Chapter 360: 'Gold' and 'Quicksilver'
Pulling Satella into another room—one Roy had specifically booked extra—he closed the door behind them.
The room wasn't particularly large, and its furnishings like tables and chairs couldn't compare to the luxuries Roy had enjoyed as a Campione or during his time in the Moonlit World. But compared to the shabby little hut Satella had lived in back in the slums, this was already a world of difference.
As soon as Roy pulled Satella into the room, she hesitated, standing frozen in place, her entire body stiff with tension, her heart pounding rapidly.
The otherworld had no electric lights, but the oil lamps illuminated the room as bright as day. Roy walked to the window and drew the curtains. Turning back, he saw Satella still standing motionless by the door and commanded, "...Go to sleep quickly. We need to wake up early tomorrow. It'll take several days to reach our destination by dragon carriage, and sitting in a carriage all day isn't pleasant. You need to recover your strength first."
"...Though you have elven blood, you're not a pure elf. You can't rely solely on fruits to maintain your health. Your body is far too weak right now. I'll bring plenty of high-nutrient food for our journey to find the Witch. These next few days, focus on replenishing yourself."
Compared to others her age, Satella's body was exceptionally frail. If not for her elven heritage, she would have likely fallen ill from malnutrition long ago—perhaps even withered to skin and bones—and certainly wouldn't have developed so well.
But if things continued this way, her body would inevitably succumb to exhaustion. Fortunately, she had met Roy, who took her out of the slums. With proper nourishment, she would recover her health soon enough.
"Lord Roy, you're so kind to me... Why are you treating me this well?"
Satella mustered the courage to lift her head and meet Roy's gaze, her beautiful amethyst eyes locking onto his. Biting her lip lightly, she whispered the question.
Roy fell silent for a moment. He could easily have sweet-talked this fragile, pitiable girl, but perhaps due to his personality or past experiences, while he was capable of smooth words, he refused to casually deceive a woman's feelings.
He was brutally honest about emotions. Though some of his actions were despicable, that was merely the result of his male desires amplified by the power he had gained—not his true nature.
"I won't lie to you. The reason I'm treating you so well is because the power you possess intrigues me. I want to study it."
At this moment, Roy spoke bluntly, like a steel-straight man.
It wasn't Satella's ability to control 'shadows' that interested him—it was the 'Return by Death' she would bestow upon others in the future!
The Authority of 'Return by Death' was absurdly overpowered and terrifying. Though this ability might only function in this world, magic was simply another form of science. If he could analyze the principles behind this Authority and uncover its activation conditions, he could upgrade the ability.
If one day Roy could master Return by Death and extend its effects across the multiverse—even freely controlling save and load points—wouldn't this ability then become...?
By now, Roy understood why his wish on the 'Ark'—to obtain the foundational 'formula' he sought—had brought him to this world. He had found the means to fulfill that wish.
First, the Divine Dragon Volcanica's blessing, which could bestow power upon others without diminishing itself in the slightest. Second, the Witch of Envy's Authority of 'Return by Death.' Only after these two great powers did Roy's interest extend to the various Authorities of the Sin Archbishops.
This was what Roy desired—his own 'gold' and 'mercury,' unbound by any system.
The divine dragon 'Volcanica' was elusive, making it difficult to find, so Roy's first goal was to locate the seven Witches of Sin.
The power of the Cross Faith was formidable, and Roy had no intention of abandoning it. However, mastering all its miracles would merely mean retreading the 'Path of God,' merely following in another's footsteps. To truly surpass himself, he needed to grasp all the miracles of the Cross Faith and then forge his own unique 'Authority'—one that belonged solely to Roy, created by his own hands!
This grand ambition was something Roy had never shared with anyone, nor would he casually reveal it to Satella, whom he had only known for two days.
Satella felt a mix of disappointment, gratitude, and relief.
She was disappointed because Roy's kindness and care for her weren't directed at her as a person, but rather at the power she possessed.
Yet she was moved because, despite how easily he could have deceived her naïve self, Roy had chosen honesty, laying everything bare before her. This honesty also gave her a small sense of relief.
A woman's heart is the hardest to decipher. Satella's expression shifted between joy and sorrow, as if a bottle of mixed flavors had been overturned, leaving a jumble of emotions swirling inside her.
As a woman, Satella could sense that Roy was no different from other men—he harbored a man's desire for her body.
Though it saddened her that Roy claimed to only be interested in her power, she quickly reminded herself: she was just a filthy, mixed-blood girl from the slums, despised by everyone, living a wretched existence. What right did she have to ask for more?
Roy treated her well, respected her, and truly saw her as a person. Though he could be domineering at times, for someone as meek as Satella, that dominance was oddly comforting—it made her feel safe.
If she had fallen into the hands of any other noble, her fate would have been far worse. She had nothing to repay him with except... this body of hers.
With that thought, Satella seemed to steel herself. Her body burned with heat, her cheeks flushed, and her delicate hands trembled as they moved toward the zipper.
But before she could muster the courage, Roy—somehow already behind her—draped a nightgown over her shoulders.
His strong hands pressed down on her, leaving no room for protest as he spoke, word by deliberate word:
"...Don't think unnecessary thoughts or do strange things. Go to sleep."
Dazed, Satella let Roy carry her to the bed, tuck her under the soft, thin blanket, and then extinguish the oil lamp. He sat by the bedside, holding her hand.
The touch of his hand filled her with an indescribable sense of security.
The room was dark, but Satella's amethyst eyes could still make out Roy's silhouette. For some reason, she found herself asking, almost involuntarily:
"...Lord Roy, is your search for the Witches truly different from Flugel's intentions?"
The word 'Witch' sent a ripple of irritation through her mind the moment it surfaced. It was as if she had encountered a kindred spirit—yet one that threatened to steal what was hers. A twisted feeling rose in her chest, accompanied by a faint pang of jealousy.
"Of course I'm different from that self-righteous person. My greatest interest in witches is their 'Witch Authority.' Why ask that? Hurry up and rest."
Roy urged Satella to sleep.
How could he not be moved by a beautiful woman like Satella offering herself? As a normal man, Roy was certainly tempted. Even though they had only known each other for two days, he wouldn't have minded something happening between them.
But aside from not wanting to hurt this kind-hearted girl—letting her offer herself out of gratitude—Roy was also somewhat wary of her identity.
After all, Satella was the 'Witch of Envy,' and an 'envious woman' was the most terrifying existence in the world!!