Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Floating Island's Calm Before the Storm
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Let's think back.
How did things end up like this?
First off, to clear up Asita's misunderstanding, I wandered around searching for the witch's lab.
Even though I'd only been attending the academy for over a week, I somehow managed to find my way to her lab in this massive place.
The witch had the entire huge building to herself.
Top-tier instructors each got their own personal building, after all.
The building itself was enormous, but as soon as I stepped inside, a loudspeaker guided me straight to the right room, so I didn't have to wander.
The lab where she lived was a dreamlike space made of iridescent lights, with suspicious scents wafting up in curls.
A place that made my head spin just from the smell.
In the center of that space, the witch was sunk into a chair made of some nameless beast's hide, gazing at me intently.
The witch spoke.
"You're later than I expected."
Come to think of it, she had told me to come back next time.
"Yeah. I've been a bit busy."
As I answered, my eyes were scanning for Asita.
As if noticing that, the witch chuckled softly.
"You're not here to see me, are you?"
"......"
Sharp woman.
But if I admitted it, I'd look like the bad guy, so I changed the subject for now.
"Why did you call me here?"
"What do you think?"
"Hmm..."
I pretended to think it over, but the witch slowly rose from her plush chair.
Today, she was in her usual skimpy outfit that left her upper body practically bare, and I couldn't help but let my eyes drift there as she closed the distance between us.
"What do you... think it is?"
"......"
Her seductive tone made my throat bob involuntarily.
For a brief moment, it even made me forget about Asita—the witch's body was overflowing with raw sensuality.
"Dunno..."
"I ran out of materials."
"Materials."
The materials, obviously, were what I'd given her before.
In other words, my semen.
...Blood rushed to my groin.
Noticing it, the witch glanced down there and smiled with a soft "fufu."
She didn't stop, drawing closer and closer until her massive, overflowing breasts pressed against my chest.
The wildly erotic sensation assaulted my torso.
"No, wait..."
"It turns out I need a lot more than expected. So, Yedre... remember my proposal from last time?"
"Yeah..."
Her proposal to join her class as a student.
It wasn't impossible, but as I was about to say I was still thinking about it...
"I'll withdraw that offer."
"Huh?"
What?
Was she about to say something harsh like I wasn't needed anymore, right to my face?!
But that was a misunderstanding.
"I'll make you a different offer. Yedre, how about becoming mine?"
"...Wh-what?"
I could only respond like an idiot.
No, I couldn't even finish that.
Her slender fingers were creeping up my thigh, sending electric jolts of pleasure through me.
"......!"
"Being a student would be nice, but then we'd only be together during class. That... feels like such a waste for me."
"A waste...?"
"Yeah. I need materials. A lot of them. Not even a full day together would be enough."
"......"
"Of course, it won't be free. I'll pay you handsomely. Money, and... if you want, this body too."
Squeeze.
Her devastating breasts flattened completely against my relatively firm upper body.
As I watched the insanely erotic sight and swallowed hard again, the witch whispered in my ear.
"While I'm extracting the materials, do whatever you want with me."
"Whatever I... want?"
"Yeah."
The witch whispered seductively into my ear.
"You can do anything you like to me."
"......"
That's the situation right now.
What do I do? This is tricky.
I don't think I can refuse—it's seriously tricky.
Becoming the witch's would be incredibly fun.
There's no real reason to turn it down, right?
Just her fingers stroking my groin right now is this intense—what if I could do whatever I wanted with this sexy, beautiful witch?
Paizuri, paizuri fellatio, cosplay. All possible.
And since she's a witch, all sorts of special plays too.
Hmm... No reason to hesitate?
...But why haven't I answered yet?
Actually, I know why.
Asita.
'You're a bad guy.'
Those words still echoed in my head.
It was a misunderstanding, but also not.
I hadn't explained anything to her and had even hurt her yesterday.
With Asita—the one person I could call a friend—feeling sad, could I really go through with this?
Of course, becoming the witch's was tempting, but I'd still bang her right now.
She's too hot.
I'd regret passing up this moment.
