RioRaRyu
patreon
Chapter 237: Conquering Oneself
🕑 Added 2025-06-02 12:02:45 +0000 UTC“Susanoo, do you really think the revival of mythology will change anything? I’ll make sure you return—not as sane person.”
Blake muttered coldly as the system notifications echoed in his mind.
Then, shifting his gaze downward, he focused on the stunned princess below. Without hesitation, he descended toward her.
“What should I do with you?”
Kneeling slightly, Blake lifted her delicate chin with his fingers, his voice calm yet carrying an unmistakable weight.
“I wasn’t particularly loyal to them,” the princess replied, her body tensing. “We were just allies of convenience.”
Blake’s crystal-blue eyes flickered with interest. During his battle with Susanoo, only the Priest had shown true devotion. The princess, in contrast, had been hesitant, even attempting to defuse the situation before things escalated.
With his sharp perception, Blake could sense that Princess wasn’t driven by ambition or blind loyalty.
“Consider yourself lucky, then.”
Without another word, he scooped her up effortlessly. A breeze swept over them, clearing away the dust from her torn garments, revealing glimpses of flawless skin.
“W-What are you doing?! This is unbecoming of a Campione!” she protested, flustered in his arms.
Blake smirked but remained composed. “Relax. I don’t take advantage of those I have no interest in.”
“Then why—”
Before she could finish, he placed a hand over her midsection, channeling a warm, golden energy into her wounds.
“…Why are you healing me?” she asked softly, her voice now devoid of its earlier resistance.
“You remind me of someone,” Blake answered, his tone unusually gentle. “Yuri.”
The name seemed to strike a chord with her. A moment later, she nodded slightly.
“All done.”
Blake withdrew his hand and stepped back.
Princess blinked in disbelief. The pain that had wracked her body was gone, replaced by a comforting warmth.
“…You’re letting me go?”
She hesitated before asking the question, her emotions now a tangled mess.
“When a mistake is made, a price must be paid,” Blake said casually. “From now on, you’re my personal maid. You’ll accompany me for meals, during my travels… even in my quarters.”
The words sent a deep blush across Princess’s cheeks. She opened her mouth to protest, but something in Blake’s expression told her he wasn’t entirely serious. Still, she found herself answering before she could think otherwise.
“…Understood, my lord.”
She bowed her head, her voice barely above a whisper.
Blake raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. He had been teasing her, but she had actually accepted.
“Ahem… Let’s put the past behind us. From today forward, your name is Hina.”
“…Hina.” She repeated the name softly, a strange warmth settling over her. “Thank you, Master, for granting me a new name.”
---
Ding!
Hidden System Task Completed: Acquired a Maid!
Reward: +200 Luck Points
Total Luck Points: 4,230
---
Blake’s lips twitched. He had just gained an elegant princess as a maid and earned system points? That was a win-win.
“Something wrong, Master?”
Hina had already settled into her new role, her voice carrying a newfound respect.
“…No, nothing.” He shook his head. “Let’s move on.”
With a wave of his hand, he withdrew Unlimited Blade Works, and the world around them shifted.
The Netherworld
The moment his feet touched the ground, a strange dizziness washed over him. A deep, ancient force stirred within the cursed air, calling to him.
Blake’s vision blurred, and he staggered slightly.
Hina’s eyes widened as she saw the cursed energy converging around him, forming dark, swirling winds.
“…Master?”
Before she could react, Blake collapsed.
Hina instinctively reached for him, but then she hesitated.
He had left himself completely vulnerable before her, trusting that she wouldn’t take advantage of the situation. That trust struck her harder than any of his previous words.
“Master… Maybe following you won’t be so bad after all.”
She sighed and sat beside him, choosing to watch over him instead of leaving.
Little did she know, Blake’s unconscious mind was already somewhere else.
---
Blake found himself in a familiar gray void.
A mischievous chuckle echoed through the emptiness.
In front of him stood a petite figure—twin-tailed, violet-haired, and smiling like a playful fox.
“My dear child, we meet again.” Pandora tilted her head. “I’m sure you’ve forgotten your mother already, haven’t you? How troublesome.”
Blake exhaled sharply. “Of course, it’s you again…”
She merely giggled in response, her golden eyes gleaming.
