Extra 17: Dekan's Advice

The Lord's Mansion's carriage slowly drove into the Lord's Mansion, the steady sound of its wheels echoing in the night.

The lights in the spacious courtyard punctuated the darkness, like lonely stars adorning the vast night sky.

As you pass through the ornate iron gate at the entrance, the sentries on night duty stand solemnly on both sides of the gate, their upright postures like sculptures, as if watching over every detail of the carriage.

The car drove along the gravel garden road and finally stopped in front of a magnificent mansion, with stone pillars and carved niches on both sides decorated with exquisite floral patterns.

Soon, Dekan and Cornelia led Zestera out of the car.

Even though Zestera half asleep, she was stunned by the magnificent mansion.

She had never seen such a grand nobleman's home before.

"Zestera, go to sleep now, I'll take you out to play tomorrow."

Dekan crouched down, looked at her, and said softly.

"Okay, goodnight Dekan, goodnight Cornelia..."

Already feeling sleepy, Zestera drooped her eyelids and nodded dizzily.

Dekan then asked the old butler to take Zestera the bedroom to rest.

Next, the steward of the Lord's Mansion led Dekan and Cornelia to the second floor of the Lord's Mansion.

After the steward respectfully opened the door, he saw that the walls of the study were covered with a series of valuable oil paintings, the floor was covered with a thick red carpet, and the long table was piled with thick documents and books.

The room's light cast flickering shadows, illuminating Croix's face as she sat at her desk, outlining her deep features.

Now, Croix is sitting in his office, carefully reviewing papers with a pen in hand, looking worried and tired.

He looks just like Lunn back in the day.

However, when he saw Dekan and Cornelia arrive, his brow seemed to relax a bit, and he put down his official duties.

"You're here."

"Do you miss us too much?"

Dekan picked up the documents on Croix's desk and glanced at them, then he and Cornelia leisurely sat down on the sofa in the study, smiling and spreading their hands as they asked.

He roughly knows what Croix is going through all day.

If he weren't so busy with official duties, he would soon be cornered by Judith, Miss Xueliya, and Miss Claire.

While escaping is shameful, it does have some effect.

"Indeed... I feel like only you can help me now..."

Croix turned off the lamp on the table and, looking exhausted, walked over and sat down on the sofa opposite Dekan and Cornelia.

At times like these, even though Croix knew that Dekan wasn't always so reliable.

But Croix couldn't help feeling that Dekan would always be his true friend.

When I was most confused, it was the confident and determined Dekan who helped me.

Dekan leaned back on the sofa and shook his head helplessly.

He originally had the idea of running away.

Unfortunately Cornelia wouldn't allow him to be willful.

But.

Since Da Zhan has said it's nothing...

There shouldn't be any problem.

You are free to improvise without worrying about misleading Croix.

Do you know what your biggest problem is?

Dekan sighed and asked.

"What?"

"I can't understand it, "Croix asked, puzzled.

"Just like when Lunn was in the borderlands, it was unrealistic to save everyone, but he still managed to create an extremely high standard of Underworld quest conditions for [Throne of Wind, Snow, and Thorns]."

The mission they encountered on the snow-covered northern border of the Holy Kingdom was essentially based on Lunn's wishes, and was also the same dilemma faced by Delois and Morpheus back then.

Ultimately, if the Holy Kingdom's detective hadn't discovered the root of the problem, it's hard to say whether Delois and Lunn would have broken off their relationship due to differing opinions.

When not pushed to the brink or when his bottom line is crossed, Lunn is not as decisive as the other three.

"You don't want to hurt Judith, but you also feel guilty towards Miss Xueliya. Of course, every time Claire cries, you feel guilty too. You're different from the demons; they don't understand guilt, but you always experience an overly strong pang of conscience, which can even make you confused and indecisive."

Dekan continued speaking, then looked at Croix.

"So now you should face reality and be decisive. This time there's no Holy Emperor for you to kill. It's impossible to keep all three of them unharmed. You either choose Judith or the two sisters."

After Dekan finished speaking...

Croix lowered his head slightly and pondered for a long time.

"Wait, why are there two sisters?"

Croix suddenly realized something and asked.

Isn't it a choice between fulfilling the marriage agreement and being with Xueliya, or selfishly breaking the agreement and marrying Judith?

Do you think Claire would be happy to be your sister-in-law?

Dekan countered with a question.

"...!?"

Croix instantly realized that the problem was more complicated than he had imagined.

What a bitter choice...

Several minutes passed, and Croix remained silent.

Upon seeing Croix, he fell into an even more confused state.

If you really can't decide, then I can give you a few suggestions.

Dekan said.

"What?"

Croix gazed at Dekan as if a glimmer of light had returned to his eyes.

As expected, his best friend was reliable.