So I tried to set the mood... but noticed something off.
"Emily."
"Hm? Whaaat?"
I whispered back to her as she murmured seductively in my ear.
"This scent filling the room... something burning?"
"......"
"The lighting too. Like... an aphrodisiac or something."
"......"
The witch turned her head without answering.
I quickly added so she wouldn't feel embarrassed.
"Of course, I knew from the start there was some magical effect at play, but... just checking."
"......"
The witch didn't lift her head.
Her massive hat completely hid her face, so I couldn't see her expression.
Suddenly, mischief struck.
What expression was the witch making right now?
I didn't sense any active power from her—no protective spells or anything.
In other words, she wasn't defending herself at all.
Even though I'd felt some force in the room, she wasn't tense because she was completely vulnerable.
Being in this room in her bare state... what was her condition like now?
The mature, lofty witch Emily suddenly seemed adorable.
Slowly, very slowly, so she wouldn't notice, I raised my hand to the brim of her hat...
"Pardon the intrusion."
"!"
"!!"
We both jumped and turned toward the entrance.
There stood a man who had approached without a sound: Alfred.
"Not a secret rendezvous... I suppose it's your usual thing."
Alfred spoke in his emotionless tone.
Her "usual thing"... what? Did the witch do this often?
...Nah. I got my hopes up thinking she was into me.
Who am I kidding with my luck...
Emily slipped out of my arms and spoke coldly.
"What's with barging in without knocking?"
"My apologies. But doesn't it strike you as odd that you didn't notice me entering your territory?"
"......"
The two glared at each other.
Why were they suddenly fighting?
"What is it?"
To shake off the awkwardness, I asked, and Alfred looked at me.
"I came to speak with you."
"Me?"
"Emily. I'll be taking him."
"What are you talking about? He's—"
"Shouldn't you be grateful to me right now?"
"......"
Emily glared fiercely at Alfred's back as he turned away.
Whoa...
This was my chance to slip out, so I bowed to Emily.
It was a shame we didn't seal the deal physically, but there'd be another opportunity.
After sorting things out with Asita, nice and leisurely...
The only downside was that she wasn't doing this just for me...
"Wait."
"?"
Emily called out to me urgently, which was unusual for her.
After hesitating, she spoke.
"What he said—it's about experiments I've done this and that for. Not that I've done anything sexual with other men."
"?"
"I... I told you before. I'm a virgin. You took it first, remember."
.....
She's so damn cute.
I could feel my lips curving up.
The witch flinched at the sight and spoke in a shrinking voice.
"See you... next time."
I turned at her soft voice and answered with a smile.
"Yeah. Definitely."
After that, I headed to Alfred's lab.
Luckily, their labs were in the same area, only about ten minutes apart—maybe they grouped the high-elders together. I remembered Blurt's lab being nearby too.
Alfred's lab felt more like an office than a research space.
A few magical engineering items from a book I'd read for fun caught my eye, but they were on bookshelves and such, so probably not used often.
"What did you want to tell me?"
"I'd love to say 'join my class,' but you seem to still be undecided."
"......"
"Just so you know, you're welcome anytime."
"Thank you."
"Then, to the main point."
Wasn't the invitation the main point?
"Do you know about the 'World Tree's Constraint'?"
"Not at all."
I'd heard a bit from Asita, but figured it'd be better to hear it properly from an instructor, so I denied it.
......
Asita again?
That girl had subtly influenced me more than I thought.
"Simply put, it's a security spell to prevent Outsiders from speaking about their home worlds."
"......Ah."
Other Outsiders couldn't mention their origins, and that was due to the World Tree's Constraint?
But World Tree...?
The Elryunarians believed Outsiders came from beyond the World Tree, without question.
What was the World Tree that no one doubted it?
"The World Tree grants and revokes powers from Outsiders."
"......"
I had no idea what he was talking about, so I just listened quietly.
"The higher an Outsider's rank and achievements, the freer they become from the constraint."
"I see."
"Yes. And you strike me as suspicious."
"...Pardon?"
