Chapter 137: NO 136. Hanazono Room (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 137: NO 136. Hanazono Room (2)
Monster. Scum. Rake. Fraud.
And so on.
Those were the only words Merlin used to define Leon.
The reason was... obvious. Their first impression of each other had been the absolute worst.
Actually, wouldn't anyone feel the same?
If someone suddenly appeared one day and blathered on about being your "new daddy" and told you to start calling him "Papa."
And on top of that, if you had no way to resist or stand up to such a bastard...
"Argh!!! So annoying!!!!"
Thanks to that cruel reality, Merlin was busy tearing at her innocent pillow again today.
Naturally, the commotion reached her mother’s ears.
Irene had no choice but to enter Merlin’s room to give her a lecture.
"Merlin!"
"Ugh, Mom!"
"Honestly, you...! What on earth is wrong with you?"
However, even Merlin had to admit it.
Though she couldn't put her finger on exactly what it was, her mother was becoming more beautiful by the day.
And the emptiness that had vanished the moment she returned home to her mother’s embrace.
All of this was because of Leon’s...
‘It’s definitely not because of that piece of trash! Never!’
Even if the sky were to fall, it was absolutely not thanks to that ba—that man. Never.
Steeling her heart, Merlin looked at Irene.
"Mom, do you really have to keep seeing that man?"
"Hmm? Are you talking about Leon-nim?"
"Who else?"
"Haa... Leon-nim... ♥"
Watching her mother blush in front of her own daughter, Merlin let out a heavy sigh.
She even felt a sense of deprivation.
The thought that the most important person to her mother wasn't her, but that guy.
Because of that, Merlin even went as far as to say this:
"Decide right now. Is it me? Or that bastard?"
"Really, now. How many times have I told you not to use such vulgar language?"
"Just answer me! Is it me or that ba—no, that guy? Who’s more important to you, Mom!"
"Haa, Merlin... You are my one and only daughter in this world."
"...And him?"
"Leon-nim is... haa... he’s so wonderful and lovely that I can’t even put it into words... ♥"
"I’m going crazy, seriously..."
A mother’s happiness should be a source of joy and relief for a daughter.
Even as she tried her hardest to think that way, Merlin could never truly accept it.
To her, her only father was the one who had passed away. Her childish logic—or perhaps her obsession—dictated that her mother’s only husband and beloved should also be her late father.
Therefore, Merlin had no choice but to accept Leon’s bet.
‘Fine, let’s do it. I’ll protect Mom myself.’
She didn't have the slightest clue that she was a butterfly flying straight into a spider's web.
*
After a long while, a new guest visited my esthetic salon.
This guest possessed luscious brown skin.
Despite her young age, she already boasted a pair of tits larger than her head.
She had neat, beautiful features inherited from her mother, as well as the elegant long ears that were the symbol of an elf.
Technically speaking, she was Merlin, who could be considered my daughter.
"You look beautiful today too, daughter."
"I’m seriously going to kill you."
"Hahaha."
Of course, I knew.
I knew that the more I acted like this, the further my impression and Merlin's evaluation of me would sink into the abyss.
So why was I doing it?
Because it’s more arousing that way, obviously.
A woman who throws herself into the arms of a man she hates enough to want to kill—especially when she’s the daughter of a woman I’ve already claimed long ago...
This was a "go" even if I didn't have the cards.
Because of that, I couldn't help but smile whenever I saw Merlin.
Of course, Merlin looked like she had chewed on a piece of shit whenever she saw me.
"Even your angry face is pretty."
"Shut up."
"Haha, didn't I tell you before?"
"What."
"Don't use such strong words. It makes you look weak."
"You...!"
The moment she tried to bolt from her seat, Merlin froze like ice.
Well... I didn't do anything particularly special.
I just stared at her silently for a tiny bit.
Before she knew it, Merlin was even breaking into a cold sweat as she sat back down in front of me.
"Ha... so annoying, seriously..."
"It’s quite a frustrating feeling when things don't go your way. I understand."
"Shut up. It’s getting even more annoying."
"Hmm... I’m sorry, but your vocabulary is a bit lacking. Is 'annoying' the only word you have to express your feelings?"
"You piece of—!"
Aww, how cute. She reacts with a "Whack!" the moment I poke her, so I just can't stop teasing her.
Playing around like this is fun, but... I can't just play forever.
So, to change the mood, I wiped the smile that had been hanging on my lips.
"Now, the fact that you came back to see me means you’re planning to accept my proposal, right?"
When I confirmed the obvious, Merlin glared at me and replied.
"...Fine. But before that, let me check one thing. This bet isn't about a contest of strength or magic, right?"
"Of course. As I said before, winning that way wouldn't be satisfying for me, and certainly not for you."
"Acting all high and mighty... you’re really disgusting."
"Haha, sorry, but objectively speaking, I am a pretty impressive guy."
"Ugh... just tell me about the bet already. I’ll decide after I hear what it is."
"It’s simple. It’s a contest of patience."
"...Patience?"
The bet I proposed to Merlin was simple.
The time limit was 30 minutes.
I would attack Merlin for 30 minutes.
If Merlin endured my attacks for 30 minutes without showing any reaction, she would win.
"Wait, attacks?"
"It’s just a figure of speech. Haven't you heard the saying? You shouldn't even hit a woman with a flower."
"Hmph... trying to act dignified now..."
Only then did Merlin’s stiff face relax.
Of course, you shouldn't hit a woman with a flower.
