Chapter 354: Libra (10)
Chapter 354: Libra (10)
Few cultists and monsters remained. However, they hadn't simply vanished; they had merely become the stepping stones for their master.
Leaning against Elisha, I lifted my head.
In the distance, I saw a massive woman’s arm. Despite its unnatural size, its slender, porcelain-white appearance first evoked a sense of beauty rather than horror.
The problem was that this arm had blocked my strongest attack, Punishment, with nothing more than a single drop of blood.
[Hmph. That did sting a bit, didn't it?]
The voice was cozy yet seductive—a bewitching tone that forced anyone, regardless of gender, to confront their inner desires.
The identity of the voice's owner was so obvious that it was almost hard to believe.
“…Ugly Prosperity?”
[So you recognize me? Correct. Though it’s only an arm for now.]
Only an arm, she said.
Currently, Ugly Prosperity had thrust a single arm through the seal. Given more time, the rest of her body would surely follow.
The situation was dire. The women, who had been firing spells from a distance to avoid interfering with one another, and Helena, who had been fighting at the front, rushed to my side.
It was an instinctive movement, like seeking out the most important person when danger strikes. I was no different, instinctively looking for my women first.
Elisha, who had been supporting me, asked in a trembling voice.
“You… what on earth is that…?”
The eyes of the group were fixed on me. They weren't asking because they didn't know. They asked because they couldn't believe what they were seeing and desperately wanted me to deny it.
Ugly Prosperity’s gamble had succeeded. By sacrificing the majority of her followers, she had tipped the scales of a losing battlefield back in her favor.
I struggled to steady my ragged breathing as I stared at her arm.
Her mere presence felt like it was warping reality itself. This wasn't some avatar Solari liked to use. This was the actual body of a god.
She was a transcendent existence that I couldn't possibly handle right now—someone who would require a Sword Master or an Archmage just to inflict a proper wound.
She extended a slender, jade-like finger and pointed directly at me.
[Little one. I am stronger than you now. This is your last chance. My offer still stands… what will you do?]
“…….”
[Just in case, don't make me wait too long.]
Unlike before, I couldn't answer immediately. It wasn't an offer one could easily refuse.
After all, I knew that my answer would decide my fate—and perhaps the fate of my women as well.
In truth, no matter how powerful Ugly Prosperity was, saying I would fight was easy. I wasn't even afraid of the actual combat.
Punishment had worked, even if it only left a tiny scratch. Maybe there was a way.
But… but the thing was.
What would happen if I lost?
I would be forcibly turned into an Apostle, my mind likely rotting away as it was tainted by an evil god’s divine power, but I probably wouldn't die.
But what about the others?
Carla? She probably wouldn't die either. But Ugly Prosperity, having recognized Carla’s potential as a vessel, wouldn't just leave her alone.
She would break her by any means necessary. Then, she would turn the hollowed-out Carla into a high priestess rivaling an Apostle.
And the others?
To be blunt, Ugly Prosperity had no reason to keep the others alive.
Given her nature, she wouldn't kill them instantly, but she would work them until they died. She might even force me, unable to disobey her commands, to do it myself.
That would be the fastest way to break me, turning me into a submissive Apostle who would offer up this world to her.
I wasn't afraid of fighting. I wasn't even despairing over the current situation. Death was a bit scary, but it was something I had already prepared for.
But I was terrified of the horrific future my women would face.
I was so afraid that I even considered whether I should just accept the offer.
“I….”
I opened my mouth hesitantly, but as I faltered, unable to find the next words—
Squeeze.
Carla took my hand and whispered in a low voice.
“Master. I’m okay.”
“Huh?”
“I’m okay. I was able to come this far and be this happy because I met you… but my life should have been destroyed long ago.”
“Carla….”
“Whatever choice you make, I will follow. If you fight, I will fight by your side until the very last moment. If you surrender, I will kneel beside you. So, Master, please do what you want to do.”
“…….”
Right. I knew Carla would say that. She had always affirmed and followed everything I did.
That was exactly why I couldn't just do whatever I wanted.
I knew all too well that it wasn't just my own life resting on my shoulders, but Carla’s as well.
However, it seemed Elisha didn't appreciate my hesitation. She, who had been supporting my shoulder, suddenly scowled and grabbed me by the collar.
