Ch.296296. Clearing

Elnore Erinarise la Tristan gazed at the white breath streaming from her mouth.

The dawn in Count Kendrid’s territory was chillier than she had expected.

For someone who usually only ventured out in the evening, this was quite an ordeal. Just standing on the terrace for a moment was enough to make her hands and feet feel frozen.

Yet, she couldn’t abandon this habit.

It had been this way ever since she realized what was ‘inside’ her body.

“You seem to have something to say.”

As soon as she spoke those words, the gray demonic energy inside her heart pulsated in all directions.

It seemed full of discontent, as if asking why she hadn’t pushed forward with what needed to be done.

Elnore already knew what it was referring to. She gave a bitter smile.

“…Yes. About bearing a child.”

Of course, it wasn’t strange for Elnore to focus on such a topic.

She had been engaged to Darwood for quite some time. What greater culmination could there be for such a relationship than starting a family?

However, beyond that…

“For now, it’s better to postpone it.”

There was a reason she had to say this.

She felt sorry for the energy in her heart that was becoming furious at her words, as if saying what nonsense was this.

“When you develop feelings for someone, you begin to notice even the smallest details.”

Elnore murmured.

“If you come to know every little habit of that person, you also understand the principles behind how their emotions change.”

And in that respect.

If she had ‘forced’ the relationship without considering Darwood’s feelings…

Well.

Given his personality, he would have eventually accepted it, but their relationship would likely have changed significantly in some way.

And that was certainly not what Elnore wanted.

Whatever his inner circumstances might be, Elnore was certainly the kind of person who knew it was never desirable to carelessly probe into someone else’s wounds.

“I believe you know this as well.”

Elnore spoke as if admonishing the entity in her heart.

And as soon as she said that.

A vivid image appeared before her eyes.

A vision. An illusion.

“…-“

Elnore gritted her teeth and clutched her head.

This suspicious ‘roommate’ residing in her heart occasionally showed her ‘fragments’ of the future in this manner.

She knew what this was.

Though it might seem like a simple illusion at first glance, it was something someone had already ‘experienced.’

A confirmed future that the roommate in her heart—who could turn back time on a world scale—had experienced countless times.

Darwood Campbell covered in blood.

Eyes that had lost their light. A heart that no longer beat.

This man’s death, a future that had been confirmed countless times already.

She had seen it many times before.

It was, in a sense, a warning.

That if they didn’t do ‘something,’ such a future would repeat itself this time as well.

“That fool.”

Elnore said, stroking near her heart.

“Always thinks he’s the only one who can prepare something for us.”

She knew this fact all too well, having previously taught the oblivious Darwood a lesson herself.

That idiot clearly thinks everything only works if he’s the one doing the giving.

As if he thinks he’s the protagonist of the world.

Of course, considering the achievements he’s built up in that short period, it’s not entirely wrong either.

…—-

The energy in her heart grew more urgent.

It was as if it was saying, “You know this and you’re still not doing it?!”

“…I said I know.”

The reason this ‘thing’ inside her body didn’t criticize her despite her intimate relationship with Darwood was because of this.

It understood that doing so was one of the ‘steps’ necessary to save Darwood.

This creature’s urging her to quickly consummate with Darwood must come from the same context.

“Well, don’t be too impatient. Everything has its time.”

—-….

Elnore chuckled as she sensed the rumbling energy in her heart.

It seemed to be showing signs of worry.

“So, I told you not to worry about that.”

Her voice continued evenly.

“Given the opportunity, I will suck out the very bottom of that man’s soul.”

Darwood would probably be horrified if he heard this.

“Think about it. It’s been nearly years since I met that man.”

-…

“And all we’ve done is hold hands and kiss a bit. Have you ever considered that I might be the most frustrated one here, even without your nagging?”

-…

“If we ever end up in bed together.”

Elnore stroked her chin with a “hmm” sound.

“Making him faint about three times would be, well, a reasonable compromise, I think.”

-…

Only then did the energy in her heart calm down.

It seemed to have an air of satisfaction, as if thinking that’s the least she should do…

“…Hmm? What else?”

Elnore tilted her head as she felt the demonic energy in her heart squirming.

As she turned her head at what seemed like another expression of discontent, she could hear a commotion coming from below the castle walls.

Looking down to see what it was, she saw Darwood being chased by Demonic Vessels.

It seems this gray entity simply doesn’t like others bothering its partner.

In a way, it’s even more possessive than Elnore herself.

“Well, let them have their fun to some extent.”

She said, running her hand through her hair.

After all, both he and she know who will truly stand beside that man.

It’s not difficult to share that man’s ‘byproducts’ with others, as long as they don’t cross the line.

Rather.

“In the meantime, I have something to settle.”

