Ch.112112. Poison Counters Poison (3)

# System Message

[Target ‘Elia Krisanax’ is on the verge of awakening the ‘Eye of Truth’.]

[Upon awakening this ability, the target will be designated as the ‘Survival Assistant’ role!]

[You will receive tremendous luck when proceeding with ??? with the target!]

“…?”

What is this now?

Eye of Truth, Survival Assistant?

Even the last line isn’t properly displayed.

‘…None of these features existed in the original work?’

Come to think of it, when I first came to the Crucible of Struggle, did some kind of ‘role’ designation window appear for that guy?

Judging by the mention of tremendous luck, it doesn’t seem to be a bad thing…

[I don’t know what you’re looking at, but is this really the time to be focusing on that?]

“…”

That’s true.

At Calivan’s words, I look at the massive slash rising from the jungle area in the distance where the unicorn is.

It’s the same slash that cut the water dragon into pieces with just a few strikes earlier. It’s impossible not to notice even from this distance.

The fortunate thing is that I’m not the one getting my head chopped off over there.

Well, technically it is ‘me’…

◎ Clone Walker

[Item: Special]

[Price: 1,000pt]

[Creates a clone that mimics the original’s personality and behavior. Can interact with other buffs!]

[Remaining points: 4,000pt]

It’s been a while since I’ve used this one.

Though it got destroyed immediately after I deployed it.

‘…At least it should buy me some time.’

Of course, considering the level of that person’s ‘obsession,’ it’s only natural that they’ll realize it’s a fake and come after my head next.

With that thought, I switch to another window.

!!!!!!!!!!!Demon Alert!!!!!!!!!!!

[‘Demon-related’ emergency event occurring!]

[This is a critical event!]

[If you don’t act correctly within the time limit, you will die!]

[This event is related to target ‘Yuria’!]

[Prepare countermeasures for survival immediately!]

!!!!!!!!!!!Demon Alert!!!!!!!!!!!

[‘Demon-related’ emergency event occurring!]

[This is a critical event!]

[If you don’t act correctly within the time limit, you will die!]

[This event is related to target ‘Riru’!]

[Prepare countermeasures for survival immediately!]

“…”

Looking at the bright red windows filling my vision, I can’t help but sigh.

Wow. Double events.

Demon-related emergency events, doubled.

At this point, even if I brought Gideon, Krat, Atalante, or anyone from that line to my position, they’d be 100% dead.

[For someone having dangerous thoughts, your expression looks quite relaxed?]

When Calivan throws those words at me through the Soul Linker, I respond with a grin.

‘No, my mind is at ease.’

[…How is that putting you at ease?]

‘If things go wrong, what’s the worst that could happen? I’ll just die?’

[…]

No matter how much I twist and turn, life-threatening events keep coming at me, and at some point, your sense of crisis becomes numb.

When getting into massive trouble becomes your daily routine, threats like these feel like a gentle breeze.

What, two demons on the verge of going berserk are coming to kill me simultaneously?

Sure, go ahead.

If I die, that’s that.

[…]

‘…You’re being noisy.’

[I didn’t say anything.]

‘You just thought I was crazy, didn’t you?’

[I won’t deny that.]

I know that’s how it looks.

But I have my reasons for doing all this. I wish you’d understand.

Even summoning this person was part of establishing those reasons more firmly.

“…What did you say to Yuria to make her do something like that?”

The Holy Maiden in front of me asks absently, looking at the smoke billowing up from the jungle area in the distance.

She probably knows with certainty that only Yuria could create such a spectacle.

“…”

It’s clearly not a level of power that a single person should be able to produce.

This is evidence that, as I expected, this person already knows that Yuria is somehow ‘abnormal.’

With that thought, I respond.

“Do you want to know?”

“Did you perhaps say something related to me?”

“Yes.”

“Was there anything blasphemous or suggestive—”

Lucien stops mid-question, narrowing her eyes.

She looks me up and down.

“No, never mind.”

“…That makes me feel oddly uncomfortable?”

“Given that it’s you, I thought it was an obvious question.”

“…”

What kind of image do I have, seriously?

“…Could you give me your hand?”

I sigh and make this request to Lucien.

After I add that I’m not going to do anything strange, she reluctantly extends her hand, and I wrap an amulet around it.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a vessel for souls. I think the Holy Maiden might recognize a face inside.”

The Holy Maiden, who had been blinking in confusion, suddenly widened her eyes upon seeing the gleaming amulet.

She must have successfully communicated with one of the souls inside.

“…Valkarsus? No, how is he in here…!”

“I thought you’d be pleased.”

I respond with a bitter smile.

Valkarsus and Lucien, well…

As was briefly evident during the boss battle before, they have an exceptionally close relationship for a demon cultist and a holy maiden.

If you hadn’t cleared Chapter 2 through a bizarre route like I did, there would have been quite a few segments where you could use these two together, and putting them in the same party would even create synergy effects.

And that’s exactly what I want from this person right now.

To lead the upcoming boss battle to the result ‘I want.’

I need a miracle that requires both a master of holy power and a master of alchemy working simultaneously.

“So now… we have about 2 hours left.”

I continue, checking my watch.

That’s just enough time for Tatiana to hold off Riru, and for the crazed Yuria to somehow find me.

“There’s something I’d like you to do within that time.”

I explain the plan as I say this.

What I want this person to do for ‘her younger sister’ while I’m being summoned to Tatiana’s consciousness to stop whatever is in the sea.

“…No way, you.”

