Ch.148148. Invitation

“…Are you alive?”

“…”

No answer. Must be a corpse.

Talion Armand scratched his head as he surveyed the catastrophe spread around him.

His teammates were sprawled nearby, barely clinging to life.

As Elphante Academy freshmen, they probably all had confidence in their abilities.

So.

Being completely annihilated in two seconds while attacking five-against-one should have been a massive blow to their pride.

“…”

But seeing this scene only filled him with emptiness.

Several dozen square meters had been completely reduced to charcoal.

And she had done it standing in place, without even using a staff or any magical focus.

For a knight, it would be like fighting with bare fists instead of a sword.

‘…Isn’t this similar to big brother’s level?’

He had seen someone obliterate an ancient god with a single blow before, but even so, the power this woman had just demonstrated made him think such thoughts.

The manifestation of magical arts through ability manipulation was something any Elphante student could do. Knights’ body strengthening, divine protection, and the crafting department’s techniques were all based on such foundations.

And the common rule applying to all such abilities was the very intuitive principle that ‘the longer you gather power, the stronger it becomes.’

But.

This level of destruction from a spell gathered in just two seconds?

If she were to stand still like typical magic department students, prepare a long incantation, and slowly pour magical power into refining a spell, what level of power would emerge?

“…Are you really a first-year student like me?”

With Elia being challenging enough, where did another monster like this come from?

To that question, Faynol Leiphec brushed back her hair with a faint smile.

“Do you want to continue?”

“No. I give up. The difference in our levels is just too great.”

As Talion said this, he stroked the baby ice tiger trembling and clinging to his head. It was clearly terrified of Faynol.

He didn’t feel like scolding it for being a coward. After all, the only reason he wasn’t in the same sorry state as his classmates was because this little one had spread an ice curtain in front of him.

“To be fair, it wasn’t just my magical power that I gathered and fired. You don’t need to feel too discouraged.”

“…What?”

“I was just curious to see how much control I had, that’s all.”

As Talion looked at her with a puzzled expression, Faynol quietly calmed her pounding heart.

“…”

Her chest was throbbing.

She hadn’t made contact with that thing inside her for a long time, but as her emotions were gradually awakening, she had tried using a bit of its power.

The result was satisfactory.

‘…I can control it.’

In the past, even using the slightest bit of power would send her straight to the brink of going berserk.

Her theory was correct.

The more she regained her emotions, the more she could control the demonic power forcibly sustaining her life.

The more she fell for that man, the more the Red Demon came under her control.

So.

If she were to finally be completely “conquered” by that man.

‘…I can rest.’

Not much longer now.

She could put down everything she had been carrying.

And enter the eternal sleep of nothingness.

While she was thinking this, the ice tiger clinging to Talion’s head began to whimper.

“There, there, we’re not fighting anymore. Don’t be so scared.”

As Talion gently stroked it, Faynol sighed and said:

“That’s a nice magical creature.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Talion responded dryly, but she had meant it sincerely.

That creature was surprisingly intelligent.

Even now, it wasn’t simply scared—it had roughly sensed what was inside her body and was being cautious.

And, most importantly:

“When it grows, it should be quite compatible with you.”

“…What?”

“You use a spear, don’t you?”

The combination of spear and mount had proven its effectiveness countless times throughout the long history of combat.

A spear-wielder riding a grown ice tiger would undoubtedly be a formidable force.

“It would be quite competitive in the upcoming ‘Hero Selection’ as well.”

“…What?”

Talion asked with a dumbfounded voice.

Hero Selection? He had never even heard of such an event.

To begin with, the title of “hero” itself was a heavy responsibility, worthy of being called humanity’s hope.

Only someone who had endlessly proven their worth across the entire continent, someone all the hegemonic nations agreed was “the right person for the job,” could be granted such a title.

Currently, the position of hero was vacant because no one had grown to that level yet.

But.

Suddenly talking about “selecting” one? What on earth?

The impression given by her sentence was that a hero was needed “inevitably,” so someone had to be placed in that position regardless?

“Well, I think you’ll find out soon enough.”

Faynol continued with a slight smile.

“Such an event will likely happen soon because of me.”

“…”

“I thought you should know in advance.”

“…”

“That way, you can be of greater help to the ‘hero candidate’ that man will support in the selection. I have a feeling the Inquisition and the Holy Empire will definitely try to check that man.”

He had no idea what she was talking about.

Talion scratched his head in bewilderment.

