Conclusion: I'm a Heartbreaker (Continued)

This could perhaps be called extraordinary charm. It's proof of being an extraordinary being, no longer needing to adapt to the world, but rather being adapted to by it. There isn't a huge fundamental difference between this and spending time together and developing feelings over time. She therefore accepted this kind of relationship.

—The person I like also likes me. So why should I run away?

—Isn't it my duty to take responsibility and bring them happiness, love, and meticulous care?

Miss Surtr thought to herself. She agreed with her own beliefs, but she also knew that Kal'tsit was different.

—She is resisting.

—Perhaps she's resisting me, or perhaps she's resisting my Dao Corruption... Her attitude in Terra is so vastly different from her attitude in Lordran. And the most obvious variable between the two, besides my injuries, is the body she used in Lordran.

Kal'tsit's body in Terra is different from her body in Lordran —or rather, she didn't have a physical body in Lordran but controlled Spirit-like Entity similar to a physical body—she arrived in Lordran purely spiritually. This explains a lot.

—In Terra, Kal'tsit's body exhibits distinct peculiarities. When she kissed me, her heartbeat didn't quicken, and her pulse remained unchanged. This was the main reason I chose to activate the Flame of Burning Time at that time... I didn't understand why then. But now I have my judgment.

Her body was resisting me; it was influencing her will to keep her distance. I didn't understand if this was because of her unique constitution, refusing to change and thus acquiring resistance to the Dao Corrosion Phenomenon. However, I was certain that at least part of the reason was that there was already a distance between us.

Miss Surtr narrowed her eyes slightly; she still had many questions about the principles and mechanisms of the Dao Corrosion Phenomenon. But Kal'tsit was a unique case, someone who both internalized the erosion and resisted it with her body.

—I am a greedy person, but I also have principles.

—I want both heart and body. But if I can't have them, I won't force it.

I want to make her laugh, and I also want to possess her. But between the two, my wish for her happiness outweighs my desire to possess her.

—So I drove her away... Without a physical body, the effects of the Dao Corrosion Phenomenon or other factors on her would be far too severe. Since she was unwilling, I should give her the time and space to think freely. Now, her physical body in Terra cannot interfere with her, and my influence on her should have faded to its lowest point with that slap... Let her decide for herself what she wants to become. Whether she stays away from me and becomes a stranger, or makes the same choice after facing her feelings, I can accept the outcome.

She pursed her lips and exhaled softly. It was hard to say whose heart ached more after that slap. But since she was the one who struck, she should accept the consequences or retaliation that followed.

—But is my heart really aching?

—Ah, it does hurt. I do have feelings for her, and I do have a possessive and controlling desire. It's hard to say how much of it there is. But if her decision doesn't change, then I have to take responsibility and try my best to bring her joy and happiness.

—Hmm, but with this, I'll have a lot of people to take care of... isn't that a bit too many?

She tilted her head, and a multitude of names and corresponding pretty faces flashed through her mind. Leaving aside those in the dream world, just in Terra... it seemed like there were more than a dozen.

So... do we need to make a choice?

No way.

—Only children, no, only herbivorous men, make choices. I want it all! It's just time management, right? Anyway, I've learned how to multitask now. I'm confident I can shoulder these responsibilities, these loves. So what if I'm a jerk? I'm confident I can make everyone around me happy.

--and...

A fleeting, whimsical thought crossed her mind. She suddenly recalled the excessively large bed, five meters long and wide, in the bedroom Persephone had designed for her— Persephone's intentions were obvious. And since she could handle Persephone, she could handle others sooner or later. So one day...

—I can take them all at once. Make them make shy sounds, trembling as they try to hide their trembling, yet I still tease and play with them in all sorts of ways... Damn, in my past life I was just a proper office worker and otaku. Although I did do a lot of harem-style eroge, this is too strange... It's kind of exciting to think about, but am I really that thirsty?

She tilted her head to one side, seemingly concluding in the affirmative—she knew she could control herself, but she also didn't reject pleasure. After all, she'd always dreamed of getting close to cute girls, and now that she could actually do it, why keep just talking about it?

Thus, she came to a conclusion—a conclusion to which she had conceived and envisioned so much, and which she intended to put into action, without the slightest fear or hesitation.

"As expected, I'm a terrible woman." Miss Surtr nodded with self-awareness.

—But even though I might be a jerk, I should still hold onto certain principles when it comes to relationships... There will always be someone I can't give up on. There will always be someone for whom I'm willing to change, not just to take responsibility... But who is that?

I racked my brains and searched every possible avenue.

Miss Surtr, however, couldn't reach a conclusion—she was indeed willing to take responsibility for every love she had. She was also capable of remaining calm when the other person chose to give up. But if she had to find one she absolutely couldn't let go of...

The girl's fingertips unconsciously touched the spiraling sword.

She felt as if her hand had been struck by lightning.

—Laevateinn?

—But Laevateinn is just a sword...wait!

She suddenly thought of the final battles in the world of God Slayer, and the words Simora spoke before her departure after Surtr's death... The Goddess who possessed the Staff of Calamity addressed Laevateinn as "the beautiful young lady who is about to gain physical form." And Laevateinn did indeed have an unprecedentedly violent reaction upon hearing those words, as if she were about to explode!

She even thought about the occasional illusion she had that Laevateinn was talking to her.

That...

Her heart suddenly pounded violently, and she almost couldn't resist opening the door and returning to Terra. She finally realized what she valued most, what she was willing to give up everything for. And the Coiled Sword hovering beside her, at that moment, became incredibly obstructive!

Why use a physical sword? It's just for cutting people; why not just make one yourself with fire?

My immediate concern is whether Laevateinn will have any objections to my drastic change when I return!

What if it, what if she...

Miss Surtr pressed her hand to her chest to keep calm. She breathed deeply, not caring whether she maintained her composure or not.

—Laevateinn wouldn't care... If she did care, she would have shown her displeasure the first time I slept with Persephone.

—Laevateinn only cares about swords, only about weapons like hers... Hmm, so she doesn't consider any humanoid beings other than me as worthy of her attention? That should... be it.

She swallowed hard. She had reached a conclusion, but it didn't give her any confidence. She suddenly felt she'd better tone down her romantic relationships. She could forgive those she'd already agreed to take responsibility for. But adding new potential partners was still somewhat inappropriate...

There is only one thing in this world that an individual can 'check'.

So Miss Surtr stopped thinking.

She saw the Fire Keeper beside her, looking at her with a somewhat confused expression. Perhaps her own inexplicable reaction had been too surprising, causing the Fire Keeper to hesitate before speaking.

"Miss, what you just did..."

"Nothing. Just thinking about some things." Miss Surtr waved her hand, calming her heartbeat, and reached out to touch the Fire Keeper's cheek.

She breathed a sigh of relief after feeling the woman's body temperature.

"First, get the things planned out. And..."

She glanced at the Coiled Sword.

"Hold this Coiled Sword for me, Fire Keeper," she said. "From now on, you'll be carrying this sword."

After saying that, she turned around and walked towards where Lian was.

Be prepared to face any backstabbing tomorrow.

By the way, this article is intended to be a "feel-good" read. If there's any flaw, I think it's that the recent content hasn't been as satisfying.

So I deleted the book review posted by that guy who was looking for in-depth analysis. It's not that I don't want people to speak. It's just that I felt his criticisms were completely off-target, and I didn't want to mislead other viewers.