Then, she spoke in a slightly angry tone.
“You. Are you seriously hesitating because of us right now? Did what Carla said sound like she was dumping all the responsibility on you?”
“That’s….”
“If so, let me correct your misunderstanding.”
She pulled her face so close that our foreheads almost touched and stared straight into my eyes.
“We are not your baggage.”
“What?”
“I said, we are not your baggage. Both I and the others simply want to be of help to you. We chose to follow you of our own free will; we didn't ask you to take responsibility for our lives.”
“…Ah.”
As I dazedly chewed over her words, Elisha finally let go of my collar. Her expression softened as she placed a hand on my chest.
“Didn't I tell you? I want to be the best. But I don't necessarily have to be the one who reaches the top. If you become the best, then I become the best as well.”
“You did. Yeah. I remember.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“…Because I’m your master, Elisha?”
Elisha chuckled at my cautious guess and shook her head.
“No. While that is a reason… more accurately, it’s because you are my partner, and my pride.”
“Pride…?”
“Yes. My pride. You are my treasure and my pride. When you feel good, I feel good. Your glory makes me swell with pride as if it were my own. …Is it not the same for you? Were we not your pride?”
“…….”
I was momentarily speechless. I had never thought of it that way before.
But I understood what she meant. If Elisha was happy, I was happy. If Elisha was sad, I was sad.
Elisha… no, not just her, but all the other women too.
Feeling as if I’d been struck on the back of the head, I slowly looked around at everyone.
Carla, Elisha, Iris, Fay, Iona, Helena, Solari.
They were all my pride, and my treasures.
To the point where I wouldn't be able to stand it if anyone dared to lay a finger on them.
As I thought that, the clouds in my cluttered mind cleared, and what I had to do became crystal clear.
“Hey. Can I ask a bit of an unreasonable favor?”
“If it is my Master’s command, just say the word, no matter what it is.”
“Hmph! When have you ever asked for a 'reasonable' favor?”
“My Lord. I may not look it, but I am quite a bit older than you. Lean on me for once.”
“I’m your exclusive alchemist, aren't I, Junior? If you ask for something unreasonable, it’s my job to make it happen.”
“That’s right, that’s right. You haven't been coming to class lately, but Student Yandel is still a student and I’m the professor, okay?”
“Brother. If I am with you, I can walk into the fires of hell with a smile on my face.”
“You’re the husband I finally met after all this time. I’m never letting you go until we’ve lived a long, happy life with a son and two daughters!”
Since there were so many of them, it took quite a while for everyone to get a word in. But I found that incredibly enjoyable. I was happy that so many women—more than I could ever hold in my arms at once—were mine.
Perhaps that was why I made my request with an involuntary smile.
“Risk your lives for me.”
Only after confirming each of the women nodding silently did I nod in return.
“Thank you.”
Now, all that was left was for me to stake everything I had.
I turned back around and looked up at Ugly Prosperity.
[Is the conversation over? I hope your answer is a good one, especially considering my grace in not eavesdropping on your little chat.]
“Yeah.”
I straightened my back, squared my shoulders, and asked boldly.
“I don't listen to the words of those weaker than me… do you know the saying that comes after that?”
[Hmm. Honestly, I’m not that curious. But since you brought it up, I’ll bite. What comes next?]
“Who the hell are the parents that sired a thing like you?!”
[……?]
“I'm talking about your mother.”
[…….]
Ugly Prosperity, understanding a beat late, sighed as she pointed her finger at me.
[…I see. That is a pity.]
Her voice turned ice-cold. Simultaneously, a pink beam of light shot from her pale fingertip.
Swoooooosh—BOOM!
The barrier rippled as if it were about to shatter. Even though it had been blocked, the impact shook the very earth. As I scrambled away, Elisha, who was running beside me, shouted in disbelief.
“You said all those solemn words just to run away?!”
“Hey! This is a strategic retreat! A strategic retreat! We’re going to see the Lord of Cyclic Life!”
If Ugly Prosperity had placed her divine power and most of her followers on the scales… shouldn't I place something of equal value on them as well?
I just needed a little help in the process.
“Help me, Maman!”
…I’m serious, okay?