Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Midnight Negotiations #3
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Creeeak, crrrack—.
No matter how rundown and hole-ridden this barn was, seeing one's breath in the spring night air felt a bit exaggerated.
This was definitely an abnormal weather anomaly. And I had experience with this piercing chill that stabbed deep into my body.
『I. Have. Descended.』
The voice that boomed through the space made me leap to my feet the instant I heard it.
And then I chose to prostrate myself flat before that makeshift altar in the corner that had been glaring at me for a while.
Thud.
“Nox...! Y-You've come?!”
『Where do you think you're bowing? Not there—this way.』
The voice wasn't coming from the altar. It was from the direction of my butt.
No way, did she descend into my ass? I had that stupid thought for a split second. But then I saw Luna pulling the blanket over herself, swish swish, and everything clicked.
“You descended into Luna's body again this time...?”
『Yes, that's right. But I can't stay long.』
Nox, having taken over Luna's body, had piled all the blankets and quilts on the floor over herself, covering up completely so not even a strand of hair showed.
Anyway, I quickly switched directions and prostrated myself toward the Nox-possessed Luna under the blankets.
For some reason, the urge to flatten myself and preserve my life flooded my mind.
“I, I'm sorry!”
『I haven't even said anything yet. Still, seeing you repent your wrongs doesn't feel bad. Good child—I'll spare you the immediate punishment. Let's hear your excuse.』
“Th-Thank you!”
『So, how was it? You pathetic little thief. What did it feel like to recklessly devour what I raised with all my heart and cherished?』
“Y-Yes!?”
Devour? What kind of harsh word is that? My face burned hot.
『Don't play dumb. I already know everything. That thing I'd nurtured from the tiniest days, guarded so no one dared touch it—you trampled it with your filthy feet, groped it with your hands, tasted it with your mouth, didn't you?』
“Th-That...”
Nox seemed furious that I'd manhandled her daughter Luna.
From under that ridiculous blanket mound, the floor started freezing over with a craaack, filling me with nothing but terror. I might freeze to death prostrated like this!!
『Speak. How did it taste? Tell me in detail your impressions of what you tasted! From the feel in your hands to the texture—everything!』
“W-Well...”
No, fuck, how am I supposed to describe that?
Like telling your girlfriend's mom, “Your daughter's tits fit perfectly in one hand, so soft and squishy, with amazing warmth and tenderness. Does she take after you?” What kind of lunatic says that?
Sure, in this fucked-up world, maybe someone does. But not me.
『Hurry up and speak! Or shall I freeze that useless mouth of yours so you never taste anything again?』
I couldn't see under the blanket, but I felt Nox's genuine rage radiating. Too scared to do anything but press myself flatter and tremble.
Good thing I'd already taken a piss, or my full bladder would've made me wet myself for sure.
『Hurry! Confess every detail! How did it taste?』
“O-Okay, I g-get it. Please calm down. Whew...”
Fuck, I'm done for. But even in the tiger's den, stay sharp and you'll make it somehow.
So I racked my brains desperately, steeling myself for death. Probably the first time in my life I'd thought this hard.
Anyway, keep it non-explicit, ambiguous to avoid offending Nox.
“W-Well, it tasted really good.”
『Hmm. That's all?』
“It was small and dainty... fit perfectly in my arms... but you could tell it was carefully tended to, which was nice.”
『Yes, and the taste? Was it sweet?』
Sweet? Fuck, how do I describe that as taste!?
“Y-Yes. Very sweet. A bit tangy too... made me want to keep tasting it.”
『You worthless thing, daring to say you want to keep tasting it? Planning to steal and eat what I tended forever?』
“Th-That was a slip...! I just meant it was that good.... Anyway, s-sorry...”
『Hmph. Still, it's the first time anyone's tasted it and given feedback.』
Of course it is, fuck... I never imagined I'd be saying this in front of Nox.
She was the ruler of Tartarus, the edge of hell, right? A goddess of hell with a hellish mind. Hellish goddess!
『I really put my heart into raising it. Watched over it through the hundredth night, peered anxiously through a thousand days. Worried some beast might come sniffing, or bugs might nibble. Do you know a parent's heart?』
“I'm s-sorry...”
『But what's done is done. Even I can't undo it. Anyway, know that I'll watch to ensure no such mishap happens again. I won't tolerate even a fingertip from a thief like you.』
Dong.
Her words from under the blanket made my vision spin. Parents opposing the lover—thought it was just drama fodder.
