Chapter 100

■ Chapter 99. Highlights (1) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

First, to the conclusion... I ended up getting motion sickness and throwing up. I threw up until everything in my stomach was out.

It was because the gravity suddenly disappeared, and Cecilie played with me like a toy. As her fingers moved around, my body jolted in all directions, just like being on a ride.

Cecilie was used to using magic, but it was my first time, so it was bound to be too much for me.

“Ugh...”

“I’m sorry. Are... are you okay?”

As I turned pale and gagged, Cecilie worriedly asked from beside me. Although it was comforting to have such a beautiful woman worried about me, my condition didn’t change.

My head was dizzy, and my stomach was churning. If I rested at the mansion for a while, I might feel better, but I’d have to give up seeing the exhibition before the highlights.

“...I think I need to rest at the mansion.”

“I’m really sorry. I’d cast a recovery spell if I could, but I’m a demon...”

“Can’t demons use recovery spells?”

“They can, but only on demons. As you know, black mana is the power of demons. If used on other races, it could have severe side effects.”

As she explained, black mana is the exclusive domain of demons, completely opposite to the divine power used by clerics.

While divine power benefits all races except demons, black mana can have adverse effects just by contact.

Recovery spells were no different, but I was curious about the levitation spell she used just now.

“Then, what about that spell earlier?”

“Levitation doesn’t involve sending mana into the body like recovery spells do.”

Indeed, magic is a mysterious and fascinating ability. My ignorance of magic prevented me from detailing it in Zeon’s biography, but I might be able to do so soon.

For that, I would need help from someone as knowledgeable about magic as Cecilie. However, since she’s a demon, she might explain it more intuitively.

‘For now, let’s head back to the mansion...’

Even after rinsing my mouth, I still felt uncomfortable. Especially, the gritty sensation on my teeth when I threw up was very unpleasant.

I smacked my lips and slowly lifted my head. When I did, I saw Cecilie’s worried face looking at me.

She must feel guilty for what happened, as she intended it to be a fun prank. To show her I was okay, I forced a smile.

“...I’ll head back to the mansion first. What about you, sis?”

“Let’s go together. I should take responsibility...”

“Who’s talking about responsibility?”

As Cecilie spoke, a sharp, beautiful woman’s voice cut in. We both turned our heads without hesitation.

When we turned, my lovely girlfriend, Marie, was standing there with her arms crossed, glaring at us.

She alternated her gaze between us, then her eyes widened when she saw my pale face. Her sharp, cat-like eyes softened with concern.

“Why do you look so pale? Are you in pain?”

Marie, ignoring Cecilie, hurriedly supported me. As she helped me, I subtly checked Cecilie’s expression.

Though she appeared expressionless, it made her harder to read.

However, when our eyes met, she immediately showed a sorry look and apologized to Marie.

“I’m sorry. I played a prank without considering the differences between our races.”

“What kind of prank?”

Cecilie explained in detail to Marie’s question, but she didn’t mention meeting Arwen.

“...You must have felt like throwing up.”

Marie muttered in disbelief after hearing the whole story. Then, she gently stroked my cheek with her soft hand.

Thanks to her kind and warm touch, my condition seemed to improve, though the dizziness remained.

After a while, Marie kept touching my cheek, pretending to be worried, then turned to Cecilie.

“Was that what you meant by taking responsibility? Going back to the mansion with Isaac?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s go together. We’ve seen most of what we wanted to see anyway. Besides, the highlights start in the evening.”

As Marie said, the festival truly begins after sunset. It’s noisy now, but the atmosphere will intensify even more in the evening.

The exhibited works can be viewed in the evening as well. The highlights are separate, but the exhibited works remain, so no one is left out.

“Alright. We can also have dinner. Can you stand?”

“I think I’m okay now.”

Though slightly dizzy, I’ll recover if I rest at the mansion. I can read the new books I bought during that time.

I took a step, barely suppressing my queasy stomach. Marie supported me, worried I might fall.

Whether she didn’t know or was doing it on purpose, she pulled my arm towards her chest. The soft, sticky sensation was vividly transmitted.

Would I be embarrassed?

Hardly. In fact, it’s the opposite.

After enduring such actions for so long, I can now enjoy them.

Of course, if Cecilie did it, I’d feel guilty and stiffen, but Marie is my girlfriend. I can handle this much.

Still, out of courtesy, I should say something. Feeling my arm almost buried between her breasts, I quietly called out to Marie.

“Marie?”

“Yeah?”

“It feels a bit... much.”

“Men like this, don’t they?”

It’s sad and yet comforting that I can’t deny it. As I experienced conflicting emotions, Marie continued with her characteristic smile.

“And you’re a pervert, so you like it even more, right?”

“Why am I a pervert?”

“Your lips are twitching, aren’t they?”

“...Anyway, try not to talk about such things with Sister Cecilie around.”

“Then stay close to me. Like this!”

Marie pulled my arm forcefully, causing my body to lean and stick to hers.

