“Wait, is this really a proposal…?!”
Is the Guardian of the First Floor actually real?! (X)
And now, the Divine Power of the World Tree?! (X)
“?”
What’s going on? Something feels off.
I slowly retraced my memories. And I realized.
The contents of the Eve Translation Device had changed from what was actually said…!
“Gasp!”
Could it be that I have finally lost my mind? As I trembled in fear.
Suddenly, I found myself in spectator mode, watching Lemon and Apple munching on fried peas from a distance.
Seeing their reactions made me realize. I hadn’t misheard anything.
“Uh, um, Eve? What does that mean…?”
“…Oh? What kind of face is that for such a trivial matter?”
If I don’t want to be silenced, I should pretend I don’t know (X)
I’m done for! Please just pretend you didn’t hear! (O)
“……”
Before I knew it, Eve was looking at me with her usual suspicious smile, tilting her head with half-closed eyes.
So relaxed that I almost pondered whether I had just seen or heard some nonsense moments ago.
But then I caught sight of the red juice-soaked dagger rolling on the floor, and I realized.
It’s all true. And the Eve Translation Device might never have broken down.
Sitting on the sofa, with one leg crossed, I gave a sly grin.
“Eve.”
“Just a moment. Let me clean up the Mandragora first, so please wait…”
“You just said something about a proposal, right?”
“…I don’t quite understand what you mean.”
Though her smile lifted, Eve’s eyes held no mirth as she spoke.
Her narrowed eyes, the gap created by her rank, and the charisma from her experience as a queen combined to create a significant pressure.
It was an instinctive warning that if I stepped closer, something bad would happen.
The sensation was more than a chill running down my spine; it felt like ice was poured over it…
But I know Eve well.
Like Ellie, Eve is also my creation. I perfectly understand that this current atmosphere is nothing but bluster.
So, instead of shaking in fear or taking a step back, I put my mind to work.
Inferring truths from fragmented information is the territory of detectives, but… spinning amusing tales from trivial material is the writer’s domain, isn’t it?
The ongoing Basilieus, the wish I promised instead of the payment for dagger crafting, the peculiar attitudes of Lemon and Apple following the power manifestation, the proposal remark, the translation device being correct, and the bravado.
All these made for perfect bait to poke Eve.
“Let’s see… Speaking of which, I made a promise to you, Eve. That I would use this power just once for your sake.”
I tapped the ash tree crown on my head, saying just that. Maintaining my calm demeanor, Eve tilted her head as if in confusion.
“Yes, that’s true. It was a bit bewildering, but I chose to believe in Jonah’s potential and invested in you. And look, you’ve shown results so quickly.”
Where should I use it for good publicity? (X)
Looks like I’m getting to play as the usurper and former queen! (O)
Seeing Eve’s true feelings made me smile. Indeed, she must have been quite lonely all this time.
Eve’s set background regarding relationships has only one aspect: ‘Maiden.’
In other words, the fact that Eve is a maiden does not change. The Unicorn Horn reacted the most strongly, after all.
It goes without saying that by ‘maiden,’ we’re not just talking about the presence or absence of a hymen; it means she has never harbored feelings for any man and hasn’t engaged in even remotely lewd activities.
But how on earth can a person live for nearly a millennium completely isolated from interactions with the opposite sex?
It’s truly nonsensical, but… what if that actually happened? The answer is right before my eyes.
Eve Nirvana Yggdrasil.
I have no idea why she has lived as a maiden for a thousand years in this world turned upside down in gender.
However, if I imagine having to live in my youthful body while being a virgin for an extraordinarily long time, I can easily guess Eve’s feelings.
In the meantime, what must Eve be thinking with the one-time wish I promised?
“Well then, Eve, what do you intend to do with the one-time usage of the World Tree’s power I promised? A proposal? Don’t tell me… are you passing on the rare opportunity to marry me?”
“…What do you mean by proposal all of a sudden?”
Go ahead and say something. If you can keep that head on your shoulders, then (X)
Can we please talk about something else? (O)
From her reaction, I feel like I’ve got the right idea. Another topic? Absolutely not.
Eve put on an overly calm smile. I returned her gaze with an even more intense smile, shrugging my shoulders.
