Ch.290Chapter 290: Blackmail (4)

As I was about to brush off the memory of someone who came to mind while looking at Desire’s appearance with a bitter smile—

“You’ve certainly developed the talent for stretching out your agreement to listen. Well, I suppose after countless encounters, it would be impossible not to improve your conversational skills, so I’ll take it as entertainment.”

After going through a thought process worthy of prostrating myself for acceptance, Desire showed delight at my forced agreement, her tone unconcerned with my manner of speaking.

I was curious why this demon realm’s master, who greatly preferred displaying her power through violence rather than dignity, was trying to persuade me with words instead of fists and weapons.

“Entertainment my ass…”

But thinking about it, no matter what Desire said to me, I had no intention of following her proposal.

Engaging in conversation was merely a formality to hear what nonsense she might spout.

Despite my harsh words that clearly revealed these thoughts, Desire showed little concern.

“Hehe…”

With a faint laugh and evident pleasure, she prepared for our conversation, maintaining her seated position on the throne while bringing her hands together in prayer form—the same hands that had demonstrated all manner of powers in this place.

*Clap!*

A sound clearer than a finger snap echoed indifferently through the hall, creating rippling reverberations.

It was perhaps too elaborate to be just a single handclap.

“…”

My lips remained firmly sealed, giving me no chance to comment on the sound of her clap.

Even though I had countless sarcastic remarks ready for whatever Desire might do.

*Woong-!!*

My attention was suddenly drawn to an unidentified substance that materialized between Desire on her throne and myself.

It appeared similar to the obsidian that formed this ominous palace, but with a much more intense red hue. Judging by its size and craftsmanship, it would have been an extremely valuable gem even without its current coloration.

It was difficult to dismiss it as a mere gemstone due to the overflowing energy emanating from it—remarkably similar to the twisted divinity radiating from Desire’s body.

In any case, this gem had another peculiarity besides its color.

In one corner of this large gem—which even to my untrained eye appeared to be a masterpiece of the highest artistic quality—there was a trace of something deliberately carved out.

Though I called it a trace, the carving was exceptionally precise.

As if it had been made with the purpose of creating something identical to this large gem but reduced to a certain size…!

As that thought occurred to me, I felt like I’d seen this large gem somewhere before, and my right hand instinctively reached toward my nape.

My hand, moving almost by instinct, quickly pulled out the pendant hanging around my neck.

My eyes darted back and forth, comparing the pendant in my hand with the gem still floating in the air.

I could easily tell that these two gems were identical in form, differing only in size.

“…Holy shit.”

Harsh words escaped my mouth upon confirming that my mother’s keepsake—the ruby that had granted me the miracle of turning back time—was of the same kind as this crimson gem radiating twisted divinity.

Perhaps feeling some inexplicable satisfaction at seeing my frowning expression as I spat out those strong words?

“You recognized it immediately. You have good eyes.”

Desire, expressing some mysterious satisfaction in her voice despite her calm tone of praise, unfolded her hands, resting her right hand on the throne’s armrest while raising her left palm toward the sky.

It was a gesture clearly intended to place the unidentified floating gem on her palm.

I needed to observe this suspicious gem closely to determine its identity.

And for that, I needed to see it up close.

I tried to snatch the crimson gem as it flew toward Desire according to her will, but…

“…!!”

I couldn’t.

The moment I touched it, my skin—which hadn’t felt heat from even the fiercest flames since donning the Red Dragon Armor—experienced a searing pain as if I’d grabbed a red-hot coal.

I had no choice but to immediately withdraw my hand from the gem.

In my surprise, I quickly checked the condition of my right palm that had reached for the gem.

Despite the vivid burning sensation I had felt, there was no trace of injury on my hand.

“How greedy. Not satisfied with what you already have, you reach for something bigger? Kuk kuk kuk…”

Desire’s mocking laughter brushed past my ears as she watched me.

But right now, more important than getting angry at her mockery was understanding the relationship between this mysterious gem she had suddenly produced and the ruby embedded in my pendant—my mother’s keepsake.

“Explain. What is that gem in your left hand, and what connection does it have with the ruby in my pendant?”

I coldly demanded answers from the being who seemed to know everything.

Of course, Desire wasn’t one to teach me just because I asked nicely.

