Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: Bram's Desperate Plea
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"This is the position of the main force.
Tonight, the main force will pull up the defensive line to draw the Demon King's army's attention.
We'll use that opening to circle around and lure the demigod."
"Lisa. What if the demigod doesn't take the bait as planned?"
Bram said.
"In that case, there's nothing we can do. We'll have no choice but to proceed with the operation.
The main force acting as bait can't hold out for long. I determined we'd settle it within ten days,
but taking the detour will take considerable time too, so the actual window to fight the demigod without interference won't be that long."
"In other words, if the demigod doesn't show, in the worst case, we might get interrupted mid-charge into the Demon King's lair."
Bram chimed in.
....
Will Seoyeon show up on time?
I don't know. She's crazy, but her combat sense, judgment, and quick thinking aren't bad.
She knows when to retreat if the odds are against her.
And above all, when we reunited.
Didn't Seoyeon come to meet me right through the Demon King's forces?
To the Demon King's side and the human side alike, Seoyeon was a disaster.
Her entire mindset revolves around me, but she's not the type to just charge in blindly.
"...It doesn't matter.
I'll handle Seoyeon."
We have no choice but to push forward aggressively.
I can't show any lack of confidence here.
I've resolved myself too.
I'll take responsibility for Park Seoyeon.
That's decided.
Lisa peered into my eyes, then shifted her gaze back to the map.
"The enemy won't be without thoughts either,
so we shouldn't expect them to fall into our trap easily.
Prepare yourself for getting ambushed at the most chaotic moment."
"Yes!"
Oia responded energetically.
The men, on the other hand, wore troubled expressions.
Marker spoke up.
"Hero.
If Decal is being targeted by the demigod,
wouldn't it be better to leave him with the main force under protection instead of bringing him on our operation?"
"...."
It was sound advice.
I would've said the same.
If I hadn't seen Park Seoyeon with my own eyes.
Does it need further explanation? Even Lisa, who cut her down in one stroke, knows.
What kind of existence Seoyeon is.
"The demigod is strong.
No one but me can take it down without casualties.
I'll handle it to ensure no sacrifices."
It has to be me.
When those words, which could sound arrogant at first glance, came from Lisa's mouth,
everyone accepted them.
In battle, the hero's words are absolute.
Saying she'd fight herself to avoid unnecessary sacrifices was something only the hero could say.
"Plus, the one who spared the demigod when we could have finished it for sure was me.
I have a responsibility to see this through.
Whether to kill it as a monster or turn it back human. Either way...."
Lisa looked straight at me and said.
"Decal.
As the planner of this operation and captain of the guerrilla unit, I have to ask.
What are the chances of turning Park Seoyeon back to the human side?"
"...."
Lisa stared right at me.
"I'll ask just once.
Say it here, where everyone can hear."
Hmm.
What percentage?
It could be 100%, or 1%.
I don't know.
But if it's zero, I'll make it happen. Here, I had to say it.
They're staking their lives.
Unlike me, slathered in goddess's blessings, their perspective is different from the start.
So I smiled and said.
"I can definitely turn her back.
It'll just take time."
"Time....
Everything hinges on time."
Lisa said as she moved the guerrilla markers toward the Demon King's lair on the map.
"When we detour, stay as hidden from the enemy as possible.
But once we're in their lair, advance as fast as we can straight to the heart.
Battles will break out everywhere. Neris, Herka. Your roles are crucial."
"Yes."
"The key is just to shatter their defenses, right? Simple enough."
Neris and Herka responded reliably.
"I'm looking forward to it.
I've never seen them in action myself, but the Rike family's lancer knights are rumored to have the strongest breakthrough power."
Tonius said excitedly.
Marker nodded in agreement.
"The stories about the Philote family's great mage were buzzing even before the selection.
Awakened all attribute magics at five and learned light magic? Is that true?"
"Four years old.
I'd already awakened them in my mind, but I had to wait for my body to catch up. It was boring."
"So cute!"
To Oia, everything Herka says is cute.
"We depart at dusk.
Rest freely in the camp until then.
Don't disturb the soldiers."
The members responded in various ways and dispersed.
Free until evening....
That means I want to hold Lisa and kiss her all I want.
My dick's already getting hard.
"Lisa. Got a moment? I have something to discuss about the operation."
Ugh.
