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The dark path of the ... "voice"

I walk with my eyes on Decurain's back.

He is as steady as ever, his stride is regular. Not the slightest wavering, like it's really nothing.

I don't know DeCulainn well.

We've only spent a year together, and a long time hating each other to death. I don't think I even made an effort to get to know him.

Even though you did, ... now I'm curious about Deculain.

I wonder what he is thinking about. What kind of heart does he have?

And then, a little later, I notice my emotions.

I'm grieving for Decurain.

I try to rewind his life as I knew it.

A father who didn't believe in his son, the pressures and struggles of his family, and the only woman he ever loved.

But she died in vain. The love that the devil's letter stole from him. Kegan Luna, who played a decisive role in his bereavement.

I, his daughter.

I understand now.

Decurain could have hated me to death. But just because I am Kagan's daughter, she has the right to hate me.

Despite the fact that ...

He made me his apprentice, an ally of Ihelm, who understood my "betrayal" and forgave my father. The name Luna Kagan was recorded as co-author of a great paper.

I don't know why ....

I really don't know.

Declane, the more I know about this person.

The more I do with him, the more I do with him.

The more time that passes.

The more I get to know him, the more I get to know him, the more I get to know him, the more I get to know him.

I'm becoming an idiot.

Why did he make me his disciple?

Why didn't he ostracize me?

So I don't hate Decurain anymore.

I'm just worried.

If he reunites with his demonized lover and really kills her. If I crush her with my own hands.

If not…

What would really be left in his heart?

A wasteland where not even a blade of grass can grow, a fire of ashes in his heart. ....

"Iffrin."

At that moment, Decurain sang. Startled, I replied in a squeaky voice.

"Nee-ck!"

"You've ... gone mad."

"No, ...." "Why, why?"

"Come in."

He pointed somewhere with his chin.

I looked up there. There was a big sign.

"... Hotel?"

* * *

The hotel we arrived at with this pudding is simply called a save point. When you enter the voice, you wake up in a random space, but if you use the hotel or the house, you can start from here.

[#303]

"Yo, can you open it?"

"Open."

Puddin opened the door with the key first. Puddin' opened the door with the key first, and then he cautiously entered.

"... C**p.

A foul odor came from inside. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.

"Wait.

I used the property "encryption". I used the "manapower code" in my head to arrange the clean furniture and the "cleanse" to clean everything.

"Wow, what a wonder.

"Sit wherever you like."

Pudding sat down in the chair, looking around.

"Yes. But, Professor. Why are we here?

"First, let me explain more about these 'voices'," I said.

I said.

"Oh, yes.

"This is a fake world. It's a world of demon voices, or 'vibrations', and it's very different from reality. Things happen that cannot happen in reality, and things exist that cannot exist. Also ...".

I closed my eyes for a while. "Comprehension reminded me of a map blueprint I'd seen sometime back in The Voice.

From the beginning, Woojin Kim was a game designer, so it was not difficult.

I scribbled down what I remembered on a piece of paper.

"Familiarize yourself. The structure of the voice is concentric circles.

Concentric circles are a set of circles with the same center but different radii.

Therefore, this "voice" expands as it moves outward and narrows as it moves inward.

"The two demons would probably be in the center of this."

Many circles spread out like ripples on the surface of water. The two targets should be in the narrowest center… ….

"...."

This pudding is a face that has shown interest in other things. It stares only at me as if it has something to say. I'm not sure what it is, but it's a good idea.

Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.

I wrinkled my brow.

"Do you have a problem with that?

"I'm not sure what to say. Directly?"

"Yes."

He nodded nodded nodded nodded. Pudding made a sad face.

I'm not sure why he's doing this, but I explained why he's doing it.

"It's not something I'd let anyone do. It is the duty of Eucline to destroy the demons.

"It's ... still…"…no matter how much ...."

Iplin faltered as he spoke.

Sure, he was still a wizard cold-hearted enough guy.

... No.

In fact, it may be that I am lacking something as a human being.

"I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. …."

I'm not surprised that I don't like this kind of Iprin.

Even the fingers that linger in vain. I don't like the way she sits on the bed and looks at me. The way she selfishly worries about herself.

"It might be hard."

At my answer, Iffrin raised his head.

Yuara. Killing a demon that looks like her might be a bit of a challenge.

"But don't hesitate. I will not run away.

"... Why?"

Because killing the demon is what I must do, what is right for me.

"...."

Iplin's eyes wavered.

The guy looked down for a moment, then back up at me.

"Professor .... So, um…"… "There's one thing that's been bothering me."

"Say."

"That ... why…"…make me your apprentice ...?"

It was not a quick question. But Iffrin continued to speak with a very serious face.

"Of course. It's only natural that he hates me, just as I hated the professor. Because -"

"If you weren't much of a talent."

He cut off the words. I stared at him .

. "I would have left it at that. You're nothing but trash, not worth hating or caring about."

Iphryn's shoulders shook with fright.

"But ... Ifrin," he said, "listen to me. I do not lie."

Gulp, Iphryn swallowed his spit.

My mouth twisted slightly. I didn't know if it was a smile or not.

"You have the gift to change the times.

Talent.

I know this guy's talent. Even if it's not just the fact that he's a Named, the substantial growth that can be seen with the naked eye goes beyond the level of scrutiny and confirms Iffrin's future as a great wizard.

"A wizard who will remain on the continent forever.

His face was getting fuzzy, with a hint of red on both cheeks.

"'Talent is not like all the things I hate. I knew your talent and thought I could nurture it. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less."

And with that, he finished his story. Pudding nodded slowly, but mumbled something about what part of his words bothered him.

"The professor hates… …All of me?"

I don't like him, and I don't hate him. I neither like him nor dislike him, but based on what I remember of Declane, I'd say I dislike him more than I like him.

It would be a lie if I didn't also feel jealousy.

"I don't like him, but I don't like everything about him. …."

Iffrin said inaudibly. I got up.

