Chapter 914: Can I Stay Over?
"As expected, it's him!"
Eiji's face was full of unsurprised certainty.
Someone who could surpass the world's strongest could only be a character from beyond this world—namely, gods or demons!
Moreover, it had to be one of the top-tier existences among them. Only such a being could possess such capabilities.
From the very beginning, there were only a few individuals who could have cursed Darkness's father!
And now, it was confirmed beyond doubt!
"You guessed it was him?"
Darkness immediately looked at him with wide-eyed astonishment.
"Yes, recently there was an incident connected to him. I just found out that he holds a formidable trump card!"
Eiji nodded seriously while comforting Darkness.
"Don't worry about this matter. I'll find someone to handle it. Just relax and wait."
"Mm..."
Upon hearing this, Darkness was momentarily stunned, then silently nodded.
If possible, she certainly didn't want to marry Alderp. In fact, she had long wished she could throw Alderp into prison!
The Dustiness family was the kingdom's hidden blade, one of its few loyal vassals and great nobles. Only the Sfornia clan could compare to them. However, the head of such a clan—her father—resided in a beginner's town like Axel instead of the royal capital, and there was a reason for this.
It was all because of Alderp.
Alderp had committed numerous illegal acts within his territory. Just as she had said, he bullied men and women, committing every evil imaginable. Those weren't just angry words but the honest truth. Yet no matter what crimes he committed, no matter how diligently they searched, they couldn't find a single piece of evidence that could put him behind bars!
To bring him to justice, her father was entrusted with this important task by the king and moved to Axel specifically to search for evidence of Alderp's crimes up close.
But even her father, the kingdom's Strategist, after years of effort, had found nothing, allowing Alderp to remain free to this day.
Who would have thought that something like this would happen at such a time?
Even her father had fallen victim to a sinister plot. Darkness wished she could kill Alderp right then and there!
"But... it's not that simple..."
Darkness murmured inwardly.
The bishop of the Eris Church was already a high-ranking priest. If even he couldn't remove the curse... unless they found the goddess herself, there was no hope of survival!
No matter how capable he was, could he really bring the goddess herself here?
Impossible.
"If only Aqua were the real goddess."
But how could that be?
Darkness shook her head, dismissing the ridiculous thought.
With that idiot's behavior, no matter how you thought about it, she didn't fit the image of a sacred and pure goddess.
After leaving the hospital room, Eiji asked Darkness,
"When does the wedding begin?"
"Tomorrow."
"So soon?"
"That guy has never been a patient person."
Darkness said with a face full of disgust.
Moreover, she had already been back for several days and had been dealing with Alderp's hypocrisy all this time. She had hoped to find a way to save her father during this period, but in the end, she found nothing.
"Alright, I'm leaving now. I need to find someone."
Eiji turned to leave.
"Wait a moment...!"
Darkness instinctively stepped forward and grabbed the corner of his clothes.
"What's wrong?"
"No, well... tonight, could you stay over?"
Darkness's eyes darted around, glancing at him before quickly looking away. The corners of her eyes shimmered with intense allure, and her cheeks were flushed with deep crimson.
She had mustered extraordinary courage, deliberately extending an invitation she'd likely only make once in her lifetime.
"This time for sure!"
Eiji nodded with great determination.
Night.
After being out and about for half the day, Eiji returned to the Dustiness mansion and slipped into Darkness's room without anyone noticing.
The room was pitch black, not even a single oil lamp was lit. Only a small lump was visible in the middle of the large bed.
Eiji lifted a corner of the blanket and slipped under the covers.
Out of habit, he reached out, but his hand met smooth skin.
Before he could express his surprise, Darkness actively moved closer and nestled into his embrace.
"Tomorrow is the wedding. I don't know how far things will go, but I don't want this pure body to be defiled by that fat pig... So, take me!"
As she spoke, this dignified noble young lady proactively offered her lips.
Eiji could feel the delicate body in his arms trembling. Whether from anticipation or fear, he felt it was his responsibility to comfort her.
This was the moment to satisfy her in the way she most desired!
Without another word—Eiji was never one to hesitate in such matters—he immediately held Darkness tightly. In the darkness, under her anxious gaze, their figures gradually merged.
"Don't worry, leave everything to me. I won't let my woman suffer even the slightest grievance!"
"Mmm... be rougher..."
"..."
Damn it, I'm being serious here, why are you getting excited!?
...
In the northern outskirts of Axel, there stood a church of the Eris faith.
Today, the church was adorned with snow-white decorations everywhere. The main hall was arranged to be solemn and pure, with the church priest serving as the officiant. Numerous guests had gathered in the main hall.
Inside the church, Kazuma, Megumin, and Aqua—as the bride's close friends and companions—were seated in the very last row.
"I never knew Darkness was the daughter of the Dustiness family!"
Kazuma sat with his head in his hands, sighing with emotion.
What a loss! To think I never took advantage of Darkness's status before—such a missed opportunity!
"Whether Darkness is a noble's daughter or not doesn't matter. What I want to know is where that man is right now!"
Unlike the relaxed Kazuma, Megumin's face was dark, her grip on her staff slightly pale.
"He wouldn't have run away, would he? Otherwise, why isn't he here to stop the wedding!"
"Yeah, yeah! Even though I think he's a scumbag, he's definitely ten thousand times better than that fat pig!"
Aqua chimed in indignantly beside her.
"What are you two talking about?"
Kazuma looked at the two beside him with exasperation. Couldn't they see the guests on both sides were getting startled?
"Even if I ran away, there's no way Boss would run!"
"It's normal for Kazuma to run away."
"???"
Kazuma typed a string of question marks in his mind. I think you're looking down on me!
"The groom is here!"
A middle-aged man as round as a ball walked cheerfully into the hall, his face brimming with unconcealed delight.
"Darker than black..."
Megumin's eyes were filled with murderous intent as she muttered incessantly under her breath.
Seeing this, Kazuma rushed over and covered her mouth. "If you fire that explosion now, not only Aldap but all of us will be wiped out together!"
Soon after, Darkness appeared at the entrance, her eyes cold and lifeless as if she had already resolved herself to die.