Chapter 123: The Trial of Honesty (1)
Roughly piecing together Gremory's words, I gathered information about angels.
The result was this
'A woman with pure white wings and lavender eyes cut herself, and has been restricted from using her powers as a demon ever since. They didn't tell her why they didn't kill her, but they did say that she would have a chance to repent someday…'
The story was smooth.
Once a sword is held to the throat, everyone is equal.
At least in this world.
But there was one aspect of the story that raised questions in my mind.
The angel's appearance.
Eyes the color of lavender.
In the Inner Lunatic, eyes like these are only found in House Reinhafer.
They appear to have a monopoly on them.
Naturally, it's strange for an angel to have such an appearance.
'Are the angel and Theo related?'
If there is a connection between the mysterious archangel and Theo, it would make sense. However, wasn't Reinhafer a Dark Arts master?
Why does the story play out as if there's some connection between them? Is the Gremory before him really the weakest of the 72 demons, and was she just sealed away for no reason?
I don't know.
As the questions piled up, I realized that I couldn't come to a proper conclusion, so I made my next request.
"Then there's the next one."
"…Is there a next?"
Gremory looks a little tired.
After all, unless you're a big talker like Christopher, it's easy to get lost in the conversation.
In many ways, this is the point where I reevaluate Christopher once again.
But I had no intention of showing her any mercy.
"Yes. Give me the ordeal of this ruin's honesty and heartbreak."
"...? Do you even know what that means?"
Gremory said in disbelief.
She seemed to genuinely think I was insane.
It's no wonder she's baffled by my suggestion, given that I've managed to avoid trials as best I can.
It's something I wouldn't do if I had two lives to live.
But I'm not like everyone else.
I've already seen the ending of this damn game dozens of times.
That was Yoo Chan, and this is Nox.
Therefore, I boldly demanded it.
I demanded that the Trial of Honesty and Heartbreak, the Trial of Catastrophe, be given to me.
"Do you think I'm crazy?"
"Of course...."
Shrug.
"No. Well, maybe. I've heard stories before about perverts with stupid tastes who like to be spanked in public."
She quickly confirmed.
The quick change of demeanor was typical of her in games in the past.
Only one thing bothered her.
"Are you saying I'm stupid? I'm not sure I'm confident I can insult Reinhafer and survive, and I wouldn't take such a big gamble if I were you."
"...."
She remained silent, not daring to correct herself.
She's got pride, too, so let's leave it at that.
For now, I decided to take stock of the situation.
'I'm going to take a moment to review their statuses. I should also check in on Christopher, Arya, and Liese.'
On second thought, I decided to check the statuses of Christopher and Gremory first. I figured I could always check on the others.
First up was Gremory.
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[Basic info]
Name: Gremory
Gender: Female
Age: ???
Race: Demon
Primary Element: Divine
Achievements: [72 Demons]
[Traits]
Positives: [Mastery of the sword and martial arts] / [Loyalty] / [Honesty] / [Generosity] / [Mouth of truth].
Neutral: [True Evil]
Negative: [Tears] / [Heartbreak] / [Lightness]
[Stats]
Physique: 27
MP: 23
Luck: 7
Willpower: 20
Charm: 20
[Skills].
Passive Skills: [Reaper] / [Earth Resonance].
Active Skills: [Healing Wave] / [Sword of Honor].
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[Truthful Tongue] / [Lightness] / [Honesty] / [Heartbreak] and more.
Her traits were both demonic and not-so-demonic, giving off a very strange feeling. Hagiya, isn't the tinnitus she had from the beginning a demon of honesty and heartbreak?
'I don't know what else she has, but she's worth keeping alive. The most important trait is [Truthful Tongue].
It's a trait that makes it impossible for her to lie to anyone. In other words, it's a trashy trait with a penalty.
To survive on this filthy continent, honesty is poison.
Even if it was the devil, it was the same.
But on the flip side, it's perfect for me to exploit.
'Next up, Christopher.'
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[Basic Info]
Name: Christopher
Gender: Male
Age: 37
Race: Human
Primary Element: Ice
Achievements: [Captain of the Blackblade Knights]
[Traits]
Positives: [Cheerful] / [Strong voice].
Neutral: [Two-mouth talker]
Negative: [Overly loyal] / [Insensitive]
[Stats]
Physique: 21
MP: 16
Luck: 6
Willpower: 7
Charm: 15
[Skills].
Passive Skills: [Strong Vocal Chords] / [Frostbite Aptitude].
Active Skills: [Ice Make (Intermediate)] / [Frostblade First 3 Formulas] / [Frostblade Mid 3 Formulas] / [Frostblade Second 3 Formulas] …
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As expected from a noisy guy, he has a lot of relevant talents.
However, its power is unbelievable. He had already reached the level of Frozen Sword Master, and although his magic power was somewhat lacking, his physical strength, if exaggerated, was just below that of a Sword Master.
In many ways, I realized that there was a reason why Theo was so fond of him.
After a quick check, I spoke up.
"Tell me more about your ordeal of honesty."
I knew the facts, but I asked just to be sure.
Gremory stammered.
"The… Trial of Honesty is a test where you can answer one question without telling a lie and immediately pass the test."
"And the condition for not passing?"
"To speak a lie."
Gremory reached out and created a small chamber of mana for the Trial. He would enter it and undergo the trial.
It was something I knew well, having already experienced it many times in the game.
"Once inside, the trial will begin. I'll ask you a question, and if you don't give me an honest answer, something you've staked will be taken from you. What you wager is up to you, but if you wager something of high value, and you succeed, you'll get the best artifact the ruins have to offer, and if you wager something low...."
