Published at 5th of December 2025 8:17 pm

Chapter 224 Part 2

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

He extended his hand.

Wanna dance?

Really making the most of this, huh.

With that thought, I took his hand.

Though he was in Old Human form, I didnt know what was inside, so I worried that if he misstepped, Id suddenly want to go home. Thankfully, he didnt mess up.

Instead, he said something that made me want to go home for a different reason.

I wish everyone knew I was dating you. Unfortunately, I cant announce it

His voice sounded oddly hollow.

I laughed in disbelief and replied,

Youre stating the obvious. You cant announce it because were not dating.

Haha, you know how to do it right but are so cold to me.

I didnt respond.

Because, exactly as he said, I knew how to do it right but was deliberately holding back. Every moment, I was suppressing impulses from the drugs effects. One wrong word, and hed likely think hed already won.

Realizing he wouldnt get a good response, he changed the subject.

This is fun. My perspectives so much lowerits refreshing. I feel like Im almost 20cm shorter than my original height. Its wild how different the world looks depending on height Actually, its more surprising that most people see the world from one height their whole lives.

Do you also find it surprising that the Earth is round?

You really dont like me

No way. Toughen up a bit.

People who love each other dont talk like this.

What kind of fantasy is he living in?

I almost said that but held back. Instead, I asked a question closer to the core of this situation.

What youve done to me so far doesnt exactly scream lover. Its closer to malice. So let me ask, why do you think you like me?

I dont think I like youI *do*. Youre the only one in the world who can rival me.

What kind of reasoning is that?

I felt my vision darken as I sank into thought. Is this guy another kind of magic maniac?

Then it doesnt have to be me. That sounds less like the love youre imagining and more like the bond youd build with a friendly rival. In a broad sense, that could be love too, right? So, get your head straight and lets both go our separate ways. Doesnt sound bad.

You think so?

He responded casually, brushing off my words. Even as the song changed, he kept holding my hand and dancing.

I dont believe he truly loves me.

Hes just mistaking some strange emotion for love.

I think that emotion is closer to rivalry. His notes werent like those from typical fans, nor were they what a lover would write. The contents increasingly focused on magic power, magic synthesis, and the fact that I defeated him.

In the end, hes mistaking his desire to compete with mea rival and enemyfor love. Thats my conclusion after reading his letters.

Looking at his face, I said,

Then I have a question. Whatever your true feelings are, I get that you think you love me. But why are you so intent on sending me back on time?

.

Weve never dated, yet you want to announce were together but dont. With your mindsetshaking hands with a glove you dipped in wateryou shouldnt be able to restrain yourself.

I wanted to leave you with a memory thatd last a lifetime, but I guess Ive left a proper one within wholesome bounds.

I ignored his nonsense and continued,

Youve got some kind of calculation. Youre not sending me back to the mansion for my sake, nor are you keeping quiet about meeting me to other Pleromas for my sake.

Whats the calculation? Its simple.

Which diocese is targeting me?

.

Not the one hes part of, but another Pleroma diocese is after me.

When he said he was protecting me, he meant from other Pleromas.

If he kept me with him instead of sending me back, another diocese might catch on and attack him.

So he cant afford to make it obvious to them.

Youre too sharp.

Its beyond sharpnessthink it through slowly, and the answers clear.

I suppose. Its your situation, after all.

He looked into my eyes and said,

I cant tell you that. But Ill protect you properly.

Once that protection ends, can I stay as I am? Which diocese are you from? Im not sure if Im meant to be your dioceses victory prize.

.

I raised my hand in time with the dances sequence. But even when it was time to spin, he didnt.

Instead, he stood still and said,

The Pentalon opening is this weekend, right? By then, you wont have such questions.

.

I smiled.

This guy believes Ill soon fall deeply in love with him.

His hand dug into my wrist. He stomped his foot once, and the surroundings changed.

This time, it wasnt spatial magicit was definitely a warp.

Wed been under dazzling lights moments ago, but now we were in an unfamiliar mansion.

