Ch.132132. Corporal Punishment

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[Come to think of it, you really do have a strange fate.]

“Pardon?”

[I bet if you searched all of human history, you’d be the only one who needs to calm down both a Demonic Vessel and a holy maiden just to get someone to tutor you?]

“…”

Let’s not say things that make us sad.

I sigh at Calivan Chrysanyx’s words and look at the room before me.

Yuria Greyhaunter’s room had more of an adult’s decadent aesthetic than I expected.

The biggest reason would be this smell wafting from the entrance.

‘…Alcohol?’

The scent of alcohol permeates the air even before opening the door.

Well, technically she’s an adult so there’s nothing wrong with her drinking.

But considering her image, it really doesn’t suit her at all.

Given her appearance and how she usually carries herself, she seemed like someone who would avoid not just alcohol but anything related to entertainment.

Not because she’s a model student, but rather…

Because she had no one to enjoy it with.

“…”

It’s a sad assessment even after I’ve accepted it, but it’s undeniably true.

However, that also means…

That she’s in quite a dangerous state right now.

She’s someone who somehow endured being left alone in a corner of the academy for so long.

But if she’s drowning herself in alcohol now, when her sister is nearby too, it means she’s truly pushed to her mental limits.

That feeling was clearly conveyed the moment I opened the door and entered.

“…Oh, it’s Darwood.”

“…”

I could tell just by looking at Yuria, who slurred those words as soon as I entered.

“…This, this is a dream, right? There’s no way, Darwood would, come looking for, someone like me.”

She giggled as those words slipped out.

Though she was laughing, underlying it was the distinct feeling of someone who had completely given up hope and fallen into despair.

“I must not have, drunk enough. Hehehe…”

“…”

I sigh as I watch Yuria bring the bottle to her lips with completely lifeless eyes and a vacant smile.

She’s in really bad shape.

Normally, Lucien Greyhounter would have taken care of her before she got to this point, but he’s also in bad shape right now.

From what I heard from Ophelia, both of them have been holed up in their rooms for days.

“…Pull yourself together.”

Saying that, I snatch the bottle that Yuria was about to put back in her mouth.

“Stop drinking this stuff.”

“…”

Yuria blinked, looking alternately at her hand that had been holding the bottle and my hand that had taken it away.

Then, her face rapidly turned pale.

She seems to have realized that I’m neither an illusion nor anything else.

“D-Darwood, Darwood…?!”

“Yes. It’s Darwood. I came because I have something to say.”

She backs away as if she’s seen a ghost and presses herself against the wall.

In that situation, she desperately fiddles with the worn collar around her neck. Along with my handkerchief hanging beside it.

She must have touched it countless times; even though I gave it to her not long ago, the family crest has become so worn that it’s barely recognizable.

It must have become almost a habit for her.

“…”

It’s frightening.

What could it possibly mean to her that she attaches so much significance to it?

And even more frightening is the current situation where I have to say these things to someone like her.

“Take that off.”

As soon as I point to the collar and say that, Yuria’s face turns deathly pale.

Her whole body is trembling. Tears are welling up in her eyes.

She looks as if an inevitable catastrophe has finally arrived.

“…I’m, sorry.”

The first thing that came out was a fragile voice, almost like a sob.

“I’m sorry, please don’t abandon me, I’ll do anything, anything at all, so please, please…”

“…”

“I, I did wrong. I did wrong, Darwood. Please, don’t abandon me…”

She mutters those words like someone who’s lost their mind. Her eyes wander aimlessly, having lost their focus.

By the last sentence, her voice breaks at its lowest point, like a cry uttered through tears.

She seems to have completely lost her mind, even compared to her drunken state earlier.

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Yuria’s corruption level is rapidly increasing! ]

[ It has surpassed 90%! ]

“…”

I inwardly sigh at the sight.

I make a final check of my ‘plan’.

I’m originally terrible at this kind of thing. I’ve never done it before.

But considering the characteristics of demons, this is the right approach.

When it comes to anything related to me, demons all rush in with bloodshot eyes for things that ‘other demons’ can never possess. They’re mainly obsessed with forming relationships in ways that other demons can’t. You can tell just by how the Blue Demon fell for it when I was used as collateral last time.

But among them…

The only one who accepts anything regardless of ‘type,’ as long as it’s extreme, is the White Demon.

Being the demon of obsession means, conversely, that she’ll accept anything to ‘not lose’ something.

