The Eizern Empire. The capital, Calastia. Golden Cloud Palace.
In the innermost depths of the palace, known for its exceptional beauty and grandeur, Crown Prince Alondre muttered to himself.
“This is troubleso.”
[Why? They’ve already set the table and handed you the spoon. Wouldn’t it be fine to just eat?]
Lucidra couldn’t understand Alondre’s thoughts.
To her, Blanca’s appearance was more than acceptable.
Considering the nature of being an adventurer, she wasn’t exactly dressed to impress, yet she still looked like that—clearly, her natural beauty must be extraordinary.
So, when soone like that approaches and offers herself, what hesitation would there be?
[Or is it possible that you lack experience in that departnt? If that’s the case, I, your sister, could kindly teach you a few things. Hm?]
Lucidra’s sweet, seductive voice, whispered so smoothly, was alluring enough to make any man’s heart race. However, Alondre’s expression remained indifferent.
No, it wasn’t just indifference—was there a hint of scorn in his gaze?
[Hey, what’s with that look? What do you think you’re doing?]
“Your narrow-mindedness is truly unfortunate.”
[This guy... do I really have to kill him?]
“Here you are, in the middle of the Imperial Palace, having a direct confrontation with the Crown Prince. I must comnd your courage in trying to experience firsthand the legendary tale of fighting against the odds.”
Alondre spoke calmly, dismissing the deadly atmosphere Lucidra was trying to create.
“I don’t know how things were for you while you were sealed away, but in recent tis, any noble family worth its salt ensures so form of sex education. To be more blunt, asures against the charms of beautiful won are a given—basic, really. As Crown Prince, you think I haven’t received such education myself?”
It made sense—how could the imperial family, responsible for leading the empire, allow a mber to be enchanted by soone and give up everything for them? Naturally, they’d be trained and prepared for such situations in advance.
Alondre could probably make a list of all the social events, balls, and gatherings he had attended on parchnt stacks.
Being the Crown Prince, any romantic entanglents wouldn’t be a personal matter but a political one. While few would directly approach him, the ones who did would surely co with full intent to pursue him.
Compared to won who, driven by their ambitions of restoring their family’s honor, would literally fight to the death for such an opportunity, Blanca’s shy advances could almost be called cute.
[Wouldn’t that be better? If you’re not worried about being swayed by the other person, you can just enjoy yourself and leave all the responsibility behind. Pleasure without consequences.]
“You... your character is truly awe-inspiring. As expected, a Great Demon is different.”
Alondre clapped his hands as if genuinely admiring her. It wasn’t mockery—it was pure evaluation, which made it all the more frustrating.
“If you were approaching with political intent, it would be one thing. But using soone’s desperation to save her mother to exploit her weaknesses for your own gain? There’s no trash worse than this. That’s not what a true adventurer does.”
[Well, from my perspective, most adventurers would just happily take what’s offered and move on...]
Alondre ignored her.
“Well, I can roughly understand the situation. ‘Adventurer Bern’ doesn’t plan to leave Blanca and join others, but she doesn’t know [N O V E L I G H T] that, so she must be anxious. That’s why she’s trying to keep him close by even resorting to physical intimacy.”
[You talk like you’re being so logical, but expressing it so bluntly like that is really inconsiderate, you know?]
“First, I need to boost her self-esteem. People with low self-worth tend to depend more easily on others. It was a good decision to prepare that ring. If Blanca’s abilities improve from this, even though she was ntally cornered, she’ll be able to stand on her own again. Perfect.”
[....]
Well, I wonder if it will be that easy.
Lucidra thought this, but she chose to remain silent.
It wasn’t out of so petty desire for Alondre to suffer, no—she, as a Great Demon who had transcended the limits of her succubus lineage and firmly established herself as a unique being, would never stoop to such a level.
Probably.
***
After Blanca's declaration of "I'll do anything," Bern remained silent for a long ti, just staring at her.
The longer the silence stretched, the more Blanca trembled with anxiety and impatience.
The more she tried to suppress it, the more her trembling intensified, and her heart pounded so loudly she felt dizzy.
Had her words been too blunt?
Did he think she was a loose woman, and now despise her?
Should she have just kept quiet and not done anything foolish?
As Blanca’s mind spiraled in confusion, Bern’s hand finally reached toward her and rested on her shoulder.
