Salvation Through Delusion C145

Chapter 145

I stood up and forced a smile.

“Seeing the brave Grand Duke in action makes my heart drop.”

“Really? Then I should cut open your chest and check.”

This man didn’t have a single gram of romance in him. I glanced at the sharp edge of his sword and instinctively stepped back half a pace. He immediately closed the distance, grabbing my elbow.

“So. What were you looking for?”

I’d momentarily forgotten that he never let things go without an answer. With a sigh, I told the truth.

“Just… a plant.”

“What kind of plant?”

“No idea what it’s called.”

I shrugged and looked back over the field.

“You eat it, your body heats up, your energy surges, you feel so good you want to dance, you cry from how refreshing it is… that kind of plant.”

I expected him to dismiss it as a joke. Instead, silence. When I turned back, his gaze was serious.

“That the herb your sister’s searching for?”

“…How’d you guess?”

“It’s an open secret that Adeye Lantuya collects every rare medicinal herb she can find to improve her health.”

Fair enough. I’d need an excuse like that if I was going to scour all of Tuvine for chili peppers.

“But I’ve never heard of a plant with those effects. Does it actually exist?”

“Don’t know. But it has to.”

I muttered and stepped back again. Too close. He grabbed my arm and pulled me right back.

I almost stumbled into him before catching my balance. I shot him an annoyed look. He twisted his lips.

“What’s wrong now?”

“Is Adeye Lantuya really that precious to you?”

“Of course. She’s my only remaining family.”

“Ah. Your only family…”

He nodded slowly, tilting his head.

“If that one family member became me, I’d be the most precious one, then.”

“…What does that mean?”

I glared. His smile changed — a real one this time. The golden eyes that lit up whenever he enjoyed provoking me. His voice turned cool and amused.

“It means I’m your family too.”

“Then why assume she’d disappear?”

“Because the one who stays beside you until the end will be me.”

The shameless smile was bright, but the hand gripping my arm tightened painfully. I couldn’t tell if he was joking. Either way, the irritation was real. I tore my arm free.

“Oh, really? My sister’s living to a hundred. If you want to win, drink lots of water and eat healthy.”

It was sarcasm, but maybe it sounded like a blessing. He chuckled and finally stepped back.

“Did your meetings go well?”

I knew he meant the other two, but the earlier conversation still clung to me. Only family. Why had that given me chills?

Still, the man in front of me was smiling like sunlight, waiting. I shoved the feeling aside.

“Yeah. Went fine. You just need to apologize to both of them.”

His smile vanished instantly. My mood improved.

“They insist on an apology?”

“No. I do.”

“…Rue.”

“You need the divine beast’s power anyway, don’t you?”

“That’s not decided.”

“The divine beast says you do.”

“What if I refuse?”

Right on cue.

“If you apologize, accept the power smoothly, and teach Kripe how to use it, then I…”

I took a deep breath. I couldn’t believe I was saying this.

“I’ll give you the best blowjob of your life.”

“….”

His eyes shook. I’d never seen him that flustered. That, in turn, startled me.

Wasn’t an offer like this basically a morning greeting in Tuvine? I expected mockery — not this.

Still, I’d made the offer because he’d clearly enjoyed being with me. Compared to others… I had to be better.

…Right?

He exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through his hair. I couldn’t see his face, but his chest rose and fell deeply.

Was my offer really that ridiculous?

Maybe I should’ve proposed rope sex, Tuvine-style.

He looked back at me — expression perfectly composed.

“Now?”

“…What?!”

“No! Absolutely not!”

I staggered back, waving both arms.

“Why would I do that outside?!”

His face turned cold.

“I mean — there’s a perfectly good bedroom nearby! Why risk being exposed? Someone could see!”

“Who?”

“Who else? The sky sees, the earth knows!”

He stared at me. No teasing smile this time. It felt like he was peeling off my mask, searching for something underneath.

I stepped back without realizing. He looked me over slowly, then smiled again.

“Fine.”

“Fine what?”

“Do it wherever you want.”

His gentle tone made the vulgar words feel unsettling.

“And you want my apology? Sure.”

“….”

“Anything else you want?”

His smile deepened. A crawling sense of unease spread through me.

“A lot.”

“Like what?”

“You’ll grant all of it?”

“Yeah.”

He nodded easily — then added:

“If you ask properly.”

Properly? A price?

“Outdoor stuff is off the table.”

“In this place, requests are made with words.”

This place. Like I didn’t belong. A chill ran through me.

“I’m from Tuvine too. I know that.”

“It’s your first time in Koon territory.”

Oh. That’s what he meant?

Still… something felt off.

“I assumed you wouldn’t accept a simple verbal request.”

“I will. Ask sincerely.”

“Apologize to the Sarne divine beast and help Kripe learn to use its power.”

“For you?”

“….”

“That’s the only reason I grant requests. Because you want it. So say it properly — that you want this for yourself.”

“….”

“Rue. Isn’t that what you want?”

“Do it for yourself.”

I said coldly, breathing in quietly.

“No one else can be my goal. Especially not for something I dislike. You need that power anyway.”

“Revenge can be your goal, but a person can’t?”

“….”

“A person’s more romantic than revenge. And you’re mine now.”

He grinned.

“Don’t overthink it. You think I’d…”

He tilted his head.

“Abandon family and revenge for you?”

“Of course not.”

He just kept smiling — taunting, like he was daring me to say what I wanted.

Fine. It’s not that big a deal.

“Do it for me.”

 

I love that Tyroc wants Rue to admit personal desire not hide behind practicality heheh

Tyroc: “Ask properly.”

Rue: “I am literally offering premium services.”

Tyroc isn’t negotiating sex — he’s negotiating emotional wording like a villain in a romance contract.

Meanwhile Rue is out here trying to save the world with… persuasive techniques.