"Listen, Instructor Yedre."
Alfred leaned forward.
A sharp gleam flickered in his eyes.
In the eyes that had always seemed emotionless, bureaucratic, or high-handed, I sensed a surging madness.
"How far does the World Tree's Constraint bind you...?"
"......"
"I felt it from what you said last time. Compared to other Outsiders, your constraint is far too lax... At least, that's how it seemed to me."
I didn't respond.
It felt like I shouldn't.
At my long silence, Alfred smiled faintly.
"Yes. Of course... We barely know each other yet."
"......"
"So, from now on, I'll offer you benefits and share my knowledge and information freely. You can tell me whenever you're ready."
"...Tell you how far the constraint goes?"
"No, the truth of this world. Who the Outsiders are truly commanded by!"
His voice burned with passion.
It didn't match his usual cool demeanor, but somehow...
This felt like the real Alfred.
Yeah.
Not everyone on a planet this size—nearly Jupiter-sized—would ignore Outsiders' origins without suspicion.
The man before me rejected common sense, pursuing truth... like a pioneer.
Seeing his fervor pierce his usual icy facade made me want to spill about gods existing and my original home, but... my instincts held me back. Not now.
"I got carried away. My apologies."
"No problem."
"That's all. If you're thinking of going back to Instructor Emily... I'd advise waiting. She seems quite taken with something about you right now."
His voice carried genuine concern.
I nodded—I lacked the confidence to hold back if I went now anyway.
"Thanks for the advice."
"And watch out for Yaplno."
"Uh, yeah?"
"He seems to have some foolish idea. Specifically... Well, there's a restoration festival in three days. Avoid that."
"......"
Yaplno was planning something?
He was sharing this as part of his "sharing everything" promise earlier.
But... knowing Yaplno would act and not stopping it beforehand...?
I stared at him for a moment, then bowed and left.
The door was closed, but it felt like Alfred's piercing eyes were still watching me.
Whatever.
If he wants to watch, let him.
This time, for real, I was off to find Asita across the lands.
I tried to find Asita but got held up again.
And this time, guys too.
"What is it, Kang Geom-il? I'm busy."
"Hey, hey, come on. Let's talk."
Kang Geom-il was acting unusually desperate, all buddy-buddy.
And one other guy, with a super shady vibe, grinning creepily.
"...Who's this?"
"Oh? This is Baek Ma-ju. Uh... You know the magic towers? He's the master of one of the six, kinda like a colleague?"
"Baek Ma-ju."
His outfit mixed holy priest robes befitting "white" with mage garb.
The deep hood hid everything but his mouth.
Master of a magic tower?
I didn't know their status in Elryunar, but it didn't seem low.
"Greetings, Outsider Yedre. Call me Baek Ma-ju."
"Hello. Yedre."
I considered just greeting and leaving, but they seemed persistent.
"I'm busy, so make it quick."
"Ooh?! For real?! You're my brother, bro!"
"Wanna hit a cafe or something?"
I'd seen plenty of good spots.
"Nah, it's not something we want overheard."
Kang Geom-il glanced around and pointed to a secluded bench.
We sat, and he scanned the area, even using a skill.
Probably something to block sound from spreading.
"Why all the secrecy?"
"You met Prostia, right?"
"Yeah."
I didn't ask how he knew.
Top-ranker Outsiders probably had insane info networks.
No reason to deny it, so I confirmed.
"Wh-where is she... No, not important. Did that dragon say anything about us?"
"...Ah. You mean what she mentioned..."
"She?"
Baek Ma-ju interjected. It bugged me, but I finished.
"The ones who ordered her to bring me—you guys?"
"Uh... Kinda. Don't misunderstand? No sleazy intentions, just offering good terms."
"No weird suspicions here."
Even with my casual reply, Geom-il fidgeted, not reassured.
"Hey. You know that thing?"
"Yeah."
"That... you have top-secret info, right?"
"Top-secret info?"
"Something close to the main quest on gods, Demon Kings, etc.?"
Main quest.
