Ch.135135. Could You Do It Again?

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Serath Evatrice was in a state where her soul was about to leave her body.

At first, she had merely been following this man. She thought she’d be fortunate just to learn a few simple habits.

That was until she witnessed him putting “collars” on two women and dragging them somewhere.

‘Holy Maiden? Scapegoat?’

She knew about those beings.

The homunculus sisters artificially created by the Holy Empire.

Wasn’t the very reason this man had previously confronted the Pope to tell him to stop interfering with these sisters?

But what was this scene supposed to mean?

Taking the women he had rescued and doing something with such perverted taste?

‘…Ugh.’

He was an incomparably sinister man.

That was her first thought, but Serath continued to follow him nonetheless.

Though his actions made no sense, if he truly had such deviant tendencies as she was witnessing…

Then the “heart-fluttering” feeling she had experienced before must certainly have been a misperception.

If she could confirm this man’s ugly nature, she could prove definitively that her feelings had been a mistake.

With that thought, Serath followed the man and…

Witnessed Darwood Campbell summoning an angel.

“…?”

At first, she thought she must have seen wrong.

Moreover, each being there was continuously emitting divine power so intense it could stop one’s breath.

That was undoubtedly an angel.

‘…No, no, wait.’

Angels had last directly revealed themselves only when the first Hero was appointed, and during the election ceremonies of past Popes—nothing else was recorded in history.

One of the greatest authorities that legitimized the Pope was the title of “the only human who has directly faced an angel.”

But what was this?

‘…What is, this…’

What is it?

No.

No, seriously, what is this?!

She watched with a soul-drained expression.

But before her, an even more absurd situation was unfolding.

The Scapegoat, upon seeing the angel, began to rampage, spraying white energy all around.

However.

That man subdued the Scapegoat emitting such energy in an instant.

“…”

The Demonic Vessel, so easily?

By what principle?

Anyone with even a little knowledge about demon fragments and their vessels would know how absurd the scene she just witnessed was.

Serath, naturally being affiliated with the church, knew their dangers very well.

Alone

And even after that, he was interacting with those angels as if it were nothing.

Because she was maintaining a safe distance, she couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she could certainly tell they were speaking naturally and informally with each other.

Even the Pope doesn’t treat them that… “like friends.”

As if he knew everything about their essence from A to Z.

‘…Strange.’

It’s strange.

Serath clutched her head, filled with confusion.

Since she first began her work as an assassin, the Pope’s every word had been truth to her, the closest thing to the correct choice that would bring light to the world.

Those he ordered her to harm were wicked and seditious individuals who hindered that journey.

That’s what she had believed.

“…”

But why was such a man…

In such close contact with angels?

Why could he subdue demons so easily?

If he were a seditious person hindering the bringing of paradise to earth, shouldn’t he fail to meet at least one of these criteria?

If such abilities weren’t deception but real…

Then the one with such abilities should be the savior she believed in.

Only His Holiness the Pope should wield such powers.

Why this man?

“…”

Serath clutched her head with a confused expression.

●

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Serath’ is deeply shocked by you. ]

[ Target falls into ‘Confusion’ status! ]

[ Target will reduce activities to harm you for the time being! ]

I stroke my chin as I see such messages appearing one after another.

Certainly, seeing what I just did would warrant such reactions.

Religious sentiment makes up quite a large portion of her loyalty to the Pope.

While she does have personal affection for the Pope, she would definitely find it strange to see me mingling with angels, which they consider sacred, and subduing demons, which they consider blasphemous, in one go.

This is the image of a “savior” commonly depicted in their religion, after all.

Of course, a fanatic from the Pope’s side wouldn’t stop trying to kill me just because of this one thing.

But even just restraining her actions a bit is quite beneficial—

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Serath’ wants to learn more about you more actively! ]

[ She will greatly increase the frequency of contact with you! ]

“…”

This seems to have twisted a bit differently from my original intention.

She’s reducing her attempts to kill me, so that’s beneficial… right?

“…I won’t necessarily report this to my superiors.”

As I was thinking that,

The archangel in front of me, clutching her head, uttered those words like a groan.

“Because if the Lightbearers find out about contact with demons, it would cause an uproar, right?”

“…”

Another look flew at me, strangely knowing too much, but I continue with a smirk.

“Well, with factional fighting raging up there right now, there’s no need to do something that could get you in trouble. I’ll keep quiet too.”

