Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Chapter 2-1. Calypso's Nightmare
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The moment she opened her eyes, she muttered that she was hungry, causing the auntie eating ramen in the corner to choke and glance around nervously. It looked pitiful, the way she was covering her mouth and coughing as the ramen she'd been swallowing went up her nose.
Priestess Arhil reached out with great effort toward Juda, waving her hand weakly. Juda instinctively grabbed it, and she squeezed tightly.
"I'm hungry..."
Juda nodded at her extremely pitiful gaze.
"Wait just a moment. Shall I make you some porridge?"
"...Ramen."
He wondered if it was okay to give ramen to someone who'd starved for ten days, but he couldn't refuse when she said that's what she wanted, so Juda headed to the kitchen. In front of the adventurers washing dishes, he boiled ramen with plenty of eggs and vegetables.
"You're making a lot. Eating again?"
"The priestess woke up. She asked for food since she's hungry, so I'm preparing it."
"Arhil?"
The adventurers hurried back to the room, ignoring the ramen as if it wasn't important, leaving Juda behind. He slowly made his way to the room carrying an empty bowl and the whole pot of ramen. He nudged the door open with his foot, and Jeanne opened it for him. He could hear the sound of her swallowing at the ramen's distinctive aroma, and he felt Arhil's gaze.
"Everyone, please leave. Except for the brother holding the ramen."
Arhil issued an order to clear the room. Was it her will to not share even a little, or did she not want anyone watching her eat? Either way, she urged them to hurry. Jeanne and the auntie stood up first, and the other adventurers reluctantly vacated the spot.
"Now, give me my reward for enduring those ten days of trials."
Juda sat in a chair and ladled ramen and broth into a bowl for her. After lightly praying, she picked up her chopsticks and began devouring the ramen ferociously.
She eats well.
She was demonstrating how someone who'd fasted for ten days eats. Ignoring Juda beside her, she slurped up the noodles and broth greedily in a way unbecoming of a priestess, emptying the bowl clean before holding it out again. He filled it to the brim.
He felt sorry for doubting if she could finish it all. Even after drinking every drop of broth, she licked her lips as if still a bit unsatisfied and looked at Juda. When he showed her the empty pot, she stuck out her tongue, licked her lips, and lightly touched her lower belly.
"Want some fruit?"
"Really? Yes!"
With her stomach now full, her voice had more strength than before. As she nodded with sparkling eyes, Juda openly opened his <Bag> and took out an apple.
"Wow! Oh God, it's a subspace? Are you a mage?"
"No. It's just an innate ability."
"You're someone special."
"You think so?"
As he took out a knife and plate, she rolled her eyes as if thinking for a moment, then nodded with a smile in her eyes.
"Yes."
Perhaps because of her trait's effect and not wearing her nun's habit, the sight felt subtly seductive.
"Come to think of it, I haven't thanked you properly. That was delicious. I'm Arhil, a priestess serving Yophiel."
Crunch, crunch. She said as she bit into the apple.
"I'm Juda Arsher. Just an ordinary adventurer."
"Oh? You don't seem ordinary."
"Hm? I'm an adventurer from the East Pavilion."
"Even for the East Pavilion... after the subspace..."
She trailed off and picked up an apple piece, feeding it to Juda. He absentmindedly accepted and ate the apple she offered, watching as she leaned in closer.
"You even possess a Fragment."
Whispering very softly, as if aware the room wasn't well soundproofed.
"What do you mean? A Fragment?"
Arhil smiled with crinkled eyes.
"Shh. They might hear outside. But don't worry. I'm the only one who knows."
Juda's eyes narrowed at her confident tone. Her blue eyes gazed at him, unable to hide her beaming smile.
"Ah. I can see you pondering how to react. If you're thinking of attacking me, don't. You know I'd lose no matter what. I surrender in advance. For real. So, uh, put down that knife you're holding."
"...How did you know?"
"Hehe. I'm good at picking up on that. Even though I'm a nun, as you can see, my figure and face are a bit outstanding, so I've seen plenty of guys trying their luck."
That wasn't what he'd asked. Juda set down the knife and let out a small sigh.
"Besides that. The Fragment part."
He glanced at the door. Knowing the room wasn't reliably soundproofed, he had to be cautious.
"Do you know what 'oneness of all things' means? It's a term used in empires like Baekje or the Ga우리 up on the northern continent."
"?"
An out-of-nowhere idiom.
"The protective barrier I maintained over the village hall for ten days to protect it. At first, no, but after about six or seven days, it became my eyes and ears. It was a new phenomenon for me, but I realized that's what they call 'oneness of all things.' Thanks to it, I could precisely know where the barrier was weak and where the wraiths were trying to break through, so I could prepare adequately. But it wasn't all good. I could hear everything the wraiths were saying. And all I could see were the wraiths."
She paused to catch her breath and continued.
"Then you all arrived. You probably thought no one was watching... but unfortunately, I saw it all."
"......"
"The blood-red thorns sprouting from the dagger, sweeping away the wraiths, and even the knight mentioning the word 'Fragment.' Mm—Of course, I didn't think it was really a Fragment at the time, but your reaction confirms it. Sorry, but I wasn't eavesdropping on purpose. You get that, right?"
