Ch.7070. Gideon

Elnore Erinarise la Tristan cherished Darwood Campbell.

If she had to summarize her feelings about herself at some point, there would be no other choice but that sentence.

However, there was something she herself hadn’t realized.

“…I.”

She was, more than she thought.

Much more.

When it came to matters concerning that man, her emotions reacted intensely.

“After asking me to become family, why would you, with another woman-“

An alien emotion mixed into her voice. The feeling of that “energy” leaking from her heart spread throughout her body.

“Such things, such things…!”

It wasn’t simply that she was angry about him doing “those things” with another woman.

It was that she had lost to someone else an “experience” she hadn’t had with that man.

At the very least, all of that man’s “firsts” should have been hers.

She couldn’t allow another woman to experience them!

“I could have received him much better…!”

She could have done anything for him, not just the collar…!

Why didn’t he come to her first instead of another woman…!

“…”

Watching silently from the side, Elia’s eyes narrowed.

No, the reason for her anger was a bit strange.

Just how infatuated was this person with that man?

‘…That aside.’

Her expression soon turned serious.

Whatever the reason, the energy Elnore was emitting from her body was far from ordinary.

Though she still seemed to be wavering and hadn’t quite sorted things out, it felt like it could transform into hostility toward Yuria at any moment.

Moreover, this was an energy she had experienced before.

The gray energy that had covered the entire area during the Full Moon Festival.

And if she traced her memories back further.

There was one more thing.

The Red Night. The memory of that cursed day when her entire family was swept away.

‘…A demon?’

No, surely not.

Of course, she had heard that demons lived in the bloodline of the Tristan Dukedom, but it was absurd to think that the duchess would suddenly emit such energy.

She was probably mistaken.

“…”

If this was really a demon.

The Inquisition should have been in an uproar long ago. Those humans obsessed with demon detection couldn’t have missed this.

Especially if the subject was the famous Duchess Tristan.

The treatment of a vessel containing a demon would be considered humanity’s common enemy, to say the least.

Unless the Imperial Family or an equivalent power was suppressing this information-

‘No, that’s going too far. Surely not.’

She rose from her seat with a bitter smile.

At least the Imperial Family she knew wasn’t such a sinister group.

So, rather than harboring unnecessary suspicions, she should focus on resolving the current situation.

“…Wait a moment, Your Grace. First, please calm down-“

As Elia was about to stop Elnore, her gaze caught something.

Darwood Campbell running urgently into the camp.

‘…When did he put on the mask again?’

She tilted her head, noticing the mask mysteriously adorning Darwood’s face again.

Well, anyway. This worked out well.

“Ah, teacher! Come here and clean this up!”

“I was about to do that without you telling me.”

Darwood replied as he approached Elnore without slowing down at all.

He continued, not reducing his speed at all, until Elia frowned, sensing something strange.

“…Darwood? What are you-“

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

He approached the startled Elnore, embraced her, and.

“…!”

Lifted her up as if carrying luggage.

Then he whooshed out of the camp.

“…”

What is that person doing?

●

“W-wait. Darwood. Put me down! I need explanations from you!”

“Alright, then.”

Hearing Elnore’s words, Darwood stopped.

He then dropped her so that her feet touched the ground, causing Elnore to blink in surprise.

She hadn’t expected him to comply so readily with her words.

“…”

Of course, that aside.

Right now, she had a mountain of things to confront him about.

She clenched her fist and straightened her chin. Flames were about to rise in her eyes.

“…Those women, what are they to you…!”

“They’re friends. Different from you, Elnore.”

“…”

Elnore’s passionate voice was cut off in an instant.

Instead, her eyes were wide open.

This man, uh.

What did he just say?

“…D-different, you say?”

“You’re special to me.”

“…”

Elnore pursed her lips and trembled with her fists.

Somehow, this Darwood was different from usual.

Normally, whenever such topics came up, he would always just breathe with hazy eyes, regardless of how the situation unfolded.

But now, how should she put it.

Clear, distinct gaze. An expression full of determination.

Darwood with a clear sense of purpose, that is.

The appearance she often saw on the battlefield, the one that always shone in urgent situations.

‘Somehow cool…’

As she was about to think that, Elnore was startled and shook her head inwardly.