Surprised by her bold action, I glanced at Cecilie, worried she might be uncomfortable.

“Hmm.”

Contrary to my expectations, Cecilie let out a breathy moan and smiled. Her eyes, filled with mischief, were unsettling.

Marie, sensing the tension, held my arm even tighter. As a result, my arm was completely buried between her breasts.

After a moment, Cecilie alternated her gaze between us, then gently reached out and grabbed my other arm, which was still free. She spoke in a slightly excited voice.

“Is this how you do it?”

Thump-

Like Marie, Cecilie buried my arm between her breasts. My arms, now sandwiched between the beautiful breasts of two women, started to cry out in joy (or happiness).

Feeling the similar yet different sensations, I closed my eyes and prayed to God. Please, don’t let my manly instincts burst out.

However, I couldn’t control the twitching of my lips. To hide my expression, I lowered my head.

“Hey! Can’t you let go of that hand?!”

“Why? I’m just playing around like you.”

“This is something only lovers do. Last time at the event, you said it was a test of patience!”

“That was then, and this is now. You can’t stand it because you keep being next to me.”

“Y-You...!”

Is the spark between Marie and Cecilie an illusion, or is it real? The problem is that I’m in the middle of it.

While being dragged around like a puppet, I slightly lifted my lowered head to glance at Cecilie.

Due to the lowered head, her overwhelming chest caught my eye. My arm, almost suffocating, was stuck in between.

When I raised my gaze further, I saw Cecilie’s alluring face. Her two horns were turning increasingly red.

‘She looks like she’s about to lose control...’

Cecilie seems to be playing more mischievous pranks today. I turned my gaze to the opposite side.

Marie’s beautiful face, with sharp eyes like a cat ready to pounce, was glaring at Cecilie. Seeing her jealous expression made her even cuter.

Still, I’ll probably get a lecture later. I lowered my head again and slowly moved my feet.

‘I’m really being pampered...’

Only when we arrived at the mansion did my arms finally regain their freedom.

“Isaac. Follow me.”

“Why?”

“...No, I just need to bite you here. Ow!”

“Ouch!”

Marie bit my cheek as a confirmation stamp.

* * *

After being bitten on the cheek by Marie, I kissed her and managed to break free from her embrace.

...Honestly, I hugged her for about 30 minutes. Indeed, nothing beats the sweet and effective healing of a lover’s embrace.

Anyway, I returned to my bedroom to rest. On the way, I briefly met Adelia and Nicole.

The dizziness improved on the way back to the mansion, but I needed to rest due to the churning in my stomach.

“Phew.”

I drank some cold water to settle my stomach and lay down on the bed. The experience of flying around in the sky was so new that just thinking about it made me dizzy.

It felt like my balance organs were damaged. It was a spectacular experience for me.

‘If only she hadn’t played that prank...’

There’s no better view than looking down at the town from the sky. I thought about asking her again, but given Cecilie’s nature, she might play another prank.

Most importantly, her recent behavior seems a bit strange. Her horns, which turn red when the evil season approaches, are now more red than black.

Is she becoming more driven by desire as the evil season gets closer? She’s managed to get through the evil season smoothly for over 100 years, but I can’t help but worry.

“Ugh.”

What’s the point of worrying? I jumped out of bed and walked to my desk.

I have personal time until dinner, so I can spend it reading. I have a new book from the bookstore, so I’ll read that.

Marie said she would stay in the guest room to freshen up and spend time with her family, so I can enjoy my leisure time.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Isaac. It’s me. Can I come in?”

I was just about to sit at my desk and start reading when Cecilie’s voice came from the other side of the door.

Before entering the mansion, Cecilie had asked if she could visit my bedroom. I didn’t mind, so I readily agreed.

I placed the book on the desk and gave permission.

“Come in.”

“Then I’ll come in.”

Click.

With my permission, Cecilie opened the door and slowly entered. Garth, her bodyguard, was nowhere to be seen, and she was alone.

I stood up when I saw Cecilie enter. Marie had been in my bedroom once, but this was Cecilie’s first time.

It’s better for me, the host, to show her around rather than let her stand there.

“Oh, you don’t have to stand up. I’ll go over.”

Just as I stood up, Cecilie extended her hand to stop me. She used formal language, unlike the casual tone she usually used.

I blinked, standing awkwardly. I remembered that she had said at the academy that she would use formal language out of respect when we were alone. I had forgotten because we hadn’t been alone recently.

“This is where my benefactor rests.”

When I straightened up, Cecilie looked around the bedroom and commented. To the princess of Helium, it was probably just an ordinary room.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I fidgeted with my shirt when I noticed Cecilie’s gaze fixed on my desk. On the desk was a book and a stack of unused manuscript paper.

“And before entering the academy, you wrote the biography of Zeon here, right?”

“Yes.”

“Indeed. This place...”

Cecilie’s eyes sparkled as she slowly walked towards the desk. I thought about what to show her while she approached and bent down.

