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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The already short vacation felt even shorter. Teaching swordsmanship to Yuseora and Elsie, and learning from Freya, was quite enjoyable.
While learning, I was also able to hear information about the Demon Lords from Freya.
She told me that there was a Demon Lord named Violet in the Demon Lord’s castle, and that the network among Demon Lords was connected through her.
She explained that the current Demon Lord council, while still holding the authority of the original Demon Lords, lacked real power, and the later Demon Lords maintained a dominant atmosphere.
I was even able to obtain information on other Demon Lords she knew.
Her information-gathering ability seemed to be a trait of her clan.
The reason for the “seemed” was that even she wasn’t entirely sure.
Her ability wasn’t ordinary, but since she had no memory of directly contracting with a god, the only remaining conclusion was a clan trait.
Regarding that ability, she could only explain it as a feeling of a sixth sense opening when she concentrated.
Just like that, the vacation flew by, and before I knew it, it was coming to an end. The start of the second semester was just a week away.
And that day, I was in the trial space again.
“It’s been a while.”
Of course, I wasn’t alone.
I turned my head to see Elsie, looking extremely excited.
“What do you mean, ‘a while’? We were here all throughout vacation.”
“No, it’s been a really long time since it’s just the two of us, Allen.”
She was right. Unlike usual, I hadn’t brought Yuseora or Freya this time. But there was a reason for that.
“So, this fulfills our promise, right?”
The space I had asked the god to create this time was the academy cafeteria.
I intended to keep my promise to her from before the vacation ended – the promise that next time, she could eat her fill of the cafeteria food.
“Yes, well, there’s actually one more thing, but even exploring the Ice Valley starts with a full stomach.”
“One more thing?”
Had I made another promise with her without realizing it?
As I tried to recall, Elsie said,
“You won’t remember even if you try. Let’s just fill our bellies first.”
With that, she excitedly began choosing food.
Watching her, I also brought some food for myself.
“I always thought the portions of these dishes were too small, but it’s nice to just bring three plates at once and eat.”
As expected, Elsie displayed an impressive appetite.
Where did all that food even go? Watching her practically inhale the food, I recalled the question:
‘Do you truly consider them comrades?’
Of course, I did. I cherished her in my own way. In this world, the number of people I had formed such a bond with were probably few, including her.
‘But…’
Telling her about the next destination was a different matter.
How would she react when I told her we were going to the Lodreim Kingdom? That was part of the reason I had come to this space with her alone.
“Elsie, what do you think about me helping you?”
Elsie stopped eating and looked at me strangely.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden, in the middle of a meal?”
“Well, you said before that you wanted to repay me for helping you.”
It was a little embarrassing to say it myself. But I had to ask.
“So, do you feel any resistance to me helping you further?”
“That’s a really strange question.”
Now that she mentioned it, it did sound strange.
“No, I mean, it’s just a pure question. I absolutely have no bad intentions…”
“It’s alright. It’s a question just like you. How can you tirelessly worry about such silly things…”
She pointed her fork at me.
“Of course, it’s true that I’m receiving your help again by learning swordsmanship from you. As I receive this help, what I need to repay you will also increase.”
“Then…”
“But if I don’t even receive this help, it’s impossible for me to repay you. So stop thinking useless thoughts.”
I couldn’t say anything to her remark. Even I thought it was a rather pointless worry.
But I still couldn’t bring myself to talk about the Lodreim Kingdom. I didn’t want to bother Elsie while she was enjoying her meal.
‘I guess it’s better to tell her when Yuseora is here too.’
So I turned my attention back to the food.
But from Elsie’s perspective, my appetite seemed quite poor. Eventually, she put down her fork mid-meal.
“I’ll stop here.”
“Why? Isn’t that not enough? We can reset your feeling of fullness if you ask the god.”
“I told you, even exploring the Ice Valley starts with a full stomach. I didn’t come here just to fill my belly.”
She stood up and said,
“Follow me. I’ll tell you what the other promise was.”
Following her, I arrived at a certain location.
It was her dorm room.
“Come in.”
“But this is…”
“It’s the trial space, so there’s no disciplinary action for entering a female candidate’s room.”
At her words, I reluctantly entered her room. As soon as I was inside, she locked the door.
Of course, since it was locked from the inside, I could pick the lock and leave if I wanted to, but the important thing was the reason she locked it.
“Um… Elsie?”
“Of course, since it’s the trial space, there was no need to lock the door, but it’s about the atmosphere.”
“Atmosphere?”
She nonchalantly took off the thin outer garment she was wearing over her uniform.
“What are you doing…”
At that moment, Elsie’s blouse, which she had been fidgeting with while turned away, suddenly slid down.
And the setting sun through the window illuminated her translucent skin. Her nape, visible between the strands of her blonde hair, which had grown to her shoulders, shone even brighter.
