Ch.168168. Taking Responsibility?

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Consciousness slips away.

It feels like my entire body is continuously falling into a bottomless darkness.

I can’t remember when it started, and this sensation persists for so long that I can’t even guess when it will end.

I’ve been in this state ever since I regained consciousness.

I try calling out to the two humans who were always by my side.

“Calivan Chrysanyx.”

No answer.

“Valkarsus Allan Armada.”

Likewise, no answer.

The fact that I can’t communicate with these two individuals—who should be accessible whenever my mind is present—suggests only one thing.

Even the connection through our souls has been severed.

In other words.

My soul has left my body.

“…”

This means I’ve entered the White Demon’s “Binding” event that I tried so desperately to avoid.

There are several reasons why this is considered the worst event.

First, it forces you into an emergency event regardless of whether you’re in the middle of a main event.

Being forced into something without any choices during a critical moment is bad enough, but it becomes even more terrifying because it’s a random event that can manifest in unpredictable ways.

‘…At least I’ve prevented my body from dying.’

I’ve placed a substitute inside my body using spirit entities as a sort of life support system, so at least I won’t die immediately.

This means that while I’m trapped here, it’s still possible to somehow deal with the hero selection process that must be happening outside.

Even without memories, my knowledge and abilities shouldn’t differ much from my original self, so things should work out somehow.

With these thoughts, I continue falling.

“…”

How much time has passed?

With a flash, a spark flies across my vision, and simultaneously.

-…

-…!

Suddenly, a “world” materializes before my eyes.

Information floods in around me along with a bright light.

A magnificent mansion. A spacious bedroom.

And I’m currently lying on a large bed placed in one corner of that room.

“…?”

I look around with a puzzled expression.

In the game, when Elia Krisanax was targeted by the White Demon, the events included “forced summoning to Pandemonium” or “withstanding the White Demon’s mental attack for over 24 hours”—all potentially fatal events.

So why am I summoned to such a peaceful setting?

“…Wake up. What time do you think it is to still be sleeping?”

As I’m pondering this, such a voice flies toward me from the front.

Following those words, I raise my body and look around, finding someone sitting at the table before me.

“A personal attendant should manage their master’s schedule before starting the day. Waking up later than me shows negligence in your duties. Do you understand?”

I examine the girl who speaks while sipping her tea.

A white one-piece dress. Long black hair covering one eye. Snow-white skin.

She’s a beautifully picturesque girl, as if carved from glass.

It’s a face I recognize.

However, she looks about 10 years younger than the familiar figure I know.

And sadly.

That person could never create such a… “formal” face.

Dignified posture. An atmosphere that screams “noble lady.” Filled with proper etiquette.

The one I remember wore tattered rags and lingered in the corner of a warehouse.

“…”

But from that difference.

I roughly understand “what situation” this is.

“I heard this is the first time we’re seeing each other face to face.”

The girl who said that slowly approached me and casually extended her hand.

“But please be careful not to let this happen again.”

Simultaneously, a window appears before my eyes.

< System Message >

[Entering the mental world of target ‘Yuria’.]

This is.

‘Yuria Greyhaunter’s’ past.

The Yuria before she captured the “Severed One”—something never properly covered in the main game.

The story of a girl still untainted, long before she became isolated from the world.

“…”

So she had this image before capturing the Severed One.

It’s impossible to imagine that she’s now an extreme loner without a single friend.

You could almost call her Little Elnore with this atmosphere.

While thinking this, another window appears before my eyes.

< Event Info >

▶Sweet Play-Acting◀

[Persuade target ‘Yuria/White Demon’.]

[Your assigned ‘role’ is ‘Lady Yuria’s personal attendant’. Do not break character!]

[You have a 3-day time limit. If you break character or fail to escape the mental world within that time, you will be trapped in this world forever!]

“…?”

It’s full of incomprehensible statements.

What does it mean by persuasion, assigned role, and not breaking character?

I don’t understand why the White Demon is showing me this either.

But.

“…”

I intuitively understand.

I am this person’s “personal attendant,” and if I act outside that role, things won’t end well.

“…Hello, my lady.”

So for now, it’s better to play along.

Saying that, I firmly grasp Yuria’s extended hand.

“…?! —–!!!!”

But immediately.

She jumps back in shock as if an electric current ran through her body. She’s letting out an almost silent scream from her mouth.

As I look at her with a puzzled expression, Yuria—who just moments ago was acting so dignified—completely shatters that image.

“…W-what do you think you’re doing…!”

“…Didn’t you extend your hand for a handshake?”

“When a lady extends her hand, you’re supposed to lightly hold just the fingertips and kiss it! You fool! Idiot! Barbarian!”

“…”

I’m at a loss for words watching her squeeze her eyes shut and squeal with tears welling up.

Is that how it works?

“Gripping so tightly, th-that, doing something like that is only possible between l-lovers…!”

Yuria, who was trying to continue speaking, suddenly covered her mouth in shock.

Then, squeezing her eyes shut again, she rapidly fires off words.

“…I-I don’t care! H-hurry up and get ready. Today is a very busy day!”

“…”

I silently watch the young Yuria who disappears with a whoosh outside the room after saying that.

‘…I guess this really is her.’

This aversion to physical contact matches the image of Yuria that I know.

Though I’ve never tried it myself, she seems like someone who would explode like this even with slight skinship.

“…”

Well, that aside.

For now, I need to gather information about the current situation.

Then I might at least understand why the White Demon put me in a place like this.

‘…A personal attendant, huh.’

I mutter those words as I get out of bed.

