“Found it!”
“Here it is!”
And in the next moment, the aura that had been oppressing my surroundings disappeared as if it had been washed away. The pressure that had been weighing on my shoulders, the fear.
When I opened my mouth slightly, it was.
“Welcome, Beryl.”
Belled whispered. When I opened my eyes, I saw his face.
“You held up well.”
As he spoke, he had a sweet smile on his face. He seemed a little tired, but it was the smile I longed to see.
“Ah..."
The emotions that had been buried in my childhood came back to life in an instant.
“Come to me, welcome.”
Belled’s words that followed almost brought tears to my eyes.
At that moment, my mind, which had been vaguely wandering between reality and dreams, began to awaken.
The man in front of me was the man I knew. The real him.
“Ah...!”
As my vision shook, the pain I had wanted to avoid disappeared as if it had been washed away.
Then, my body, which had been struggling to accept the magic power but could not do anything because of the pain I felt every time I moved the magic power, began to move.
It was starting to create a path for the magic power to pass through.
“Belled!”
I jumped into Belled’s arms. Surprised, Belled threw away his sword, afraid that I would be cut by it, and embraced me.
“I missed you.”
I missed you so, so much.
If I dreamed, I wanted to dream of you.
I wanted to be with you in the happy place where you always gave me good memories.
I wanted to feel your love, not fear.
The moment I thought that.
Paat!
The dream shook and collapsed.
“Your Highness’s condition?”
“There is no abnormality in the flow of magic power.”
Marbes was giving the same answer for the eighth time.
Belled and Beryl were lying side by side in front of him.
This was because Belled had collapsed as soon as he used his ability.
‘Your Highness!’
Of course, the demons of Vine were turned upside down right after that.
Fortunately, there was no problem with his magic power.
‘Because you used that human’s ability earlier, you were consciously connected to the invisible King...'
At Marbes’ calm words, the impatient Naberus was about to go catch the human again.
‘So what did that human do wrong?’
‘That’s not it!’
While trying to stop him, Marbes had to sweat profusely as he examined the two men’s bodies.
“You disappeared into consciousness?”
Asked Pokalor, who had been watching the two.
“Yes.”
When Marbes answered, she crossed her arms. Beryl’s expression, which had been frowning for a long time and then relaxing, seemed to be more than just pain.
“If this continues for more than half a day, we need to find those who have the unique ability to enter dreams or the minds of others.”
And they would have to directly intervene in the two men’s dreams. Even if humans with such abilities appeared, demons other than the Demon Grand Duke would not be able to borrow their abilities.
“Huh...”
Marbes sat upright and wiggled his buttocks. Then, when he had just washed his face once,
“?”
He thought he was dreaming. If His Highness is dreaming, has he finally lost his mind?
Otherwise, the Grand Duke and the Visionary, who were lying next to each other in bed, would not have disappeared all of a sudden.
“Huh?”
But even if he closed his eyes and opened them, it was the same.
“What’s going on...”
Even Pokalor, who turned around, hesitated. She could see that the bed was empty.
“Your Highness!”
“Your Highness!”
Soon, the central temple they were in was turned upside down.
However, soon after, they were able to receive a fortunate but embarrassing call.
Pot!
Beryl opened her eyes as her dream crumbled. Her consciousness, which had been sucked somewhere, seemed to shake as it found its place, so she slowly closed and opened her eyes.
The first thing she felt was the softness surrounding her back.
A bed... It seemed like someone had laid me down after I collapsed.
However, she was a little flustered as soon as she opened her eyes. It was because Belled was breathing somewhat raggedly with his eyes closed.
Then he slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were half-asleep, no matter who looked at them. A look that was hard to find for a demon like him.
“Belled... Did you sleep too?”
Beryl asked in disbelief. Belled smiled faintly.
“...Yes, it’s been a long time.”
He originally didn’t need sleep. If he had fallen asleep.
And he had seen the figure in his dream a little while ago.
Does he have the ability to interfere with dreams? Or was there a demon outside the gates of Hell with such an ability?
Or... no way.
Could it be that humans gained such an ability when they began using magic?
Beryl quickly made a deduction close to the truth.
“Was it really Belled that I met in my dream?”
She asked carefully. As soon as Beryl asked, the memory from her dream seemed to come vividly before her eyes.
At the end of her second dream. In Yubar.
The memory that she had forgotten because she was swept up in the emotions of her dream was the memory of Belled looking at her with a cold expression.
‘...!’
She thought that if he cut her, the pain would be short. So Beryl ran away from the temple people and went to him.
And the sword stretched out toward me...
