Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Since I had accidentally let my true thoughts slip, I gave up trying to hide them altogether.
Instead, I showed a bright smile—clearly enjoying the situation.
Asmodeus froze in confusion, while Charlotte grabbed me by the collar.
“W-what are you doing?! Are you sane? Your precious friend is about to fall into misfortune and you’re smiling?!”
“Princess, to be precise, she was precious. Not anymore.”
“Even so, considering your past—”
“My childhood friend, the one I even promised to marry, fell in love with another man at the academy.”
“…Then she deserves whatever happens.”
Charlotte let go immediately.
Even she couldn’t tolerate that.
Honestly, she’d only seen the tip of the iceberg.
If she knew everything Ruen told me—
she’d probably order an execution on the spot.
“…But still! That wish—what were you thinking? You wasted something so valuable on something so… improper!”
“Princess, it’s not improper at all. I simply didn’t mention it before, but I have women I intend to marry in the future. If I want a happy family, this was necessary. My dream is to have a large family and contribute to the kingdom as a proper citizen.”
“…If you put it that way, I can’t argue.”
Pay taxes. Raise children. Support the kingdom.
From her perspective—
that was ideal.
So she couldn’t object.
Even the orc nodded in agreement.
Only one person remained unhappy—
Asmodeus.
“…So I just helped you?”
“Exactly. Honestly, I feel like bowing in gratitude.”
“…What kind of nonsense is this?”
She sighed deeply.
She had expected guilt, despair—
not satisfaction.
“Thanks. Honestly, I’d make this deal twenty more times if I could.”
“…Fine. I admit, I didn’t expect this outcome. But don’t forget—you mocked me. There’s a price for that.”
She kicked her scythe—
spun it—
and took a stance.
So—
it was inevitable.
“Princess, please step back.”
“You plan to fight her alone?”
“Yes.”
“That’s reckless.”
“I know.”
“Then why say it?”
“Because I can’t hide it anymore. I’ve touched a forbidden power.”
“…You mean I’d be in danger if I stay?”
“You can interpret it however you want.”
Not wrong.
If I used Prah properly—
collateral damage was inevitable.
So I didn’t explain further.
Instead—
I drew it.
The black blade.
Runes glowing red.
“…A demonic sword…”
Charlotte understood instantly.
I gave a short bow—
and turned away.
“Ahh… so that’s why. I sensed something unnatural from you.”
Asmodeus laughed.
To demons—
someone like me was already “fallen.”
‘Let’s see if you can keep laughing.’
[Be careful. Ancient demons are far stronger than modern ones.]
‘I know.’
I focused—
watching her.
Then—
she was already in front of me.
“…What—?!”
I barely ducked.
The scythe cut the air where my neck had been.
I rolled—
instinctively.
A second later—
dozens of black spears pierced where I stood.
“Good. That expression—I like it!”
She laughed—
attacked again.
Clang!
I blocked—
barely.
Her technique—
refined.
Even after years of isolation—
she hadn’t dulled.
[It’s ready.]
“Good. Let’s stop warming up.”
[Show her our bond.]
The World of a Moment—
activated.
Time froze.
I moved—
closed distance—
struck.
“…What?!”
Time resumed—
she grabbed my blade.
Stopped it—
barely.
But—
“Don’t grab someone else’s sword.”
“Ghk—!”
Black energy exploded—
her hand—
cut clean in half.
I followed up—
aimed for her neck—
but she retreated.
I chased.
No distance.
No escape.
Scythes were weak up close.
“Persistent…!”
“Think of it as all the love I’ve never received—coming at once.”
Relentless.
Like a fan chasing their idol.
But—
no decisive hit.
She blocked—
countered—
perfectly.
“Ha…!”
It felt like fighting Marianne again—
but worse.
She had intelligence.
Strategy.
And I couldn’t use magic.
This was—
pure swordsmanship.
And I was losing ground.
“Let’s see who tires first!”
Clang—
Clang—
Clang—
Relentless exchanges.
And then—
something felt wrong.
My body—
heating up.
‘…Wait.’
[What is it?]
‘The gas…’
It hadn’t fully worn off.
Combined with—
enhanced stamina—
adrenaline—
my body reacted.
Bad timing.
Very bad timing.
‘This is bad…!’
Heart racing.
Too fast.
If this continued—
I’d collapse.
Then—
“Die!”
Her scythe came down.
I stepped back—
barely avoiding death.
But—
“Mm?”
Something fell.
My belt.
“…Oh no.”
My pants—
slid down.
“…What the hell?!”
Worst timing possible.
If she attacked now—
I’d die.
I tried to fix it—
but—
“Eek?!”
She screamed.
Face bright red.
Looking—
down.
“…?”
I followed her gaze.
“…Oh.”
She was right.
“Two swords…”
Not a stick anymore.
Something else entirely.
“…”
Guess I really did upgrade.