Chapter 138: My Fifth Day Living In Carcosa

This should be my fifth day of staying alive in Carcosa.But if I went by the passage of times in the real world, it should be my tenth day, since one day in this world was the equivalent of two.

"... To think that I had so much free time now that most of my activity is rendered inefficient with these hands."

I still had my 1000% multiplier for Manipulation, but it seemed like there was some sort of disconnect between my brain and this body that prevented me from performing my utmost dexterity like I usually do.

My hypothesis still lies on the incompatibility of Narcissus' brain piloting her own version of Valtherion vessel.

"You look a little bit carefree for someone of your stature."

Just as I was enjoying the sunlight and the breeze while my back was leaning on a tree, a certain lovely kilnalan sneaked up to me from above.

Kuzunoha was in her new private cabin, trying to connect and converse with Black Daffodil as part of her experiment for my soul, and maybe acquiring some revelation about her progress to establish the 'dimensional vessel' in me.

Yes, I referred to the void-faced dark-haired lady in my soul as Black Daffodil as to not be confused with Daffodil from my zero-sanity vision.

"Having a big body is not really a privilege, you know?" I raised an eyebrow, maintaining my aloof disguise through an indifferent expression.

"Have you met with Narcissus yet?" Verina went straight to the point. There was a hint of frustration on her face, despite the permanent deadpan that she wore all the time.

Maybe my guesses about her worrying that Lambda's appearance connected to Narcissus was true.

Well, it couldn't hurt to play along. S~eaʀᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Yes."

"Where is she now?" Verina continued as she warily took a seat beside me. The way she held her musket close to her chest signified that her guard was up and stead. "Your animaphage friend is a tricky one, she hasn't revealed where Narcy is the whole time."

"The realm manifested by the Qliphoth Object." I crafted an excuse. "The evil entity is all defeated and subdued, but both Kuzunoha and that gold-haired lady wanted to see if they can use the Qlipha for their benefit in the long term.

"So right now, the scarlet-eyed lady is having some heart-to-heart conversation with the sea murderer."

"Looks like Kuzunoha mad-chanting about using the Qliphoth Object has been rubbing against her." Verina sighed. "So, what is your deal here?"

"I'm just helping until the leader of this group is back."

"Doubtful."

It appeared that she misread her gut feeling of distrust as 'this Lambda person is shady, and it must be related to Narcissus since I won't really care much otherwise' quite deeply.

Just to be a little playful, I curved the edge of my lips into a mischievous smirk.

"It seems like I won't be able to hide anything from you."

"I knew it!" She bravely pointed her index finger at my face. "You have fallen in love with Narcissus, aren't you? And you're staying here to wait for her when she comes back!"

I couldn't help but let my grin widen, amused by Verina's accusation.

She was practically trembling, her deadpan exterior barely hiding the fire of challenge flickering in her violet eyes.

"Fallen for Narcissus, you say?" I repeated, stretching out each word as if savoring it. "Well, who wouldn't fall for someone with that level of... presence? Or if I'm to be blunt, the indomitable level of her beauty that may leave any mortal awestruck with emotion~"

She narrowed her eyes, her pointed finger still aimed directly at me. "So it's true! I knew it," she whispered, before immediately pointing her weapon at me, gripping her musket a bit tighter. "Everyone seemed to underestimate my instincts. But I could feel it the whole time—the way you were just too interested in everything going on here."

I chuckled softly, lowering my voice to a near-whisper. "And here I thought I was doing an admirable job of keeping it subtle."

Verina's stoic expression wavered ever so slightly, and she looked away, just a flicker of hesitation betraying her usual calm. "You're here to play a waiting game, then? Hoping to earn her favor before she gets back?"

"What can I say?" I shrugged, letting my tone remain indifferent yet subtly playful. "I'd be a fool not to want her attention. Perhaps I'll just wait here quietly until she returns and see if I can impress her and take her for myself. You know that I got the strength to do it."

A patch of clenched veins could be seen on Verina's neutral face.

"Not going to happen," she shot back, her eyes gleaming with fierce determination. "She doesn't need any more distractions, especially from someone like you, who just drifts in and out. Stay tuned for updates on M V L

"If you want a way of currying her favor that I can accept, stay here without doing anything crazy in front of her. Better yet, try to sneak out every time you feel her presence and keep your distance away forever from her."

Aww, she was afraid that Narcissus would prefer Lambda over her. That's adorable.

I feigned a dramatic sigh. "Well, it looks like I've walked straight into a rivalry then. Though... I'd say competition keeps things interesting and fresh, wouldn't you?"

Her grip tightened on the musket. "This is not about competing. I'm making sure she's protected—from people with unclear intentions." She lifted her chin, her aura turning serious again. "You seem strong, and Kuzunoha trusts you, which is the only reason I'm not asking you to outright leave. But don't think I'll just let you have her attention."

"I wouldn't expect you to. But what if... say, she suspects you of preventing her from meeting any useful pawns and individuals that she might be able to utilize. Imagine the three of us working closely side by side, combining our prowess." I leaned my head to the side, lowering my voice just enough to let the suggestion hang in the air between us.

"Your intention is pure, but selfishness is only a benefit to yourself, not to Narcissus."

Verina's eyebrows seemed to draw together, her face somehow remaining stony while her eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt. "Your words carry more poison than a colorful mushroom. As expected for an acquaintance to that devilish animaphage."

"Ah, but you're forgetting—Narcissus is more than just a leader. Just by our short encounter, I can deem that she possesses a powerful, complex mind that could benefit from diverse talents and perspectives. Think about it—how sad she will be to see that you're working against her instead of with her?"

She opened her mouth as if to argue, but her gaze wavered. "I suppose... I've seen her get intrigued by different minds. But don't get any ideas, Lambda," she said, her voice now a low hiss. "You may have strength, and maybe Kuzunoha sees you as a friend. But my role is something that can't be replaced, since my mind is the most compatible one to absorb her otherworldly wisdom and intention.

That's something you can't just... walk in and compete with."

"Well," I said, "I suppose we'll just have to see who manages to impress her the most." I gave her a mockingly respectful nod, but the spark of rivalry was clear in both our eyes.

She turned, her expression stubbornly fixed, then glanced back. "Don't think I'm letting my guard down."

"Looking forward to it," I replied, my smirk widening. "I'll try my best to be close to you too~"

"... Don't think that just because you have a pretty face and a divine figure, you can seduce me out of my loyalty!" At this point, she began to appear like a jealous kid throwing a lovely tantrum. "Narcissus is prettier and divine than you! Don't think that you can covet that position either!"

Verina then proceeded to fly into the sky as her escape.

Looking from how smooth and fast her ascension was, her telekinetic prowess seemed to be making significant progress.

I felt so proud of her.

When I get back as Narcissus, I should reward her with something more affectionate. It had been quite a while since we had any kind of skinship or private conversation that could bring us closer.

If all goes well, I might be able to amicably solidify our relationship with a sacred union called 'marriage'.

"Making her become my first seemed to be the right choice to maintain her pride and role as my closest."

We might possess a rather large age gap, but I don't have any problem with bonding deeper with an old soul.