Chapter 94

■ Chapter 93. Two Women (1) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

While Isaac and Adel were having a subtle meeting with the Ters royal family, Mari and Cecil had arrived at a desolate location on the outskirts of the village.

Even with the immense support from the royal family, there were still places in the Myshall territory that remained untouched by human hands. This phenomenon was more pronounced the further one ventured from the village.

The village and its outskirts were distinctly separated, making it an ideal place to hide. Mari and Cecil stood facing each other in this remote area. The towering trees, which had grown for decades, shielded them from the harsh sunlight.

"So, why did you bring me to such a place?"

Mari, with her arms crossed, glared at Cecil, who stood in front of her. Her mood was currently as uncomfortable as it could be.

She had originally wanted to enjoy the exhibition with Isaac alone, but her plans were foiled by the woman in front of her, and now they were completely apart.

Given that she had been looking forward to a cozy date, it was no wonder that her frustration was rising. She wanted to ignore everything Cecil said, but the atmosphere made it impossible.

She felt that she would have to confront Cecil separately soon anyway. Her woman's intuition and her own sharp senses told her so.

Deciding that it was best to resolve this annoying matter quickly, she followed Cecil without hesitation. And they ended up under this tree.

"I'm sorry. I had to talk to you about something important."

Cecil, who had been staring at the disgruntled Mari, smiled gently in response. It was a smile so beautiful and fresh that it naturally eased Mari's guard.

However, Mari did not let her guard down. Instead, her eyes narrowed, and her wariness only intensified.

She quickly scanned Cecil from head to toe, then let out a long sigh and placed her hand on her chest, declaring:

"Let me make this clear, I have no intention of giving Isaac to you. I was the one who confessed to Isaac first, and he likes me too. Got it?"

Mari's statement was firm and drew a clear line, revealing her determination not to back down.

If she were an ordinary person, she might have flinched at Mari's气势, but there was no sign of that in Cecil.

On the contrary, she nodded with a slight smile, as if she had expected this.

"I know. I've seen how much you like Isaac. I was a bit surprised when you used me to talk about your feelings. It felt like I had been caught off guard."

"Fine, I get it."

"But, Mari, have you heard of polygamy?"

"...What?"

When Cecil mentioned polygamy, Mari's eyes widened in disbelief, as if she had heard wrong.

Cecil, maintaining her gentle smile, continued in a soft tone:

"You heard me right. It's a custom where one man has multiple wives. It's not just in your human society; it's also common in Helium and Animus."

"Hey, you..."

Mari's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, as if she were at a loss for words.

It was not a topic that a princess, especially one who was the next in line to be the Demon King, should even mention.

At her position, it would be more normal to have a son-in-law rather than practice polygamy. Helium, though it had not engaged in diplomacy until now, was as powerful as Alvenheim.

Moreover, polygamy is often more politically motivated than romantically. For example, a weak country might send its princess to marry into a powerful country to form a strong alliance.

For Mari, who had already been betrayed by someone she trusted, the idea of Cecil using Isaac as a political tool was unacceptable. She would never allow polygamy or anything like it.

In response, she let out a hollow laugh and shot a harsh remark at Cecil:

"Hah. I thought you were different from Lina... I guess I misjudged you. I didn't think you'd hide such a dark agenda."

"..."

"Does Isaac really think he would accept that? Someone who hates politics so much?"

Mari was confident that she knew Isaac better than anyone, except for his family.

Isaac was simple, considerate, and loved writing. Writing the Zyon Chronicles was just a hobby, a way to bring a world from his imagination to life. It took him a long time to realize his own popularity.

Sure, he had his quirks, but Mari didn't mind. In fact, she found it endearing to see a different side of the usually stoic Isaac.

Their relationship started with genuine affection and developed into love, not for any political reasons. At least, she believed her love for Isaac was purer than anyone else's.

"Hmm... I don't know what misconception you have, but that's not it at all. Politics is just a side effect; my feelings for Isaac are genuine."

Despite Mari's continuous harsh words, Cecil maintained a calm demeanor. She even smiled gently and blushed slightly.

It was the reaction of a woman who was shy about confessing her love.

This made Mari even more flustered. As she had mentioned before, she had a natural ability to discern whether someone was telling the truth or lying.

Her heart was telling her that everything Cecil said in that gentle voice was the truth.

There was no political motive, just a very pure heart, person to person.

Mari could feel this vividly.

"...When did you start?"

"Do you believe me? Really?"

When Mari believed her without any doubt, Cecil's face lit up with a bright expression, and she clasped her hands together in gratitude.

Mari, however, did not nod and remained silent. It didn't matter whether Cecil's feelings were genuine or not. There were different kinds of sincerity.

If her sincerity was very impure, she would reject it outright. Even if it was pure, she would do the same.

Mari had no intention of sharing the genuine and unadulterated Isaac with anyone.