"Go back to sleep. You'll sleep easier here than in the North, and you'll have plenty to eat."

Then the fellow replied plaintively.

"I don't have anything to eat at ...."

"I'll get some."

"What? No, sir. That's not what I meant. Rather, I'll go-"

"Stay put."

I left Iffrin and left the room.

Just now I came out of the hotel. I looked around at the crowds of people.

There were many different streets. The smell of food was strong.

"...."

Standing there, I looked into my mind for a moment.

Uala.

Was it because of that sketch? It felt like a long-forgotten aspect of Kim Woo-jin had been sticking out like a cone for a while.

"...?"

I was catching my breath for a while, when suddenly.

I spotted a familiar face among the stalls. The other side saw me, too. Our eyes met .

."... Professor."

Uri, with a hot dog in her hands and a boy named Leo by her side.

"Hey! That's Professor Decurain!"

Leo, eyes wide open, pointed at me with his finger.

"... I wonder if you guys were here too."

I glanced behind them. "We were looking for Carlos, the Half Man, Half Horse.

Leo said.

"Carlos is not here.

"Well, it looks that way."

If Carlos was nearby from the beginning, my bloodline would react first.

At that moment, Yuri asked.

"Professor, why are you looking for Carlos?"

"'That professor is trying to kill Carlos.

Leo's matter-of-fact words, not blaming anyone, not telling, just a pure voice conveying information.

Uri's eyes widened.

"What are you talking about, ... Professor, is it true? I can't believe they're trying to kill a child. Carlos is not even thirteen years old yet."

"I wonder when ... we became so close. Familiar."

Cynically sarcastic, Yuri's expression sank coldly. Then he glared at me as if seeking an explanation.

I nodded.

"Yes. It is for the good of the world that he should die. Questioning him is worse than questioning the orbit of the enemy."

"... No!"

Uri shouted angrily.

How far do you intend to fall?

I just looked at her.

I just looked at her. She seemed to have a lot to say, so Yulli continued writing.

"'Belond, Rockefeller is not the only one in my Order! The dozens of Red Oracles that you buried alive and-"

"'Are you defending the enemy gauge?

"That's not the word you want to use!"

Yuri shouted and lightly tapped his whole body. It's not a word!

"... No thanks."

Eventually, he clenched his teeth and shook his head. The look on her face was one of resignation, resignation beyond anger.

I told her.

I said to her, "Yuri. You don't like me, do you?

"Yes.

Without a moment's hesitation, she answered immediately.

"I don't like you.

... was too good to be true…

"I hate you."

It was a very desirable sentiment.

But for some reason, it still sticks in a corner of my mind.

Because I love this woman.

"I like .... But I must warn you.

I looked at the lily.

It's not enough to hate her like this. "If she's going to heal herself, if she's going to survive and become a full knight…

It's not enough.

"If you hate someone, hate them with all your heart. Make them hate you enough to kill you."

"...."

"'Half-heartedly as you are now, nothing will change. No, if anything, you might die."

For a moment, Uri clenched his fist.

"Is that a threat?"

"I'm advising you."

Uri's mouth tightened.

I looked away.

I walked up to the poultry shop and bought two of Ifrin's prey. I ignored Yuri's deadly glare.

"I'm going to go now. I have luggage waiting for me."

And with that, he went back to the hotel.

[#303]

I opened the door to the guest room.

Cool ... cool ....

Pudding was asleep in her bed. Drooling all over the place.

But when I put the chicken down, my nose moved first. When he smelled it, he got up and reached for the chicken like a man possessed.

"... sir," I said, "I don't eat."

I shook my head.

"You eat it.

"Surely you don't eat this cheap stuff…" …."

This pudding was torn from the thigh of a chicken. I was reasonably happy to see her sleepy face crunching away.

Wing —.

At that moment, I felt a small light and vibration on my right shoulder.

"It meant the Voice's time was up.

"Yipling. Eat quickly. We'll be back in the North soon.

"Oh, yes, yes…. …."

* * *

... Night of the Red Moon floating in the heavens, scattering red mist.

The heart of the Empire, the Imperial Palace, is drenched in a strange moonlight.

Tick-tock-tick-tock.

There, in the most intimate of imperial palaces, the emperor's bedchamber is silent except for the sound of the second hand running.

Sophien woke up slowly. His crimson eyes glittered clearly in the darkness .

"Hmm. ..."

That time when she went to "The Voice" and let out a low breath.

I trudged on.

She heard the sound of someone not far away. She looked over at him.

A moment later, a streak of blood splashed against her temple.

"... him."

Beyond the Darkness

In the bedroom, where no one was allowed in or out, on purpose.

Sophie saw a familiar face standing over her.

He was so imposing that it was easy to miss him.

"Why are you ...?"

"Long time no see, Your Majesty."

"Lohakhan, don't call the package with your filthy mouth."

It's another way of saying Decurain, the one who burns his own laziness.

Empress murderer, Lohakan.

Sofienne rose to her feet. He ranted in a voice full of rage .

"'So now you've searched the luggage directly with your feet? In the bedroom where the empress you killed was staying?"

Lohakan nodded and answered.

"'I didn't want to come back either, but I recently heard a rumor from His Majesty that he was going to exchange letters with Decurain. That's really unusual, isn't it? To think that His Majesty would exchange "personal" letters with someone. I thought it was out of the question, but it's ... true."

Sofienne got up. A near infinite manapower blew like a whirlwind.

When everyone in the Imperial Palace awoke from their slumber, the Knights, recognizing the intruder's arrival and departure, were dispatched.

"Your Majesty."

Enduring its enormous mana power, ... Lohakan asked her.

"You have feelings for Decurane?

Poof!

Sophien's mana power was interrupted for a while. She narrowed her eyes and looked at him.

She narrowed her eyes and glared at Lohakan, "Why would you ask such a question? No, is that why you broke in here?

"It's not about that. It's very important.

