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"Haha... Hahaha!"
Laughter tinged with emptiness and madness echoed off the walls of the demon realm prison where Arpina was confined.
"I... to think that I would be bound...! By mere demon!"
Having realized the truth of the contract, she finally gave up on everything.
All that remained were shattered pieces of her mind and momentary pleasures.
"I can play around until it's time to do the job, right...?"
Once out, she indulged in freedom and pleasure for a while.
Her previous obsession with power and perfection had vanished without a trace, and only pure pleasure filled her daily life.
Although she was heading south following the contract, there was no will in her movements.
"Information merchants daring to propose a deal to me? Ha...!"
Even the task assigned by the contract was just annoying.
Although she knew she would pay an unimaginable price if she didn't carry it out, everything felt so meaningless that she couldn't bring herself to act.
In the end, four days ago, she impulsively tried to control part of the information merchant association at will, but...
"You can't find it? Nonsense!"
Naturally, things didn't go her way after that.
She knew that Libertas was a subject that stimulated her aesthetic sense, but because her motivation had died down so much, she hesitated while...
Assassins disguised as information merchants came looking for her.
"These damn things...!"
While Sergius was holding her back, the Oison deputy chief and the information merchants below him were all 'disposed of'.
In the end, she fled, intimidated by the increasingly tightening information merchants and the mercenary forces they had gathered.
She had enough power to defeat them, but Arpina, feeling everything hollow and powerless, just wanted to run away.
And so, time passed.
"Ugh...!"
A sharp pain dug into her chest.
The moment when she had to execute the contract was approaching.
The compulsion of a contract with the demons was never light.
'I have to go south.'
Escape and contract.
Currently, only these two words remained in Arpina's mind.
The sense of powerlessness from successive defeats had put her in a state of desperation.
For someone like her, temporarily hiding from the pursuing information merchants seemed like a very attractive option.
"There she is-!!"
"Persistent pests!"
She didn't stop for even a moment.
She moved aimlessly towards the south of Heisen where she thought Libertas would be.
Among those chasing her like this, there were actually not only information merchants but also members of the Information Guild mixed in.
She was completely unaware of the fact that later, the information merchants gave up the pursuit and only guild members were 'driving her in'.
"This is the place."
Arpina, who had thus reached the eastern part of the Eisenlight Mountains in southern Heisen.
Among her numerous abilities was detection magic, so once she came this far, it wasn't difficult to find the location of Libertas's dungeon.
Libertas's dungeon, which couldn't possibly have a human base nearby at present, was openly emitting the aura of a demon realm.
'As expected, it's much weaker.'
The detected aura of Libertas was much weaker compared to those of the strong ones she had encountered so far.
While it was partly because her actual power was less than theirs, at the same time, Arpina had no way of knowing that she was restraining her aura.
She had never seen a Dungeon Lord behave like that.
"No wonder those three Dungeon Lords lost to something like this."
A twisted sneer mixed with disgust and contempt appeared on Arpina's lips.
Although she was in a state of desperation, she wasn't acting stupidly.
While death was easy, she wanted to avoid suicide or pain.
Thanks to the cooperation of the 'Baron of Insult', she was able to obtain at least basic information about the contract target.
'They didn't tell me much about the forces... but I probably don't need to worry about that.'
At least she knew that it was an 'upper-rank Dungeon Lord', so such trivial matters didn't matter.
After all, there was no way someone at that level could approach her.
"The demon nobles who sent me to kill such a thing are also stupid."
As she was sneering and showing contempt like this while advancing through a narrow passage into a cave.
Swoosh...!
Along with a chill that seemed to lick her spine, a strange sensation as if someone was pulling her hair was transmitted.
Instinctive detection based on intense intuition.
And when she unconsciously turned her head following that feeling.
Arpina was able to discover 'her'.
'That is...'
A woman consistent in black from head to toe.
○
Clink.
"How is it?"
The black liquid, which had been like a calm water surface, rippled in the teacup.
"Hmm. It's still bitter to my taste."
Mur Felix said as she put down the teacup. Her white face flickered on the black surface.
It wasn't a particularly satisfying answer.
"That's a shame. It's so delicious."
How rare it is for someone to appreciate the true value of this taste.
This espresso, which I first obtained from Leonis, had never been seen to be drinkable by anyone except my three close women.
Even magicians similar to him found it distasteful.
Still, Maria often drank it together, but she would be busy working in Daniel's mercenary group now.
"It can't be helped. Let's start today's lesson."
"Yes... It was about the reincarnation technique, right?"
Mur leaned back on the backrest and continued speaking.
The espresso had already moved far away from her.
"This is certainly an excellent power for self-preservation, but it requires several precautions."
