Release again

[“So… are you really not renewing the contract?”]

“No, no, no, I told you this was just a coincidence. I never expected it to be you emerging from the rift.”

[“Because my aura was sealed within the subspace crystal used for the summoning. It might be from a spring outing I took to the material realm a hundred years ago.”]

“You certainly have a lot of leisure time…”

The situation was resolved.

All the Abyssal Beasts in the city had been slain, and the Grand Seal was repaired. Ephiel and I returned to the Abyss, slowly descending through the opening I had carved.

Having released her from her possession state, we were once again two independent entities.

[“Take me with you… I’m really so bored in subspace…”]

“I can’t…”

[“I beg you, I beg you, I beg you, I beg you!”]

“I truly can’t. If I maintain the contract with you, your power will leak out no matter how careful I am. We’d easily be detected by those above.”

“They would follow the clues and find me in no time.”

[“Even so… boohoo…”]

Ah, she was whimpering again. She truly was a mere minnow on a spiritual level.

[“At least rub my breasts…”]

“Why would I!?”

[“Seducing you, is that not allowed…”]

“No, I’m not interested.”

[“Then, is letting you lick my armpit also forbidden?”]

“………………..No.”

[“…You hesitated just now, didn’t you?”]

“No means no! Besides, if you’re not attached to me, you’re just an energy body. An energy body doesn’t sweat or produce body odor. What’s so great about licking an armpit like that!?”

[“…After two years, your preferences have grown even stranger, you silly man.”]

As I idly chatted with her, I returned to the sixth layer of the Abyss.

Although this crisis was resolved, Jadette and Paris were still unconscious below. The subspace rift hadn’t closed either, so the aftermath required careful handling.

Parashana and Justin had likely escaped to an unknown location. There was nothing I could do about them; they’d best pray they never cross my path again.

“Alright, we’re here…”

I hoisted Jadette and Paris onto my shoulders, then pointed towards the subspace rift.

“Though I’m a little reluctant, it’s time for you to go back. I’ll close the rift once you’re gone.”

[“Such a heartless man…”]

“I am not heartless.”

[“You used me to your heart’s content, then casually cast me aside…”]

“Don’t use such strange phrasing.”

“That…”

[“Indeed, to you, I’m just a tool!”]

“No! I’ve always considered you a good friend!”

“Uh, Apostle Lord…”

[“If we’re good friends, then take me with you! Please!”]

“I told you I have my difficulties!”

“Apostle Lord… may I ask… you…”

“You’re too noisy! Can’t you see we’re talking?………………..Huh?”

[“………………………………………………………….Hmm?”]

Like broken clockwork dolls, the two of us slowly, stiffly, and with a series of clicks, turned our heads.

Just behind the rift, hidden by fallen rubble, stood a young girl.

She had clearly just emerged from behind the debris, her hair disheveled and her face smudged with dirt. Her short trench coat and leggings were tattered, yet even this could not conceal her delicate beauty.

But that wasn’t the point.

She was staring fixedly at us, her expression like Marie Curie after isolating radium, like Biden upon winning the presidency, like Faker executing a perfect comeback kill on a full-health Ryu with a sliver of health left.

Her lips trembled incessantly, and the finger she pointed at us shook uncontrollably. Her face was pale, but this paleness was swiftly replaced by a flush.

In her other hand, she held a phone with a cute case, its bath-fixture-shaped camera clicking away at us, constantly chiming with ‘file upload complete’ notifications.

RERUN

“…”

“…”

“…………”

“…………”

“………………”

“………………”

“………………..”

“………………..”

“………………….”

“………………….”

Time passed in a delicate silence.

We could vaguely see lines of ellipses on a page.

“……………………………………………………………………..Aimira?”

“Yes, Apostle Lord.”

“…………………………When did you get here?”

“I’ve been here the whole time…”

“………………..The whole time?”

“It was I who instructed Miss Jadette to create a disturbance to attract you, you know.”

“Ah, this…”

[“Corvus, who is she…?”]

“Hello, you must be Miss Ephiel, correct?”