Lochacan said. His gravely voice was disturbing to Sophien.

"You're such an idiot.

"Your Majesty, I can see the future, albeit imperfectly.

Future poetry. Future poetry is literally the miracle of seeing the future, a power of Lohakan that becomes clearer the shorter one's life span.

He took over next, lowly.

... I saw the future in its fragmentary and yet significant scenes as it pertained to His Majesty.

If you really want to kill yourself, the package will gladly–

"From that future.

It's just, it's just, it's just…

The sound of the drivers' footsteps approached. Sophien emits a manapower, or rather, a runic mincing, that captures Lohakan's entire body. To prevent him from escaping: ...

Lohakan spoke as he was in his captive position.

"'His Majesty has confessed his love to Decurain.

"...?"

At that moment, the whole of worldly time seemed to break off.

It was so awful that Sophien's face twisted like a bun.

The bank

"I confessed my love to Decurane who Prays".

Lochacan's words. His voice, too clear and too dumb, stirred the darkness of the sleeping quarters.

"It's ...."

Unhurried, ridiculous, delusional words that stun people.

The red moonlight streaming in outside the window stained Sophien's face . Like a red tide

I'll rip your beak out, you crazy thing, who is no better than a fowl.

And the Emperor approaches Lohakan again.

Eyes wide open, the body of a monster of a thing, demonic energy jumping up and down, in which ....

– Your Majesty! It's a fish bond that has been approaching for some time!

I'm not sure what to make of this. They were stomping on the ground outside the bedroom.

– Your Majesty! If you don't answer, Dru.

"Retreat!"

Sophien stopped him with a single word.

"If you dare to put yourself in the luggage bunk, it's a reference type at every turn."

-....

"Go home."

Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir. Because all of a sudden I could feel the momentum of mana power. ....

"I'm safe."

– Yes. – Name.

Footsteps descending the stairs again. The space is desolate, and Sophien glances at Lohakan, hidden in the darkness again.

Tarkak- (Tarkak-)

He turned on the low case light. His hateful face appears in the cheerful bedroom.

His face was much younger than before. The wrinkles that used to be there were now clean and there was no trace of the old man.

"I wondered if he had sold his soul to the devil. All that talk about being able to see the future and your rejuvenated face should have given you life."

"I wouldn't do that either, Your Majesty. ... Tsk."

"At that moment, Lohakan kicked my person. The moment he was captured, Sophien's 'Runic Restraint' was increased.

"'This maxim is also very inconvenient indeed. It is very inconvenient."

Then he sat down in his chair, as slack-jawed as he had been that time so long ago

He said, "Stop it. There is no such ceremony in the desert law. No matter how much of an emperor you may be. It's been a long time, Sofien."

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

...… The only reason I'm not killing you right now is because, no matter how much now, your choice of interest has been somewhat successful.

Lochacan saw the killing spirit floating in Sofienne's body .

"But the cargo is not so bright. Be careful that your desire to kill you does not overwhelm our curiosity. From now on, listen to the cargo and answer only to the story."

A smile appeared on Lohakan's mouth.

How could that young child have become such a stern emperor?

"I will. You have truly seen the future, have you not?"

"I don't have many members left. I have a peculiar constitution that allows my talents to fully blossom the longer I live."

turning the light back on

A trait that runs through the life of a Rohakan.

"The sun shines brightest just before it sets. My death is at hand, and now I am perhaps greater than Demakan."

Lochacan cheekily brings up Demacan, but Sophien understands. He can feel it instinctively. Now, the elder brother's spirit in Lohakan's whole body and the transcendent enlightenment in his eyes…

Lohakan chuckled.

"I say this to protect your curiosity. You will come to love Decurain, Sophien."

Sophien closed his eyes for a moment. Even his simple words were hotly debated. He tapped the top of his head, which rose bravely.

.... It was an unfamiliar emotion.

"'I don't know if I've ever been so angry at the death of a hundred and ten.

Lohakan continued his story.

"'Sophien, I too do not know how you can love someone. Perhaps you don't know either. Hate ......… ..."

A faint smile appeared on Lochacan's mouth.

"I saw your face as you spoke of your love for Decurain. Sophien, you are fidgeting with emotions for the first time in your online life.

"Don't talk like an x-word! Do you think such childish romance is still in the gym?

"There is, isn't there? Like a single flower."

"...."

Sophien's complexion turned cold. Her eyes were glazed over. Her face twisted at an angle.

She asked deadly.

"Is that why you risked your life to find the package? To warn Jim to beware of impossible emotions.

Rohaakan stared at Sophien. He smiled and shook his head as if he were writing.

"I know you too, Sophien."

His tone was low and somber.

"'Everyone who has been with you has been unhappy. Every single one of them."

Sophien's killing spell stopped.

His eyes, which had grown hard and rigid, wavered faintly for a moment.

"'That is your birth curse. You know it, and that's why you dare not let Kret near you. I had to kill your mother, didn't I?

Lohakan looked at the table in front of him. There was a snow globe on it.

"I did not come here to warn you of your feelings. I am here to protect Deculain, Conom."

He says Deculain, but he is thinking of Deculain.

The one who had no talent, was hated by his father, and had nothing but self-respect.

A guy who had no talent, who was hated by his father, who had nothing but self-respect, who rose to his position through hard work alone, who saved his teacher's life once, who was truly great, and who even discovered the great talent of Iffrin.

With his own insight, he realized that the real threat in this world was not the aptitude, but the altar.

"Of course, I didn't do anything for him as a master, and if I had to say, he's the one who got it, but he's just one of the few disciples I have.

"...."

In a childless situation, in a situation where dying was the only thing left to do, if he was going to do anything, even that, it should be for his apprentice.

Lochacan stares at Sofienne.

She is the daughter of Clebaim, but she is not a human, but a child born with a destiny. A monster with a yoke as strong as a curse.

You are in danger of falling in love with Decurane because you are the subject of that love.

Sophien's mana power shakes.

