Chapter 221: Snake Pit (1)

Chapter 221: Snake Pit (1)※ The R-Rated chapter is written in a way that will not affect the story progression even if skipped. For minors, please be advised.

●

It felt like I had turned into an empty mayonnaise bottle.

Weird analogy, I knew, but those were the only words that came to my mind.

I didn’t know how long it had been since the time had stopped, but what I knew was that both my mind and body were exhausted.

Seriously, how many times had I ever felt this exhausted throughout my life...?

That question came into my mind as I stared at the Gray Devil, who was floating above my head, wearing a satisfied smile on her face.

“...Satisfied now?”

[Yes.]

Even though the time was still frozen, this punk’s movements looked very lively.

It felt as if every gesture that she made exudes happiness.

“...”

As always, she looked innocent.

It was hard to believe that this was the same being that tormented me like a beast until just a while ago.

[Ah.]

Suddenly, she exclaimed.

Her body gradually turned blurry. Maybe her time to be able to come out of Eleanor’s body and roam around in the Material Realm was up.

...Still, that lasted quite a while, huh?

When I first met her, we could barely exchange a few sentences before we had to part. Compared to that, her materialization time limit this time was quite long.

[It’s because C3⁄4ð the Seal C3⁄4ð has evolved more.]

She answered, as if she had read my mind.

[Which means now ¡Á‘we’ can be connected with you ¡Á in earnest,]

“...”

Come to think of it...

Skill Info

[ Fallen’s Seal – Transformation ]

< !NEW! >

[ Due to your influence, targets can now communicate with their ‘Vessels’ more directly! ]

[ This unlocks a Special Ability for all Vessels! ]

Those windows popped up at the same time as I cleared Chapter 3...

The description made it seem like the Vessels only got a little stronger, but this punk seemed to imply that there was more to it.

[So.]

As I looked up at the window, the Gray Devil burst through it to fly close to me.

“...”

As if she knew that I was ‘looking’ at it.

As if she was intentionally trying to interfere.

[I received ¡Á your cum on purpose ¡Á .]

“...What does that mean?”

Did that mean she had another intention when she squeezed me out crazily earlier?

When I asked that question, furrowing my brows...

[It means that C3⁄4 it will start in earnest C3⁄4 soon.]

She gave me another vague remark.

“I'm asking you what that means.”

[...]

Instead of answering me, she smiled.

The same affectionate smile that she always showed me.

But, the next thing that she said betrayed that expression, as it carried a very different atmosphere than the usual one she exuded.

[You have C3⁄4 to become stronger.]

She said before coming closer to me and burying her face in my chest.

She looked similar to when Eleanor buried her face in my chest while saying she had to replenish Dowd’s element or something just a while ago.

But in this punk’s gestures...

[This time.]

I felt as if...

There was sorrow...

As if she had dwelled on this countless times, her sorrow was so deep to the point that I could feel it...

[Don’t die, okay?]

Her expression when she disappeared with such a sentence...

I swear, she...

Looked as if she was about to burst into tears right there and then.

●

Armin Campbell blinked his eyes, seemingly confused.

Ever since he came into the Tristan Duchy with Herman, he had been shocked by everything.

From how the locals welcomed him so enthusiastically to the point that it was strange, to the time when the Duchy assigned a servant to devotedly serve him, even though he was merely a viscount.

However...

Those situations didn’t faze him as much compared to when he saw a certain person's face, whom he did not expect to see ever again.

“...Bogut?”

As he said in a shocked voice, the man sitting across the table responded with a grin.

“Armin.”

“...”

Armin’s face when he looked at Bogut was filled with shock.

As soon as he entered the Tristan’s Mansion, he wondered what was going on when they guided him to the living room all of a sudden.

●

[Hey, it’s morning! Wake up!]

I could hear such words through my hazy mind.

Judging by how I could see the sunshine and the sound of chirping birds entering my room from outside the window, I guess it really was morning already.

[What the hell was wrong with you? You fell asleep when we were talking yesterday, and you’re still trying to sleep even when the sun is already up and high?]

“...Is that how it seems to you?”

[What?]

Please, dude, a Devil squeezed me dry all night long, go easy on me.

I rubbed my eyes to shake off all the remaining fatigue.

Near the bed, there was a bottle of water—maybe the servant prepared it for me.

So, I drank it and it was enough to get me back into my senses. Then, I noticed a letter nearby.

[Come to my room if you’ve woken up. We have somewhere to go.]

“...”

Now that I had entered her territory, I could feel that she wouldn’t let me off her sight even for a moment.

I wonder why she did that. I’m sure there was a decent amount of risk in that, though.

After all, whether it was Leoni or Bella, everyone looked like they disapproved of me.

...Even myself.

Honestly, because of what happened last night, I figured that it would be hard for me to keep a straight face around Eleanor.

But, you know...

It wasn’t like I could do anything about it.

...Whatever, I’ll just have to be with her for a moment.

Like, this was legit one of the most peaceful things I had gone through lately.

So, surely nothing big would happ—

[Fucking idiot.]

“...”

What the fuck? Why are you cursing at me?

I furrowed my brows before glaring at the Soul Linker. As a response, a deep sigh came from inside it.

[Because you haven’t learned anything at all, you dumb fuck. Seriously.]

“...What are you on about?”

[How could you not know that something bad will happen the moment you say something about it?]

Before he even finished talking.

I could hear someone banging on the door of my private room.

Since the knocking was clearly filled with anger, it was definitely not a servant.

There was a high chance that this was someone that I knew.

“...”

[See?]

“...Yes.”

I had no choice but to agree to his words and got up from my seat.

As I walked towards the door with a waddle, the door was opened from the outside before I even touched it, almost as if it was crushed.

“...”

And in front of it...

There was Iliya, exuding a terrifying aura from all over her body.

“...”

Now, I once again understood what Caliban had said.

Because this punk didn’t seem like she’d have a peaceful conversation with me.

“...What are you doing here? I thought you’re busy?”

Since she had just granted the Hero title officially, this was supposed to be her busiest time, so I shifted the topic in that direction.

I wasn’t sure what brought her here, but I hoped I would be able to find even a sliver of a way to convince her.

“Teach.”

“Hm?”

However...

“You did it, didn’t you?”

She asked that question without beating around the bush, almost piercing through my lungs.

And that rendered me speechless.

“...Uh?”

“You did it, right? Your first time has been taken, right?”

“...”

Iliya.

_t_

What the hell are you on about?

I thought as I looked down at Iliya.

“I have a really good nose, so good I got the Eye of Truth ability with it.”

“...”

“I knew the moment I saw you, that you did it, Teach.”

Without giving me time to answer, Iliya shot me such words before she continued to say with ferociously glistening eyes,

“...The Student Council President, where is she now?”

“...”

Caliban.

How far had you predicted this?