Chapter 80: The Elves’ Common Sense Of Persistence (5)

“Sorry. My lower half is a bit busy.”

“……?”

Oops! I meant to just soothe her…!

Eve reacts too honestly to every word I say, and I inadvertently blurted it out.

Eve, who has been mentally battered repeatedly in this short time, became ragged. With a pale face, she opened her mouth.

“It, it’s okay. So this doesn’t mean that it’s because you dislike me, right…?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Honestly, there’s no reason for me to dislike Miss Eve. I rather like you.”

“…Really?”

Are you trying to cook me with plausible words again? (X)

Is the chance of me graduating from being a maiden still alive…? (O)

Eve’s voice sounded almost desperate. Honestly, I felt sorry for having been too harsh, even though I was supposed to prevent her from turning evil.

I leaned in closer, holding Eve’s head in my embrace. The distance suddenly narrowed.

Being uncharacteristically large for an elf, Eve’s chest pressed tightly against my midsection, as if to envelop me.

“Uh…”

Startled, Eve tried reflexively to pull away, but her head was already firmly grasped by me.

Unable to do much, Eve clung to me in an awkward position. Just as planned.

Pretending to notice nothing, I continued speaking in a voice no different from before, perhaps a bit softer with a hint of apology.

“Of course. I most definitely like Miss Eve. Though you said it wasn’t necessary earlier, that was just not a reason enough for marriage, but it’s true that it’s a charming point, isn’t it?”

“Then, may I take it that my proposal is not entirely rejected?”

Is there still a chance to capture your heart? (X)

This is a man’s… (O)

She spoke as if she had found a sliver of hope, like a pure-hearted maiden in her words…but her mind was filled with nothing but risqué thoughts.

Isn’t this the best??

I’m not sure how the men of the Pan Continent would feel, but at least for me, it’s definitely a point in her favor.

I stroked the round back of Eve’s head and nodded.

“As I said earlier, it’s not possible right now. But if someday my work is safely finished, and if Miss Eve accepts that there are other women by my side. Then, will you gift me the ring again?”

“At that time…”

“Yes. At that time, please put it on my finger yourself.”

Saying so, I slowly released Eve’s head and stepped back.

“Ah…”

Eve exclaimed as if in regret. I’m sorry, but the service ends here. Well, maybe one more wouldn’t hurt, right?

With a sly smile, I moved my arms behind my back and clasped my hands together. Then, I pressed my forehead against Eve’s and whispered,

“That’s one thing, but…the promise I made with you last time still stands. Whenever you need the power of the World Tree, I’ll help you out once, whatever it may be. Think carefully about how and where you’ll use this.”

“……”

After a moment of silence, Eve responded with her usual sinister smile.

“Hehe. To think you’re giving me a blank check. Are you sure that’s alright?”

You’ll be stomping the ground in regret when you find out what I might ask of you (X)

King domination play? Totally possible! (O)

Eve, what did you take my words for? I told you I won’t do anything lewd??

But I understand that feeling. Even I wouldn’t think much about being an emperor, but imagining being devoured like a dog by an empress does cross my mind.

…But I come from a background of writing erotic fiction, and Eve is of royal descent, so why on earth?

I carefully wrapped up the sudden question that popped into my mind and shoved it deep into my brain, deciding to forget about it.

Otherwise, I felt like I might gallantly step up for Eve, feeling too sorry for her…

Instead, I just chuckled and nodded to what wasn’t quite a threat from Eve.

“Of course, it’s fine. I stopped by specifically to talk about this.”

Pleased with my response, Eve smiled and stood up. I sneakily watched as she straightened her disheveled clothes and said,

“Hmm. Well, I’ve finished what I came for, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”

“Do as you wish. I’m truly sorry for the disgraceful behavior I displayed today.”

If only you weren’t here, no one would know of my embarrassing state (X)

WhatonearthdidIdo,someonepleaseerasemymemory! (O)

Eve, as usual, exudes a peculiar aura with her half-closed eyes and a relaxed smile that seems to suggest she’s got something up her sleeve.

It’s really heart-wrenching to know her true feelings, but it’s a relief that she seems to have recovered well.

And it’s also fortunate that our relationship hasn’t completely soured.

Thanks to this, if something happens to Eve in the future, I’ll be the first to know and can handle it.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Above all, I didn’t outright reject Eve’s proposal; I initially refused but then conditionally agreed, didn’t I?

And Eve seems to have taken this condition lightly.

I never imagined she would immediately shout “3P possible” at the mention of another woman…

What kind of monster have I created?

