Faust spoke plainly, "It is not as if there will be no more opportunities in the future. I believe that with our joint efforts, such chances and achievements will be well within our reach!"
He had only been under contract with Mephistopheles for a short while, yet he had already achieved things he would have found difficult to even imagine in a previous lifetime. While this certainly involved the prince's own personal struggles, it would have been impossible without the fairy's guidance.
【Mm... My dear Faust, it truly moves me that you think this way. How filial of you. Since you do not intend to convert the marks back into path experience, then after you wake up, just burn them for me in a sacrificial ritual.】
Are you secretly taking advantage of me?
Talking with Mephistopheles was truly like that; one moment it would be sweet words like a lover's, and the next it would be mutual sarcasm like old friends, with a seamless transition between the two.
However, since the atmosphere was so pleasant, he pretended not to hear the remark.
"By absorbing these marks, how much will the progress of shaping your dragon body increase?"
【It would still be quite a bit short, but I have not tried it yet. I will only know for sure after you perform the sacrifice, though it should be roughly around one-tenth.】
One-tenth, huh? That was more than he had imagined.
While Faust and Mephistopheles were discussing the great undertaking of the dragonfall, Viviana's narration had basically come to an end.
After listening to the pale-blonde girl's account of the prince's "radiant" feats, the beautiful girl with long black hair had gone from listening with interest to a state of numb indifference.
Selena brushed back her hair, letting the smooth dark strands flow through her fingers as she spoke.
"No matter how you look at it, this is far too exaggerated. Although I lack experience, I still possess some common sense. Even for those on a path specializing in physical tempering, it is impossible to reach the level you described."
The Princess of Midwinter crossed her arms and smiled.
"To create an excuse for Faust's philandering, you've gone so far as to fabricate such a ridiculous level of greed? You've certainly put a lot of effort into this."
Faced with this bit of regional discrimination, Viviana's brow furrowed slightly as she replied.
"I see. So you do not believe it... then why do you not try it for yourself?"
"Try? What do you mean by—wait! What are you doing?!"
Selena let out a rare cry of panic, rebuking Viviana.
"You... you... what kind of indecent thing are you doing right in front of me?!"
"Indecent? Hehe, Princess of Midwinter, I do not believe this is indecent at all. The longing and love accumulated in my heart have already become uncontrollable. How could someone like you, who has never shared intimacy with the prince, possibly understand?"
Viviana's tone had changed significantly. Faust guessed that 【Cinderella】 had taken over, and once 【Cinderella】 was online, it meant the pale-blonde girl had begun to suppress herself again.
Since she was suppressing herself, she needed relief; she needed to feed.
"Never... who says never? It is just... there hasn't been enough time yet..."
Selena lacked confidence. She had actually spent quite a long time alone with Faust. If it hadn't been for her desire to play games of wit with him, why would she still be waiting to claim him now?
And now, she had to watch with her own eyes as another woman partook!
Selena was so angry she was nearly ready to seclude herself, but her dignity wouldn't allow her to step in and stop it. She could only cross her arms and glare with a very, very nasty look at Cinderella.
Seeing this, the pale-blonde girl shifted slightly to make some room.
"There is no need to be so jealous. If you wish, you can join in."
Selena asked, "What do you mean? Don't tell me you are willing to let go?"
"I have never been a jealous person; I simply do not like sharing with just anyone."
"But because you are also a woman of destiny chosen by the prince, coupled with our friendship from fighting side-by-side, I can make an exception and let you join."
Cinderella smiled.
"His vitality is abundant; feel free to share in it."
Good grief, now there's even a segment where they are being generous with someone else's assets.
Selena remained silent for a moment. Faust could feel her gaze scanning him repeatedly as she engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
"Faust... he won't wake up, will he?"
"No one understands the prince better than I do. This body is in a completely dormant state; he won't be waking up today, at the very least."
As if finding a reason to convince herself, Selena spoke in a slightly trembling voice.
"This isn't sneaking a taste... there would be a day for this sooner or later anyway. I am merely inspecting my fiancé ahead of time. Hey, you, Viviana, this is a secret between us. If you dare speak a word of this, you're dead."
Cinderella replied, "Of course. After all, this is my secret too. Before this, I had already snuck into the prince's room at night to share his presence, and I was never discovered."
Huh? Something like that actually happened?! No wonder my sleep quality was exceptionally high for a while!
Faust felt like he had heard something quite incredible.
Seeing this, Mephistopheles was nearly unable to hold back its laughter.
【Wow, a slumber-snatching!】
Ah, witches. Ah, flaunting their suppression.
The immobile Faust could only sigh inwardly. Even with his greed, he was able to control his desires at will, but it seemed 【witches】 had no idea how to suppress their urges.
As long as it was something they wanted, they would use any means necessary to obtain it with relentless persistence. The most terrifying part was that they inevitably succeeded.
The only saving grace was that a 【witch's】 greatest desires were always related to love. As long as their pursuit of romantic happiness was satisfied, a 【witch】 was harmless. From that perspective, they didn't seem quite so fearsome.
But whatever, the 【witches】 were his primary patrons; they could play however they liked. Regardless, this was part of his duty.
Faced with a Faust who allowed them to do as they pleased, the two heavily suppressed 【witches】 simply could not help themselves.
When he slowly opened his eyes, the first things that came into view were the two 【witches】 who had been "caring" for him by his bedside for a long time.
Viviana was still as dreamily beautiful as ever. Even without makeup or fine clothing, she still looked like someone who had stepped out of a poem or a painting, appearing on a completely different level from her surroundings.
And on her flawless, delicate face lingered a satiated smile, as if she had just enjoyed a full feast.
"Your Highness, you've finally awakened."
"Mhm..."
Faust sat up and asked, "How long was I unconscious?"
"About a day and a night. During the time you were lying here, we looked after you without ever leaving your side."
It was Selena who spoke. The Princess of Midwinter wore a stylish and exquisite white blouse paired with a black pleated skirt, her figure elegant and slender. The girl gathered her cascading black hair, trying her best to reveal that exquisite face capable of piercing human rationality.
"I have never had the experience of caring for others before. You are the first, and perhaps the only one. Be honored."
".........."
Caring for me? You certainly were caring.
If you two hadn't been acting recklessly with this unconscious and injured patient forty minutes ago, those words would have been a lot more convincing.
Rate on N.U.
