BXBX NOVEL Side Story Chapter 177
Side Story Chapter 177
-Hmm... I see that you’re getting anxious, Tshchary.
-Think about the bigger picture. I gave you Sloth as I promised.
-Well, I think there is a good reason why it’s said that you feel different before and after you use the toilet.[1]
-Perchilin!
-Why do you keep yelling?! You’re the one who made me nervous by staying silent.
-I...!
Tshchary was so frustrated that he felt like he was going to go crazy. Yes, it was true that he had been tempted for a moment. Perchilin had two Evil Sins while Altheon possessed the power of Pride. Therefore, Tshchary had to calculate his chance of victory against either of the two of them. However, it was merely a fleeting thought. He had already handed Perchilin Sloth, so it would be counterproductive to betray her. With that in mind, all he had to do now was to manipulate the situation to his advantage, but this nobody human woman suddenly interfered with his work!
-Perchilin, you misunderstood me. You know that partnering up with Altheon right now isn’t beneficial to me anyway—
-Well, I’m not sure.
Tshchary caught Perchilin’s subtle grin.
-...Wait, you...? ...I see. Your mind was already set from the start, you damned witch...!
-I have no idea what you’re talk... Pfft— Hahaha..!
Perchilin burst into laughter. It was no surprise, really, because even though she currently had two Evil Sins, she was experiencing no bad reactions. Although it was believed in the Demon Realm that one demon having two Evil Sins was impossible, Perchilin was full of energy. The taboo seemed like an old wive’s tale.
‘I can’t help myself from feeling greedy.’ Perchilin looked at the throne with a contented smile. The humans that lessened her guilt looked as adorable as if they were her children.
‘Alright, I’m feeling merciful. I’m going to spare them.’
Her Overlord Symbol was even less problematic since she was faithfully obeying the Shining Darkness’s instruction by helping those humans. She could find a way to undo her Overlord Symbol after she finished absorbing all of the Evil Sins there.
-The power of Pride overwhelms everything; it never yields to anyone, not even one of its fellow Evil Sins. Can’t you tell it’s impossible for Pride to coexist with other Evil Sins? You can’t have three Evil Sins at once, Perchilin!
-If it doesn’t work, I’ll just find a way to take care of it.
-You...!
-Come here, my children.
Perchilin beckoned to the humans with a grin.
“...Children?
Cain and Ulabis eyed Perchilin for a moment and then exchanged glances with each other. Both of them had lived for quite a long time to be called children. But, of course, demons lived a lot longer than humans, so...
-Aren’t you going to come? You have to protect your dear Queen Consort, don’t you?
Cain and Ulabis\'s eyes widened. They quickly exchanged a flurry of telepathic messages.
‘Is there no other way than following her commands?’ Ulabis asked.
‘Don’t tell me you trust her. If she holds Her Majesty hostage while we fight, we’re in trouble.’
‘Then you stay behind and protect her. I’ll deal with one of them,’ Ulabis told Cain, casting a critical eye at Altheon and Tshchary.
‘Absolutely not! You’re our guest, so I can’t ask you to take care of our matters. I’ll go instead.’
‘And you think a guest from a foreign country guarding the Queen Consort of the Avalon Empire makes sense?’
‘W-Well...’
‘Demons have always been the enemy of all mankind, so it’s better you’re by her side.’ Ulabis noticed that one of Perchilin’s eyebrows was raised. ‘We might ruin the stage that she put so much work into. Don’t talk anymore.’
Ulabis slowly walked toward Perchilin.
-Hmm? Why are you coming alone?
Ulabis shrugged. “I’m sure you understand that we have our reasons.”
-...Ahah. You’re worried about that cunning girl.
Perchilin nodded. She didn’t look displeased at all since they were talking about that very person who had orchestrated this beautiful arrangement.
-I don’t wish the girl to die either because I’m planning on rewarding her later.
“...I’m sure that the Queen Consort would be very happy to hear that,” Ulabis replied with a sour expression.
-But can you handle those monsters on your own? Your best choice is the death reaper demon over there while I take that silver-haired one. He may not look that intimidating, but he’s officially the strongest demon and has the power of Pride, the Shining Darkness’s first Evil Sin.
Perchilin pointed back and forth between Altheon and Tshchary.
“What is this ‘Shining Darkness’ that you keep talking about?” Ulabis asked.
-Huh? You don’t know? In other words, he hid his real identity from his people too?
Perchilin gave Ulabis a wide-eyed look.
“What are you talking about...?”
-No, no, nothing. Let’s get started. I won’t tell you to win, just to hang on. I’ll take care of everything.