She let out a small sigh. Her eyes wavered anxiously. Had she spoken too rashly? She regretted it, but the words were already out. Spilled water couldn't be gathered back unilaterally.
"No choice now."
"You're not thinking of silencing me by killing me or something, right?"
"Fortunately, not yet."
Arhil frowned.
"'Yet'? I hope you never feel that way. Maybe if I pray to Yophiel..."
"Hm. Probably not. Anyway, why bring it up to me?"
"Hm. No particular reason. It just came out naturally while thinking we should talk. But now there's a reason. Your team doesn't have a priestess yet, right?"
"Can I take that to mean you want to join our team?"
That was the only intent behind asking if they had a priestess. And it was correct—she clapped her hands and nodded brightly.
"Yes, exactly! You're quick on the uptake. What do you think? Even if I look like this, I'm a pretty capable priestess. Don't you want me on your team?"
It would certainly be convenient if things progressed this way. He'd planned to recruit her as a comrade anyway. But she seemed to fold too easily.
"What about the adventurers you were teamed up with before?"
At Juda's question, she shrugged.
"Doesn't matter. I didn't join because I wanted to—they begged me so earnestly. The condition for my temporary joining was that I could leave whenever I wanted. And... I'm a bit disappointed after this incident."
She didn't say what disappointed her. But confirming she had no attachment to her old team was enough. Assuming it wasn't an act. Well, act or not, it didn't matter. Juda nodded readily.
"Sure. Ji-an and I would welcome a capable priestess. But taking you at face value is risky. You know that, right?"
"Of course. But how can I earn your trust? On Yophiel's name? Or swear before God?"
There was no need for such hassle; there was a way to give her infinite trust. Juda grabbed her hand. Arhil flinched at the sudden contact but didn't pull away.
"Uh... holding my hand like this is troubling. My trust in you and faith in your decision are dropping fast."
"You said you want to join my team?"
"...Y-yes, but. It's weird, if you want my body or something, that's a problem. Of course, lust isn't bad. Yes, if a man and woman are of the same mind, they can have sex together. Uh..."
Juda chuckled at her rambling.
"Not that, so don't worry. I'm just going to cast a spell."
She probably thought he had only one Fragment, but Juda had two. He activated the subordination of the twenty-fourth Fragment he'd obtained first, Carpediem's Subordination. The condition was met, as her earlier surrender counted as admitting defeat. The obsidian ring emitted a faint light, her eyes lost focus, her chattering mouth fell silent, and her head drooped. In that instant, several windows appeared.
[You have subordinated Priestess Arhil.]
[She will obey you absolutely.]
[She cannot commit acts that harm you.]
[She will feel affinity toward your words and act on them with top priority whenever possible.]
[The subordination lasts until her death and is released if she dies and resurrects.]
[She will not know of the subordination unless you mention it.]
[As a backlash of subordination, trust is fixed at 100 until maintained, but affinity decreases by 10.]
[Priestess Arhil's ....]
Other windows appeared, but they weren't important. He dismissed the rest. But he reopened the one he'd just closed and read it several times.
[As Priestess Arhil is subordinated to you, you can hypnotize her once.]
[You can alter common sense or induce specific behaviors.]
"......"
With subordination used, she was now completely trustworthy. No worry of betrayal since she couldn't harm him, no need to suspect her. She'd become a reliable comrade. A finger snap would wake her. But seeing the hypnosis option led his thoughts astray.
Too bad to pass it up.
Juda recalled fantasies he'd had as a man back in his original world. Just once, but it was power to realize a dreamed fantasy. His heart raced as dark desire stirred, but Zentia's face came to mind, weakening his resolve. Still, too precious an opportunity to waste. Feeling guilty, Juda called her name.
"Arhil."
"...Yes."
She responded obediently to the call. Juda thought for a moment, then activated the hypnosis. What he said now would be engraved on her soul, mind, and body. But when he tried to speak, his mouth only moved silently; he couldn't say anything. In the end, he let out a long sigh.
"Haa, it's fortunate for you that I still have a conscience. Or is it misfortune? Anyway, remember well what I say from now on, Arhil."
"...Yes."
"From now on, your interest in me will grow even more. And if you like something I do for you, your heart will race. ...The moment you think 'This guy's worth dating,' you'll fall in love with me. Of course, if you're disappointed, you can let go of those feelings. Yeah. That's it."
Juda snapped his fingers. Too late, he wondered if toying with someone's heart was right. But it was done. He vowed not to do it again, while thinking it was unavoidable. Yeah, unavoidable. Though someone might call bullshit, to receive the effect of her S-rank trait [For You], she needed someone she loved. He rationalized the hypnosis as necessary for her superior comrade stats, then observed her with her head bowed.
'This much is fine, right? I didn't force her to love me; I just made her like me a bit easier.'
He chewed his lips, feeling his heartbeat throughout his body. Unnecessarily embarrassed and guilty, his chest felt tight. It felt like he'd crossed a line he shouldn't have.