Chapter 376: Greed

“We’re almost there, Sir Clarens. Although it has been a bit complicated, the damaged key we found in the town lord’s office was important; even though it’s broken, it would be impossible to open it without that key. It’s a very strong protection barrier, and the vault’s material is extremely hard. It’s a pity that, once we open it, the vault’s barriers will become useless.”

“What! Something so valuable will be damaged!”

“Come on, Clarens, that doesn’t matter. We mustn’t be too greedy. Besides, there’s a chance that information on how to make it and so on is also inside, so what? Possibly also the core of the barrier, since we haven’t found it anywhere else.”

“Ugh! I think you’re right. Yes, let’s think positively.”

With confirmation from one of the magicians who was in charge of unlocking the vault barrier, many people’s expectations were high.

Some of the group watched intently, while the rest continued to explore the outskirts to make sure they didn’t miss anything of value in the city lord’s mansion. It was imperative not to leave any corner unchecked; there could still be something highly valuable.

*****

“Tsk, they’re really wasting their time. Well, this barrier is so advanced that even if they were within soul conversion range, they would fall into it. Hmm… and it’s very good, detailed and real; it even fills in the missing spaces. It’s also based on mist runes… hmm, it’s very compatible with she!”

“W-who?”

“It’s nothing… or rather, Ophelia, why are you holding my arm so tightly?”

Not that I’m complaining about her chest rubbing against me, but I’m a little cautious. Not long ago, she bit me and injected a seriously lethal poison, which, due to her blessing, affected me a little; although I quickly purified it.

But anyone else of my rank would have died without salvation.

’Well, it was my fault… I got excited. It’s a good thing she didn’t ask where the hell a second member came from.’

“I-I… my legs…a-are still a little shaky.”

“Hmm… I feel like that was only half the truth. Well, whatever. It’s true, after a few hours of doing it, it’s weird that you can walk. Do you want a massage? I’m very good at it.”

While everyone was excitedly searching for and collecting treasures from the well-kept city, I—seeing no point in helping them—discreetly looked for a secluded spot with Ophelia.

We had only recently finished, but in my defense, I hadn’t let my guard down and was always alert; not to mention that, technically, I was getting stronger.

That way, I could better cope with anything that happened. That was the obvious thing to do.

Besides, the good stuff was just beginning now that we had arrived at the city lord’s mansion.

“Ye-yes, ah!… n-no… hmm… y-yes?… n-no, it’s not necessary.”

“Why are you hesitating so much? It’ll be quick. I have to take care of you, you know? You may be able to endure much more than any member of my harem, but that doesn’t mean you don’t accumulate fatigue. In fact, I feel a you little tired now that you’re holding my arm. Come on, I do this very often to the members of my harem.”

“W-who…? Who are they?… Are they pretty? How many are there?”

“Huh? Why does your voice sound heavier and darker? Hmm… well, they definitely are, the most beautiful things that exist. And let’s see, they are… hmm, can I count her? Yes, she’s just playing hard to get and being tsundere. So that would be… no, wait, damn it, I really let my guard down with you. Ahem… I, David, have been single since birth. I don’t have a harem or anything.”

“B-but several times you’ve said that-”

“Ahem, minor details, lovely Ophelia. Ahem, let’s not get into each other’s personal lives. Remember, we only have a carnal relationship, that’s all.”

’Damn, could it be because her first impression is similar to Silvia’s?’

That timid attitude makes me let my guard down; I feel like that’s why talking to her feels like talking to Silvia, and it comes too easily to me. I must remember who I am right now and what I’m doing; after all, the end is near.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Well, as long as you understand. On another note, what do you think of the art I gave you? How do you feel about wielding a whip? It’s one of the few weapons with a long range, and with your personality, I think it suits you, not to mention that you already know: whips, poisonou,s snakes. I feel a lot of compatibility… or do you want another weapon?”

“N-no… it’s fine.”

“I really don’t understand why you keep acting nervous and hesitant. I mean, shouldn’t you be a little more confident by now? At least with me, since I’ve seen and done everything there is to do, even counting the number of your moles, and you have a lot!”

“I-I-I-I… uek!”

“Yeah, I guess it’s just your personality. And that’s why I originally thought you looked a lot like my friend…”

Silvia stopped acting timid around me and even uses violence against my defenseless self, but it doesn’t look like she’s going to stop anytime soon. I’m not complaining, it’s fun to tease her.