No, the sword was not stretched out toward her but was aimed at the temple and the people of Yubar right behind her.
It was when Beryl opened her eyes slightly wide.
“Yes, it was me.”
Belled's calm voice rang out.
"Ah..."
Beryl mumbled briefly. It was because the relief from the last moment when Belled protected her was pouring back.
"Since when..."
It seemed that he had not saved her only in the third dream.
Belled wiped away her tears and said,
"At first, I was not good at this unique ability, so I could not get involved in your dreams."
But I saw you confidently reject Orobas and leave.
He patted her head as he said that and continued.
"Only the second time, I was able to change the ending."
That's why he was able to cut down those who were chasing her instead of cutting him down. And...
"As you think of me and the pain eases and your consciousness becomes clearer... "
It was when he was caressing Beryl's cheek. Beryl suddenly opened her eyes wide.
Now that I think about it.
"It doesn't hurt!"
Beryl jumped up as if screaming. Belled clearly heard someone flinching outside.
Then he slowly got up.
“What happened?”
Beryl, who didn’t notice it, asked urgently.
Was there some kind of unique ability that didn’t hurt? If there was, I would have used it a long time ago...
“...!”
Beryl suddenly discovered the magical string connecting her and Belled. Was it because she had completely transformed into a demon after accepting the fountain of desire?
The flow of magical power was clearly visible.
Could it be?
“Did Belled do something?”
The moment she asked that, Beryl instinctively realized the answer.
‘The less pain there is..."
Belled had definitely said that. Beryl asked him in surprise.
“Did you mean that Belled was in pain instead?”
Belled calmly answered.
“I’m fine now.”
But Beryl couldn’t calm down.
“That... how much...”
Beryl grabbed his face without realizing it, then withdrew her hand in surprise. Because it seemed like it would hurt.
Because she knew how much excruciating pain it felt when she was touched by someone else’s hand.
But as if it didn't hurt, Belled brought Beryl's hand back to his cheek.
As if telling her to touch it as much as she wanted.
“...Are you really okay?”
Beryl stroked Belled’s cheek as he nodded. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and then her back.
Still, Belled’s face was calm.
“It’s okay.”
Beryl let out a short sigh as she watched him say that.
“This position is also okay.”
However, Beryl blinked at the words that followed. Then, she belatedly realized the situation.
The fact that she was sitting on Beled, who had half-raised his body. Because of the difference in physique, she could clearly feel her knees barely touching the bed as she was climbing on top of him.
...Also, his presence.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Belled’s arms tightly held Beryl’s back as she tried to pull away in surprise.
Snap!
The moment Beryl was turned back onto the bed in an instant.
Bam!
“Who is it!”
A crowd of people rushed in. Beryl looked over in surprise.
Judging from the fierce expressions on their faces and the weapons they were holding, it was clear that they had mistakenly thought there were intruders.
“...”
“...”
However, the expressions of the demons who recognized the faces of their masters became blank.
Then, Belled slowly turned to them. Unlike when he had been looking at Beryl, his gaze was fierce.
“Excuse me!”
“I’m sorry!”
Before they could even grasp the situation, the demons instinctively pulled away.
Bam!
The door closed somewhat roughly, but Belled decided to forgive them for quickly disappearing.
It was a gentle response that he could not have imagined before Beryl arrived.
In the meantime, Beryl looked at their faces and realized belatedly that this was not the central temple but Vine.
“...But when on earth did we get here?”
Belled looked down at Beryl at those words.
He said as he straightened her hair, which was rolling her eyes under his shadow.
“I can answer that later, though.”
The hand that had been straightening the hair above her face moved to her disheveled clothes. Her shoulders, exposed by her clothes, were touched by moist warmth.
Kiss.
He whispered, kissing her sweetly.
“This, if I don’t take it now, I’ll probably miss it.”
His lips moved up to her forehead, conveying warmth. Then, his hot hand went to her lower abdomen.
“...!”
The warm heat spreading softly warmed Beryl’s body, waking her up.
It was a hand with clear meaning.
Her face turned bright red and her eyes met Belled’s.
“...”
Belled tilted his head slightly as if asking, and Beryl’s eyes met.
Beryl’s face turned bright red and she looked at him, then closed her eyes gently. There was a faint smile on her lips.
There was also anticipation in that smile, so Belled let out a low laugh.
And then he dug into her without hesitation.
“...!”
With a hot moment that completely erased the lingering nightmares in her head, a new era was opening up for Vine and the Continent.
“Here it is!”
When I met the eyes of the priests who had come through the half-collapsed building, I felt a clear joy and desire in their eyes.