After listening to my full explanation, the Holy Maiden speaks with a trembling voice.

I cut her off before she can finish her sentence.

“It’s fine.”

“You’ll die if you—!”

“I said it’s fine.”

If we’re talking about mortal danger, I’ve already wrapped myself in countless layers of it. What this person is worried about is nothing—

“…”

I got a light tap on the head from the Holy Maiden.

It was a gesture that gave the impression of someone who had never resorted to violence in her life, reluctantly raising her hand out of frustration.

“Value yourself a little more, you idiot!”

The Holy Maiden’s voice continued, fuming.

“Do you have any idea how many people worry about your life! I’m one of them!”

“…Thank you for your concern. I thought you found me uncomfortable.”

Since she’s always scolding and reprimanding me, this kind of worry feels different.

Even the system has been constantly reminding me that this person is wary of my… well.

My womanizing tendencies.

“It’s not that I find you uncomfortable, it’s just, that, well…!”

Lucien, who was trying to explain, closed her mouth.

She mumbled something inaudibly, then with a thoroughly reddened face, tapped my head again.

“Anyway, take care of yourself!”

“…”

Yes.

I’ll be careful.

But I’m being honest when I say I’m really fine with putting myself in danger.

There are other things that need attention first right now.

“I think you’re aware of what’s dwelling in your sister’s body.”

As soon as I said this, Lucien’s body stiffened.

Yes.

Lucien is likely more aware of Yuria’s condition than one might expect.

After all, she examines the curses in bodies every day. It would be strange if someone who is a master of holy power couldn’t detect what’s entangled with the curse-emitting object.

“The Inquisition has assigned someone because of it. I imagine it must be quite concerning for you as well.”

When I saw him before, he was just playing a silly dress-up game with dolls, but Faynol is fundamentally the final boss of the next chapter.

There’s no way he approached Yuria with only such innocent intentions.

“…You’re saying the Imperial Family is keeping a close eye on Yuria.”

“…”

Lucien’s expression darkened.

The Inquisition operates separately from the Holy Empire, strictly speaking. They may consult with them, but the organization is clearly run by the Imperial Family.

It’s a natural reaction.

How could she be happy to hear that after finally escaping the clutches of the Pope and the Holy Empire, they’ve caught the attention of another group of dark power-holders?

“So we need to remove that… ‘seed’ during this opportunity. Let’s focus on that rather than worrying about me.”

If my thinking is correct.

If we can properly ‘calm down’ the berserk Yuria.

My value, which is already skyrocketing, will likely surge even higher in the eyes of the Imperial Family.

To the point where their attention will inevitably shift from Yuria to me.

At this, Lucien bit her lip until it bled.

“…Again, you’re saying you’ll sacrifice yourself for us sisters.”

“It’s fine.”

The Imperial Family is the most powerful yet most secretive group in the entire scenario.

The fact that I haven’t even met their agents despite having encountered the Pope and the Tribal Chief proves this point.

If I can somehow find a way to get close to them, I welcome it. I don’t really have anything to lose—

< System Message >

[Target ‘Lucien’ feels intense guilt toward you!]

[Negative influence is being imprinted!]

[Negative imprint 2 stacks! Target will soon fall into a ‘Negative’ state!]

[When the ‘Negative’ state is resolved, ‘Fatal Charm’ will be applied, and the target’s affection will skyrocket!]

[A receivable reward is given!]

[Skill: Dominion of Evil activates. You gain 1 command right that can be used on the target!]

“…”

Oh.

Is this one of those gift skills?

The one where you get a reward for making someone with a good alignment fall into a negative influence.

It’s been so long since I’ve seen this window that I forgot I even had this skill.

It’s a bit disconcerting since I didn’t intentionally use it.

“…Ah, you really don’t need to feel burdened.”

As I wave my hands dismissively, Lucien nods with a gloomy expression.

Even though she holds the position of Holy Maiden, without the backing of the Holy Empire, it’s just a formality. There’s no sign that they’ll help Lucien now either.

She’s probably reacting this way because she knows she has no choice.

But the system window that has already appeared shows no sign of disappearing.

The guilt must still be valid.

“…”

Ah.

Whatever, let’s deal with that later.

There are much more urgent matters to attend to right now.

“…But, Darwood.”

As I was thinking this, Lucien spoke with a concerned voice.

“Isn’t there one more issue?”

“Pardon?”

“Even if we handle Yuria with my and Valkarsus’s help, the other one…”

The Holy Maiden’s voice trailed off.

She must be referring to the Blue Demon.

Impressive that she sensed it.

To think she can detect the energy of Riru rushing from far across the sea.

“That too, yes. I have a way to resolve it somehow.”

“…What kind of method is it? Don’t tell me you’re throwing your body into danger again—”

“It’s not like that, but, well…”

A drop of cold sweat runs down my face.

Well, um.

It’s not exactly a solution I can discuss in front of the Holy Maiden.

“…It’s difficult for me to explain.”

“Why? Are you going to get seriously injured again by yourself—”

“…Didn’t you say earlier that you didn’t want to hear suggestive stories?”

“…Pardon?”

Leaving Lucien with a blank expression, I quickly turn around.

“Anyway, please take care of what I asked!”

“No, wait, Da-Darwood! What did you just—!”

I dash away from Lucien’s hurried attempts to stop me.

Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, we’re now right at the chapter highlight.

For the ‘final check,’ there’s someone I need to meet.

Someone who will serve as the final puzzle piece to clear this chapter.