Chapter 145: Fermaton's Cock and Breast Cup (3)
Chapter 145: Fermaton's Cock and Breast Cup (3)
Curses are things that defy ordinary logic and common sense.
You never know what kind of curse will manifest, nor do you know who will fall victim to it.
However, from an academic perspective, the curses of the Infinite Labyrinth are actually quite interesting.
If you were to ask what makes them interesting, it’s the fact that once someone is afflicted by a curse, they cannot be affected by another.
Furthermore, while these curses generally influence the "Cock Flower" of humans, they aren't always forms of curse filled solely with despair and frustration.
The Fermaton bloodline is under a curse that prevents them from ever leaving the Fermaton County.
Yet, for generations, they have never been afflicted by any other curse besides that one.
Aside from the restriction on their movement, no other form of curse could torment a Fermaton.
The same applies to others.
Take, for example, someone cursed to become a Succubus.
Even if they become a Succubus due to the curse, they will not be affected by any curse other than that of the Succubus.
To put it in gaming terms, if there were a "Curse Stat (0 / 1)," once that slot is filled, no other curses can take root.
And while I can't be certain yet, our knight order members are also under slight curses.
Take Serica, for instance.
The reason she, an ordinary female knight, turned back into an adventurer was likely due to a curse from the Infinite Labyrinth.
Perhaps a slaughterous curse that makes her yearn to cut down living beings.
A world where an elite female knight becomes a serial killer, and a sheltered mage raised like a precious flower becomes a Succubus.
Yoanna says she "possesses" such a curse right now.
And she claims she will use that curse to prevent any other curses from taking hold.
It’s the same logic as how you can't get pregnant while you're already pregnant.
In short.
To summarize Yoanna's words in one sentence:
"You'll accept that Black Flame so that no more curses can affect you?"
"Yes. Before another curse enters, I will take this curse into my body to block them out."
"Interesting."
Yoanna's suggestion was more plausible than I expected.
"Does that mean our order will become the Black Flame Knight Order?"
"The Dark Flare Knights. If we were to name it, that would be it."
"Then the Knight Captain would be the 'Black Flame Cat'?"
"Black Flame Laura. How does that sound?"
"It’s a bit subtle, but not a title I’d recommend."
Well, anyway.
If I were to place the Black Flame Curse on the entire order, then thanks to that curse, none of the members would be afflicted by other curses while conquering the Infinite Labyrinth in the future.
It’s a better proposal than I thought.
The proposal itself, that is.
"Good. It’s a very impressive suggestion."
However.
"Then what exactly is this Black Flame Curse?"
"...It simply allows one to use Black Flame."
"Just that?"
"To be precise, one can manifest flames using mana. It’s a type of fire magic, but the color of the flames becomes black like this."
"I see."
If the "Black Flame" just fills the Curse Stat, there’s no big problem.
The issue is the side effects.
"What’s the catch with the Black Flame?"
"......."
"Like the curse on the Fermaton blood that prevents us from leaving the Fermaton County, there must be a side effect. Surely you aren't going to tell me there isn't one?"
"That is..."
"If you don't tell me, I cannot accept the proposal. Setting aside the curse you already have, I cannot instill an unknown power into my people."
Black Flame.
It looks like an unstable power just by glancing at it.
Flames that burn pitch black.
‘Besides, you never mentioned using something like that before.’
Even if she’s a 3-Star Limited Pickup Character, there are always crazy bastards who hit max level within two days.
I tried to avoid spoilers as much as possible, but as a performance-pick enthusiast, I had naturally secured information on Yoanna to see how much she’d help in clearing the Infinite Labyrinth.
An all-rounder, universal spear-wielder.
—Revolution!!
A character with infinite potential who could be a tank if needed, a DPS if needed, or a supporter if needed.
Moreover, her performance was at a level of absolute madness, fitting for a "Limited Pickup."
Someone once said:
Right now, Yoanna is called a "Human Rights Character," but in the future, she’ll be called by other names.
Like a "Proof of Human Existence."
Or not just a human right, but a "Human Duty."
They said that from then on, whether a "tin can" starter account for PAO would sell or not would depend entirely on whether it had Yoanna.
Because she’s that kind of character, I know her even better.
‘I never heard anything about her using Black Flame.’
I knew Serica was a swordsman who enjoyed carving people up.
I knew Charlotte was a puppeteer who controlled rabbit dolls.
But Yoanna was simply a revolutionary spear-user who used magic; I had never seen or heard of her being someone who used Black Flame in my life.
‘It does look pretty badass, though.’
Black Flame.
What would it feel like to wrap bandages around your left hand and ignite the Black Flame?
If you just showed off the power without saying a word, the "cool factor" would be off the charts.