The lights go out and the red moonlight soaks the bedroom.

The lights go out and the red moonlight drenches the bedroom, "Sofien. You must never, ever love anyone."

Lochacan slowly rewinds the future he witnessed.

"You have told Decurain how you feel about him.

Someday in the distant future, or maybe soon, Sophien will confess her feelings to Declane… ….

At a later date when a little time has passed.

"You killed that guy with your own hands."

Lochacan saw Sophien killing Declane.

"I can't stand to watch it."

Sophien stared at him senselessly.

"I can't watch it. If you really want to spare Decurain, or come to love him, please…"

The air grew heavy, a sticky current that seemed to absorb into the skin.

A desolate darkness that wraps around the two of you

"Please, keep that thing away from me."

The Emperor's complexion did not change at that moment.

Pretending to be casual, he simply asked Lohakan back.

"You sound like a mere hemp priestess, and you're doing Decurain a favor?"

Lochacan chuckled.

"I've come here with my life on the line.

... words thus, but there remained one more thing to give to Decurain-Gonom.

"Well, then, I'm done."

"Stop. Do you think you can escape on your own?"

Sophien scrutinized Lohakan's runes again, but Lohakan dismantled them with a single hand gesture.

"Not so hot-tempered, Sophien.

The head of the continent's worst criminal.

Not much longer to live, old man.

"I'll see you again soon."

The end of a man named Lohakhan. ... Lohakhan will be put out to decurane.

* * *

... record rack in the north

The mass southward movement continues most violently.

"Arrows! Are there no more arrows!"

Two weeks after the war began in earnest, the situation in Record Records was not a good one to talk about.

"Arrows! Bring me the arrows!"

The automatic stone bows on the barrier had no arrows, and the wizards lacked manapower.

The situation is similar for the articles and prisoners outside the wall.

"'Mr. Driver! Are you okay?

Extinction, a forest crawling with maggots

The adventurer and wizard, Reilly, shouted. Yuri, who had slashed, frozen and broken the magic hand in the middle of the battlefield, looked back at her nonchalantly.

"I'm fine. Just ...."

There were many prisoners scattered across the road.

Their hiding was interrupted by the old evening.

They had died fighting desperately with a mace in one hand or a sword in the other.

"I have no sympathy for your ... driver."

Reilly placed a hand on her shoulder .

"'He's on death row anyway.

Uri nodded.

He was right. Their lives had been a series of evils.

But he closed his eyes for a moment and composed a low chant.

He closed his eyes for a moment and recited lowly, "Even though my life was full of sins, death was the only thing worth a damn. There, I would walk another path of atonement.

It wouldn't be a death that would require even this much of a child.

At Uri's words, Reilly also prayed silently for a while.

"'... are you the only noble one?'

The ironic voice that could be heard at that moment There were Derrick and the imperial knights .

All of them had a dark complexion. Their faces were tired and starved.

Derrick. Are you okay?

"There's no way I'm okay. I haven't slept more than four hours in a week. Damn it."

They were the first to complain as they trudged closer.

The stamina of the players down south, which continued without a single rest, was severely depleted, and thirty percent of the prisoners of record had already died in battle.

Derrick asked.

"Lilies driver, you're not running away?"

"Yes."

"Hmm. Then you'll die here." – No, Dekyllane will kill you."

Uri wrinkled his brow.

Derrick, who had somehow become a cynical person, understood that he was tired of the extreme situation, but his grandiose attitude was completely useless.

So you're planning to run away, Sir Derrick?

"He will once the barrier is down. It seems only a matter of time now. Look at that wall."

Derrick pointed somewhere on the wall.

"The right side is crooked. The record rack barrier is made of stone mesh iron, making it almost impossible to maintain artificially, but it is self-healing. However, it will not be easy to endure if it is swarming with evil hands for a long time.

Uri was clearly the snoring part . Reilly opened her eyes wide.

"Mom. How did you not know?"

. "Three days, three more days. Until that thing collapses."

Derrick showed her three fingers.

He said, "Rather odd now that we've held on for so long. So think well in the time you have left ....."

At that moment, a small plume of smoke rose from the record. It meant that a meal had been prepared.

Uri was pleased .

The meal was ready.

."... Damn. All that food that looks like dog xxxx and you're so good?

Food is essential for the driver. Just as elephants need a tremendous amount of food to keep their bodies moving, articles are not much different.

Each driver eats almost as much as ten ordinary people, but why feed them only barley rice and hard meat, since it is difficult to get that quality in record time.

"Do you think we are livestock?"

"'Sir Derrick, this is not the Imperial Palace. We have no choice but to do so because of the lack of dissemination. “Hm!

"Hmph! For that matter, Decurain is eating all kinds of delicacies at home."

"Have you seen ...?"

Derrick burst out laughing at Uri's question.

"Of course! Only in that mansion can you smell luxury. That's because wallets are expensive."

Derrick glared at the Decurain mansion during the Recollections. Uri followed his gaze.

"'We'll have to ask the professor once. If that's true, then we should pull our weight. Derrick, the transitional technicians will now go to dinner.

"Go to ...."

Derrick and the drivers trudged down the mountain road. There was not a sturdy knight among the dogs. Each of them had a limp, bandages on their arms, and all kinds of scars on their armor.

"Only Decurain eats good food. It's only near there that it smells particularly delicious."

Reilly spoke cautiously.

Uri gave a low nod .

. "Just ask and you'll find out."

* * *

[The hollow record is filled with the spirit of death] The food is slowly drying up, and the fighting is constant.

Ice-crystal wolves, trolls, ogres, darklings, gargoyles, flying winged monsters, memos, and tigers and white bears.

These evil hands, which are not easily seen in the system, are pounding on the walls. The hearts of those who face them are failing. The inhabitants of the mountains rely on us, not knowing what to do.

Today, I harvested the wheat from Tunda in a blizzard. I thought I could hold on for three days. I made barley porridge and fed it to the people.

