Ch.101101. Grand Chief (2)

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Anyone who knows Yuria Greyhaunter would first wonder why this woman is always with someone else.

The most accurate description would be that it’s difficult to catch her alone.

But for those who know she harbors two beings capable of causing catastrophes, they would be terrified if they found her alone.

Yuria as a human is a walking time bomb. One carrying two uncontrollable entities within her body.

And.

Faynol Leiphec knew this better than anyone.

As a mage of the Heresy Inquisition, one is thoroughly educated about demons and Demonic Vessels. It’s only natural, since purging them from the world is their life’s mission.

Being educated about their dangers and harms to the point where it’s engraved in one’s bones is simply the natural course.

Especially in her case.

Even without education, she was directly “experiencing” such things herself.

“…”

Faynol closed her eyes and suppressed the “energy” flowing within her heart.

The Tristan Duchess or Yuria seem to be struggling with understanding the exact nature of “this” entity.

But she knew its existence very clearly.

Painfully clearly.

“You came looking for me on purpose.”

She said with a grin while looking at the other person.

When Faynol opened the conversation this way, Yuria across from her nodded with a gloomy expression.

She had just confessed that she came to find her alone, without even going through the saint who acted as her guardian.

And the reason why she sought her out.

“…I think Darwood dislikes me.”

Following that, a voice that made one feel limp just from hearing it mumbled out.

If one had heard all of Yuria’s story, this reaction would be easy to predict.

This woman, having lived alone away from others for a long time, is extremely sensitive to others’ affection.

Especially since what she harbors inside is the “White Demon,” which has such triggers for going berserk.

“…”

Faynol silently picked up the teacup she had served.

Every move that man Darwood makes is truly laughable. From her perspective, it’s nothing more than a clown’s comedy.

Just looking at what he did to Yuria, it sounds absurd to her. It’s merely a common excuse from a philanderer.

But.

“Of course. You definitely won’t regret it.”

Faynol could never let go of that man Darwood.

Even because of “this” sleeping in her heart.

No matter how ridiculous these Demonic Vessels seem, being swayed by such nonsensical words, she must not show it.

Everything, anything. Even if she has to use whatever she can.

She must keep that man within her “grasp.”

“First.”

So.

What she needs to do now is to use this unexpected opportunity to the fullest extent.

And the very first step for that is.

“Would you like to take off your clothes first?”

“…Clothes?”

“Yes. All of them.”

Yuria’s expression twisted grotesquely.

●

If I think about it.

Once I showed Elnore, Tatiana’s options to bare her teeth at me became quite limited.

Though unintended, I’ve put significant pressure on her side.

‘Thanks to that, I’ve bought quite a bit of time.’

That’s why I’m taking this winding path during the Hunter’s Night period—first the water dragon, then to the volcanic region for another magical beast, and then meeting other magical beasts to imprint something.

Considering the main quests so far, this pace could be described as slow as a snail.

And, as always.

This cursed world I’ve possessed is always desperate to screw me over.

There’s no way things would go smoothly.

The Tribal Union’s Great Chieftain right in front of me is proof of that.

“…”

I feel dizzy.

That’s the first thought I’m having.

Of course.

I did think something was strange on my way here.

“Why didn’t you bring Riru Garda and Kasa Garda?”

“…Would you bring them if you were me, High Priest?”

The reaction was evident from when I left Elnore behind and came alone.

If Riru, who harbors the Blue Demon of Rage, came here and got caught up in this guy’s unknown scheme and went berserk, it would be extremely troublesome. That’s why I left her with Elnore, whom even Tatiana can’t easily touch, and came alone.

Yet.

“…It doesn’t matter. That side is more like my ‘hobby’ anyway.”

He just shrugged it off.

As if he didn’t care about that at all.

And what followed was even stranger.

The process of having an audience with the Great Chieftain is quite a grand event in itself.

The biggest reward one can get after going through the Hunter’s Night, when the entire Crucible of Struggle heats up, is to see the Great Chieftain in person and plead for what one wants.

Even though it’s the weakest in authority among the three hegemonic nations, meeting the leader who rules the entire country is that significant.

