As the heavy oak door clicked shut, leaving Hermes alone in the silence of the waiting room, the mask of the confident "Aljen" began to slip. He slumped into his chair, a shadow of genuine worry crossing his face. The stakes had shifted in a way he hadn't anticipated.
In the rigid logic of the world's "game setting," the shift in Elder Kilo's demeanor was a red flag. When a primary antagonist transitions from hostile contempt to a form of "neutral respect"—symbolized by Kilo switching from the dismissive Hermes to the formal Aljen—it usually signaled a transition to a "Duel of Convictions." In these scenarios, the enemy no longer seeks to merely bully the player; they seek to eliminate them as a worthy peer.
I wish I had a cheat ability to read the relationship bars above their heads, Hermes thought, staring at his shackled wrists. This is no joke. I'm at my limit, but I can't reveal my hand yet. If I show my true power now, the real predators lurking in the shadows will never come out.
He knew the slime was hidden on his person, so physical death was unlikely, but social and political execution was very much on the table. To win, he had to look weak. He had to look like a lamb led to the slaughter to keep the Council's guard down.
Subconsciously, his hand drifted back to the [Mendacium] resting on the table. The moment his skin touched the cold surface, a blinding purple light erupted, searing his retinas.
When he opened his eyes, the dingy stone walls of the Village Hall were gone.
The light faded into a soft, ethereal blue, revealing a familiar, impossible landscape. He was standing in the center of the garden again. It was a cross-alignment of nature: vibrant red roses fought for space against a sea of pristine white ones. A massive fountain stood at the heart of the clearing, surrounded by a low barricade of blossoms. At the very peak of the fountain, a single Sampaguita flower bloomed, emitting a light so pure it reminded Hermes of a clear summer sky back on Earth.
The air here didn't smell like wax or old parchment; it smelled like home.
He folded his arms, noting with a frown that the slime was absent from his side. I see. I've been pulled into this strange realm again.
"Missed me~?" a feminine voice cooed directly into his ear.
Before he could react, two smooth, warm hands covered his eyes. He felt the light, fleeting pressure of lips brushing against his left cheek—a ghost of a kiss that made his body twitch involuntarily. Despite the surprise, he forced himself to remain stiff and calm. He had been through this song and dance before.
"Fu~fu~fu~, guess who?" the girl whispered, her breath tickling his ear.
"Hmph. No idea," Hermes answered promptly, his voice flat.
"Eeh... Come on! We just did this a little while ago. Try to guess," she insisted, her tone playful and pouting.
"With all due respect, I have no idea because you've never actually introduced yourself," Hermes said. He gently but firmly removed her hands from his face and turned around to meet the mistress of the domain.
His breath hitched. Her beauty was, quite literally, out of this world. She possessed long, silver-blonde hair that cascaded all the way to her bare feet, and violet eyes that sparkled like polished amethysts. Her skin was like translucent porcelain, and her long, flowing dress clung to curves that were far too perfect to be natural.
She bore a striking resemblance to Venus, but where the Priestess was grounded and dignified, this girl was ethereal, mercurial, and far more dangerous.
"Booo, you're no fun at all," she said, puffing out her cheeks in a theatrical pout.
"Oh, sorry. It was a joke," Hermes replied, reaching out as if to brush a stray strand of silver hair from her face. "I know who you are. You're the beautiful girl in the... provocative dress from last time."
The girl didn't pull away. Instead, she mistook his gesture for an intimate move, grabbing his hand and leaning her face into his palm like a kitten seeking affection.
"Hmmm, I missed this feeling," she sighed, rubbing her cheek against his rough skin. "I'm so glad I could summon you again. I had to accumulate so many points to buy back the scroll I used last time. It's hard work, you know? This place isn't exactly a normal neighborhood for the living or the dead."
"Buyback? Points?" Hermes gently retracted his hand. "I don't understand why I'm here, but please, make it short. I have an actual trial to attend. I have a mission to complete, and I'm well aware that closing the distance between us could have... consequences. Especially since I am a mortal and you clearly are not."
"Far different because you're mortal? Pfff!" She giggled, swirling around him in a blur of silk and silver. "Of course we're opposite—gender-wise, at least—but we shouldn't keep our distance just because of a little power gap. The Almighty doesn't forbid a little close contact, you know. And as for being 'mortal,' that's a temporary status. Your rank will be equal to mine once you reach the right requirements. I'm quite looking forward to your 'cultivation' in the world below."
Suddenly, she let out a small "Oh!" and began to tip forward. "My feet stumbled on a rock! Help me~!"
She lunged toward him, but Hermes, wise to her antics, simply stepped to the side. She caught herself easily, looking back at him with a mischievous grin.
"Enough with the silly pranks," Hermes said, attempting to stabilize the chaotic energy of the conversation. "Calm down. In my world, that's considered harassment. I'm not an ordinary man who likes being played with by a maniac. We aren't close, and I still don't even know your name, so stop jumping on me like a perverted cat."
