Ch.104104. Maximum Speed

●

“…Say that again.”

“…He asked me to send him some materials related to chamber arts.”

[…]

Beatrix on the other end of the call cupped her chin, deep in thought.

She opened her mouth, about to say something, then closed it again.

She seemed unsure where to even begin.

Finally, giving up, Beatrix clutched her head and spoke in a resigned voice.

“What kind of shit is that bastard pulling this time?”

“…”

Though Darwood was being openly cursed, even Elnore couldn’t bring herself to respond this time.

Especially considering what she had to say next.

“Darwood, um, ah, ah, ah-“

Elnore stammered out those words with a face flushed bright red.

For a woman who had never worn any expression other than a blank face, this was a sentence that couldn’t help but evoke a sense of shame.

“…Ah, what? Are you broken?”

“He suggested having a child.”

[…]

“I thought it wouldn’t be bad to have one even before the ceremony.”

With a dazed expression, Beatrix remained silent for a moment before finally managing to speak.

“Why did that topic suddenly come up?”

“…He mentioned that he plans to take in a concubine for childrearing and suggested we, um, proceed with that, er, soon.”

“Elnore.”

Beatrix took a deep breath and momentarily lowered her voice.

It was an attempt to calmly reason with her.

Though it failed spectacularly.

“Are you seriously in your right mind-?!”

“…”

Elnore kept her mouth shut at the expected reaction.

Even though the culture of having both a legal wife and concubines is encouraged among high nobles, whether the person involved would happily accept it is another matter entirely.

Moreover, Beatrix knows well that she has shown unwavering devotion to Darwood.

No matter what she said, it wouldn’t be received well.

“You, you, how can you talk about such things so easily…! A concubine? A man who just received the title of viscount demanding such a thing from a duke’s daughter first is-!”

“…”

Elnore, uncharacteristically being scolded, lowered her head and pursed her lips.

Except for her father, she had never been treated this way by anyone else, but when it came to Beatrix and matters involving Darwood, this was a relatively common dynamic.

“You idiot, aren’t you even angry?! Normally, he should be begging on his hands and knees for you to accept him, but here you are, all excited about just having a child-!”

“…But.”

Nevertheless.

Even while continuing to receive such scolding, Elnore stammered on.

“…If that man made such a request, and I refused, wouldn’t that, um, possibly displease him?”

[…]

Beatrix looked at Elnore with an expression beyond anger, close to shock.

There’s a limit to being blinded by love.

“I’ll let you have my child, so please accept one concubine?”

And she just accepted it meekly because she was afraid of hurting his feelings?!

Is this the same man who recently threatened to kill any woman who wasn’t his top priority?!

“You know, if you accept a concubine, you might be pushed down in priority-“

“I don’t think that will happen.”

“What?”

“Where would he find time to pay attention to anyone else when he’s having a child with me?”

“…?”

Hmm.

Wait a minute.

Something seems off.

The conversation doesn’t quite add up.

Beatrix paused for a moment to reconsider their entire exchange.

Clearly, earlier.

She had said “one would be fine” before the ceremony.

[…]

Ah.

I see.

Beatrix looked at Elnore with a face of realization.

“…How many children are you planning to have?”

“…?”

Elnore tilted her head, looking back at Beatrix.

Her expression suggested she was asking something obvious.

“At least five, isn’t it?”

[…]

“Taking in a concubine for childrearing wouldn’t make sense unless it’s at that level. Darwood must have meant it that way.”

[…]

No.

I don’t think so.

He’d find even one child overwhelming, let alone five.

Beatrix looked at Elnore while inwardly breaking into a cold sweat.

‘…Of course, if you’re planning to have that many children, there’s no time to worry about concubines or anything else.’

Marriage and childbirth among high nobles are major events in themselves.

Considering Elnore’s health and the political and cultural aftermath, having five children means Darwood would have to stay by Elnore’s side for at least a dozen years without moving an inch.

This woman is clearly speaking with that intention.

‘That makes more sense.’

There’s no way this woman would simply tolerate another woman being near that man.

Her “possessiveness” probably remains unchanged. If another woman tried to steal time from that man and herself, she would pounce with fire in her eyes.

However.

Now there’s an addition to that—she’s eagerly looking for opportunities to, well, “squeeze” that Darwood man at every chance.

That guy has dug his own grave.

As Beatrix was clicking her tongue, Elnore turned toward the door with a puzzled expression at the sound of knocking.

“Just a moment. It seems I have a visitor. I’ll contact you again later.”

Lately, it feels like there are many people visiting her quarters.

Elnore said that as she ended the communication.

The person outside the door was a face she recognized.

“…Talion?”

A Class 1 student who was always around Darwood.

“Oh, do you remember me?”

“Of course. I know everyone who has been near Darwood for more than 5 seconds.”

“…”

Thanks to that man’s surprisingly limited social circle, it wasn’t a difficult task.

She couldn’t understand why the other person’s expression hardened at hearing this.

“…Yes, well. I have a message from Brother Darwood.”

Talion cleared his throat as he began speaking.

“He said he has a favor to ask.”

“I understand. What should I do?”

“…Wouldn’t it be better to hear the content before accepting?”

Despite Talion’s reaction to the speed of her answer, Elnore simply shrugged her shoulders, unconcerned.

“Work should never be postponed. As someone who will soon be a parent, shouldn’t I set a good example for my children?”

“…?”

For Talion, this was a completely incomprehensible statement.