But.

With all those processes skipped.

I was facing Allan Va-Thor in the “audience chamber.” Without any other tribal leaders or even attendants around.

I could understand the reason as soon as I saw him.

Tatiana probably didn’t want to show this to anyone else.

Not because she didn’t want others to know she had brainwashed him. That’s just a small part of it.

Allan’s current state is.

Far more horrific than that.

“…”

The original Allan Va-Thor in the source material.

Though he appears brainwashed by Tatiana’s artifact from the beginning, if you clear Tatiana’s route smoothly, you can face his true self.

He should be described as a magnanimous man.

Hot-blooded. Cheerful. Simple but fair and square. Someone who knows how to keep his word, braver than anyone on the battlefield, and giving off the vibe of a friendly neighborhood brother in normal times.

But this current state.

It’s not something that can be called that at all.

And it’s not a state that can return to that form in the future.

Ever.

I look at the monstrosity sitting on the throne before me.

While suppressing the urge to vomit, I stare at the monster in front of me and the black armor covering his entire body.

On the surface, it might just look like an elaborately crafted piece of armor.

I might have agreed if it weren’t for the test tubes and injections connected to the armor, through which all sorts of “curses” are being injected.

Allan’s expression beneath the armor was not visible. It’s impossible to tell if he’s even alive or dead.

But.

Something sticky that wraps around his motionless body can be seen inside the armor.

Tentacles that you’d expect to find on marine creatures.

Starting from the face, they sprout all over his body. Not stopping at just sprouting, they cling to the body’s form, transforming into a grotesque shape.

Like a human-shaped meat doll roughly assembled from poorly minced meat pieces.

It’s a form I recognize.

“…Avatar of the Inverted Tide.”

I mutter such words like a groan.

The Inverted Tide, Marshalon.

The game over trigger for Chapter 4.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the moment it awakens, the entire Crucible of Struggle would be submerged underwater.

And now, Allan has.

Fallen to become a medium to ‘summon’ such a cursed entity.

This is an enemy that originally existed only as dummy data in the game. I heard it was scrapped because the difficulty would be too high.

That makes sense.

A being that has become an avatar can summon ‘multiple’ entities that even Tatiana would have to risk her life to summon just one.

Its destructive power would be close to that of Elnore with two fragments going berserk.

Additionally.

‘…This is already the final stage of mutation.’

At this level, Tatiana can summon the Inverted Tide whenever she wants.

This is beyond the point where I can do anything to stop it now.

With that level of power, she can confidently approach me first, even considering Elnore’s existence.

She must be thinking she has brought an entity that’s not inferior to Elnore.

“As expected, you notice everything as soon as you see it? Just as the Luminary said.”

Facing me, Tatiana shrugged and spoke.

“As you said, the Great Chieftain has received his blessing and has become a glorious avatar.”

Her face still wore a light smile.

“Soon, the Inverted Tides will reveal themselves to this world through his body.”

Even when bringing up the next topic.

“I wish Riru Garda and Kasa Garda could have seen this too.”

With those words, the armor encasing Allan slid open. And between the tentacles covering his entire body, “things” embedded here and there become visible.

“…!”

And as soon as I see it.

I immediately understand why this person wanted me to bring Riru and Kasa.

“…You crazy bitch.”

I mutter while suppressing the urge to vomit.

The things being absorbed into Allan’s body and used as ‘fuel’.

I understand why she mentioned her hobby earlier. This is something only a psychopath with a twisted hobby would do.

I don’t know about Kasa.

But Riru should absolutely not see ‘that’.

As a vessel harboring the Demon of Rage, she would go berserk immediately upon seeing it.

“…Was this ordered by the Luminary?”

“No. This was done under my own judgment.”

I thought as much.

Whatever else, Allan was not originally meant to be… ‘wasted’ like this.

Of course, just looking at the effect of being an avatar of the Inverted Tide, it would have required a powerful host. Someone of Allan’s caliber as a warrior might have been necessary to even meet the conditions.

Still. Even considering that.

This person’s current position is the ‘Great Chieftain’.

