The scary guy, the bad guy, the last guy (4)

Was the author someone I knew? Those I studied with knew I went onto a publishing company Is that why they sent me the manuscript?

The nickname and the style of writing were mature, so it was an unexpected possibility. Jungjin wasnt familiar with his old classmates, so he wasnt sure who mightve been an aspiring novelist. It felt like he had a fever as his heart pounded in his chest. When he thought that someone he didnt know was the author, it didnt matter, but once he considered it could be someone he knew, he felt oddly mixed up about it. Besides, that wasnt the only problem.

Who is the Archbishop Istoria?

She wasnt a person who existed in the previous manuscript. The answer came from not Kleios head but a voice from behind him.

The Archbishop was the last priest to hold divine power.

If God spoke, it would be in such a voice.

The Archbishop Istoria, who had been asleep for thirty-two years, has now awakened, but she cannot speak, hear, or see. Since the blessing of the goddess Mnemosyne has completely left the ear, the religion left for us is nothing but a monument.

That pure voice made every word sound like a hymn.

You might not be able to recognize the Archbishop at your age, Kleio Asel.

A person who could suffocate others with only his presence stood behind him. Kleios body felt stiff, betraying the orders of his mind as he listened, immobile. Kleio struggled to turn around towards an unknown horror.

There he was. Melchior Riognan, crown prince of the Albion kingdom. Kleios eyes went wide in astonishment. The black and white photographs in the newspapers had been insufficient to replicate his image. He wasnt someone who could only be reproduced with the sensitivity of light and shadow. His face lacked any elements that could help determine gender or age, like an angel that brought heartless revelations or a god carved of stone. Could he be called beautiful? Humans shouldnt be shaped that way. Anyone who faced Melchior would be overwhelmed by his inhumanity.

He had eyes that didnt blink, shaped too perfectly. The edges of his pupils were framed with a bright bronze color and a pale orange towards the center. The pupils hidden under his golden eyelashes were cold but radiant, and the color of his eyes grew darker as he gazed at Kleio. Kleio staggered back with shock. A sense of incongruity mixed with fear scratching at his insides. The prince of Albion was like a ghost on the screen, looking straight into the lens. It was like he was an actor who couldnt know the existence of the observers watching him, yet he was consciously staring back at them. Promise flashed and shined, a familiar string of golden letters grabbing Kleios attention.

[Unique skill: Structural View

-It is the eye that sees the essence of objects.

-Users can grasp the true intention of the subject of the skill. History, status, and past with additional features

-Users directly @#$

User: Melchior Riognan

Speed:

Additional function uses A Number of times: [emailprotected]$#h ]

Unique skill?!

The letters continued.

[-Melchior Riognan is partly involved in the composition of the world.

-Melchior Riognans unique skill and the item Promise could not retrieve information due to the conflicting characteristics $#^#@56 ]

Suddenly, gravity seemed to press down on him. Kleio knelt, unable to overcome the pressure bearing down on his whole body. He began to tremble in fear as his breathing stopped, and cold sweat drenched his back.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeee-

A high-pitched ringing rang in his ears, pricking his brain like a sharp ice pick. At the same time, hot energy seared his left knee that was on the floor. Promise gave off a white light as if trying to protect him.

[ Promise

-A serious threat to the users mind has been detected. The 4th stage function, Separate, has opened.

-Separate will free the user from Melchior Riognans unique skill.

-Melchior Riognan cannot detect the history, condition, and true intention of the item user.]

Heeok

His breath, which had stopped for a while, came back. His body greedily brought in the oxygen it had thirsted so desperately as his fear subsided and an artificial calm came over him. Melchior was still looking down at Kleio. Sitting on the floor, Kleio noticed gloves wrapped around the princes delicate hands.

Is the reason why the prince wears gloves because of that unique skill?!

He thought it was a device to emphasize the delicacy of his personality since the manuscript didnt mention even once that the crown prince had a unique skill.

You shouldve told me about this ability! Put a footnote or a post-it on the manuscript! Or maybe the author didnt know? Is this possible?

