The Noble Lady of Lust

Chapter 442: Decision

"Ever since you, my lady, started writhing and pulling your hair like the mentally unstable person you are."

"Hey, from the very beginning—why didn't you say anything?"

I mean, I was doing that while I was thinking about Evangelin and Aeloria. Elena was basically right behind me the whole time.

Or rather, she was hiding on purpose, because I was pacing back and forth the whole time.

Obviously I would've seen her if she'd just been standing behind me; I think she was hiding in my shadow.

She doesn't have the Shadow Assimilation skill, but she can do something similar with some dark magic spells she was able to start using when she reached the sixth metamorphosis.

She did the same thing that night before we set out on the expedition, and come to think of it, she's been leaving there a lot lately.

Which really makes me wonder how much time she actually spends there.

Now I can't be sure if I was alone when I thought I was alone.

I have to be careful, or, without realizing it, she might be in my shadow when I'm trying to spy or doing something that'll get me beaten up.

"I didn't want to interrupt her, since, as my lady said, she seemed to be thinking about some things."

"Yeah, that's what… wait, then why did you say that earlier? You just wanted to tell me my head was a mess, right?"

"That is an unfounded accusation, my lady, but, in any case, it is a proven fact."

"Hey! My head is perfectly in order… I think… yes, I even have a really good mental palace."

"If that's what your questionable and deplorable reasoning wants to believe. (¬_¬)"

"Hey! What did I do now? Why does it seem like you want to insult me just because I exist?"

"You, my lady, didn't do anything… but perhaps the fact that, even though I said I wasn't angry, doesn't change the fact that you arrived half-dead, which could have caused me great dissatisfaction—and that also makes me feel the need to tell you just how deplorable you are as a person who doesn't keep your promises."

"Ugh!... A-are you sure you're not angry?"

"(≖_≖), do you want me to be, my lady?"

"No, ma'am. I can see that it's really just a minor dissatisfaction, since you're such a big-hearted person who wouldn't get angry over my very lacking actions."

"Well then, my lady. I'm glad that even you—who lack many of the qualities a normal person has—can at least understand something as simple as that."

"Y-yes. Ahem!… and about what happened. How I ended up in a place where I unexpectedly had to fight three Ninth Metamorphosis types… haaah~. Where do I even start?... Well, do you remember when I first arrived in this world and threw up on you for the second time?"

"(ㆆ_ㆆ), I don't remember anything like that. It must be a memory created by your disordered and very lacking brain."

"Hey! I'm trying to make a serious confession here—you can save the insults for later."

"I don't understand what you mean. I wouldn't dare do something as rude as insulting you. I'm just stating facts that, as your personal servant, I've noticed."

"Hey, don't hide behind this 'professionalism' nonsense. This is obviously personal now."

"(¬_¬) It's not… and, in any case, my lady, regarding what you're about to say… tell me something first. Do you really want to say it, or do you feel obligated to say it?"

"Ugh!... W-well, I know there's no point in lying, so, well… it's more the latter. After all, I have to explain why I ended up like this and how things turned out, don't I? It's the least I can do for you all, who care about me and almost saw me die."

Yes, they deserve an explanation—without any lies or omissions—as to why things ended up this way.

If I think about it, I can leave that out. I can actually say that I went to get Rosy's supplies, that I stumbled upon my brother's problem by chance, and that I just happened to know there was a seedling nearby and went to check on it, only to run into those guys.

The only thing that really doesn't add up here is that, without any clue, I went to check on a seedling whose location I shouldn't have known.

"I see that you still have a glimmer of conscience and understanding, which are fundamental qualities of sentient beings."

"You're really not going to stop with that, are you?"

"No. (ㆆ_ㆆ)"

"Now you didn't even deny it. Ugh… Anyway, I know it's my fault. I promised something and didn't keep my word, and I came back in that state—which obviously isn't something anyone wants to see in the person they love."

If one of the girls came back in that state, I'd definitely be pissed off and really angry.

Obviously, I'd want to know why that happened and everything that went down, so I could go after the bastard who did it.

So, looking at it the other way around, I can understand them. Besides, the girls already know I'm hiding something from them; I've already pushed my luck by not having to explain anything, when—without any explanation—I went to save down a demon on the other side of the world.

I'm the only fool here for thinking the girls wouldn't figure it out on their own.

To begin with, I told Silvia that secret to avoid misunderstandings.

And now the same thing is happening: if I leave out any details, they might draw the wrong conclusions, which could later lead to problematic and potentially harmful misunderstandings.

I do think about that: the reason I didn't want to tell them is because I didn't want to burden them with the future, and I was a little hesitant about how they'd feel about what was originally supposed to happen and how things turned out now.

But at this point, the future couldn't be more different, and I know our bond isn't fragile enough for telling this truth to break it.

In fact, the downsides of not telling them are greater now; besides, if a puslimine like Silvia could handle it, obviously my girls can too.

"I see your ego is big enough to say something like that without any hesitation, and yes, you're absolutely right, but I have to ask: would telling me that secret keep you from coming back in that state the next time you go out?"

"Huh?... Hmmm..."

I was already mentally prepared to tell everything, but Elena suddenly asked me a somewhat unexpected and complicated question.

Thinking about it, actually, I don't think things would change much.

For example, if they had known when I went to rescue Ciel, I still would have gone alone.

And even if they'd known before this trip, nothing would have changed either.

I would have gone alone anyway, since, to begin with, I, too, initially thought everything was safe.