Ah... Why didn’t I know that back then? Why didn’t I know that when I first held their hands? No, even if I had known, I would have held their hands.
At that time, I just thought it would be nice if I could live a little better than now. Above all...
“Child, come with us.”
“Oh, a child to a Goddes?”
I didn’t know what they were thinking as they exchanged glances.
“You...?”
The question I had asked myself as a child came out without me knowing. The priests, trying to look as kindly as possible, said,
“We have come to fetch the Saintess.”
“Saintess...?”
I seemed to recall the memories of when I had first heard that story over ten years ago.
“We will fetch you.”
“You are a noble person chosen by God. You are not meant to be here.”
The priest looked around and frowned. That expression was the only one that was sincere. The way he seemed to be uncomfortable even with the people of the slums that God had taught him to save. Everything else was a lie. But I didn’t know that.
“Please come with us.”
“Wealth and honor will be with you.”
“You are not meant to starve like this.”
The voice that followed was sweet.
“If you come with us, you will no longer have to suffer like this.”
As soon as I heard those words, the memories in my head seemed to resonate. Yes, those words were the most decisive. That it wouldn’t be this hard. There was also the priest who secretly took out a piece of white bread and shook it. As if tempting an animal with food. And my younger self had grabbed the bread. But not anymore.
“I won’t go.”
I opened my mouth. Now I knew. That this was the beginning of my suffering. I would rather find a job that would provide food and shelter, even if it was difficult right away. Even if my body was tired, I could move forward little by little on my own. I could have pioneered my life. Even without holding their hands. But their thoughts didn’t seem to be like that.
“You have to go together.”
The words came back more forcefully than before. The white bread that had been shaking in front of my eyes disappeared, and I saw the priests nodding at each other. I instinctively knew. If they failed to persuade me, they would surround me and pressure me. After all, they needed a Saintess they could use. So before that happened.
“Come with us...”
The priest who was reaching out his hand said so.
Tak!
I instinctively pushed him away. And before their faces turned from confusion to anger.
Tata tatata!
I ran forward.
Tak!
I jumped out of the rubble and ran without knowing where I was going. Far away from them. A place where they wouldn’t catch me.
“Catch her!”
I heard the priests shouting.
“You don’t even know the will of the gods, and you act so arrogantly!”
“This great Saintess needs education!”
A harsh voice was heard. Even though the priests were not wearing clothes suitable for running, it was difficult for a young girl to outrun adult men.
“This...!”
The voice came closer and closer. I gritted my teeth and ran forward.
Thump!
The sound of footsteps, almost within reach, was approaching. I ran down without thinking. My heart was pounding as if I was swept away by my childhood emotions. I knew this was a dream, but I didn’t. As if I would be dragged to the temple and start an unfortunate future if I was caught.
“Got you...!”
Thump!
That was the moment when my hair was about to be grabbed.
Sling!
The clear sound of a sword being pulled out of its scabbard was heard. And then someone blocked the people who were running toward me.
“What?”
The voices of the priests in confusion were heard. I turned my head with my eyes blurred as I was out of breath.
And I opened my mouth slightly on his familiar back.
“Beryl said she had no intention of following, so it would be best to go back.”
“You...!”
“This is the temple’s business!”
The priests who seemed to recognize him were heard shouting.
And their shadows began to grow darker and darker. As if they were going to devour Belled.
I knew, as the master of dreams, that the more I feared them, the more powerful they would become.
However.
“If you won’t back down, there’s nothing we can do.”
Beed’s sword quickly slashed horizontally.
“!”
The surprised priests were seen retreating. Then their expressions distorted.
“At all costs, serve the Saintess!”
They were about to rush in with ferocious expressions for those who were trying to serve me.
Belled said,
“Close your eyes, Beryl.”
If you endure just a little longer, it will all be over.
I believed him as he said that. I trusted Belled more than I feared them.
That’s why I closed my eyes.
Tap.
“Beryl said she had no intention of following, so it would be best to go back.”
“You...!”
“This is the temple’s business!”
The priests who seemed to recognize him were heard shouting.
And their shadows began to grow darker and darker. As if they were going to devour Belled.
I knew, as the master of dreams, that the more I feared them, the more powerful they would become.
However.
“If you won’t back down, there’s nothing we can do.”
Beed’s sword quickly slashed horizontally.
“!”
The surprised priests were seen retreating. Then their expressions distorted.
“At all costs, serve the Saintess!”
They were about to rush in with ferocious expressions for those who were trying to serve me.
Belled said,
“Close your eyes, Beryl.”