No, she shouldn’t be swayed.

‘…Not cool…!’

This man is not cool at all. Elnore repeated such sentences as if brainwashing herself.

That’s definitely true. No matter how her heart reacts, let’s at least think that way in her head.

Right now, it’s time for her to be thoroughly angry at him!

She opened her mouth again, trying hard to put a fierce look in her eyes.

Usually, it comes naturally without much effort, but it feels particularly difficult against this man.

“Don’t try to gloss over with such vague words…!”

“Then I’ll tell you straight.”

Darwood continued in a calm voice.

“Elnore is the most precious to me. More than others. You don’t need to worry about such things.”

“…”

The fierceness in her eyes immediately softened.

No.

So.

So…

“…”

She quickly turned her gaze away. If she kept facing him, she felt she might unconsciously fall for this man.

Her mouth felt parched.

Even though she was the one who should be confronting him, she somehow felt like she was in the wrong.

To the extent that she felt she should forgive him since he had said this much.

“…”

And as soon as she turned her head back to look at Darwood, who was staring straight at her, Elnore realized the reason.

‘…Ah. I see.’

So, she already knew it herself.

If she pressed further, there was a chance their relationship might become strained.

She couldn’t bear the thought of this man possibly disliking her.

She had fallen that deeply.

“You really are…”

The steam escapes.

It must mean she was secretly satisfied inside. If this man had responded with his usual lukewarm, frustrating attitude, she might have been genuinely furious.

But after hearing such words, she felt better.

“Darwood.”

Still, she needed to get a promise.

“Yes.”

“From now on, if you want to do such things, try them with me first.”

“…What?”

Darwood was extremely surprised, but.

She was serious.

“Promise.”

“…”

In the end, Darwood had no choice but to link pinkies with her, wearing a disgruntled expression.

●

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Elnore’s corruption value has decreased from ‘64% → 2%’. ]

That’s a relief.

I wipe away the cold sweat flowing down my forehead as I watch Elnore returning to the camp with quick steps.

‘…That was close.’

If the corruption value had reached 100% and the fragment inside had gone berserk, everyone here except me would have been wiped out.

Considering they’re all key figures in the scenario, I could have lost my life here.

[…Hey, you.]

Suddenly, such a voice flowed from the amulet.

Calivan. But unlike usual, his voice somehow feels a bit chilly.

[I usually just let it slide when you casually seduce others, thinking that’s just how you are.]

“…”

His words are full of thorns.

[But seeing what you just did, it seems like even those words were just said because they were ‘necessary.’ You know what they say about playing with people’s hearts, right?]

“…”

[At least when someone confronts you with such sincerity, you should give a proper answer-]

“But I would die if I did.”

[What?]

“I’m not comfortable with this either, Calivan.”

I know better than anyone that Elnore genuinely likes me.

Just recently, didn’t she say she would die if I died?

Honestly, it’s impossible to claim ignorance about who has feelings for me.

From the beginning, the affection level is clearly displayed on the status screen with terms like “beloved” and whatnot.

But.

“Do you know why I deliberately brought Elnore out here?”

[What do you mean?]

“If I had said those words inside the camp, I would have died.”

[…]

Yuria, who has the White Demon’s fragment, is there.

If I had said such things in front of that embodiment of obsession, it might have been her corruption value, not Elnore’s, that instantly hit 100%.

And if the White Demon went berserk, similarly, everyone here except me would likely die.

‘…It’s like hell.’

Given that more demonic vessels will be entangled due to my soul’s constitution, this is just the beginning.

Each demon has different triggers for going berserk and different methods to prevent it. The only common point is that they react sensitively to my “affection.”

One wrong word about liking or disliking someone could lead to disaster. I have to constantly walk a tightrope.

In the end, it’s best if affection flows in one direction: from the demonic vessel to me.

The moment it becomes bidirectional, the probability of the situation heading towards catastrophe increases exponentially.

‘…So.’

I’m sorry to say this, but.

No matter what someone’s affection level is, I can only view it as a “number.”

A number for “conquest,” not a person’s heart.

The moment I face it as human to human, the moment I do the “right thing.”

I die. That’s how the world is structured.

Until all the demons residing in the vessels are sealed, I have no choice but to play the role of a playboy involuntarily.