The knights were fed with meat from beasts caught in the forest and rice and wheat bread brought in by the supply.

However, the wizards, who were depleting their mana power and mental strength at the same time, would need better quality food, so they gave me some stray bird words that I had caught.

The number of fish I fished at intervals grew to several hundred before I knew it, so if I supplied them with one fish every two days, they should be able to last at least a week… ….]

I am compiling a journal of my journey south, both as a report to the Sofien and as a detailed and frank recounting of what happened here, in order to gain some political advantage.

I've learned how to win people's hearts and minds through writing to some extent through this preface.

"I think I have about three weeks left on ....

But the problem is how much time I have left. Two weeks is the best time for rationing, no matter how much you reduce it, and the number of people on the record is in the tens of thousands.

We can starve to death in the midst of all this, or we can abandon the records and run away to die, or we can break down the barriers and die to the onrushing clutches….

There are many ways to die, but there is only one way to live with them.

To guard the record.

Thump-thump.

Just then, I heard a voice knocking.

-Professor. It is a lost bird language cooking.

It was the language of the inhabitants who made you "my secretary."

* * *

At the same time, Yulie visited the Decurain residence and smelled the fragrant odor spreading from outside the door.

Kunkun-kunkun…

It was a very delicious smell. It's the kind of smell that naturally makes my brows furrow.

"... This is…"

Uri was disappointed once more.

I really thought the last time I was disappointed would be the last time, but I didn't expect to be disappointed again by his eating habits.

Well, it was no wonder the drivers were frustrated if this was the only smell spreading around the area.

Uri slammed the door of the mansion open.

"Professor Decurain!"

The moment he shouted ...

The moment he shouted "Professor Decurain! With a chest full of plates, she turned her head to look at Yuri.

"'... Mr. Driver.'

"'... Miss Yprin.'

Yulie said, her expression hardening.

"'I have an opinion for the doctor.

"Your opinion?"

"Yes, sir. About the smell of food that is spreading in this house right now."

"Oh, you mean this? This is something special for wizards."

"... Hm?"

Yuri rolled her eyes at Iplin's words .

"... special, isn't it?"

"Professor, I've heard that for high-level personnel like wizards, participating in battle every day is in itself a 'might go crazy' abuse… …Every two days, we bring them all to the mansion and feed them fish meat.

"...."

"I should have told you up front."

Uri cleared his throat for no reason. It was as if she had misunderstood the situation this time.

He secretly changed the subject.

"It was my fault for misunderstanding .... So, has the professor been eating well so far?"

"Oh, you're a professor? Yes, well. The professor…. …The professor is ….."

The Professor is ... The Professor is ....

Iffrin's voice, which had been repeating, broke off.

She thought long and hard about something, and then, as if realizing something, she mumbled with a very surprised look on her face.

"Hey, Professor. I don't think you've had anything to eat for the past week…?"

"... Hmm?"

The words stunned Uri.

Questionable Questing

Gusfes, Grim Tide replied to a thread you are watching at Questionable Questing.

[NSFW] - In My Retirement (Multicross, Harem)

 

Why had fate decided to curse her so? Yuri couldn't help but wonder. Although she had long excelled at maintaining a strong, stoic front, her normally unwavering visage threatened to crack at the news she had recently received.

The existence of the 7th Campione wasn't new to her - she had simply opted to refrain from thinking about them, and their sudden proximity to herself. Knowing what those… Monster's could do, and her utter inability to stop them did not do kind things to her mental health.

There had been a ritual once, used to call upon an unknown Heretic God. It was a terrible thing - requiring significant amounts of power to complete, but at the same time necessitating multiple providers of close to equal amounts. Meaning, the Campione who abducted them to complete the ritual had been unable to complete it by himself.

As is the nature of those who can take what they want, and have no care for the repercussions, she had been taken. Of the close to 20 witches and Hime-Miko's taken, Yuri could count on one hand how many hadn't fallen into a vegetative state afterwards, including herself.

That was simply the nature of the world. The strong took, and the weak were forced to follow along, accepting their lot in life or risk being struck down.

She tried not to think such depressing thoughts too often - and in the years separating her from that horrible incident, Yuri had recovered her mental fortitude and well-being, for the most part. That recovery was now being tested, both with the sudden realization that she was attending the very same school as a God-killing monster, and her new task in relation to him.

Yuri thanked her lucky stars she hadn't been asked something as ridiculous as trying to attend to the Campione's needs in a foolish attempt to grow closer to him. She isn't quite sure how she would have reacted to that, but if the Historic Compilation Comittee had cited a reason such as 'you have experience with Campiones' she would have positively screamed; a rather dire reaction for the young Hime-Miko.

Instead, the blonde knight who was already working with him and apparently held good relations had reported an anomaly. Something the HCC desperately needed to get eyes on. Some… Thing, or someone, who either was a Heretic God or held power equivalent at the minimum to a Heretic God.

And they'd been in Tengu City for years. Attending the very same school as her. And she'd never noticed.

Yuri had been blessed with a gift from her bloodline, which granted her full status as Hime-Miko, known as Spirit Vision. It was a powerful ability, one she was exceptionally talented in, that allowed her to grasp the fleeting sands of time to look into the past, to recall that which she had never seen, and make certain predictions in regard to the future.

This meant either her ability hadn't activated - it wasn't completely reliable - or she simply hadn't seen this… anomaly.

If they were separated by grade, there was a chance she wouldn't have seen him yet. Or, if she'd only seen him once or twice, it might not have been enough to cause it to trigger. Granted, Yuri was a nice girl, something she had no trouble admitting, but she also wasn't… the most sociable? She didn't try spectacularly hard to make new friends or explore the school beyond her assigned classes.

Normally, the presence of a… hidden person of God-like power would be a great cause for concern. Heretic Gods, at least, were incredibly rarely not doing something that was detrimental to humanity when they weren't ensconced in their legends. So to discover that one, or something similar, had been near her for years? It was disconcerting, to say the least.