‘Wait, this isn’t the time to just stand here and watch.’
Just as I hurriedly tried to avert my gaze, she said,
“You’ve seen it once before anyway. Is there anything to be concerned about?”
“No, but back then you were a child, but now you’ve grown quite a bit…”
“Grown? Where? Tell me specifically.”
She smiled. And her hand moved. My gaze naturally followed her hand.
‘Her chest?’
No, that’s not it. Feeling my face flush, I quickly said,
“Your height has increased, and your… physique has certainly matured. It’s different from before. It’s time to act a little more carefully.”
“I’m acting carefully enough. Have you ever seen another man approach me?”
It was true, there hadn’t been any. But that was less due to Elsie’s caution and more due to the other party being cautious of her.
“So, who do you think I should be careful of?”
“What?”
“Now that I think about it, it’s annoying. You’re charming Master Gwen, Miss Yuseora, and even Professor Freya… and you’re telling me to be careful?”
She came closer and closer. I unconsciously backed away until my back hit the door. Even as I debated whether to unlock it, Elsie continued to approach, finally stopping right in front of me.
“Wait, Elsie, put some clothes on. Let’s talk.”
We were practically touching. Alone in this room, alone in this world. It was definitely dangerous.
“This is dangerous.”
“What’s dangerous?”
“That’s…”
At that moment, her hand wrapped around my neck.
“How long are you going to keep averting your gaze?”
She naturally turned my head towards her. Then, Elsie’s serious gaze met mine.
“No one is deceived, Allen.”
“Elsie?”
“So it’s okay to be a little more honest.”
It was almost the same as what Freya had said. The only difference was the current situation.
“First, about what you just said was dangerous…”
At that moment, her arm tightened, pulling my face down as if clinging to me. And she whispered in my ear,
“Since it’s the trial space, it’s not dangerous at all.”
Hearing those words, my ears and neck flushed. Before being honest, I asked her one last time,
“Are you really okay with this?”
“Yes, I’m okay. So let’s be honest, one layer at a time.”
One layer at a time. That gentle expression was enough to persuade me. So I decided to be honest, at least with the first layer.
Perhaps I could find some answers.
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‘So, it has finally been done.’
Though I had been seduced by Elsie, it wasn’t smooth sailing. Neither of us had any real experience.
To be honest, I wasn’t even sure how things had progressed.
‘It was a blur.’
Still, thanks to a hero’s stamina being far superior to an ordinary person’s, by the time it was over, the sun had completely set.
Of course, that only applied to Elsie; I had to pray to the god several times in the middle to replenish my stamina.
‘Sorry, I can’t be honest about that.’
I looked at Elsie, who had fallen asleep from exhaustion, and thought to myself. The moonlight filtering through the window softly illuminated her.
Her hair, unusually returned to its blonde color, reminded me of when we first met.
‘She was filthy.’
I had fed her, washed her, and put her to sleep. Come to think of it, that’s when I started deceiving her.
Even back then, she wasn’t easily fooled.
‘Yeah, thinking about it, she was never really fooled.’
Even when I disguised myself as Seo Yoo Rang, she had sensed my true identity. It was almost absurd when she confirmed it by smell. And now, surely…
‘Doesn’t she already know?’
Looking at her sleeping soundly, I opened my mouth.
“My next destination is…”
Of course, she was fast asleep. Even if I told her now, I would have to say it again later. But if I couldn’t say it now, I wouldn’t be able to say it then either.
“The Lodreim Kingdom.”
I finally felt a little more honest.
At that moment, a voice echoed.
[It’s been a while.]
‘It has. God of Voyeurism.’
[Please refrain from such misunderstandings. This is my trial, not an inn.]
‘So what is it? I don’t think the God of Chains has returned yet.’
[No, not yet. But I wanted to let you know that my trial is almost over.]
‘Is there a reward then?’
[No, there isn’t. I simply wanted to personally express my gratitude and offer my support.]
Gratitude and support at this timing?
I looked down at Elsie. Just what was this trial’s true nature?
‘It’s not really the God of Voyeurism, is it?’
[Once again, I must say that is a misunderstanding.]
‘Anyway, the trial isn’t over yet, is it?’
I couldn’t pinpoint it, but by being even a little honest with Elsie, I felt a sense of accomplishment. But for the trial to not be over yet…
[It’s still a little lacking. The last step to reach your destination, perhaps.]
‘You can’t tell me what that last step is, can you?’
[No, but I do want to give you a warning. That last step will likely not be easy. That’s why I’m offering my support.]
His words meant that the true third trial was fast approaching.
Since the previous trials had never been easy, I wondered what meaning this support held, but it didn’t feel bad, so that was good.
If the trial was unavoidable anyway…
‘I hope this trial will also fill something within me.’
That’s how it had been with the trials so far.
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Wow this guy fucks