Chapter 425

425 The Prince’s Game #1

Paranoi and I were enveloped in darkness.

A few minutes had passed since Thunderblade closed the door.

Ten minutes?

Twenty minutes?

Perhaps about that much time had gone by.

Thump, thump -.

The longer we waited, the louder the heartbeat grew.

But it wasn’t my heartbeat; it was Paranoi’s heart, pounding in his chest.

Rustle, rustle -.

In the dark corridor, Paranoi kept fidgeting, unable to stay still.

He seemed to find this suspenseful waiting period, which was enough to complicate anyone’s mind, unbearable.

“Hey, stay still…! You’re making me anxious too…!”

Before I could grab his head and hold it still, he kept fidgeting like a kid who really needed to pee.

“I can’t hold it in…!”

“What, do you really need to use the bathroom?”

“It’s not that…! I, Paranoi, am gathering my solemn resolve right now…!”

“Solemn resolve?”

“Do you even know how many Pluto cultists were persecuted and killed as heretics? It’s beyond comprehension…! This is the zenith everyone has been hoping for…! I, Paranoi, am advancing towards the zenith of the times…!”

“I see.”

I understood the depth of Paranoi’s hatred for Prince Pride.

Although it was Thunderblade, his father, who engaged in war with the Pluto believers, it was Crown Prince Pride who pushed them into full-fledged heresy, imprisoning, suppressing, and executing them.

Therefore, the Pluto heretics dreamed of overthrowing the kingdom one day and establishing a realm for Pluto believers on this land.

Radical terrorist heretics like Paranoi called it the ‘Kingdom of d*ath,’ didn’t they?

Kingdom of d*ath, huh.

On the streets, undead would roam, and in the depths of the city and caves, sinister priests in black robes would mutter curses.

Also, fraudulent individuals wearing ominous plague masks would wander around, spreading plagues of pestilence and d*ath—truly a horrifying world.

As I thought about such a dark era, Paranoi trembled and added:

“Of all people, it’s me, Paranoi, standing here to avenge all Pluto believers! I feel this is a matter of destiny…! I, Paranoi, am the key to this destiny…!”

“Alright, understood, so try not to get too excited.”

“Aaah…! And all of a sudden, I really have to go to the bathroom now…! I was holding it, but Hassan mentioned it and now it’s all I can think of…!”

“What the hell, man?”

“Can I go quickly and come back? And it’s so frighteningly dark, so could you come with me…?”

“sh*t, you brat….”

We might be called by Thunderblade from behind that sturdy door any moment now.

But leaving my post because of Paranoi could lead to a lifetime of regretful mistakes.

“Hyeeee-! This is the biggest crisis in my life! The zenith of the times…!”

“Hey, just hold it in. It’s the chance to fulfill the lifelong wish of all Pluto followers…!”

“This isn’t the time for that! I, Paranoi, might wet myself! Nothing is more important than this right now…!”

“d*mn it, just hurry up—.”

Tap, tap tap -.

As Paranoi suddenly started shuffling his feet in the hallway, I fell into deep thought while looking at the firmly closed door.

Should I let him go to the bathroom? Just as I thought that—

This is it, Lord Zigress! Come in quickly! Hurry—!

Just at this moment when my mind was in turmoil, Thunderblade’s voice came from behind the door. He sounded extremely urgent too.

With no other choice, I grabbed Paranoi by the side and opened the door.

Inside was a room grand and luxurious enough to be called a prince’s bedroom.

And there was a woman lying in what seemed to be a canopied bed, dressed in a silk nightgown.

“….”

Zzz, zzz -.

Her neatly trimmed bob extending just below the chin, with a face that had a clear contour. Even in her uniform, she was quite handsome, and now it was clear—she was unmistakably a woman.

Like a princess in a fairytale, she was asleep. She was quite beautiful too.

“Already put her to sleep. Had to sing two lullabies.”

“Did you just say that you sang her to sleep…?”

In response to Paranoi’s question, Thunderblade nodded.

“Yeah. Lost my wife early, so I’ve personally put my daughter to bed while raising her. Even now, she falls asleep when I sing her lullabies.”

“That’s quite amazing indeed…!”

“But my daughter isn’t a child anymore, so she might wake up in a few minutes. We need to tie her hands and feet quickly. It’d be best to tie each limb to each corner of the bed.”

As Thunderblade said that, I tied Princess Pride’s wrists and ankles to the four corners of the bed. Watching this, Paranoi trembled.