And now… as the premier Hime-Miko of the area, the HCC was giving her the dubious honor of becoming their point of contact, with a certain amount of pressure to 'increase friendly relations' to the best of her ability.

Yuri had been dedicated to her duties as a Hime-Miko for as long as she could remember - although her mother hadn't possessed the aptitude to be one, she still gave her daughter ardent support in everything she did. The young maiden couldn't be more happy with her family and their assurance, but now her lack of worldly experience, or at least social talents, would be coming back to bite her.

Hopefully not too harshly, so long as they didn't expect a miracle out of her.

Although she would continue to count her lucky stars she wasn't expected to interact regularly with the… Godou character. Maybe it was rude to make assumptions before meeting somebody but… She had her reasons.

They had dispatched somebody else to retrieve a certain item from him - somebody who she didn't particularly envy at the moment. Not that she was thrilled about her own current position, but all reports said this Haruki character had lived in Tengu City for over 10 years with absolutely no complications to be heard.

Yuri was hoping that it meant they were some… oddity that simply wanted to be left alone, rather than some sinister being plotting an epic scheme years in the making. So long as she didn't have to deal with a Campione, however…

A light shiver wracked her body, one she allowed before steeling her nerves. Erica had politely supplied the address of the residence in question, as she didn't have another way of contacting Haruki ahead of time.

She found herself inside a pleasant looking apartment complex, standing before a door. One she'd been fidgeting in front of for the better part of a minute. You can do this, Yuri!

She raised a slightly trembling hand before steadying herself, and knocking weakly a couple of times. Perhaps if nobody answered, she could turn around and claim she tried for the day, ignoring the fact she hadn't knocked very loudly at all. After all, who would know the difference?

Much to her chagrin, the door creaked open, revealing a massive, blonde-haired man. Theoretically, Haruki, and this was undoubtedly Haruki, was around her age. Yuri wasn't afraid to call herself a young woman, but there was no doubt in her mind that this was no mere boy, nor even a young man.

Spoiler: What Haruki Saw

His pale blue eyes pierced straight through her, looking like tiny cutouts of a perfect cloudless summer sky, and they held such weight Yuri felt like she was going to be forced to her knees beneath their stare. Experience, far more than a near 18 year old should ever have, bore down on her and judged and scrutinized her, attempting to divine her purpose.

Yuri could only stand, frozen, unable to speak. A moment passed, until Haruki seemed to glean whatever he was looking for, as he opened the door fully. Rather than give her a reprieve at the brief break in eye contact as he looked down for a second to avoid scraping his toes on the door, Yuri felt her power trigger the moment she no longer viewed him from just his profile.

Instead of taking away her vision and replacing it with images of the past, however, there was a sudden overlap of what she was currently viewing and what Spirit Vision was currently displaying. That is to say, her world was suddenly split in two, perfectly divided between one eye and the other.

From one viewpoint, she saw what could only be described as an Angel of war, clad in burnished bronze armor, a crown-like halo floating high above his head. Brilliant flaming wings of golden light spread out behind him, making an already imposing figure larger than life. He stood proud, a large spear casually stood against the ground, tip pointing towards the air as his regal presence demanded respect from any who saw him.

Behind his faceplate, fully covering everything but a tiny section of what would have been his mouth and eyes, there was only darkness. It was an oddity she couldn't quite understand, but it was a minor distraction compared to everything else. This noble and mighty warrior stoody directly behind Haruki, and from her point of view were virtually indistinguishable, clearly telling her they were one and the same.

It was not necessarily that half of the vision that sent her brain into meltdown, however.

The other half of her vision was dominated by the same Angel. Same bronze armor, same glowing wings, same spear. The core difference, however, was what the image depicted them doing.

The first was… noble. Honorable. A warrior in every sense of the word - one who's spirit is indomitable, unbreakable, and who contains a strength beyond mortal description.

The second… showed that strength in action. The same angel stood before her, spear planted in the corpse of a creature she couldn't begin to identify. That wasn't the only one, however. This Angel stood on a veritable mountain of corpses - the ground dropped out below her to show an infinite pit filled with dead bodies of what she could only classify as demons.

There was an infinite variety - hulking beasts with blades for hands, massive grotesque abominations that only mockingly resembled the human form. Rotted bodies that had clearly once been a person, but the decaying flesh and state of the body told a horror story. Strange, dog-like creatures with quills adorning their backs, nude women with scaled bodies and wings and tails, and so many more than she could possibly describe.

The Angel stood atop them, victorious in his conquest, his spear lined with blood and other bits of viscera. His armor gleamed, steam rising from it as though it had just been pulled straight from the forge, oddly clean of spattered body parts.

The images slowly merged until they were one - half of the noble, proud Angel on one side, half of the bloodied and victorious one on the other. One stood on hallowed ground, at home and bearing his divine presence with ease, the other on the battlefield atop a literal hill of bodies, the shadow of death not dimming his light in the slightest.

Spoiler: Imperius

And just above their crowns rested an off-center gleaming red sphere of energy, seemingly out of place in regards to the rest of what she was seeing. Her spiritual sense practically screamed at her that it was something incredibly important - primordial even. It drew her eye even more than the glowing wings did.

Together, they stood, intrinsically tied to the man before her, before her vision faded and she was left reeling. The sudden presence of warm hands on both of her shoulders had her blushing with their sudden closeness, as in an attempt to support her weight Haruki had stepped closer.

"Are you alright?" His voice washed over her, and she latched on like a drowning woman would an outstretched hand. Slowly finding her stability from the sudden vertigo, she re-righted herself and gave him a tiny smile.

Once sure she wasn't about to fall over again, he released his hands, and Yuri immediately dropped herself into a bow. "Thank you very much, Itsuka-sama. I apologize for the intrusion and my sudden loss of balance. Please forgive me."

