"What a mischievous child, daring to enchant your mother like this. You deserve some punishment." Pandora pouted, flicking Adam's forehead with mock anger.
The force was light, more playful teasing than actual punishment.
It was clear that his words had hit their mark.
"But even if that's the case, what difference does it make? I'm just an evil Witch, forever unable to escape from this place."
"Then, I'll help you."
"...Huh?" Pandora stared blankly at him, certain she had misheard.
"I said, I'll help you." Adam repeated.
"Why?" Pandora asked.
"Because you saved me." Adam explained, "During the battle with Ra, when I was about to die, you helped me from the shadows. You allowed me to successfully slay the deity at the last moment, didn't you?"
"..." Pandora remained silent.
"So, consider it repayment. I'll do my utmost to help you."
Adam wasn't someone who lacked gratitude.
Regardless of this woman's motives for saving him, the fact that he survived and kept his body meant he would do everything possible to help her.
"Then... do your best to slay the Deities."
"Oh? Why? Don't you want to leave this place?" Adam couldn't see the connection between slaying Deities and helping her break free from mythological constraints.
"Yes, I want to leave here too, but with your current abilities, it's impossible. So... if you want to save me, focus on slaying Deities! That's what the Fool should do!"
The girl named Pandora openly displayed her intense hatred toward Deities before Adam.
She was entrusting her child, the newborn "Fool", with the great deed of slaying more Deities.
Of course, Adam agreed.
"Ah, if it can help you."
"...Eh? You agree so readily?"
"It's nothing special. My goal was to become stronger anyway, and isn't hunting Deities the best path for that?"
Adam's explanation left Pandora speechless.
Finally, she puffed her cheeks and muttered, "Hunting deities? You're either terrifyingly confident or simply arrogant. Have you forgotten you were almost killed just now?"
She paused, examining Adam as he lay in her arms. Her eyes suddenly filled with intense anticipation.
"Well... to keep my adorable child healthy and alive, as your mother, I should give you something to protect your life."
"Wha—! Mmph...! Mmmmph!"
Before Adam could react, the loli girl holding him pressed her lips against his!
What was happening?!
A special energy flowed from her tender tongue, passing through his teeth and gradually seeping into his body. Their tongues intertwined.
This invasive energy stirred the "Creator God" Ra's magic, guiding it to form incredibly complex magical formations within him.
Adam felt something changing inside him.
No — it was being strengthened!
Authority!
There could only be one explanation: Pandora was using her magic to enhance his Authority, making him stronger!
But... did it have to be done with a kiss?
The softness and sweetness of her lips...
Through this ambiguous kiss, Adam's Authority was enhanced.
When they finally separated, a silvery thread still connected their lips, making the atmosphere between them strange and intimate.
Meeting Adam's questioning gaze, Pandora explained with a blush, "Since you've transformed into a Campione, external magic no longer affects you. I could only modify you internally this way."
"...Oh, I see."
"Yes, that's right!" Pandora, red-faced and annoyed, tapped Adam's forehead, pouting as she scolded sweetly, "Such a naughty child. What are you imagining? I am your 'mother'."
Though her response seemed more like an excuse.
"Self-proclaimed, right? I never thought of you as my mother."
A novel feeling washed over Adam. He knew Pandora harbored no ill will toward him. It wasn't just that she needed his help; it felt more like she had been aiding him from the shadows all along.
Similarly, for some unknown reason, Adam also instinctively felt close to her.
It definitely wasn't enchantment!
With Aqua's buffs and Falna, Adam was certain he hadn't been bewitched by the loli girl before him.
"Honestly, you seemed so composed earlier — why suddenly say such things… making your mother's heart skip a beat."
"Ah..."
"So, what was with your initial wariness?" Pandora asked softly, "I could sense you were extremely guarded against me at first."
"Well..." Her words evoked unpleasant memories for Adam.
The same Witch, with extraordinary abilities, named Pandora, with a loli appearance, and a natural affinity toward him.
With such strikingly similar traits, it would be impossible for him not to be afraid. He had an immediate stress response, instinctively wanting to keep his distance.
"Actually..." Adam briefly described his encounter from another world.
"So that's what happened... hmph, what a terrible woman, daring to covet my child! If I get the chance, I'll teach her a lesson!" Pandora's words sounded fierce, but her expression remained adorable.
"Yeah! Me too! If I get the chance, I'll strip her naked, make her kneel and beg for mercy! Make her loudly say 'I was wrong' and such!"
"...Are you sure you haven't been influenced?" Instead of agreeing with his outburst, Pandora gently stroked his forehead with a hint of resignation, "You weren't like this before. What happened to you?"
"Well, who knows? I'm also wary of this strange closeness I feel toward you."
"Honestly, didn't I tell you? You're my child, my... Hope, so naturally you'd feel close to me." As she spoke, Pandora lowered her head again.
Their lips joined once more, a soft warmth spreading between them as she pulled him closer. The silvery thread connecting their mouths glimmered in the ethereal light of the ritual space.
After a long moment, they separated.
"This passionate kiss filled with love really makes it hard not to imagine things."
"This is just a mother's simple reward for her child. Don't get any strange ideas."
"Yes, yes, I'll take it as that then." Adam opened his arms like a baby seeking a hug, making a willful request, "Then, I want another kiss."
"...Such a clingy child."
She lowered her head for a third kiss.
"Well, time's up. You need to leave now."
"Is it time already... Then, see you next time. Goodbye, Mo-ther."
"Yes, safe travels. Mother looks forward to you becoming stronger."
In the blink of an eye, Adam vanished from her arms.
Looking at the empty ritual space, Pandora whispered softly:
"Is this really the right thing to do, involving him in this? I truly am a deeply sinful Witch... But as a mother, I still want you to live a long life.
My… Last Hope."
✧✧✧
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