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    Chapter
    340: Sweet Night (3)

    There’s
    one thing I’ve learned from busting my ass in this other world.

    That
    humans are creatures of emotion.

    Many
    blindly chase after profits like money and wealth, but people are
    swayed by emotions even more than that.

    The
    extravagant hospitality received when one’s pockets are full and one
    is well-off is taken for granted.

    However,
    the bowl of soup received during times of poverty and hardship
    remains deeply etched in the heart.

    Even
    more so if that person not only provided that bowl of soup but also
    supported you in every way whenever you were struggling and
    exhausted.

    “Haa,
    Bal, kaan…”

    After
    a lingering kiss, Diana slightly opened her eyes, which had been
    closed, and let out a panting breath.

    Balkan
    smiled slightly as he looked at her.

    “You’re
    not feeling well, why go through all this trouble to prepare?”

    “Hehe…
    Good memories, the more the better, aren’t they?”

    Diana,
    who had been plagued by the [Curse of the Demon of Lust] for years,
    chose to commemorate the day she met the person more precious than
    her own well-being.

    How
    many people wouldn’t be moved by that kind and pure heart?

    “Besides,
    Ellie and Denshi helped a lot too…”

    Diana
    gestured with her eyes towards the two women holding cakes in both
    hands.

    “We’ve
    been preparing together since Brother left this morning!”

    Ellie
    slightly puffed out her cheeks as she watched her stepmother and
    brother’s passionate kiss.

    “……”

    Whether
    it was due to the influence of the Netorare Blessing or whether it
    had now entered the realm of preference, Denshi was gazing at the two
    people clinging to each other with a subtle look.

    The
    kindness of the two could not be ignored either.

    On
    the table visible over their shoulders, a splendid feast was laid
    out.

    Imagining
    the two women clumsily making the dishes with Diana, a warm feeling
    welled up from the depths of Balkan’s heart.

    Balkan
    approached Ellie and gave her a small kiss on the forehead.

    “H-Hweet…”

    Ellie’s
    red eyes widened in an instant, and her elf ears fluttered.

    Her
    slender fingertips dazedly touched the forehead where his lips had
    touched.

    Although
    she showed a slightly jealous look, Ellie’s cheeks flushed as red as
    her eyes and hair when she felt the sensation of lips after a long
    time.

    He
    was about to give her a real kiss because of her cute appearance, but
    Denshi, who had come up unnoticed, subtly poked him in the side.

    “The
    food will get cold. Master.”

    “Ugh…!”

    Ellie
    puffed out her cheeks at having her precious moment interrupted, but
    Denshi’s words were also true.

    Food
    filled with goodwill tastes best when it’s warm.

    “Then…
    shall we eat this together too?”

    Balkan
    held up the high-end champagne and cake he had obtained for Diana’s
    curse-removal celebration party.

    A
    feast cannot be without alcohol.

    ***

    “Uub…”

    Ellie,
    with her red hair draped over the table, hiccuped and mumbled softly.

    Ellie,
    who had become an adult, once again tilted her champagne glass with a
    confident look, and before she could even finish one glass, she was
    drunk and collapsed on the table.

    She
    was originally weak to alcohol, but even more so in an atmosphere
    like this.

    The
    dim night.

    The
    light emitted from the crimson lantern illuminating the tavern of the
    inn, which only had four people, was already charming.

    On
    top of that, with delicious food and alcohol, even if they only
    continued with silly conversations, joyful emotions welled up to the
    point where they would burst into laughter.

    Ellie,
    slightly drunk from the alcohol and the gentle, hazy atmosphere, soon
    began to make small snoring sounds.

    The
    adults, who were still holding their seats, continued their small
    talk and popped open the second bottle of champagne.

    Pop!

    Denshi,
    who had woven the Puppeteer’s magic threads to pop the cork, poured
    the champagne with precision.

    Denshi,
    who came from the outlaw zone, had never even tasted high-end
    champagne, but she had acquired basic serving skills while helping
    out at Diana’s inn.

    “Ooh—”

    Clap
    clap clap.

    Diana,
    who was in a good mood, clapped her hands with small admiration at
    Denshi’s skill, tilting her glass in succession and getting slightly
    drunk.

    “You’ve
    already gotten used to using magic threads?”

    Balkan
    admired Denshi, who had become skilled at using the Puppeteer’s
    power.

    “The
    Puppeteer is quite cooperative… and it seems to have a strangely
    good compatibility with my body.”

    Denshi
    was able to use the Puppeteer’s magic threads because the Puppeteer
    supplied Denshi with magic power and demonic energy and taught her
    how to use it.

    In
    the process, ordinary people feel a great burden on their brains and
    bodies, but Denshi, who has a high link compatibility with the
    Puppeteer, had relatively less of that burden.

    ‘Even
    for Denshi, it would be difficult to maintain the Puppeteer’s power
    at all times.’

    Still,
    she will be an even more reliable force in emergencies than ever
    before.

    Of
    course, she will be able to play a role in many ways in this Ellie
    escort request as well.

    “A
    labyrinth, huh…”

    As
    he was talking to Denshi about this request, Diana watched the scene
    and muttered softly.

    There
    was a small amount of regret left in her voice.

    The
    [Curse of the Demon of Lust] that Diana had been afflicted with was a
    curse that turned all the blessings she had obtained so far, and even
    the blessings she would obtain in the future, into lewd things.