In other words…

In a situation where she thinks she’s ‘wronged’ me, there are things I can do as temporary measures to improve her mood.

[ The effect of ‘Title: Playboy’ is activated! ]

[ Your actions receive a correction! ]

Yes. I knew it would activate.

Next…

The ‘new collar’ I got from Vulcan clicks around Yuria’s neck.

Yuria’s eyes widen momentarily.

She feels around her neck with an expression of disbelief.

“No matter what I say, I know your heart won’t be at ease. So…”

My cold voice settles low in the room.

“You need to be punished, don’t you?”

The atmosphere I’m trying to create is like that of a ‘villainous duke obsessed with the heroine in a romance novel.’

You know, like a charming bad boy.

I can hear Calivan Chrysanyx roaring with laughter inside the Soul Linker.

[Y-you, of all people, a villainous duke, this f-fu, fuck, sh-shit, wa-waha, ahahaha-!]

“…”

Shut up.

But thanks to the trait, I continue my act skillfully despite such interference.

“…Punishment?”

To Yuria, who blankly repeats the question, I speak in a voice that still maintains the same tone.

“Tomorrow evening. Come outside the Elphante Academy living quarters. I’ll administer your ‘punishment’ there.”

However, it’s not just cold.

I also include sophisticated emotional acting that mixes in a subtle ‘possessiveness.’

I’m speaking in a way that makes it feel like I’m not simply disliking her, but using this as an excuse to do various things with her since I’ve caught her fault.

The Playboy trait is amazing. It gives me the ability to speak like a real playboy.

“Until then, I’m confiscating this.”

Saying that, I dangle the collar I just removed in front of her.

I continue with a voice tinged with mockery.

“A bad girl like you doesn’t need something like this. Right?”

“…N-no, please give it ba…”

I wrap the leash connected to Yuria’s collar around my hand as she tries to speak urgently. She flies toward me with a shallow scream.

Grabbing both her cheeks with one hand as she comes right up to my face, I speak again in a sinister voice.

“I’ll decide that after seeing your attitude tomorrow.”

“…”

Yuria looks at me with wide eyes.

“…Th-then…”

Yuria swallows hard before speaking.

“If I show you a good side of me… could I possibly get it back?”

“It’s possible.”

I answer while stylishly brushing back my hair.

Though I hear someone choking inside the Soul Linker, I maintain an elegant atmosphere.

“Though it would be infinitely difficult.”

“…”

At those words, a resolute determination appears on Yuria’s face.

“…I-I’ll do it! No matter what you ask of me!”

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Yuria’ finds hope in your words! ]

[ The target’s corruption level decreases dramatically! ]

Good.

I’ve achieved my goal.

From her perspective, I’ve made her think this is finally an opportunity to be forgiven for her ‘sin.’ No matter how much I say I forgive her, it’s obvious she’d still have anxiety like “What if he’s just saying that…?”

If I do this much well, I’ve laid the groundwork for the ‘event’ I’ve prepared for tomorrow.

If I do well, I might be able to kill two birds with one stone.

Including managing the Grand Assassin who will be sticking to the back of my head like glue.

“…Let’s see if you can keep your word.”

Leaving those words behind, I exit Yuria’s room.

< System Message >

[ Title ‘Playboy’ is deactivated! ]

[ Skillful gaslighting! Your proficiency increases! ]

[ This title is judged to be extremely suitable for your aptitude! The title will soon be strengthened! ]

“…”

As that window appears…

[…]

[…]

I feel the stinging silence of two people inside the Soul Linker.

Seeing that it’s two people, it seems Valkarsus Allan Armada is also awake after a long time.

[You, sir.]

‘Valkarsus. Be quiet.’

[Normally I would, but when the first thing I see upon waking up after a long time is this, I’d like to say something too.]

“…”

[I clearly understand that the reason that young lady was angry was because of you. And then you almost died because of your mistake, but now you’re turning it around and making it seem like she’s the one who did something wrong?]

“…”

[I believe you know what I’m trying to say.]

As I remain silent, Calivan speaks up with a voice mixed with laughter.

[Hey, Boy King.]

[What is it?]

[Do you know what a standing ovation is, by any chance?]

[I haven’t heard of it, but I understand it’s a culture of expressing admiration. Is the subject this man’s shattered humanity?]

[We’re on the same page, good sir.]

Clap clap clap clap.