“So, please forgive my trashy behavior. My life is at stake.”

[…]

After a long silence, Calivan sighed.

[You really are… unfortunate. How did you end up with such a constitution?]

“The Chancellor didn’t say people with my constitution have short lifespans for nothing.”

I get up from my seat with a bitter smile.

[But, you’ve never had a girlfriend, right? You just seemed like a total player.]

“Why is my reputation like that?”

[Well, I think you wouldn’t have been able to date even without these current restrictions. You’re terribly oblivious.]

“…”

[Like you’re only exceptionally good at leading people on? Born to be a playboy?]

This person has no filter.

“I have… dated before.”

I tell people around me that I have no dating experience because it’s hard to count, but.

[Oh, really? How long did you date?]

“Three seconds.”

[…What?]

“I dated for three seconds and got dumped.”

[…]

There’s no response, but a feeling of pity rises from within the Soul Linker.

[Okay. I believe you. Oh my, our Darwood. You’ve even dated, how impressive, how-]

“…Please shut up.”

●

“That must be it.”

On the day of the beast subjugation.

We were able to find what we were looking for without much delay.

A bear-shaped beast several times larger than ordinary beasts. Gray energy was billowing around its body.

“…A medium-sized beast. It shouldn’t be too difficult to hunt.”

Krat said, looking around.

He and Gideon had just hunted dozens of small beasts, albeit small ones.

Even if it has a demon fragment, he probably thinks it’s absurd to suggest that such a team couldn’t handle one medium-sized beast.

“…Isn’t this excessive?”

I chuckle at Krat’s words.

Well, I guess.

Two warriors representing the Empire, the sword genius Duchess Tristan, the holy maiden sisters, and a hero candidate.

It does seem like an excessive lineup just to hunt one beast.

“We need everyone, that’s why I called them, because we need them.”

“…I’m sure you know best. Let’s finish this quickly and go. I’ll get in trouble if I leave my territory for too long.”

With those words, Krat immediately sprang forward.

He shows no hesitation about facing it alone.

“…As always, you haven’t changed a bit.”

Lucien sighed beside me, preparing a blessing.

“Do you know each other?”

“Imperial Holy Knights can only be officially appointed if they are recognized by the Holy Empire. I oversaw the qualification test for the Margrave of Kendrid.”

Another connection here.

But if that’s the case, this person must also know what kind of monster that man is.

So.

“You don’t need to give him that.”

I stop Lucien, who was about to send a blessing to Krat.

In reality, the bear beast in front of us is being thoroughly beaten by Krat. There’s no need to add such support.

“…What? But there’s no reason not to…”

“There is.”

Saying that, I point around.

Everyone except Krat is silently holding their weapons and standing still.

Yuria, Elnore, Elia. Even Gideon, who hates to lose to anything Krat does.

Because I told them to.

“Save it. The real enemy is elsewhere.”

The reason I sent only Krat to beat that thing is simply because he’s the least burdened by solo combat.

In terms of combat endurance, he’s a monster even in the entire game. Whether a demon fragment is deeply fused or not, beating a medium-sized beast alone is no problem for him.

The real point to be concerned about is.

“…”

I silently glance at Elnore and Gideon.

The key to this boss battle is ultimately these two.

‘…I need to prepare in advance.’

With that thought, I scan the system window.

[ You have met the condition for the hidden event ‘???’ once! (1/3) ]

The condition for the hidden event that I had fulfilled while proceeding with the Valkarsus battle.

If I complete this.

I can obtain the most crucial means to break the curse of the family, which is Elnore’s exclusive quest.

‘If I’m right…’

The only route to save Gideon, who is destined to die no matter what in the original scenario, is to clear that exclusive quest.

To do that, I need to fulfill all the conditions for this hidden event before Chapter 5, when Elnore’s full-fledged corruption branch is triggered.

Otherwise, well.

From then on.

I’ll get to see Elnore become a real villain, not just a fashion villain like now.

“…”

Several images of the corrupted Elnore pass through my mind.

Like the event where she emotionlessly massacred an entire family in front of a human who was begging just to spare their child.

Or the event where she locked all the civilians of a region she occupied in one building, casually set it on fire, and then stood watching as they burned to death.

