Ch.9999. The Oath

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< System Message >

[ Skill: ‘Fatal Charm’ has been activated! ]

[ Target ‘Riru Garda’s affection has skyrocketed from ‘Interest Level 3’ to ‘Trust Level 1’! ]

[ Additional rewards are now available! ]

< System Message >

[ Crisis situation resolved. ]

[ Title ‘Playboy’ has been removed! ]

Yeah, I get all that.

But I absolutely cannot relate to that last part about resolving a crisis situation.

I reflexively check on Elnore standing in the center of the stage, looking at me.

There’s no way she didn’t hear what I just said to Riru.

It’s obvious from the way she’s looking back and forth between me and Riru with disbelief.

[ Using ‘Insight Eye’. ]

[ Loading target information. ]

[ 24-hour cooldown applies for the same target. ]

< Character Info >

[ Elnore Erinarise la Tristan ]

[ Traits: Grey Demon’s Vessel (2 pieces), Tristan Duchess ]

[ Status: Intensely contemplating the meaning of Darwood Campbell’s “I like you.” ]

The one fortunate thing is that she doesn’t look like she’s about to fly over and kill me on the spot after hearing those words.

That means I’ve bought some time. Time to somehow improvise my way out of this situation.

“…Y-you, what are you saying-“

Riru, still in my arms, stammered with her face flushed all the way to her ears.

She looks like she can’t believe what she just heard.

I sympathize. I would never have blurted out something like that if I were in my right mind.

Especially in front of Elnore.

[Your mind’s gone~ Darwood Campbell’s mind has gone~]

“…”

[I wonder how you’ll survive this time. I’m already curious.]

I’ve truly met the most unhelpful person ever.

Someone’s in a life-threatening situation and that’s what you say?

[Why don’t you just go straight to her and be upfront? Tell her your situation and ask for cooperation. Wouldn’t that be better?]

No. How many times do I have to say this? That would get me killed.

The moment I reveal the existence of demons to the Vessels, the already twisted scenario would likely plunge straight into the abyss.

I’ll soon be involved with Faynol too, and if that happens, I’ll get tangled up with the Inquisition and events will spiral into something far more catastrophic. Beyond the current struggles with demon relationships, it would become an absolute disaster that makes progress impossible.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I can just sit here and wait to die.

I search through my mind.

Game settings, Elnore’s current state, and the Grey Demon’s tendencies—everything.

My concentration accelerates to the point where the surroundings seem to slow down, as if I’ve activated a knight’s focus skill.

[No, this time you’re really cornered. Is there any way out?]

In that situation, Calivan spoke with an amused voice.

[Last time you ended it with a kiss, what are you going to use to calm her down this time?]

“…”

[Even if you try something like that again, I don’t think it’ll work this time—the issue is too serious.]

I agree.

But still, directly confronting it as you suggest is too—

“…”

Wait a minute.

Directly confront it?

That might…

‘Actually work?’

Now that I think about it, it makes my head spin, but…

This will definitely work.

[…For someone who thinks it’ll work, you don’t look very happy about it.]

It might work, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for me.

Honestly, I don’t want to go that far…!

But fortunately, something unfolding before my eyes saved me from having to make that difficult decision.

Elnore, who had been standing in the center of the stage, suddenly “launched” herself toward us.

At this point, she’s beyond having good physical abilities—she’s a walking disaster.

“…What did you just say, Darwood?”

Those red eyes are burning fiercely.

“Did you say you like her? What does that—”

“…It means exactly what you think it means.”

I answer while feeling sweat forming on my palms.

“…I like Riru.”

The moment she heard those words.

As Riru’s mouth fell open again, sparks flew from Elnore’s eyes.

But before her mouth could open again, I continued.

“She’d make a perfect concubine.”

“…”

“…”

Both Elnore and Riru’s expressions went blank simultaneously.

●

A hellish silence passed for several minutes.

Elnore looked back and forth between me and Riru, seemingly at a loss for words.

“…Concubine?”

She stammered uncharacteristically, clearly taken aback.

She probably never imagined hearing such words to her face.

Facing such an Elnore, I bring up one of the game settings I know.

“Under Imperial law, all nobles who rise to the rank of count or higher are legally encouraged to practice polygamy.”

That’s why in the game, Elia would sometimes be seen with multiple men.

High nobles are walking spheres of influence by their very existence. Since they can act as hubs connecting numerous networks through the institutional arrangement of marriage, the Empire encourages it to some extent.

However, as can be inferred from the fact that it’s encouraged for such purposes…

Unlike the “legal wife,” the “concubines” tend to have very clearly defined “uses.”

There’s an absolute gap between the wife you truly love and the other women you’re bound to by necessity.

“…After I marry you, I plan to take Riru as a concubine.”

