I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 94

Peeling away the curse branded on Arcueid's soul, Kenneth, without looking up, reminded Noel, who was cosplaying as a statue, that true demons are sins originating from humanity. Noel, who was on the verge of being an OP character, had been affected for so long that it was no less than taking a bath in the evil of this world. Keeping him on his feet was already more than enough. Whether he could be saved depended on subsequent treatment.

As her wandering consciousness returned, Hiel immediately checked on Noel's condition. The workshop fell silent again. As Kenneth isolated the curse, without any warning, Arcueid, who had been unconscious, opened her eyes. Unlike her usual dazed state, the will emanating from her gaze was definitely not something Arcueid possessed.

On the control panel, the girl with her eyes open sized up the man before her. Kenneth's hands remained steady as he worked at the panel. Neither spoke, and a fragile, delicate balance was achieved. After a while, seemingly having memorized the man before her, Arcueid, lying on the control panel, closed her eyes again.

"Those eyes, they must be Zhu Yue's. Looks like I've gotten myself into trouble with some serious trouble again."

Thinking to himself, Kenneth withdrew his hand from Arcueid's forehead and sat down, feeling somewhat exhausted. This kind of highly concentrated and meticulous operation was indeed quite taxing on Kenneth.

Crimson Moon, the Type-Moon itself, was among the top three beings in this world in Nasu's early creations. Just now, this uninvited Moon King stared at Kenneth like a monkey for half an hour.

With her avatar destroyed, Zhu Yue can only break through Gaia's blockade and descend to the surface through a vessel before the arrival of the Steel Land. Both Altluchi and Arcueid are bodies prepared by Zhu Yue, but compared to the failed Altluchi, Zhu Yue prefers Arcueid, a perfect creation of the planet. When the time is right, Zhu Yue will use Arcueid as a medium to return to the surface.

"Is this a check-up to see how far your body has developed according to the schedule? Or are you here to see me?"

Kenneth had met all three of Brunsstadt's men tonight, especially Zhu Yue, who was trying to replace Gaia. The will that Zhu Yue revealed in her eyes alone was enough for Kenneth to put her in a position where he needed to be wary.

Kenneth wasted time pondering questions that were destined to yield no answers, waiting for the real Arcueid to appear. Footsteps sounded, and Siel, who had completed the baptismal ritual for Noel, stopped behind Kenneth. After a moment of silence, Siel, having figured something out, said in a trembling voice:

"You...you really can break Roya's curse?"

The dying yearn for immortality, the immortal crave rest, and even the ancestor, freed from the constraints of time, would self-destruct out of boredom. How much more so for Hiel, unable to find peace under the curse. Pierced by the demonic sword, Hiel's consciousness plunged into darkness, believing he would die. But the curse caused his heart, devoid of warmth, to beat again. He faced death countless times, yet could not die. The living always suffer more than the dead. Now, Hiel only wished to end the curse burdening his soul as soon as possible.

"Whether it's the snake's reincarnation magic or your connection with the snake, even if you want to rest in peace, I can make it happen."

The principle behind Roa's Reincarnation Magic is to possess a human by using their soul as a seed, then cocooning the soul to devour it, ultimately replacing the possessed human from the inside out and transforming them into a Dead Apostle. For Kenneth, who possesses the Third Law, he can break this closed-loop magic at any step, at which point the cocooned Roa will be unable to find another host.

Kenneth offered too many options, and Siel, who had never imagined that the curse could be ended in this way, was at a loss for what to do. He closed his eyes, considering the pros and cons, and without doubting Kenneth's abilities, Siel whispered:

What do I have to give in return?

There's no such thing as a free lunch, especially with strangers you've only met a few times. Facing the serious-looking Hiel, Kenneth rubbed his chin with some difficulty. Kenneth had already thoroughly studied Hiel's most valuable asset: his body. As for other things, the lone Hiel really didn't have anything useful to offer.

“Black Barrel, you should have permission to use that thing, right? I want to take a look at it.”

