episode_0280

Episode 280

I summarized what the Tree of Knowledge told me. To be honest, although there were many new things I learned, they were not very nutritious.

Whether Iscarade or Quintras was a god, a demon, or just a magician with special powers is not what is important to me.

The most important part is what methods he uses and what he wants, as he is the biggest threat to me.

“In the end, I couldn’t give you much information. What is that person called Quintras aiming for, and how will he pose a threat to me? Was the ability to read fate that you boast about really that good?”

– Even if you say that to me, nothing will change. I think it would be best for you to leave now. The promised price has been fully paid.

“No, not yet.”

– What’s left?

“Tree of Knowledge. You’re still hiding something. About what Quintras wants… Don’t you actually know more?”

– No matter how many promises you make to mortals, you always keep your promises. Are you saying I lied?

It seems that the Tree of Knowledge cannot remember the words it has secretly spilled. Maybe it was because I was so excited.

“Strictly speaking, it might not be a lie. However, you responded as if you had no idea how Iscarade could regain its lost prestige. But don’t you actually have some idea of the method?”

– ….on what basis?

“You said this to me earlier. ‘Are you trying to usurp the position of a great being as a human body?’ As if I, a mere mortal, could obtain your divine status. Wouldn’t it be even easier if it wasn’t me but the person who was in ruins?”

You can’t say something you’ve never thought about.

It would be the same even if it were a great being other than a human.

– her…

The Tree of Knowledge was silent for a moment as if it had nothing to say. Because it was a tree, it was impossible to read its expression.

– I think I need to raise my opinion of you a little higher, Sarah Lustier. But I didn’t break my promise. I said I would answer to the best of my knowledge, but guessing cannot be considered knowledge.

“It’s sophistry. Knowledge ultimately encompasses even uncertain knowledge. How to regain his prestige, that will be his core goal. You can’t say you answered my question properly without saying that.”

– Even uncertain knowledge is a part of knowledge? That’s an interesting perspective. Hmm… okay. Let me tell you. However, this is just my guess and I cannot guarantee that it is correct.

“It doesn’t matter.”

– Now I only have insignificant power, but the power I have comes from knowledge. In other words, it means that if I pour my knowledge into you, you can replace me.

“Hmm.”

– Quintras, on the other hand, seems to gain strength from human desire. That’s probably why he lives among humans. It inflates and spreads human desires. It’s simple, but I understand that that’s his purpose and his way of regaining his power.

“Inflating and spreading human desires… Is that enough for him to regain his power as a god?”

– If quantitative increases accumulate enough to cause qualitative changes… maybe.

After giving me the antidote to the Basilisk, Escarade never appeared in front of me. He said that no one at Roberts Company had seen him.

Is he selling suspicious items to some perverted noble like he did to Juliana? No, I didn’t think I would be satisfied with that much.

Desire, desire.

Desire is not limited to sexual desire.

Appetite, desire for fame, desire for knowledge, desire for display… It is no exaggeration to say that there are as many different types of desires as there are people.

According to what the Tree of Knowledge explains, the reason he is always in a place of conflict is probably because it is the most suitable place to develop desire.

As I thought about that, I felt something connected.

Competition for the imperial throne.

A fight between princes who want the position of emperor who can control a huge empire. There would be no desire in the human world more powerful and on a larger scale than this.

Escarade is probably in the middle of the turmoil. Maybe it’s inciting their competition.

– I guess it helped, right?

“…to some extent.”

But then why did Escarade sign a contract to incapacitate me?

That may have been just a card to encourage competition for the throne. To instill in one of the princes the devil’s whisper that he could obtain Lustier at any time.

…No, maybe war itself is the goal.

The desire to live, the desire to kill. The battlefield where life and death are divided is itself a space where desire swirls.

If so, you likely don’t have as much time as you think. Escarade’s plans are likely already underway. By stimulating the desperation of one of the princes.

“…Phew…”

Still, I feel like the composition is becoming a little clearer now. Although nothing is certain yet.

“I really have to go now. Anyway, it was a useful conversation, Tree of Knowledge.”

– joy.

I smiled faintly and turned around. Before leaving the room, I asked the tree a question that just occurred to me.

