The Devil is the Villainess

Chapter IX: The Mastermind (Part 1)

A charged atmosphere enveloped the room as Medea confronted Caelus, her earlier sense of superiority giving way to a newfound understanding of the intricate web he had woven around her. The realization of his cunning maneuvers left her with a sense of both respect and caution.

Turning away from him, Medea spoke with a measured tone, acknowledging the depth of his manipulations. "You recognized my otherworldly nature from the start. Your subtle enchantment disrupted my powers, leading me to you. You orchestrated the solar eclipse, induced my temporary blindness, and feigned assistance—all to serve your agenda. A shrewd move, I must admit," she acknowledged, her voice carrying a mix of acknowledgment and a hint of begrudging admiration.

Caelus, an epitome of composure, maintained his calm demeanor, neither confirming nor denying her observations. Medea continued her assessment, revealing the layers of his strategy. "You exploited the vulnerability of my presence within a human body, a body that wouldn't withstand the impact of your spells. A calculated move to manipulate circumstances for your benefit," she accused, her words unraveling the intricacies of his machinations.

As the truth began to sink in, Medea found herself grappling with a newfound understanding of the magician's motives. The revelation struck a chord within her, resonating with the echoes of her solitary quest for power and control. 

In Caelus's calculated machinations, she glimpsed a reflection of her own ambition—a mirror image of the relentless pursuit of dominance.

Caelus's admission hung heavy in the air, his words carrying the weight of unspoken truths and shattered expectations. Medea remained motionless, her mind swirling with a tumult of conflicting emotions as she grappled with the implications of his revelation. She felt his presence draw near, a palpable tension threading through the space between them, like a veil of unease enveloping her senses.

As he loomed behind her, his proximity casting a shadow over her thoughts, Medea felt a surge of disquiet ripple through her being. His presence, once a source of intrigue, now bore the weight of an unsettling truth.

 She recoiled inwardly, the warmth of his presence at odds with the chill that gripped her soul.

"I indeed orchestrated this intricate dance, but my original intent deviated from this convoluted path," Caelus confessed, his voice carrying the weight of unforeseen consequences. As he walked towards Medea, his presence became a palpable force, casting an unsettling shadow over her.

Behind her, Caelus's gaze lowered, his words revealing a poignant twist to their shared narrative. "My initial expectations were different. I anticipated encountering the true Medea Falaguerra, not a manifestation of the devil. Not you."

With measured restraint, Caelus's voice broke the silence again, his words tinged with a hint of remorse. "My intentions were never to entangle myself in the machinations of a devil," he confessed, his tone laden with the weight of unspoken regret. "I sought her, not the specter of darkness that now stands before me."

With a pause in her breath, Medea contemplates the profound shift she has caused in the novel's storyline. The realization dawns that the real Medea's lack of memories of him stems from their yet-to-occur meeting. Their destined encounter unfolds as Caelus intervenes to rescue her from the brink of demise. The transference of Lycoris into Medea's body has wrought a transformative alteration in everything.

That's why it feels off.

As Caelus stood behind Medea, his mind ventured back to the moment when he first emerged from his 500-year slumber within the obsidian tower. The recollection painted a vivid picture of a dark, desolate space, the chill of solitude enveloping him like a spectral shroud. His awakening was marked by an eerie emptiness, a feeling of hollowness that lingered within the confines of his being.