Usually, most Imperial noble women would understand and concede when it’s put this way. The difference in treatment between legal wives and concubines is that severe under Imperial law.

“…Do you think that’s an excuse?”

Of course, despite that.

A demon with an obsessive attribute built in probably won’t listen to such words.

There’s a reason I haven’t tried this method with Yuria until now.

“Of course.”

But.

This is the turning point.

A demon’s obsession ultimately stems from the desire to “monopolize” that person. Even the Grey Demon, who’s been consistently favorable toward me, can’t yield on that point.

So, just as I accepted the ring Elnore offered me.

I need to give “proof” that can definitively suppress that desire.

Evidence that Elnore is the most important person to me, something no one else has.

“…”

Really.

This is the last thing I wanted to do…!

But, I squeeze my eyes shut internally.

And speak as if pulling a trigger.

“Riru is very good at taking care of children.”

Elnore, who was about to burst out in anger, froze.

Her face then crumpled.

She seems half-doubtful about what she just heard.

“…Children?”

“Yes.”

With the feeling of my internal organs twisting, I continue speaking while maintaining a smile on my face.

“Your and my children.”

Elnore’s face flushed as if it might burst.

She even took a step back as if she’d been struck by something.

“Ch-ch-ch-children…?”

“Yes.”

“D-D-Darwood, what are you, what are you saying, I mean—”

“My plan is…”

I can hear Calivan bursting into laughter inside the amulet, rolling around so hard it sounds like he’s dying from lack of oxygen.

But despite that, I maintain my smile and continue.

“To make children with you soon, Elnore.”

“…”

“Riru, as the leader of her clan, has extensive experience in caring for children. She’ll be a great help in child-rearing—”

“S-stop. Stop!”

Elnore hastily cut me off.

She’s covering her face, which is flushed to the tips of her ears, with both hands. Her breathing is also very rapid.

“T-to have such a conversation, in front of others, are you, are you really, out of your mind!”

“…”

I know, right?

It’s pretty pathetic that I’m saying these things in my right mind when the Playboy title isn’t even active.

However, the effect is definite. Even Elnore, who was full of anger, can’t collect herself after that topic.

But.

While Elnore might calm down, there’s plenty of room for problems on the “other side.”

“…”

I cautiously check Riru’s demeanor.

Sure enough, her expression has turned cold.

Blue energy is visibly rising around her body, observable with the naked eye.

Yeah, I understand.

A man confesses he likes you, then right in front of you starts talking about making you his concubine—I’d be furious enough to snap too.

So, I need to take some additional measures.

“…”

I take a deep breath and tap the amulet with my finger a few times.

Since these people can read thoughts without me having to speak aloud, there’s something I can do.

Valkarsus. Please help.

I’m sorry for waking you up after so long just to ask for this…!

[…You truly live a tumultuous life.]

As a voice full of sympathy flows from the Soul Linker, Riru’s eyes widen.

Even Elnore, with her insane basic specs allowing her to detect all kinds of energy, can’t detect a tiny trick using “alchemy.”

And thanks to that, Riru, who was about to burst out in anger, now wears a confused expression.

She must be feeling “letters” being inscribed on her skin.

I’m writing characters on her skin with just the pressure of rubbing fingers.

With that.

I inscribe “words” that can calm this person down.

With my alchemy ability that contains just a few strokes, this is the limit.

[Cooperate. Death if not. Save me.]

Such a crude sentence.

It means that if she doesn’t cooperate with me here, we’ll both die.

Fortunately, she seems to have understood, as Riru’s eyes widened.

“Children, ch-child-rearing concubine…”

Elnore muttered in disbelief.

With a face flushed to the point of bursting, she looks back and forth between me and Riru.

“W-we’ll talk about this later-!”

With those words, Elnore left her spot.

She leaves a crater with one stomp and disappears at a speed that leaves afterimages.

Like some cartoon scene.

“…”

Well.

I survived again this time.

But at what cost…?

[What else? You’re going to be squeezed until you become a father soon. Congratulations. I’m jealous. Amazing.]

“…”

Shut up.

[But what are you going to do about that Yuria lady?]

What?

[If she hears that you’re taking this one as a concubine, she won’t sit still, right? Her obsession is dozens of times more intense than the duchess’s—]

‘…Calivan.’

I answer with a transcendent smile.

‘Let’s figure that out when the time comes.’

[…]

‘There’s no point worrying about it now when we can’t find an answer. Let’s talk when we see the situation, okay?’

[Didn’t you just get yourself into a situation where you’ll be squeezed by her?]

“…”

[Unbelievable, just unbelievable. I’m already dreading how much more you’ll be twisted and wrung out when that time comes—]

I unfasten the amulet from my hand and throw it to the floor.

I felt sorry for Valkarsus.

For Valkarsus.

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