"Hmmm, do you really want to return?" the girl asked, her lips downturned in a exaggerated pout that would have melted the heart of any lesser man.
"Yes. Immediately," Hermes nodded, his voice clipped.
The girl tilted her head, resting her index finger against her left cheek in thought. "Hmm, what should I do with you? I sacrificed a hundred thousand points just to increase my charm stat for this encounter, yet you're still reluctant to accept my affection. You haven't even reached a level high enough to resist my passive aura, so why is it so hard to make you cave? I don't understand."
She let out a soft huff, but her smile quickly returned. "Never mind. It only proves you're truly a special person. Besides, love takes time to build between the sexes; I can wait for the right progress in your growth. And don't worry—I'll send you back soon. The fate of the world would punish me again if I didn't, you know." She clutched her arms to her chest, looking like a smitten schoolgirl despite the raw power radiating from her.
"With all due respect, I don't care about the world's fate or your points. Please, just let me go back," Hermes said, rubbing his forehead as an exhausting sigh escaped him.
"Hmph! Why are you so rude? Look at me—there is a beautiful girl right here who just wants a little chat. Plus, we still have time for some fun. I'm sure you have a million questions. Why don't we use the remaining time to get to know each other?" Before he could protest, she closed the gap, her smooth, warm arms clinging to his elbow.
"Good grief, please have some class," Hermes groaned, trying to maintain his personal space. "You seem like you were raised in a refined environment and received a proper education. Please, act your age. I am still a man, and I'm capable of doing 'bad things' if pushed. Someone like you could find a much better partner than me. You must have me mistaken for someone else—even if I resemble your target, I am not him."
He tried to pull away, but her arms were like sticky glue, anchoring him to her side.
"Fu~fu~fu~, you are so cute when you're blushing! Silly, you're berating yourself too much. You are the man I've been waiting for." She reached up and tapped his cheek, her warm smile sending a strange, refreshing jolt through his heart.
"I appreciate the effort, but I'm really not qualified for this hospitality," Hermes muttered, scratching his cheek in genuine embarrassment.
"This side of yours... I like it." Suddenly, she whispered a unique incantation. A shimmering spell washed over Hermes, and his limbs locked in place.
"I-It can't be... are you using power to control me now? How annoying! Stop it!" Hermes strained against the invisible binds, but to no avail.
With a flick of her wrist, a small wooden bench appeared out of thin air, looking like a misplaced prop from a horror movie. Using her magic, she forced him to sit.
The bench again? Hermes felt a chill. This girl is no joke. She's dangerous. I don't remember raising any flags to trigger an event like this. Is she a yandere? He gulped, his pulse quickening.
"Yehey! Now we can make some real progress. Ara, you're sweating. Is the temperature making you uncomfortable?" she asked, her eyes beaming.
"The temperature is fine; the method is the problem! If this were a novel, the readers would think you're an annoying, perverted woman. Release me," Hermes hissed.
"Eeh... I don't care about the readers. Screw them," she said dismissively. "They're just nonbelievers and degenerates. All I care about is making you feel at home. Besides, who are they to judge me? If they were in your position, they'd be dying of envy. I waited a long time for this, so I'm going to show you what I've got. The True God is truly benevolent to give us this blessing."
She blushed, placing her hand over his palm and slowly sliding her fingers between his, locking them together as tight as a padlock.
"I told you... snap out of it," Hermes gritted his teeth, his face heating up. "Your chest is too close. It's... it's too soft. Stop it."
"Now then, if you won't ask the questions, I will. Let's enact a short trial of our own." She summoned a version of the [Mendacium] relic and forcibly placed his free hand onto it.
"Wait—this shouldn't be here! You meddlesome woman!" Hermes flinched as the blue glow of the relic illuminated his left hand. Her face looked like an angel's, but he could sense a terrifying demon lurking behind the smile.
"First question," she said, her expression suddenly turning grave. "What do you think about the elves in the mortal world?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The playful air evaporated, replaced by a dry, heavy heat. Hermes was bewildered by the sudden pivot to such a controversial, subjective topic.
"What do I think of their race? They're annoying creatures, honestly," he answered, deciding that honesty was his only path out.
"Why annoying?"
"Because they're disturbing the peace, hindering my business, and they look at me like trash to be disposed of. I don't know what I ever did to them, but they're giving me every reason to hate them," Hermes responded firmly.
The girl's gaze softened, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "Please, be careful. Elves are no ordinary race. On average, they possess significantly higher mana reserves than humans. In terms of raw statistics, an elven mage's output is often 1.5 to 2 times that of a human mage of the same rank. Their high aptitude makes a solo battle extremely risky. Usually, only the Church's elite or high-tier human mages can deal with them effectively."