She wanted to see his face every day, to hug him all day, and to share various forms of love. But if she had to share him, that time would be halved.

Given her past experience of being betrayed by someone she trusted, she could never let go of Isaac.

"I'm really grateful that you believe me. As for when it started... it's a bit ambiguous. I had a crush on Isaac at the beginning of the semester, and it turned into love after the ninth volume of the Zyon Chronicles was released. Specifically, it was when we had a conversation alone. Remember?"

"..."

I see. After that, she became a bit anxious and had a private conversation with Isaac, and Mari kissed him first, starting their relationship.

Although the process was a bit strange, like a snake climbing over a fence, the result was good, so it wasn't a problem.

"At that time, you said to me, 'If trust is formed only by sharing secrets, then it's just a liking for the secret, not the person.' That made me realize I genuinely like Isaac."

"...I remember that clearly."

"Thanks to you, I realized I genuinely like Isaac."

What was she talking about? Mari's eyes twitched, unable to understand Cecil's explanation.

Cecil, seeing Mari's expression, smiled softly and placed her hand on her chest.

Was she thinking of Isaac's face? Her heart was beating more strongly than usual.

It was beating so strongly that even her demon's patience couldn't suppress it, and she could feel a strong desire rising.

'I'll come sooner than expected...'

The evil period usually comes at regular intervals, but in special cases, it can come sooner. This happens when a demon's desire, which is like a drug, builds up.

The stronger the desire, the stronger the red aura around the horns, and if it becomes unbearable, the evil period arrives. If even the evil period can't be controlled, one becomes a demon.

Cecil was in a similar situation. Before, she might have just let it pass, but after realizing her feelings for Isaac, a desire began to rise.

She didn't know how this desire would manifest. Before, it had come like a physiological phenomenon, but now it felt like a sudden rush, like taking a drug.

Fortunately, she was sure she wouldn't become a demon, but like a human woman becoming more aggressive during her period, she might experience a similar phenomenon.

Cecil closed her eyes tightly, trying to calm her heart, which was about to burst, and then slowly opened them to look at Mari.

"At first, I was confused. Was this feeling for Isaac himself, or for the savior of our demons? But the conclusion came surprisingly easily."

"...What conclusion?"

"Both."

It was a clear but difficult to understand conclusion. However, Mari soon understood what Cecil meant from her explanation.

"I fell in love with Isaac, and Isaac is the author of the Zyon Chronicles, who saved us. Who are you asking about? It's meaningless to ask which is more important, since they are the same person. The author of the Zyon Chronicles, Isaac, saved us, so my feelings for Isaac are genuine."

Cecil's logical argument left Mari speechless. Her words were all true.

No matter how much they tried to separate them, the fact that Isaac was the author of the Zyon Chronicles was an unchangeable truth. Therefore, it wasn't strange for Cecil to have feelings for Isaac.

The Zyon Chronicles were a heaven-sent salvation for demons like Cecil. It was a priceless treasure that instantly resolved the harsh persecution and discrimination that had lasted for a thousand years.

Cecil, seeing that Mari was listening intently with her mouth closed, smiled and placed her hand on her chest, getting to the main point.

"I already had a crush on him, and now I know he's the author of the Zyon Chronicles. Even if he wasn't Zyon, I would have fallen for him, though it might have taken longer. Isaac's view of demons was different from others from the beginning. That's why he could depict demons in the Zyon Chronicles the way he did. Realizing this, I thought there was no need to hide my feelings anymore."

"..."

"So, I will love the man I love. Honestly, I don't think my charm as a woman is inferior to anyone's. Don't you agree?"

"...I agree."

She had to agree. Mari carefully examined Cecil's appearance.

Her jet-black hair, like silk, and her mysterious red eyes. Her overall mature and beautiful appearance, and her cherry-like lips that exuded a subtle allure.

Most striking was her figure. Her chest, which exuded a dominant presence, and her waist and hips, which smoothly connected, radiated an irresistible charm.

Despite her pride, Mari had to admit that Cecil was more attractive as a woman.

Mari, feeling a lump in her throat at this undeniable fact, hurriedly spoke.

"Still, I have no intention of sharing Isaac with anyone. I definitely won't let him be taken from me."

"Sorry, but your opinion doesn't matter. Isaac's opinion is what matters."

"Are you trying to fight with me?"

Provoked by Cecil's words, Mari's voice became sharp as she pressed her. She didn't like how Cecil was ignoring her feelings.

Cecil, however, smiled differently this time. It was a somewhat sinister, very eerie smile.

She looked at Mari, who was bristling like a cat about to pounce, and spoke softly.

"You talk as if you're the official wife. But you're still in the dating stage, not formally engaged or married, right?"

"Y-You!"