“In the darkness of night, binding a young woman’s body to a bed with malevolent intent—this horrifying sight drains all the strength from my bowels…!”

“Quiet, you. We’re not some perverted murderer.”

Anyway, she’s tied up.

The ropes I used to bind her arms and legs were quite sturdy. Thunderblade added, “Made from ogre tendons. They won’t break so easily—.”

So.

So, what now?

We’ve subdued her by binding her hands and feet to expel the evil spirit that has possessed her. But I have no idea what to do next.

Should I just beat the cr*p out of her?

No, that might be a bit excessive.

I tried to recall what we did when I was with Antiope or Paranoi to expel an evil spirit.

But all I could remember was the absolutely horrifying reality that we were all screaming about during that chaotic situation. I couldn’t recall doing anything specific myself.

Of course, in situations like this, it’s wise to ask for help from others.

Paranoi is an apprentice but a legitimate member of the heretics. Surely, Paranoi knows the methods to expel evil spirits?

“Paranoi, what do we need to do to expel this evil spirit?”

“First, we ask for the name of the evil spirit. Then, calling out that name will drive it out…!”

“I see.”

So, first, we need to wake her.

Just as I slowly reached out to the bound Princess Pride—

Swish.

Before I could wake her, Princess Pride’s eyes opened on their own.

She then casually glanced around with an utterly expressionless face, seeming to notice that her hands and feet were tied, and spoke to us.

“Your Majesty, perhaps this joke has gone a bit too far?”

Upon waking and finding herself restrained, one would normally feel startled, but there was no such sense of bewilderment in her voice, completely devoid of any modulation.

“Treating your own child as an offering and presenting her to a random man. Is this not the exact behavior of the Pluto heretics?”

Even with her hands and feet bound, she remained composed.

“Your Majesty’s descent into heresy would sadden the citizens.”

Instead, she confronted Thunderblade—there was something peculiar about the atmosphere, or perhaps it was a kind of charisma that made me momentarily swallow dryly.

Thunderblade, too, wiped the cold sweat off his forehead with a trembling handkerchief, after a few minutes observing the turbid confusion in his eyes.

Finally, like making a firm decision, he spoke.

“Your Majesty, our daughter never addressed me this way. I endured for a long time, but it’s time for me, as not the king, but as a father, to return to my role. Enough, demon. Today, I will pull you out of my daughter’s body-!”

The tremor in his voice was gone this time.

His firm resolve as a father who wanted to save his daughter was evident, infusing me with courage too.

Yet, with her hands and feet bound, Princess Pride laughed loudly, “Demon? I don’t know what you’re talking about. As you often suffer from ailments and forgetfulness, it seems the disease has now made you lose sight in both your eyes.”

“Be quiet…! Demon…!”

Right then,

Bweee.

Paranoi suddenly produced a long whip-like object from his mouth and whipped the princess’s delicate and soft-looking arm.

Snap.

It left a red mark, cutting through the air sharply. It was clearly a whip, similar to the one Giras used.

Though I’m not sure why Paranoi was wielding such a tool usually used for handling slaves.

“….”

Princess Pride frowned immediately upon being struck by the unexpected whipping.

If she were an ordinary person, it wouldn’t be strange for her to scream, yet there was not even a small breath through her lips. Clearly, she was not an ordinary human.

After receiving several lashes, Princess Pride finally spoke softly.

“To strike this body. Even with nymphs supposedly under protection, this could be considered treason against the kingdom.”

“Be quiet…! This is the Silent Whip blessed by Lady Luna…! You should be silent after being struck by it…!”

Paranoi repeatedly whipped various parts of Princess Pride’s body including her arms, thighs, and calves.

What is the meaning of this?

“Repaying the grudges of the Pluto believers who were persecuted as heretics…!”

It seems he is exacting revenge. Or maybe he’s just taking the opportunity to whip the princess for the sake of it.

Whoever they are, they’ve probably once imagined whipping a princess somewhere deep within their hearts.

“Everyone, what are you doing? A demon’s forte is to dazzle and bewilder with all kinds of tricks…! You should not heed her words from now on…!”

That’s right.

Paranoi’s words made me come to my senses.

In some exorcism movies I’ve seen, demons or ghosts use all sorts of persuasive words to bewilder living people, causing confusion. And the moment one hesitates, the ghost strikes with lethal force, leading to casualties.

Thinking I nearly fell for the demon’s deception, a sense of terror ran through me.

