Ch.239239. Midnight Rendezvous

Victoria’s purpose for joining this side was apparently to kill her own sister.

“…Isn’t that too extreme even hearing it again?”

‘…I don’t think she’s serious.’

I watch Victoria preparing tea for guests right in front of me.

For someone who constantly wears an expressionless face, making it impossible to understand what she’s thinking, she’s handling guest reception remarkably properly.

‘You know the Empire enforces strict discrimination laws against Furries, right?’

Furries are those who exhibit particularly prominent characteristics of “different species” among humans.

I briefly saw it before, but just looking at the animal ears visible on Serath’s head, I think this person will understand what I’m talking about.

“I know. I think it’s a disgusting law.”

“…”

I didn’t expect such a straightforward agreement from someone who was supposedly the leader of Guardians who had committed to upholding justice and goodness throughout their life.

Usually, privileged elites who have achieved success tend to protect established systems, don’t they?

Someone of his status would certainly qualify as part of that class, so I expected some kind of excuse.

“That’s just an outdated evil practice. There are too few Furries left for abolishing it to become a topic of discussion.”

‘…Then this conversation should be easier.’

At the very least, this person won’t foam at the mouth and argue when I bring something up.

I sigh inwardly as I look at Victoria standing before me.

‘This one and Serath are survivors of one of those few remaining Furry clans.’

“…”

As silence follows the word “survivors,” I inwardly give a bitter smile.

This person must have caught the meaning implied in that word.

Furries basically look like humans and act like humans, but according to Imperial law, they aren’t guaranteed “human rights.”

They’re treated exactly like animals.

In other words.

There were some human scum who hunted them “for fun.”

It’s unfortunate for Calivan who heard something he shouldn’t have, but Furry hunting was actually a “sport” that was popular among some nobles.

Especially the “Furries” who often worked as assassins using their physical abilities and stealth would have been easy targets for such evil acts.

It’s perfect for attaching tired nonsense like “it’s purging for justice” or “it’s groundwork for the future” to acts of massacre.

“…Such things actually happened?”

I hold my tongue at the voice filled with sharp anger.

I’m sorry for this person who even threw away his life for the Empire, but it actually happened. Serath and Victoria are victims of it.

The source of this one’s nonsensical claim about killing her sister lies in her past as a survivor.

‘She thinks her family all died because of her sister. That’s probably why she says that.’

“…Hey, wait. Just wait. There’s a lot missing from this explanation.”

Calivan spoke in a voice that sounded like he was pressing his temples.

“You just said she’s probably not serious. But with circumstances like that, anyone would have sufficient reason to be serious, wouldn’t they?”

‘Precisely, she only suspects it. She has circumstantial evidence but no physical proof.’

It must be complicated feelings for her too.

She’s her only remaining blood relative. Even if she wants to treat her as a mortal enemy, it’s difficult to be that hostile with just uncertain suspicions.

I continue speaking as Victoria approaches with two cups of freshly brewed tea.

‘So, the probability of her saying something that serious is quite low.’

While I was thinking that, words flew in from across again.

“Let’s say whoever kills the sister first wins.”

“…”

Victoria picked up those words.

As if saying let’s eat because I’m hungry. As if it’s so obvious that it’s not even worth mentioning.

And because of that attitude.

I can clearly feel the firm determination that won’t even allow a tooth to penetrate.

“…Didn’t you say she wasn’t serious?”

‘…Hmm.’

“Her eyes look completely serious though?”

‘Well, in normal cases, that would be true.’

I answer while trying to suppress the approaching headache.

At the edge of my vision, I can see Victoria’s eyes rising with violet energy.

It seems to be “consuming” her as if matching the timing when topics related to Serath are brought up. As if clouding rational judgment.

As I said before, pieces of demons have a property of trying to merge together. If each person has one piece, the situation could easily arise where the vessel is encouraged toward “unification.”

And as my silence grows longer, I notice Victoria across from me tilting her head.

“Didn’t you tell me to propose a competition?”

“…Did I?”

“You said I could freely choose the event, so wouldn’t a ‘competition’ where the winner is whoever kills the other first be possible?”

Her tone suggests there’s no problem.

As if there’s no reason to hesitate in agreeing.

“…Let’s refuse. No matter what, this is going too far.”

Calivan said with a tone suggesting his head was throbbing.

“Aside from cooperating with this nonsensical act of killing someone, it’s just wordplay to begin with. If her purpose for joining was to kill her sister, demanding something like this is a bit-“

Certainly, that’s true, but.

Hearing those words, something flashes in my mind.

“Let’s do it, then.”

This answer came out before Calivan could finish his sentence, influenced by that flash of insight.

“…”

Victoria’s hand stopped abruptly.

She looks like she might have misheard something.

“…Pardon?”