A term I'd grown used to, yet still novel in this world.
A gaming term from my old world, it suddenly reminded me of Alfred's World Tree Constraint talk.
I probed.
"Kang Geom-il, how far does the World Tree's Constraint bind you?"
"Huh? Why ask about the Elryunar-only constraint?"
Outsiders could talk freely among themselves, it seemed.
He flinched at my stare and laughed awkwardly.
"Obviously I'll answer. As you know, we can't mention our real origins or gods except among ourselves. Even top-rankers can't. Violate it, and your voice gets muffled, movements restricted, or worse—powers stripped. No one risks it."
Powers stripped...?
So gods could yank Outsiders' powers anytime?
Then why no signs for me yet?
"But we can talk about civilization."
Civilization.
Items too advanced for this fantasy world popped into my head.
"Doesn't help much since pioneers got there first, hard to succeed with old-world knowledge. But as Outsiders, we know things the locals don't."
His tone suggested he realized I didn't know much about the constraint and was kindly explaining. Not a bad guy, after all.
"Thanks."
Geom-il smiled like "that's all?" then glanced around again.
"We'll share our know-how, skill trees, etc. So, put in a good word about us to Prostia."
"Put in a good word?"
"Yeah. We agreed to bring you for her in exchange for top-secret info. Probably on the 'True Demon King' or at least the eight Demon Kings—uh, there are eight."
Geom-il eyed Baek Ma-ju.
Secret, huh.
"I know."
"Yeah, figured... Huh? What? You know?"
Geom-il looked shocked.
Even Outsiders didn't know the Demon Kings' number.
I shifted topics.
"Since you asked, I'll speak well of you to Prostia... But I heard something too. Not sure if it'll help."
"Thanks, but... Huh?"
"From what I heard piecemeal..."
I recalled the settings I'd seen.
Those importantly listed keywords.
Ten Great Heroes.
Four Great Demon Kings.
Where the Gods Sleep.
Three Gods War.
Abyssal Demon Palace.
Celestial Holy Palace.
Eight Demon Kings.
Five Divine Beasts.
Forest of Magical Mirror.
Dragon Sanctuary.
Among these, what I could share now...
"Abyssal Demon Palace? Five Divine Beasts. That's all I recall."
"......W-wait. Where'd you hear that? Prostia?"
"My patron god. As a reward after subduing Prostia."
Geom-il looked stunned but excited, muttering.
"R-right. Makes sense if you subdued someone like Prostia... Yeah... Those words on the stone tablets... I get it now. We never knew what they meant...!!"
His reaction was more intense than expected.
Important keywords, sure, but just the words alone causing this?
It hit me anew: the settings I'd seen were special.
Then Geom-il suddenly grabbed my hand—goosebumps shot up.
I yanked it free, and he freaked out.
"In-insane, man! You just massively advanced our stalled main quests!! Secrets are unraveling now!"
I didn't know what secrets.
One thing clear.
The info I had was truly top-secret.
Keywords not to share lightly.
Instinct kicked in.
I shouldn't reveal I lacked the usual Outsider constraints.
To Alfred, Geom-il, anyone.
Time to ask what I'd wondered about.
The guy who'd bugged me: system-warned Outsider Killer, Almiraz.
"Heard of Almiraz?"
"Ah... that damn rabbit bastard? Yeah. Come at me, I'll crush him."
Geom-il shadow-boxed.
"Not worried?"
"Kinda creepy guy, but not huge worry."
Tough talk, but his body language screamed tension.
"I see. But he's quest-level, right?"
"Huh? Quest?"
What reaction was that?
"Aren't you on the Almiraz Floating Island quest?"
"Maybe some Outsider is, but Floating Island quests are mostly Demon King descent or Prostia hunts. Mine's them. Prostia's mine is rare since I know the situation. You got one too."
They knew about Demon King descent.
But Geom-il's quest was Demon Kings, not Almiraz?
Why the difference?
Different per Outsider?
"Quests vary by god. Higher gods give quests closer to the 'truth.'"
What 'truth'?