“W-who is she? Is she a woman?”

“Yes, and well… a tsundere who’s not very honest about her feelings, who has a hard time expressing herself and going after the guy she likes. You know, she’s a pain in the ass. I always tell her that if she’s so hesitant and dishonest, she’ll miss her chance.”

“…”

“She always says she has everything under control and that I don’t need to get involved, but she’s not doing anything! She’s a fool! Does she think that by doing nothing, the guy she likes will just come to her?”

“…”

“That’s not how things work; she has to fight for it with everything she’s got, especially because the other guy is a bastard who attracts women like flies.”

“…”

“Yes, she’s very frustrating, annoying, shy, for some reason now tsundere… and one of those who hits people, the wretched thing.”

“…”

“Ahem! But even with all that, she’s my best friend forever, and I love her very much. And I will definitely prevent her from exploding.”

“E-e-exploding?”

“Yes, to top it all off, the idiot is potentially dangerous to herself and those around her… Ah, well, I guess it doesn’t matter. The point is, don’t be like her, understand?”

“Y-yes.”

Yes, it’s very easy to talk to her; without thinking, things came out of me again, but I don’t think it matters if she knows I have a friend like Silvia.

I didn’t mention any names, I didn’t say anything that would give me away, so it’s fine. Besides, it’s good to prevent another tsundere from appearing in this world.

Umm… but speaking of friends…

“But Ophelia, what did that Fatima want from you last night? You two moved away and talked about something… is she your friend?”

“Ah, I-I… I can’t say.”

“Oh! You didn’t lie to me because you knew I’d find out, right? I guess you don’t want to tell me… She must be a client and you have a confidentiality agreement or something, right?”

“…I-i-I…”

“Nah, don’t answer if you don’t want to. Didn’t I tell you? It’s just a carnal relationship, I shouldn’t meddle in your private life either.”

“/_”

“What? Why the sad face? Did you want to tell me something? Ah! … They opened it! I wonder if this will break the…”

[[Haaah~ I guess it was inevitable… Greed will truly accompany humanity no matter the era. Haaah… But like a weapon, it depends on how it’s used.]]

“Huh? What the hell is this all of a sudden?”

We could be talking, but I was paying attention to what my brother and the other leaders were doing. I wanted to see if what was in the vault was the real deal.

And I wasn’t very surprised that, when the barrier broke, the city barrier broke at the same time, although it was only partial and only one of its functions, it seemed that it wasn’t a simple situation.

From what I understood about this barrier, I knew that was a possibility, and I wasn’t really surprised that everything around us changed: the almost new and well-kept gardens and facade of the mansion became ruins covered in weeds.

I wasn’t surprised because I could see this coming from the beginning. Illusions and I don’t get along: I have my blessing that prevents any illusions that alter the mind.

And the others who use mana, like this one, to recreate things. I can see through them with my eyes of lust.

But what does surprise me is that voice. There was nothing like it in my memory; it seemed to come from where my brother was, but it spread throughout the city.

[[I don’t know you or what intentions brought you to my city. To you, I will only be an old man from an era and a kingdom whose name, hopefully, has not yet been lost to history.]]

“…Hah, right.”

Now that I think about it, there might be something here that I didn’t know. Since, technically, when my alternate self and Willian came, it wasn’t a virgin place… If I think about it, this is a classic: an elderly voice, speaking grandiloquently and with an existential tone… There is some kind of legacy here.

’Is it because of the sprout? Nah, that’s impossible.’

[[That you have come this far… as fate would have it. Behold my legacy: let the greed that burns in your hearts decide whether you are worthy of inheriting what my city left behind.]]

“Oh, a theme of greed. Hah, they’re disappearing. Oh! Tests. This will be great.”

“D-David, they… we…”

“Oh, calm down. It must be a test. Haven’t you been through one before? You know, old people who have no family, they just can’t die in peace and sometimes they leave legacies like this… Well, we’ll be gone soon too, get ready, don’t stray from me.”

“Y-yes.”

Well, it varies from legacy to legacy, but if they were group trials, if we stay in touch, they’ll probably keep us together. I really wasn’t expecting anything like that, but if there are additional profits, I won’t complain.

[[Disrespectful boy, who are you calling a lonely old man? I had family and many friends. Besides, do I look like an old man?]]

’Shit, he heard me.’

Instead of disappearing, the source of the voice manifested in front of me and looked very angry.

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