It was a spacious area that shouldve been a salon. Through a large window in the wall, I could see a slanted moon and a lake.

With the window at his back, he looked into my eyes and said,

Id never do anything to harm you. Im not like the other Pleromas who want to torment you.

Youve already tormented me.

Have I? I suppose you could see it that way But dont you know better than anyone what the other Pleromas would do if they caught you?

.

Compared to that, what I want is pretty insignificant, dont you think?

He was echoing my earlier thoughts.

Yes, at least here, he hadnt committed any crimes against me.

Ill protect you. No, Sir Nicolaus Ernst doesnt need Pleromas help. I know that.

.

But lets make a deal. If you grant my request, Ill be your informant. How about it?

Even if I bring down Pleroma?

He just smiled.

He probably thinks Ill fall for him and wont do such a thing.

You havent even said which faction youre with or whos after me. And you call yourself an informant? Thats laughable.

I can promise I wont betray you. And you know better than anyone that being around me will naturally lead to information.

A promise? How am I supposed to trust that?

Without a word, he walked past me and went outside. He returned with two small vials.

He handed me one with pink liquid, then drank a clear one himself.

I wont betray you. There. Satisfied?

.

The potion he drank likely had an effect similar to a covenant spell.

But theres no guarantee he didnt trick me, and even if the Pope vouched for him, I wouldnt trust his sober words.

Instead of affirming, I looked at the potion in my hand.

Whats this?

Keep it. Its a potion Id like you to drink later.

I glanced at him, then noticed him slump onto a sofa. I pocketed the potion and looked around.

Staying here would just lead to more nonsense from him, and he wouldnt answer my questions properly. I needed to find a way to extract information before the weird atmosphere settled.

Since you got the potion from another room, youmust have a lab here, right? Can I take a look?

It might sound odd by modern standards, but in this era, many nobles interested in science had labs at home.

Of course. Itll be your home soon enough.

.

I felt like everything I ate was coming back up

Grimacing, I stormed out of the room. Realizing his blunder, he gave an awkward laugh and hurried ahead to guide me.

The lab he led me to looked similar to those in other homes. Nothing particularly stood out.

Ill check for any useful info and get out quick.

I glanced at a table littered with vials and powders, then opened a drawer beneath it.

Dozens of small glass vials, about the size of a finger, were lying inside.

He stood a bit behind me, watching with a smile, seemingly pleased that I was interested in his home.

Thats a lot.

I said it absentmindedly, then doubted my eyes.

At one end of the drawer was a vial with white liquid. The name on the label was familiar.

This is

The potion Id seen at Primrose Path and with Ludovika.

A narcotic potion Pleroma used instead of mind-control magic.

It half-clouds consciousness, creating a state similar to hypnosis used by psychiatrists of this era.

Of course, my divine powers resistance makes it less effective on me.

Hmm.

This could be useful.

The time when I drank the potion is gone. Meaning, they dont know how much I know.

Potions, huh?

Theyre all potions.

I didnt respond and said softly,

If Nicolaus Ernst did something less than righteous, would that shatter your illusions?

Ah~

He caught my meaning a bit late.

In modern times, thatd be a statement warranting legal consequences. Personally, I despise those who live hooked on such drugs.

But isnt this a pretty good way to extract information from someone immune to divine power?

Never.

Could you still not hate me, no matter what I say? If you heard a secret, something unsavory, wouldnt you feel repulsed?

No way. Everyone has secrets.

He took a deep breath, then answered in a slightly unhinged voice.

It almost sounded like he was delighted.

So, is there one?

Right next to you.

.

I smiled, looking at the potion Id eyed earlier.

Not sure if its safe. Is this used outside, or was it developed here?

Its safe, I swear. Its opium-based.

He answered in a slightly quickened voice.

Opium, huh? I know its a pure potion, not mixed with that stuff.

Anyway

Thanks for taking the bait so eagerly.

Just a hobby of mine.

I gave a faint smile and turned my head.

His eyes widened, and he slowly twisted the corners of his mouth.

I picked up two vials and asked,

Wanna do it together?

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