Chapter 184: I Love You, Master

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༺ 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.

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.

"...…"

"Hmm."

Thus, a silence blanketed the carriage for a while.

.

.

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.

.

"Lulu, are you okay? Lulu?"

My head was lowered and my eyes lifeless when Master voiced his concern.

With his tender soothing voice and his warm gaze, he stirred emotions in me that sharply contrasted with the coldness I had only known until now.

As expected, I really liked Master, who provided such affection for someone like me.

-Miss Lulu! Please join our party!

Of course, Master wasn't the only person to shower me with such attention and affection.

– Let's have ice cream together like last time! Let's watch a play and have fun chatting!

Hero Ruby, who had been sending me letters for weeks, and other classmates who suddenly became friendly with me.

They, too, extended their attention and love.

But at this moment, I found myself not needing their love at all.

I had once desperately yearned to be loved, but now, even if they loved me, it failed to bring me happiness.

"….."

I only wanted to be loved by Master, for he was the one looking at me intently right now.

Without Master's affection, love, and attention, I no longer felt anything.

Why?

It was because of him, whose remaining lifespan was already scant but further diminished by my presence— he was the sole person in this world who harbored genuine affection towards me and treated me warmly, despite his identity as a villain.

This was why I loved him.

And as a result…

Even if he was the greatest villain in the empire.

Even if our relationship as Master and pet was twisted.

Even if his wickedness tainted my soul.

It didn't matter.

The man in front of me was my true Master, whom I chose of my own free will to possess and exert control over me.

But…

What if…What if…

'What if Master disappears… then what will happen to me?'

Fear gripped me suddenly.

Rumors of Master's failing health had already spread throughout the empire, and with just a quick glance, I could see that the Master in front of me looked exhausted and frail.

And when I examined Master with my Magic Eyes…

He was excessively clean.

Despite his outer appearance looking like decay has set in, his inner self was surprisingly clean.

Hence, despite my previous sense of assurance, after witnessing Master's only unguarded moment just now, I could immediately tell.

Master had been deceiving me all along.

A person who looked so sick shouldn't have such a pristine inside. That was why, when I increased my Magic Eyes output to the maximum, I detected traces of subtle magic all over Master's body.

In other words, Master cast spells on his own body to deceive my Magic Eyes.

"Ugh, ah…"

The world in front of my eyes gradually darkened.

In a world without Master, how could I continue to live?

Would I ever find love from another? No, that was wrong. I could never again accept love from anyone else.

Unless it was Master, who continued to love me while concealing the fact that he was dying, I no longer held any desire to receive love from anyone else.

However, Master was dying because of me. My initial intention of approaching him was to use him, but now, this very approach had entangled him in my misfortunes.

What should I do? How can I save him? Is there ever a way to save him in the first place?

No, do I even have the right to think like this right now? Do I have the right to become his pet?

Do I deserve to be loved in my current state…?

"…Lulu."

Lost in my thoughts and sinking deeper into the pit of despair, I felt Master's firm grip on my arms as he called my name.

"Stop."

"…Ah."

Oh no, I had been unconsciously scratching my arms with my nails.

This was bad. I had promised Master I wouldn't harm myself anymore.

I knew I would face his stern reprimand. He had warned me in no uncertain terms that he would scold me if I ever engaged in self-harm again.

"…I should be punished."

Oh, no. I was wrong. Please don't hit me. Please…

– Smooch.

As old traumas flooded my mind, Master's tongue suddenly entered my mouth.

"Mmphhh…"

And then the mingling of our tongues began.

It was so sudden that I couldn't fully grasp it.

Kissing Master was so sweet.

"Puha…"

As I started to melt and blend into the glow of such feelings, Master finally pulled away.

"Are you feeling better now?"

He asked with a gentle smile.

"Ah…"

Was this a punishment? No, it was not.

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.

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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 read 505 episodes for $10. p.*atreon.com/Astrid02