Bram called Lisa before I could.
It bugs me how casually he calls her by name, like I do.
Though technically Bram's the one close to the hero, and I'm the interloper.
"Speak. Bram."
"Let's talk in your room."
"My room?"
Lisa tilted her head.
What? Going to Lisa's room? Just the two of them?
She'll refuse, right?
"Sure."
Argh!
Lisa accepts readily.
Look at that defenseless attitude.
Inviting a man into her room with that pretty face? Makes no sense?
What does she plan to let happen!
"Decal. See you later."
Lisa left the strategy room with Bram.
"Neris. What's their deal? They're not dating, are they?"
I clenched my fist and asked.
"I don't know much.
I heard they've known each other since childhood."
"Childhood friends?"
"Who knows."
"What if Bram tries to force himself on Lisa?"
"She'd cut him down in one stroke."
"No, what if he uses their childhood bond and begs for one last time before dying? Wouldn't she give in?"
Neris sighed.
"Lord Bram wouldn't resort to such sleazy tactics on a woman,
and even if he did, the hero wouldn't accept.
On the eve of such a critical operation, sharing a bed with a man is something Lady Bellisa would never do."
"You don't know until you check."
Herka, who'd been listening, blinked and said.
"So, Decal wants to be friends with the hero?"
"Something like that."
"Hmm. Then just peek inside the room."
"Herka!"
Neris said sternly.
"We're on the brink of a major operation.
We must avoid anything that could shatter trust with comrades before the deed.
Tell her, my lord. This child needs it."
"...."
"My lord...?"
"....Herka. Let's go."
"Yay!"
"M-my lord! Are you really going to spy on the hero's room?"
"I was planning to barge in and hypnotize him if needed. Call me pathetic, I don't care.
Touch Lisa even with a fingertip. I won't forgive it."
"I won't forgive it!"
Herka chimed in enthusiastically.
"I'm not that kind of...."
"I won't make Neris an accomplice."
Herka smirked triumphantly and clung to my arm.
"Neris goes 'my lord, my lord,'
but opposes when Decal really needs her?
Comrade? I'm Decal's friend. Some guy I just met isn't important."
"I think I made a perfectly reasonable statement.
Lord Bram is the deputy captain of the guerrilla unit. He'll lead us if the hero's absent.
Think coldly. Would such a man throw away his pride to sleep with the hero once?"
"....That's why
we need to confirm to dispel the suspicion, right?"
"Through proper means...."
"...Neris."
"Yes...."
"If I clung to you like that, could you refuse?"
"...."
I hugged Neris tightly.
"Neris....
Grant me one time before I die. That's my wish."
"....Th-that's an unfair hypothetical."
Neris blushed and turned her head shyly.
"I can always.... give you my pussy without begging."
"Ah!"
Herka raised her voice like an elementary kid spotting something to tattle to the teacher.
"Neris is seducing Decal with her tits!!"
"H-Herka! Your voice is too loud."
Soldiers passing by glanced our way.
But....
Neris didn't push away my tight embrace.
Her overwhelming breasts pressed softly against my body.
"See?
Even perfectly reasonable Neris can't refuse?
Women surprisingly fall for persistence sometimes."
"I can't agree with that crude conclusion,
but if you insist on confirming.... I'll comply."
"Let's go!"
"Let's gooo!"
I used Veil of Concealment after a while to make our trio invisible.
With Neris's guidance, we approached the hero's room.
Once close enough, Herka prepared.
"But how do we peek?"
"Hehe~ With eavesdrop-vision magic."
"....What? That's a blatantly obvious name."
"I said it simply. Curious about the formal name?
Irreversible voice expansion transmission, spatial recognition penetration effect via resonance and echo utilizing reflected information dissemination through n-dimensional...."
"Ugh, stop stop."
Readability destroyed!
"Cast the eavesdrop-vision magic, Herka!"
"Mhm!"
Herka cast the spell.
Suddenly, the inside of the hero's room beyond the door became visible.
Not as good as peeping with the eight-colored pearl, but impressive.
Neris looked guilty and uneasy.
"This spell has way too much potential for abuse. Herka...."
"No one but me can use it. It's fine!
Neris, if you're scared, go back?"
"When we find out Lord Bram is innocent, how do I face him...."
"Shh."
Bram was speaking.
"This is the last time.
