"What exactly did I drink down..."
Jeanne [Alter], having recovered, clutched her throat.
"How could I..."
"It seems you didn't remember the taste."
Ian's hand rested on the girl's head.
"Then I have no choice but to make you recall it once more."
"Don't!" Jeanne [Alter] waved her hands. "No need! I already remember!"
"Do you really remember?"
"Really!" Jeanne [Alter] nodded repeatedly. "It was fishy, sticky, and burned my throat a little—"
"..."
"W-What is that expression of yours?"
While seriously recalling the taste she had experienced, Jeanne [Alter] saw the man's look of interest. The slightly raised corners of his mouth looked as if he was enjoying those very descriptions.
"Appreciation."
"For a witch, you are unexpectedly knowledgeable about such matters."
"Even though when you made the promise to me, you claimed it was your first time, yet your tongue was quite agile."
"You really do please me."
"I won't be happy even if you praise me like that..." Jeanne [Alter] clasped her hands behind her back, her face flushed red. "'Being good at licking that' isn't exactly a compliment."
"But you won't lose out."
Ian's hand rested on Jeanne [Alter]'s chest.
"What you swallowed is absolute hope."
"Let's go—"
"It is time to become the true Dragon Witch."
This was a completely altered Singularity. The Witch was no longer born for vengeance, but possessed a different meaning for survival. In that case—conquering it in reverse would suffice.
"Listen, Jeanne."
Ian held the girl, whispering the upcoming actions into her ear.
"Dragons are indeed powerful creatures."
"But if you want to utilize them, you must absolutely not show your own weakness."
"You mean, I have to be a bit fiercer?" Jeanne [Alter] answered thoughtfully. "Then I'll try."
The girl walked on her own, arriving before a giant dragon that had landed on the ground. She inhaled, lifting her chest. Jeanne [Alter] shouted as if using all her strength.
"Listen to me—"
"You stupid dragon!"
"..."
Not to mention the giant dragon, even Ian was stunned for a moment.
"Hey! Why is there no reaction at all!" Jeanne [Alter] pointed at the motionless dragon, becoming entirely anxious. "Didn't we agree that I would become stronger after eating that?!"
"You lied to me!"
"Your approach is wrong, my Lady Witch."
Ian walked to Jeanne [Alter]'s side.
The growth of [Slaanesh] was inherently a spiral of mutual benefit. While the Dragon Witch obtained power, she was also becoming the source of the man's power.
"Do it like this—"
The man extended his hand toward the giant dragon.
In just that instant, the giant dragon that had been eyeing Jeanne [Alter] with confusion immediately became obedient. It was in a state where it dared not even look directly at them, forming a sharp contrast to the girl's reaction just now.
"Come, try again."
Without giving Jeanne [Alter] a chance to refuse, Ian held the girl's slender waist, guiding one of her hands to reach forward.
Jeanne [Alter] was somewhat embarrassed, but after realizing the man didn't seem to have other intentions, she silently followed his rhythm. But just this contact made her instantly realize the gap between herself and him. The giant dragon was not cooperating; it was docile because it felt a threat.
That was right. Her understanding was wrong. For a creature so much stronger than humans, naturally, it would only assume a submissive attitude after witnessing an existence stronger than itself.
In that case—
Thump.
Thump.
The girl's heart was beating.
"Hey, since I helped you do that kind of thing, that means I can already represent you, right?"
"What are you going to do?"
Sensing the uncontrollable impulse in Jeanne [Alter]'s words, Ian knew she definitely had other intentions.
"If you make me drink that kind of thing, you have to give some repayment, right?"
"Otherwise—my throat suffered for nothing."
Turning sideways, Jeanne [Alter] took Ian's hand that was holding her waist. Chomp. She bit down directly.
This ambush-like scene did not make Ian feel astonished. On the contrary, he found himself getting excited. Because—this was the manifestation of Jeanne [Alter] getting the hang of it.
"Do you already know how to ask from me?"
"Of course." Jeanne [Alter] licked her lips. Having opened up her thinking, she no longer felt too many restraints. "If I can drink that kind of thing, naturally I can do this kind of thing too."
"Turning me into a weird witch, you have to take responsibility for it no matter what."
The girl gently wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth.
"Hey?"
"This time, you should listen to me, right?"
Unknown time later.
"Evil Dragon, devour my enemies!"
"..."
"Roar, my anger!"
"..."
"Vanish like foam, Reality Collapse!"
"Stop!"
Looking at Jeanne [Alter] saying one chuunibyou line after another in front of him, Ian felt the feeling he had developed for her just now had completely vanished.
"Do you... have to say such things?"
"Why not!" Jeanne [Alter] retorted with a blushing face. "A witch riding a dragon should say such cool lines, right?"
"Otherwise, what kind of witch am I!"
"But, is it really that unbearable?!" The girl pulled the corner of the man's clothes. "Clearly... I thought about them for a long time before saying them!"
"This—"
Looking at Jeanne [Alter] full of expectation yet afraid of being struck down, Ian pondered for a moment before answering.
"Perhaps, it would be much better if you emitted some fire while speaking."
"Like this?"
Jeanne [Alter] extended her hand forward.
"Roar, my anger!"
As she spoke, a ring of blazing fire appeared behind the girl—for a Caster, this was an easily accomplished feat.
"How about this?!"
"Much more pleasing to the eye."
"Alright then! I'll speak like this from now on!" Jeanne [Alter] said, looking as if small sparks could pop out from between her lips.
"...That's not really necessary."
"What!" The girl mumbled unhappily. "You say it's pleasing but won't let me use it."
"If you restrict me like this again—" Jeanne [Alter]'s eyes revealed a red glow, "Be careful next time, I'll scald you while licking that!"
"Ready for the next dedication so soon?"
"None of your business!"
Jeanne [Alter] hugged the gospel book that had already been wetted.
"Anyway, I like it."
Was it the temptation of [Slaanesh] that made her like this, or did she simply experience the power of [Indulgence]? Or something else?
Ian didn't know.
But looking at Jeanne [Alter] who was being patted on the head by him, only daring to blush and not make a fuss, he felt this wasn't something that needed deep investigation.
Having an obedient Caster is always simpler than fighting her.
But—
Dong.
Dong.
Melodious bell sounds came from afar.
Ian and Jeanne [Alter] looked at each other, knowing the other also heard the same sound. That was absolutely not a church bell. After all, that was where Jeanne [Alter] offered her loyalty.
But the mystery was soon answered.
Brilliant light flashed in the sky, and a languid voice echoed between the clouds.
"Judgment has already begun."
"Everyone, please embark on your journey of atonement and become witnesses—"
"The All-knowing Angel awaits you in Orleans."
________________________________________
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