Chapter 184: - I Love You, Master

༺ I Love You, Master ༻

“What does it mean by ‘Conquest Route Closed’...”

While silently riding in the carriage, I focused my gaze on a single spot.

[Sub-Heroines Conquest]

Roswyn Solar Sunset

[Conquest Route Closed]

Details...

Displayed in the “Affection System” was Roswyn’s current status, which had just updated.

“...This concerns me.”

The update of the Affection System was also not something mentioned in the prophecy, thus I didn’t really understand why it had updated just now.Vissit novelbin(.)c.om for updates

Yet, it seemed like “Conquest Route Closed” might be related to my latest decision.

Not long ago, I made the judgment that I would push Roswyn away until the final confrontation.

Although I couldn’t confirm it yet, this was my most reasonable guess at this point.

“Hmm...”

This didn’t help me stop being concerned though, as I couldn’t be sure of what “Conquest Route Closed” meant.

‘It doesn’t mean that her life is in danger, right?’

Of course, I would make sure that wasn’t the case. My initial judgment was to protect Roswyn’s life, after all.

And for the same reason, I had no intention of changing my judgment to hate her either. It appeared to be the best choice for both her and me right now.

“Phew.”

Thinking like that, I let out a short sigh and was about to close the window that had popped up.

“Huh...?”

Suddenly, I raised my head, knitting my brow.

“Why is she on the Sub-Heroine list?”

A moment later, I muttered with a puzzled breath.

“..........”

The animals, previously fixated on Lulu, who rested with closed eyes on my shoulder, suddenly redirected their cold stares toward me.

“...Hmm.”

As I stared at the system window, tapping my knees, their gaze inexplicably sent a chill down my spine. As such, I stopped speaking.

–Grind...!

“Hey.”

I swiftly grabbed the floating system window before me.

“What’s your intention with this?”

Until now, it had always evaded my touch, but this time, it couldn’t escape my grasp. I leveled a stern glare at the helpless system window, now ensnared in my hand.

“After all, you’re the one who creates and controls these things, aren’t you...?”

I suddenly started interrogating the Demon God in a chilly tone, who was currently watching me somewhere from behind the system.

– Wooooongggg...

Then, accompanied by a rather disturbing noise, the system window began to vibrate with a low intensity.

It seemed like it wanted to shake the window left and right...Did that mean it was denying what I said?

“You’re saying this isn’t your doing?”

This time, the system window started to shake up and down.

“Do you really expect me to believe that?”

As I pressed further, the vibration exacerbated, and it started making an even more unpleasant noise.

“Fine, do as you please. I’ll tolerate it, but only for a while.”

I endured the unpleasant vibrations in my hand, muttering in a low voice as I stared at the system window.

“But...”

I pushed aside the somehow aggrieved-looking system window that had been trembling until now and began to speak.

“...You won’t get things to work your way anymore.”

At this moment, I didn’t only have the system, but also the DLC born from the efforts of the Sun God and Ferloche as well.

Of course, the “Affection System” appeared to be somewhat different from the existing “The Path of False Evil” system.

But, who knows? I just wanted to warn the system, which seemed to be getting more annoying as time went on...

“...Master?”

“Ah.”

Lost in thought, my countenance darkened, and only upon hearing Lulu’s trembling voice from beside me could I regain my composure.

“W-Why are you suddenly...?”

She regarded me with a confused look.

‘...Damn it.’

Had I let my guard down, assuming she was still dozing off as before? Or was it frustration born from the abrupt “Conquest Route Closed,” and the emergence of a new variable that had caused this lapse?

If neither of those was the case, had I inadvertently perceived her as an ally? I displayed strange behavior with the system in front of Lulu.

Unlike my other allies, Lulu remained unaware of my true identity, so I needed to exercise greater control over such behavior.

Moreover, she possessed keen observational and analytical skills due to the “Magic Eyes” she had, making it imperative to avoid her suspicion.

“Did I... do something?”

So I opted for a reasonable excuse.