Wanted to ask, but too clueless would raise flags.
Loveheart, you bitch.
Anyway, Loveheart's a high god, right?
But that screw-up wouldn't give proper info.
So Almiraz was ignorable.
......
But the system message on Almiraz felt more warning than quest.
The more I heard, the less normal my situation seemed.
I'd dismissed Almiraz as "kinda dangerous, avoid." Now, time to prepare.
"......"
I felt Baek Ma-ju staring silently.
Face hidden, but I sensed suspicion.
I smiled.
"What're you staring at?"
"Yeah, what're you— Huh?! H-hey, why the attitude?"
"No reason. Just bad vibes from him."
Yeah, bad vibes.
I'm blind to positive feelings but ace at negative ones.
My gut and experience warned: Geom-il maybe okay, but not Baek Ma-ju.
"...Sorry, Yedre. Overwhelmed by the great info, slipped up. In return, we'll share everything we know. Even without good word to Prostia, that info alone warrants it..."
Chatty bastard.
I waved him off.
"Got important business now. Later."
"Huh? Dude, okay? Don't you crave info as an Outsider?"
"I'm good."
"So cool! Hey, right—join the community..."
I walked off without listening.
'Community' piqued interest, but more importantly, escape the shady pale guy.
Geom-il waved, saying see you.
Baek Ma-ju's gaze lingered on my back, but ignored.
"Fuckin' hell."
"......"
"Didn't I say I'd kill you if I saw your face?"
Finally giving up on Asita and trudging home, I unleashed killing intent on the pretty boy who appeared suddenly.
Hell, I'd actually kill him.
This punk ignored my warning?
Kaiz, who'd warned me to stay bedridden until Demon King day, stood before me.
"Invasion soon, probably."
"So what, asshole?"
"Let me explain."
"What?"
"First, Prynar Academy—no, the whole Floating Island has 'Privilege Ban.' You know?"
"?"
I didn't.
Come to think, Gold once said Outsiders couldn't rampage freely here.
"Ways to lift it: one, special Demon King power. Other, far future inevitable event by mighty being—stealing the Floating Island and Academy core."
"......"
I listened intently despite myself.
Setting aside Kaiz being a dick, adventure-stirring secrets thrilled.
"Prynar Academy headmaster is the Floating Island core."
"...What?"
"No more explanation, but normal headmasters are too strong to subdue."
Yeah, insanely strong.
But her as the core...? A person?
"But one accessory weakens her: rosary-shaped. Demon side always uses it, so beware."
Why a rosary disables Headmaster? If core-human her is weakened, what happens to island?
"What if headmaster subdued?"
"Privileges unlock. More possible, but Outsiders think only that far. Also Almiraz."
"Outsider Killer?"
"Yes. Always watch. His island-drop method: reach core, invoke forgotten god's power. Unusable now... but suspicious timing here."
Forgotten god.
Word from when Kaiz grilled me before.
Bugged me, but Almiraz first.
Couldn't ignore him.
Told school, but I couldn't sit idle.
"Why can't Almiraz drop now?"
"Harsh conditions. He must max goals, strongest possible first."
"......"
"Toughest: only usable when one blessed by several absolute beings exists. So heed murderers summoning Demon King over disinterested, harmless Almiraz."
He not including self in blessed one?
What prayer meta method?
Blessed by absolutes...?
...Gods?
A bit guilty, but hid it.
"How you so sure?"
"Judge for yourself."
"Cut the crap. I'm Outsider too—guarantee he won't touch me?"
Kaiz stared, said something. I scoffed.
"Screw you."
"......"
"So? Sudden wind change, ignoring my warning to advise? Huh?"
"...Just testing."
"What? Testing?"
"You not knowing means no life-threatening crisis this time."
What.
Using his prophecy that I'd face mortal danger?
If I knew, serious shit—so probing?
Infuriating punk.
Good info though, so no kill.
"Got it. Don't show your face."
"......"
I walked off, leaving Kaiz.
No gaze this time.
Something about it.
Calm before the storm.
That's the vibe.