Ch.253253. Confinement (2)

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Darwood Campbell wasn’t actually that difficult to kidnap.

They simply burned an incense that induced sleep in Darwood Campbell’s room beforehand, then dragged him out and took him to a room they had already “prepared.”

Of course, considering the physical prowess this man had demonstrated so far, such an act required tremendous courage, but Faynol Leiphec, fully charged with demonic power, had no hesitation.

“I will use every means at my disposal to put that man to sleep.”

“…”

“If necessary, I’ll stake my life on it…!”

No.

Isn’t she staking her life too easily?

Perhaps having died once already makes her particularly uninhibited about saying such things.

The Emperor had such thoughts, but the title of “fully charged vessel” wasn’t entirely unwarranted. Her success in instantly putting Darwood to sleep by combining magical power and demonic energy certainly matched such bold declarations.

Rather than kidnapping the man, it was probably more difficult to modify a room at Elphante Academy to her liking.

Of course, in that area, His Imperial Majesty could undoubtedly take an active role.

“So, Cecil. I understand what you’re trying to say, but…”

The Chancellor of Atalante spoke with an expression that suggested she wanted to commit suicide.

“Each building at Elphante Academy is a historical artifact with significant value. It’s not difficult to grant you permission, but the procedural burden is enormous—”

“Well, just tell them His Imperial Majesty ordered it.”

“…Didn’t you say you would be an ordinary student while you’re here, not the Emperor?”

“I may be an ordinary student, but I happen to have a rather close relationship with that person in the Imperial Palace.”

“…”

“We eat together, bathe together, do everything together. If you have complaints, go take it up with him.”

“…”

It’s not well documented what emotions Elphante’s faculty felt about the nation’s leader having such a thuggish disposition.

The preparations by Cecilia Arc Bailey Diedonné XI and Faynol proceeded smoothly.

They put him cleanly to sleep, took him to the prepared room with all mental preparations complete, and the three entered together. Then came the moment to wake this man up.

The problem was…

“…What exactly are you trying to do here?”

The atmosphere emanating from Darwood Campbell before them was a type of reaction they had never seen before.

“…Uh.”

“…Well.”

Seeing Darwood in a state of “genuine anger” for the first time, Faynol and the Emperor froze stiff.

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“I certainly told you to challenge me to anything, but I didn’t tell you to commit such an absurd outrage.”

He maintained his manners, his voice was calm, and his expression was frighteningly transparent.

And, paradoxically.

Because he was in such a state, one thing was felt even more clearly.

“To kidnap me and lock me in this ridiculous room? If you had just asked me directly, I would have at least made time for you. What on earth are you doing?”

“…”

“…”

Darwood Campbell was now frighteningly angry. So much so that it was difficult to even meet his gaze directly.

Faynol and the Emperor simultaneously swallowed dry saliva and averted their eyes.

They couldn’t possibly endure otherwise. That’s how intensely the Darwood before them was radiating sharp anger.

“Are you not going to answer?”

“…We’re sorry.”

“…My apologies.”

For someone of the Emperor’s stature, even a single word of apology typically carries political significance, but there was no hesitation as the Emperor apologized along with Faynol.

More precisely, they couldn’t possibly endure otherwise. That’s how intensely the Darwood before them was radiating sharp anger.

“…”

“…”

However.

The Emperor and Faynol were experiencing a peculiar emotion as they faced such an angry opponent.

‘…Huh.’

‘…Eh…?’

What is this?

How should I describe it?

This is completely new. Objectively speaking, it shouldn’t be a particularly pleasant sight.

But.

The same thought was occurring simultaneously to both people present.

‘Why, why…?’

‘This can’t be happening…’

The two swallowed dry saliva in perfect unison, as if rehearsed.

‘How can this man be so…’

‘How can Darwood be this…’

Next, as if coordinated, both placed their hands on their chests.

It was due to their rapidly increasing heartbeats.

‘Does he look… attractive?’

‘Has he always been… this manly?’

Faynol and the Emperor clutched their pounding chests simultaneously, mentally repeating such thoughts.

It was strange. Incredibly strange.

Facing someone who was angry, they were instead “falling for him” and didn’t know what to do.

Like finding something new in someone you’ve always liked and feeling it hit your heart with a thud.

True, this man had shown somewhat unreliable behavior on several occasions.

Easily flustered, easily provoked, dragged around by others’ whims…

Of course, they already knew he was slightly unhinged, and that he had a serious side when it mattered.

