Ch.151Dream Anastasia

After settling into our lodgings and finishing dinner, we discussed the situation and decided to follow Anastasia’s instructions.

There was no benefit in reversing our friendly relationship now, and even if I were to fall under some charm or hypnosis, it would be easy to deal with while staying at the atelier.

However, as a precaution, I stored my gun in someone else’s room for the night, and Seti, who could physically overpower me if necessary, agreed to sleep by my side.

At first, I thought it was a rational decision to minimize risk, but once we actually went to bed, I couldn’t help but regret my foolishness.

The subtle scent of Seti lying right next to me and her sweet peach-like pheromones filled my head with thoughts of exploring her body all night long.

Noticing my inner desires, Seti pleasured me five times using her hands and mouth, and at the edge of overwhelming fatigue, I barely managed to recall Anastasia’s image—

*SLAP!*

“You insolent fool! How much more must you humiliate me before you’re satisfied?!”

I suddenly received a slap across the face in the familiar white room I’d seen before.

“I never expected you to harbor romantic feelings for me. But when invited by the Queen of Succubi, wouldn’t it be proper etiquette to burn with thoughts of me until the moment you fall asleep? Not only did you wallow in another woman’s body before sleeping, but you recalled me as if remembering leftover scraps on a dining table…”

Facing the woman who was shooting complaints with tears welling in her eyes and an extremely angry expression, I carefully asked a question.

“Um… who are you…?”

“What? You don’t recognize me? Look at me more carefully!”

“Well, even if you tell me to look carefully, I don’t know where to… huh?”

Only then did I realize that the mature woman before me emanated a strangely familiar aura.

Flowing white long hair like satin, skin whiter than Phyllis’s yet somehow not appearing sickly pale.

Except for the black horns protruding from both sides of her head, her face subtly resembled Anastasia’s.

But the resemblance was limited to slight facial features; her body was something even the term “dynamite figure” would fail to adequately describe.

A tall, slender height just under 170cm, breasts so voluptuous that cup sizes became meaningless, yet a waist so slim it could be embraced with one arm, and explosive hips that rivaled her chest.

All she wore on that sensual body was a high-leg bodysuit lingerie with garter belt stockings.

The waist portion of the bodysuit was made of semi-transparent see-through material, revealing everything from below her chest to the dangerously low part of her lower abdomen.

Behind her waist, bat-like black wings and a devil’s tail swayed seductively.

She was the very embodiment of the term “Succubus Queen.”

“You’re not… Anastasia’s mother, are you? Could it be you yourself?”

“It seems you’re finally catching on. Yes. The Succubus Queen Anastasia Yuria Asmad, in her true form, stands before you.”

“No, no, no! This is too much of a stretch!”

The Succubus Queen Anastasia we had met appeared to be a youthful girl who looked no older than her mid-teens at best.

Even in a dream, this level of exaggeration seemed unconscionable… As I thought this, the woman before me shot me a sharp glare.

“You’re having disrespectful thoughts. The form you know is merely a disguise to avoid triggering the humans’ wariness.”

“Ah, I see. Certainly, the childlike appearance would be more likely to elicit a favorable response than this current form.”

“Good that you understand. *Sigh*… I called you to discuss important matters regarding the Book of Adventure, yet I’ve wasted time raising my voice over trivial matters.”

“Important matters? Has something happened to the Book of Adventure?”

“First, let me ask you a question. Where was the most recent place you adventured?”

“It was a dungeon. In Korkas Gorge… Ah, I suppose you wouldn’t know it by that name.”

“The location doesn’t matter. Tell me in detail what you saw and experienced in this ‘dungeon.'”

“Hmm… to explain it briefly.”

I began explaining everything from our mission to eliminate the Black Heart Gang, how the three-eyed man created a dungeon with mysterious powers, and all the events we experienced after entering the dungeon at the time he had specified.

Anastasia listened quietly without saying a word, and only after I finished my explanation did she slowly speak.

“Hmm, so that happened. A pale-skinned man with three eyes…”

“Does that ring any bells?”

“That would likely be a type of demon race called the Third Eye. According to your classification, they would be considered intelligent monsters, like succubi.”

“Is creating dungeons a special ability of this Third Eye race?”

“No, the Third Eye race doesn’t possess such abilities. Whether it’s that ‘Gentleman’s’ personal ability, or if he used some kind of magic or tool… it’s difficult to judge at present.”

“So the truth remains a mystery…”

Learning that the Gentleman’s identity was a monster race called the Third Eye could be considered progress, but it felt like we were merely scratching the surface without getting to the core of the matter.

“By the way, what was that about the Book of Adventure?”