Though you can hit her with your dick. Mwahaha.
"What... why are you smirking like some greasy old man...?"
"Ahem, cough. Anyway, you accept the bet?"
"..."
Merlin was silent for a moment.
She was probably asking herself if this was really okay, if this was right.
Of course, the answer to that self-question was...
"As long as I don't show any reaction, I win, right?"
"Yes, naturally."
"That makes me trust you even less. You’re a fraud."
"I can't possibly accept that evaluation... but since I figured you’d say that, I prepared something."
I opened a drawer and pulled out a scroll I had received from Irene.
The moment she saw the scroll, Merlin’s eyes widened.
"Is this... a Geas scroll?"
"Oh, you recognize it immediately. Then you must know what it’s used for?"
"It’s what mages use to make a binding oath that can never be broken..."
"Correct. Wow, as expected of the Archmage Marshal’s daughter."
"Shut up. Even a freshman at the Imperial Magic Academy knows what this is."
"Haha, then you must also be well aware of the binding power this Geas scroll holds."
Merlin nodded silently.
For the record, the binding power of this Geas scroll was significant enough for even Sitri to acknowledge it.
Specifically, in the one-in-a-million chance that I lost this bet... I would suffer from erectile dysfunction every time I tried to hold Irene.
Because of that, Merlin swallowed hard as she looked at the Geas scroll.
"If I win, you break up with Mom, and if you win, I enter a loving relationship with you... ugh..."
"If you’re scared, you can just back out."
It was a condition that an ordinary person would never accept.
However, I was certain.
I was certain that Merlin would definitely press her blood seal onto this Geas scroll.
Why? Because to Merlin, Irene was her only family in the world.
To protect such a family, she had no choice but to brave any danger.
Finally, Merlin pricked the tip of her thumb with a needle.
"Ugh... there, I did it."
"Good. Then I’ll... ow, it keeps healing."
"...You monster."
Since a light prick from a needle healed in the blink of an eye, it took a little bit of time... but.
In any case, the blood seals of both Merlin and myself were pressed onto the Geas scroll.
Then, the characters engraved on the scroll began to glow and float into the air before disappearing as if being sucked into our bodies.
"Now, shall we move to a different location?"
"...Fine."
*
It goes without saying, but the place I brought Merlin to was the esthetic room.
Mmm~ this subtle scent of flowers. It always puts my mind at ease.
Thanks to that, Merlin, who had been on edge, seemed to relax a little.
"This place is...?"
"My pride and joy, a place loved by all my women. Including Irene, of course."
"Shut up! Don't say my mother’s name so casually!"
"Hahaha, I don't want to."
"You really...!"
"Anyway... hmm, it would be fine to do it as usual... but since we’re here, let’s try this."
"What are you going to..."
"I’ll show you what you can gain by becoming my woman."
Instead of answering Merlin’s question, I circulated magic power throughout my body.
Recalling the scenery of my past life that still remained vivid even now, twenty-some years after reincarnating into this world.
I began to overlay reality with my mental image.
"I am the bone of my sword..."
"What is this magic power...!"
The magic power swept through the surroundings like a storm, eroding reality and overwriting it with the landscape of my heart.
Finally, the moment I finished the incantation.
"So, as I pray..."
Unlimited... no, no, not that.
Uh... what should I call this... eh, whatever.
"NO. 136 HANAZONO ROOM!"
"...?"
Before we knew it, my esthetic room had transformed into the likeness of a swimming pool seen many times before.
Of course, I had become a blonde, tanned Westerner wearing only simple swim trunks.
And Merlin...
"Wh-what is this...! Hey! What did you do!!"
"Why? The swimsuit looks good on you."
"M-madman...! And why are you practically naked too!!!"
"You have to wear a swimsuit at a pool. It’s common sense."
"What kind of bullshit is that...!"
It’s truly strange.
She usually walks around in outfits much more revealing than this, yet she’s so embarrassed by a swimsuit.
Well... to be fair, the swimsuit does have a high level of exposure...
"Ha... damn... I must be crazy... why did I trust this lunatic..."
"Regret always comes too late, my dear daughter."
"Don't call me that! Why am I your daughter!!!"
"Hahaha."
With a joyful heart, I spread a massage mat I found rolling around onto the floor.
Then, clutching the massage oil in my hand, I looked at Merlin.
"Now, shall we get started? Lie face down on that."
"...Shut up! I’m not doing it! The bet is off!"
"You seem to have forgotten, but you signed the Geas scroll yourself, didn't you?"
"Ugh... I’m going crazy, seriously...!"
"There’s no turning back now, Merlin. To protect your mother from me, you have no choice but to fight."
After huffing and puffing for a long while, Merlin finally walked over to the massage mat.
She kept muttering late regrets like, "I must be crazy, why did I do this..."
As I said just a moment ago, regret always comes too late.
"Don't worry. It’ll feel good."
"Shut up and just get it over with. Since it’s come to this, I have no choice but to win."
"Mmm, good resolve. And a killer body."
"Ha, fuck..."
Before starting, I took a moment to admire Merlin’s figure.
Damn... that shimmering copper skin... those plump breasts and wide hips... it almost reminded me of Rania.
Plus, that murderous gaze full of defiance.
Just imagining changing that gaze into the submissive look of my personal pussy...
"Don't just stare at me creepily and get on with it! No matter what you do, I won't even blink!"
"Hahaha, right. Well then, thanks for the meal~"