An Unwitting Declaration
Compared to twisting fate itself and delivering a crushing psychological blow, death was a lesser option in some ways. Yet in its own right, as the forced termination of a life, it remained a potent and viable choice. "......"
Very well. Let's do it. After considerable hesitation, I finally steeled my resolve. My body and mind were far from whole, however, raising the risk of a fatal mistake. To be absolutely certain, I decided to draw her fully into striking range before exploiting the opening and ending it in one swift motion. The surest way to achieve that was to make her flustered or careless. Though it was genuinely difficult, I staggered even more dramatically, feigning imminent collapse. I hoped the sight would prompt Sun Quan to approach in alarm.
"A-are you all right?"
As expected of the kindhearted girl she was, Sun Quan rushed over to support me. The moment she did, she became completely defenseless, just as I had intended. Her nape. Her solar plexus. Her flank. A quick assessment revealed numerous openings; any one of them could send her to the afterlife in a single strike. "......Mmm......"
Stay calm. There would be only one chance. I was certain I could move now and finish her, yet I chose to endure a little longer. Just a bit more. I would break her resistance completely before striking. To do that, however, I needed to draw her body closer. I deliberately let my voice sound strained, luring her nearer out of concern.
"...It seems rather difficult. More importantly, there is something I wish to say..."
At that instant, I felt her body tense slightly. Had she noticed? No, impossible. I had never shown her anything suspicious until now. She was likely only nervous at the prospect of hearing something important. Indeed, after that brief stiffness, she obediently leaned in closer to listen.
Good. This is the moment. "W-what is it......"
Then the problem struck. "......That is......" Damn it. The drug's effects were wearing off, and the hallucinatory surge hit all at once. My head spun; I could not fix my target. Before delivering the final blow, I wrapped my left arm around her neck—unnatural though it looked—and held her fast. "H-hey. This is..."
I meant to reinforce my right hand with strength and snap her life short in the next instant, yet the moment I secured her neck, I sensed her tension spike violently. Curse it—had she realized? Feeling her try to pull back, I judged there was no more time to hesitate and poured power into my right arm. "....This is the end. At the very least...."
Even now, the kind girl Sun Quan deserved the least painful death I could give. I tightened my left arm around her neck, drawing her in, while reinforcing my right arm to pierce her heart. At the same time, I saw her pupils dilate wide as she was pulled toward me. At least grant her a peaceful death. I tried to seal the moment with those words, but the attempt failed. Strength suddenly drained from my entire body. Hallucination...? Whatever I had been suppressing burst forth like a broken dam. My head went blinding white; I lost all control and collapsed for real, no longer acting.
"Ah.....!"
The last sensation I felt was something soft brushing against part of my body—yet even that seemed distant and faint. So this is it...? I should have been more ruthless and acted decisively... That Ser fellow is probably laughing at me. As consciousness dimmed with that thought, I seemed to hear Ser's grumbling voice from somewhere.
..........
Well, I'm used to waiting... Proceeding this way isn't so bad either.
- Do you desire .... ?
How much time had passed? When consciousness returned, I found myself in a strangely familiar situation. I was powerless, and the other party was offering me an irresistible proposition. Only the two of us were visible amid the surrounding darkness, so I reached out and grasped the hand extended toward me, just as before. - Do you like women?
The figure seemed satisfied with my choice and asked the question with a pleased expression. I was accustomed to this question as well, so I answered without hesitation. "I do."
That feeling had not changed. In the past, the answer had sprung from a desire for revenge against the women who had driven me to death. Now, it stemmed largely from attachment to my possessions. Who would dislike their own precious belongings? They brought me happiness and would continue to do so; my heart was clear. Gathering those emotions, I emphasized my reply. "I like them very much."
"Eh...."
However much time had passed, the moment I opened my eyes I met a pair of startled green eyes staring straight at me. Widening my view, I saw a face flushed bright red. Expanding further, I realized the person was none other than Sun Quan. Glancing around, I discovered I was lying inside an unfamiliar tent rather than the field where I had collapsed. From that alone, I could guess a great deal had happened while I was unconscious. "That......"
I lacked far too much information. I tried to speak to Sun Quan to hear the situation, but before I could, she suddenly beamed and embraced me, speaking in a delighted voice. "...Yes. I like you too."
"......?"
What was that supposed to mean? Still holding the clinging Sun Quan, I tried to piece things together using the somewhat clearer head the Five Stone Powder had granted. "You 'too'....?"
Realizing her answer was directly connected to the words I had unconsciously spoken in my fading consciousness, I panicked and waved my hands in frantic denial. "W-wait...!!"
A serious misunderstanding had taken root. Sun Quan wore an expression that said she already knew everything and was now indulging in full coquettishness. I had no idea how to handle this incomprehensible situation. I did not even know why I was here, yet Sun Quan was clinging to me like this. I desperately wished for someone to explain, and as if on cue, the tent flap opened and someone entered.
"It seems you've woken up."
Sunlight pouring through the open entrance momentarily obscured the figure, but I soon recognized the newcomer. I did not need to see the face; the voice alone was enough. It belonged to someone very familiar to me—someone I had even missed a little. "Ah, your eyes are merely open, that's all."
Hearing the newcomer's words, Sun Quan stretched out an arm and pulled me even tighter against her, squeezing with all her strength. Her posture was unmistakably wary of the other person. The newcomer alternated glances between us with evident interest before speaking again. "It doesn't matter. Being able to speak is sufficient. I merely have a few questions. From what I heard outside earlier, it seems you can talk......"
Her characteristic speech—indirect yet firm. She was the same as ever. "......."
I probably could not brush her off with vague answers. I looked at Sun Quan first, then at the newcomer. What was she planning? Sun Quan clearly wanted to stop me, but given who the other person was, there was no reason to avoid her. Moreover, there were things only she could explain about the current situation. Pretending not to notice Sun Quan's signal, I nodded toward the newcomer. "Yes. Very well. Ask whatever you wish."
"Wait a moment...!"
"Don't worry. I'll be right back."
I gave Sun Quan, who was still trying to hold me back, a gentle wave of the hand and followed the newcomer outside. She glanced back at me with a peculiar expression before leading the way into the largest of the endless rows of military tents. "So......"
While she instructed the soldiers guarding the entrance to step away, I leisurely surveyed the interior. Once she finished and stood before me, I asked directly, "What is it you wish to know?"