Clap clap clap clap.

“…”

I remove the Soul Linker at the sound of the continuous applause.

This person finally came out after a long time, and he’s already been influenced by Calivan.

“…Haah.”

Sighing, I fiddle with the ‘spare’ collar in my possession.

I seem to have handled Yuria well, but there’s one more person who needs this.

Someone who needs my attention because they’re similarly depressed, and additionally, someone who’s needed as a ‘safety measure’ for tomorrow’s event.

Right around here.

●

For Lucien Greyhounter, the cathedral was a space that conveyed ambivalent emotions.

The first emotion it conveyed would be comfort.

It’s a natural feeling since it’s the place she spent the most time in since childhood.

The hard stone floor of the chapel, the cozy darkness of the confessional, the gentle silence, even the solemn scent spreading from the incense burner.

All of these elements constitute the majority of the memories that make up the human being called Lucien. She couldn’t dislike it even if she wanted to.

But the second emotion it conveyed was completely opposite to that.

Because most of the bad things she experienced in the Holy Empire also happened here.

A fate of being ‘raised’ as a being to be used in the Pope’s future plans, like a bird trapped in a cage.

‘The Paradise Plan.’

There is a place called the Sacred Territory in a corner of the Holy Empire.

On the surface, it’s just ruins with nothing there, but it’s quite famous among merchants and connoisseurs. High-quality holy relics are often found in that area.

It’s also a place of religious significance.

Though not as widely known as the Void Zone where demons are said to sleep, it’s a place with legends passed down about the ‘Army of Angels’ sleeping there.

And the Pope is a person who dreams of resurrecting ‘something’ from that place.

Yuria and herself were meant to be sacrificed as ‘keys’ for such a plan.

And…

There was a man who saved her and her sister from such a fate.

“…”

Lucien’s concentration broke momentarily as she was praying after bringing water to the holy relic.

In her mind, images of the previous ‘accident’ flashed by.

The image of a man who suffered a fatal wound, his body split in half by her sister’s sword.

Even in such a dying state, he restrained her until the end, concerned that harm might come to Lucien herself. That image wouldn’t leave her mind.

“…”

Her concentration breaks.

She bit her lip until it bled.

Though she had never experienced this during prayer before, lately even simple concentration has become impossible.

Each time, a numbing guilt rises as if eating away at her mind.

She is powerless.

Despite bearing the title of a holy maiden, she couldn’t protect even one man who had shown her such kindness.

“As I thought, you were here.”

Lucien flinched as if an electric current had run through her body at that voice.

It was the voice of the very man she had been thinking about.

“…What brings you he-“

Before she could finish her words.

Click.

A collar was placed around Lucien’s neck.

“…?”

Lucien looked at the other person with a puzzled expression.

It was a reaction born from her failure to immediately comprehend what had just happened.

Then, she stroked her neck with a strange look.

Yes.

It’s a collar.

The kind usually put on animals.

At least…

It’s not something to be casually put on the holy maiden who stands at the pinnacle of the continent’s believers.

“…”

“…”

A heavy silence fell between Darwood and her.

Lucien took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

It was her best effort not to lose her temper.

If it weren’t for the guilt she felt toward this man that had permeated her entire life recently, she would have twisted his jaw with some holy power she’d have squeezed out.

“…Explain.”

She had even omitted the honorific she usually used, but Darwood didn’t seem to point that out.

It was already an extremely rational response considering she hadn’t slapped him right away.

“Holy Maiden.”

So, he needed to explain well.

Darwood took several deep breaths before speaking.

Now, he had messed up by saying the wrong things at such timing more than once or twice.

This time, he was determined to gain proper cooperation through logical and rational explanation.

“There’s a reason for this.”

“Cut the crap and get to the point.”

“…No, I mean, I should first explain why I put this on-“

“Just tell me what you’re trying to do with it. You piece of trash. Compress it into one sentence.”

“…”

Darwood closed his mouth at the frost-like sentence that flew at him.

Ah, this is not a situation where explanation or anything else would work.

Then, he should at least create a pleasant atmosphere.

He smiled refreshingly. With an attitude radiating positive energy, Darwood opened his mouth energetically.

In one hand, he was holding the ‘handle’ connected to the collar he had put on Lucien’s neck.

As if handling a pet.

“Do you like walks, by any chance?”

Following that, Darwood dodged with all his might the slap that came flying at him with the intent to break his neck.

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