Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Poison for Poison (3)
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[System Message]
[ Target ‘Eliya Chrisanax’ is one step away from awakening ‘Eye of Truth.’ ]
[ Upon awakening this ability, the target will be designated as the ‘Survival Helper’ role! ]
[ Tremendous luck will be granted when proceeding with the target and ???! ]
“...?”
What the hell is this?
Eye of Truth, Survival Helper?
And the last line isn’t even fully legible.
‘...These are features that didn’t exist in the original work?’
Come to think of it, the first time I came to the Crucible of Struggle, there was a window that popped up saying something about a ‘role’ being assigned to that guy.
It seems like it’s not a bad thing since it mentions granting luck...
[No idea what you’re looking at, but this doesn’t seem like the time to focus on it?]
“...”
Fair point.
At Kaliban’s words, I gaze at the massive slash rising momentarily from the dense jungle area in the distance where the one-horned beast is.
It’s the same slash that diced up even a water dragon in just a few blows. At this distance, it’s impossible not to notice it at a glance.
The fortunate part is that the one whose head just got lopped off isn’t me.
Strictly speaking, it is ‘me,’ though.
◎ Clone Walker
[ Item: Special ]
[ Price: 1,000pt ]
[ Creates a clone that mimics the main body’s personality and behavior. Can interact with other buffs! ]
[ Remaining Points: 4,000pt ]
It’s been a while since I last used this thing.
Though it got wrecked the moment I pulled it out.
‘...At least it buys some time.’
Of course, considering the level of ‘obsession’ that guy has, figuring out it’s a fake and coming for my neck is the obvious next step.
With that thought, I switch windows.
!!!!!!!!!!!Demon Alert!!!!!!!!!!!
[ ‘Demon-related’ emergency event triggered! ]
[ This is a top-priority event! ]
[ Fail to act correctly within the time limit, and you will die! ]
[ Event related to target ‘Yuria’! ]
[ Immediately devise survival countermeasures! ]
!!!!!!!!!!!Demon Alert!!!!!!!!!!!
[ ‘Demon-related’ emergency event triggered! ]
[ This is a top-priority event! ]
[ Fail to act correctly within the time limit, and you will die! ]
[ Event related to target ‘Lilu’! ]
[ Immediately devise survival countermeasures! ]
“...”
Staring at the windows painting my vision blood-red, a sigh escapes me naturally.
Wow. Double event.
Double demon-related emergency events.
At this rate, even if I dragged Gideon, Krat, Atalante... or anyone from that line here, we’d be 100% dead.
[Your expression looks way too relaxed for someone thinking dangerous thoughts?]
When Kaliban chimes in from inside the Soul Linker, I flash a grin and reply.
‘No, my mind’s at ease.’
[...How is that at ease?]
‘What’s the worst that can happen? I die?’
[...]
No matter how much I twist and turn, these life-threatening events keep coming, so at some point, your crisis instinct just goes numb.
When everything you do spirals into total disaster as your daily life, threats like this start feeling like a gentle breeze.
What, two rampaging demons coming to kill me at once?
Yeah, go ahead.
If I die, I die.
[...]
‘...Shut up.’
[I didn’t say anything.]
‘You just thought I’m a crazy bastard.’
[I won’t deny it.]
I know that’s how it looks.
Still, everything I do has its reasons. I’d appreciate some understanding.
Calling this person out right now is part of solidifying those reasons.
“...What did you say to Yuria to make her go that far?”
The saintess in front of me stares blankly at the smoke billowing thickly from the distant jungle and asks.
Her voice carries the certainty that no one but Yuria could create such a scene.
“...”
Anyone can see it’s not the kind of power a single person could unleash.
This is proof that, as I expected, she already knows something ‘abnormal’ about Yuria.
With that thought, I respond.
“Want to know?”
“...Did it have something to do with me?”
“Yes.”
“Was it blasphemous, or lascivious—”
Lucien starts to continue her question but clamps her mouth shut and narrows her eyes.
She scans me up and down.
“No, never mind.”
“...That feels oddly unpleasant.”
“It’s just that you’re the subject, so the question felt predictable.”
“...”
What level is my image at, exactly?
“...Could you give me your hand?”
I let out a sigh and make the request to Lucien.
When I add that it’s not for anything weird, a hand extends hesitantly, and I wrap the amulet around it.
“This is?”
“A vessel for souls. I figured the saintess might recognize the face inside.”
The saintess blinks, not understanding, then widens her eyes at the glowing amulet.
Looks like she’s successfully communicated with one of the souls inside.
“...Valkasus? No, how is he in there...!”
“Knew you’d be happy to see him.”
I reply with a wry smile.
Valkasus and Lucien, well.
Even during that boss fight before, it was obvious, but for a demon worshiper and a saintess, they’re awfully close.
If you didn’t clear Chapter 2 via some bizarre route like me, there were plenty of sections where you could use both together, and pairing them in the party even triggered synergy effects.
And that’s exactly what I’m hoping for from her now.
To steer the upcoming boss fight toward the ‘outcome I want,’ I need a miracle on the level that requires two experts—one in divine power, one in alchemy—at the same time.
“So, we’ve got... exactly two hours left.”
I check the clock and continue.
With Tatiana blocking Lilu, and berserk Yuria somehow tracking me down, that timeframe should just barely suffice.