Black Barrel is one of the seven great weapons of Atlas. The weapon that Mash used to shoot down the machine god was a replica of this weapon. It is the natural enemy of true etheric beings. It uses the concept of 'lifespan' to release toxins proportional to the lifespan of the target, causing the fifth fictional element—ether—to self-destruct.

Hierle's eyes flickered a few times. Putting aside how Kenneth knew she could use the black gun, Hierle couldn't bring herself to entrust such a dangerous weapon to Kenneth for research.

"Please let me think about it some more."

He subtly rejected Kenneth's offer, picked up the still unconscious Noel, and left the apartment. Kenneth did not stop him; the black gun did not exist only in this world, and there would be many opportunities to study it. Kenneth was not in a hurry.

Chapter 246 The Impulse to Deviate

Shortly after Hierle left, Arcueid rubbed his head and propped himself up. After meeting his gaze and confirming that it was an idiot who had woken up, Kenneth breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Hmm, was I asleep? Oh, it was just a dream. I never thought I'd dream about that guy... Ah? How did I get here?"

Muttering to herself, Arcueid, clearly still half-asleep, groggily surveyed the room's furnishings. She coughed lightly twice, finally drawing Kenneth's attention. Kenneth sniffed the air, and upon detecting a scent that didn't belong to them, Arcueid's expression became quite interesting.

"It wasn't a dream after all!"

Startled, Arcueid jumped off the experimental table. Belatedly realizing what was happening, Arcueid immediately examined Kenneth. After confirming that Kenneth was not missing any limbs and still had a human aura, Arcueid patted his chest and sat down with a lingering sense of fear.

"Don't worry, it's all over now. Did you feel anything different when you acted impulsively this time?"

"Different? Does my inability to control myself count as different?"

Kenneth wanted to ask if she noticed any difference from her previous impulsive state, but Arcueid's answer was completely irrelevant. Realizing that this idiot had no idea she was possessed, Kenneth skipped the topic altogether.

"Just like you said, you're losing control of yourself, and you've already realized it. Under your suppression, the urge to suck blood will only become more intense each time. Have you made any preparations?"

Once a vampire has consumed blood, this instinct becomes ineradicable, like a persistent, unbreakable wound. Arcueid could only delay the onset of the urge through sleep. Having suppressed the blood-drinking impulse for millennia, it's remarkable that Arcueid could still maintain her consciousness. Kenneth truly admired this fool's persistence.

"Hmm, getting ready? I was planning to sleep all the time after dealing with Roya. As long as I'm not awake, the urge to drink blood won't affect me."

As Kenneth expected, Arcueid's answer was as straightforward as ever. To this, Kenneth could only say: You're a real genius.

"What a simple-minded idiot!"

Kenneth sighed inwardly and looked at Arcueid, whose face was completely indifferent. Arcueid's blood-sucking urges were troublesome. If it were just a planetary curse, Kenneth could handle it, but the problem was that there was also Zhu Yue watching Arcueid's body. After Zhu Yue appeared last night, Kenneth hadn't been idle either. Through tracking Zhu Yue, Kenneth had also discovered a clue.

Arcueid's body, even in its completed state, is still incomplete. As Gaia's creation, Arcueid is complete; but as the vessel for the Moon King, Arcueid is still incomplete. Arcueid's vampiric impulses come from both: Gaia's aim is to divide humanity, and the Crimson Moon's aim is to cultivate physical bodies. When Arcueid is completely dominated by the vampiric impulses, this Arcueid, having unleashed all its power, is the vessel that the Crimson Moon needs.

Kenneth was still struggling to remove the hidden threat Zhu Yue had laid before Arcueid's birth. Noticing the evasive look in Arcueid's eyes, Kenneth, who had subconsciously taken on the role of the father, whispered:

"Since I've asked you this question, I naturally have a way. Although it can't cure it completely, it can at least make you stop having urges for blood, and the side effects will be relatively fewer."

Arcueid's eyes lit up instantly upon hearing Kenneth's words. Who would willingly imprison themselves when they could roam the world freely? It was precisely because of the fear that the bloodlust would harm others that Arcueid chose to sleep. It can only be said that Arcueid has always been a simple-minded fool who is almost heartbreaking.

