Chapter 57

I hadn’t meant to—but in the end, I’d tamed Lycian without him even knowing.

I had infringed on his free will.

‘So… I should come clean. Right here.’

It was the choice that deceived him the least.

‘And the only way I’ll ever feel at ease.’

If I left things as they were, this discomfort would keep gnawing at me.

So… even if, in the worst-case scenario, this ruined whatever we had—

‘That’s on me.’

…I couldn’t keep lying to him forever.

A dull ache throbbed beneath my ribs. I clenched my fist and pressed it hard against my chest.

Then I drew in a slow breath, lifted my head, and met Lycian’s eyes.

“There’s… something I can do. An ability.”

Lycian answered as if it were nothing.

“You have more than one or two abilities, Muriel.”

“That’s… true. But this one is special. In a lot of ways.”

I hesitated, then let out a long breath.

Steeling myself, I forced the words out.

“It’s the ability to tame animals, humans—every race there is. To make them follow me.”

My fingers tightened in my clasped hand. I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze as I continued.

“…You were tamed by me, too.”

“…Hm?”

“The day we first met. You were in such bad shape—I used my power to heal you, and…”

I explained what had happened that day as simply as I could, choosing words Lycian would understand.

Concepts like systems and skills would only confuse him.

“…That’s how it happened.”

After confessing everything, I bowed my head and squeezed my eyes shut.

I was afraid to see his face.

My voice had been trembling the entire time. Which meant I cared far more than I’d thought—

I must have cherished him more than I realized.

“……”

Silence stretched on. Just as the heavy air began to suffocate me, Lycian finally spoke.

“I see….”

“……”

“No wonder. There were times I felt as if I were being ruled by some inexplicable force.”

His tone was ordinary. Too ordinary. I couldn’t read a single emotion in it.

I wanted to lift my head and check his expression.

At the same time, I wanted to run.

If Lycian asked me to free him from the Husbandry skill… I would find a way. No matter what it took.

And if, once freed, he chose to leave my side completely—

‘Then I’d have to let him go….’

The thought made my eyes burn.

I felt pathetic, on the verge of tears. I bit down hard on my lip, forcing them back.

Excuses and apologies swirled through my head. I grabbed onto one, about to choke it out—

“I’m so—”

“Yes, that power you wielded over me, Muriel… it felt wonderful.”

“…?”

The unexpected—utterly bizarre—words made my eyes fly open.

…What did he just say?

I stammered, hardly believing it.

“W‑Wonderful?”

“Yes. That feeling of completely submitting to you.”

“…?”

Had he lost his mind?

Then again, Lycian had never been entirely sane to begin with.

No, but still!

“That felt good? It suppressed your will. It forced you!”

Shouldn’t he be angry?

“But… it was you, Muriel.”

He tilted his head, as if he genuinely didn’t understand my confusion.

I understood even less.

“I know you have feelings for me… but free will matters, doesn’t it? You’re not some beast—you’re human—”

His expression shifted at that.

And only a few seconds later did it hit me.

Right. He’s not human!

‘He looks human, so I keep forgetting!’

“Muriel… there’s something I need to make clear.”

“Y‑Yeah?”

His voice dropped, suddenly serious. I nodded automatically.

‘Is he finally going to reveal what he is?’

But what came out was entirely unexpected.

“You think I merely ‘like’ you?”

“…?”

I blinked at him, utterly clueless. Lycian looked wounded.

“Do you really think it’s only that?”

“What else would it be…?”

The question had barely left my mouth when—

The system cut in, as if it had been waiting for this exact moment.

Why is it meddling now?

I shot the status window a glare—but my finger was already pressing the button.

I’d been curious.

For some time now, I hadn’t received any notifications about Lycian’s affection level.

‘I was too scared to check, so I kept avoiding it….’

Of course. Of all days.

A pop-up appeared. I narrowed my eyes.

And then I saw it.

“…?”

A sideways eight?

…No.

I wasn’t an idiot.

That was—

‘The infinity symbol…!!’

How is his affection level ∞?

Is that even possible? Is the system broken?

‘Hey! System! Get it together! Since when does anyone have infinite affection?!’

The system offered no feedback.

Which meant… it was correct.

Infinite.

Infinite…?

Is this real…?

“Muriel, don’t you think the word ‘liking’ is far too flat to contain something so deep and complicated?”

Yes. I do. Absolutely.

After seeing that number? I definitely do.

‘If it’s infinite, that’s not liking anymore! What is this?!’

And his heart icon was pitch black….

Why is it black? That’s terrifying….

Somewhere along the way, the Husbandry skill—and the guilt attached to it—evaporated from my mind.

That wasn’t the problem right now…!

What I needed in this moment was a sanity check!

I edged away from Lycian, stammering.

“W‑What do you even think of me?”

“What do I think…?”

He closed the distance like a predator stalking its prey, a faintly chilling smile curving his lips.

“I often think it would be nice if I could swallow you whole and keep you inside me.”

“Kyaaa!”

I jumped and shrieked.

‘He’s insane after all!’

No—wait.

Could this all be because of the Husbandry skill?

Pressing myself flat against the wall, I spoke carefully.

“About you being tamed by me… I’ll look for a way to undo it.”

“Undo it? Why bother?”

“What if that’s why you’re not in your right mind…!”

“No. I’ve always been this crazy.”

“Y‑Your self-awareness is impressive!”

“Of course.”

At some point, Lycian had moved right in front of me.

The atmosphere felt like I was seconds away from being devoured.

Alarm bells blared in my head.

Watching me tremble like a cornered rabbit, Lycian smiled faintly.

“Muriel. You can just command me to move away.”

“Huh…?”

“Like you did before.”

“…Oh.”

‘Right….’

The Husbandry skill had that effect.

‘Both of you, stop it! Attention!’

[‘Sacred Shepherd’ effect activated! (9.8% chance)}

Target obeys your command.]

That.

I’d forgotten about it since I’d never had a reason to use it on Lycian.

Unlike our suspicious first meeting, the more I got to know him, the more he seemed… genuinely kind.

I glanced at him and muttered,

“You remembered that….”

“Mm. It felt good.”

“……”

Correction. He’s kind—but he’s also a lunatic. And a pervert.

I let out a long sigh and pressed my fingers to my forehead.

A headache was starting to bloom.

“I can’t use that on you again. Like I said… I tamed you without your consent….”

“And if you don’t tell me to step back? Do you know what I might do, standing this close?”

“Wh—”

My lips parted uselessly before I managed to ask,

“W‑What would you do?”

The smile on Lycian’s lips deepened.

His hand slid up, gently cupping my chin.

A strange pressure settled over me. I froze, eyes wide.

Gazing down at me with warm eyes, Lycian murmured meaningfully,

“Why don’t you guess what I’d do?”