Chapter 55 — Peach Blossom Spring (Part I)
The moment the Forbidden Queen Carlile uttered her spell,
the entire arena bloomed into five vast petals of soft pink peach blossoms.
A hazy, intoxicating fragrance spread outward.
Men below the stage leaned forward unconsciously,
as if drawn by an invisible thread, eager to glimpse the source of such allure.
Flamme reacted instantly.
She reached out and covered Frieren's eyes, gritting her teeth.
Frieren, plunged into darkness, tilted her head in confusion.
"Teacher Flamme?"
"Is there something… inappropriate about Elias's fight with Miss Carlile?"
"Frieren, stop talking!"
Normally composed, Flamme was uncharacteristically agitated.
Her eyes were glued to the arena, her expression tense.
Damn it…
Out of all the opponents,
why did Elias have to run into that woman?
The situation WAS bad.
Even Elias could now sense it—
the sweet, honeyed air heavy with seductive warmth.
High-level mental magic…
No.
He immediately dismissed the thought.
His Mind Lock Seal was nearly perfect—
no spiritual or psychic spell should be able to influence him.
And yet…
he did feel the presence of Carlile's charm.
Could this be an illusion?
Elias denied it at once.
The petals were under his feet—
their soft, delicate texture was real.
Illusions couldn't replicate such detail.
Then he noticed something.
The peach petals were quivering, trembling faintly as if preparing to fold inward.
Elias's lips curved.
So that's it.
A physical enchantment barrier.
He had lived thousands of years…
and this was the first time he'd encountered a technique like this.
He couldn't help but admire it—
modern human mages truly were… inventive.
Seeing the smile forming on his face, Carlile spoke bluntly:
"So, you've already figured it out.
And yet—you're not running?"
"Miss Carlile, your spell covers the entire arena.
If I step out now, it's the same as admitting defeat."
And that was true.
But in reality, the mage's pride had nothing to do with it.
As a demon, Elias could easily escape—
just fly dozens of meters into the sky and exit the barrier completely.
But doing that, in front of thousands of witnesses,
would be the same as publicly proclaiming:
I am not human. I am demon.
And why wasn't he attacking?
Because Elias still hadn't decided…
What manner of payback
would be most appropriate to "return her trick in kind."
A wicked thought flickered in his eyes.
Carlile's lips curled upward, her smile wicked and sultry.
"Fufu… so you're not unable to run—
you simply don't want to, hm?"
She let her gaze wander over Elias, openly appreciative.
"A small reminder, Elias…
you really do have a rather lovely face."
"Since you're willing…"
Her voice dipped like warm honey.
"Then enter my Peach Blossom Spring with me."
The moment the words fell—
Just as Elias expected—
The five massive peach petals snapped shut,
sealing the two of them inside a mysterious barrier.
To the crowd outside, the closed petals transformed into…
A giant, blushing pink peach sitting atop the arena.
And then the shouting began.
"Lucky bastard!! He joins a contest and gets to spend the night with the Queen herself?!"
"Damn it—if I'd known this was possible, I would've signed up too!"
"Tsk tsk… I wonder what's happening in there… makes the mind wander~"
Every word stabbed directly into Flamme's ears.
Her chest tightened in rage.
Elias… that idiot!
Why wasn't he resisting?!
Why did he willingly walk into the trap?!
Wasn't he supposed to be an emotionless demon?!
Why did he suddenly decide to get involved at a time like this?!
And that insane woman, Carlile—
Flamme remembered her all too clearly.
A mage with real talent…
yet she'd invested all of it into the most absurd skills possible.
In her early days in the Holy Capital,
she'd bewitched so many men that they practically lined up to die for her.
And because Serai valued her,
Flamme was forced to work with her more than once.
She remembered one particular job—
She and Carlile were tasked with catching a band of thieves.
Carlile, upon arrival, used a charm barrier and trapped seven grown men for three entire days.
When the barrier finally lifted,
the thieves staggered out with faces whiter than paper,
unable to stand straight.
They collapsed at Flamme's feet, crying:
"We'll never steal again! We swear!"
And Carlile, cigarette dangling lazily from her lips, simply said:
"Flamme, anything involving men…
just leave it to me."
---
While Flamme spiraled in panic, Frieren quietly slipped her hand away from the eyes.
The very next second, the white-haired elf gasped:
"Woah… is that a real peach?"
"It looks so pink and squishy… I bet it tastes great!"
"And that smell… mmm~"
"But teacher… what's wrong with you?"
Flamme ignored her entirely.
Her gaze was sharp, breath heavy, chest rising and falling.
Her entire focus was locked onto the giant peach.
Damn it, Elias…
You'd better hold on!
---
Inside the barrier, Elias stepped into the illusion.
The world around him shifted—
Ink-like black and white outlines flowed into place.
Color rushed in afterward, painting reality into existence.
Elias quietly surveyed the scenery.
He had to admit—
the woman called Carlile was talented.
To build an illusion this detailed required:
1. Enormous magical power.
2. Exceptional control.
3. The ability to probe a target's memories or mind
—to create a world they'd believe.
Elias lifted his gaze.
Before him stretched vast farmland.
He snorted softly.
Ah.
Because she couldn't read his mind,
she resorted to guessing his background.
A rural setting…
Did she take the insults from the old woman earlier literally?
Did she decide he was a farmer?
He couldn't help but chuckle.
Well… this might be amusing.
Let's see what tricks she has prepared.
Elias followed the dirt path forward.
Warm sunlight.
Cool breeze.
Real sensations.
Far too real for mere illusion.
Then—
A voice rose from one of the fields:
"That lazy good-for-nothing at home…
never bothers to help!"
Elias turned.
A country woman was bent over the soil, working diligently.
A simple headscarf.
A loose apron.
And beneath them—
a figure so voluptuous it defied logic.
The plain clothes and her dangerous curves clashed like fire and ice.
Elias watched quietly.
Custom-built setting.
Custom-built character.
This woman was truly going all-out with her "charm."
He had to admit—
her technique… was impressive.
This exaggerated contrast, though…
He didn't understand it personally.
But he imagined some people must find it appealing.
At some point, the rising sun suddenly shifted,
becoming a blazing noon sun overhead.
The village woman tipped her head back,
heat glistening on her body.
A bead of sweat traced her flushed cheek,
slid along her slender neck…
She turned toward Elias,
face red, breathing warm and heavy—
"Traveler…
do you have any water?"