Read Novel Full Chapter 162: There Is Always a Favorite
Chapter 162: There Is Always a Favorite
Toy had run away from the imps, probably off to the training room, leaving Awilix, Salome, and himself waiting to start decoration in earnest until the room was finished.
’Can’t paint without a full canvas.’
All thirty imps scratched at the walls, digging tirelessly.
Awilix went and curled up and lay on the rug while Salome and Vale relaxed on the bed.
The imps had all risen to Emergent Miner, and their proficiency was increasing leaps and bounds, yet Vale felt as if time was slow as the three sat in silence.
Yet, that silence didn’t last for long.
Salome tilted her head toward Vale while resting her wing on top of him.
Then, with utmost solemnity, Salome asked Vale:
"Which of us is your favorite?"
’Huh?’
Vale, who’d been minding his damn business watching the imps tear at the stone, looked blankly at Salome, who was hogging [Cold Pillow].
After a gulp, Vale questioned:
"What, uh, do you mean?"
Salome gave Vale a sinister laugh, then said:
"What I said. Which of us is your favorite?"
’This... why is she asking this?!’
Vale’s voice faltered as he said:
"No, no, I got that... but what do you mean by favorite."
Salome laughed.
"That’s up to you. Favorite to lie with. Favorite to be around. Favorite all around."
The aura of Vale’s eyes trembled, and stress gripped his heart.
’Is she just telling me to pick my poison?!’
Vale coughed then said evenly.
"You are all equal in my eyes."
Salome bit her lip as she studied Vale’s face.
"Mmm... fat chance."
Awilix, lying on the rug, yelled:
"Cop out!"
Vale’s eyes widened.
"W-what do you mean?"
Salome started using her fingers to mime a person walking.
"Oh come on, Vale... Your reaction to thinking Awilix died compared to when Toy almost died was so stark it’s laughable."
’B-by the Vice!’
She said the silent part out loud!
A ripple of fear and unease washed across Vale’s countenance.
"You must be seeing things..."
Salome tilted her head on the pillow, her wicked smile plastered on her face.
"Oh, or how about—"
Scared of what she was going to say next, Vale cut her off:
"Alright, I’m just going to stop you right there! Even if I did have a favorite, pointing it out would only hurt someone."
Awilix launched up from the rug and sat on the end of the bed.
Awilix purred:
"Ssso, you do have a favorite."
Vale sighed and threw his head back, nearly smacking it against the headboard.
Salome put her hand on Vale’s shoulder, then added:
"Come on... sate my curiosity. We are all your subjects when it comes down to it. It is our duty to serve you regardless of how we feel. Besides, none of us would mind not being chosen as number one."
Awilix, staring intently at Vale while her ears stiffened and tail wagged, added:
"Actually, I would."
Salome laughed at Awilix’s words, then said:
"Just kidding, I would too. So, who?"
Vale rubbed his eyes. Then smushed his head into the mattress before screaming into it.
"Why in the world would I answer that question? Especially after you two said that!"
"Because if you don’t... we’ll be sad?"
’Why did she say that like it was a question?!’
Awilix hissed:
"If you don’t, I’ll go back to nonstop attacking the Stupidity of Reaper."
’So you were doing it with forethought?!’
Vale was doomed no matter who he picked...
Though, when thinking about it, who was his favorite?
Salome was the first Champion he summoned and the one he knew best.
She’d been with him in all his times of trouble, as well as the only reason he’d even survived thus far.
Although...
He couldn’t deny that, maybe not anymore, but Salome once saw him as just a means to an end...
He didn’t know how to feel about that.
But being upset about that would be quite hypocritical because that was what all of his Legion was to him by technicality.
As for an actual flaw about Salome...
She was a liar. A liar who lied to herself more than anyone.
Though she was definitely the best to lie with.
The next was Toy.
Maybe it was because she wasn’t directly tied to Vale, but his emotional connection to the small girl was tenuous when compared with his and Salome’s.
Not to mention... It was a little harsh to say, but Toy was not nearly as helpful to the dungeon as the others.
That’s not to say that there was something wrong with Toy or that he disliked her.
Next was Princess Ximena of the Crystal Owl Tribe...
Vale felt a little bitter as he thought about her.
To be honest... he simply felt bad for her and her situation. Especially now, knowing the hell Salome put her through.
But, even before, he had been partial to her because of her dreadful curse as he was the sole one able to bypass it. Alongside the fact that she looked like Fleur.
While from an outside perspective it looked like favoritism... His treatment of her was more like sympathy masquerading as care.
A sympathy confused by Lust.
Then there was Awilix...
Unlike the others, he didn’t need to think hard to find reasons to dislike her.
She was imprudent, with an ’attack first, ask questions later’ mentality.
She was an abomination of life and death — having died, but now alive — all while acting like her situation was normal.
But...
Her simplistic nature stripped all the convoluted aspects of life and showed Vale what peace of self looked like.
Awilix was well aware of her desires and was capable of making others well aware of her desires.
Vale never had to think of a hidden agenda or intent she may have.
And last, and most definitely least, there was Mias...
’I’d rather not think of all the reasons to hate him...’
But which did Vale like the most? Which was his favorite?
"You really want to know?"
Both nodded.
"You really, really want to know?"
Awilix screeched:
"Just spit it out!"
"Fine then. My favorite of you all is—"