“…I don’t understand what you’re saying. But anyway, thank you for complimenting this little one.”

In the end, Talion decided to respond only within the range of what he understood.

As he spoke with a wry voice, the ice tiger began to whimper again.

“…I told you we’re not fighting. Why are you like this, really.”

Talion stroked it with a bitter smile.

He really hadn’t thought it was a coward, but perhaps he should retract that assessment—

“…What?”

But before he could finish that thought.

Faynol blurted out those words in a daze.

She had felt the same thing the ice tiger was “sensing.”

Then Faynol’s head snapped around toward the slope where Darwood was located.

“…Impossible.”

Then, she muttered with a pale face.

“…Huh? Where are you going? The test is still in progress…!”

As she quickly turned to leave, Talion tried to stop her.

“That’s not important right now. We need to go to that man immediately!”

“…What? Are you talking about my brother?”

Of course. There was no one else.

Because according to what she was sensing right now.

“…There’s something that shouldn’t exist.”

“What?”

“I’m saying there’s something whose very existence shouldn’t be possible!”

At least as long as the laws of the world were functioning properly.

The energy she was sensing now belonged to a category that should never exist.

Burning ice. Frozen lava. Something like those impossible word combinations.

And the presence of such an entity…

Was being felt right near where Darwood was.

●

One thing I’ve newly realized.

Elnore has surprisingly low defenses when it comes to romantic matters.

Especially when there are eyes watching.

“…Urghh…”

While Brix, who had taken a hit from me, was lying half-unconscious and making strange groans, Elnore was twisting her body and twirling her hair between her fingers.

She seemed to be in an internal battle between the pleasant feeling of hearing such words and the thought that this wasn’t what she came here for.

“…A-Are you trying to, butter me up again, with such words?”

This time, the latter seems to have won.

Though her face was red and her speech stuttering, Elnore managed to say those words.

But, as I mentioned earlier.

This person has quite weak defenses in this area.

So, she withstood it once?

“Rather than buttering you up, my body just reacted naturally.”

“…”

“What decent person would be happy to see someone they cherish being treated as a convenient tool?”

Let’s see if she can withstand it twice.

Still not falling for it?

“…S-Still, w-why would you say things like, l-like I’m your woman, in front of everyone…”

Elnore mumbled timidly.

The distance to the podium is quite far, so hardly anyone would be able to hear it anyway, but she’s worrying unnecessarily.

“That’s because Elnore is my woman.”

This is an opportunity to attack.

Let’s see if she can withstand it three times.

Still not falling for it??

“…”

Elnore stared at me with her mouth agape, seemingly at a loss for words.

Hmm, not enough?

Let’s add one more thing.

“I can say Elnore is my woman no matter who comes along.”

“…Y-You, r-really…”

“If possible, I’d like to declare to the whole world. This person is my fiancée. I’m the luckiest man in the world—”

Before I could finish, a fist buried itself in my torso.

It was a liver shot, precisely targeting my liver like an awl.

“…”

As I collapsed to the ground without even being able to cry out in pain, Elnore trembled with her fist and uttered:

“Y-You should know s-some propriety!”

You could have just said that with words.

Was it necessary to hit me hard enough to make me see stars?

[Sigh…]

“…”

[Boy King, why is that guy sleeping right now? This is exactly the moment to applaud—]

Shut up.

I turn my head, trying to endure the pain enveloping my entire body.

Fortunately, Elnore seems to have temporarily stopped trying to beat me up with strange demands through her soul-infused teeth-grinding.

At this point, there’s definitely someone who will “react.”

‘…Come out.’

With that thought, I fix my gaze on the podium where the Chancellor is seated.

One of the public rumors circulating in the Empire’s social circles:

Chancellor Sullivan is not on particularly good terms with the Tristan Dukedom.

The Margrave of Kendrid and the Tristan Dukedom are the most powerful nobles among the anti-Chancellor faction. It’s commonly believed that the Empire’s two great noble families supporting that side is the only reason they haven’t been completely devoured yet.

There are even rumors that these are the reasons the Emperor can maintain at least a semblance of power despite the Chancellor having swallowed most of the state authority.

So, in the original work, Sullivan and the Tristan Dukedom were sworn enemies. They were desperate to destroy each other.

In other words.

If I show that there’s such a strong connection between Elnore and me, there’s a high chance there will be some kind of reaction from that side.

