[Darkness occupies your consciousness] [You cannot perceive any changes in the outside world.
In the moment before losing consciousness, you still couldn’t understand why the Beast of Cherishment attacked you] [You are currently lying on an altar, and beside you, a gaze is fixed upon you with complex emotions] This was an ancient temple ruin covered in eternal ice and snow, with giant ice pillars piercing the sky, shimmering with an eerie, ghostly blue light under the gloomy firmament.
In the center of the temple, on a massive altar, the Golden-haired Woman known as the Beast of Cherishment sat kneeling on the floor.
As she gazed at the sleeping Black-haired Youth before her, her eyes showed a hint of unusual emotional change.
And in this eerie silence, a figure with a sweet, fragrant scent slowly emerged from the shadows.
Her luxurious and form-fitting black dress had not yet been changed, and every inch of the fair skin beneath the fabric seemed to glow with a captivating luster under the moonlight.
Her tall and graceful figure, along with the usual smile in her golden eyes, seemed to embody all the luxury and allure in the world.
It was Koyanskaya.
“I never thought you’d actually follow me here.” The Beast of Cherishment didn’t look up, her voice as cold as ever.
Koyanskaya glanced at the Black-haired Youth on the altar, then fixed a scrutinizing and cold gaze on the Beast of Cherishment before her.
“What are you doing bringing him here?” As she said this, she secretly checked the Black-haired Youth’s breathing.
He seemed to have simply fallen asleep, and his body was unharmed.
Only after confirming this did she breathe a sigh of relief.
“This is truly interesting, Beast of Cherishment.” The cold and beautiful Golden-haired Woman slowly rose, her nine fox tails swaying behind her as if possessing their own consciousness, exuding an eerie beauty.
“You would specifically come to my territory for a human…
This must be the first time, wouldn’t you say?” “Or perhaps…” her cold tone carried a hint of playfulness, “it’s not for him, you’re just here to chat with me?” “Your jokes are utterly boring, Beast of Cherishment.” Koyanskaya narrowed her eyes slightly, staring at the indifferent golden eyes opposite her.
“During this time, you actively approached him, and I didn’t interfere too much…
because I can accept fair competition with you, and ultimately prove to you that the path I’m on is the correct one.” “But on one condition—” Around the temple, countless resentful spirits seemed to be frantically pouring into Koyanskaya’s feet, and her tone instantly became bone-chilling.
“Don’t involve him.” Facing the oppressive aura from the Beast, the Beast of Cherishment seemed unfazed.
She merely lowered her gaze, looking at the Black-haired Youth on the altar, a curve unconsciously appearing at the corner of her mouth, and her originally sharp and cold eyes seemed to instinctively soften a little.
Observing the harmonious scene of the Golden-haired Woman and the Black-haired Youth together on the altar, Koyanskaya’s brows furrowed tightly.
Strange…
what an incredibly strange fellow!
Both Koyanskaya of Light and Koyanskaya of Darkness are essentially beings who ‘detest’ humans; it’s just that Koyanskaya of Darkness’s attitude towards humans is more extreme.
This was decided long ago, when the two Beasts were first born.
In fact, not long ago, the Beast of Cherishment had even shown strong hostility towards Issei.
But now…
this woman, this ‘Beast’ who detests humans even more than she does, this ruthless ‘Beast,’ actually has such a ‘gentle’ side?
Just seeing this scene gave one a feeling of ‘hallucination’.
After all, is there anything more unsettling than a Beast who detests humans looking gently at a human?
However, the Beast of Cherishment paid no heed to Koyanskaya’s subtle gaze.
She continued to look down at the Black-haired Youth, who resembled a sleeping beauty.
The Beast of Cherishment detests all humans and denies all human civilization, including the human order.
However, during this time, every time the Black-haired Youth used Empathy Magecraft, and even the’sympathy’ he held for the creatures on this land, she clearly saw it all.
Most importantly…
for the first time, a human told her that she could hate all humans, but might try to accept him and then accept his help.
Those weren’t just empty words, because she could feel that every time the Black-haired Youth looked at her, there was no hint of dislike or fear in his eyes.
So-called emotions…
they truly are quite wondrous things.
Although this Black-haired Youth was human, his way of thinking was completely different from other humans.
At least, the Beast of Cherishment believed that if she were to appear in any crowded place, humans would have long since fled in terror, and it would be impossible for such a bizarre scene as sitting down and chatting with her to occur.
“This is the first time I’ve met a human as strange as him, and the first time I’ve accepted help from a human.” “So this is what it feels like to accept someone else’s kindness and then want to repay them…” The Beast of Cherishment’s indifferent tone was filled with mixed emotions.
However, upon hearing this, Koyanskaya scoffed.
“Involving him in our dispute, is that your so-called repayment?” Her emotionless voice continued to echo in the temple: “You brought him to the altar, your purpose is to eat him, isn’t it?” The Beast of Cherishment came back to her senses, and a mocking curve quickly appeared at the corner of her mouth: “Heh…
I never thought the Beast of Cherishment, who plans to make all humanity her pets, would actually care so much about a human.” “But…
are you worried about him getting hurt, or are you worried that your delicacy will be ruined?” “Ridiculous.” A cold expression appeared on Koyanskaya’s charming and alluring face: “Don’t impose your thoughts on me.
I never had any intention of eating him.” “Is that so?” The Beast of Cherishment’s aggressive and sharp words rang out: “He has now become the third being, besides you and me, to be recognized by the Tunguska Sanctuary.
If you could eat him…
you would probably be just one step away from evolving into a complete Beast.” “Are you truly not tempted?” Koyanskaya raised her fair chin, her eyes full of pity, looking down at her other self.
“I am different from you.
Even without devouring him, I will eventually evolve into a complete form.
I do want to ‘eat’ him, but not in the way you mean.” The Beast of Cherishment frowned slightly: “You mean…?” “I just simply want to () him.” “…” The Beast of Cherishment’s consistently cold demeanor, and even the indifferent gaze she had maintained until just now, suddenly froze on Koyanskaya at that instant.
The words she had been brewing for a long time, ready to criticize, also came to an abrupt halt.
“What…?” She momentarily doubted her own ears.
“I said, I want to () him.
Didn’t you hear me?” Koyanskaya sneered: “Don’t impose your ridiculous thoughts on me.
A Beast who doesn’t even understand what emotions are, dares to probe my thoughts in this manner.” Beast of Cherishment: “?”