“It’s good that you catch on quickly, but how on earth do you know such—”

“But keeping quiet comes with a cost.”

“…You came here for this from the start, you bastard.”

When I interjected that to the archangel who was about to question me, a well-shaped character appeared on her forehead, and a fierce response came back.

“I plan to repeat this… a few more times regularly.”

I look down at Yuria, who has collapsed unconscious.

“I’d appreciate your cooperation then too, just like today.”

“…Why would you need to do this insanity several more times?”

“Because it’s something I have to do.”

Because I need to stack worship points.

It’s for a happy ending in the long run, but it’s also insurance in case this one ever sees my “bare face.”

That’s a seriously dangerous death flag. Even I could be finished in one go if I trip it.

“Oh, and please prepare one sacred artifact too. I need to strengthen Ultima.”

“…What level are you asking for?”

“Do you have anything that’s been around for a thousand years, by chance? I’m not asking for something from the God-Demon War era.”

“Aren’t you just a complete robber?”

“…”

Even getting cursed at by an angel.

With those words, I watch the archangel disappear with the other murmuring angels around her.

Well, despite talking like that, she intends to grant everything I asked for. She doesn’t seem particularly displeased, judging by her reaction.

“…Um, Mr. Darwood.”

Meanwhile, Lucien’s subdued voice came from beside me.

“Yes?”

“…I have something I’d like to say.”

After staring down at the quietly closed-eyed Yuria for a long time, Lucien finally composed herself and opened her mouth.

I already know what she’s going to say.

Thanks to my subduing the demon just now, the curse infecting Yuria’s body seems to have subsided quite a bit.

It must be words of gratitude for that.

“Well, no need for empty thanks—”

“If you were going to use this for changing positions at your whim, couldn’t you have used something other than a collar?”

“…”

“Tying it around her waist or somewhere else would have worked just fine for changing positions, wouldn’t it?”

“…”

“Why specifically a collar?”

“…”

Well.

It’s just because I’m used to it.

No matter where I tied something, it was obvious this person would get angry, so I chose the collar I’d already become very familiar with while handling Yuria before.

There’s no deeper reason than that.

Really.

“…But you seem to be feeling a bit better.”

“…Yes.”

When I awkwardly changed the subject, the Holy Maiden gave me a sidelong glance but still matched her answer accordingly.

“Actually, I started thinking it’s ridiculous to feel guilty toward you. Having such emotions toward someone who treats me and Yuria like this?”

“…”

“If you’re sorry, then help us out whenever you do this kind of work in the future. That’s why you brought us here, isn’t it?”

“…”

Hmm.

That’s accurate.

Since she’s harboring guilt, I thought she might as well help me if she can.

“If you really think that way, I can only say you’re incredibly insensitive.”

“…Pardon?”

“I would have done all this just if you had asked sincerely. I already owe you mountains of debt.”

“…”

“…You’re such a kind-hearted person. The difference between when you handle people’s hearts well and when you don’t is truly heaven and earth.”

“…”

“It’s as if some part of you has been deliberately carved out. Like you’ve had countless experiences that others wouldn’t have in a lifetime, but hardly any normal human relationships.”

Holy Maiden.

Why are you suddenly attacking me?

But.

‘…Hasn’t it worked?’

She’s saying her mood has improved, but…

This feels like she’s just saying it to match my mood.

Not because she genuinely feels unburdened.

The “guilt” status showing on the system window for this person is still valid.

“…”

What should I do about this?

It’s a bit strange that it hasn’t cleared up immediately.

“…Ah, she seems to be coming to.”

As I was thinking that, she points to Yuria, who is stirring and suddenly opening her eyes.

“…”

After blinking a few times, she abruptly sat up and looked around.

“…Mr. Darwood?”

“Yes. Are you feeling alright?”

“…”

Hearing my words, Yuria checked her entire body, clenching and unclenching her hands.

“I feel unusually refreshed.”

That’s good.

As expected of the Demonic Vessel. Its durability is extraordinary. Not a single injury after all that chaos.

“So, do you remember?”

“Pardon?”

I smile at Yuria, who blinks questioningly.

“You didn’t cut me this time.”

“…”

“You stopped yourself with your own will.”

I gently stroke the head of Yuria, whose eyes are trembling.

“Well done. You’re capable of such things. That’s tremendous progress.”

