What Do You Want From Me?
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Repeated the motion several times.
At this point, I realized I had already wasted too much time and missed the perfect moment.
If I was going to answer at all, I should have done it the instant the question was asked. Refusing to speak at all would have been the same as saying yes in this context.
But what difference would it make if I answered? In reality, none.
Whether I told the truth under the binding contract or simply refused to answer, both options were already the worst possible choices for me.
I remained silent, brushing my fingers through my hair. Since there was no turning back, there was only one path left.
*……Answer.*
Lying would be pointless. Even if something inside me shattered, the conversation could still continue.
After enduring one final hurdle however it came, I could extract any answer I wanted.
As long as I didn’t let the opportunity slip because of the Wings of Sephirot.
I ran a hand through my hair and took a deep breath, then looked down at Bina and said with perfect calm.
“Fine.”
[……!]
“I did sleep with Charlotte. So? What exactly do you want me to say?”
The problem that seemed completely unsolvable was best tackled head-on.
If there was no way to avoid falling into the abyss no matter what I did, then I should at least secure one small victory along the way.
My fingertips trembled violently. I forced myself to ignore it and kept speaking.
“Now…… it’s my turn.”
[……That much is true.]
“……”
“Before that, may I ask one thing? Just one?”
“No.”
[The word ‘bed’…… does it really mean sexual intercourse between a man and a woman……?]
Whoosh——!
I could hear no more. I forced my expression to harden.
The thick, sea-blue mana surged in reaction, but Bina didn’t flinch this time.
[Whoa.]
She clapped both front paws together as if genuinely impressed.
Her lips moved with a strangely intense expression.
[He really is…… amazing. No wonder he treasures Charlotte Havertz so much. It must have been real love.]
“……Shut that mouth, you slut. If you don’t want this to end in bloodshed……”
[I wasn’t planning to ruin our important alliance with just a few words.]
Cutting off my warning, she looked up at me and let her voice trail off.
[Maybe I should hear a little about how you got so desperate for your little sister……]
“……”
[Um, ahem. Got it. I spoke without thinking. Don’t look so resigned. I don’t see anything wrong with sibling marriage.]
Saying it now felt completely hollow. Still, there was nothing left for me to say.
Pushing the topic further would only make me lose ground. I lightly pressed my throbbing temple to calm myself.
“Enough of this useless nonsense. It’s time for your real answer, Bina. Let’s get to the point.”
Bina returned her expression to normal and nodded.
[Ask whatever you want. I have to answer anyway.]
“……”
I hesitated for a moment. It wasn’t hesitation about asking questions themselves, but about which question to choose.
What would bring me the greatest value?
I stayed silent for a while, then suddenly spoke as if the words had just appeared in my mind.
“……Kether.”
[……]
“What does that man actually want? Why did he seek Charlotte’s mana, and how was he able to share his goal with Douglas?”
This was a question I should have answered the moment I learned about it.
The true leader of Sephirot, Kether, and the ultimate grand plan he sought to revive his clan…….
Even though I was a soul from another world who had read the original novel, I still didn’t know everything.
I was not omnipotent or omniscient simply because I came from outside.
Especially regarding Sephirot, my knowledge was pitifully shallow.
That was only natural. In the original story, Sephirot had used Lottie as a magic experiment subject and had been completely wiped out by her after she awakened.
It was said that even after the Wings were wiped out, remnants remained, but I had never gone deep enough to learn more.
The power of the Blood Witch had turned her into a calamity beyond human understanding, so her organization had been destroyed.
But that didn’t mean I could underestimate their strength. I had fought them for five years; I knew their resilience extended far beyond the Havertz family and might even reach across the entire empire.
I needed more information about Sephirot.
In the original story, the protagonist was supposed to handle the crisis. I would resolve the issues with Lottie and the Havertz duchy from the shadows.
“Answer me, Bina. Depending on your response, I will decide what to do with you.”
[……]
“If you refuse to answer and keep evading…… then I will find you.”
Cough……!
I couldn’t finish the sentence. The choking sound of coughing blood cut me off, and Bina spat out crimson droplets.
“……You.”
[Ha…… ha……]
“Suddenly what?”
Keyiiiiing——!
Before I could identify the cause, a blood-red magic circle began forming on the neck of the black-furred cat.
With that ominous color spreading, I kept my expression stiff.
Bina’s voice came out pale and weak.
[……It seems I’ve overstepped. I really can’t tell you much. Haha.]
“……”
[Still…… I’ll squeeze out one last thing. Here it is……]
Her golden eyes gradually dimmed. Even as a warning sign, she forced out the words.
[Centuries-old phantom. The one who fell——for the empire——cough. Hic.]
“……That’s enough. You don’t have to say more.”
Her limit was clear. I immediately knelt on one knee and supported her fading spirit body.
Bina looked up at me with hazy eyes.
‘I’m not an expert in holy magic, but……’
I silently gathered mana. Even though my body wasn’t suited for theological systems, I could still draw simple rituals.
Flaaaaash……!
A brilliant light like warm fire flashed, and the low-tier healing magic flowed in, stabilizing her spirit body.
[……Haa…… hah……]
Fortunately, Bina responded quickly. She let her strength flow into my magic in perfect balance.
Though her face was still pale from near-exhaustion, she looked better than before.
As her flickering gaze finally focused on me, she asked the first question.
