"How should we handle you?"
The three of them looked at Kashchey. They hadn't expected this death-fearing creature to ask such a question so bluntly.
"That's right. How will you dispose of me?" Kashchey repeated calmly. "As you can see, I am your prisoner. Whether I live or die is entirely up to you."
Kashchey gestured helplessly. Though he feared death, living every day in a state of suspended execution was its own torture. But more importantly, the Snake had not given up. He was setting one last trap: he wanted Talulah to kill him out of pure hatred. If she did, his "legacy" of violence and malice would be permanently etched into her soul.
Come, my daughter, he thought, his fangs bared metaphorically. Burn with hatred once more and strike me down! Just as I taught you!
"Kill you? Can we even do that?" Talulah frowned. "We can't control that... Sword of Damocles. Is there even a way to erase you from my mind?"
She was wary. This old snake was far too cunning; she feared that if she attacked, the sword might vanish, or it would trigger a final, lethal duel. Looking back, she realized how lucky she was to have met Jeanne—otherwise, her story would have already ended in tragedy.
"It's simple," Kashchey said with feigned vulnerability. "Just have Jeanne pray, use Holy Water, or strike me yourself. I cannot resist the sword. I will turn into dust on the Ursus tundra, though I've lost the ability to possess a new host."
Kashchey waited expectantly for the blade to pierce him, hoping to plant the seed of his ideology in her one last time.
Talulah gripped her sword hilt, watching him closely. She loathed him, but she forced herself to be calm. Slowly, she drew her greatsword and pointed it at him.
"I'll ask you once," she said, her voice like ice. "If I don't kill you, what benefit can you bring me?"
Kashchey blinked, genuinely confused. "Why would I help you? Do you think being a prisoner makes me your servant?"
"If you refuse, I'll just sit next to Jeanne every single time she prays," Talulah countered.
The Snake winced. "Why not just kill me? You hate me, don't you? Or has this soft life made you afraid to take a life?"
"Make no mistake, I have no intention of reconciling with you," Talulah said, her expression growing colder and more focused. "But killing you is a waste. My goal is to save the Infected, and that requires more than just raw power. You aren't dead yet because you still have value to be squeezed out."
Jeanne watched in silence, sensing that Talulah was starting to sound like a true leader. If it were Jeanne, she probably would have just smashed the snake and been done with it.
"Aren't you afraid I'll twist your mind?" Kashchey sneered. "I thought you hated everything I stood for."
"Your ideology is trash, that much won't change," Talulah replied. "But even trash has its uses. If nothing else, you're a perfect 'what-not-to-do' example. As for being twisted by you..."
She looked back at Jeanne and Alina, her eyes softening into a smile. "I have companions walking beside me. If I ever stray from the path, they'll be there to beat some sense back into me. They won't spoil me when it comes to that."
Jeanne nodded in agreement. If Talulah ever turned into a tyrant, Jeanne would have to have a "logical" conversation with her—or a "physical" one if logic failed.
"I see... you trust your friends to keep you in check," Kashchey mused.
"Exactly. So, do you want to bet? Let's see if your 'evil thoughts' can break me, or if I can become the leader I want to be despite you."
It was a challenge to the Snake, but even more so, a challenge to herself. She hated Kashchey, but she knew her path would lead her to many more people she despised. If she killed everyone she disliked, how would she be different from him? Kashchey was her training ground for dealing with the world.
"Interesting..." Kashchey's eyes sparked with curiosity. "Very well. I will teach you, and even assist you. I can't escape anyway; I might as well see how far you can go."
"Phew, we're finally out. That was more exciting than anything in the village," Alina sighed as they returned to the waking world. The immediate threat was gone, though she was surprised Talulah kept the Snake alive.
"So, what do you actually need from Kashchey?" Jeanne asked. She knew the Snake had value—otherwise, her Lord would have deleted him long ago.
If the demons in hell knew a creature like Kashchey got a second chance at life (even as a prisoner), they'd be green with envy.