Ch.199Love

In the metropolitan city of Colland, located in the frontier territory of Colland, Delil Fantrien, the branch manager of the Adventurer’s Guild, was diligently handling his work as usual.

He was processing official documents from “higher-ups”—that is, the Adventurer’s Guild headquarters—reviewing budget proposals to make final decisions, and determining the guild branch’s future direction through meetings. All perfectly “normal” duties.

Delil, who had been conducting himself no differently from other Adventurer’s Guild branch managers, quickly finished his day’s work and was now deep in thought alone, having dismissed even his secretary.

He was troubled because his ambitious “Colland Domination Plan” wasn’t progressing as he had hoped.

‘Why… It should have been a perfect move?’

Not only had his methods—which he had inwardly praised as perfect—failed one after another, but circumstances suggested that the opposing side had likely noticed that he possessed the “Eye.”

In short, he was frustrated that while his ambitions were high, reality was nothing but a sewer; despite his best efforts, nothing was coming to fruition…

【Oh, hello.】

“You are…”

Just then, the very person who had given Branch Manager Delil Fantrien the power of the “Eye” appeared before him. His main sponsor and supporter, likely connected to a cult—”she” revealed herself.

She had been Delil’s patron since before he became branch manager and had even gifted him the “Eye”—Delil’s beautiful sovereign.

Seeing this great messenger of “Gluttony” wrapped in nobility worthy of his respect, Delil, a faithful servant of “Gluttony,” immediately bowed his head deeply and offered sincere praise from the depths of his heart.

“My great Gluttony, to grace me with your direct presence… it is an honor.”

【…Yes, I am pleased as well.】

“Corruption” that had burrowed deep into his brain using the “Eye” as a medium. Delil, who had claimed “I can control the power,” had ultimately become nothing more than a puppet with his very sense of self completely distorted.

While he appeared to have self-awareness at a glance, he had already lost control, and this meat puppet was the result of actively exploiting Delil’s arrogance.

Even if he could imitate his former self, it was merely mimicry rather than something stemming from his essence—a fake with only a glossy shell remaining, who now bowed his head to Gluttony in greeting.

A harsh fate for one who didn’t even realize he was a distorted fake until the trigger was pulled, who had become this way due to someone’s deeply personal revenge.

After watching him bow in what was essentially a state worse than death, she lightly flicked her hand to input a command into the “shell” before completely vanishing from the spot.

And in the absence of “Gluttony”…

“…Hmm? Did I doze off for a moment?”

Unaware that he was merely an algorithm mimicking the original, having lost all memory of the recent experience, Delil Fantrien awoke from his coma-like state.

Though he himself, this soulless protein doll, believed he still existed in the same intact form as before.

※ ※ ※

“I” regain consciousness.

No, perhaps I haven’t regained it at all.

A state no different from recovering consciousness in a world dyed in darkness where not even an inch ahead is visible.

Now, as my self hasn’t fully awakened, my cognitive abilities are blurred and my thoughts scattered.

The first thing I experience is complete emptiness where not even an inch ahead is visible.

In emptiness, time doesn’t flow. There is no future or past. Here, at least internally, even the concept of space doesn’t exist.

It’s just that my consciousness is hazy and my cognitive abilities diminished, making me unable to grasp the situation; if I were to perceive this with a clear mind, my brain might simply melt.

As “I” merely existed in this fragment of the literally surreal “infinity,” the “void” itself beyond began to distort and take form.

Stars—it was a cluster of stars.

Twinkling stars, a brilliantly shining galaxy. This flow of stars, decorating the void like a beautiful night sky, is a beautiful “concept” in itself.

She, “she” made of stars, was “Love.”

The pure words of love whispered between lovers. The sticky love stained with lust and desire. Love shining brilliantly beautiful. Love, love, all forms of love…

A being whose form is no different from a concept itself condensed into a recognizable form—Vanessa, the goddess of love.

Appearing with the attendance of baby angels with impressive fluttering little wings, the goddess addressed “me.”

【Child, why do you reject the love directed toward you?】

What, what is she saying?

The deity from the pantheon, famous for being so reluctant to move, finally appears only to ask something that sounds less like a divine question and more like relationship advice.

But her unique atmosphere and charisma, the affection bestowed simply by existing toward all things, was more than enough to create cracks in my firmly closed heart…

‘…Because I’m afraid.’

I voiced my true feelings through a mouth I didn’t even know when it had begun to exist.

【Afraid? What are you afraid of?】

The possibility that my love will be distorted and unfulfilled. The possibility that evil deeds will reach my love and its fruits. These possibilities that feel real even before fear.

How could I not understand individual emotions? Could I really ignore such blatant intentions by pretending not to see them?

Fear was planted in my avoidance of these obvious signals like a coward.

The terror of bearing love. The terrible fear that my soul is made of something I don’t even know myself.

The dreadful fear that the fruit of love might arrive in the worst possible form.

That was the real reason I had been avoiding those feelings directed at me all this time.

【…It’s true, isn’t it.】

Yes, it is. Though you, who truly cherish the love of sentient beings, might find it frustrating, I ultimately couldn’t overcome my fear of it.

Love, yes, love is good. But I’m still not fully prepared, and at the same time, I still have a fragile mind that can’t handle the risks.

【That’s not your weakness. …It’s wise caution.】

If you say so, I am very pleased. But… it still seems more difficult for me to fully accept love as you and your followers say.

No, perhaps there’s another intention…

【…Yes. It’s no wonder Jeftal asked me to come see you once.】

Lord Jeftal?

【Yes, the chief deity of the pantheon. The god you serve. He probably considered the influence you would have on the world if left alone. Someday… it wouldn’t be surprising if the world exploded.】

…He’s interested in me?

【Yes. You were born as a child of evil, and despite being constantly tempted, you continued to reject evil’s seduction. You’re exactly the type of human Jeftal would like.】

Lord Jeftal… me…

【Hmm, well. You seem adequately impressed. Then… I should say a few words before sending you back.】

…A few words.

【Yes, just a few. For example… first, you needn’t worry about your child being inherently corrupted. There isn’t even a trace of corruption in your flesh and soul, so there’s nothing to be inherited or passed down.】

…?!

【That’s a good reaction. Then, let me continue. You can have a little more confidence.】

Confidence?

【That’s right, confidence. That madman Cronima gets irritated because someone qualified is hesitating, but “we” can mostly wait patiently.】

【Ah, and let me add one more thing.

When you wake up, your life will enter a new phase.】

‘…Huh?’

※ ※ ※

-Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!

What rings in my ears as I wake from sleep, what wakes me up, is none other than the sound of birds.

“Nngh… Mmm…”

Why? Feeling unusually tired and heavy, I wondered about the reason and tried to do a simple stretch to restore my dizzy mind to normal, but…

-…Squish.

‘…Huh?’

An ominous softness felt by my outstretched arm. Feeling something I shouldn’t feel in a place where it shouldn’t be, I felt my pupils shake as I opened my previously closed eyes wide to look around—

‘…What the.’

For some reason, I was lying in bed with the Wolfblood sisters in their natural state—to be frank, naked.

Moreover, on one side of the table, a scented candle with a suggestive aroma had been extinguished by a timer, and the smell wafting to my nose reminded me of the cruel reality.

“What the f—”

Honestly, expecting someone to maintain composure even in this situation might be the most unreasonable demand.