Relieved, Blanca braced herself, but instead of undressing her, Bern adjusted her clothes, straightening the hem.
It was a relief. And yet, there was sothing more than that—disappointnt.
Interpreting Bern’s actions as a rejection, Blanca said, with a bitter expression, “I’m sorry. I guess I put pressure on you.”
“It’s not exactly like that. At least now I know what your determination is like,” Bern replied calmly.
He rummaged through his pocket and, to Blanca’s surprise, pulled out a ring and offered it to her.
Blanca blinked, not understanding, as Bern spoke.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Whether I should give this to you. It’s sothing I can’t use—well, it’s sothing that holds no aning for —but it’s far too valuable to just hand off to anyone. If it beca widely known, it could cause quite a stir.”
“What is it exactly?” Blanca asked, bewildered.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
“It’s called the Ring of Essence Absorption. When worn, if the wearer defeats a living being, it absorbs their vitality and converts it into magic power for the wearer.”
“That’s absurd...”
Blanca could hardly believe her ears.
Had anyone else said those words besides Bern, she would have laughed it off as an obvious scam.
It sounded that ridiculous.
Magic was valuable. Even the most basic of spells, such as Fire from Wood or Ice from Water, were far out of reach for commoners who could barely afford them.
However, techniques or thods that influenced the quantity, quality, or recovery speed of magic went beyond even that.
While the forr could be obtained by a commoner with enough money, the latter could never be bought, no matter how much wealth one amassed.
That was because such techniques were tightly held by the world’s rulers, who would never let them escape their grasp.
The pri example was the technique of mana cultivation. Whether one possessed it or not could determine the military power and prestige of a family.
With mana cultivation, an ordinary soldier could enhance their body with mana, and a soldier who could already use magic would even be able to emit sword energy.
Of course, even the cultivation techniques had their limits, and not everyone benefited equally, but for those who had never risen above diocrity, the chance to grow even once was a powerful weapon.
This was why even superhumans with mana-enhanced bodies couldn’t stand up to the nobility—because the nobility had the power to control such beings, or because they themselves were superhumans.
Bern was now offering one of those rare tools to Blanca.
In shock, Blanca couldn’t find the words to speak.
Not knowing how to respond, she asked the most basic question.
“Why... are you doing this for ?”
Bern answered simply.
“Because you’re my companion, Blanca.”
“Bern, you could get far more capable and talented companions than .”
“Maybe, but in the end, you were the first one to recognize and go all in, even giving everything you had. I’d rather work with soone who acknowledges too.”
Bern shifted his posture and faced Blanca directly.
At a distance so close that they could feel each other’s breath, he spoke.
“Blanca, I’m not as perfect as you think. I have plenty of secrets I can’t share with others. I’m quite materialistic, selfish, and honestly, I’m adventuring for reasons that are far from noble. If those who are truly seeking a living or a goal like you might find it unpleasant, there’s no excuse for it.”
Up until now, his gaze had seed calm, unreadable.
But in those eyes, there was a fire that burned so intensely that it was both dangerous and strangely attractive.
“I’ve stepped into a hidden ruin, defeated the monsters and traps guarding it, destroyed an evil sorcerer, and freed the poor soul he had captured. It excites . Blanca, you gave a goal, and I’m really fond of that goal.”
Blanca stared at him blankly.
In his wild eyes, she saw herself, her face hazy as if drunk.
“But to achieve that goal, I can’t do it alone. I need a capable, trustworthy companion who shares the sa dream. Blanca, you gave that goal, so we already share a dream. You’ve proven your trust through your actions. What’s left is competence, and I believe this ring will help with that. That’s why I’m giving it to you.”
Bern stepped back.
Only then did Blanca realize that she had forgotten to breathe.
Panting, she spoke.
“Ah, I understand. I’ll... I’ll do my best.”
“Excellent.”
Bern smiled faintly, told her they’d et tomorrow, and left.
After he left, Blanca sat there for a long ti, staring at the ring Bern had given her.
Thud. Thud.
Her heart pounded, but this ti, it hurt in a way it hadn’t before.
***
“See? This is the perfect response. Minimizing unnecessary romantic entanglents, building pure camaraderie, and now we share the sa goal.”
[Hey, wait. Are you a demon senior or sothing? You don’t seem human at all...]
“Excuse ?”
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