When I bent down, I saw a drawer locked with a lock. I unlocked it with the key I always carried. Opening the drawer, I revealed yellowed manuscript papers.

As you might have guessed, these are the drafts of the Zeon biography, except for the first volume. I thought Cecilie would like to see them.

“Sis, would you like to see this?”

“This is...”

“These are the drafts of the Zeon biography. I thought you might like them.”

“Ah...!”

I just thought she would like them, but Cecilie’s reaction was intense. She looked at the drafts in my hand and then at me, then took them with trembling hands. She carefully flipped through each page to check their condition.

“Really... They match perfectly with what I read.”

“Now do you believe I’m the author of the Zeon biography?”

Of course, Cecilie already knew I was the author. This is just for confirmation.

I originally planned to show her the drafts at the academy, but the opportunity didn’t arise, so I’m showing them now.

“...Yes.”

Cecilie nodded, her face slightly blushing, when I smiled. She then alternated her gaze between the drafts and me, then asked cautiously.

“...My benefactor, may I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Can I keep these drafts in Helium?”

“No.”

No means no. Perhaps because of the theft of the first volume’s draft, I want to manage the other drafts myself.

If the situation were truly dire, I might entrust them to the state, but not now. With just one draft, anything could happen, so entrusting them to someone else is out of the question.

Even if that someone is Cecilie. I don’t think she would use the drafts politically, but the timing is too early.

“...I’m sorry. I was too hasty.”

Cecilie apologized with a dejected look when I firmly refused. Her expression was completely different from her usual self, making my heart skip a beat.

But I have a girlfriend. I cleared my throat, thinking of Marie.

“It’s just the timing. I don’t know the exact value of these drafts to demons, but there are many concerns. You know that, right?”

“Yes, but we demons would never misuse these drafts. The Zeon biography is like a divine salvation to us. And these drafts are like sacred relics given by the gods.”

“Hmm...”

I felt a bit embarrassed and cleared my throat again.

While I was thinking, Cecilie looked at the drafts with a regretful expression and then returned them to me. I put the returned drafts back in the drawer and locked it securely.

“Is it really safe to keep them here? At least in a safe...”

“Except for a few people, no one knows I’m the author of the Zeon biography. A safe would draw more attention.”

There’s a saying that the light under the lamp is the darkest. If I put them in a safe, it might draw attention.

Moreover, the publisher’s safe, which was supposed to be secure, was completely emptied. If someone has that level of skill, a simple safe is meaningless.

“Really, if my identity were to be revealed, I’d consider it then. Helium is less burdensome than other countries.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Just look at you.”

Lina and Leort have criminal records, making it awkward to entrust them with the drafts. The Ters Kingdom... I don’t like their character, regardless of politics.

If I entrusted the drafts to Marie’s family, the Requilles, the royal family might cause trouble. The Requilles would be concerned about this and entrust the drafts elsewhere.

Therefore, Helium is the only option. As Cecilie said, if the drafts are treated as sacred relics, other countries wouldn’t dare touch them.

Moreover, demons have a much longer lifespan than humans. Cecilie could keep them even after I’m gone.

‘Thinking about it, Helium is in a neutral position.’

While I was thinking, Cecilie’s expression changed subtly, and she smiled softly. It was a beautiful smile that could captivate any man.

“You... I always find you amazing. When you wrote these drafts, you must have had a positive view of demons... right?”

“I just saw them as people. If demons turn into devils, there are many people in this world who are worse than devils.”

For example, ‘humans.’ There’s a famous meme from my previous life where a devil asked God why He created humans.

Despite creating devils, God created humans, who can be more evil than devils. It’s a symbolic meme that represents the evil in humans. There’s also a legend that angels and devils represent the inner aspects of humans.

Finally, I’ve seen countless people on the internet who are worse than devils. Some cases were so severe that I wondered if they were even human.

“Seeing you as a person... Sometimes, you seem older than me.”

“Haha, that’s a good joke.”

It stung a bit, but I laughed it off. I plan to keep my reincarnation a secret until the end.

“It would have been nice if you had a longer lifespan...”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. But, benefactor, may I ask one more thing? I thought of it after reading the Kaier side story you published.”

“What is it?”

I crossed my arms, inviting her to ask. She hesitated, then looked me in the eye and spoke.

You seemed tense and filled with anticipation.

“Do you really think... that elves and humans can be together?”

“Hmm...”

“I mean, given the significant lifespan difference, do you think they can be together? No matter how much they love each other, they can’t defy the fate set by the gods.”

Cecilie brought up the fundamental issue of love between races: lifespan. I thought about her question.

As I’ve always said, lifespan is a fate set by the gods. Humans rarely live past 100 years, while elves typically live over 300 years.

So, even if they love each other, they can’t avoid separation. Humans might not, but elves would carry that pain for life.

‘Elisha would too...’

After Kaier’s death, the elf queen Elisha fell into deep sorrow. She regretted not expressing