How can you defend yourself? You arent part of the royal family

He was murmuring to himself, but thanks to Perception, he could pick it up.

Is that because his skill didnt work? What, does it not work on his brothers?

That could be the case. Kleios own unique skill didnt work on Arthur, after all. The novels title was -The Prince of Albion Kingdom-, and there were three princes on Albion. At first, he considered it referred to Arthur, but that might not have been the case. Arthur was deeply involved in the composition of the world, and Melchior was partially involved. Although their degrees were different

An antagonist is as important as a protagonist. If so, what about Aslan? Its getting complicated.

Heavy silence weighed in the air between them. Kleio continued to breathe steadily. Even after his fear went away, his frustration remained. He could smell blood from this man. Finally, the princes hand reached out, and his body reflexively moved back as if to avoid it.

Oh, fuck.

It was too late by the time he thought he shouldnt have reacted. Looking at Melchior nervously, the young man had a slight smile.

Its late; I guess I was tired. I should wake up.

Reluctantly, Kleio grabbed the princes hand.

Ive heard a lot about you.

I guess his secret intelligence service knows everything, right?

Its good to meet you, crown prince.

Kleio awkwardly greeted him as he stood up. The crown prince, who held his hand, scrutinized Kleios face like a man investigating a crime. He didnt realize it because of his appearance, but he was a tall young man with wide shoulders.

Ah, how annoying my body is still growing, but when will I be taller?

The prince spoke with a graceful smile a beat later.

Its okay; you dont need to be so formal. You are my brothers friend. It may be my first time seeing you, but may I call you by name?

Rather, its an honor.

Melchior began to ask about Arthurs school life and Kleios magic level. If he didnt know, he would think the two brothers had a full friendship. The crown princes acting ability was better than Diones.

Is it because he has a good voice? If I didnt know the inside, I wouldve forgotten.

Melchiors voice was great. If it were the era of radio broadcasting, he couldve taken over the world in moments.

Well, thats something that fits a politician better than royalty.

As he answered dryly, Kleio was desperately thinking. Though their conversation seemed light, he felt an undeniable sense of crisis.

-But the upset that happened with my brother was amazing. Probably a subspace creation skill?

Yes?

Kleio, you were also attacked in the back alley on the east side. I heard that there was trouble, so I was worried that your health mightve suffered.

How much does this man know?

With his unique skill, he would be able to uncover any secrets in the world easily. Even though he knew he could defend against it thanks to Separation, he was on high alert.

I was saddened to hear Arthur suffered, but Im relieved that there is a wizard who can be relied on in the future.

It was a kind speech perfect for an older brother who truly cared about his younger sibling. His long lashes cast a shadow, and his concern seemed deep. If that were true, he wouldve attached a guard to Arthur. However, neither in the last manuscript nor this one, Melchior showed no such favor to Arthur. An intense migraine formed in Kleios head as he watched Melchiors acting as if possessed. It felt like the pain was squeezing the inside of his skill. Again, Promise sent a clear warning.

[Unique skill: The charm of ]

[Gives users a strong charm to gain love and admiration.

Grants strong, convincing power to the users voice.

User: Melchior Reignan]

Wow, hell cut me down even with my eyes wide open. What is this charm?

It was clear that the charm was an element outside of the boundaries of the story, like Promise or Palimpsest. Its true name was still unknown.

Is this author too generous? He gave a character that ability?!

Promise popped up with another message a moment later. Perhaps Melchiors skill wasnt too advanced for Promise to block.

[Separate has liberated the user from Melchior Riognans unique skill.]

It was clear that Melchior knew that his skill did not affect Kleio as he stared intently. It was that same look of a character looking outside the pages towards the books reader.

If a character can recognize the limits of the world, doesnt it mean this story is falling apart? Will putting in one NPC help?

As Kleio speculated, the three princes already possessed imperfect memories. This was due to an error that occurred from rewriting the manuscript several times.

In addition to that, the charm of

Kleio had the Promise of , but he wasnt a person who had a name in the original manuscript. However, could Melchior, who was a being involved in the composition of the world from the start, be something other than a person of this world?