‘But I can't allow it.’
It looks cool, it’s stylish, but if it causes pain to my women, that’s a major problem.
Unknown power always comes with an equivalent unknown risk.
"Yoanna. What is the side effect?"
"...I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"Yes. I will be honest with you. I have yet to find any side effects regarding the Black Flame Curse. If I had to name one..."
Yoanna covered half of her face with her left hand.
"...Burn, Dark Flare."
Whoosh.
The moment Yoanna ignited the Black Flame in her hand, her pupils split into long, vertical slits.
"...Other than my pupils turning like a snake's whenever I use this power in earnest, there are no side effects."
"Is that all?"
"Yes. Once I stop using the power, they return to normal."
"...Hmm."
It’s worth researching.
The side effect is just the pupils narrowing?
Turning into something like snake eyes?
‘There’s no way the side effect is just that... or is there?’
The side effects of curses vary wildly.
It could be that Yoanna hasn't discovered the side effect yet, or the side effect could be something truly trivial.
For instance.
—Because of this curse, you will never be able to eat mint chocolate for the rest of your life.
A curse like that. Or:
—Because of this curse, every ice cream you eat will taste like mint chocolate.
A curse like that.
‘There was a pair of twin characters with that concept.’
Mint and Choco.
Their actual names were different, but one couldn't taste mint chocolate, and the other tasted mint chocolate in every ice cream.
If there’s a curse that turns people into Succubi, there’s no reason a curse like that couldn't exist.
The curses that emerge from the Fermaton Infinite Labyrinth are indescribably diverse and lethal.
If the curse has a visible form, anyone would be wary, but what if it’s a side effect like the Mint-Choco Curse, which you only realize after tasting it?
There are curses so minor you’d think, ‘What kind of bullshit side effect is this?’
But what if there’s a side effect so serious you don't even realize it's there?
I have no choice but to ask the Goddess.
"Laura. What do you think?"
"Huh? M-Me?"
"Do you think it’s a good idea for our knights to take on that Black Flame Curse to overcome other curses?"
"......."
Laura glanced at me, gauging my reaction.
She looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't quite bring herself to speak.
"Um, I think I need to give it some thought..."
The secrets of the Infinite Labyrinth are things that even Laura doesn't easily bring up, even in the Sex Room.
She drops hints and leaks information when we’re alone, but she can't speak recklessly here.
"Laura. You are the Knight Captain. You are the one leading the conquest of the Infinite Labyrinth. As the Knight Captain, please make the decision."
"...Then."
Laura gulped and opened her mouth.
"Unless there’s a way to break the curse, I think accepting it would be dangerous."
"Why? Isn't it better to accept that curse and harbor the Black Flame rather than falling victim to some strange, random curse?"
"Because strange side effects could occur. For example..."
Laura twirled a strand of her hair with her finger and lowered her voice.
"...Like, your body becoming unable to get pregnant."
"What did you say?"
At Laura's words, Yoanna’s eyes widened as she glared at her.
"Are you suggesting that I’ve gone through menopause because of the curse's side effects?"
"I was just using it as an example. Why are you getting so angry?"
"You insulted me by saying I’m menopausal! I am not menopausal! Even just a week ago...! ...Ugh."
Yoanna stopped talking, her face flushing red.
So her period ended a week ago. I calmly stroked Laura’s lower abdomen and crossed my legs.
"Laura. That was rude. Apologize."
"...I’m sorry."
Laura gave a slight nod.
She had started the provocation, but she glanced at me with eyes that said she had done nothing wrong.
‘I see.’
That was a signal.
A signal meant only for me from Laura.
Though she had spoken rudely to Yoanna, it was a loyal, roundabout way of warning me.
"Yoanna. Even if it’s not because of the Knight Captain’s words, I don't think accepting the Black Flame is an option."
"If it’s not because of the Knight Captain, then why?"
"Because if the side effect makes it so you can't carry my child, I would be very troubled."
I slowly slid my hand toward the inside of Laura’s thigh.
"If it’s a curse that prevents you from bearing my children, I refuse it flatly. And."
I stood up and extended a glass toward Yoanna.
"Your curse—I will break it for you."
"...Those words sound as if you’re going to make my body capable of getting pregnant?"
"Exactly."
There was no reason to hide it.
"If you become a woman who can bear my children, I’ll personally burn that damn Empire to the ground for you."
I look at Yoanna’s face.
I look at Yoanna’s breasts.
I look at Yoanna’s figure, her hips.
And I look into Yoanna’s eyes.
This woman.
She is worth trading the Empire for.
‘It’s not like my own property is burning, anyway.’
"If burning the Empire is what it takes to get you, I’ll burn it as many times as necessary."
My Human Rights.
I’ll secure them myself.