“With empty hands?”

As she deflected my request with a playful tone.

*Shiiik-!!*

I drew my dragon sword, already unlocked in anticipation of such a situation, infusing it with fighting spirit.

When someone refuses to explain things verbally, isn’t it the duty of a human confronting a demon realm being to resort to violence if necessary to hear what they want to know?

Whether my violence would be effective or not, this was the only method available against an overwhelming being who could manipulate everything in this area by will alone.

Anyway, since I swung my sword without hesitation immediately after Desire rejected my request, the trajectory drawn by the dragon sword as it left its scabbard was exceptionally beautiful.

I had even formed a concrete hope that this strike might leave at least a scratch on Desire’s body.

At the very least, I had imagined her dodging my sword in a fluster.

But perhaps imagination never comes true and instead takes a strange, twisted form?

The dragon sword I swung stopped before completing its beautiful arc.

“Tsk. Have you already forgotten that weapons are prohibited in the main hall without my permission, even if they’re allowed in the private chambers?”

It was because of Desire, who remained seated on her throne and merely waved her right index finger lightly.

Though her voice was full of playfulness, the power she casually revealed within that playfulness was far from a joke.

The dragon sword I had swung remained frozen at the point where it had stopped. Despite my confidence that I wouldn’t lose in physical strength compared to any beings in this demon realm.

Due to the invisible force originating from Desire’s index finger, my sword stalled before completing its path.

If I could extend the sword just a little more, I might be able to leave a proper wound on the mistress of this obsidian palace.

Feeling the frustration of being unable to do so when it was right in front of me.

*Crunch-!!*

I ground my teeth so hard I thought my molars might break.

Perhaps the sound of my grinding teeth reached Desire’s ears as she sat on the throne.

“Heh…”

With the driest laugh she had made since facing me from that throne.

“Oh… I felt it when I knocked you out earlier, but you’ve really built up your strength. To think it takes this much effort for me to restrain you.”

She was praising me with banter that didn’t match how effortlessly she had blocked my sword.

But there was no way I could feel good about receiving praise that didn’t seem sincere at all from an opponent I needed to defeat.

*Tremble-*

I applied so much force that my right hand holding the dragon sword and my right arm swinging it both began to spasm.

“It’s useless…”

Desire’s right index finger, which had been blocking the completion of my sword’s path while she continued her banter, was now pointing at me.

I didn’t know what that meant.

“But since I’m in a good mood after seeing skills that could make me flustered, I’ll specially answer your questions.”

Since I didn’t sense any harmful intent from the still playful Desire, I eased the force I had been applying to my right hand and arm, which had been spasming from the excessive effort, though I didn’t lower my sword.

Perhaps because the pressure from my brute physical force had lessened, Desire’s expression, which had momentarily stiffened when she extended her finger, regained some stability.

“Phew… Now it seems you’re ready to listen.”

As I saw Desire curl her extended right index finger and return it to the throne’s armrest while exhaling a light sigh.

*Click-*

With the restriction on my movement gone, I sheathed my dragon sword.

Seeing this and confirming I was ready to listen, Desire closed her eyes and scratched the tip of her chin with the same right index finger that had just exerted physical force on me.

“First… what should I talk about?”

She continued to ponder how to answer my questions.

Before my regression, she had either immediately answered my questions or flatly refused—two extreme attitudes. It was unusual for her to be considering how to properly answer my question.

I couldn’t quite guess what would come out of Desire’s mouth after she finished her deliberation.

But thinking that whatever it was, it would deliver a significant shock to me in some form.

*Gulp-*

I unconsciously swallowed dry saliva as I prepared to focus on the words about to fall from her lips, when—

“Ah, this will do. This is probably what you’re most curious about anyway.”

I couldn’t help but frown at Desire’s response, which seemed to be slightly changing the subject rather than answering my question.

I felt like she was constantly evading the point, making me think she had no real intention of conversing despite suggesting we talk.

But then…

“Why I resemble your mother, and why I possess a gem that is completely identical to the keepsake she gave you, except for its size and color.”

I could only raise my eyes wide while maintaining my frown at Desire’s bombshell statement, suddenly mentioning something I had long wondered about but had half given up on ever discovering.