Ch.372372. Hospital Visit (2)

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The world had faced a crisis, and even after the major event that somehow saved it, the atmosphere in the Campbell Barony hadn’t really changed much compared to before.

Still a pastoral, peaceful, quiet place that bordered on being almost boring—a countryside town.

And now, all the residents of such a place were trembling with unusual fear.

Naturally, they would be afraid if steel giants they had never seen before descended upon a town where the most exciting activities were milking cows and shearing sheep, creating something with thunderous noises.

“Um, Astrid. The residents are getting anxious.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be finished by the end of today.”

And the very person responsible for creating such a scene was calmly holding a teacup without so much as blinking an eye.

Armin Campbell scratched his head as he looked at the almost terrifying construction process taking place outside the lord’s castle.

“…What on earth is that thing?”

When Armin Campbell asked this question with a disgruntled expression, Astrid let out a deep sigh, showing that even she had a headache trying to explain it.

“…The Emperor and the Chancellor personally requested it.”

Effectively, the Demonic Spire was now running under her control, and for such an organization to continue existing, funding was ultimately necessary.

Currently, the biggest source of money was the Empire’s leadership, and in that sense, it was only natural that even she would find it difficult to ignore requests from the two people who formed the dual powers there.

“No, but what exactly is that—”

“It’s something they made to monopolize our son.”

“…What?”

“How should I put it… apparently all the surrounding ones are so territorial that this much is needed to break through their defenses, or something like that…”

“…”

At this point, even as parents, they were genuinely curious about what kind of karma their son had been spreading around.

What possible reason could there be for such women to throw away their pride, dignity, and face to chase after him like this…

“…And you’re saying this?”

“Huh?”

And as Armin was pondering this thought, such words suddenly dropped.

“That woman Bella, and even within the domain, there seem to be suspiciously many people after you, don’t there?”

“…”

That’s true.

Even Graham, the Campbell family’s exclusive butler, sometimes felt mystified by his master’s popularity—wasn’t he himself the possessor of a terrifyingly good fortune with women?

Perhaps such a characteristic was a trait passed down through the Campbell bloodline…

“…”

“…Astrid?”

And after saying such things and staring at Armin with a displeased expression for a while, Astrid eventually walked over without a word and firmly grabbed Armin by the collar.

“What, what are you doing?”

“Darwood is Darwood.”

Those words slowly flowed from Astrid’s mouth.

“You, shall we go see each other for a bit?”

“…Why?”

“What do you mean why?”

Astrid grinned.

“It means you need to prove that you love me the most.”

“…”

Well.

The certainty that today would not be spent peacefully flashed through his mind.

Perhaps being firmly held by the most terrifying woman among them was also a tradition passed down through the family.

●

“Huuuuuuh…”

A sigh rising from deep within my lungs spreads around me in wisps as soon as I wake up.

It must be a phenomenon caused by not recovering properly after waking up in a half-exhausted state.

[…Are you an 80-year-old man?]

Shut up.

If I’m in this state even after resting for an entire day without doing anything, I can’t even imagine how much I was squeezed dry.

‘…Thankfully I survived thanks to the Saint.’

I’m fortunate that I could rest properly for even one day because she blocked those terrifying people who were targeting me.

If it weren’t for that, I might have really developed some physical problems.

But the will of those trying to break through was clearly just as strong as those trying to block them.

“You’re awake?”

“…”

My whole body flinches as soon as I hear the woman’s voice.

“…Were we on such unfriendly terms that you’d react like that to me?”

Faynol Leiphec spoke with a surprised expression upon seeing me.

No, come to think of it, that’s not it.

It’s just that I’m now at the point where I get nervous just having a woman around me.

“…Please.”

And I open my mouth with a grave expression to Faynol, who is looking confused.

Of course.

What follows is me speaking desperately, with an expression that seems to have thrown away all pride, dignity, and everything else.