But experiencing it firsthand turned my mind blank and sweat pouring down my back.
『Swear on the Styx. That you'll never touch it again!』
“B-But...”
I stood at the fork of life and death, hesitating like a lost traveler. One path clearly led to death and ruin.
I knew the answer, but for some reason, the words wouldn't come out. Give up Luna? Swear on the Styx, no less.
“N-No, I can't. I can't promise that.”
『What? Planning to keep sucking that honey with your filthy mouth? Bold, aren't you. Fine, then let's make a deal. Promise not to touch, and I'll give you fitting compensation.』
“Compensation...?”
『Yes. A substitute item. Like this.』
Swish.
A small palm emerged from under the blanket pile. Luna's slender hand. On it sat a marble-sized orb, perfectly round and glossy.
Deep navy with salt-like sparkles glinting—it was like gazing at a universe trapped in glass.
『Well? Tempted? I put ten and twenty nights' worth of Titan tears into it. Not comparable to what I cherished, but this alone is a supreme treasure. A mortal could sell it and live luxuriously forever.』
Nox's words were persuasive. The nights-in-tears bit didn't click, but.
Even to my dull eyes, it looked insanely valuable. Offering that to sway me—how precious is Luna?
『Don't like it? Then how about this. Men like these, don't they?』
Rustle, swish.
The hand holding the orb slipped back under, then emerged grasping something else.
What was it? Twisty wire? Crude rod? Couldn't tell.
“Wh-What is that...?”
『Don't be shocked. It's Jupiter's lightning bolt—fallen into the abyss and failed to ignite. Lost its divinity, but no weapon in the mortal world compares.』
Zzt, zzzt.
Hearing "lightning bolt" made the flickering sparks on the red copper clear—it was like a high-voltage copper wire.
Touch that barehanded? I could guess the result without imagining.
“Th-That's a bit...”
『What? Rejecting this? Wait. There must be something you'll like.』
Then Luna—no, Nox—started rummaging under the blanket, flop flop.
After a while, I spoke slowly.
“...No matter what you offer, I won't give it up.”
Freeze.
Nox's movements halted.
『Even if it costs your life? That good, was it?』
“It's the best thing I've ever tasted in my life. Nothing that delicious will come again.”
『Hmm, hearing that doesn't feel bad, honestly. I raised it well to serve other gods. Gave me confidence. Erebus is eagerly awaiting harvest day.』
What the fuck? Serve Luna to other gods? Who's Erebus?
Her words made my vision spin, rage boiling from my gut. Even parents—could they control a small girl like their own possession?
I ended my prostration and slowly rose. Then said,
“I can't allow that. Nox! That's mine! I won't give it to anyone!”
『What? Claiming it all as yours? Impudent fool. What have you added to its growth?』
“N-No, but. Lu-Luna promised me...! I have no intention of giving her to anyone!!”
Whoa, fuck, even I thought that was badass. Charging at a woman who could kill me with a flick.
Maybe facing Elfriede and Hippolyte toughened me up. Though Nox was the real deal beyond them.
Anyway, I said my piece! Shit, am I really dead? As I gauged Nox's vibe under the blanket—
『...What are you talking about? I was talking about the ruby I raise in Tartarus.』
Ruby? What's that? What're we even discussing?
The sudden shift left my head spinning. Ruby, ruby—then it hit me.
The first night with Luna, the dream apple. Named something like "Ruby Bathed in Deep Night Dew." Nox explained it, I think.
『What about Luna?』
Fuck, I'd been spouting bullshit solo. Screwed, shit. Gotta salvage this.
If she realizes "tasty" meant Luna, I'm dead that day. Brutally. Can't even imagine how. Might not even end in death...
“N-No, I meant the ruby too. The ruby was delicious. Honey-sweet!!”
『Yes, of course. But that ruby is too much for a mortal body. No matter your ambitions, it can't be yours.』
“Y-Yeah. My head got hot for a sec. I realize now it's my fault. Forgive me.”
I prostrated again before Nox. She replied.
『Fine. I am the mother of night. The dark night holds boundless mercy. I forgive you. So, you'll give up the ruby?』
“...Yes. How could I presume. I'm just an ignorant worm.”
『Yes, dim but quick to self-reflect. Still, I'm not so shameless as to demand you give it up with mere words. Here's your compensation.』
Swish—.
A hand emerged again. In its palm, a small coin.
Plain compared to the orb or dud lightning, making me curious what it was.
“C-Can I ask what that is?”
『Silly child. Can't you see? It's a coin.』