I know you have no feelings for me. I know it's shameless after being rejected so many times."
"....Bram. Don't do this.
This isn't the time for such talk."
"Share your affection with me.
Just once.... just once is enough....!!
Before this life ends...."
"...."
Neris made a face like she'd seen something utterly repulsive.
I laughed heartily, feeling vindicated.
"Hahaha!
My instincts are spot on? There's another pathetic guy besides me."
"Whoa. Just like Decal said, he's begging to fuck once."
Bram approached the scowling hero insistently, grabbing and shaking her shoulder.
"Please.
If you help me, I can fight without regrets until death."
"Stop. Bram. Get your hands off me.
I've never thought of you that way even once."
"Lisa...!"
"I....
can't date anyone. Can't sleep with anyone.
This body isn't mine. Sleeping with a man before defeating the Demon King? I've never even imagined it."
"No one knows you better than I do.
I've served under you for over ten years. Is giving me affection once that hard?"
"...."
Lisa shoved Bram away fairly forcefully.
"Get out. Bram.
What happened in this room never occurred.
But if you say another ridiculous thing to me."
"...."
"I'll chase you out as a criminal.
Didn't I tell you long ago? Don't see me as a woman...."
Seeing the angry Bellisa, Bram's smirk vanished.
Herka and Neris were overwhelmed, watching silently.
"I just need your affection.
I don't have such presumptuous thoughts of bonding as man and woman!"
"Don't mock the hero. Bram...."
Lisa's gaze pierced Bram's shallow intentions.
"Staking your life isn't said at a time like this.
I swore on my sword, my soul.
No contact with men for life. Until I save this world.
If you taint that resolve, I'll cut your throat myself."
Overwhelmed by Bellisa's firmer-than-expected attitude,
Bram released her and stepped back.
"....Sorry."
"There's nothing to apologize for.
And it's not something forgiveness can fix.
Get out. And die for this mission. If you're a man who knows shame."
"...."
Bram came out.
I stepped out alone from the Veil of Concealment.
"My lord?"
"Wait."
I deliberately bumped into Bram as he exited.
"You....?"
"What happened?
I heard the hero yelling."
Bram's face flushed with anger.
"Not your concern."
"Hmm. Then excuse me?
I have business with Lisa."
"....Don't get too cocky."
I snapped my fingers sharply.
"The one who shouldn't get cocky is you."
What to do.
I want to kick him out for good,
but I can't weaken the human side myself.
I hope at least his strength is useful.
"Bram. 「You cannot touch Bellisa's body」"
"Cannot touch" alone isn't enough.
I judged this guy might try to assault Bellisa if desperate.
She wouldn't let him, but
who knows what could happen mid-battle.
Now that I know his true nature, implant the suggestion "cannot touch her body."
Bram can no longer touch even a hair on Lisa's head.
Clap.
I clapped to wake him.
This should suffice.
Wonder what face he'll make when Lisa and I get together later.
"I had no intent to upset you.
Something serious happen in there?"
"Didn't hear?"
I played dumb.
"I heard yelling.
....If it was a fight over operation details, I have a guess.
It's about me."
Bram took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
"My misunderstanding.
Sorry. Not much of a fight. I just.... went as far as I could."
"...."
"If you have words for Lisa, save them for later.
She's quite upset right now."
It's your fault, man.
"But it's something I have to say.
Won't take long."
"Hmm."
I watched Bram leave, then dropped the Veil of Concealment.
Neris and Herka appeared behind me.
"Did you have to confront him directly and poke the wound?"
"No. You did well. I didn't realize he was like that.
If you hadn't, I would've mocked him."
Neris seemed pretty angry.
Well, she got mad when she heard I touched the hero too.
"Thanks for the help, Herka.
Now I'll go get friendly with the hero."
"Yeah! Decal. Fuck her pussy hard."
"...."
"Neris. You hate me doing the hero?"
"Why would I like it?
You heard Lady Bellisa's resolve just now, my lord."
"Yeah. That's why I'm even hornier."
"....Sigh.
Can't stop you, my lord. At least make sure the hero doesn't zone out replaying sex with you during the day."
"That's.... from experience?"
"....Then I'll take my leave."
Neris turned and hurried away.
"I'll go hang out too!"
Herka left as well.
I knocked on the hero's door right away.
Knock knock.