Judging by her reaction, regardless of whether she really wanted to do this, she clearly didn’t expect me to coolly say OK like this.

She probably intended to throw out these words to extract some concession from my side, and then propose some “negotiation point” based on that.

“I said let’s do it. Killing your sister. Who does it first.”

I say with a grin.

Victoria was now looking like I did when I first heard her proposal, but I continue speaking regardless.

“But you have to keep your promise properly too?”

I mean the promise that ‘if you lose the competition, you’ll obey me.’

“…”

Victoria shuddered slightly.

She clearly sensed something ominous in my statement.

●

[…]

“…”

[…]

“…”

While walking down the corridor, I stop and let out a deep sigh.

The silence coming from the Soul Linker feels prickly. It feels like there are words filling up to the throat.

“…Calivan.”

[Hmm?]

“If you have something to say, say it.”

[No, I now realize there’s no point in asking.]

“…”

[‘What are you thinking?’ What’s the use in asking that? You’re just going to do some crazy shit again like it’s nothing…]

“…”

For a moment, I wondered what this person’s evaluation of me was, but I don’t bother voicing it.

As this person said, there are things I know without having to ask.

“…Victoria will really do it since she agreed.”

Partly influenced by the Violet Demon, and since she’s not one to go back on her word, she’ll really try to attack Serath now that we’ve agreed on this.

However.

“She’ll need some preparation.”

That’s natural.

Although Victoria herself is ranked among the Grand Assassins, considered the continent’s top assassin, a master in the art of killing “people”…

The same goes for Serath. Considering the length of time she’s maintained such a title, hers is overwhelmingly longer.

She’ll check movements, gauge capabilities, and find the most certain moment to deliver an unavoidable strike to proceed with her “work.”

And.

At this point where things have already been set up like this, I’ve already won.

I.

Plan to ‘stop’ it right now.

With that thought, I knock on the door in front of me.

“Yes- I’m coming-“

Who is it at this hour, really-

With such grumbling, the door opens slightly.

“…Oh, s-senior…?”

Inside the entrance, I see Serath stuttering in surprise at my visit.

I came straight here after finishing my conversation with Victoria, but it’s still quite late. I notice she’s wearing a sleep cap on her head and pajamas with polka dots.

“…”

Her taste is catastrophic.

Even Yuria, the youngest around me, would run away in disgust saying she’s not a child, and she herself is clearly embarrassed to be standing in front of me like this, her face instantly flushing.

“Th-this is, well… comfortable for sleeping-“

“Can I come in?”

I cut off her words.

“I have something I must discuss. Just the two of us.”

“…”

I can clearly see her body stiffening as she reads my demeanor.

She seems to have noticed that my mood is unusual.

A man visiting her room late at night with a serious expression. And he says he must talk to her alone.

On top of that.

“It’s important business. Something only you and I can do.”

“…Ah, y-yeees…?”

After hearing this, she must be finding it hard to keep her composure. Thanks to the white polka dot pajamas and sleep cap, the blush settling on her face stands out even more.

Her ears are so red that even a tomato would feel relatively pale in comparison.

“Will you let me in?”

“…O-of course…”

She let me into the room as if in a trance. The embarrassment of meeting me in such attire seems to have left her mind.

In her head, she must be wondering what kind of situation this is, unable to gauge it, with her imagination running wild.

And, well.

To be honest.

The situation isn’t that far from such fantasies.

With an expression lacking reality, she fumbled around for candles in the room.

She probably means we should talk while seeing each other’s faces, but.

‘…That won’t be necessary.’

For what I’m about to do with her, having light would actually be uncomfortable. For both of us.

I grab her wrist as she tries to light the candle.

“Serath.”

“Eeeek-!”

“…”

There’s no need to be that surprised.

She was startled as if she’d seen a ghost and began trembling. There are even slight tears in her eyes.

“…Y-yes, seniorrr…”

At her trembling voice, I inwardly sigh deeply.

She doesn’t look too good. There’s no point in dragging this conversation out.

So.

“Shall we do something that feels good?”

I deliver the punch directly.

“…”

Her mouth falls open.

Calivan inside the Soul Linker also seems to be gaping in disbelief.

“…S-senior?”

Serath looked at me with spinning eyes.

Maybe it’s my imagination, but her gaze seems to keep going back and forth between her bed and me.

As if she instinctively made that connection after hearing what I said.

“S-so, that’s a joke to lighten the mood, r-right? Right?”

“…Hmm.”

I frown while stroking my chin.

Yes. I understand that could be misinterpreted that way.

I should speak more clearly.

“I’ll make you feel so good you could die.”

“…”

[…]

Again, both Serath and Calivan in the Soul Linker fall silent simultaneously.

[…So killing her meant killing her with ‘that’?]

No.

I didn’t specify ‘how’ to kill her.

Right?

●