    Thanks
    to Lilith, Diana’s status window, who had been cursed, is now in this
    state.

    [Diana
    Ordia LV.65]

    [Current
    blessings and curses possessed by Diana Ordia: 3]

    [◆
    Blessing of Ice Magic]

    [◆
    Blessing of Perfect Accuracy]

    [◆
    Curse of Sensitive Constitution]

    The
    total number of blessings and curses, which was 6, has been reduced
    to 3.

    [Curse
    of Rejection of Shabby Dick Intrusion], [Curse of Milk Ejaculation
    Stat Drain], and [Curse of the Demon of Lust] completely disappeared
    during the curse removal process.

    [Curse
    of Lewd Weakling Corruption Mark] and one other curse returned to the
    original blessing that Diana had when [Curse of the Demon of Lust]
    was removed.

    The
    [Curse of Sensitive Constitution], which had been embedded for too
    long, could not be completely removed because it remained like a
    brand on Diana’s soul.

    It
    would have been best to remove only the [Curse of the Demon of Lust]
    and return all the other curses to blessings, but Lilith herself was
    in a state of overexerting herself to borrow the power of the Demon
    of Lust, so perfect curse removal was impossible.

    Lilith
    used all the means she could and collapsed as if fainting, so later
    she would have to give a big and sweet carrot to the familiar who
    kept her promise and worked hard.

    “Ah,
    come to think of it.”

    Balkan
    asked as if he had belatedly realized.

    “Now
    that the curse has been lifted, can’t you get a new blessing?”

    Diana
    retired from her life as an explorer after receiving the curse of
    lust.

    As
    long as she had the [Curse of the Demon of Lust], any blessing she
    would obtain in the future would be turned into a lewd curse.

    But
    now, the curse that had been binding her had disappeared.

    In
    other words, the biggest reason Diana had decided to retire had
    disappeared.

    “Uh-huh.
    I guess so…”

    Diana
    smiled gently and propped her chin up with her hand.

    “My
    lingering feelings for the labyrinth haven’t completely disappeared.
    When I went into the labyrinth last time, my heart fluttered at the
    feeling of stepping into an unknown place again… But.”

    Diana,
    who trailed off, gently swept back the bangs of the sleeping Ellie
    with a hazy look.

    “In
    the days when I had nothing, I just recklessly went into the
    labyrinth… But as time passed, I became concerned about the child
    who needs me.”

    “Umm…”

    The
    adopted daughter, whom she had raised like her own, smiled bashfully
    at her stepmother’s touch even in her sleep.

    A
    person with something to protect can’t help but be more cautious
    before making any decisions.

    Especially
    if it’s a beloved family member.

    Moreover,
    for Diana, the unknown was beyond the 34th floor, the end of the
    labyrinth, and even Diana and Idelbert could not guarantee safety in
    such a place.

    “I
    didn’t push you. The most important thing is Diana’s heart.”

    “Hehe.
    Thank you for understanding. That doesn’t mean I won’t go into the
    labyrinth, though? I opened a second branch on the 15th floor.”

    He
    smiled slightly at the answer that she would support him as before
    when he went above the 15th floor and raised his champagne glass.

    The
    glass clinked, making a clear sound, and the night deepened.

    ***

    The
    party celebrating Diana’s curse removal and their meeting lasted
    about three hours.

    But
    they didn’t run until the end of their drinking capacity.

    They
    drank champagne just enough to feel good and accept everything in the
    world cheerfully.

    After
    laying Ellie, who was completely drunk, on the bed in the room, we
    did some tidying up and then went into our respective rooms.

    Click.

    “Master.”

    Just
    before closing the door, Denshi, who was holding onto the doorframe,
    handed something over.

    “…I
    thought you might need it today.”

    Balkan
    stared blankly at what was in Denshi’s hand.

    Condoms
    and stamina-enhancing herbs.

    “…Since
    when did you know?”

    “Since
    the two of you were hugging and kissing. I could see the look in your
    eyes that you wanted to see her later.”

    Really,
    Denshi is quick-witted.

    She
    noticed it even though they only made eye contact for a moment.

    “Are
    you okay with it?”

    “…What
    can I do to stop Master’s will? And.”

    Denshi
    smiled slightly with a confident face.

    “If
    I interfere with Diana-nim’s meaningful day, won’t the meaningful
    day that will come to me someday be interfered with? It’s only
    natural.”

    Balkan
    chuckled as soon as he heard those words.

    What
    a commendable girl.

    She
    must have been disappointed that she could only feel it through the
    memories of the Puppeteer, but she willingly helps Diana.

    She
    used to be so wary of Diana, but now Denshi has also felt Diana’s
    sincerity.

    “I’ll
    go to bed early.”

    “Okay.”

    Balkan
    gently stroked Denshi’s collar, then went back down the stairs and
    headed to the inn’s kitchen.

    To
    be exact, to Diana’s room inside the kitchen.

    Knock
    knock.

    Immediately
    after carefully knocking on the door, the door opened on its own.

    “……”

    “……”

    In
    front of the door stood Diana, wrapped in a red cloth like a birthday
    present.

    “A
    commemorative, a present…”

    Diana,
    her face flushed red, smiled awkwardly and opened her eyes.

    “Maybe…
    you don’t like it…?”

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