Ch.111111. Poison Counters Poison (2)

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Elia Krisanax was a person who boasted remarkable sociability.

The fact that she had managed to strike up a conversation with Greyhaunter in her current state was proof enough that no one could dispute such a proposition.

“…Um, excuse me. Miss Yuria.”

Elia opened her mouth as a drop of cold sweat trickled down her forehead.

“I-I think it might be okay for you to lighten up a bit. I-I mean, if the teacher was completely angry with you, he wouldn’t have asked you to do something like this…”

“…”

Yuria silently turned to look at her.

Oddly enough, the first thought that came to mind was ‘pure white.’

If others heard this, they would tilt their heads in confusion, wondering what that meant.

Yuria was someone who gave an overall black impression from head to toe. There shouldn’t be any room for such an impression.

Perhaps if Elia hadn’t been continuously seeing something ‘rising’ near that body, she would have agreed.

“…Um, I did what Darwood asked correctly, right?”

Even as she spoke, there was that white energy emanating in streams from Yuria’s body.

Elia’s gaze swept from the sword Yuria was holding to her entire body.

Oh.

White.

Without a doubt.

The form of the ‘white Yuria’ inside that body was emitting such a terrifying aura.

‘…I can see, I can see, I can see it…!’

Elia thought as she barely managed to fix her trembling lips.

Recently, she had been unusually sensitive to things around her.

According to Trisha, she had become unusually ‘smart’ or something like that.

For Elia herself, she didn’t particularly feel any smarter, but there was something she definitely noticed.

She could see ‘terrible things’ very clearly.

Like the ‘something’ inside the Tristan Duchess’s body, and now the ‘something’ inside Yuria’s body.

Things that she could previously only vaguely make out in outline were now clearly visible!

“Y-Yes, of course. The teacher will be satisfied.”

Actually, that wasn’t true.

Darwood had clearly only asked her to ‘subdue’ the unicorn that Yuria was now sitting on, not to beat it to death to the point where it couldn’t even resurrect.

But how could she possibly say that?

Anyway, Darwood had said he was ‘asking a favor’ and assigned Yuria to this. Considering his personality, he probably ‘calculated’ that she could somehow calm Yuria down even in this state.

Then, she needed to live up to those expectations.

“…”

If asked why she needed to live up to his expectations, she would probably blush and shout loudly that it was none of her business.

Ah, whatever. She just had to.

That way, well.

Wouldn’t it be easier to ‘demand’ something in return?

‘Later, later I’ll definitely get it back double…!’

She couldn’t exactly define what she wanted to get back, but this time she wouldn’t be used without compensation.

At the very least, she needed to get a definite promise of going somewhere together, just the two of them, for at least two days—

“Miss Elia.”

“…Yes?”

“What are you thinking about right now?”

Elia swallowed hard.

Yuria was looking at her with dead eyes. The white form of Yuria inside her body was glaring at her, almost emitting a murderous light.

As if she had read her thoughts about Darwood.

She had always been sensitive to topics related to Darwood, but since that white form became clearly visible, she was almost at a ghostly level of sensitivity.

“N-Nothing at all…!”

Though she was so scared her throat was closing up, Elia managed to utter those words. Tears were about to form in her eyes, but she forced them back with all her might.

First, change the subject.

Conversation.

Have a conversation.

Most problems in the world arise from a breakdown in communication. Surely this situation could be resolved through dialogue!

“B-By the way! You’re still wearing that!”

Elia changed the subject, pointing to the collar still fastened around Yuria’s neck.

It was a forced change of topic, but fortunately, it seemed somewhat effective. Yuria’s aura softened, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

Like someone caressing a precious treasure, Yuria stroked the collar and the handkerchief tied next to it.

“…Yes.”

It was as if all the gloom and darkness that had been consuming her until just now completely vanished when she touched it.

“When I touch it, I can feel Darwood.”

“…”

“It’s like he’s nearby. The feeling is incredibly… reassuring, I guess. I only have good memories related to this object.”

Elia briefly recalled what Darwood had done with that collar.

So.

Mainly using it to pull Yuria like a pet until she choked and gagged, throwing her around like an object, swinging her around like a flail—

“…”

And that’s a good memory?

Hmm.