“I, I don’t want to do it anymore…”

“…”

“Save me…”

“…You do realize you’re saying something extremely ungrateful, right?”

Faynol let out a deep sigh and said such a sentence.

“Beautiful women who would make anyone’s eyes pop out are begging and pleading with you to just let them have your child once. Isn’t that right?”

Even saying they’ll take all the responsibility, so you just need to comfortably play the role of a kept man—why are you so against it…

Such explanations were added, but what sticks in my ears are only the particularly distinctive words among them.

“Don’t say ‘pleading’…!”

Do you know how many times I’ve done that in the past few days?!

“…”

A pitying gaze flew from Faynol, as if wondering how a person ended up like this.

Then, with a sigh, she pushed something toward me.

“…This isn’t something that enhances virility, or contains aphrodisiacs, or substances used for hypnosis—”

“…It’s just nutritious food, so eat it moderately.”

At those words, I scan the food placed on the plate.

Indeed, at first glance, there doesn’t seem to be anything unusual.

Compared to Elnore, who openly stuffed aphrodisiacs, or Riru, who prepared only foods obviously meant to enhance stamina, this looks remarkably normal.

Of course, I shouldn’t let my guard down.

I take a spoonful of the finely minced food, almost like rice porridge, and put it in my mouth.

My impression flows out very honestly.

“…This is delicious?”

I’m not just saying that—it really is.

Given my position, I’ve had the opportunity to try all kinds of delicacies, and I actually have done so quite often, but the dish Faynol brought isn’t particularly fancy in taste, but very warm and hearty.

Riru’s food had a similar feeling, but while hers was like a mother’s home cooking, this feels like eating a patient’s meal that has been prepared with care and effort.

“I think Riru and I are probably the best cooks. She seems to have handled all the housework by herself, and I used to work as a nurse before.”

“…”

“Anyway, you need to regain your strength. No matter what, it would be a big problem if you really collapsed.”

“…I’ve already collapsed, though?”

“By your standards, this isn’t even considered collapsing, is it?”

Not yet.

My spine tingles at the sight of Faynol grinning as she says that.

“…And, in that regard, there is one thing I need to tell you.”

“…”

My anxiety intensifies at her next words.

What on earth is she going to say…?

“I don’t think I can grant that request from earlier.”

My face turns pale as Faynol slowly reaches her hand out to me while saying that.

“…What request?”

“You said you didn’t want to do it anymore, remember? I’m saying I can’t help you with that.”

“Hey, hey, look at my physical condition. What more could I possibly do from here…!”

“No.”

The sight of her smiling as she says this is just like…

“Your body won’t get hurt.”

A real demon.

“Your body.”

With those words.

The switch of my consciousness went down.

●

So.

To conclude.

I’ve been betrayed.

“Saint…!”

“…”

Lucien turns her head away with a bright red face at my mournful voice.

“Yuria…!”

“…I, I had no choice either…”

Her reaction isn’t much different either.

She avoids my gaze with a flushed face at my heart-wrenching, plaintive voice.

“What is this all about…!”

“What do you mean? It’s the mental world.”

And paying no heed to my state, Faynol gently stroked my face as she spoke softly.

“If you’re worried about physical injury, nothing you do in here will cause much of a problem.”

“…”

If we’ve entered the mental world, then everything that happens in here won’t affect the “physical body” in the material world. I’ve benefited from this multiple times already.

No, that’s true, but still.

People have psychological resistance lines.

I don’t know how much more they want to take from me that they’re resorting to these methods to drag me down here…!

“…Well, you have quite a few people to deal with, don’t you? Hmm?”

“…”

“It’s also partly revenge. There are things you did to this one in the mental world too.”

Faynol said as she grabbed the wrist of the Red Demon, who was nervously glancing in my direction, and pulled her toward me.

“I heard the current record is 4 people…”

Faynol grinned once more as she said that.

“Shall we try updating it to 5?”

“…”

Seeing how heartless they are.

It seems the women around me really are demons after all.

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