"What method is it? Tell me quickly! Tell me now!"

Arcueid's eyes sparkled with hope, and she grabbed Kenneth's arm and shook it vigorously. Kenneth admitted that for a moment, he was tempted. Adjusting his magic, Kenneth placed his hand directly on Arcueid's forehead.

"Impulse is a kind of desire, and the mechanisms that affect the soul are all the same. So, in order to stay clear-headed, Arcueid, become a glutton!"

"Ugh?"

Ignoring the bewildered Arcueid, Kenneth hinted at Arcueid's emotions on a spiritual level. As Kenneth said, the urge to drink blood is a kind of desire. Kenneth couldn't remove the urge to drink blood set up by Zhu Yue, but he could transfer the thirst for blood to the appetite.

But this is ultimately a trick; it only changes the surface of the impulse, which remains essentially a vampiric urge. It can be delayed but not eradicated. As long as Zhu Yue exists, Arcueid's impulse cannot be resolved. Kenneth was prepared for this. Since Zhu Yue wanted to possess Arcueid when she unleashed her impulse, Kenneth could also set up a scheme. It was just a consciousness; if the Jewel Elder could fight back, Kenneth thought he could too.

Gu...

Before the hint was even finished, Arcueid's stomach rumbled. Realizing that his hint was more effective than he had imagined, Kenneth suppressed a laugh and withdrew his hand.

"I didn't expect you to be so impulsive. Well then, don't hold back, go get something to eat."

"No way! I just didn't eat anything last night and I'm hungry now. It's not because of a blood-sucking urge!"

gurgle...gurgle...

Although she wouldn't admit it, Arcueid's belly betrayed her. Blushing and somewhat embarrassed, Arcueid followed Kenneth out of the workshop. Then, Kenneth witnessed Arcueid's pent-up vampiric urges, which had been suppressed for thousands of years, surging violently. Looking at the mountain of lunch boxes on the table, Kenneth simply put down his knife and fork.

Forced by Arcueid's unbridled appetite, Kenneth brought his rice bucket directly to this well-regarded restaurant. Facing the waiter whose feet were almost worn down, Kenneth placed a stack of yen on the cart.

"One more of everything you ordered, and a pot of tea for me."

Upon receiving Kenneth's tip, the waiter's fatigue vanished instantly. After confirming Kenneth's request, he quickly cleared away the dishes and left the private room. Meanwhile, as Kenneth was venting his anger with Arcueid, on the streets of Misaki City, Arcueid, dressed in a black dress, stopped in her tracks, carrying a shrunken primate killer.

"This smell? Is it from my foolish sister?"

Ignoring the prying eyes of those around her, Altrouge followed the scent and pushed open the restaurant door. After looking around and not finding Arcueid, Altrouge headed straight for the stairs.

"Hello, miss, this area prohibits..."

"I was just taking a walk in the courtyard, you don't need to pay any attention to me."

After a brief silence, the people in the restaurant, under the control of the others, looked away. Passing the waiter who tried to stop her, Eltrauge stroked the primate killer's fur and stepped onto the second floor.

Chapter 247 The Contract of Domination

On the second floor of the restaurant, Arcueid, who was engrossed in eating, suddenly looked up. As the door to the private room opened from the outside, Arcueid, carrying the primate killer, appeared before them.

"Altruchi, did you come here to start a fight?!"

With her eyes brightening and fingers slightly spread, Arcueid instantly assumed a fighting stance. Sensing the change in Arcueid's aura, Arcueid glanced sideways and then pulled out a chair to sit between the two of them.

"I have no interest in fighting with a good-for-nothing who hasn't even wiped his mouth clean. Compared to pointless disputes, I prefer the man beside you, Arcueid."

She remembered Arcueid's aura; it was the same aura she possessed a thousand years ago when she was a True Ancestor Killer. The fact that she could shake off the vampiric urge in just one night meant that the problem lay with Kenneth, the mysterious mage.