This is praise that comes from the bottom of my heart.

To momentarily stop an action forced by the ‘demon’ through one’s own will.

It means she really, really, really didn’t want to cut me.

“So, I trust you too.”

Saying that, I click the previous collar back onto her neck.

It’s the item I gave to her as a “token of promise.”

“You deserve to have this.”

Yuria frantically strokes it several times.

And then.

“…Ah, uh…”

Tears well up in her eyes.

She truly looks relieved to have it back.

She almost sits on the ground, clutching it in her hands and whimpering.

It’s such an intense reaction that even I feel awkward.

Wearing a collar and all, that.

The image is a bit, you know.

Um.

[It seems you do know…]

“…”

[I wish you would realize that you’re playing with the heart of such an innocent young lady.]

“…”

There’s no need to keep reminding me that I’m trash.

I already know.

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Yuria’s ‘Lethargy’ and ‘Guilt’ are improving. ]

Yes. I don’t know about Ms. Lucien, but at least this one is noticeably improving, which is fortunate.

Thinking that, I dust myself off and stand up.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“…Yesss…”

“Then let’s go back. Sorry for being rough earlier.”

My intention was to prevent her from seeing the Seal of Fallen Heaven just now, but I did grab her collar roughly and slam her to the ground.

I should at least apologize.

“…”

Hearing my words, Yuria suddenly began to fidget.

“Um, Mr. Darwood.”

“What.”

“What if…”

She opened her mouth with a face that was strangely flushed red.

“Ah, in the future…”

Her voice is also full of trembling.

She knows she’s saying something strange, but she can’t seem to control herself.

“C-could you keep doing that to me…?”

“…”

“…”

A terrible silence flowed for a while.

“…What?”

“…J-just now.”

Yuria opened her mouth, stammering.

“I-it felt, s-strangely, g-good.”

“…”

“When Mr. Darwood h-handled me roughly, it f-felt like you were doing something to m-me that you don’t do to others, and I l-liked that…”

With a face so red it looked like it might burst, and a voice fully aware that she was saying something extremely embarrassing.

But it was a sentence that came out firmly and clearly.

“…”

“…”

Shock appeared simultaneously on my face and Ms. Lucien’s.

‘…Hey, no.’

I knew that as the White Demon’s Vessel, she would like any kind of relationship where she could “monopolize” me, but…

Isn’t this a bit extreme?

“…Y-y-you, what kind of education have you been giving her normally…!”

Lucien pointed at me with trembling fingers and said such words, but.

This is unfair.

I really didn’t do anything…!

As I was thinking that, a window suddenly appeared before my eyes.

< System Message >

[ A unique meter is added to target ‘Yuria’! ]

[ In addition to ‘Affection,’ a separate state called ‘Masochism’ is created for the target! ]

[ When conditions are met, this meter fills up, and the target strongly demands that action from you. ]

[ Penalties will be applied if you don’t satisfy the desire! ]

“…”

What?

No, after all the trouble of clearing her guilt, now some kind of penalty-like thing appears?

As I stared at the window in disbelief, text strings continued to scroll down.

[ ‘Masochism’ is a state that responds to intense contact with you! ]

[ Currently, the target’s ‘Masochism’ is at level 1! ]

[ Various functions are added to target ‘Yuria’! ]

[ Now the target’s ‘Corruption Value’ drops massively just by having related contact with you! ]

“…!”

This is amazing!

Considering how much I’ve struggled to resolve a single spike in corruption value, being able to lower it just through “contact” is an excellent merit.

Of course, I’ll need to check what kind of contact it means, but the word itself doesn’t sound threatening, so surely it won’t require anything life-threatening.

< System Message >

[ Calculating detailed range of related contact! ]

Probably.

That’s what I would have thought if a series of windows hadn’t continued to appear.

< System Message >

[ ‘Activity – Collar Walking’ is added! ]

[ ‘Activity – Fulfilling Fantasies’ is added! ]

[ ‘Activity – Light Choking’ is added! ]

[ ‘Activity – Forced Service’ is added! ]

[ ‘Activity – … ]

.

.

.

“…”

I look at the system windows scrolling down before my eyes, sweating coldly.

It was supposed to be contact.

But what it’s adding is like…

Things only a morally bankrupt perverted trash would do…!

< System Message >

[ As the Masochism level increases, increasingly intense activities will be added! ]

“…”

Stop.

Stop…!

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