But witnessing such a resolute and “manly” side of him was a first.

[…This is severe. They’re all completely infatuated…]

Calivan Chrysanyx sighed inside the Soul Linker, noting how obviously “head over heels” the expressions on their faces were.

But Darwood, seeing this, just sighed and abruptly stood up from the bed where he had been sitting.

“How do I open this thing?”

When Darwood approached the firmly closed door and asked with an irritated tone, the Emperor flinched at his voice but spoke up.

Somehow, every time she heard that man’s cool voice, it felt like electricity was running through her body.

“…Well, it’s quite difficult to open from the inside. It’s a specially commissioned door.”

“…That’s right.”

Following the Emperor’s lead, Faynol spoke up hesitantly.

“It, it won’t open until we receive some kind of ‘strong stimulus’…”

“What kind of stimulus?”

At his voice dropping again, Faynol’s face reddened even more.

The more she heard Darwood’s voice, the more her eyes began to lose strength, and with her face redder than before, she was clearly in a state no less affected than the Emperor.

“A, a rational, somewhat, intimate contact, you could say, the door has a spell that only responds to that kind of stimulus.”

“Is that so?”

Now his tone didn’t even maintain basic courtesy.

Faynol’s eyes trembled even more. Her breathing became rapid and her focus increasingly blurred, which was concerning.

“Then, would this work?”

With those words, Darwood walked back toward her with firm steps and grabbed Faynol’s chin.

“Ah…”

“I’ll return what you did to me before.”

With those words.

Faynol’s eyes widened.

Darwood, holding her chin and pulling her face up, was kissing her.

As the situation barely registered in the center of her consciousness, his tongue gently lifted hers. Mixing wetly, licking, teasing as if playing with her tongue.

All three movements flowed together in a perfectly timed surprise attack. Even for someone who had previously surprised Darwood with a kiss, she could only gasp with an embarrassed face at his skillful technique.

‘This is dangerous…’

Surrender, conquest.

Such words flashed in bright red across Faynol’s shimmering vision.

If a man in ‘this state’…

If she herself in ‘this state’…

Receives ‘this kind of kiss’…

She could only say, almost pleadingly:

“Please, do more…”

Faynol said with tears welling in her eyes.

“More, please, I’ll do, I’ll do anything…”

She didn’t know exactly what she was asking for, or even what she herself was saying, but one thing was certain.

She didn’t want to stop here.

She wanted this man to enjoy her a little more. She wanted him to ‘take pleasure’ in her a little more. Even if her very existence was used as a tool to serve this man.

Please, I beg you.

Do it.

More, do more. Don’t stop, go all the way.

“What’s with that expression?”

And at those coldly mocking words, Faynol’s body trembled again.

“You look like you want something?”

“Yes, yes… please, let me serve you…”

“No.”

“Ah, uh, uuu…”

“I won’t do anything more here.”

“…Why, why, why not…”

“It’s punishment.”

“…”

“Punishment for trying to manipulate me as you pleased.”

With those mocking words, Darwood released his grip on Faynol’s chin, and she immediately collapsed, gasping for breath.

Her face was flushed. She clearly had no awareness of the embarrassing sounds she had just made. She genuinely seemed to regret not being able to serve this man.

‘…What, what, what insolence…’

The Emperor watched with a reddened face, squirming.

And intuitively realized something.

The firmly closed door was now half open.

“…”

Originally, well, um.

Hadn’t she heard that the door would only open if one person experienced extreme pleasure?

And it opened just from being scolded and kissed once?

“…”

You’ve got to be kidding.

Hadn’t she sworn to squeeze this man dry even at the cost of her life? Hadn’t they agreed that one of them would succeed no matter what?

How could she be defeated so easily…!

“And, Your Majesty.”

“…Ah.”

While continuing to think such indignant thoughts, suddenly she heard the man before her calling.

Turning her head with trembling eyes, she saw Darwood looking down at her coolly.

It was such an imposing gaze that her legs weakened without her realizing it.

“Originally, I wasn’t planning to go this far.”

Saying this, Darwood approached with steady steps and gently lifted her chin with his fingertip.

Just from that contact, a feeling like being bound spread throughout her body.

Meeting his gaze, the Emperor intuitively realized.

“This time, I’m afraid I’ll have to punish you as well.”

Perhaps.

It wasn’t that they had brought this man and locked him in a room.

Perhaps they were the ones locked in a room with him?

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