Chapter 168
Chapter 168
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: Take Responsibility?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
●
Consciousness slips away.
It feels like my entire body is endlessly falling into bottomless darkness.
I can't even remember when it started, and I have no idea when it will end—this sensation drags on for what seems like forever.
This has been my state ever since I came to my senses.
I try calling out to the two humans who are always by my side.
"Caliban."
No response.
"Valkasus."
Again, no response.
The fact that I can't communicate with these two—who I can reach anytime as long as my mind is intact—points to only one conclusion.
Even the soul-bound connection has been severed.
In other words.
My soul has left my body.
...
That means I've entered the 'binding' event of the White Devil—the one I tried so desperately to avoid.
There are several reasons it's known as the worst event.
For starters, no matter what main event is underway, it forces you into an emergency event.
It's already disastrous to be thrust into something like that without any choices during a critical moment, but the fact that it's a random event with no way to predict how or when it triggers makes it even more horrific.
'...At least I prevented the body from dying.'
By using a spirit body to install a life-support substitute inside, it shouldn't die right away.
That means, while I'm stuck here, someone can still handle the hero selection happening outside.
Even without memories, the knowledge and capabilities won't differ much from my own, so it should manage somehow.
With those thoughts, I continue falling.
...
How much time has passed, exactly?
Suddenly, a spark flashes before my vision.
-...
-...!
Abruptly, a 'world' materializes in front of my eyes.
Information floods in alongside a brilliant light.
A lavish mansion. A spacious bedroom.
And right now, I'm lying on a large bed in one corner of that room.
...?
I look around in bewilderment.
In the game, the events that trigger when Eliya gets marked by the White Devil are all instant-death level ordeals like 'forced summoning to Pandemonium' or 'endure the White Devil's mental assault for 24 hours or more.'
So why the hell was I summoned to such a peaceful setting?
...Get up already. Do you know what time it is? You're still sleeping?
As I pondered that, a voice drifted from in front.
I sit up and scan the surroundings, spotting someone seated at the table ahead.
As an exclusive servant, you should handle your lady's schedule before starting the day's routine. Waking up later than me is dereliction of duty. Got it?
I eye the girl sipping her tea as she says this.
White dress. Long black hair covering one eye. Porcelain skin.
A girl so beautiful she looks like a sculpture carved from glass—a picture-perfect beauty.
A face I recognize.
But if you took the familiar version I know and made it about ten years younger, it'd look exactly like this.
And, sadly.
That guy could never pull off such a... 'refined' expression.
Aristocratic grace. An aura screaming 'noble lady.'
The one I remember was a woman fumbling around in a tattered sackcloth in the corner of a warehouse.
...
But from those differences.
I can roughly grasp what 'situation' this is.
I heard this is our first time meeting face-to-face.
The girl says this as she slowly approaches and extends her hand.
But make sure it doesn't happen again.
At the same time, a window pops up before my eyes.
[System Message]
[ Entering the mental world of target 'Yuria.']
This is.
Yuria's past.
Yuria before capturing the 'Severer'—a part never properly covered even in the game's main story.
The story of the girl from long before she became isolated from the world, still untouched by its stains.
...
Who knew she had this image before the Severer.
Impossible to imagine from the extreme loner with no friends now.
If anything, you could call her Little Elnor.
As I think that, another window appears before me.
[Event Info]
▶Sweet Play▶
[ Persuade target 'Yuria/White Devil.']
[ Your assigned 'role' is 'Lady Yuria's exclusive servant.' Do not break character!]
[ You have 3 days. If you break character or fail to escape the mental world within that time, you will be trapped here forever!]
...?
It's full of incomprehensible nonsense.
Persuade what? Assigned role? Don't break character?
I have no clue why the White Devil is showing me this.
But.
...
Instinct tells me.
I'm this girl's 'exclusive servant,' and straying from that role won't end well.
...Good day, milady.
So for now, better play along.
I say that and firmly grasp Yuria's outstretched hand.
...?! -----!!!!
But right away.
She jolts back as if electrocuted, letting out a silent scream.
As I stare at her in confusion, the Yuria who was just acting all refined shatters completely.
...W-what do you think you're doing...!
...Wasn't this a handshake?
When a lady offers her hand, the proper response is to lightly take the fingertips and kiss them! You idiot! Moron! Barbarian!
...
Watching her squeeze her teary eyes shut and squeal leaves me speechless.
That's how it works?
G-grabbing it that tight... that's, that's something you only do with... lovers...!
Yuria starts to continue but suddenly claps a hand over her mouth in shock.
Then she squeezes her eyes shut again and rapid-fires words.
...I-I don't know! G-get ready and come out already. It's a busy day today!
...
I silently watch the young Yuria whoosh out of the room with those words.
'...Guess it really is her.'
Her aversion to touch matches the Yuria I know perfectly.
