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༺ This Isn't It… ༻
"Pfff.."
"..."
"..."
As I lay on the floor with a blank expression, I looked up to find Aishi laughing at me.
"What's so funny?"
I cried out, intentionally exaggerating my anger towards her, but Aishi simply hid her smile behind her hand as she replied.
"You look like such an idiot, that's why~"
"Yo-You're the one who secretly turned the floor into an ice rink!"
"Pff! Phahaha…"
"Don't laugh!
Suppressing the goosebumps appearing all over my body, I went along with the atmosphere. Aishi continued to laugh, now even starting to shed tears.
'…What a relief.'
I thought as such, watching her and allowing myself a sigh of comfort.
'At least I've overcome that.'
Using my mind reading skill, I could see that her emotions of 'Despair', 'Depression', and 'Impulsiveness' had vanished. There was more.
[Stats]
Name: Aishi Winter Cloud
Strength: 3
Mana: 7.8
Intelligence: 7
Mental Strength: 5
Passive Status: Fragile / Demonic Aura / Corrupted (Halted)
Disposition: Pensive
Goodness Stat: 72
Previously, her Passive Status had a red label indicating that she was 'Corrupted,' but now that label was halted.
I partially knew of Aishi's past from reading the Prophetic Book.
In spite of being a mischievous princess yearning for love, Aishi had struggled to control the impulses that brewed within her, often leading her to destructive rampages. These episodes left her traumatized and would eventually corrupt her.
As a consequence of her rampages, she was given nicknames by the public, including 'terminal patient', 'Heiress of the Ice Witch', and 'time bomb'.
This was despite the fact that all one had to do was indulge her mischievous nature.
It might seem a far too simple method to avert her from becoming the Right Hand of the Demon King, thus plunging the Western Continent into a bloodbath, but it had proven to be undeniably effective.
The prophecy had stated that the only thing she wished for was a quiet life filled with laughter, with someone indulging her mischievous nature.
That fact remained etched in my mind, especially because she desired the same life I did.
"Hmm…"
It would be nice if I knew the reason behind her 'corruption', but the prophecy didn't provide any insight on that.
Seeing that my ancestor didn't mention anything in the prophecy, the truth might be revealed only after the battle with the Demon King or may have been deliberately concealed.
Did Aishi know? I need to ask her when I get the chance.
'By the way, she looked very different from what I saw during the Third Ordeal.'
Throughout the Third Ordeal, Aishi had maintained her icy demeanor until the very end.
Her current personality seemed to diverge from what the prophecy had foretold.
Did this mean that her personality went back to normal once the DLC was applied?
Or did some error occur because of the Third Ordeal?
Although I couldn't be sure, it could even be both.
At the moment, I was certain of one thing: all the 'sub-heroines' began to change after the third ordeal. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? I would have to discover the answer for myself.
"Please get up. How long are you going to lie there?"
"Guh…"
Snapping out of my stupor, I slowly got up off the floor as she continued to giggle.
'I just have to play along a little. It's like a joke compared to what I've gone through so far.'
I mumbled to myself, my legs still shaking, as I made my way to a nearby chair.
"…Ugh."
At that moment, I felt a sudden pain in my chest..
"Wh-What's going on?"
Of course, I had been dealing with chest pain recently due to my diminishing life force, but this pain felt different. Normally, it felt as though my heart were being stabbed by needles, but this time, it felt like my heart was freezing over.
'Can it be…?'
As I pondered what was occuring, I suddenly heard Aishi's voice.
"Pfff."
Aishi, who had been staring at me blankly, suddenly began to laugh.
"Wh-What's so funny?"
I asked in confusion, tilting my head.
Aishi quickly responded
"It seems you're suffering quite a lot."
"What?"
"Seriously? Even after ending up in that state, you didn't notice? You really are a weakling."
"What on earth are you saying?"
As I continued questioning her with a puzzled look, Aishi began to smile as she got up.
"You really are stupid, kuku…"
"…..?"
"…..?"
Approaching me with a seductive gaze, Aishi looked down at me as I sat there.
"Haven't you been feeling weak lately?"
While leaning on my shoulder, she began whispering to me in a quiet voice.
"…What?"