“Is this an apple melon? That is a crime…! It’s inconceivable that someone would claim to be a prince with such disgraceful br*asts—it must be the demon’s doing…!”

Infuriated, Paranoi grabbed the princess’s breast with one hand.

Malak!

But Paranoi’s small hand couldn’t fully encompass the enormous size; it only made Paranoi even angrier.

“Such an incomprehensible gap exists, and I can’t accept it! These br*asts were grown by exploiting poor citizens! These br*asts were fattened by my tax money! Therefore, I, Paranoi, have the right to touch them…!”

“Paranoi, you don’t pay taxes. Nymphs don’t pay taxes, remember?”

“Then should Hassan touch instead? Hassan, you’ve paid plenty of taxes, so among all of us, you have the greatest right to touch these br*asts…!”

Paranoi’s bizarre claims made my brow furrow.

What strange logic is this?

“What nonsense is that?”

“This creature’s nourishment and growth are all from taxes! And taxes are used for public goods for the citizens! Thus, these br*asts are undoubtedly public property…!”

“What?”

“Therefore, the excellent taxpayer, Hassan, has ample rights to these br*asts…!”

“No, what is this nonsense? Yet, now that I listen quietly, there’s some truth in it. Indeed, my trusted right-hand man.”

Since the day I appointed Paranoi as my right-hand man, I’ve never felt such a surge of accomplishment akin to the rolling waves of the sea.

Compared to other nymphs, the Do-rang Water nymph might be absurd and noisy, but with proper affection and care, it brings forth opportunities to touch the princess’s bosom.

Swish.

Just as I was about to reach my hand out at that moment.

“No, wait a moment, everyone, stop. I do not see any connection between feeling the br*asts of my daughter and expelling this demon…!”

Having regained his senses, Thunderblade intervened. It pulled me out of my trance. I had almost fallen for the allure of those H1.1-sized br*asts.

If I’d touched them, I would have gotten lost or melted into those squishy sensations and been unable to do anything.

Is this the demon’s enchanting skill?

Indeed, it’s terrifying.

If it wasn’t for Hotan who has become wise in intellect and dual core after awakening into a deity, I might have buried my face into those squishy sensations.

That would have been very dangerous.

Realizing this made me gradually feel angry.

“Boldly attempting to confuse me! Wretched demon brat—!”

“Boldly attempting to confuse Mr. Hassan! Unacceptable…!”

That prompted Pride into laughing again.

“Your Majesty, it’s an awfully enjoyable prank. But perhaps it’s time for you to release me? It will still end as a pleasant jest if you do it now.”

With that, Thunderblade furrowed his brow deeply.

He must be in deep anguish.

He looked like he had many cracks in his thoughts.

“Your Majesty, surely you wouldn’t permit this stranger to do as he pleases with your own child, would you? Even though it had already happened once before.”

“What, what? What are you talking about?”

Pride added, catching Thunderblade off guard.

“This man here has already touched my br*asts, in front of everyone. Yes, he fondled them.”

“What? What nonsense is this? Ziggress? Is this true? My daughter’s be… br*asts, you touched them…!”

Suddenly, the accusations were directed towards me?

“No, demon—! Stop lying! Everyone, don’t fall for it! It’s all lies!”

With that, Pride started laughing—puff, puff-hah—like a thunderous echo shaking the mountains, or like a howl from the depths of a cave, sending shivers down my spine.

“Hahaha.”

Pride continued laughing until we were thoroughly bewildered and fell silent.

As the chaotic atmosphere settled, I finally managed to cool down the weirdly elevated mood.

This creature just tried to dazzle me with snake-like words, which I’d already anticipated from experiencing it minutes ago.

I’m not going to fall for her tricks anymore.

With my hand raised, I placed my palm on the princess’ forehead.

“Alright. Enough fooling around. As a son of Pluto, I’ll take you seriously now.”

[Epilogue]

Mr. Laughing Dog! Mr. Newbie! Mr. QuanIceCream! Mr. DLByeong! Mr. ZeroDemi! Mr. PotatoServer! And Mr. M.F who sent another Royal Sponsor Coupon! Thank you so much for the Sponsor Coupons!

There are also many who sent Manuscript Fee Coupons! Your support, recommendations, coupons, and comments always invigorate me!

Today is November 15th. Half of November—there’s a saying that ‘the beginning is half’—right?

In that spirit, I will cast the starting voodoo for the beginning that gives courage for anything!

[End of “The Prince’s Game”]

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