If you endure just a little longer, it will all be over.
I believed him as he said that. I trusted Belled more than I feared them.
That’s why I closed my eyes.
Tap.
And in the next moment, the aura that had been oppressing my surroundings disappeared as if it had been washed away. The pressure that had been weighing on my shoulders, the fear.
When I opened my mouth slightly, it was.
“Welcome, Beryl.”
Belled whispered. When I opened my eyes, I saw his face.
“You held up well.”
As he spoke, he had a sweet smile on his face. He seemed a little tired, but it was the smile I longed to see.
“Ah..."
The emotions that had been buried in my childhood came back to life in an instant.
“Come to me, welcome.”
Belled’s words that followed almost brought tears to my eyes.
At that moment, my mind, which had been vaguely wandering between reality and dreams, began to awaken.
The man in front of me was the man I knew. The real him.
“Ah...!”
As my vision shook, the pain I had wanted to avoid disappeared as if it had been washed away.
Then, my body, which had been struggling to accept the magic power but could not do anything because of the pain I felt every time I moved the magic power, began to move.
It was starting to create a path for the magic power to pass through.
“Belled!”
I jumped into Belled’s arms. Surprised, Belled threw away his sword, afraid that I would be cut by it, and embraced me.
“I missed you.”
I missed you so, so much.
If I dreamed, I wanted to dream of you.
I wanted to be with you in the happy place where you always gave me good memories.
I wanted to feel your love, not fear.
The moment I thought that.
Paat!
The dream shook and collapsed.
***
“Your Highness’s condition?”
“There is no abnormality in the flow of magic power.”
Marbes was giving the same answer for the eighth time.
Belled and Beryl were lying side by side in front of him.
This was because Belled had collapsed as soon as he used his ability.
‘Your Highness!’
Of course, the demons of Vine were turned upside down right after that.
Fortunately, there was no problem with his magic power.
‘Because you used that human’s ability earlier, you were consciously connected to the invisible King...'
At Marbes’ calm words, the impatient Naberus was about to go catch the human again.
‘So what did that human do wrong?’
‘That’s not it!’
While trying to stop him, Marbes had to sweat profusely as he examined the two men’s bodies.
“You disappeared into consciousness?”
Asked Pokalor, who had been watching the two.
“Yes.”
When Marbes answered, she crossed her arms. Beryl’s expression, which had been frowning for a long time and then relaxing, seemed to be more than just pain.
“If this continues for more than half a day, we need to find those who have the unique ability to enter dreams or the minds of others.”
And they would have to directly intervene in the two men’s dreams. Even if humans with such abilities appeared, demons other than the Demon Grand Duke would not be able to borrow their abilities.
“Huh...”
Marbes sat upright and wiggled his buttocks. Then, when he had just washed his face once,
“?”
He thought he was dreaming. If His Highness is dreaming, has he finally lost his mind?
Otherwise, the Grand Duke and the Visionary, who were lying next to each other in bed, would not have disappeared all of a sudden.
“Huh?”
But even if he closed his eyes and opened them, it was the same.
“What’s going on...”
Even Pokalor, who turned around, hesitated. She could see that the bed was empty.
“Your Highness!”
“Your Highness!”
Soon, the central temple they were in was turned upside down.
However, soon after, they were able to receive a fortunate but embarrassing call.
***
Pot!
Beryl opened her eyes as her dream crumbled. Her consciousness, which had been sucked somewhere, seemed to shake as it found its place, so she slowly closed and opened her eyes.
The first thing she felt was the softness surrounding her back.
A bed... It seemed like someone had laid me down after I collapsed.
However, she was a little flustered as soon as she opened her eyes. It was because Belled was breathing somewhat raggedly with his eyes closed.
Then he slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were half-asleep, no matter who looked at them. A look that was hard to find for a demon like him.
“Belled... Did you sleep too?”
Beryl asked in disbelief. Belled smiled faintly.
“...Yes, it’s been a long time.”
He originally didn’t need sleep. If he had fallen asleep.
And he had seen the figure in his dream a little while ago.
Does he have the ability to interfere with dreams? Or was there a demon outside the gates of Hell with such an ability?
Or... no way.
Could it be that humans gained such an ability when they began using magic?
Beryl quickly made a deduction close to the truth.
“Was it really Belled that I met in my dream?”
She asked carefully. As soon as Beryl asked, the memory from her dream seemed to come vividly before her eyes.
At the end of her second dream. In Yubar.
The memory that she had forgotten because she was swept up in the emotions of her dream was the memory of Belled looking at her with a cold expression.
‘...!’