It was overly formal, and exactly what she wanted it to be to ensure she didn't irritate him for her sudden appearance. When she resumed a normal standing position, she found Haruki staring at her with one eyebrow cocked, his head slightly tilted.

Yuri wasn't keen on judging people on appearances alone, and when she'd seen the original photo provided it wasn't hard to see why the HCC was slightly concerned beyond the norm - there was no polite way of saying the man looked like a thug. It wasn't really his fault, either. He had strong features, shorter blonde hair, and his size was rather impressive in Japan.

But right now, the only thing Yuri could find herself comparing him to was a confused puppy. His eyes showed a rather earnest confusion, and his body language radiated the same thing. She felt her cheeks warm slightly at the thought, but she pressed onward, only to hear him finally respond.

"I don't see any need to apologize, miss?" Ah, and she hadn't even introduced herself.

"My name is Mariya Yuri, Itsuka-sama. I apologize again for not introducing myself. If it wouldn't be a bother, may I come inside?" Haruki seemed to contemplate for a moment before nodding in acquiescence.

Yuri was still dressed in her school clothes, rather than her shrine maiden outfit, which she'd learned to draw comfort from, but she was a strong girl. She could do this!

The blonde man turned around, and Yuri moved to follow. Right as she was crossing the entryway Haruki suddenly called out, briefly surprising her. "Kotori! We have a guest!"

The file did mention he had a little sister, and that threatening or otherwise indicating she was in danger was a big no no. Not that Yuri really had a threatening bone in her body, but it was wise to be extra cautious just in case.

The apartment wasn't overly large, but it looked like it could comfortably host the two people who lived there. She was directed towards a newer looking dining table, as it was the closest thing to a meeting area they had. There was also a couch in the living area, but it was the only seat there and nobody would have been facing each other.

Yuri gingerly took a seat, not wanting to make any particularly hasty movements. As she settled herself, a sudden bundle of energy appeared from the hallway she couldn't quite see down - a shock of red hair, gleaming red eyes, and a sharp smile pranced their way to sit down across from her.

"Hi! I'm Kotori, it's nice to meet 'ya." Yuri's normally stoic face almost cracked into a smile once more at the sheer amount of brightness Kotori brought with her, her energetic smile incredibly infectious.

"Hello, my name is Mariya Yuri. It is a pleasure to meet the both of you." Haruki sat down in between Yuri and Kotori, making himself at home, before offering her one of the drinks he'd gotten during his brief absence. Yuri gratefully took the glass of water, even if it was just as a slight distraction from her current task.

"Well, I assume you're here to discuss something with us, Mariya-san, so please tell me what we can do for you." Haruki started, and got straight to the point.

"Of course, thank you both for seeing me. I am here on behalf of the History Compilation Committee. I am the local Hime-Miko of the area, so I was contacted to introduce myself and see if there was any way I could be of assistance." Granted, they mostly wanted to know exactly what the hell they were dealing with, but offering her services wasn't incredibly costly to learn such answers.

Kotori and Haruki exchanged glances, before he spoke. "I see… And what prompted this? I can guess, but I'd like to be certain. Also, what exactly is the History Compilation Committee?"

Easy questions first, Yuri supposed. "I believe you recently fought with the newest Campione, though I understand it was for helpful purposes, and the reason it was brought to our attention is tied to the second answer. The HCC is the founding organization that handles supernatural events and people, in addition to hiding their existence. They learned of your existence after your interaction with the 7th Campione and the sudden realization that you'd been living here for so many years without them knowing was quite startling."

Yuri knew showing most of her hand normally wasn't the best way to 'play the game' as it were, but her Spirit Vision had shown her… somebody who didn't deal with such games. Blunt and to the point was her best bet.

Haruki snorted. "I shoulda known that Godou and Erica showing up at my doorstep would only bring me trouble." He shook his head briefly before turning back to her. "And you said you were here to become the 'point of contact' as it were? Do you need to check in on us, or is it more of a 'please call us if you need anything' type of deal?"

Yuri's cheeks darkened once again. This was something slightly more… difficult to explain. "Ah… Well you see…" Unconsciously she began to play with her fingers, nervously wringing them.

"Anything you need to ask about I can answer… but I believe the hope was that we would spend time together." She found herself unable to say anything else, as her lack of social skills came back to bite her. How does one phrase that the HCC had seen what happens when they stick a beautiful, unattached woman to a powerful man's side and liked what they saw?

The Copper-Black Cross normally wouldn't have bothered informing them of who exactly Godou was, but two things prompted them. One, the HCC would have learned shortly thereafter anyway, it's not exactly something easily hideable, and two, they learned Haruki existed. Although it held many other goals, the Copper-Black Cross wasn't one to simply let a rogue Heretic God roam free, especially if it had been planning something for years.

That said, they didn't have the resources to handle it themselves, and thus informed the HCC so they could deal with it as they saw fit.

However, per Erica's report, and the lack of a Campione's reaction, it seemed fairly clear that Haruki was something… other. What that exactly entailed was a bit of a mystery, but something they desperately wanted to know. And even if he wasn't on the level of a Campione, if it turned out Haruki was a human on the level of strength equal to a God via some other means? Then that was someone they wanted to view them through a favorable lens.

If that meant sending one of their premier Hime-Miko's as a possible enticement… well, it was worth the risk.

The truth was, the HCC had no clue how their meeting was going to go down, and while Yuri accepted that, she hoped really hard that the initial reports of Haruki were accurate. Thus far he hadn't seemed like a tyrannical monster… unlike the Campione.

Haruki himself had a contemplative look on his face, and Kotori simply watched him, waiting for him to decide what to do.

"Hmm… I have no issues with spending time with a beautiful young woman such as yourself, and I'm sure Kotori would enjoy having another friend. I have no issues with that, and if it eases the minds of those who would watch me, all the better."

Yuri would have been listening, but one could say accepting compliments about her looks from boys her age was something of a weakness of hers. Her stoic mask remained in place, but the blush that rose up was swift and bright.

