Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 72 - Magus Veil, Part 2

"...I see. He carried that with him," Van sighed, "I guess I always had a hunch the Goddess hated me for some reason, so... it's not really a shock that she does. But the fact that he knew..." Van murmured, his gaze falling to the tea in front of him. The steam, now barely visible, escaped quietly—he'd missed his chance to blow on it.

"I..." Amoria began again, her expression difficult to read, her gaze lowered. "I'm still a devoted follower of Goddess Varolia," she confessed, her voice faltering with an undertone of guilt.

"She grants me visions, gave me Liz, and... a relatively peaceful life, except for the past two years." She forced a weak smile, trying to mask the weariness etched across her features. "And... Despite her... Motivations regarding you, I still do feel like she brought you here, Van." She lifted her eyes, meeting his gaze. He flinched, just slightly.

"You came here right after Magus died... right when I needed to make amends with you the most, and right on time to save us. I've... I've wanted to tell you this for so long." A flicker of light lit her gaze before it dimmed again. "But... I'd be lying if I said you were always on my mind, or more important to me than—"

"Stop," Van interrupted softly, though his voice carried an edge of restrained anger as he raised a hand, cutting her off. "Don't. I already know where your priorities have been, and so do you. You don't have to explain it... It is what it is." His eyes fell, the intensity in his tone dropping.

Amoria fell silent, noticing the tension coiled in his expression.

"Van, I..." Her voice trembled. "I really... REALLY am glad you're here. You have to understand that." She leaned forward slightly, searching his face, her voice softening. "I just... hope you can forgive me for—"

Van's hand twitched, as if ready to slam against the table in frustration.

"..!" Amoria gasped softly as she noticed his sudden motion.

But his gaze drifted briefly to the hallway where Liz slept peacefully in her room. The thought of waking her stayed his hand, and instead, he clenched his fist tight, knuckles whitening, before lowering it gently onto the table.

"You didn't do anything wrong," Van emphasized. His eyes sharply flickering over to her. "Why are you making that face? In the end, you were the one who was manipulated, hypnotized... Why apologize to me?" His tone shifted, flickering between resentment and a reluctant tenderness that Amoria hadn't expected.

"I was the one who knew about it more than anyone else in this world, even when you felt that guilt for cheating on me. So quit it. Save that look for someone else. I don't deserve it." The anger that flared in his voice faded. "It is what it is..." He repeated once more, faintly.

Amoria swallowed hard.

"...I'm not apologizing for that, Van," she said finally, her voice steadying.

Van blinked, tilting his head slightly. "Sorry...?"

"When I said you weren't always on my mind... I meant nowadays." Her voice gained strength, her tone more deliberate. "There are things you don't know yet, but you will. And when you do... you'll understand what I mean." She exhaled deeply, preparing herself for what came next. "I need to tell you more about Magus's past. That was just the beginning..."

Van's shoulders stiffened at the mention of Magus. Unease settled over him, but he stayed silent; looking at Amoria intently as she begins detailing the past.

========= 22 YEARS AGO ================

When Magus entered the Academy, and you went off to the barracks... things were good for the following year. Among the students and teachers, he thrived and had a great time...