“I clearly heard that. Are you planning to pretend you don’t know? Oh, just to be clear, my promise is strictly to use the World Tree’s power for your benefit, so I’m not simply obeying whatever you say,”
Eve flinched at my nonchalant stance. Then, in front of her, I deliberately activated the power of Basilieus.
Vroom—
The ash tree crown drained all remaining Divine Power. Simultaneously, the plants in the pots scattered throughout the shop began to grow rapidly.
Tendrils enveloping the area around the sofa I was sitting on. As the greenery grew meaningfully, Eve gulped.
I smiled slyly at her. If the translation device’s content is true, then what a simple opponent she is.
“The first thing that comes to your mind is a proposal… Have you been looking at me in that way all along, Eve?”
“Well, I’m not really sure about that….”
How dare you judge me, you little brat (X)
You totally got caught! (O)
Eve wore a devilishly composed smile on the outside. But I believe. Right now, Eve is feeling fidgety because she’s been caught!
Normally, I would back off at this point, but today, I decided to push deeper instead.
I reclined against the armrest of the sofa, lying sideways.
The hem of my clothing naturally climbed up. Between my unkempt breaths and the gap of my clothes, my collarbone was revealed.
Imagining her small frame paired with an unexpected air of decadence, I ensured every gesture was deliberate.
The moment Eve’s delicate eyes focused on me, I quietly asked her again in a gentle voice.
“Oh dear. You don’t have to hide, you know? We’re partners, after all. …Sharing this sort of thing is part of our relationship, right?”
With that, I began to play with the Unicorn Dagger at my waist.
That’s not to say I’d draw the sword at any moment. My fingers were repeatedly grazing it, trying to make it shimmer and glow with a bright light.
Even though it’s still sheathed, the reaction is so fierce that anyone focused would realize. At the very least, they would understand the dagger is responding to me.
In other words, I’m still making a case for my virginity.
If it was the shock of “Wow! A virgin!” that delighted Eve before, I’m sure a reaction would come this time too…!
Gulp.
As expected.
Eve swallowed hard, her expression not changing a bit. While her narrow eyes made it hard to notice, she was clearly scanning me with her gaze.
It seems my years of experience haven’t been in vain; though her mouth was shut, it was often getting out of hand.
“Jonah? I hate to say this, but doesn’t that seem a bit rude? To suddenly barge in and back me into a corner like this…?”
That’s enough of your nonsense (X)
Wow, what a figure! (O)
“How am I pushing you? If you say so, it makes me sound like the bad guy. I’m just curious. I want to know what it is you desire from me, Eve. …And what the Divine Power of the World Tree signifies for elves.”
I shot a quick glance at Lemon and Apple, who had been just watching from afar. At the same time, delicate vines wrapped around her wrists and ankles.
Some of the plants surrounding me, which I had consistently grown with the power of Basilieus, reached the sofa where I was seated.
For me, who had authority over most of the plants around here, it felt similar to crossing my arms, but… to anyone else, it might look like she was being entangled by tentacles.
Maintaining a faint smile, I quietly gazed at Eve.
Eve, too, stopped her chatter and stared down at me.
…Well, while her gaze may be a bit lewd, I took my time to enjoy her fuller bosom, which is atypical for an elf, so it’s even.
We stayed in a standoff for a while without a word, but ultimately, it was Eve who moved first.
She lifted her arms in a surrendering gesture, letting out a long sigh.
“I suppose there’s no avoiding it. If you insist on hearing it, then I can’t hold back.”
Now that there’s no turning back, prepare yourself (X)
I wanted to grow this more and devour it later, but it seems I won’t get that chance (O)
I was momentarily taken aback by Eve’s brazen honesty, but she opened her closed eyes wide.
Between her parted eyelids was a hauntingly beautiful green iris.
With her eyes activated by truth, Eve spoke in an eerily calm voice.
“This may be unfamiliar to you, Jonah. This story dates back to long ago, just after the end of the Divine War…”
“Yes, yes, it’s the story from when you were queen, right?”
“……?”
Eve, caught off guard, froze as if I had hit the pause button on her.
Right, this was supposed to be a secret for now, wasn’t it?