“Sorry. Lately, my health hasn’t been at its best, so I might see things that aren’t there.”

“.....!”

However, when she heard such words, Lulu’s face grew pale.

“H-Have you... already reached that point...”

She stammered, fear and panic filling her expression.

“This can’t be happening...”

Suddenly, she lowered her head deeply, her voice dropping to a whisper, and her eyes devoid of life.

“I haven’t found a way yet... You can’t already be at that stage...”

“Lulu?”

I tried to reach out to her gently, but she continued to bow her head with the same vacant look as before.

My life had been defined by harsh punishments, and I knew their cruelty all too well.

Come to think of it, Master had never subjected me to such punishment. He had never hit me or starved me.

“I’m all right, Lulu. So, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“.....!”

While I was thinking that, Master began to pet my head.

‘...You’re lying.’

Due to his remark, my heart became even more restless. Because of the Magic Eyes I had owned since I was born, which had somehow become even more sensitive lately, I could easily spot lies.

“You have to be my only pet for your whole life, so it would be troublesome if you got hurt.”

Master’s remarks continued.

“....Ah.”

Upon hearing those words, it suddenly dawned on me.

I was Master’s only pet.

“.........”

Even though those animals over there often hung around Master with unclear intentions while glaring at me with burning eyes.

According to my Magic Eyes, those animals were not just ordinary “animals.”

They were spirits infused with mana and mystical power, bound to different masters, none of whom were Master Frey.

Well, the black cat doll seemed a bit different, but...

Still, that was only a pet “doll.”

I was Master’s only true pet.

But, as a pet, what had I ever done for Master?

As I scoured my memories, I realized I had done nothing besides receive countless things from him.

‘Pathetic, foolish me.’

I wanted to be of help to Master, even as his pet.

I wanted to provide more substantial help, instead of just laying besides him, wagging my tail, and acting cute.

I longed to repay the favor I received from Master, who saved me on that hopeless day.

But how? What could I do?

I didn’t have many skills, and all I had was my body as a woman and my Magic Eyes.

Could my best efforts even save my dying Master?

No, it didn’t have to be that.

Could I provide some practical help?

I wanted to repay Master’s favor. I wanted to repay him.

I was willing to give everything I had, so please, let me be a strength to my Master...

“...Aaargh!!!”

“Lulu!?”

Then, a sudden, agonizing pain erupted in my Magic Eyes and head, interrupting my thoughts, while I received Master’s affectionate touch.

“Aaah?”

A searing heat gradually surged from within my body.

“Uuu...”

As I groaned in panic, I gazed at Master, who looked genuinely flustered.

“...Are you okay?”

“I’m fine...”

And I lied for the very first time.

“I-It’s nothing.”

Though I didn’t fully understand the situation, I couldn’t allow Master to worry about me.

“You’re lying.”

But also, it was because I wanted to receive punishment from Master, who was as perceptive as I was, once again.

“Hehe.”

I love you, Master.

.

.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, at that very moment...

“F-Frey is coming here right now?”

Unlike during the night, Serena, who had her detailed memories about Frey erased, urgently rushed to her vanity as she received the message from her confidant.

“Uh, when is he arriving? Depending on his arrival time, I might need to change my makeup.”

“I don’t think it’ll take even a minute...”

“Ugh, uwaa...”

After hearing the answer, Serena, who was beside herself with anxiety, sorted through her makeup tools in a rush.

“...But who is that person at the counter right now?”

She suddenly stopped her actions and directed a question at her confidant.

“Oh, she...you know, her name is Miho... or something like that?”

Her confidant scratched her head as she replied.

“She was one of the people we managed to bring in after she got rescued during the previous slave market incident and was being taken to the imperial family.”

“...That fox beastkin?”

Serena frowned upon hearing that, whispering as she got up from her seat.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

– Creak...

At that moment, outside her window, she could spot Frey’s carriage, which had just arrived in front of the building.

– 101 Ways to Improve Relations with Frey

Such notes were stuck all over the wall.

You can rate/review this series here.