“I want to ask you one thing… Well, if you don’t want to answer, it’s okay if you don’t. Like you and Quintras, how did beings who were originally great end up losing their power like that?”

It’s just a question that suddenly came to mind. Considering the attitude of the Tree of Knowledge, I thought it was not the kind of question that would be easily answered.

So I wasn’t going to care even if I was ignored. However, surprisingly, an answer came from the Tree of Knowledge.

– That’s because the all-encompassing goddess took away the powers of our great beings all at once.

* * *

The carriage that left Gerard Mansion stopped at a certain location in front of the castle gate. After sending the carriage away first, I walked along the road with my hood pulled down.

The forest window soon appeared. I said a quick hello to the master and went upstairs.

Aila was now trapped in the room where Rika was trapped.

“Is it worth staying, Aila?”

“Of course. Thanks to the princess’s grace.”

Certainly, life here would be much better than at the Castle of Seville. Even though it’s a prostitute’s clothes, there are things to wear, and the meals are regular, decent food.

Considering what Aela had done, it would have been nice to have her deal with dirty men here, but I wasn’t planning on doing that just yet.

I took out a dagger from my pocket. Then he turned the sack and handed it to Aila.

“What does this mean, princess?”

“Stab your heart with it, Aela.”

Aila’s body immediately moved according to my commands. With such bold force, a sharp blade was pierced into my heart with all its might. Eila’s expression was distorted in pain, and bright red blood stained her sexy clothes.

“Khaha…Ahh…”

Aila, who was calm under the pretense of obedience and even had a strange smile on her face, was glaring at me with eyes full of hatred.

“You shouldn’t show your true feelings on your face like that, to the point where it hurts you a little, Aila.”

Aila, who possesses ‘songs praising life,’ cannot die at this level. The blade comes out due to the force of the rapidly regenerating flesh. However, the blood that flowed out was still the same.

“You have a vicious taste… Ah, you have it, princess.”

It looks like he has no intention of hiding his hostile gaze. I sighed in my heart and said.

“I have to admit it. In the end… I couldn’t give in to you.”

Aila did not break down. Even through the extreme experience of restricting eating and excretion, and the humiliation of every orifice until she fainted, Aila was not broken in the end.

I even used the means of a dream within a dream, but even that was far from an absolute restriction. It was only a temporary and psychological measure.

Of course, the order of absolute obedience is still alive and well. It’s thanks to him that I can stay in this old window and stab a dagger into the heart without hesitation.

However, it disappears when Iscarade activates the contract of neutralization. Until that moment comes, if you can’t make Aila obey in any way other than the absolute obedience spell, there will be no way to control Aila.

“Hehe. You sound weak. Since you say that, does that mean this is the real world and not a dream?”

“Or maybe they are just testing out this kind of approach. But it’s true that I won’t let you give in. I don’t know how to make you submit yourself to me.”

A proud smile spreads across Aila’s lips. It seems that the ability to quickly show emotions on one’s face is inherited from mother and daughter.

“Kkkk… So? What have you prepared this time? This one dagger is not the end, is it?”

Aila didn’t seem to be afraid of pain or humiliation. It was as if he was already used to such things. Maybe it’s a bluff.

I sighed deeply and said.

“No, it’s you who has to prepare now.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Think of a way to make you completely submit to me. A way to make you completely surrender your body and mind to Me, without any room for resistance. The deadline is within a week. If you don’t do that… I will separate you from the song that praises life and kill it.”

“…to…?”

It seems Aila didn’t immediately understand what I was saying. But this is a clear command. Aila will have to think with all her might.

I held out my hand to Eila. Aila politely placed the dagger that had pierced her heart onto my hand.

“See you in a week. Please don’t let me kill you, Aila.”

I mean it when I say I want to kill you. No, it has become a situation where I have to kill myself.

The situation in which the contract of neutralization was activated would have already been the moment when Iscarade’s offensive began. In such a situation, if Eila is released and goes on a rampage, the situation will be worst.

The only way to prevent that is to either make Aila obey me or kill her.

Eila was muttering something over and over with a slightly shocked expression on her face. It seems like my head is already full of thoughts. I left the room, leaving Ayla behind.

I hope she finds a way to save herself.