ring the—!”

SLASH!

The prison bars were sliced apart, and at the same time, the torch stands casting their gloomy light nearby were severed and scattered across the ground. The makeshift bell met the same fate. Thin metal clattered to the ground.

“What in the...!”

The Knight and soldiers were visibly bewildered.

“I’m sick of being pushed around by other people’s circumstances.”

Meanwhile, Blue Coral coughed where he had tumbled after being knocked aside by the man’s abrupt rise. The other man flinched and reached toward him.

The hand propping his back up so blood would not block his throat was remarkably gentle.

“I appreciate your kindness. But please understand.”

The voice murmuring almost in a whisper was much the same. Coughing up blood, Blue Coral grabbed the man supporting him. It was an unthinking act; it was so clear the man would never harm him.

“I’ve done enough, and now I want to leave.”

And for that very reason—because this was someone who would never harm him—he let go again.

“... Yes. Of course you do.”

In truth, as the Great Sage, Blue Coral judged that he must not let the Demon Knight leave now. With most factions already hostile toward him, leaving of his own accord would very likely cement his status as an enemy.

And was that all? The demon he harbored, his own value, what would happen if the young man left and only the demon remained—there were too many reasons to stop him. Whether by persuading him to accept the proposal or appealing to his tender heart, as the Great Sage, he had to keep him here somehow.

“I have no right to stop you.”

But, but what of Blue Coral as a person?

Someone dragged here without knowing why, subjected to every kind of hardship, was saying he no longer wanted to be caught up in other people’s circumstances. That now he would seek a way home for his own sake.

Could he truly stop someone saying that?

Rather than rely on his uncertain method, rather than face a future where everyone stood in his way, the man wanted to leave to find something more certain. Could he really stop him?

“Great Sage Blue Cor—!”

SNAP.

“Ghurk.”

“...!?”

No. He could not.

“The people—”

“Cough!”

Above all else, he could not do that to the man who had saved his grandson.

“... You.”

“... It’s the backlash from casting... a sleep spell. Cough. No need to worry... it won’t kill me. They aren’t dead, either... only asleep.”

He felt as though he might die, but he would not.

After confirming that the Knight and soldiers were sound asleep—damn it, he had caught his escort in the spell as well—he let out a long breath. Blood obstructed it slightly, producing a wet rattle.

“Why... would you cast magic even though it makes you cough up blood...?”

Still, it was fortunate they had placed the Demon Knight’s prison on the outskirts to avoid alarming the public. The same went for their inability to establish a proper perimeter with their limited resources.

With the guards dealt with, this should be enough for him to escape.

“Because I cannot hold back a soul as noble as yours.”

“You didn’t have to help me like this. I could have managed...!”

Was the young man worrying about him even now? Did anyone need to be this kind?

“It isn’t enough.”

Well, it was precisely because he was this sort of person that he had been brought here as a means to suppress the demon.

“Considering what this world has received from you, a paltry kindness like this cannot even begin to repay you.”

Ah, had the demon not said something? That his devotion and sacrifices would go unrecognized?

“And yet... after today, many will point fingers at you. Knowing nothing, they will trample your sincerity and dismiss your efforts as worthless.”

Yes. That was undeniable now. Those who neither knew the truth nor cared to learn it would freely condemn him and treat him as an enemy.

“But... in the name of Surging Blue Coral, I declare this. You are a hero to rival the Hero, and perhaps a greater savior still.”

But he, at least, would look the real truth in the face.

“I, for one, will never forget that as long as I live.”

Who had sacrificed in this land, who had worked so hard, who had shown such goodwill toward people who had nothing to do with him... He would remember forever.

“For your devotion, my thanks.”

“... Ah.”

“... I wish you could have become friends with my grandson.”

Come to think of it, the boy had been particularly concerned about the Demon Knight. Yes. Someone like this could command even that ill-tempered grandson’s concern.

“... There’s nothing to gain from having someone like me as a friend.”

“Wrong. If anything, you’re too good for him. He may be my grandson, but his abilities are his only redeeming quality.”

Anyone who was not captivated by a soul this beautiful had something wrong with them.

“... Well, never mind. Go now. Nothing good will come of lingering. The sleep spell... hah. It won’t last long.”

“... Thank you.”

“You’re thanking me...? When I’m the one... who ought to be grateful...”

“But without you, I might never have learned the truth.”

Yes. If someone could remain unmoved before a bird in flight so noble...

“So how could I not thank you?”

If their heartstrings did not stir at the sight of someone so kind it made the heart ache...

“... I’ll make it home. I promise.”

If they did not feel dizzy at the sight of someone who could smile so brightly, his efforts unrecognized, with only one person’s understanding to show for them...

Then truly, the fault lay with them.

“Yes. Make sure you do.”

“... I will.”

Blue Coral gave a hollow laugh as the man helped him lie down comfortably even now. Despite being told the injury was not fatal and there was little time, he insisted on being kind to the end.

“I told you to get going.”

“I was just about to.”

“Liar... Ah, yes. Would you mind if I spoke in your defense?”

Still, thanks to him, it was easy to look at the sky. Blue Coral raised his eyes, feeling the soft blanket beneath him and over him.

“In my defense...?”

“I mean... may I tell others some of what I said earlier? Not everyone. Only those with the authority to decide how you are treated.”

“...”

He saw the chickweed in full bloom send stars through the seawater and into the sky, high into that sky.

Flowers, stars, rose into the heavens above the sea.

“No... please don’t.”

“Why not?”

“... Who knows? Anyway, I really should go.”

In every place the chickweed passed, they rose like a river, stately, densely packed, unassuming.

“Ah.”

They bloomed with all the tenacity of wildflowers.

Thousands, tens of thousands of star-shaped blossoms spread their petals through the wind and rain, softly illuminating the night.

“... A feast of light I could never see even in reality, and I find it in a person.”

If the sea of tears wrought by that soul had a name, it would be love. And each starry blossom the sea sent aloft would be called affection.

“He is not someone we should let leave like this...”

In the embrace of love, beneath tenderness, he shed quiet tears.

“May the blessing of the guiding star be with you.”

The star that watched over those seeking their way twinkled.

Is It a Problem If the Protagonist Is Obsessed with Staying in Character? (Serial)

Author │ Hae Inseol

Publisher │ Kim Juhyeong

Published by │ Jple Media Co., Ltd.

Marketing │ Han Jaehyeok

Address │ Suite 1101, 11, Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong, Ace Techno Tower 8, 11th Floor)

Email │ [email protected]

Website │ http://blog.naver.com/jayplemedia1

ⓒ Hae Inseol 2022

※ This work is published by Jple Media Co., Ltd. under an agreement with the copyright holder. No part of its contents may be used in any form or by any means without the permission of the company and the author.

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