In my world, we have this thing called an "Indian Bow," but we don't actually call it that. It is more like sticking your head on the ground so that is why it resembles a bow in the shape of a human.It is a staple military punishment along with a few things and I made this punk do it.
"Who told you to act casually in front of me?"
I stepped on his already hard back, evident from his rigorous training background.Though I did exert a little force over it.
No matter how strong he is as a swordmaster, it was meaningless in front of a being that already ascended as a demi-god.It was evident on his face that it was increasingly getting hard for him.
I crossed my arms in annoyance.But this wasn't that bad as I expected it to be.Actually, this is a good chance for me to cut this bastard off my life now.
He will become a nuisance for me in the future since he is one of Adele's goons after all.Therefore, it would be wise for me to not continue this shit anymore.
'And…'Those eyes from earlier… those weren't the eyes of a student or a servant. Those were the eyes of someone seeking to devour someone.
'My Lady, I know you know why the prince is still insistent on doing this whole thing—'
I know.But it sounds delusional as fuck.No one in their right mind would think that the prince was willing to serve under the one who tormented his beloved.Unless the guy himself fell for me instead.
I gritted my teeth in anger.
[Eros says that he has said this fac—][Hecatia shuts Eros' mouth, stating that they intentionally kept his mouth shut because you would react this way!]
Aaaaa I can't hear you!
This guy flung my neck at one of the endings of this novel~I've had it! I won't keep a damn lunatic near my side anymore!
[Channelling {Josephine von Konrow}'s personality…][User Kim Yoo-ra is now synced with {Josephine von Konrow}!]
"This is a blatant breach of our contract and therefore—"I retracted my feet and turned towards the balcony's ledge."Our contract ends here."
…Please work.I don't want to deal with him anymore.If I get entangled with him, he will surely try something, I am sure of it.
I prayed to the gods inwardly that he would just put me off already.
[Xipe tells you that's not how it works.][Tyr tells you that you are in denial.]
The gods aren't helpful at all! Aren't you guys supposed to favor me?Then please brush him off.
[Loki tells you that while the gods are omnipotent, they have little to no control over #*@₱^<}=;][WARNING! Peter Edencrown is a character highly tied to the main storyline!][If you do not have a good relationship with him, Josephine's doom rate will increase!][WARNING! You are synced with Josephine von Konrow! You will also share the same fate with her in the event of death!][Josephine von Konrow's Doom Rate: 52% > 87%][The gods rush in to shut Loki up][System is malfunctioning! System will shut down!][System Offline.]
Doom… rate?
Now that I think of it…Josephine was already on the verge of destruction since she was already an outcast and was close to attempting to kill Adele.But why?It's as if…
{It's my fate to die in the very end of this novel. No matter what.}
Suddenly, I heard Josephine talking through in my mind.
{It's what I also came to conclude after everything that has happened to me. I am bound to suffer no matter what the situation is.}
…No.You're not thinking of it, aren't you.
{You must.}
No.
{You must.}
Are you seriously trying to tame this punk? Are you also aware that he will cut off my neck in the near future!
{I know.}
Then what is the point?
{Because if it's you, then you might do it. Even if he is acting out of his personal emotions right now. I'm sure that you might still find him useful despite that.}
I could hear it.He was groveling behind me.He was crying while rubbing his cheeks at my legs.He didn't utter a single word but it screamed as if he wanted to say, "Don't abandon me."
…No matter what I thought, I still don't know the reason behind his actions.
'Aside from affection, why would he…'
No.Thinking about this only made my head hurt more.So let's play along with this piece of shit.
I turned around him and slouched.I grabbed his chin and made him look towards me.I felt no defiance from him and his whimperings only made it more… miserable.
'A genuine expression…'This man really did cry for me. Divine power can distinguish emotions after all.And I know at the very least that he is serious.
I smirked."I was half-joking. Although you did do that, I only wanted to see your reaction."
The stream of tears on his cheeks stopped.
"But I was serious about you breaching our contract."
Then as I said that, he looked the other way, as if he was guilty.I'm sure of it.This man will surely change once I manipulate a few things.If this man will chase after me in the very end,Then I must simply make an impossible contract.
"In exchange for overlooking your past transgressions and revisioning the contract in some of the clauses such as 'No speaking'…"
His eyes… lit up.
"I will give you a task and in exchange for that, I, Josephine von Konrow, will swear on this contract, that I will do anything that you ask me of."
The bait has been thrown.
"Our status will remain the same throughout the contract as 'master and disciple' and the task I will give you is…"
I stood up straight and for some reason the full moon revealed itself amidst the clouds as the wind swept back my hair.
"Bring me the 'Proof of Hero.'"
Proof of Hero.It is considered in the empire as a mythical item that only existed in legends.It is said that the Carlisle Empire was created by the first hero who led humanity in the first demonic war.And he was given the "Proof of Hero" by Tyr himself, as a symbol of his status.
Ever since then, generations of heroes have been born and wielded the holy sword but…No one was able to hold the Proof of Hero.Because the thing was some sort of real test.Like the Arthurian legend where King Arthur pulled the sword from the stone,In this case, the real symbol of a hero is the stone itself.That is why it is called "Proof of Hero."
"If you are able to claim it and prove yourself, I will acknowledge you."
…What I gave him was impossible.He needed to become the prophesized hero that only appeared in generations.And in the novel, a hero wasn't mentioned at all.And he needed to beat his father who was considered a demi-god in the empire.He had to beat the Corrigdor of TrialsAnd have the Proof recognize him.
"So. What do you think? Do you have what it takes? You can—"
"No."
He wiped up his tears and knelt in front of me."I accept your challenge."
His eyes glowed a dark blue hue.I gulped reflexively.
'Surely he wouldn't…'
Do it, right?