Cooperate…?
She wants…
to cooperate with me?
Hearing the words from her mouth, countless question marks flashed through Issei’s mind.
His inner vigilance, and even his rapidly operating brain, seemed to briefly halt at this moment, making him feel as if this woman was somewhat unfamiliar.
Unlike the Beast of Cherishment, the Beast of Cherishment is naturally extremely hostile toward humans and rejects all human civilization.
Not long ago, she had even actively attacked him…
yet now, she was actually proposing ‘cooperation’ to a human?
“What do you want me to do?” Issei did not respond immediately, but instead asked the question he was currently most concerned about.
The Beast of Cherishment stared into the young man’s eyes and slowly said, “Use your Empathy Magecraft to purify the resentment for me.” In fact, when she first noticed Issei’s existence as a human, she did harbor great hostility and prejudice.
However, during this time, with Issei’s help, Koyanskaya’s power had grown exponentially, and it was clear she was starting to subtly overpower her.
If this continued, she would eventually dominate the situation.
Ultimately, although Issei is human, his presence on this land is inherently unique, so he cannot be simply categorized as ‘human.’ Sometimes, a flexible bottom line is necessary…
This was the conclusion the Beast of Cherishment reached after much internal struggle during this period.
Issei hesitated for a moment and said, “I need to think about it some more.” The Beast of Cherishment frowned slightly, clearly not expecting such a reply from this human.
But due to Issei’s rather unique existence, she ultimately did not lash out.
“If you change your mind, you can come find me anytime.” Having said that, she turned into a black mist and silently dissipated.
[That evening, after weighing the pros and cons, you explained the Beast of Cherishment’s ‘invitation’ to Koyanskaya and asked why her attitude had undergone a complete 180-degree change] [Upon hearing the end of your explanation, she seemed to vaguely guess something] “If I’m not mistaken…” Koyanskaya sat languidly on the sofa, narrowing her eyes as she looked out at the endless scorched earth outside the tent.
“She must be competing for the right to use the ‘body’…
specifically, competing for the Tunguska Sanctuary itself.” Upon hearing this, Issei was momentarily stunned and asked, “What do you mean by competing for the right to use the body?
Are you using the same body?” “The Tunguska Sanctuary, or more accurately, the land you are currently standing on, is itself a living Reality Marble.
This land is ‘our’ soul.” Koyanskaya spoke softly, “You should know that whether it’s me or my other self, to evolve into a complete Beast, we need endless Magical Energy (resentment) as fuel, right?” Issei nodded slightly.
After this period of understanding, he already knew a little about this matter.
Both ‘Light’ and ‘Dark’ are Beasts that use resentment to grow.
However, three months ago, just as the Tunguska explosion occurred, a human who shouldn’t have been there appeared at the scene…
that is, Issei.
Under the power of Empathy Magecraft, Koyanskaya discovered that the resentment purified by Issei could surprisingly be converted into cleaner ‘fuel,’ accelerating her growth.
Following this trend, she would inevitably complete her evolution first and become a complete Beast.
And perhaps it was precisely because the Beast of Cherishment sensed this that she actively sought out Issei today.
At this, Koyanskaya let out a scornful laugh: “Even if she cooperates with you, she still won’t be able to absorb the Purified Energy you convert.” She lifted her skirt, crossing her left leg elegantly over her right, her delicate, small toes casually hooking a high-heeled shoe, swinging it carelessly.
“How could a savage creature that rejects human civilization absorb the resentment purified by you?” The reason Koyanskaya of Light can absorb the resentment purified by Issei is because she is the ‘Mimicry of Civilization,’ an existence that perfectly imitates the most seductive and luxurious aspects of human civilization.
As for Koyanskaya of Darkness…
she is the embodiment of nature and rejects all things human, so naturally, she cannot absorb the Purified Energy cleansed by human hands.
“But I really didn’t expect that fellow to set her sights on you too…
Even though you’re human, you’re quite popular.” As she finished speaking, she looked the young man over with a slight smile, though her eyes held a hint of amusement.
Issei didn’t seem to notice the woman’s meaningful words.
After a brief contemplation, he suddenly said, “If we follow what you just said, the land beneath our feet, the Tunguska Sanctuary itself, also possesses Self-Awareness, correct?” Koyanskaya nodded lightly.
“Then if it realizes one day that you intend to devour it, will it fight back?” “There should be that possibility, yes?
But don’t worry, I’ll only do it once I’m confident…
Also, I need to remind you—” Koyanskaya paused, then said seriously, “If you encounter that Beast who only thinks about destruction again, notify me immediately.
Don’t think that just because she didn’t attack you today, she won’t suddenly go crazy one day…
Not everyone is as easy to talk to as I am.” While belittling her other self, she simultaneously elevated herself and ‘warned’ him not to approach the Beast of Cherishment.
To think she had such a ‘domineering’ side…
Issei smiled helplessly and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve always been cautious around her…
but I have something important I want to discuss with you.” As he spoke, he looked up at Koyanskaya.
Sensing the young man’s extremely serious gaze, Koyanskaya’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Wait a minute…
wait a minute!
Why is his expression suddenly so solemn?
What…
what does he want to do?
Could it be that he wants to confess?
After all, today, when faced with the invitation from the Beast of Cherishment, he still chose her without hesitation…
This showed the young man’s sincerity toward her.
But is this really okay?
I’m a Beast, after all.
Can a human and a Beast truly be together?
In the end, he’s still so young…
Although the rules of the human world shouldn’t matter, this still feels a little inappropriate, doesn’t it?
But then again, if I follow human rules, once I accept his confession…
will we be able to do ‘that’ sort of thing?
After all, if we become lovers, he shouldn’t mind doing this or that…
and it won’t seem like I have any strange kinks.
As long as we are lovers, anything we do is justifiable…
Issei gazed at Koyanskaya’s exquisite and beautiful face and slowly said, “I want to go see the Beast of Cherishment.” “You’re impossible.
Seeing how hard you’ve worked lately, I’ll reluctantly accept your con—” She lifted her head, a faint curve forming on her lips, her smile bright and captivating.
However, before she could finish, her expression froze, and her golden eyes slowly widened, reflecting the young man’s extremely solemn face.
“Eh?”