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

Probably as expected, some reaction is coming from that side—

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Sullivan’ feels intense anger! ]

[ Negative influence is imprinted! ]

[ Negative imprint 1 stack! ]

[ A redeemable reward is given! ]

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

[ This is a person who has a massive influence on the scenario! Subsequent quests will be completely changed depending on your interaction with this person! ]

[ Enhancement conditions for ‘Gift: Close to Ink, Close to Black’ are met! ]

‘…What?’

My eyes widen as soon as I see the content.

No.

Of course, getting angry is understandable, but.

If my memory serves me correctly, this skill originally…

< Skill Info >

[ Skill: Dominion of Evil ] [ Rank: E ]

[ Exert influence on good-aligned individuals who have been sufficiently affected by you. ]

[ Individuals under Dominion of Evil must grant one request you make. ]

[ Currently applied to: Lucien Greyhaunter, Sullivan Axcion Petronus, Elia Krisanax ]

…only applies to good-aligned individuals.

But.

The Chancellor is good-aligned?

The person who definitively contributed to Gideon’s death in the game and acted as the catalyst for Elnore’s rampage.

Is a good guy?

‘…What on earth.’

What’s going on here?

As I was thinking this in disbelief, a “golden” portal opened before me.

It’s one of the colors symbolizing the Petronus family. You could say it’s the Chancellor’s personal color.

“…”

Wait a minute.

A portal stone costs at least as much as a house, even at the lowest estimate. And they’re using it just to come here from the podium?

I suppose the Chancellor could afford such extravagance, but it gives the strong impression that this is “urgent.”

As if they couldn’t bear not to intervene right here, right now.

“It’s been a while, Lady Tristan.”

Seeing the Chancellor slowly walking out of the portal, Elnore hastily knelt down.

She looks unusually flustered.

“…It is an honor to see you, Your Excellency.”

There are very few people in the Empire to whom she would show such respect, but the Chancellor is one of the most exceptional cases.

So the Chancellor merely gave a slight nod and, without showing any particular reaction, immediately proceeded to do what they wanted to do.

That is,

Lifting me up from the ground where I had collapsed.

And holding me tightly in their arms.

“…!”

Elnore, who had been kneeling, gets up in shock.

It was such a shocking action that she even forgot to maintain proper etiquette.

“Your Excellency, what are you…!”

“You haven’t changed, have you? Really.”

The Chancellor is exceptionally tall for a woman. She’s almost at eye level with me despite my own considerable height, so when she grabbed the back of my neck and pushed down, my face was immediately buried in the Chancellor’s chest.

A soft, fluffy sensation envelops the front of my face.

“…”

No.

Really.

Wait a minute.

What is this?

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Elnore’s corruption value is rapidly increasing! ]

As I struggle in the Chancellor’s embrace, I can observe in real-time how the life is draining from Elnore’s eyes—the same Elnore who had been blushing just moments ago.

No, this is truly unfair if nothing else.

I really didn’t do anything to this person…!

“Did it hurt? You’re not someone who should suffer such violence.”

“…”

“You’ve been through a lot, Darwood. I think that’s enough for the exam, so let’s have you rest.”

And so.

In that position, a voice dripping with sticky “goodwill” reaches my ears.

‘…What?’

This situation. What is it?

I can’t adapt. I can’t understand.

If she were a Demonic Vessel, I might be able to accept it. Their attraction to me comes without any warning or plausibility.

But this person.

Why is she treating me like this?

“…Let’s have dinner together after so long, Lady Tristan.”

The Chancellor, still holding me in her arms, threw those words at Elnore with a gentle smile.

Though her tone was even.

Anyone perceptive would be able to feel the icy ferocity underneath.

Like.

The feeling of meeting a rival who must be “excluded.”

“…I have so much to ask about Darwood.”

And that.

Was undoubtedly a sentence that kindled a chilling hostility in Elnore’s already expressionless face.

“…”

I realize intuitively.

‘…This.’

The Chancellor’s anger that appeared in the system window.

The target of this person’s “anger” is not me, but Elnore.

It seems the bad relationship with the Tristan Dukedom is the same as in the original work.

She’s not angry because I’m friendly with the Tristan Dukedom, but because the Tristan Dukedom dares to be “friendly with me”!

‘…Ah.’

Why.

Why on earth.

Why is another bomb dropping…!

[You achieved your goal though?]

“…”

[The Chancellor’s intervention has turned the tables. Now that lady won’t be rushing to sleep with you tonight. Congratulations, man.]

“…”

[Though who knows what might happen during dinner.]

Please.

Stop annoying me with your accurate observations.

●