I wasn't going to take any risks— I'd just save my brother if the opportunity arose, collect Rosy's materials, check on the seedling, and set up some barriers until it grew…

I never thought I'd run into those guys or discover that a plan like that was being carried out without me even knowing it.

So, even if they'd known, nothing would have changed.

And right now, I really don't plan on letting something like that happen again, but that was the same thought I had after the Ciel incident, and something even worse ended up happening.

It's really completely out of my control.

So, even if I tell them everything, just as I've planned, a similar situation could happen again in the future.

"I see, so knowing that secret doesn't really change anything."

"Yeah, that's right... Wait!, did you read my mind again?"

"No. (¬_¬)"

"Why does it seem like you're lying?!"

"It's your lack of imagination working in tandem with your lack of a brain."

"Damn it, I feel like it would be better if you insulted me like Eira does... hmm, how long do you think you'll last like this?"

"I still don't understand what you're getting at. I'm perfectly normal..."

"Fine, let's believe that. Anyway, as I was saying, the explanation begins on the very day I came into this world, after I threw up on you because—"

"Stop right there, my lady."

"Damn it… fine, I won't mention the vomiting, but let me explain or we'll never make any progress."

"No, I mean this isn't something I alone get to decide."

"Decide? Decide what? What are you talking about?"

"…Never mind. Anyway, the other young ladies are already here."

"Huh? Oh, they're here… wait, how did they find us?"

"I sent them a message using magic. This is something we all need to discuss together."

"Oh, I see. Yeah, you're right about that… I was getting a little ahead of myself. I guess I'm a little nervous; you know revelations aren't really my thing."

Yes, just as Elena said, the group arrived with all the girls, including Astris and Lily—and for some reason I don't understand, Silvia was there too.

She didn't seem to like the situation and had the look of someone who'd gotten dragged into something she didn't want to be a part of.

It was also a little suspicious how Eira was walking right behind her, as if keeping a close watch on her.

'Help me…'

I think I got a telepathic message from Silvia, but I decided to ignore it; there were other things that deserved my attention more, like the fact that the twins had a new look.

That's something I was already expecting: they both ditched their pink hair and now have blue hair.

Selene's is a dark blue, while Eira's is a light blue.

"Why did this happen? Waaah!" (Leyla)

And maybe that's exactly why the other thing caught my attention: a tearful Lily. No, she wasn't just crying; she was throwing a huge tantrum while holding Selene.

Selene was as calm and unflappable as ever, while being carried and hugged by her mother.

She didn't even seem to mind that Lily, in addition to tears, was leaving snot in her hair.

"My pretty little pink ones, Why? Damn it! Gods, I swear this won't stay this way.." (Leyla)

Yeah, I'm going to ignore the fact that Lily just did something that defies all common sense in this world; anyway, it didn't seem like something I could get involved in, so I'll wisely ignore it… or so I thought until…

"Hmm!(/ㆆ▵ㆆ/)"(Selene)

When we were close enough, Selene reached out her arms toward me. Her expression didn't change, but that was enough to tell me she really wanted me to get her out of that situation. "So I did what any good partner would do: I waited until they were right in front of me, then discreetly moved close to Eira, grabbed her, and—in one swift motion—swapped her position with Selene's.

Click.

I also removed the sticky substance from her hair. I may not be able to use mana, but my blessing has never relied on that—it's based on divinity—so I can keep using it as much as I want.

"Huh?... Hey, you fucking bastard! What do you think you're doing? Hey, you old witch, let me go! Don't get me covered in your disgusting snot!" (Eira)

Perhaps because my move was so unexpected, Eira didn't process it right away, but when she did, she got angry as expected and struggled to break free from Lily—and she succeeded.

But it was too late: that substance was already in her hair.

"Waaah! Even her cuteness is gone! My babies!" (Leyla)

Setting aside the fact that Lily is already overreacting—since Eira is acting just like she always does—Eira glared at me, looking as if she wanted to complain about my actions.

Click!.

But if there's no evidence, nothing happened.

"You, you idiot, tell me something." (Eira)

"Huh? It wasn't me!"

"Stop fooling around. Are you still hurt?" (Eira)

"Well, my magic circuit is a mess, and it won't recover anytime soon."

"What about your physical condition? How are you doing physically?" (Eira)

"Oh, I'm really touched by how worried you are about me. The truth is, I still feel the occasional crack in my bones and several torn muscles, plus some organ issues, and a few minor deformities in various places from casting so many spells,"

"Tsk! Are you that bad off?" (Eria)

"Yeah, but I assure you that in a few hours I'll be as good as new. The deformities will also fix themselves, but it might take a few days for my arm to actually grow back. And the only long-term problem is my magical circuit."

"Tsk… so for now it really isn't possible. Where's your doppelganger? I have to finish what I was doing earlier." (Eria)

"Huh?... Hey! You asked about my condition just so you could hit me!"

"So what if I did! Now tell me where the doppelganger is!" (Eria)

"Oy!, you have to be careful with him! In my current state, I can't make another one if he gets destroyed."

"Tsk. Fine, I'll wait a few hours, then...Elena, that's what you called us here for, right? Let's get this over with quickly; I have a few things to ask this idiot about what I heard from my goddess." (Eira)

"Right. I called you all here because this is a matter that concerns everyone." (Elena)

"Yes, as Elena says, let's leave the other things for later. First, listen to what I have to say about—"

The moment had arrived. I just hope I don't say anything stupid, now that I'm getting a little nervous.