"Not only do the rumors I've heard about you and what's being printed in the newspaper match, you look like you're about to pass out at any moment. I recommend you don't try to hide it."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Should I tell you why you're suffering?"
Aishi ignored my bewildered expression and devilishly smirked as she continued to whisper into my ear.
'It's because you're being punished.'
Of course, I was well aware why my body was in this state, so my feelings were a bit mixed after hearing this.
"Hmm."
As I stared confusedly at Aishi, who was leaning on my shoulder,
– Poke!
She poked my chest area with one of her fingers.
"Agh…"
As she did, the cold sensation in my heart worsened.
"I-it's cold."
"I knew it."
In response to my unintentional murmur, Aishi's eyes began to sparkle as she continued to poke me in the chest.
'…Was that why?'
Only now did I realize what was going on.
"Always remember, Frey. Although the curse might be temporarily lifted, if you approach the original host of the curse, it will temporarily reactivate."
I recalled the warning from Irina before coming here.
"If you stay away from her, the curse will naturally weaken. However, because your body is in such a precarious state, it'll put too much strain on your body, especially when we don't know what may happen. So…"
"So what?
"D-don't ever engage in any physical contact. And unless it's absolutely necessary, never meet her! You mentioned she's also a sub-heroine, right? I can't stand watching an ice mage be lovey dovey with you…!"
It was a rare sight for Irina, who always avoided expressing her true feelings, speaking so honestly, so I had etched it into my memory.
"Are you curious…why your body is in that state?"
Completing my thoughts, I noticed Aishi, who was still leaning against my body, moving closer and asking me a question.
"W-what…?"
"If you are a good boy today…I could tell you the reason why."
"…..?"
As a result, her face was right in front of mine.
"I'll explain the cause of your deteriorating health."
"There's a reason my health is deteriorating?"
"You must be desperate, aren't you? I'm sure you wouldn't want to die with such a bright future in front of you, and I hold the solution you desire.
I quietly began to contemplate her proposal.
'It looks like…I'll have to listen.'
I could unveil the truth right now, but I wouldn't gain any benefit from it.
It would be more advantageous to go along with Aishi's misconception that she had successfully cursed me.
This was also because it was necessary for me to indulge Aishi to prevent her from being corrupted.
Not only did I have to investigate the reason behind her eventual corruption, but it was also crucial for me to establish a friendly rapport with her, as we would eventually require a hidden ace for our hero party.
By pretending to be vulnerable and weak, at the very least, Aishi might let down her guard.
Or, like with Lulu, I might be able to elicit her sympathy.
"D-do you really know why my condition has been worsening?"
Completing my thoughts, I turned my attention back to Aishi, asking her a question with a desperate look on my face.
"Pff."
Smirking slightly, Aishi sat down on my lap.
"If you listen well, I'll tell you."
"W-what do I have to do…?"
"Hmmm…"
While blushing slightly, Aishi made her request.
"…How about being my plaything?"
As she spoke, Aishi wrapped me with her newly grown tail before standing up.
"I bear quite a grudge against you. You dared to threaten me with the fact that I am a Half-Devil… And while they may be annoying, you were also planning to enslave the royal family of our kingdom."
"....."
"....."
"Therefore, I think I need to play with you a little to vent."
After crossing her legs as she sat, she concluded her remarks with a chilling glare.
"If you don't wish to, you don't have to. But if you refuse, weakling, you'll die very soon."
Smiling maliciously, she stroked her chin.
"So, what's your decision?"
After a moment, I silently nodded in her direction.
"Very well. I'll take that as your consent."
Staring at me with a bright smile, Aishi asked me a question in a quiet voice.
"…Are you good at drinking?"
Was she inviting me to go on a drink with her?
.
.
.
.
.
"I-I'm..cold…"
"What did you say? I can't hear you well."
"I…am cold."
As Aishi observed the shivering Frey, she quietly smiled to herself.
"I'm not cold at all though?"
"B-but…"
"You're a weakling~♡"
"....."
"....."
Upon hearing her taunt, Frey's expression became frustrated, silently contemplating. Aishi smiled in satisfaction, giggling to herself.
Subtly chilling one's surroundings was one of Aishi's favorite pranks to pull.