Even Cornelia looked on with anticipation.

Dekan slowly raised his hand, held up his index finger, and said earnestly:

"The first strategy is for you to not marry any of them, leaving them all with lifelong regrets, and you with lifelong regrets too. Then do something big, so that the Shadow World records your story. In your next life, you might be able to challenge the Shadow World to simulate what the right choice should have been, and then you'll find the optimal solution."

Croix was stunned after hearing this.

Looking at Dekan's serious expression, he suspected that Dekan was playing a trick on him, but he had no proof.

But don't say that.

This suggestion actually has a slight chance of being feasible.

It was incredibly cruel to Croix herself...

"Even if there's a happy ending, it would have to be in the next life. Is there a way to make this life less regretful?"

Croix asked again.

Dekan thought for a moment, then made a peace sign and said:

"If you do this, you'll be taking Judith and Claire to fight in the Shadow World."

"Why?"

Croix was completely baffled.

Why take them to the Shadow World?

And why these two people?

Dekan chuckled and explained smugly:

"Given your imperial destiny, the battle will likely be very difficult, but with the [Holy Emperor's Will to Fight to the Death, you certainly won't fail. It's just that the process might cause Judith and Claire a lot of suffering."

Croix: "???"

Dekan: "At that time, they will all have suffered the same torment as Miss Xueliya. When you make your choice, you won't be biased towards Miss Sheria. It will be fair to choose either of them."

Croix remained silent.

He glanced at Cornelia.

Cornelia shook her head.

It means: Go ahead and hit him if you want, I won't protect him this time.

"Is there a way that's a little less torturous?"

Croix is a mild-mannered and steady person who generally does not resort to violence.

He thought for a moment, then continued to ask.

Because you said Dekan's advice was bad, but he really can solve problems.

You say his suggestion is good, but it definitely doesn't sound like something a mentally sound person would come up with.

Perhaps if we compromise, Dekan might have some brilliant ideas.

Dekan crossed his arms and nodded earnestly.

"The third strategy--"

Dekan continued speaking to Croix:

"Go to the capital and find Mie, then find Sheen. Try to persuade them both, gather the bonds between the Light and Dark Saintesses, assemble the original team from the Holy Kingdom, and fight your way from south to north, unifying the Kingdom Federation and the Saron Empire, restoring the Holy Kingdom's glory. When you are crowned Holy Emperor, Judith and Sheria Claire, considering your great achievements, will probably be at peace. At that time, whether you marry them or not, or how many you marry, I don't think they will have any objections."

"??!!"

Croix was completely dumbfounded after hearing this.

Unable to speak.

He simply couldn't believe his ears!

He even began to wonder whether there was something wrong with his hearing or with Dekan's mental state.

"... Is there anything even more outrageous?"

Croix swallowed hard; he wasn't so worried about himself anymore.

He was worried that Dekan's condition had worsened after two years apart!

"Of course,"

Dekan smiled knowingly and nodded with absolute certainty.

"There's a fourth possibility, the ultimate ending for Teacher Da Ke—you go directly to the Royal Capital and propose to Mie. She'll probably be stunned, but after thinking about it carefully, she'll realize that if she actually dares to say yes, both love triangles will be resolved in one fell swoop, because it will completely explode beyond repair. Then everyone can finally give up, no longer harboring any Void or hopes, and no longer suffering any torment..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Cornelia pinched his cheek.

He looked at Cornelia with a bewildered and innocent expression, seemingly not understanding why Cornelia would suddenly attack him.

"That's absolutely inhuman, Dekan!"

Cornelia said angrily.

She felt pain just listening to it.

He may not be able to make everyone happy, but he can certainly make everyone unhappy by using his amazing brain!

"It's a good thing you don't write novels, otherwise I can't imagine how much suffering your readers would endure if you had an attack."

Croix pinched his brow and said to Dekan.

"Heh heh, actually I haven't finished yet!..."

Dekan's smug words were cut short.

Because Cornelia covered his mouth with both hands.

Physical Gag.

"Ugh, Cornelia... Ugh!"

This was the first time in his life he had been Gag.

Cornelia controlled Dekan with a complicated expression.

She didn't know why.

Even though Dekan hadn't used [Blood Mimicry] to transform into Little Succubus, she felt like she was subduing a little imp.

A long time.

"Thank you, Dekan. I think I understand now. Whatever decision I make won't be worse than your suggestion."

Croix seemed relieved, raised her head, looked at the twinkling stars outside the window, and said.

I couldn't help but sigh at the passage of time, my thoughts drifting far away.

As expected, it has to be Teacher Da Tong again.

Only a few noisy sounds remained in the office, the solemnity of the Lord's Mansion gone, making it feel just like the Happy Church group that used to play together in the Royal Capital.