I've never tried it myself, but she always seemed like she'd explode at even light skinship.
...
Anyway.
First things first, I need info on the current situation.
That might reveal why the White Devil stuck me here.
...Exclusive servant, huh.
I mutter that as I step out of the bed.
No doubt, as Yuria said, it's an incredibly hectic position.
The kind where getting swept into any incident wouldn't be surprising.
●
...So you're saying not to let several women run into each other at once.
[Exactly.]
...
Dawood frowned slightly as he walked the corridor.
He had just received confirmation from Knight Indra that he could retire to his quarters.
No matter how much he asked why that was dangerous, Caliban remained silent, prompting the reaction.
...
Dawood scratched his head in dissatisfaction and sighed.
Anyone could see it was a sign not to dig too deep into his past.
...Then let's head back to the quarters and think it over.
[Good thinking.]
Right as they returned to the quarters conversing like that.
Dawood encountered Liru, who wore a sullen expression.
She must have been waiting in front of his room.
...
Why. Again.
What's it this time.
Perhaps his thoughts showed on his face, because Liru frowned and spoke up.
What? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?
...N-no, it's nothing.
Dawood forced a smile and barely replied.
Liru gave him a strange look but, instead of prying, handed over the bag in her hand.
It was neatly packed with snacks and a few simple medicines.
Here. A discharge gift. I grabbed some staples from the alliance.
...
Don't overdo it. You're joining the hero selection in that condition. I heard from Knight Indra you're fine, but take it easy anyway.
...
...Why's your face doing that again?!
Liru panicked at the sight of Dawood's teary eyes.
No, is this really that moving?
...Um, Liru?
Just Liru. What's with the damn 'ssi'?
Seeing her wave it off in disgust at the honorific, Dawood sighed in relief.
Good.
Unlike the others, she clearly hasn't extended any twisted desires toward him. She radiates the vibe of a close 'friend.'
So.
He can probably ask this.
...W-we're just friends, right?
...
Liru's expression soured instantly.
Friends.
Just friends.
The word feels inexplicably repulsive.
Their relationship is surely more than that—intimate, without a doubt.
'...Should I just trick him?'
A wicked thought wriggles up from her heart.
Knight Indra said he's in an easily fooled state, too.
...
But.
Liru slaps her own cheek with a sharp smack.
'...What am I doing?'
She decided on a fair fight.
She won't deceive this guy.
She hears the blue one behind her clicking his tongue, but this resolve is absolute—
Unlike the others, right? We're just friends...?
...Others?
...
Liru blankly repeats it, and Dawood startles back.
Seeing his obvious slip-up, Liru narrows her eyes and steps closer.
Others what? What did they say?
...N-nothing.
Bullshit.
Clearly, women have approached him and planted the idea that they're more than 'friends.'
...
Those damn bitches.
She's resolved to compete fairly, and they throw conscience out the window and do whatever...!
...D-did I do something inappropriate to you too, Liru?
And at Dawood's anxious follow-up question amid her rage.
Liru's heart sinks.
For some reason.
Seeing him look so 'unstable' like this.
A mischievous greed she swore not to indulge surges up.
If the usually meticulous guy clings to her like this.
If he shows a 'gap' she can toy with at her whim.
Liru swallows dryly.
'...Hmm...'
The others have already made their moves and done as they pleased, it seems.
In that case.
...And if we were that kind of relationship, what then?
Just once.
Maybe she can 'stray' too.
Dawood's face fills with despair. He squeezes his eyes shut in near hopelessness, then drops his head limply.
...I will.
What?
His whisper draws Liru to lean her ear closer.
I'll... take responsibility. To you, Liru, even if I don't remember what I did.
...
No matter what, I'll definitely... take responsibility...!
Ah.
There we go.
Liru's breath quickens slightly.
Heat rises across her body, including her face. A smile creeps onto her lips unbidden.
Yeah?
With that, Liru flings open the door to Dawood's private room.
Without giving him time to respond, she hurls his body onto the bed.
She pounces atop the sprawled Dawood, pinning his arms with both hands.
...Liru?
That voice leaks from Dawood, pinned beneath her on the bed.
Almost like.
A slightly frightened tone.
The heat surging through Liru intensifies. Her heart pounds. Her lower belly warms.
W-why are you...?
Sadism wells up.
This guy who always acts like he knows everything and shows off.
Now crushed beneath her. Like this.
Defenseless. Fragile.
As if he'll go along with anything she does.
...What you did to me, you ask?
Heat courses through her body. It flares hot.
She has no idea what she's even saying.
But she blurts it out, guided by desire.
You... told me to 'raise your child.'
It's true enough.
Heavily abbreviated, sure, but no lie.
Dawood's face twists in shock.
You, just now, clearly said.
Liru grins.
...'Anything'—you'll take responsibility for, right?
No doubt about it.
The smile of a predator eyeing its prey.
●