Naturally, having never experienced the cold before, she couldn't always control her mischief.
For Aishi, her focus was solely on the seemingly naive Frey, eliciting the desired reaction.
"Mhmm…."
"Is there something wrong?"
"Th-that's…."
Aishi, who was smiling happily for a while, looked on in confusion as Frey extended his hand towards her.
"You haven't gotten drunk at all?"
Taking hold of the wineglass in front of Aishi, Frey asked a question.
"Don't tell me you're giving up already? You really are a weakling…hahaha…"
Aishi, who had been enjoying a drinking game with Frey since earlier, taunted Frey, who was already half unconscious.
"I-I'm not drunk!"
In response, Frey gulped down the remaining alcohol, determined to prove her wrong.
"Ubh…gag…"
But shortly after, he let out a guttural groan as he collapsed onto the table.
"Puahahahhaha!"
Watching Frey's fallen form, Aishi laughed in joy as she spoke.
"How amusing~! You can only see women with those eyes of yours, and your physical and mental strength are both pathetic~!"
"Ugh…"
With those words, Aishi got up.
"Moron."
Afterwards, Aishi closely approached the fallen Frey, leaning her head towards him.
"Please just die. I beg of you."
She grabbed his chin and lifted him, whispering into his ear in a soothing voice.
"Haaa….."
Upon hearing her words, Frey's face contorted with anguish and tears welled up in his eyes.
"I-I don't want to die…"
"Hmm?"
"I don't want to dieeee…"
As Frey, completely intoxicated, pleaded desperately with Aishi, her smile faded and she began to stare blankly at him.
"…Did you know?"
Soon after, Aishi embraced Frey, who had been shivering due to the cold. Then, she began speaking in an unnaturally gentle voice.
"The reason your body is in that condition is because a wicked curse has befallen you."
"…What?"
"If you do nothing, you'll slowly become weaker and die."
As Frey heard her words, his eyes began to tremble.
"The thing is, Frey."
She cautiously patted him on the back, continuing to whisper into his ear.
"I had a lot of fun today."
"I managed to beat you in musical chairs, pretended to be an ice ghost, and even used you as my footrest."
"Eugh…."
Whilst keeping her head at an angle that Frey could not see, she continued.
"…I'm serious."
Aishi had a slightly serious expression on her face.
"Was that why I couldn't hear 'that voice' today? It was a strange experien-"
As she continued to speak, she unintentionally said something that wasn't allowed.
"…..!"
"…..!"
She instantaneously closed her mouth, but Frey's eyes, which had seemed clouded, suddenly filled with interest.
"Re-Regardless…"
But as if that were an illusion, Frey's eyes returned to their hazy state as Aishi continued to speak.
"I'm the only one who knows how to lift that curse."
"Th-that…"
"So if you don't want to die… You should take care of me. I still harbor a lot of anger towards you, but…. you are rather fun to be around."
"....."
"....."
It seemed as though Aishi had unintentionally added the last part.
"…I feel weird."
She made a perplexed expression and tilted her head in his direction.
"Anyway, you understand, right?"
"Hiii…!"
As she spoke, she brought her finger up to Frey's chest once again.
""...…..""
""...…..""
But silence followed her action.
"…Huh?"
Breaking the long silence, Aishi began to stammer in bewilderment.
"S-something's wrong."
"Wh-why can't I take it back…?"
With a perplexed expression, Aishi continued to poke Frey's chest with her finger.
"Haaaaa….!"
"Ah! S-sorry, ju-just wait for a second."
However, her actions only increased the frequency of Frey's moans.
"Ai-Aishi…"
"Th-there's no way this can be happening. The curse should…the curse…"
Despite the cold temperature in the room, Aishi remained focused on removing the curse, her forehead beaded with a cold sweat.
"Stop it…"
Frey, looking visibly pale and unwell, finally spoke up.
"…It hurts."
He lifted his head slightly, wearing a pitiful expression as he spoke.
"...…"
"...…"
Aishi withdrew her finger from his chest and gazed at him with a blank expression.
"...…Huh?"
Before she even realized, it was already approaching noon.
You can read 505 episodes for $10. p.*atreon.com/Astrid02