Dungeon of Lust: Managing Otherworldly Beauties

Chapter 282: Fate’s Instrument

"W-what is that?"

Upon hearing those words slip from the owl’s lips, Vale abruptly halted his pedaling. While he couldn’t exactly see what it was, he could certainly guess because of the horrid smell.

"Those... are the Liora sacrifices."

On the diorama, he’d seen the mass of human bones forming a grotesque, damnable dam.

Vale motioned for Ximena to get off the bike, then soon followed as well. After storing [Midnight’s Bike] in his subspace, Vale faced where he could easily hear the constant crashing of water that slipped through the human dam.

Ximena’s crystal eyes stayed trained upon the horrible sight. She’d seen similar sights way too many times in her life, and from the expression she was currently making, it seemed she never got used to it.

Vale slid his hand into hers, to both keep [Lust] activated and maybe help calm her down.

He tugged lightly toward where he knew the wall to be. The wall which would lead to the landing with the plunge basin of the grand waterfall.

"Come on..."

Without a word, Ximena nodded.

She recalled her sash and slid it under her wings, then let the crystal protrusions unfurl.

’Oh, right. She can fly.’

Vale made himself as light as possible and awkwardly jumped into Ximena’s arms like a damsel in distress. A moment later, Ximena kicked off the ground, and with a powerful flap, the two streaked through the air and landed upon the upper ground.

’Wow...’

Ximena set Vale down.

His eyes dragged through the darkness, drawn to the multiple crushed flowers which glowed light purple.

Flowers that, despite being crushed and trampled, refused to wilt and wither. Curiously, Vale bent down and touched a flower.

’Ack!’

A sharp pain gripped his chest.

"Master Vale?! Are you alright?!"

’W-what? What’s happening?’

Following the pain was a feeling of weakness and inferiority.

It was a horrible, soul-churning feeling.

Then, a voice whispered in his ear.

"Ah, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time."

Vale, relegated to one knee and exhausted, looked back at Ximena.

"Master Vale, what’s wrong?!"

The delicate voice spoke again.

"She can’t hear me. Also, do your best to show no reaction. Now, hurry and use that sword. Then draw me to your world."

Vale gripped his head with one hand while Ximena knelt by his side, repeatedly asking if he was alright.

He could barely think.

’H-huh?’

The foreign pressure bearing down on his mind was too much.

Before he could even track what he was doing, his body began to move, drawing forth [Dominion] from [Nexus of Beginnings].

"Master Vale, seriously, what’s happening?!"

’I-I don’t know.’

Staggering to his feet, Vale marched toward the riverbank, then pointed the sword with a flower guard at the water.

He unconsciously began to invoke the Enchantment.

’W-wait!’

Just before [Domain] could activate, Vale tossed the sword behind him and began panting.

"Master?! What is wrong?!"

The sword bounced against the rocks and slid to a stop amidst a group of crushed flowers.

’Dominion must not taste water.’

Breathing heavily, Vale looked back at the churning waters hidden under the night’s veil. His eyes searched for something beneath the surface, but no — he could tell there was nothing there.

Nor was there anything behind the waterfall.

But in the corner of his eye, he glimpsed the reflection of a woman on the water’s surface.

A woman with sleek black hair, wearing a dainty floral dress.

Drowning out everything else, Vale focused on the delicate reflection, casting [World Without Witness].

Finally, the world froze.

The breeze from the crashing waterfall died. The waters themselves grew still. Ximena stopped hounding him to tell her what was wrong. The flickering light of the dead flowers paused.

The only thing that moved was the reflection of the calm woman hidden on the water’s surface and the flickering flames of Vale’s world.

Vale, gripping his chest, staggered to his feet.

He hadn’t been able to understand at first, but he quickly worked it out. This feeling — this weak feeling — this was what a Vice was reduced to in the face of one of their three nemeses.

With a slightly clearer mind, Vale grumbled:

"Hello, Diligence or Charity."

’Woman of the waterfall...’

"My, my. Lust, already discerned that, have you? Yes, I am Diligence; it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Vale shook his head, slowly beginning to cope with the feeling gnawing at his heart.

Looking over at the sword, Vale said:

"Now, I don’t particularly appreciate that greeting."

’The flowers...’

They contained a trace of Diligence’s power — a power which had seeped into his mind and tried to take control of him, trying to force him to use [Dominion] on her.

Why?

Vale didn’t exactly know. However, Sloth’s warning echoed in his ear, stopping him. But speaking of that warning...

’Sloth... she knows.’

Sloth knew he’d come into contact with Diligence at some point. No witnesses-less world could hide that fact.

But if Sloth hadn’t acted on that information yet...

’What is her goal?’

Sadly, the rumination had to be put on the back foot.

Diligence spoke calmly.

"Well, Lust, there’s much I’d like to discuss with you. So, get comfortable. And, don’t worry, nobody will witness our conversation."

Vale took a deep breath, then quietly chuckled.

"There’s a lot I’d like to say to you as well."

The voice laughed, the reflection dancing.

"I’m sure there is. But first, let me thank you. Thank you for playing your part. With your help, world peace is just on the horizon."

’H-huh?’

Vale shook his head as he found a nearby boulder and sat upon it.

"World... peace?"

"Yes. That’s the aim of every war, no? To claim dominion over all and rule under one sovereignty. War is the path to true peace. And you, Lust, you help start the war for peace."

"What are you even saying?"

The reflection laughed.

"If the Akkuron-Celestia war started too late, then pointing humanity’s collective blade at the Corrupted would have happened far too late. So, once again, thank you for doing your diligence as fate’s instrument."

’Fate’s instrument...’

’What type of bullshit is this bitch on?!’

Vale knew there were external forces trying to control his life, but being called a mere instrument didn’t suit his fancy at all.

In fact, it pissed him off.

Something Diligence would undoubtedly have known, seeing as Vale deduced she was the bastard oracle who’d helped Ophelia.