A sense of self-reproach did wash over me, but this too was a consequence of the scenario I had created. In other words, it was a karma I had to deal with.

After arranging the plants grown with Basilieus to give a decorative feel, I deactivated my power.

“Phew…”

The sensation of the wood crown fading from my head. And the emptiness as if a part of my senses had been torn away.

Is that how it is? It seems that if I use the power for more than just a moment, connecting with the surrounding plants for a long time, there are such side effects.

I steadied my staggering body by putting strength into my legs and waved my hand towards Eve.

“I’ll be going now. See you next time.”

“May I ask when next time might be?”

Don’t assume you’ll be safe until then (X)

Come before you run out of the fruits you gained today (O)

“Well, I guess I’ll drop by if there’s something. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. I think I’ll clear the first floor soon and move on to the second.”

“Oh my. Are you leaving already? You truly possess extraordinary talent…”

I’ll crush that talent before it blooms (X)

A strong man, distorted sexual desire (O)

“Yes. So, I think I’ll be visiting again soon. If it’s alright with you, may I ask you to find out information about the power I’ve acquired…Basilieus, until then?”

“Of course, that’s fine. Basilieus is a special power among the World Tree’s abilities. It’s ancient history for us elves, but the records definitely still exist… Of course, it won’t be free.”

Hehe. I’ll strip you to the bone (X)

Should I ask for the underwear you wore today? (O)

“Ahaha! Don’t worry. Do you think I would come empty-handed? I’ll prepare the payment separately, so just make sure the information is ready.”

“Uhuhu. Trust me. I wouldn’t disappoint Sir Jonah, of all people.”

I will betray you at the crucial moment after slowly gaining your trust (X)

Saying I’ll satisfy you sounds too risqué, so let’s say I won’t disappoint you (O)

After shaking hands with Eve, who hid her true intentions until the last moment, I left the Eternal Mercantile Eden.

It was time to return home, where Ellie was waiting.

Eve slowly looked around the now empty store.

The design was unique, as if the plants and the building had become one. It was a style Eve recognized from ancient elven architecture.

The power to dominate plants. A symbol of royal authority. The legitimacy itself recognized by the World Tree.

The oldest power, named after the first King. It was a form that could only be created with the power of Basilieus.

“U-huhu…”

Eve, slightly cheered up, settled into the sofa where Jonah had been lying just moments before. No, she simply sprawled out in the same manner and took a deep breath.

A faint scent of Jonah lingered.

“Wow. That’s pretty blatant.”

“Boss. Pervert.”

Lemon and Apple were making a racket in the corner, but it was hardly a matter of concern for Eve.

Buried in the traces left by Jonah, reflecting on the conversation they had just shared. What could be more important than that?

‘Did you say you have something to do and to wait? I can do that as much as needed.’

Eve has already been waiting for nearly a thousand years. There’s no need to fret over waiting a few decades more.

Just helping Jonah and waiting a bit longer is all that needs to be done.

The real problem is that there are many other women around Jonah….

‘Whoever you love, no matter how tainted, it doesn’t matter. As long as you are by the side of this Eve Nirvana Yggdrasil in the end…!“

After all, the lifespan of humans is around 100 years! Even the long-lived races like beastmen or dwarves hardly exceed 150 years!

Even for those who surpass the limits of their race, living twice the allotted lifespan is a distant dream!

On the other hand, what about Eve?

Despite having lived for over a thousand years, she maintains her undiminished youth. As long as she doesn’t get sick or injured, she might have hundreds of years left…perhaps even over a thousand.

This is all thanks to the divine power of the World Tree bestowed upon her at birth.

And Jonah too has gained the power of the World Tree. Being that he had obtained the one most formidable in strength, his lifespan will increase dramatically.

At least similar to that of an ordinary elf…he may even live long enough to stay with Eve until the very end of her life.

“Ah…I’m looking forward to it.”

To elves, this was the common sense of persistence.

All the aged, dead, and buried competitors. Thinking of the half-elves frolicking above their graves made Eve’s lower abdomen burn with heat.

Squirming, squirming.

Eve instinctively crossed her legs and pressed her body against the sofa.

At that sight, Lemon and Apple who were in the corner were horrified and kicked their way out of the store.

“That, that. That’s totally a crazy bitch, that one.”

“Lemon. It’s not that. It’s the Boss.”

Apple, who did not correct the term ‘crazy bitch’ until the end, locked the door of the store from outside.

Today was another peaceful day in Pangrave.

Anyway, it was peaceful.