Though he may have ascended to that position through various unsavory means, he’s still the leader of the Tribal Union. Even if this situation somehow settles down, there will be tremendous aftermath.

There would be a fierce backlash against the demon cultists, including the Luminary.

But.

“He only ordered me to ‘do my best’. To kill you by any means necessary.”

“…”

Tatiana continued to speak with a light smile.

“So, I just did as told. To the best of my ability. In a way that would surely kill you.”

This crazy woman is saying.

She doesn’t care about any of that.

She doesn’t care if the entire continent is turned upside down due to the aftermath of throwing away the leader of a hegemonic nation.

As long as she kills me, nothing else matters.

So casually.

As if it’s natural because the Luminary ordered it.

‘…She’s insane.’

I had noticed it before when she charged at me disregarding even her own life.

She’s a crazy woman.

There’s no other way to describe it.

“…”

Cold sweat runs down my back internally.

To be honest, this is fucked up.

It’s a massive variable that disrupts the very premise of the boss battle I’ve been planning.

I’ve been preparing to fight Tatiana and Allan.

Not Tatiana and several ancient monsters from the deep sea!

Elnore is a being entangled with me through our relationship, so I could somehow calm her rampage even if I had to throw my body at her, but if a being with such power comes flying at me with pure killing intent…

“…”

It’s terrifying just to imagine. That’s just asking for death.

But, even so.

The reason I don’t immediately give up on life and commit suicide is partly due to the immunity I’ve developed from experiencing such situations several times before.

But also because there’s something that ‘bothers’ me to the end.

Barely holding back my hair from turning white, I open my mouth.

“…Then let me ask one last thing.”

I didn’t expect the other party to answer readily, but honestly, I’m asking this to confirm something I’m half-certain about.

“Why are you showing this to me in advance?”

“…”

“If you’re just going to do your best to kill me as you said, there’s no reason to show this to me in advance. No reason to consider that I didn’t bring Riru and Kasa. Right?”

To be honest, if she just summoned that thing here, it would be game over right away.

In other words, this person has ‘another intention’ for calling me.

That’s also why I’m still maintaining my composure.

“…He.”

Tatiana continued in a monotone voice.

Just for this statement.

That unfunny smile and voice she usually wears seem to have been washed away.

Like.

There’s even a hint of jealousy, as if I received something that should have been hers.

“He’s watching you very closely.”

“…”

“He told me not to cause a catastrophe that would crush you without any resistance. He said to make it just enough for you to struggle your best. So.”

“…”

“One day, Darwood Campbell. That’s the grace period he’s giving you through me.”

“…”

So.

Within a day, I need to find a way to defeat monsters comparable to Elnore’s rampage.

Well, that’s.

“…”

That is, undoubtedly.

“Struggle. Try to survive. There’s nowhere to run, so the only option left is to face it.”

Delivered in a very flat tone.

“From the Inverted Tide that will soon engulf you.”

It was a death sentence.

●

“…Fuck.”

Such a curse automatically comes out as soon as I leave the “audience chamber,” leaving Tatiana and Allan behind.

In fact, my current situation is quite desperate.

Throughout the scenario progression, I’ve never faced such a rapidly expanded boss with such a short preparation period.

“…”

Feeling my mouth burning up, I run my hand over my face.

One day. One day. 24 hours from now.

No matter how much I try to organize what needs to be done within that time in my head.

It’s impossible with ‘the manpower I currently have available’.

Then there’s only one option left.

I have to borrow the hand of someone I originally wanted to avoid getting involved with at all costs.

< Gift-related Person Alert >

▼ Faynol Leiphec

[ No Affection Level ]

[ D-1 until Related Event Occurs ]

It means I finally have to meet someone I never wanted to meet, even if it killed me.

Earlier than planned.

As I’m mulling over these thoughts.

A window suddenly appears before my eyes.

< System Message >

[ This action increases the possibility of triggering a special interaction with ‘Yuria’! ]

[ It is recommended to equip the ‘Philanderer’ title before going! ]

“…”

Wait, the title is fixed anyway, so there’s no equipping or not equipping.

What are these two doing right now?

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