“Is it a forbidden spell? Correct?”
[……]
Bina nodded without speaking. Since she couldn’t form words yet, the nod was enough.
It was, in a way, a magic similar to the current conversation itself.
Strictly speaking, it should be classified as curse magic, but it was the same thing.
An ancient dark magic that had been lost for ages and could only be cast with great difficulty due to the gap in ranks.
*Kether……*
I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease about the man’s identity.
A mage who wielded lost ancient secrets in real combat.
Just as my thoughts deepened, the cat let out a pained groan.
[Cough, cough…… ugh, I’m going to die.]
“……”
[Remember this, Isaac Havertz. I took a huge risk to deliver that message.]
I didn’t answer, but I couldn’t deny it.
How could he know about the forbidden spell and still take such a risk?
Perhaps he trusted me that much, or maybe he believed even this much wouldn’t cost him his life.
Either way, showing me such honesty at the cost of his life was undeniable.
I quickly organized my thoughts and replied shortly.
“Disperse.”
[……Eh?]
Bina thought the words were directed at her, but they weren’t.
Bang!
Soon the parchment of the binding contract floating in the air scattered due to my spirit magic.
Bina blinked, then looked back at me.
[What? Now it’s my turn to ask.]
“Even with only one right to refuse to answer left, continuing would only disadvantage you.”
[……I wasn’t trying to hide that.]
She muttered with a small pout, then looked up at me. This time her eyes sparkled with lively intelligence.
[Anyway, Isaac Havertz. You used healing magic with your own hands. You really do have a kind side……]
“……”
[Your little sister must have fallen for that too, right? Hehe, it makes perfect sense. You’re definitely the top husband material.]
The teasing tone sounded empty. I sighed quietly and turned around.
Cain and Elena, who had been waiting in silence for a long time, bowed their heads the moment they saw me.
They looked loyal, but I knew them too well.
Those two…… Cain might not be, but Elena was definitely trying to hold back her laughter……
“……”
I would need to punish the little brat a bit when I returned to the duchy. She was getting too bold as she grew older.
……It was better than the days when just eye contact made her tremble.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts, then fixed my gaze back on Bina.
“Since we’ve reached an agreement, I’ll consider our cooperation sealed. You’ve given me more than I expected, so I’m satisfied.”
Even with the influence of the forbidden spell lingering, Bina coughed once and waved her paw in reply.
[Same here. I feel like I’ve learned a lot more about this man named you. Yeah, I trust you.]
“If healing magic is that touching, why don’t you reveal your true identity?”
[Ehe…… where would I be eating for free.]
She curled her lips into a mocking smile and winked with one eye cutely.
With that body, she could make such lively expressions.
Of course I hadn’t expected her to reveal herself, so it was time to wrap up the conversation and tidy up.
[Well, I could at least show my appearance.]
“……?”
Bina suddenly muttered to herself in a small voice, then looked up at me with a playful expression.
I watched silently, wondering what she would do next.
Suddenly, a golden, unknown aura began to gather around her spirit body.
Flaaaash!!
“……!”
A bright light erupted without warning, flooding my entire vision.
For a moment I thought she had been lulling me into false security to ambush me.
“Ta-dah.”
“?”
After the light dimmed, the scene I saw left me unable to hide my shock.
Where on earth had the fluffy black-furred cat gone?
No beast remained there. Instead, a beautiful young woman with glossy black hair stood alone.
She wore nothing but a hint of a thin cloth, and she deliberately shook her hair and thrust her chest forward.
“How is it? This is the appearance you wanted to see.”
Did she have no shame? With her smooth skin completely exposed, she seductively narrowed her eyes at me.
Her body and appearance were undeniably attractive, but to me it was merely irritating.
“Eh……?”
I crossed my arms and watched quietly.
Bina looked a little flustered. Later, as if embarrassed, she awkwardly twisted her body.
“I-if you stare like that, my body gets warm. Say something, okay?”
I asked in bewilderment.
“What kind of reaction were you expecting?”
“……Um.”
Bina flicked her eyebrows in confusion, then pointed at her own body.
“……Aroused?”
“……”
A flame ignited at my fingertips—the pure white fire that could strike even beyond the spirit body.
Bina flinched and awkwardly raised both hands.
“Ah, ahahaha…… don’t do that, ehehe. You’re too scary. We’re allies now, right? Be a little gentler.”
“Tsk……”
I clicked my tongue and recalled the flame. Then I looked at her body openly and added one more line.
“From the start, that body isn’t even your real one, right?”
“……”
“What are you excited about seeing a fake body? If you wanted a male-like reaction, you should have shown your true form.”
“……A, ah……”
How did she know?! Her expression, eyes, and even the shape of her mouth were exactly that.
I tilted my head in disbelief.
“Wondering what you’re trying to do…… From the beginning, I thought you wouldn’t notice my gaze——”
“Even seeing a pretty girl’s naked body doesn’t bother you at all, so I assumed you’d react only to your sister. You’re a pervert, aren’t you?”
“……”
“That’s not it? That’s shocking…… Of course a great mage is a great mage, eh, ouch, kyaaah! Stop, stop! You’re going to set me on fire?! Wait……?!”
From then on, she was bombarded with fireballs until her smooth black hair caught fire and burned like a tail, and until Cain carefully pulled me back.
I was still holding back from burning the entire room down.