If I’m not mistaken, it seems like a very busy position, just as Yuria said.

Busy enough that it wouldn’t be strange to get caught up in any kind of incident.

●

“…So you’re saying not to let multiple women meet each other, right?”

[Yes. Absolutely.]

“…”

Darwood Campbell frowned slightly at those words as he walked down the corridor.

He was on his way back to his quarters after receiving confirmation from Sir Indra that he could leave.

This was his reaction because Calivan Chrysanyx remained silent no matter how many times he asked why such an act would be dangerous.

“…”

Darwood scratched his head in dissatisfaction and sighed.

It was an understandable reaction since Calivan clearly didn’t want him digging too deeply into his past.

“…Then let’s go back to the quarters and think about it.”

[Yes. Good thinking.]

As soon as they returned to the quarters while conversing.

Darwood encountered Riru Garda with a blank expression.

She must have been waiting in front of his quarters.

“…”

Why. Again.

What is it this time.

Perhaps those thoughts were clearly visible on his face, as Riru frowned and opened her mouth.

“What’s with that face? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“…Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

Darwood barely answered with a forced smile.

At this, Riru gave him a strange look but instead of questioning him further, she held out an envelope she was holding.

It contained snacks and a few simple medicines, neatly packed.

“Here. A discharge gift. I brought some things commonly used in the Tribal Union.”

“…”

“Don’t overdo it. You have to participate in the hero selection in your current condition. I heard from Sir Indra that there’s nothing seriously wrong, but still take care of yourself.”

“…”

“…Why are you making that face again?!”

Riru exclaimed in alarm at the sight of Darwood with tears welling up in his eyes.

Is this really something to be so moved by?

“…Um, Riru-ssi.”

“Just call me Riru. What’s with the formal ‘ssi’?”

Darwood sighed in relief when he saw her wave her hands in disgust as soon as he used the honorific.

Thank goodness.

Unlike the others, this person clearly hasn’t extended any twisted desires toward him. The atmosphere exudes that of a close “friend.”

If that’s the case.

Perhaps it’s okay to ask something like this.

“…We’re, we’re just friends, right?”

“…”

Riru’s expression instantly soured.

Friends.

Just friends.

The feeling from that word was somehow extremely unpleasant.

The relationship between herself and this man was definitely, how should she put it.

More intimate than that, surely.

‘…Should I just deceive him?’

Such a wicked thought crawls out from within her mind.

Sir Indra did say he was in a state where he could be easily deceived.

“…”

But.

Riru immediately slapped her own cheek with a loud smack.

‘…What am I doing?’

She had decided to compete fair and square.

She won’t resort to deceiving this guy.

She could hear the blue one behind her clicking its tongue, but this resolve at least—

“It’s different from the others, right? We’re just friends…?”

“…Others?”

“…”

When Riru blankly questioned him, Darwood jumped back in surprise.

Seeing his expression that clearly showed he realized his mistake, Riru narrowed her eyes and took a step toward him.

“What others? What did they say to you?”

“…Ah, nothing.”

Bull.

This clearly means there are women who have approached him and suggested they’re “more than friends.”

“…”

These shameless women.

Here she is trying to compete fair and square, and they’ve thrown away all conscience and just do whatever they want…!

“…Did I perhaps… act inappropriately toward you too, Riru-ssi?”

And following that anger, seeing Darwood questioning with an anxious expression.

Riru’s heart sank.

Somehow.

Somehow, seeing him look so “unstable” like this.

A mischievous desire she had originally decided not to harbor rises within her.

If this guy who’s usually so meticulous shows her a side that seems like he’s “clinging” to her.

If he shows her a “possibility” that she could have him at her mercy.

Riru gulped dryly.

‘…Hmm…’

And it seems the others have already made their moves and done whatever they wanted.

If that’s the case.

“…What would you do if we had that kind of relationship?”

Just once.

Wouldn’t it be okay for her to “deviate” as well?

Darwood’s expression instantly filled with grief. With a face almost consumed by despair, he tightly closed his eyes, then weakly dropped his head.

“…bility.”

“What?”

At the voice that came out like a whisper, Riru brought her ear a little closer.

“I’ll take… responsibility. I don’t know what I did to you, Riru-ssi.”

“…”

“Whatever it is, I’ll… definitely take responsibility…!”

Ah.

Is that so.

Riru’s breathing became slightly rapid.

Heat rises throughout her body, including her face. A smile unconsciously forms on her lips.

“Really?”

At the same time, Riru flung open the door to Darwood’s private room.

Before he could answer, she threw Darwood’s body onto the bed.

As he tumbled onto it, she immediately followed and pinned his arms down with both her hands.

“…Riru-ssi?”

Such a voice flowed from Darwood, trapped beneath her on the bed.

Like.

A slightly frightened voice.

The heat surging through Riru’s body intensified. Her heart pounds. Her lower abdomen grows hot.

“W-why are you doing this?”

Sadistic feelings emerge.

This guy who always acts like he knows everything.

Now crushed beneath her. Like this.

Defenseless. Vulnerable.

As if he would follow whatever she does.

“…Let me tell you what you did to me.”

Heat circulates through her body. It rises hotly.

She doesn’t know what she’s saying.

She honestly speaks as her desire leads her.

“You asked me to ‘raise your child.'”

It’s actually true.

Although a lot is omitted, it’s definitely not a lie.

Darwood’s face filled with shock.

“You, just now, clearly.”

Riru grinned.

“…Said you’d take responsibility for ‘anything,’ right?”

Undoubtedly.

It was the smile of a predator facing its prey.

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