"And I can be a great help to Isaac politically. Although Helium has been closed off, we are starting to establish relations with other countries. Since demons are born with powerful strength, we can benefit diplomatically."

Although Helium had taken a semi-forced isolationist stance, Cecil was a princess of a country.

Mari, the daughter of the Duke Rechilles, who held the second-highest power after the emperor, was still inferior to Cecil in some ways.

As a woman and as a political figure of a country, she was at a disadvantage compared to Cecil, which made her feel uneasy.

'...Absolutely not.'

This was a declaration of war. Cecil's declaration of war to protect Isaac at all costs.

And Mari, who had to fight a siege to protect Isaac at all costs...

'...Wait a minute.'

A question floated in Mari's mind. Cecil was indeed attractive, but she was a demon, and Isaac was a human.

There was a lifespan difference of more than three times, and Cecil couldn't possibly be unaware of this. Moreover, demons transform into devils when they feel unbearable anger or sadness.

She couldn't expect a tragic love story like the teacher and the elf queen in the Zyon Chronicles. Isaac was not a powerful mage like the teacher but an ordinary human.

Even if he lived a long life, it would be 100 years, which is about 20 years for a demon. Isaac was currently 17, so even if he lived a long life, it would be 90 years.

After Isaac died of old age, could Cecil, who would be left alone, really bear it? This was a question that Mari couldn't help but ask.

"...Cecil."

"Yes, Mari."

"Do you really think the time you spend with Isaac is more valuable than the time after he dies?"

"...You finally figured it out."

Cecil smiled with a sense of relief when Mari asked a question that cut to the core. She then looked up.

Although the sky was obscured by the trees, a clear blue sky could be seen through the branches, even blocking the warm sunlight.

She looked at the sky for a while, then lowered her head to look at Mari. Mari was waiting silently for Cecil's answer.

"You're right. I'm a demon, and Isaac is a human. Nothing in this world is eternal, and Isaac and I will eventually part ways."

"It will be painful."

"Yes, of course it will be painful. That's why I said Isaac's opinion is what matters. The lifespan difference between species is something even a god can't solve."

Living beings are inherently moving towards death. That's the law of nature.

Humans, in particular, are well aware of this, which is why they strive to leave a 'legacy.' This legacy, in the form of 'knowledge,' seeps into people and further develops them.

This is why humans develop faster than other species. Long-lived species like elves and demons are too relaxed due to their long lifespans, while humans are the opposite.

Cecil turned her gaze from Mari to the village. The bustling energy of the village could be felt even without using mana to sense it.

"I had a thought after seeing that demon. How I can remember him, and what I can do."

"..."

"Even if Isaac doesn't accept my feelings, I will support his territory to remember him. No matter how much he tries to keep it a secret, people will eventually know he's the author of the Zyon Chronicles. His territory will naturally develop into a cultural city."

"So, helping politically means..."

"Exactly. To prevent greedy people from exploiting his territory, I will protect it. This applies not only to me but to other demons as well."

If that happened, the Myshall territory would be safe for at least 200 years.

If Minerva Empire engaged in diplomatic relations, it would be no problem to station Helium warriors in the Myshall territory. With the Empire and Helium as strong allies, it would be beneficial for both.

Mari was briefly impressed by Cecil's foresight, which looked far into the future, but then she felt a strange sense of pity. Despite her utmost sincerity, a very large wall of lifespan stood in her way.

Of course, even if she could overcome that wall, she would never give Isaac to her. Mari, feeling a hollow sensation in her chest, let out a deep sigh and then regained her composure, speaking to her.

"I understand your feelings. But I can't give Isaac to you, so remember that."

"Hmm~"

Cecil let out a breathy moan, half-closing her eyes. Just as Mari felt a sense of unease, Cecil began to walk slowly towards her.

"I wonder how it will turn out?"

"W-What do you mean? You just said..."

"Even if you can't give your heart, you can give your body, right? So..."

Just as Cecil was about to pass Mari, she leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"I might take him first?"

Cecil's seductive words pierced Mari's ear. They hit her brain like a shock.

"...!!"

Mari's body jolted, her blue eyes widening in shock. Her mouth opened wide, showing that she was deeply affected by Cecil's words.

Soon, her snow-white skin began to turn red, and finally, her ears turned a rosy color. She clearly understood the meaning behind Cecil's words.

Given that it was Cecil who said this, she couldn't just brush it off. If Cecil really wanted to, she would do it.

"Then I'll be going now."

"..."

Cecil, who had played a serious joke, tapped Mari's shoulder and walked past her. Even after Cecil had passed, Mari stood rooted to the spot.

When Cecil was far enough away, Mari seemed to come to her senses and turned her head sharply. Cecil was just about to enter the village.

"...Fine. Let's see how it goes."

Mari smiled slyly, muttering meaningfully.

"Who do you think will take him?"

A strange passion burned in her blue eyes like a flame.