"You'll get a low reward."
"...Yes, and there's one caveat… I'll ask you a question about someone you're related to, and if you answer the question with the truth, your answer will be passed on to them."
In other words, if you say, 'I don't like it when Rona talks about me behind my back,' it will be passed on to her.
In the form of 'Devil's Whispers'.
However, I don't get nervous, I just smile sheepishly.
I continue to walk toward the interior of the room, and listen to the system notifications.
[You must wager something of value as the price of your ordeal].
[What will you bet?]
The word bet.
In fact, for everyone, not just gamers, it's a gamble.
Whether it's enhancing an item or making a choice.
The bigger the bet, the bigger the reward.
The smaller the risk, the smaller the reward.
The game always clearly lays out the rewards and gives them out whenever you succeed.
And, as is often the case, the masters of the game are the ones who know how to cheat. You can always improve the odds of that gamble a little bit.
So I said.
"I'll bet my life."
I wagered what little life I had left.
Gremory looked at me in shocked disbelief.
Has that guy in your eyes gone mad? I didn't care about the suspicious look on my face. Because I was thinking of doing this anyway.
At least I'm not going to die here.
With that certainty, I gambled.
I waited a moment.
Then I heard a clear, crisp voice.
Thank goodness.
I only have a few lives left, but they seem to be worth a lot.
The next system voice said.
[You have wagered your life, the life of Nox von Reinhafer].
[The difficulty of the trial will be adjusted to the highest possible level!]
[If the player fails to complete the trial, they will die].
* * *
When playing Inner Lunatic.
Each time I visited the Great Ruins, the ruins, and Gremory, asked me.
A single question that I have asked in the name of the Trial of Honesty and Heartbreak.
The question always changed, but the one constant was that it always cut to the heart and soul of the faction, position, and vote of the character I was currently raising.
It hasn't changed in the fact that it has cut to the core and the heart of the matter.
I don't know how she does it, but it never ceases to amaze me that, at least for me, she always hits the mark.
Thanks to her.
I always knew, but I couldn't help but wonder.
To others, it was just a question about the character they were playing, but to me, it was the protagonist of a story I cared about.
Because the question had such a huge impact on the ending of the story, that if it was even slightly twisted, it was all over.
Why?
Because the life-or-death question usually went something like this.
'Are you plotting a rebellion against the emperor?'
'Don't you want to kill the brother who killed your parents?'
'Are you planning to kill the patriarch and bring down the family?'
This wouldn't be a problem if these were the only questions you were asked, but Inner Lunatic is not a bland game.
Why?
Because, as Gremory said earlier, if you answer in the affirmative here, news of your actions will reach the units you're ostracizing.
This is a recipe for disaster.
For example. If I answer affirmatively to rebel against the Imperial Family, news of my intentions to rebel against the Imperial Family will reach the ears of the Emperor.
Revealing your secret to someone.
This test is called Honesty, and it is called Heartbreak, because it is difficult in and of itself.
This is why it's best to do it at the end.
When you are strong enough to rebel against the Imperial Family.
When you can take revenge on your family.
Sometimes it's not worth it unless you can kill the patriarch, as it often results in the sudden death of a character you've been nurturing.
'Of course, no question is too risky for a small price to pay. But I'm in a situation where I have to take risks. I don't care if I look good to anyone, my goal is to get to the end of the story.
The reason you haven't taken the trials in the previous five rooms is that the biggest gamble requires you to meet Gremory face-to-face.
And since you can only take the test once, I took the shortest route possible, defeating a bunch of monsters to get here.
Then I asked her directly for the trial.
To get my hands on what I wanted.
I thought.
'I'm just a stranger, after all. I have to admit it, it's an undeniable fact.'
Nowhere in this world am I welcome,
There is no place for me anywhere.
Or if there is, it's a character. It's most likely for Nox von Reinhafer, not me.
If so, it doesn't matter who I hate. It doesn't matter who I'm hated by.
The Emperor, anyone.
The chances of them having any influence over me just because I hate them is extremely small.
I'm just Nox von Reinhafer, a scoundrel.
That's the part I play.
That's why I came to these ruins the fastest.
To get what I want quickly, to become stronger.
So I had no choice but to bet.
I only have a few days left, Nox. Maybe all of Yoo Chan's life.
There was a moment of silence.
Soon, I hear Gremory's question.
[Will you kill your father, Theo von Reinhafer, if necessary?]
It's not the question I expected.
I expected to be asked if I wanted to kill the Imperial Family, or if I wanted to kill a demon, or if I didn't really trust my units.
I was expecting questions like that.
I knew they would be disappointed in me, but I figured I had no choice. I had to see this story through to the end, if only to protect them.
To be hated by someone.
It had become all too familiar to me, inhabiting the body of a damned bastard named Nox von Reinhafer.
So I thought it was okay.
But the question that came back to me was about Nox's father. It was about Theo.
The question rings in my ears one more time, like an echo.
As if to give me one last chance.
[Will you kill your father, Theo von Reinhafer, if necessary?]
My submerged mind sends up a silent ripple. The frantic pounding of my heart chastises me, gradually increasing in intensity.
Yes.
This is better, I realize.
It's a question that reminds me of my goal, which, paradoxically, is what Theo von Reinhafer really wants.
"Yes. I can kill Theo von Reinhaber. No...."
I continued, clenching both fists tightly.
"Not necessarily my father, but anyone who stands in my way. I will kill anyone for what I want."
[The player has passed the ordeal of honesty and heartbreak].
The next moment, I heard the system's passing message.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone