Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Gideon
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Elnor Erinarije la Tristan cherished Dawood Campbell.
At least from some point onward, if she had to summarize her own feelings, that sentence would have been her only option.
However, there was one thing even she herself hadn't realized.
"...I."
She reacted far more intensely than she thought.
Much more so.
Whenever it came to anything related to that man, her emotions surged wildly.
"He told me to become family, so why—why to another woman—"
A dissonant emotion mixed into her voice. The 'aura' leaking from her heart seeped into her entire body.
"That kind of thing, that kind of...!"
It wasn't just anger at him doing 'that' with another woman.
It was that someone else had stolen the 'experience' she hadn't shared with him yet.
At the very least, all of his 'firsts' had to be hers.
She couldn't possibly let another woman have that!
"I could accept it so much better...!"
She could do so much more than just a collar...!
Why didn't he come to her first, but to another woman...!
"..."
Eliya Chrisanax, who had been silently watching from the side, narrowed her eyes.
No, the reason for her anger was a bit off.
How deeply was this woman hooked on that man?
'...Well, putting that aside.'
Her expression soon turned serious.
Regardless of the reason, the aura Elnor was emanating was far from ordinary.
She was still conflicted and hadn't fully locked onto it, but it wouldn't be strange if it suddenly turned into hostility toward Yuria at any moment.
Moreover, this was an aura she had felt once before.
The gray aura that had blanketed the entire area during the Full Moon Festival.
And if she traced her memories even further back.
There was one more.
The red night. The cursed day when her entire family was swept away.
'...A demon?'
No, no way.
Of course, she had heard rumors that the bloodline of the Tristan Ducal House harbored demons, but it was absurd for the duchess to suddenly emit such an aura.
She was probably just mistaken.
"..."
If this were truly a demon.
The Inquisition would have already been in an uproar long ago. Those fanatics obsessed with detecting demons wouldn't have missed it.
Especially if the target was the famous Tristan Duchess.
Harboring a demon made one public enemy number one to all humanity.
Unless the Imperial Family or equivalent powers were suppressing the information—
'No, that's too far-fetched. No way they'd do that.'
She rose from her seat with a wry smile.
At the very least, the Imperial Family she knew wasn't some sinister cabal.
So, better to focus on resolving the current situation than entertaining baseless suspicions.
"...Wait a moment, Duchess. Please calm down first—"
As Eliya tried to intervene, her gaze caught something.
Dawood Campbell rushing desperately into the camp.
'...When did he put on the mask again?'
She tilted her head, staring ghostly at the mask on Dawood's face.
Well, anyway. Perfect timing.
"Ah, Teacher! Come here and clean this up!"
"I was planning to anyway."
Dawood replied without slowing down at all as he approached Elnor directly.
He kept charging without reducing speed even a bit, until Eliya sensed something off and furrowed her brow.
"...Dawood? What are you—"
"Let's talk for a sec."
He closed in on the flustered Elnor, who had just opened her mouth, and pulled her into an embrace.
"...!"
Then, he hoisted her up like cargo.
And whooshed—right out of the camp.
"..."
What the hell was that guy doing?
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"H-Hold on. Dawood. Put me down! There are things I need to question you about!"
"Alright, then."
Dawood stopped immediately at Elnor's words.
He set her down so her feet touched the ground, and Elnor blinked for a moment.
She hadn't expected him to comply so readily.
"..."
Of course, that was that.
Right now, she had a mountain of things to grill him about.
She clenched her fists and lifted her chin. Flames blazed in her eyes.
"...Those women, what are they. What's your relationship with them...!"
"They're friends. Different from you, Elnor."
"..."
Elnor's impassioned outburst cut off abruptly.
Her eyes widened instead.
This man, huh.
What did he just say?
"...D-Different how?"
"You're special to me."
"..."
Elnor pursed her lips, her fists trembling.
This was different from the usual Dawood.
Normally, whenever topics like this came up, he'd just stand there breathing with his usual dazed eyes, no matter how things unfolded.
But now... how to put it.
Clear, sharp gaze. Face filled with resolve.
The usual Dawood with clear purpose.
The one she often saw on the battlefield, always sharp in crises.
'...Somehow, cool...'
Elnor startled herself mid-thought and shook her head internally.
No, she couldn't let herself be swayed.
'...Not cool at all...!'
This man wasn't cool at all. She repeated the mantra like self-hypnosis.
It had to be true. No matter how her heart reacted, she'd think that way in her head first.
This was her moment to vent her anger at him!
She forced a fierce glint into her eyes and opened her mouth.
It came naturally without effort usually, but facing him felt unusually tough.
"Don't try to gloss over it with vague words...!"
"Then I'll say it straight."
Dawood continued in a calm voice.
"You're the most precious to me, Elnor. More than anyone else. You don't need to worry about that stuff."
"..."
The fierce glint in her eyes softened instantly.
No.
I mean.
So...
"..."
She whipped her gaze away. Staring at his face any longer might make her cave without realizing.
Her mouth burned dry.
She was the one who should be demanding answers, yet she oddly felt like the villain.
His words made her want to forgive him even more.
"..."
Turning back, she met Dawood's direct gaze, and Elnor realized why.
'...Ah. Right.'
She already knew it deep down.
Pushing further might strain things, even slightly.
Just imagining him hating her was unbearable.
She was that far gone.
"You really are..."
The steam fizzled out.
Deep down, she was satisfied. If he'd responded with his usual lukewarm attitude, she might have exploded for real.
Hearing this made her feel better somehow.
"Dawood."
Still, she needed to get a promise.
"Yes."
"From now on, if you're going to do that kind of thing, try it with me first."
"...Pardon?"
Dawood looked utterly flustered.
But she was dead serious.
"Promise."
"..."
In the end, Dawood hooked his pinky with hers, looking awkward.
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[System Message]
[ The corruption level of target 'Elnor' decreases from '64%' to '2%'. ]
Phew, crisis averted.
I wipe the cold sweat trickling down my forehead as I watch Elnor return to camp with light steps.
'...That was close to death.'
If her corruption had hit 100% and the fragment inside went berserk, everyone here except me would have been wiped out.
Considering they're all key scenario figures, that really could have ended my life right there.
[...You know.]
Suddenly, a voice emanated from the amulet.
Caliban. But his tone felt chillingly different from usual.
[I let it slide when you flirted thoughtlessly with the others, figuring that's just you.]
"..."
His words bristled with thorns.
[But watching you, even that line just now feels like you said it because you 'needed' to. Playing with people's hearts will bring divine punishment later, you know?]
"..."
[If she's crashing into you that sincerely, at least give her a proper response—]
"Then I'd die."
[What?]
"It's not easy for me either, Caliban."
I know better than anyone that Elnor likes me for real.
Just last time, didn't she say she'd die if I did?
It doesn't make sense that she wouldn't know if I had feelings for someone.
Her status window blatantly shows affection levels and such.
But.
"Do you know why I dragged Elnor out here like this?"
[What?]
"If I'd said that back in camp, I'd be dead."
[...]
Yuria, vessel of the white demon fragment, was there.
In front of that embodiment of obsession, saying that would skyrocket her corruption to 100% instead.
A berserk white demon would likely kill everyone here except me too.
'...Hellish.'
With my soul constitution twisting the demon vessels further ahead, this is just the beginning.
Each demon has different triggers and counters for rampage. The only common thread is hypersensitivity to my 'affection.'
One wrong word about liking or disliking someone, and disaster strikes. I have to keep walking the tightrope.
Unidirectional affection is best—from the vessels to me.
The moment it becomes mutual, things spiral to catastrophe exponentially.
'...So.'
Sorry, but.
No matter someone's affection level, I can only see it as a 'number.'
A conquest metric—not a human heart.
The instant I face it human-to-human, take the 'right' action.
I die. The world is built that way.
Until all the demons in the vessels are sealed, I have no choice but to play the philanderer reluctantly.
"So, cut me some slack for the trashy behavior. My life depends on it."
[...]
Caliban fell silent for a long while before sighing.
[You're really... cursed. How'd you end up with that constitution?]
"Why do you think the Chairman said types like me have short lifespans?"
I force a wry smile and stand.
[But hey, you've never had a girlfriend, right? You sounded like a pro just now.]
"Why's my reputation so trash?"
[Nah, even without these restrictions, I bet you couldn't date. Zero game.]
"..."
[Like, you'd hilariously fumble anything remotely romantic? Born playboy optimizer?]
This guy doesn't hold back.
"I... have dated."
It's ambiguous enough that I tell people I'm inexperienced.
[Whoa, really? How long?]
"Three seconds."
[...What?]
"Dated for three seconds and got dumped."
[...]
No words, but pity floods the soul linker.
[Fine, I believe you. Poor Dawood, tried dating and all. Impressive—]
"...Please shut up."
●
"That must be it."
On the day of the beast subjugation.
We found our target soon enough.
A bear-form beast several times larger than usual. Gray aura billowed thickly around it.
"...Mid-tier beast horde. Shouldn't be too hard to hunt."
Kraytan Count scanned the surroundings as he spoke.
He and Gideon had just hunted dozens of small beasts.
Even with a demon fragment, he probably thought this lineup couldn't fail against one mid-tier.
"...Isn't this overkill?"
I chuckle at Kraytan's remark.
Well, fair point.
Two of the Empire's top warriors, sword genius Tristan Duchess, saintess sisters, hero candidate.
Way too much firepower just for one beast.
"Called you because we need you all."
"...Sure you did. Let's finish quick. Can't leave the territory too long or I'll get chewed out."
Kraytan charged ahead.
He showed no hesitation, like he could solo it no problem.
"...Same as ever, huh."
Beside me, Lucien sighed and prepared her blessing.
"You know him?"
"Imperial holy knights are only formally appointed after approval from the Holy Kingdom. I oversaw Kraytan Margrave's qualification exam."
Another connection.
But then she knows what kind of monster he is.
"So."
"No need to bless him."
I stop Lucien from sending it to Kraytan.
The bear beast was already getting pummeled by him enthusiastically. No extra support needed.
"...Pardon? But no reason not to..."
"There is."
I gesture around.
Everyone except Kraytan stood silently gripping weapons.
Yuria, Elnor, Eliya. Even Gideon, who hated losing to Kraytan at anything.
Because I told them to.
"Save it. The real enemy is elsewhere."
Sending Kraytan solo to beat it down? He's the least burdened by solo fights.
Top-tier stamina in the entire game. Demon fragment or not, a mid-tier beast is no issue.
What really matters.
"..."
I subtly glance at Elnor and Gideon.
The core of this boss fight: those two.
'...Gotta prepare ahead.'
I scan the system window.
[ Hidden event '???' activation condition met 1 time! (1/3) ]
From the previous Valkasus battle.
Filling this to the end.
Unlocks the key to resolving Elnor's family curse—her personal quest.
'If I'm right...'
In the original scenario, Gideon inevitably dies no matter what.
The only route to save him is clearing that personal quest.
To do that, meet all hidden event conditions before Chapter 5, when her full corruption branch triggers.
Otherwise.
From then on.
Not fashion villain, but true villainess Elnor awaits.
"..."
Fallen Elnor images flash in my mind.
The event where she emotionlessly massacres her entire clan in front of a man begging to spare his child.
Or locking all civilians in her occupied territory in a building, casually setting it ablaze, then watching them burn.
That's the monster she becomes if fully corrupted.
"...Something?"
"Nah."
I shake my head at Elnor tilting her head curiously at my stare.
Can't let her become that. No way.
'...So.'
The second event to prevent it can trigger right here.
I steel myself and watch Kraytan mercilessly pounding the bear beast into the ground.
"Hyah!"
He grabs it like a pebble, hurls it skyward, catches with an Argentine backbreaker, and spikes it mid-air.
Then sub-mission. The throttled bear thrashes silently.
No chance for magic or anything. Choked and battered.
"Haha, put up a fight!"
"..."
Every time, I wonder—is that guy even human?
How does raw physical spec toy with a demon-fragment mid-tier beast like that?
I sigh and stand.
Once it's that wrecked, 'the switch' should happen soon.
"Margrave. Fall back now."
"What? It's getting good—"
"You'll get hurt."
Before Kraytan could retort.
Gray magic erupted madly from the half-dead beast's body.
"...!"
The area slowed.
The gray demon's limited authority: Erosion.
In this slowed world, a gem-like object flashed from the bear's mouth.
"Wh-What is that...!"
Lucien gasped, sensing the 'demonic energy.'
Small in form.
But the malice pouring out was blindingly evil.
"...!"
Gideon's eyes widened upon seeing it.
He's the only one here who knows 'what' it is.
And the only one who knows what follows.
Sensing the original vessel's end nearing, the fragment instinctively seeks another, trying to possess it.
Conveniently, there's already one fragment-possessed human here.
-...
-!!!!
Then.
In the frozen world, the demon fragment shot toward Elnor like an arrow.
By the criterion of longest material manifestation, fusing with the vessel already holding a fragment is most efficient.
However.
Something intercepted its path.
Even in this slowed realm, a superhuman figure stood before Elnor.
"..."
Gideon stared blankly at the demon fragment embedded in his chest.
He deliberately blocked it from reaching Elnor.
And.
-!!!!!!!!!!!
Gray energy surged through him like lightning.
A pained groan escaped his gritted teeth.
"...All of you."
Normally, he might resist the fragment 'devouring' him somewhat.
But he's heavily afflicted by his family's madness now. No spare capacity to fight.
"Get away from me...!"
He knows exactly what a human possessed by a demon fragment does.
Having 'faced' one in the past.
Red light flickered in his eyes as he breathed raggedly.
On the verge of losing reason.
"If you don't want to die, run now! From here on, I'll see you all as enemies!"
Precisely: every living being as targets to kill.
Demons inherently hostile to all material life.
Which means.
The Empire's strongest knight, now wielding 'gray demon' power, comes to kill us full-force.
But.
"Gideon."
I smirk.
The spreading gray aura is mostly jammed into Gideon. With movement free, I roll my shoulders.
"Just hand it over quietly."
"Wh...at?"
"Knew it'd go this way from the start."
Knew he'd body-block the fragment from Elnor.
Knew it'd possess him in his half-mad state.
But.
Why'd I gather this whole crew?
Not just for one fragment beast.
"Well, truth is, coming to see me was secondary. Main goal: test how strong you've gotten, right?"
This is.
"So, let's check your homework."
A team to take down the Empire's strongest knight, possessed by a 'demon fragment.'
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