Chapter 388: The Frustrated Demons Won’t Give Up

-----

"I would never betray the Hand of Inevitability. Just like you, my desire is to revive Mother," Crow said. "And I won’t rest until it is done. Willheim is dancing in the palm of my hand. There’s nothing to worry about, Nihil." Crow held his gaze as he spoke. He knew what Nihil was accusing him of, but he didn’t return to the excuse about his hand slipping. Instead, he spoke of their goal, giving Nihil something else to consider. Desire watched him, waiting to see if that would be enough.

"I hope so. I truly hope that is the truth, Crow." Nihil opened a black portal of pure void behind himself and began to walk away. He hadn’t said he believed him. Crow’s promise had ended the argument for now, but Nihil had made his doubts clear in front of everyone. Before stepping through, he looked back at them. "Continue your missions. Planting as many Conceptual Seeds as possible into the Planet’s Surface should be our priority. The next time he attempts to take over our Dungeons, we won’t let him escape."

That last remark left little room for excuses. None of them could claim they hadn’t heard it. Chatterer glanced toward Crow, but this time, he made no joke. Slob kept his arms folded, still looking annoyed. Whatever they thought of Crow’s explanation, Nihil wasn’t giving them a chance to discuss it with him. He had issued his orders and was already leaving.

"..." Crow remained silent as Nihil disappeared into his own Realm. He watched until Nihil was gone, then turned toward Desire. She was still close to him, with her tail wrapped around his body. He tried to step away, but she didn’t release him. "Move aside." He pushed Desire away.

"Hah? Is that how you treat me after I risked my life vouching for you, Crow?" Desire asked, grabbing him by his clothes and pulling him back toward her. Her grip tightened before he could move away again. She had stood beside him while Nihil questioned his loyalty, and now he was treating her like she had only gotten in his way. That annoyed her more than his refusal to go with her.

Crow looked down at her hand, then back at her face. He didn’t try to pull free this time. Desire held on, making sure he stayed close enough to hear her. Nihil was gone, but that didn’t mean his suspicions had gone with him. She glanced toward where his portal had been before looking back at Crow. "Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Nihil’s patience has limits. Do this again, and he won’t forgive you."

Hearing Desire’s words, Crow narrowed his eyes. They gleamed briefly as his aura surged, and he steeled his resolve. He glanced toward the place where Nihil had disappeared. Desire was right about his patience. Crow had seen how long Nihil had stared at him, and he couldn’t count on another explanation being enough.

He let his aura settle before looking back at her. Chatterer and Slob were still there, listening. Whatever he said next would reach more than Desire’s ears, and he had already said enough to give them something to question.

This had been a one-time exception. It couldn’t happen again. He didn’t want to risk making Nihil see him as an enemy rather than a valuable ally. Helping Riven had already drawn too much attention. The others had watched him fight, and now they would have a reason to watch even more closely.

He couldn’t undo the strike that had sent Riven through the portal. Trying to explain it again would only bring them back to the same questions. He had to leave it alone and make sure his next actions gave Nihil no reason to interfere.

That would ruin all his future plans, after all.

"...It won’t happen again," Crow said with a determined expression. "Riven... my brother, he’s smart." He smiled. "The next time we meet, it will be different." He had given Riven a chance to escape.

What his brother did with that chance was up to him now. Crow couldn’t stay here thinking about it while the others waited for him to make another mistake. Still, he remembered Riven meeting his blade instead of trying to avoid it. His brother had kept fighting when every way out seemed blocked. Crow wanted to see what he would do next, once he had time to understand what had happened to him.

"Hah? Well, I hope so," Desire sighed, shaking her head. She followed his glance toward the others, then brought his attention back to her. Nihil had left, but she hadn’t forgotten why she was standing beside Crow. He could worry about his brother later. Right now, she expected him to acknowledge what she had done for him.

"Now come with me. Did you think I’d let you go? You owe me now... And I want you to repay me with your body, your flesh..." She leaned closer. "I want you."

"That will have to wait, seductress," Crow said, easing her back to give himself room. "I must go. Chatterer, Slob. See you later." He turned away before she could grab his clothes again. He had heard her warning, but that didn’t mean he intended to stay. There were still things he needed to do. Desire started to follow his movement, clearly expecting him to stop for her. Crow didn’t turn back. He addressed the other two instead, giving her no answer beyond the one he had already offered.

"Hm! Yeah, bye~!" Chatterer waved with the same smile he always wore, then chuckled. He looked from Crow to Desire, watching the exchange as if it amused him. Whatever he thought about Riven’s escape, he kept it to himself now. He seemed content to let Desire deal with being turned down.

"Bring me something to eat..." Slob groaned. He sounded more concerned about that than about Crow leaving. Riven was gone, and there was nothing left for him to do here. He looked at Crow as if waiting for a promise, but Crow was already preparing to leave. Slob frowned and let his arms drop.

-----