Kenneth drank his tea expressionlessly, facing Altruic's gaze, while Arcueid gritted his teeth at Altruic's words. The silence in the room was broken when the waiter knocked on the door to deliver the food.

"I need a drink, with some young girl's blood added. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing Altruchi's request, the waiter put down his plate, nodded, and left the room. Kenneth watched the waiter leave thoughtfully, becoming increasingly interested in Altruchi's abilities.

Contract and domination—it's not just that waiter; now everyone in the restaurant is under Altruchi's control. Unlike suggestion magic, there's no hypnosis or soul alteration. These people are obeying Altruchi's commands while maintaining a clear sense of self.

"Is this your dominance? A very interesting ability."

"It's just for fun. My control is ineffective against you."

As early as when she developed an interest in Kenneth, Eltrouget tried to control him, but unfortunately, Kenneth's self-perception was too firm, and no matter how hard Eltrouget tried, she could not control the man in front of her.

Seeing the two suddenly chatting together, Arcueid, who had always been wary of Arceus, looked left and right, unsure whether she should continue posing. Noticing Arcueid's bewilderment, Kenneth smiled and pushed the freshly served snacks over to her.

"Don't worry about us, Arcueid, just keep eating."

"Oh."

Once it was confirmed that a fight wouldn't break out, Arcueid, who had developed an inexplicable obedience to Kenneth's arrangements, continued eating under the watchful eye of Arcueid.

"Didn't expect that you've already tamed my silly little sister? Aren't you being a bit too presumptuous!"

"Ugh! Altruchi, what are you talking about... Partners! We're partners! Isn't it only natural to listen to your partner?!"

Arcueid's explanation was selectively ignored by Arcurugi, whose red eyes fell on Kenneth. It seemed that Arcurugi would take action if Kenneth did not give a reasonable explanation. Facing the scrutiny of the half-grown girl, Kenneth easily picked up his teacup and stirred it.

"Taming? If I could really tame this idiot, I wouldn't have such a headache. Rather than taming an idiot, I would much rather tame you, the ruler, Eltluch."

Kenneth openly expressed his desire for Altrudge, staring intently at the exquisitely doll-like Altrudge. A backup body for Crimson Moon, a hybrid of Dead Apostle and True Ancestor, the Night of Wallachia who could transform Tsbia, who failed to challenge the Sixth Law, into a conceptual being with the power of a contract, and even get a buy-one-get-one-free deal with a primate killer—Kenneth simply couldn't refuse Altrudge.

"You dare to tame me? You've got a bold idea. My husband is destined to make me take notice. Do you have the ability?"

Altruchi didn't care about Kenneth's thoughts about her. A thousand years had shown her everything. She, Altruchi, was the ruler, and rulers are not ruled by so-called love. Only a more powerful ruler can rule over another ruler.

Since Kenneth has that power, Eltrouge wants to see if Kenneth is tough enough. If Kenneth can really make her take notice, what does it matter if she, Eltrouge, submits to him? In this inhuman world, reality always prevails.

"Whether you have the ability or not, you'll only know by trying, won't you?"

*Cough cough cough!*

The place where they were eating instantly turned into a large-scale blind date scene. Arcueid, who was choking, leaped in front of Kenneth with a god-like leap, grabbed Kenneth's arm with her left hand, and pointed frantically at Arcueid with her right hand.

"You! You! Are you an idiot? How could you like this flat-chested, flat-butt girl! Ugh! You bad woman! Stay away from my partner!"

Arcueid shook his arm wildly, his right hand immediately pointing and pointing at Altrucci, his forehead creased with fury. Altrucci wanted to teach Arcueid how to respect his elder sister.

To be honest, Kenneth felt rather complicated being called an idiot by an idiot. Seeing the two exchanging glances right in front of her, Arcueid pulled Kenneth up from his chair with a sudden burst of strength.

"I'm full! Aren't we still investigating? Let's go!"

If Kenneth hadn't been physically strong, he felt that Arcueid would have really ripped his arm off. Sensing Arcueid's attention to Kenneth, Arcueid, with a wicked smile on her lips, took Kenneth's other arm under the white idiot's angry glare.