“…You really do like the teacher, don’t you, Miss Yuria.”

She couldn’t help but say such words.

No, if those could be considered good memories, just how much must she like him…?

Undoubtedly, the question itself was casually thrown with such thoughts in mind.

“Yes.”

But the answer that came back.

“…I l-love him.”

It was the usual timid, unconfident, quiet voice that Yuria always had.

But undoubtedly, it was a voice infused with ‘desperation’ enough to completely overwhelm everything else.

Elia involuntarily flinched and turned to look at Yuria.

Even though it was difficult to fully grasp her expression as she was looking down at the floor with sunken eyes.

“I love him.”

In that voice tinged with tears.

“I love Darwood. I truly love him. I could give him anything of mine.”

The heartbreaking earnestness that seemed to carve out the heart of Elia who was listening.

The fact that this sentence she was speaking now was an absolute truth for her.

“I want to be with him. Forever.”

She could feel it clearly.

“…”

Suddenly, such a thought occurred to her.

If this kind of answer came to her reflexive question.

For this woman, perhaps.

Darwood Campbell might be a person who represents the very ‘meaning of living’—

‘…Just like with the Tristan Duchess.’

Does that man have a talent for being loved by such terrifying people?

This isn’t simply love, but an obsession that could be described as ‘subordination.’ No joke, it feels like she would accept anything that man did to her.

The only thing that either the Tristan Duchess or this one couldn’t bear would be ‘being abandoned’ or him prioritizing ‘others’ over themselves.

“…”

Wait a minute.

Didn’t she just touch on something incredibly important?

Elia frowned as she retraced the thoughts she had just had.

Darwood Campbell is particularly loved by these terrifying beings, and what these people commonly can’t stand is not being able to monopolize that man.

In her mind, she recalled what Trisha had said not long ago.

-…That person seems to be forcibly suppressing his own feelings.

And that man is hiding his affection for others.

“…”

Hmm.

Hmmmm.

Something smells fishy.

That man seems to be ‘walking a tightrope’ with his life at stake.

Her mind began to spin at a terrifying pace.

‘…If I do this right.’

Probably.

She’s the only one who has realized this.

Originally, there would have been no room for her to squeeze in beside Darwood Campbell, who has these terrifying women lined up around him.

But what if she could be the only one who understands that man’s ‘principles of action’ and ‘feelings’?

What if she could become a companion he could ‘approach with ease,’ unlike the other women?

Couldn’t this be an opportunity for her to occupy an ‘unrivaled’ position beside the teacher?

‘…Wait. Wait. Wait…?’

Perhaps.

This.

Is there a chance of winning?

She could overtake them all—Elnore and Yuria—like a cheetah starting late but catching up!

“…So, at least this.”

As she was continuing such thoughts, Yuria threw such a sentence in a quiet voice.

“…I can’t give it up to anyone. This memento that holds the memories of just Darwood and me—”

As Yuria continued speaking.

Click, her collar came undone. Naturally, the handkerchief tied next to it also slipped off with a soft rustle.

“…”

“…”

A heavy silence fell.

Elia stared blankly at the unfastened collar and the handkerchief on the floor, alternating between the two.

Then, like an unoiled machine, her head turned with a creaking sound.

And there stood the person responsible for unfastening the collar.

“…Darwood?”

When Yuria uttered those words in a trembling voice, Darwood, wearing the mask familiar to Elia, nodded.

“Yeah. It’s Darwood.”

“…Why, w-why…?”

With eyes completely devoid of light, Yuria barely managed to stammer out those words.

“Oh, this?”

In contrast, Darwood responded to her words with an unconcerned air.

“I’m confiscating it for a while.”

“…W-Why, wh-what for…?”

When Yuria spoke in a voice that sounded as if she was being strangled, Darwood shrugged.

“Well.”

But.

This time too, the words flowed out in an indifferent voice.

“I think it might suit someone else besides you.”

“…”

“I’m thinking of putting it on Lucien for a while. What do you think?”

“…”

Let’s be clear.

This guy isn’t just walking a tightrope with his life at stake.

He’s just obsessed with suicide!

While Elia was thinking in astonishment.

Yuria drew her sword with a completely expressionless face.

Then.

—-!!!!!!!

A white flash erupted.

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