That’s what she becomes. When this person is completely corrupted.

“…What is it?”

“Nothing.”

I shake my head at Elnore, who tilts her head curiously after catching my gaze.

I can’t let this person become like that, can I?

‘…So.’

I can trigger the second event here to prevent such an outcome.

I focus my mind and look at the bear beast that Krat has laid on the ground and is mercilessly pounding.

“Heave-ho.”

Then Krat throws the beast into the air like a pebble, and immediately catches it with an Argentine backbreaker, slamming it down from mid-air.

Followed by a submission move. The bear beast, its neck being strangled, struggles without being able to scream.

It doesn’t even have a chance to exert its demonic energy. It’s being beaten without even being able to breathe.

“Haha, put up more of a fight!”

“…”

Every time I see it, I wonder: is that really human?

How can someone with just raw physical specs toy with a medium-sized beast fused with a demon fragment like that?

I sigh and get up from my seat.

If it’s getting thrashed to that extent, it’s about time for the ‘transition’ to occur.

“Margrave. Please step back now.”

“What? But I’m just getting started-“

“You’ll get hurt if you don’t.”

Krat didn’t even have time to ask me what that meant.

Because gray demonic energy began to pour out frantically from the body of the half-dead beast.

“…!”

The entire surrounding area slows down.

It’s the limited power of the Gray Demon: Erosion.

And in that situation where everything is slowing down, a small jewel-like object flashed and popped out from the bear beast’s mouth.

“W-what is that…!”

Lucien let out an astonished groan as she detected the ‘malice’ emitted by that jewel.

Though small in appearance.

The malevolence pouring out from inside it is at a level that could blind one’s eyes just by looking at it.

“…!”

Gideon’s eyes widen upon seeing it.

The only person here who knows ‘what’ that is would be him.

And the only person who knows what will follow is also likely to be him.

When a fragment senses the imminent ‘death’ of its original vessel, it instinctively seeks another vessel to seep into.

And, conveniently, there’s a human here who already has one fragment seeping into them.

-…

-!!!!

Then.

In the slowed surroundings, the demon fragment shot like an arrow towards Elnore.

It’s trying to fuse with a vessel that already has one fragment, as the most efficient choice for the longest manifestation in the material world.

However.

There’s something intercepting its path.

Even in a world where everything had slowed down, there was a human who exerted superhuman strength to stand in front of Elnore.

“…”

Gideon blankly stared at the demon fragment embedded in his chest.

He had deliberately blocked it to prevent it from flying towards Elnore.

And.

-!!!!!!!!

The gray energy flowing from the fragment spreads throughout his body like an electric current.

A painful sigh escapes from Gideon’s clenched mouth.

“…All of you.”

Perhaps originally, he could have resisted the fragment ‘devouring’ him to some extent.

But this person is currently suffering greatly from the family’s inherited madness. He doesn’t have the luxury to resist it adequately.

“Stay away from me…!”

And, this person probably knows very well ‘what behavior’ a human possessed by a demon fragment exhibits.

Because he would have ‘encountered’ such things in the past.

With red light flickering in his eyes, Gideon breathes roughly.

He’s on the verge of losing his sanity.

“If you don’t want to die, run away now! From now on, I’ll recognize you all as enemies!”

More precisely, he’ll recognize all living beings as targets to be killed.

Demons inherently harbor hostility towards all living beings in the material world.

Which means.

From now on, the ‘Empire’s strongest knight’ wielding the energy of the ‘Gray Demon’ is coming to kill us with full force.

But.

“Gideon.”

I say with a smirk.

The gray energy that was spreading around has almost all been shoved into Gideon. Now that movement is free again, I rotate my arms.

“Just leave this to me.”

“What…did you say?”

“I knew this would happen from the beginning.”

I knew he would physically block the fragment from going to Elnore if this happened.

I also knew he would be immediately possessed in this half-deranged state.

But.

Why do you think I gathered all these members?

This isn’t just to hunt one beast with a demon fragment.

“Well, in fact, your main purpose in coming here was to be tested on how much stronger you’ve become, right?”

This is.

“So, let’s see how well you’ve done your homework.”

These are members gathered to defeat the ‘Empire’s strongest knight’ possessed by a ‘demon fragment.’