It Seems Like I Got Transmigated Into An Eroge - Chapter 32 : Interlude [Irene]

“I–I didn’t think of that…”

“Now that you know. Do you have any more questions?”

“What about the academy? Why are you pushing me to attend as a regular student?”

“I’ll tell you about it in the future, but not right now.” 

“Uhh… Okay… I’ll just go out and relax a bit. I need to let all the stuff sink in my mind.” Claude left the room after he said those words.

Clara was standing right beside the door diligently while hiding her presence as she let Claude pass her. After he left, I began coughing up blood.

“*Cough* *Cough* *Cough*”

“Madam. Are you okay?”

Clara went to my side with a handkerchief in her hand, and with the other hand rubbing my back.

“I’m fine. Clara, seal off the entire room with a barrier.”

“Yes, Madam. [Environ Zone]”

The entire office shifted into a dark, hollow space where Clara and I were the only people that were left. The skill that Clara used is a type of enclosed dimension, a precautionary skill that can hide individuals from any possible threat.

“Madam. Isn’t it better for the young master to know the situation?”

“He shouldn’t. We need his attention solely focused on his training and getting stronger. I mean, I did tell the truth about the temple pressuring me. However, the situation became dire because of what happened during his Spirit Ceremony. That Luke bastard already spread the hidden information between the higher-ups.”

I spread the rumors of me having a disciple because once the temple learns that he has quintessence, they would do everything just to get him. I made it public to limit the movement of the temple.

Because of that, I can monitor the movements of the temple and the pressure of surrendering Claude to them would be out of the equation because of the rumor of him being my disciple. It may not be a smart choice, but it’s the safest route to take. 

I already mentioned the situation to Her Holiness, but as usual, her reaction about this matter was indifferent—It pissed me off. That’s why I took the matter into my own hands. She’s just overlooking things on everything that her people are doing. Despite working under her, she’s not a person whom I can really ask to help me with something. Altruistic my a*s.

“Are you planning to tell, young master about the real cause of your absence?”

“I will not. I still have nightmares remembering the cause of it. Haah…”

While Claude was under his suspended animation during the process of quintessence, I took a peek at his astral body to check his condition, but upon entering, I got greeted by a pair of eyes sparkling through her pupil that was shaped in a cross-mark, emerald pupil and purple iris, staring deeply into mine.

The horror that I experienced that day still remained with me to this day.

Checking Claude’s condition that time, out of nowhere, was the biggest mistake as my inner astral consciousness exploded into pieces from an unknown attack. Soon after, a woman appeared in front of me with a hostile look. Because of the devastating mysterious attack earlier, my astral body had broken cracks.

“Hayo~ Irene~”

Suddenly, the hostile look of the woman shifts into a friendly smile. At that point, I was left puzzled by everything that had happened. I was just planning on checking Claude’s condition, but I didn’t expect that someone this strong was hiding deep within him.

I can feel the difference in power between us. No, it’s not even comparable. I’m only a mere ant in her eyes—Not even an ant. I’m nothing in front of her. 

“W-Who are you…?”

“Me~? I’m Pix~ That’s the name Ak—Claude gave to me~”

Then she shifted the tone of her voice into a blood-curdling tone. Her eyes were menacingly staring at me. 

“I warn you, woman. If you can’t protect him. I will end your life. Worry not, your soul will heal over time because of course; I’m not that cruel~ Hehehe~ “

I’ve never experienced something this petrifying throughout the years I’ve lived in this world. At any moment, she could snap her fingers and I’d disappear in an instant—That’s how powerful I felt that woman was. I can’t even speak my thoughts out. I was left petrified.

“Come on~ I’m not here to kill you. The damage I inflicted on your astral body is just a minor thing, perhaps around a year or so; it would heal in no time. Plus, I didn’t do anything with your cute little pet. Hehehe~ I’m just here to tell you that if you have any disturbing thoughts about Claude. I can end you in no time. You’re the one who started this so~ You asked for it~”

I nodded in response, despite having no ill intention of harming Claude.

“Well then, that ends the summary of my introduction to you. While at it, I will put a mark under his soul which you need to keep in check all right~?”

“Mark?”