[“Yes…”]

“I am a special investigator for the Ninth Apostle Investigation Committee, and also a loyal fan of Lord Corvus. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

She extended her hand cordially to Ephiel. Ephiel was about to shake it, but I stopped her. Aimira would be incinerated if she directly touched an energy body.

Aimira Milala.

Now I finally understood what it meant for a spirit to linger relentlessly.

People often say, ‘a truly ruthless man stops at nothing.’ Therefore—

“…You were the one who wouldn’t stop pestering me. Don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Chains of domination sprouted from my fingertips. This time, I had no choice but to make her suffer a little, to knock her out roughly and completely eradicate any thought of pestering me.

“Wait, you’re planning to leave Sandra and run off, aren’t you!”

“Yes, what about it?”

I strode menacingly towards her, about to make my move—

“—Please, take me with you!”

She fell to her knees with a thud.

She knelt on the ground like a devout believer worshipping a deity.

Such piety, such humility, left me, who had already steeled myself, momentarily stunned.

“Please take me with you! No matter where you go, I will accompany you, serving you meticulously and never causing you any trouble!”

“…There’s no need. I’m fine on my own.”

“For years, I’ve been tormented by the nightmares of the Night of the Hunt. You are the only one who can save me!”

“You won’t be troubled anymore, because that whole mess ended long ago.”

“You are the person I admire most, the light of my life! When I lost my family and was all alone, your deeds constantly encouraged me and supported me. Thanks to you, I’ve lived until now!!”

“Even if you say that…”

This girl was serious… I understood that much, but…

“This time too, when Miss Jadette and I were surrounded by villains, on the verge of despair, you saved us! You saved me!!! Besides you, I will never fall for any other man in this life. You are my light, my hope, my everything!!!!!”

“Uh, I’m very happy about your feelings, but… but… you’re a bit too intense…”

“I beg you! If you’re going, please take me with you!!!”

“This…”

She was crying so hard her face was streaked with tears, a pitiful yet adorable sight that stirred my compassion. To be honest, I’m usually a soft touch, and I can’t bear to see women cry. Her outburst truly put me in a difficult position.

Therefore—

“Ephiel, help me talk some sense into her.”

Ephiel was a woman after all; surely she could help me deal with her?

“Ephiel?”

However, she didn’t respond to me. Instead, she stared blankly at a point in the void, seemingly lost in thought.

“Hey, Ephiel!!”

[“Ah… ah! My apologies, I zoned out just now…”]

“Help me talk some sense into her! This girl is throwing a fit, and you know I’m terrible at handling this kind of thing!”

[“I think… hmm… isn’t this quite good?”]

Ephiel suddenly frowned and smiled.

“What’s quite good?” I was utterly bewildered.

[“Why don’t you just take her with you? Isn’t that quite good?”]

“Huh???”

Ephiel was pleading for her??

I was completely dumbfounded, while Aimira, as if grasping a lifeline, kowtowed and bowed to Ephiel, her gratitude overflowing.

“No, how did you two reach an agreement? Ephiel, this girl is a government investigator! Am I sick of peace and quiet to keep her by my side?”

[“She is so devoted to you, she definitely won’t do anything detrimental to you, nor will she report you to those above behind your back.”]

“Even so—”

[“On the contrary, she can be your mole, constantly informing you of the Investigation Committee’s movements. That way, you’ll have much less to worry about.”]

“Ah…”

[“You wouldn’t feel at ease sending someone who has seen you back, would you? And you don’t like to kill innocents indiscriminately, so why not make the best use of her?”]

It seemed to make sense, indeed. I hadn’t considered this angle before.

My biggest headache had always been the lack of information, not knowing how those above would try to catch me, living without a fixed abode. But if someone could act as my spy, notifying me immediately if there was any movement from above…

[“Doesn’t sound bad, does it?”]

“Yes, yes! Apostle Lord! I can absolutely help with this small favor! In fact, please let me help you!!!”

“Emmmmmmmmm”

I looked at the frowning, smiling Ephiel, then at the eager Aimira, and pondered for a long time.

Finally, I sighed.

“It does seem to make some sense… In that case…”

“Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“No ‘yay’! I haven’t fully agreed yet!!”