“There was a change in the Book of Adventure. The dungeon you went to was about to be added as the second destination, but then it suddenly disappeared. Probably because you eliminated the dungeon.”

“Did we perhaps destroy the dungeon without discovering something important?”

“I don’t think those who can see Arcane Words would have missed anything. However, similar incidents might occur in the future, so if you enter another dungeon, would you consider thinking of me every night before sleeping?”

“You want to meet like this to exchange opinions about dungeon conquests?”

“Exactly. Though I cannot rashly leave this city, if I can hear about what you’ve encountered through dreams, I might be able to provide helpful information.”

“Hmm…”

Having Anastasia, with her knowledge of ancient Grantis, as an advisor is certainly appealing.

The Third Eye race, the taboos of Armedia, and other such matters—it seems likely that many of the incidents we’ll face in the future will be closely related to ancient Grantis.

However, before accepting this proposal, there’s something I need to confirm first.

“I’ll need to discuss with my companions before answering whether we’ll accept that proposal, but there’s something I need to confirm first.”

“What is it?”

“Anastasia, Queen of the Succubi, what is your true objective?”

“Didn’t I tell you before? The Book of Adventure, which opened a transfer gate to my sanctuary that should have been inaccessible to anyone. I aim to monitor this dangerous grimoire that you possess.”

“If that were your only purpose, you’d have no reason to be interested in the anomaly of a second destination appearing. That destination wasn’t your sanctuary, and it was canceled as soon as we demolished the dungeon. Yet you’re still trying to track our movements and investigate changes in the Book of Adventure, which suggests you have another purpose.”

After saying that, I closed my eyes briefly and recalled our first meeting with Anastasia.

Due to everything that happened then, many details have been forgotten or blurred, but one thing remains clearly in my memory.

“Across time, beyond the horizon, to the unknown tower hidden in the mirage.”

“…!”

“This is the incantation written in the Book of Adventure to open the gate to your sanctuary. When you heard these words, your consistently composed demeanor crumbled, and you were greatly flustered. In other words, this phrase was more shocking to you than the Book of Adventure itself.”

Connecting this fact with the current situation leads to an interesting hypothesis.

If a second destination was about to be registered in the Book of Adventure, an incantation to open a gate to that place would have appeared and disappeared as well.

Learning this, Anastasia wants us to contact her before challenging the next dungeon, to coordinate with her.

As if she wants to handle something properly next time that she missed this time.

“Anastasia. You’re trying to ‘complete’ the Book of Adventure, aren’t you?”

“…If you’ve reached that conclusion, there’s no point in lying. Yes. As you’ve guessed, I desire for the words written in this Book of Adventure to be completed.”

“What meaning does that incantation hold? What happens when it’s completed?”

“I cannot speak of that yet. Ancient beings like myself bear various constraints and taboos.”

“Are these taboos related to the entity called Armedia?”

When fighting the Gentleman who revealed his true nature, he said I was “casually tearing apart Armedia’s taboos.”

If Anastasia the succubus and the Gentleman of the Third Eye race are from the same era, perhaps I can approach the Gentleman’s secrets through her.

“Hehe… heheheh, you truly are a remarkable man.”

“Don’t just laugh it off. If there’s anything you can tell me, please share even a little. That’s how I’ll judge whether to trust and cooperate with you.”

“Very well. Though I cannot speak much, I will declare just two things with certainty.”

Anastasia faced me directly with a truly satisfied smile.

“First, I have no intention of being hostile to you colonists… no, to humanity living in present-day Grantis. My act of completing the Book of Adventure will ultimately lead to results beneficial for humanity.”

“That’s easy to say…”

“Of course, I know this alone won’t earn your trust. Therefore, {I swear by the name of the White Demon Lord Anastasia} that what I just said is true. This is the second thing I can tell you.”

I swear by the name of the White Demon Lord Anastasia.

Those words, uttered as an Arcane Word, penetrated my heart like a refreshing breeze, giving me a pleasant sense of relief.

“What was that just now…?”

“William J. Kim, the most valuable boy in the world. Remember the name of the White Demon Lord. If you follow that name, someday you will reach the secrets you seek to uncover.”

“…I’ll remember it. As for whether I’ll cooperate in completing the Book of Adventure, I’ll think about it more before answering.”

“Do so. I am satisfied with today’s meeting just for being able to speak that name again. Heheheh…”

“I’m glad you’re in a good mood. May I leave now?”

“Yes. Open that door and you will wake up at the appropriate time. I’ll be waiting for a favorable answer.”

Leaving Anastasia behind as she waved her hand with her tail swaying, I exited the white room.