What I was learning from Mur today was about various curses and sorceries that I came to know while investigating Arpina's life.
It wasn't difficult to obtain information.
The Information Guild existed in the north as well, and as Arpina came down to the center, they actively cooperated with Talhan.
But I had no intention of using her techniques as they were.
They were not only incomplete but also dangerous.
"What are the precautions?"
"If you don't go through the proper procedure, part of yourself remains in the previous body."
A smile lingered on Mur's lips. However, the meaning contained in those words was like a chilling blade.
"Then, that can't be considered the same being, can it?"
"She would consider herself before and after 'the same'. Because the conscious subject doesn't change."
The moonlight seeping through the window tinted her face blue.
Her soft voice continued.
"Abelus, was it? A lot would have changed about her before and after being caught by him. Her appearance, her atmosphere... and even the consistency of her actions would have changed."
Her insight was accurate.
The records collected by Talhan detailed Arpina's changes before and after that incident.
From minor preferences and personality to methods of using power, many aspects had changed.
"The Witch of Dreams herself probably doesn't realize it... but she's already lost an important part of herself. And, she'll crave to fill the void in her soul."
"I see..."
Her words added confidence to my plan.
"Then what if she in that state... sees a woman with perfect appearance and grace. A supremely beautiful woman whose soul wavelength matches perfectly."
"Ah..."
Mur smiled calmly yet meaningfully, as if looking at a moth flying towards a flame.
She seemed to have perfectly read my intention.
"Although the Lady hasn't yet grasped the essence of soul magic, that's simply a matter of time. Even now, unless it's the owners of the 13 Stars of the continent or the Six Thrones, no one would be able to break through the barrier surrounding the Lady's soul."
The 13 Stars referred to the greatest adventurers on the continent, and the owners of the Six Thrones referred to the demon realm Archdukes existing on the continent.
Since this matter started, I had been receiving teachings from her while simultaneously having her clearly examine the state of my soul.
It was to confirm the last key of the plan.
"Yes... Now I feel reassured."
As expected, she was an excellent teacher.
"Come here."
"Yes."
At my call, all my close associates waiting in the shadows walked out.
Eve, Xue, Ran, Sonia.
The people I trust the most right now.
Today, I intended to let them look into my inner self.
It was to see what form the monster that holds onto my emotions and doesn't let go takes inside me, and whether it can be utilized for this matter.
"If you become endangered by my unconscious, don't hesitate to pull out."
The reason all four of them are entering is because this task is that dangerous.
If my mind is stronger than expected, they could be put in danger instead.
Just by entering my mental world.
"Don't worry, Master. We will certainly come out safely. If we get hurt, you would be the one who suffers the most."
"Don't worry... It'll be alright."
"That's right. It's something that will certainly be achieved even if it takes time. We won't overdo it."
"With the Master worrying so much, your unconscious won't harm us."
After nodding to them answering in their own ways, I turned my gaze to Mur.
She, who had been looking at us with somehow pleased eyes, answered with a smile.
"Everything's ready."
With her signal, the magic activated, and I felt four lights digging into my mind as I closed my eyes.
If I sleep like this and wake up, they would be in front of me again.
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"How was it?"
The four people who came out of Libertas's ego were in different states, but no one could immediately answer Mur's question.
"Haa..."
Evangeline let out a long breath.
Her calm face bore traces of deep realization.
It wasn't clear what she had gained from Libertas's mind, but it seemed certain that she had obtained at least one level higher mental image.
"Oh my... Really... Really...!"
Ran's voice was trembling deeply.
Her eyes, as if intoxicated with ecstasy, still seemed to be seeing something.
Her face was full of wonder.
Like a believer who had witnessed something celestial, or a fanatic who had seen the Demon King's countenance.
"I could have stayed a bit longer..."
Xue muttered in a regretful voice.
It was a tone dripping with strong lingering attachment, like an audience member regretting the end of a beautiful song.
"..."
Sonia still hadn't regained consciousness.
Fortunately, it wasn't for a serious reason.
Her soul was just temporarily tired from contact with Libertas's powerful consciousness.
Her face was peaceful, and she seemed to be dreaming of something.
"Ah."
After a while, the gazes of the three who had regained consciousness turned to Mur.
"The inside of the Master's consciousness was... marvelous."
'Still.'
Representing the three, a word slowly flowed from Evangeline's mouth.
Although there might have been words she couldn't bring herself to say, it was a tone that fully conveyed that emotion and awe.
"I see..."
Mur felt somewhat regretful. About not being able to enter Libertas's consciousness directly.
At least it seemed certain that they had an unforgettable experience.
Now, Libertas's plan to capture the Witch of Dreams was complete.