Then, her gaze returned to the snowy terrace outside.

“…Would you come out.”

At first glance, it seemed like she was speaking to empty space.

“I’ve known you were in the same space since entering the Margrave’s territory.”

With those words.

A ‘machine’ that had been hiding in the empty space revealed itself.

Though Elnore wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about technology, she had long known this wasn’t a common device.

It must be from the Demonic Spire.

And it’s obvious who would attach such a thing near Darwood.

“Nice to meet you, Professor Astrid.”

Elnore nodded and opened her mouth upon seeing it.

“As someone who also fervently spies on Darwood, I’d like to have a conversation.”

[…What on earth are you talking about?]

“I mean it’s quite peculiar for a mother to stalk her son.”

[…]

“I’m joking.”

[…That’s not funny.]

●

Actually, Demonic Vessels fighting over me isn’t that rare.

From what I remember, it’s happened at least three times before.

When I lost my memories after being caught by the White Demon, during the Red Night incident, and when establishing the club.

But this time is a bit different.

Mainly in terms of intensity.

“So, just stand there for a moment! Teacher! Let’s talk first!”

“How would he listen when you’re chasing him with a drawn sword! Hey, just stop for a moment! I promise I won’t do anything too harsh-!”

“Riru, you’re walking around with demonic energy dripping everywhere, as if he’d listen to-!”

“Enough, just don’t come near me-!”

I run frantically through the Margrave’s castle, screaming such things.

Sure, they’re all saying to stand still, promising not to do anything harsh.

[Situation deemed a direct threat to life.]

[‘Skill: Dire Straits’ applied at EX level!]

At the point where this appears, all their cries are meaningless.

None of those chasing me now would truly refrain from doing something to me.

‘So why say such useless things…!’

It all started with Elia’s terrifying statement: “Could everyone step aside so the teacher and I can talk alone?”

She probably thought she could handle everyone here in Elnore’s absence.

The problem is.

The people there didn’t like the fact that Elia was taking the lead more than the proposal itself.

Even Riru and Faynol, who initially tried to speak nicely, gradually became more hostile, reflecting such sentiments.

And being a gathering of people who don’t know how to back down when they clash, the argument grew increasingly heated.

Eventually, it turned into a scene where all kinds of personal insults and abusive language flew around.

It doesn’t matter who first called Elia a clingy student who follows the teacher around calling him “teacher” every day despite having no real interest, or who called Riru a confirmed loser who hadn’t had any notable events while everyone else was kissing and licking and whatnot, or who called Faynol a creepy pervert whose clingy behavior after regaining emotions was just disgusting.

What matters is that these words scratched at the sore spots of those who heard them, and when the enraged Faynol brought out red demonic energy, and Riru, not to be outdone, brought out blue demonic energy, chaos was already inevitable.

And somehow.

-Then let’s ask the teacher! Who would he want to receive a marriage proposal from first!

-Yeah! That’s a good idea!

-I agree! Of course it would be me rather than these damn loose women-

Let’s censor Faynol’s last words.

Too horrific.

Was she always like this…?

‘Marriage proposals and whatnot…!’

It’s still a bit too much to push on me right now.

I’ll gladly accept after completing all the main quests. Just not now!

As I’m thinking this while running away desperately.

“…Ack.”

I’m grabbed by something and dragged to a corner of the Margrave’s castle.

Looking with wide eyes at the person who grabbed me.

“…Yuria?”

“Shh, shhhhh…”

Yuria puts her hand to her lips, gesturing for me to be quiet.

“…”

That’s a relief.

At least she doesn’t seem intent on doing something to me right away, unlike the others.

Come to think of it, she and the Holy Maiden weren’t really visible when the others were having their heated argument.

“Thanks. You saved me-“

As I was about to express my gratitude.

My sentence was cut off midway.

Because I discovered the ‘handle’ of the leash Yuria was holding.

She might be requesting a ‘walk’ as usual, but if that were the case, she would have handed me the handle of the leash she was wearing.

Not offering me a new leash that clearly looks freshly prepared.

I have a terribly bad feeling about this.

“…What is that?”

When I asked with a trembling voice.

Yuria tilted her head instead.

“…Walk…”

Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be the terrible thing I was thinking-

“…Darwood…”

“…”

My thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

“I, I wanted to… take Darwood for a walk…”

“…”

“Isn’t, isn’t this also part of a physical relationship…? Since you usually do it for me, if I do it for you in return, it seems like an intimate physical relationship…”

“…”

“I think I could also be someone who… can propose to Darwood…”

“…”

“…Do you dislike it…?”

As I watched Yuria, whose eyes were gradually losing their light as she spoke.

Only one thought came to mind.

There’s not a single person in this world I can trust.

●