“There’s something I need you to do within that time.”
I explain the plan.
What this person needs to do for her ‘little sister’ while I’m blocking whatever sea thing gets summoned in Tatiana’s ritual.
“...You don’t mean...”
The saintess, having heard the full explanation, speaks in a trembling voice.
I cut her off before she finishes.
“It’s fine.”
“You’ll die—!”
“I said it’s fine.”
I’m already surrounded by countless near-death crises. What she’s worried about is nothing—
“...”
The saintess bonks me on the head.
It’s the kind of motion that screams someone who’s never lifted a hand in violence her whole life, finally snapping and doing it reluctantly.
“Value yourself a little more, you idiot!”
Her voice follows, seething.
“Do you have any idea how many people care about your life?! I’m one of them!”
“...Thanks for worrying. I thought you found me off-putting.”
She’s always scolding and lecturing me over every little thing, so this kind of concern feels fresh.
The system’s been constantly reminding me that she’s wary of my... womanizing ways.
“It’s not off-putting, it’s just, that, that’s...!”
Lucien starts to say but stops.
She rolls something around in her mouth, then bonks my head again, her face flushed red.
“Anyway, take care of yourself!”
“...”
Yes.
I’ll be careful.
But honestly, me being in danger is no big deal.
There’s something far more urgent to focus on right now.
“You must know what’s possessing your sister’s body, right, Saintess?”
At those words, Lucien’s body stiffens.
Yeah.
Lucien probably has a more accurate grasp of Yuria’s condition than I thought.
She’s the one checking the curse dwelling in her body every day. It’d be weirder if an expert in divine power couldn’t sense what’s tied to the source of that curse.
“That’s why the Heresy Inquisition has people on it too. It must weigh on you quite a bit.”
Last time I saw, she was just playing dress-up with that doll, but Peynol is fundamentally the final boss of the next chapter.
No way she approached Yuria with purely innocent intentions.
“...The Imperial Family is keeping a close eye on Yuria.”
“...”
Lucien’s expression darkens.
The Heresy Inquisition operates separately from the Holy Empire, technically. They consult them, but it’s the Imperial Family that runs it.
A perfectly natural reaction.
She escaped the Pope and the Holy Empire’s clutches, only to learn another shadowy power has her in their sights—hard to be happy about that.
“So, this is our chance to uproot their... ‘interest.’ Focus more on that than worrying about me.”
If my guess is right.
If I can properly ‘calm’ the rampaging Yuria.
My already skyrocketing value to the Imperial Family would skyrocket even further.
To the point where their attention shifts inescapably from Yuria to me.
Lucien bites her lip until it bleeds.
“...So you’re sacrificing yourself again. For our sisters.”
“It’s fine.”
Among the entire scenario, the Imperial Family holds the most powerful and insular faction.
We’ve faced the Pope, the Grand Patriarch, everyone—and haven’t even brushed against their lackeys yet. That proves it.
If I get an in with them somehow, I welcome it. No downside—
[System Message]
[ Target ‘Lucien’ feels intense guilt toward you! ]
[ Negative influence is imprinted! ]
[ Negative imprint double-stacked! Target will soon enter ‘Denial’ state! ]
[ Resolving ‘Denial’ state will apply ‘Fatal Charm,’ causing target’s affection to skyrocket! ]
[ Collectible rewards granted! ]
[ Skill: Dominion of Malice activated. Gain 1 usable command on target! ]
“...”
Huh.
Is this that gift skill?
The one where you get rewards by driving good-aligned people into negative emotional states.
It’s been so long since I last saw this window that I’d forgotten I even had it.
Wasn’t intentional, so it’s a bit disorienting.
“...Ah, really, you don’t need to feel burdened.”
I wave it off, and Lucien nods with a gloomy expression.
Saintess or not, without Holy Empire backup, it’s just a title. No signs of them helping her now anyway.
She knows she has no other options, hence the reaction.
But the system window that’s popped up shows no sign of vanishing.
Guess the guilt’s still in effect.
“...”
Ah.
Whatever, I’ll deal with it later.
Plenty of way more pressing stuff right now.
“...But, Dawood.”
As I’m thinking that, Lucien speaks up in a worried tone.
“Isn’t there one more?”
“Pardon?”
“Even if you handle Yuria with me and Valkasus, the other one...”
The saintess trails off.
She must mean the blue demon.
Man, she sensed that too?
To detect Lilu’s aura charging from far out in the sea.
“That one too, yeah. I have a way to handle it.”
“...What way? Don’t tell me it involves throwing your body into—”
“No, nothing like that, it’s just...”
A bead of cold sweat trickles down.
Well, uh.
It’s definitely not something to say in front of the saintess.
“...Hard to put into words.”
“Why? Does it involve you getting badly hurt again—”
“...Didn’t you just say you didn’t want to hear lascivious stuff?”
“...Pardon?”
I leave Lucien with her stunned expression and spin around.
“Anyway, I’m counting on you!”
“Wait, hold on, Dawood! What was that just—”
Ignoring her frantic attempts to stop me, I bolt.
Like I said before, the chapter’s climax is right around the corner.
Time for ‘final checks’—someone I need to meet.
The last piece of the puzzle to clear this chapter.
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