She thought that if he cut her, the pain would be short. So Beryl ran away from the temple people and went to him.
And the sword stretched out toward me...
No, the sword was not stretched out toward her but was aimed at the temple and the people of Yubar right behind her.
It was when Beryl opened her eyes slightly wide.
“Yes, it was me.”
Belled's calm voice rang out.
"Ah..."
Beryl mumbled briefly. It was because the relief from the last moment when Belled protected her was pouring back.
"Since when..."
It seemed that he had not saved her only in the third dream.
Belled wiped away her tears and said,
"At first, I was not good at this unique ability, so I could not get involved in your dreams."
But I saw you confidently reject Orobas and leave.
He patted her head as he said that and continued.
"Only the second time, I was able to change the ending."
That's why he was able to cut down those who were chasing her instead of cutting him down. And...
"As you think of me and the pain eases and your consciousness becomes clearer... "
It was when he was caressing Beryl's cheek. Beryl suddenly opened her eyes wide.
Now that I think about it.
"It doesn't hurt!"
Beryl jumped up as if screaming. Belled clearly heard someone flinching outside.
Then he slowly got up.
“What happened?”
Beryl, who didn’t notice it, asked urgently.
Was there some kind of unique ability that didn’t hurt? If there was, I would have used it a long time ago...
“...!”
Beryl suddenly discovered the magical string connecting her and Belled. Was it because she had completely transformed into a demon after accepting the fountain of desire?
The flow of magical power was clearly visible.
Could it be?
“Did Belled do something?”
The moment she asked that, Beryl instinctively realized the answer.
‘The less pain there is..."
Belled had definitely said that. Beryl asked him in surprise.
“Did you mean that Belled was in pain instead?”
Belled calmly answered.
“I’m fine now.”
But Beryl couldn’t calm down.
“That... how much...”
Beryl grabbed his face without realizing it, then withdrew her hand in surprise. Because it seemed like it would hurt.
Because she knew how much excruciating pain it felt when she was touched by someone else’s hand.
But as if it didn't hurt, Belled brought Beryl's hand back to his cheek.
As if telling her to touch it as much as she wanted.
“...Are you really okay?”
Beryl stroked Belled’s cheek as he nodded. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and then her back.
Still, Belled’s face was calm.
“It’s okay.”
Beryl let out a short sigh as she watched him say that.
“This position is also okay.”
However, Beryl blinked at the words that followed. Then, she belatedly realized the situation.
The fact that she was sitting on Beled, who had half-raised his body. Because of the difference in physique, she could clearly feel her knees barely touching the bed as she was climbing on top of him.
...Also, his presence.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Belled’s arms tightly held Beryl’s back as she tried to pull away in surprise.
Snap!
The moment Beryl was turned back onto the bed in an instant.
Bam!
“Who is it!”
A crowd of people rushed in. Beryl looked over in surprise.
Judging from the fierce expressions on their faces and the weapons they were holding, it was clear that they had mistakenly thought there were intruders.
“...”
“...”
However, the expressions of the demons who recognized the faces of their masters became blank.
Then, Belled slowly turned to them. Unlike when he had been looking at Beryl, his gaze was fierce.
“Excuse me!”
“I’m sorry!”
Before they could even grasp the situation, the demons instinctively pulled away.
Bam!
The door closed somewhat roughly, but Belled decided to forgive them for quickly disappearing.
It was a gentle response that he could not have imagined before Beryl arrived.
In the meantime, Beryl looked at their faces and realized belatedly that this was not the central temple but Vine.
“...But when on earth did we get here?”
Belled looked down at Beryl at those words.
He said as he straightened her hair, which was rolling her eyes under his shadow.
“I can answer that later, though.”
The hand that had been straightening the hair above her face moved to her disheveled clothes. Her shoulders, exposed by her clothes, were touched by moist warmth.
Kiss.
He whispered, kissing her sweetly.
“This, if I don’t take it now, I’ll probably miss it.”
His lips moved up to her forehead, conveying warmth. Then, his hot hand went to her lower abdomen.
“...!”
The warm heat spreading softly warmed Beryl’s body, waking her up.
It was a hand with clear meaning.
Her face turned bright red and her eyes met Belled’s.
“...”
Belled tilted his head slightly as if asking, and Beryl’s eyes met.
Beryl’s face turned bright red and she looked at him, then closed her eyes gently. There was a faint smile on her lips.
There was also anticipation in that smile, so Belled let out a low laugh.
And then he dug into her without hesitation.
“...!”
With a hot moment that completely erased the lingering nightmares in her head, a new era was opening up for Vine and the Continent.
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