"I personally have no interest in dealing with supernatural things. However, I know I cannot in good conscience withhold my assistance from those directly in front of me should they need my help, nor can I say I am heartless. I have no doubt a situation will arise in which I will be forced to use my powers for others, but I can promise it will only be in important cases where it is absolutely necessary."

Kotori simply nodded along, a slight smile gracing her lips. "If it sets their minds at ease, then as I said before, you are welcome to 'hang out' with us, if you desire. For the most part, however, we are simply living out our normal lives. I thank you for your forthcomingness and honesty in this matter."

Yuri slightly bowed, and she allowed a tiny smile to slip past. "I should be thanking you, Itsuka-sama. You honor me with your trust."

Kotori snorted. "Trust me, Mariya-san, you have the ultimate advantage needed to earn Onii-chan's trust."

Yuri turned towards the redhead, head cocked in confusion. "You're a girl and you're absolutely adorable. Trust me, you'll have no problems here!" Her blush returned tenfold.

Haruki turned towards his sister and lightly bapped her with an open hand. "Don't say things like that, Kotori. You make me sound like some kind of weirdo." He returned his gaze to Yuri. "Don't mind her too much, but she's not wrong. Growing up with Kotori has left me with a permanent weakness for anybody that could even remotely classify as a 'little sister'. Which really covers a lot of people."

Kotori was practically falling out of her chair, giggling as hard as she was. "One time in Middle School I managed to rope him into getting his nails done! He wore neon orange nail polish until the end of October, it was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time."

As she finished talking, the giggles returned in full force, threatening to cut her off from a lack of air. Haruki grumbled back good naturedly, the smile apparent in his voice.

"That was because you somehow managed to rope all the nice girls in my class into begging me for help 'practicing' polishing somebody else's nails. You put the single shyest girl up front as your spokesperson, the one who would cry at the drop of a hat, might I add. The moment I started to say no I saw the tears forming and faithfully performed my duty as a man instead."

Yuri watched the byplay between the siblings, horribly amused at the gentle-natured ribbing. As he said, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to hang out with them after all - rather than a terrible chore that would leave her nervous and stressed out, just maybe it would be fun.

Wouldn't that be something?

An hour later, Haruki, who insisted on being called by his first name, walked her home. She'd tried to decline, but Kotori had simply told her to stop being an idiot and pushed him out the door with her.

They walked in a comfortable silence, something Yuri was used to. Her social circle was simply non-existent; she hung out with her family and not much else. She had acquaintances at school, certainly, but her shrine maiden duties and the supernatural bent of them made sure most of the people she met there couldn't just 'hang out' with her.

Well, technically she could go and hang out with other people, but when a significant portion of her life would require her to lie about her activities, it just didn't seem worth it.

What were the chances that the oddity she'd been sent to investigate would turn out to be a friend? Two friends, as a matter of fact. Yuri, once again, to drive home just how much she appreciated it, thanked her lucky stars that she hadn't been sent to the Campione. Gods only knew how that would have turned out.

Being the type of person that she was, though, she'd take any punishment onto herself if it meant the safety of others. That was the type of person she was. Her imagination had run wild with what tortures she might have to endure if the person she was effectively offering herself to was of a darker inclination. Like Voban.

She shook her head to clear herself of such thoughts - so far, it seemed Haruki and Kotori were… nice people. They possessed a power, of some kind, and didn't seek to use it. A fact that was lent credence by the fact that the HCC couldn't find any discrepancies in Haruki's records to indicate he'd ever changed or otherwise received his power in a sudden burst.

He had remained consistent, which in turn lined up with what he'd told her.

Well, she'd have time to learn more about them later - they'd made plans to just… hang out, and get to know each other better the following day.

Yuri didn't know what the future held - her Spirit Vision hadn't given her any clues. What she did have was hope, and an endlessly returning optimism that had carried her past the terrible tribulations she'd been through in this life.

Maybe, just maybe, things would turn out not just ok, but better than they were before.

[hr][/hr]

A black haired girl stood on a nearby rooftop, watching the once-Angel and Hime-Miko approaching the young maiden's shrine. Glancing down at the flintlock pistol in her hands, she did one final check to make sure things would pan out as she hoped.

"Zafkiel: Fifth Bullet Hei." The energy flowed from her in a stream, manifesting itself into the weapon, forming the shape of a bullet, prepared to fire.

Spoiler: Ability

She gently pointed the barrel of the gun under her chin, a smile adorning her face. With the utmost confidence she pulled the trigger.

Visions flashed by, endless possibilities manifesting themselves before her very eyes and imprinting themselves into her brain. She watched as the original timeline faded - where the maiden was directed to that Godou fellow instead.

Her grin only grew as her victory was confirmed. This… was exactly as she hoped. Luckily for her, Haruki didn't need any help when it came to securing his prizes, just time and proximity - something which he would now have. The maiden girl, shy as she seemed, had much to offer, and the end results could only be improved by adding her to the mix.

Oh and how she reacted to things! It was… priceless. She would delight in drawing those out herself one day.

Especially in the slightly farther out future… Oh dear. Oh yes. That was even better than she originally expected.

If she was the kind of girl to do so, she would just have to send Voban a thank you note for his hard work in expediting the process.

She couldn't help it - she burst out laughing at the sheer unexpected swiftness at which her plan would bear fruit, a resounding 'Kihihihihi!' echoing off the nearby structures. Ah, how pleasing it is when the sands of time blow in her favor.

AN:

Things turned out... slightly different for this Kurumi. She's still... psycho... just... not killing Mio is her only goal psycho.

And she's also to blame for the Campione timeline shift. Definitely not me.

Besides Kurumi, if you know Date a Live, who's your favorite spirit? I've always loved Tohka, but she is also the first and stands out the most. If I remember right, the end of season 3 was quite touching in regards to her relationship with the MC.

Beyond that, Godou's gonna have to figure out a new way to beat some of his foes...View This ThreadUnread Watched Threads

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