Chapter 44: The Tranquility of Silence

‘Wait a moment, what did she mean by that?’

Yunajin recalled Meredith’s teachings about the Abyssal Kin.

Beyond their inherent talent for growing stronger by devouring, a trait common among the Soul-devouring race, they also gained the abilities of those they consumed.

As their red and blue gazes met, a mischievous smile flickered across Ramola’s lips.

“Don’t… don’t eat me!”

“Huh?”

Yunajin, who had been composed during her initial confrontation with Ramola, now lost her composure, driven by a desire to display courage before someone she admired.

Given that the other party was likely a Demonkin no weaker than Meredith, Yunajin knew she was no match.

‘I shouldn’t have let Meredith go back first.’

‘What if she actually tries to eat me now that I’m alone?’

“Heh, hehe, hahahaha…”

Yunajin, who had hastily dived into the water, heard Ramola’s laughter.

Peeking out with her eyes, a splash of water suddenly hit her face.

“You are the current Demon Lord,” Ramola said, a wry smile playing on her lips.

“If I were to devour you, Meredith would undoubtedly kill me.”

This little Demon Lord was even more naive than Ramola had imagined, almost endearing.

“This…” As Yunajin pondered Ramola’s words, the latter silently swam closer.

“Eh?!”

A chilling hand wrapped around Yunajin’s waist, causing her body to stiffen instantly.

Her tail shot straight out, only for Ramola to gently grasp its tip.

Having not yet established sufficient trust in Ramola, Yunajin felt as if a stranger had seized a sensitive, vital part of her.

The bashful succubus reflexively threw a small, wind-breaking fist.

Boom—

The bathwater churned, sending sprays of water flying.

Yunajin opened her eyes, startled to find her fist pressed against Ramola’s palm.

The surrounding mist was instantly dispersed, leaving only the heat of impact and friction gently rising between them.

Ramola had effortlessly parried Yunajin’s punch, a strike unleashed without the suppression of her Demon Lord’s regalia.

“Ah… yes, this is the feeling!”

A look of pure delight spread across Ramola’s face as she seized Yunajin’s arm, pulling her closer.

“What are you doing!”

Yunajin’s face flushed crimson.

At that moment, she couldn’t comprehend Ramola’s actions; despite feeling a sense of compulsion, an inexplicable excitement stirred within her.

“You possess the ability to silence magic, don’t you?”

“However, it seems you haven’t quite mastered it yet.”

“Without the suppression of your Demon Lord’s regalia, even a slight emotional fluctuation causes that power to spiral out of control.”

“Is it a domain-type ability?”

Ramola surveyed her surroundings, discovering that within the force field emanating from Yunajin, the magic-nullifying effect influenced everything within its domain.

“Maintain this feeling! Don’t let it dissipate!”

“What feeling?” Yunajin asked blankly.

Ramola did not immediately answer Yunajin’s question.

As Yunajin’s emotions stabilized, the domain seemed to shrink.

Left with no choice, Ramola reached for Yunajin’s tail once more.

This time, however, Yunajin would not let her have her way.

‘Even if you are my senior, touching someone’s tail without permission is far too rude.’

Yunajin preemptively grabbed Ramola’s throat, a sharp, cold glint flashing in her eyes.

Ramola smiled, releasing the hand that had blocked Yunajin’s fist, presenting an unmistakable picture of surrender.

“What exactly do you want to do… huh?!”

A layer of frost rapidly spread from her hand gripping Ramola’s neck.

Yunajin gritted her teeth, attempting to break free, only to suddenly realize her hand, and indeed her entire arm, was frozen, devoid of sensation.

“Brute force won’t be enough, my dear Yunajin.”

“Why don’t you try using your ability, if you don’t wish to lose that arm?”

“Tch, is there no other way?”

Silence!

“Woah~”

As Ramola let out a joyous cheer, the instant the magical supply was severed, Yunajin was able to shatter the solid ice that had formed up to her waist.

‘What’s with that enraptured expression on her face?’

‘I didn’t even do anything to her!’

Yunajin harbored no unusual feelings towards those of the same gender.

As a succubus, she would ordinarily pay no mind to another’s gender, yet Yunajin’s will did not easily succumb to instinct.

“Thank you,” Ramola said.

“This is a tranquility I’ve never known since my birth; to be free of the soul’s hunger is truly wonderful.”

“Could it be that…”

Ramola offered a knowing smile, perhaps sensing that Yunajin had grasped the underlying reason.

Every member of the Abyssal Kin was an insatiable glutton.

Their desire to devour was boundless; even if rationality held sway for a time, the more power they consumed, the greater the likelihood they would be lost to their devouring instincts, ultimately becoming an enemy to all matter.

Ramola, the Second Demon Lord, was a Demonkin born from the magical remnants of the King of the Abyssal Kin.

Unlike her elder sister, who was born from an abundance of magic, this distinction might have led to Ramola’s physical imperfection.

She suffered from a peculiar “selective appetite.”

Though the magic of consumption flowed within her, she harbored no desire to devour any material substance.

Even when her body desperately needed to consume to replenish energy, if Ramola forced herself to devour a living soul, it would ultimately be regurgitated as black magical residue.

Only souls willingly given could be absorbed properly, preventing Ramola from feeling revulsion.

This torment had persisted for millennia.

Unexpectedly, the power of the current Fifth Demon Lord had soothed the insatiable magic and desires within Ramola.

“I see. So you want me to help stop the flow of magic within your body.”

Ramola’s explanation quickly brought understanding to Yunajin, who then spoke with a regretful expression:

“I apologize, but I still can’t freely control this power.”

“I know it manifests as a domain, and after lifting the restrictions, I can only activate it; as for its range or other details, I’m still unclear.”

In her calm state, Yunajin clearly sensed her domain shrinking.

She inwardly fretted, ‘Surely, controlling power can’t simply rely on my mood, can it?’

As for the Abyssal Kin girl currently leaning on her shoulder, Yunajin blandly raised her hands, solemnly declaring that she had done nothing; it was the other party who had initiated the closeness.

“Your Grace, isn’t this… a bit improper?”

“What’s wrong?”

An unprecedented sense of comfort enveloped Ramola, as if she had been standing for a lifetime and could finally lie down.

She was, of course, reluctant to let go of this fleeting, wonderful moment.

‘I know this King is quite charming, and if you wish to be my little confidante, I wouldn’t object.’

“I’m retracting my ability now.”

“No!”

“Is the ability about to vanish?”

“No, wait!”

“Pfft…”

Truth be told, Yunajin rather missed the old Ramola.

Though Ramola always wore a cynical expression, her words were often unpleasant, and she had even called Yunajin’s beloved Lord Hero a “despicable s*ave” right to her face.

“Alright, alright, Little Icy.”

Yunajin affectionately patted her head, chuckling softly.

“I still prefer your untamed spirit.”