“It’s seal’s mark to contain the overflowing quintessence on his soul. If that seal’s mark broke. In short, he will die.”

“W-What do you want me to do?”

“You need to strengthen his body and soul. For the soul, you can do that, right? [DreamWeaver] was it?”

My eyes widened in surprise at what she just mentioned.

“H-How did you…”

“It’s not that great, but it should be sufficient enough for the seal. You need to keep in check his seal until the process is done. I can’t intervene other than this, so you will continue the process of it. Do we have an agreement?”

“I–I only need to use it? B-But… my…”

“Oh, come on~ You have another person who can do it, right? Plus, the damage to your soul won’t affect your ability to use that. You intruded into something you shouldn’t. Naturally, I shall bestow you a punishment for that. What’s the quote for that? ‘You reap, what you sow?’ Oh, well. You’re the one who dragged him into this position, so you asked for it. Just don’t tell anything to Claude, okay~? It’s our little secret, or else~ Mother would be so pissed at me~” 

‘What did I get myself into? The feeling of fear that I have long forgotten resurfaced in my mind once again. I’m scared.’ Those were the thoughts at that moment.

Despite her playful act, it doesn’t match well with the words she’s saying. She then clapped her hand causing a distortion in space. Shortly, I came back to my body, coughing up blood and almost losing my own consciousness.

It surprised Clara when she saw me waking up in that state. Obviously, I kept all the things that happened to me inside of Claude only to myself because I feel terrified about what that woman can do.

I complied with her orders. Since that day, I’ve had a hard time controlling my body because of the damage inflicted on my soul by that woman. I went into stasis to repair my soul. The reason I hid in my office for a year was to repair that damage because if something happens, there’s a chance that I can’t use any of my abilities properly.

Because of that reason, I need to establish a concrete plan to protect him. First, I need to get the church out of my back because once they found out about his quintessence for his spirit ceremony—That part is inevitable. They can just take him from me at any moment, so I need to solidify that part by spreading rumors. Especially, since they were unable to control Christine, those greedy bastards will surely do everything they can to acquire him.

However, a more disturbing matter happened. I only told Clara to use [DreamWeaver] to heal him and essentially help the sealing process. Clara drowned herself in lust. Because of that, I have no choice but to intervene and use my own [Lucid Dream] and [Dream Weaver] to counteract and negate all the effects of Clara’s influence on Claude’s body.

I do admit I’m having some sensual thoughts for him, but he’s too young. Because of Clara, I have left no choice but to put my own succubus mark on him for his well-being. It’s to prevent Clara from entering Claude’s nirvana and for other succubuses too. And for precautionary, I also put a spell under Clara to manage her own lust. It’s an old technique that I used on succubuses that wanted to live a normal life without the burden of lusting over every man. However, that spell doesn’t seem to be working that well against her.

Claude confronted me on everything which almost made my heart skip a bit. Hearing the questions that Claude asked almost made my heart stop. But, I can’t tell him anything yet. I need him on focusing to get stronger. If that thing didn’t happen, I would devote myself to training him, but an unlucky predicament happened.

Not only the church but there will also be a lot of people who will go after him once Claude reveals his capabilities. I can’t keep him hidden forever. It will only restrict his potential and I can’t protect him forever. But no matter what the situation will be, I need to protect him all the way.

For Christine…

“Haah…” I sigh in defeat.

“What can we do now, Madam? We still have an issue with the Valentin’s. The temple seems to be intervening right now.”

“What can we say? They detest the Askar kingdom. Despite Her Holiness already stated that she doesn’t have any hostility against the Askar Kingdom. Those Cardinals are too greedy, especially Luke. He directly escorted Claude to the chamber that Christine created to confirm his suspicion. Remembering his stupid face irks me every time. If I only knew…” I gritted my teeth in anger.

“*Cough* *Cough*”

“Madam, please control your anger.”

I haven’t told Clara the real cause of my condition, as I only told her that something went wrong after entering Claude’s astral plane which led to me damaging my own soul.

“Yeah… It’s fine.”

“Madam. It’s not.”

“Yes-yes. Thank you for worrying. Hahaha… *Cough* *Cough*”