"Haven't you realized yet? Your partner has already succumbed to my charm. The one who should leave is you, Arcueid."

"Ugh! Let go of me! You bad woman!"

A quick glance confirmed it: Arcueid was up to no good. Though her methods were crude, they were enough to deal with Arcueid. Just as Arcueid was about to lose control, Kenneth grabbed the idiot's head with one hand.

“It’s really low class to bully idiots, Altruchi. Besides, the contract has already been established, hasn’t it?”

Kenneth pulled his hand away from Altrouge's grasp and led the flustered Arcueid out of the private room. Just moments before, Kenneth had sensed a contract—a contract from Altrouge—with everything belonging to both parties as stakes, the loser to be controlled by the winner.

"Yes, it's already established. Let me see if you have the magnanimity to be my husband."

As the waiter brought her drinks, Altrouge, in a good mood, gracefully sat down. The winner takes all, the loser eats the dust. Having learned of Kenneth's power from the Black and White Knights, Altrouge wanted to take a gamble and bring the strong-willed Kenneth under her control. The thought of that achievement filled her with immense satisfaction.

"Well then, the game has already begun. How will you manage to impress me, Kenneth?"

Chapter 248 A Glimpse of Death

As Arcueid walked out of the restaurant, he still looked like he wanted to rush back and fight Arceus, like an old father taking his sulking child out. If Kenneth hadn't been strong enough, he really wouldn't have been able to control Arcueid, who was unaffected by his vampiric impulses.

"Ugh! Why are you stopping me? That wicked woman, I'm going to teach her a lesson this time!"

In terms of physical strength, Arcueid could easily overpower Arcruci, but given the current situation, Arcruci wouldn't even bother to fight Arcueid. The intellectual superiority of Arcueid was enough to make this idiot explode on the spot. Continuing would only result in him getting hit by a Moonfall. So Kenneth simply took Arcueid and left the restaurant.

"This isn't the place to fight. There will be another chance tonight, Arcueid, then you can teach her a lesson."

You have to go along with it, especially with a fool like Arcueid. Sure enough, upon hearing Kenneth's words, Arcueid glanced at the crowd on the street and immediately calmed down, waving his fist. Arcueid then pulled Kenneth towards another restaurant.

"It's all that guy's fault. He made me so angry that I'm hungry again. Let's go eat."

"Oh yes, yes, it's all Eltluch's fault, otherwise you would definitely be full."

Suppressing a laugh, Kenneth, who had already planned to let Arcueid eat her fill, went into the restaurant with the help of being dragged along. Just as passersby on the street were watching Kenneth and Arcueid, an unusual gaze made Kenneth alert. He turned around and saw that the passersby who had been watching Arcueid's childish behavior immediately looked away.

"Illusion?"

"What are you looking at? Is it that guy? Sniff, no, let's go, I want to eat something."

Arcueid, whose nose twitched but failed to catch Arceus's scent, dragged Kenneth straight into the restaurant. Shortly after Kenneth left, Tono Shiki, who emerged from behind a vending machine, clutched his chest with a trembling hand.

"That man, that man..."

His vision was filled with pulsating black lines. In terms of anomalies, Kenneth, who possessed the concept of Beast, was far superior to Arcueid. The blood of non-humans was restless, and Tono Shiki, driven by his chaotic consciousness, locked onto Kenneth.

In a corner of Misaki City, Nero Chaos burned the documents sent by the White Winged Lord, disbelieving everything recorded on them. Kenneth El-Melloi Archibald—that man had no connection whatsoever to the deceased Clock Tower Lord except for his name. If Nero Chaos hadn't been certain that the White Winged Lord wouldn't act recklessly, he would have truly felt that the other party was mocking him.

"Chaos...casting your gaze to such a distant place in the Far East, are you trying to save that snake?!"

Nero Chaos and Roya were good friends, a fact well-known among the Dead Apostles. Even though Roya had shed his blood, Flöf would not give Chaos any face when it came to Roya.

"My goal isn't him. Are you interested in hunting the last True Ancestor?"