●

< System Message >

[ You have made contact with target ‘Faynol Leiphec’. ]

[ Interaction with ‘Heresy Inquisition’ is now unlocked! ]

[ You can request cooperation with all rights at the discretion of the ‘Heresy Inquisitor’! ]

[ Changes have been made to the scenario. ]

[ Special interactions with all demon-related entities will be available in the future! ]

I inwardly sigh at seeing such messages appear.

After all, this is the biggest reason why I requested cooperation from Faynol.

The greatest help I can get from him right now is the authority of the Heresy Inquisition, which can exercise almost extralegal powers when it comes to demon-related matters.

Not his personal abilities.

‘…I can’t expect anything combat-related from him.’

Being a completed Demonic Vessel means having tremendous power at one’s disposal, but conversely, the backlash when focus is lost is equally great.

There’s no need to take such a risk.

More importantly.

‘…What’s this special interaction with demon-related entities?’

Since it says it will be available in the future, I wonder what’s going to happen.

While I’m thinking about this, a sulky voice comes through the Soul Linker.

[What are you standing there blankly for again? Have you lost your mind?]

“…Are you angry?”

I ask Calivan Chrysanyx inside the Soul Linker.

[…It’s not a matter of being angry or not.]

Calivan speaks with a voice mixed with a sigh.

[Honestly, I’m not even angry because nothing makes sense. I’m just dumbfounded. At minimum, I thought the guy had died with me, but he’s alive and well, and now he’s complaining to you that he wants to die again.]

Indeed, his voice contained much more bewilderment than anger.

[Is that how all completed vessels are? Do they all resurrect even if killed once they become avatars?]

“…I don’t think so.”

Even from the descriptions in the original work, Elnore, whose head was cut off by Elia Krisanax in the final boss battle, died permanently.

This phenomenon is happening because he’s the avatar of the Red Demon, who has an insanely tenacious power related to life force.

“Anyway, our goals align, don’t they?”

I tap the Soul Linker as I continue speaking.

“You want him dead, the Heresy Inquisition wants Faynol dead, and even he himself wants it.”

The problem is.

In other words.

The Empire’s finest knights, the Guardians, and even the Heresy Inquisition, which stops at nothing when it comes to hunting demons, couldn’t find a way to “completely” kill Faynol.

That’s why such a strange request has come to me.

[Are you really going to grant that request?]

“…”

I have to… do it.

The request to seduce him, I mean.

If it’s true that the demonic power becomes more “controllable” as our relationship grows closer, then the more he likes me, the higher the possibility of sealing the Red Demon.

It means I could potentially skip the entire final boss battle of Chapter 4.

In the original work, the only being who could inflict something resembling “damage” to demon-related entities was Elia wielding the holy sword.

If such a thing can really be effective, there’s no reason not to do it.

The “scenario change” that appeared when I met him now makes sense at a level of tremendous difference.

“…”

Of course, that aside.

What’s important right now is that by granting his request, I’ve been delegated the authority of the Heresy Inquisition.

Because the “aftermath” of what I’m about to do must all be handled with that authority.

From now on, I.

Cannot waste even a little time.

I need to process all the tasks lined up before me as quickly as possible.

First thing I need to do is.

Like I did with the Water Dragon, leave “imprints” on the guardian-like magical beasts in each zone near the Crucible of Struggle.

Normally, performing such operations on magical beasts as powerful as the Water Dragon carries a great risk, but this is something I cannot give up. It’s essentially mandatory for this boss battle.

So, I’m resorting to methods I originally never intended to use.

< Quest Info >

[ Main Quest ] 〖 Chapter 3 – Apostle of the Inverted Tide 〗

[ 21H remaining until the ‘Grand Duel’ event! ]

[ The boss battle will commence immediately after this event! ]

Also, it seems the remaining time has been significantly reduced compared to before.

‘I can’t trust the time limits this thing gives anymore, seriously.’

With that thought, I check the two blue lights sequentially appearing on the magitech communication device in my pocket.

They’re signals from Talion, who went to Elnore, and Elia, who went to Yuria.

They probably mean that they’ve successfully handled what I asked them to do.

“…Good.”

And beside me, Riru Garda, who was paired with me, was cracking her neck and knuckles.

“The sea is the least significant area in the Hunter’s Night. The real ones are the Scorching Zone, the Snow Zone, and the Jungle Zone. From today until the end, it’s unlimited hunting outside.”

With eyes sparkling like a child who discovered Santa, Riru said that with an energetic demeanor.

“It’s best to go to the Scorching Zone first. All the essential components for long-term survival outdoors can be obtained by hunting the magical beasts there. The next route should be determined wisely based on the materials obtained-“

“…Riru.”

“Yes?”

I stop Riru, who was excitedly about to talk about various things.

From her perspective, this must feel like a picnic. I understand that.

Originally, I also had many things to do here.

Test Valkarsus’s alchemy, try out newly acquired equipment, slowly test how strong the skills I’ve gained so far are.

Above all, humor Riru a bit.

But.

What I need now more than those things is to prepare for tomorrow’s boss battle by any means necessary.

Even if it means shattering this person’s romance and expectations.

With those words, I look at the steel gate opening before me. The heat from the Scorching Zone was transmitted warmly even to this side.

“I’m sorry, but this time, there’s no time for hunting or anything else.”

The “Flame Demon” of the Scorching Zone, the “Ice Tiger” of the Snow Zone, and the “Horn Ghost” of the Jungle Zone.

Special-grade magical beasts, commonly called disaster-level, whose rank is not at all inferior compared to the Water Dragon.

However.

Right now, in the current situation, I’ve extended my hand even to those that should be approached with caution.

Having played such a card.

The time I need to spend to take down all three of them.

“…I’ll finish it within 5 minutes.”

There’s a mountain of things to do in one day.

I can’t waste any more time here.

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