"Thank you for the info," Hermes said, his voice softening slightly as he felt her weight against him. "But I have nothing to fear. I have nothing to lose if I die. Death isn't a problem for me anymore, thanks to the slime."
"Silly, you are still a mortal," the girl whispered, her voice suddenly losing its playful edge. "Being too dependent on that little slime girl won't make your victory feel like a true win. You must keep in mind that there is always a price to pay whenever you rely on her abilities. Death is not the greatest loss in life, Hermes. The greatest loss is what dies inside you while you are still alive."
She reached out and poked his cheek firmly to emphasize her point. "Your insanity level is crawling toward its limit. You must avoid dying at all costs, or else the power balance will shake the world again—and not in a way you'll enjoy. That's why I recommend acquiring a new familiar to balance the cycle of your talentless mortal body. What do you think about adopting a new little girl? Someone... like me?"
"I don't care about that right now," Hermes replied earnestly, ignoring her blatant self-promotion. "For a long time, I was terrified of death because my body was unblessed with magic. But I changed my mind after I met her. She's an annoying, self-centered, soul-eating psychopath, but she is a reliable ally. Adopting another girl hasn't even crossed my mind. But... I'll keep your suggestion in the back of my head."
"I wish you understood your position better," she sighed, her expression shifting to one of bored disappointment. "But you're mature enough to make your own judgments. Though I have to say, hearing you compliment that cheating brat makes me feel a little sick. I'm bored now." She yawned and flicked the relic away from his hand as if it were a common pebble.
"Phew. Good grief. You really are an unpredictable lady," Hermes commented, finally feeling the magical weight on his limbs loosen.
She jumped off the bench, her silver-blonde hair swirling around her ankles. "Hermes, you're incredibly dense. But I'm impressed by how you kept your composure after everything I put you through. You've passed."
"Passed? What kind of test was this?"
"The test of being a gentleman and remaining honest with me," she answered, finally offering him a warm, genuine smile. "You've proved yourself worthy of my praise, my dear."
Hermes stood up from the bench, his expression turning grave as he tucked his hands into his pockets. "You were right earlier; there are a lot of issues I need answers to. But there's a tornado coming to destroy the house I've built in this conflict area. I don't have the mental space to receive more data right now. My brain feels like it's going to explode."
"But information is the only thing that will save you later," she muttered, her lips forming a small 'o' of protest.
"If you still insist, then let me retrieve my reward," Hermes said, his voice dropping into a serious tone. "I haven't received it yet, and you aren't escaping this time. What is your name?"
The girl walked past him, her scent of Sampaguita lingering in the air. "Hmph. Not what I expected to hear, but at least you finally asked personally."
"Come on. I still don't know it," Hermes pleaded gently.
"Silly. You're really dumb," she said, pausing to look over her shoulder. She placed a hand over her mouth, hiding a smile that made Hermes's heart skip a beat. "I already told you my name once before."
Hermes felt his face heat up at her expression. "Forgive me, but I don't remember. Can you help an invited guest out? Please."
"Before I answer," she said, her violet eyes twinkling as a literal wall of red roses bloomed behind her, "you have to answer one more question. Do you like the Priestess?"
"No, I do not," Hermes replied, a wave of discomfort washing over him.
Cling!
The sharp, metallic sound of his shackles snapped Hermes back into the reality of the waiting room. He blinked several times, the cold stone walls a jarring contrast to the ethereal garden.
"Eh? Master, who are you referring to? Who is the girl you don't like?" the slime's voice echoed in his head, dripping with curiosity.
"Silence. You're making me feel guilty," Hermes muttered, covering his eyes with his hand.
"Do you really like the girl you were talking about?" the slime persisted.
"I am a man of my word! I don't really like her!" Hermes declared loudly to the empty room.
Cling!
The [Mendacium] on the table let out a discordant, high-pitched ring.
Shut the fuck up, you piece of junk! Hermes screamed internally.
A knock sounded at the door, and Hermes instantly smoothed his expression into a mask of cold indifference. The relic deactivated the moment he stood up.
"Sir Aljen, is something wrong?" Elder Kilo asked, stepping into the room.
"Yes, I'm fine, Sire," Hermes answered, his face stiff.
Ilona appeared in the doorway behind Kilo, flanked by four heavily armed guards. "Hermes Archnemesis, Elder... it is time. Please follow us."
"Affirmative, Lady Ilona," Kilo said politely.
As Hermes began to walk toward the door, he paused beside the Elder. "Elder, I find myself totally agreeing with your earlier opinion of that relic."
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Kilo asked, his eyebrows shooting up.
"This relic is defective," Hermes said, walking past him with a steady, purposeful stride. "It will only lead to a trial of injustice."
The Elder stood dumbfounded in the middle of the room as the "Don" followed the guards toward the Grand Council Chamber.