Perchilin’s eyes zeroed in on Tshchary furtively approaching Altheon.
“Is that going to be okay?” Ulabis inquired.
-It’s fine, it’s fine. Come to think of it, he won’t be able to seriously harm you because of his Overlord Symbol.
“Overlord Symbol? Is that related to the Shining Darkness that you mentioned earlier?”
-Just keep in mind that it’s there.
“...Alright, but we have to straighten out one thing.”
-Hmm?
“I wasn’t talking about myself when I asked if it was going to be okay,” Ulabis said.
-...Hmmm...
Perchilin frowned slightly, but it wasn’t because Ulabis had hurt her pride. As a matter of fact, Perchilin herself couldn’t guarantee her victory either. Considering the typical difference in their combat abilities, she was guaranteed to lose to Altheon—but it was different now that Perchilin had the powers of Lust and Sloth.
-I won’t be able to predict the chance of my victory by sheer numbers... Hmm, should I have partnered up with Tshchary?
Perchilin shrugged off her doubts after a moment because nothing would change by crying over spilled milk.
However, the devious human girl spun her magic again.
“Hey you, over there! The reaper!” Icarus shouted. “You look like you’re under the command of His Majesty. Since he isn’t someone who trusts demons, I’m sure that you made something like a Mana Pledge with him. Can you betray us like this? ”
-She’s very smart. I really want her.
Perchilin grinned at Tshchary who stared at Icarus speechlessly.
“I assure you that you won’t be able to escape His Majesty’s wrath if you harm the red-haired human over there. Sir Ulabis is his long-time friend!” Icarus warned Tshchary.
That made Ulabis smile wryly. “It’s always good to hear that I’m the dear friend of the greatest man on the continent.”
-...Phew.
Tshchary let out a long sigh and slammed the end of his scythe’s handle on the ground. Icarus’s expression brightened.
-Humans are indeed more clever with words than demons.
There was certainly a way to forcibly undo an Overlord Symbol, but there were a few problems with that. The method involved breaking away from one’s body and soul, followed by resurrection. That would free one from all existing restrictions on them and was also where the first problem came in: right after the resurrection, one was defenseless. The second problem was that the Shining Darkness would come back immediately after sensing a problem with the Overlord Symbol, which meant throwing the worst possible enemy into the worst possible situation. Third, and most important of all, the nearby demons weren’t going to sit on their hands as Tshchary freed himself from his Overlord Symbol.
-I made a poor decision. I should have spared Urus and made this fight more chaotic.
Tshchary grumbled over his obvious mistake. He resented the human woman next to the throne for ruining all his plans.
“Help us right now and deal with the silver-haired demon over there. Keep in mind that I am Icarus Sanders, the Second Queen Consort of the Avalon Empire and the wife of the man whom you serve,” Icarus proclaimed, her dignified voice hanging in the air.
Even Cain nodded along with a bright smile. “Whenever I see you, I’m amazed at how much things have changed,” he whispered to Icarus.
“Are you being sarcastic?” she hissed back.
“No way. How could I dare?”
“It reminded me of old times for some reason. You used to make me think that this is what it felt like to get attacked with truth,[2]” Icarus scoffed.
“I must have gotten pretty old not to remember that... On a side note, I now respect you more than anyone else in the Palace.”
Cain’s social skills had reached their peak as he grew older.
“You would be less annoying if you weren’t a smooth talker.”
Everything seemed to be smooth sailing.
-I see now. Is that why you are torn about your decision, Tshchary?
Cain and Icarus turned toward Altheon.
-...Yes, I’m sure that you heard, but my hands are tied here.
-Why are you worried about that?
-What?
-You don’t have to wound those buffoons. I’ll take care of them, so don’t get in my way.
-Do you seriously think—
-Of course it does. Shall I make your decision easier?
Before the last words had even left Altheon’s lips, he quickly and quietly vanished into a cloud.
“Sir Ulabis!” Icarus’s scream echoed throughout the chamber.
“...Gah!” Ulabis shivered.
When Altheon reappeared, his fingers were protruding from Ulabis’s chest.
1. The raw is ??, ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ? ??? ???? ??? ?? ?? ? ??? ?. It’s similar to the English saying of danger past, god forgotten. After taking care of a bathroom emergency, one is more relaxed so they forget about the gratitude they felt for finding a bathroom before soiling oneself. ?
2. The raw is ?? ?? ??? ? ?? ?????. This is from a Korean meme about being brutally honest to the point that that feels like verbal abuse. ?