35. Warming the Thighs
After a good night’s rest in Letty’s hotel, where I shared my plans with Kephir and finally didn’t have to worry about the script, I decided the next day to respond to the “choice” that Nilu had given me.
After all, while Nilu’s attitude towards me had always been clear, her actions were constantly changing. Having finally understood Kephir’s “upgrade” script in the Rodmar Empire, even knowing it was a trap, I couldn’t let it slip away just because I feared Nilu’s dangerous script! It was time for me to make up for the “upgrade treasure hunt” script that Kephir had lost because of me!
The next day, Kephir and I made good use of the convenience granted to us by Queen Louis IV, officially visiting Nilu under the guise of “representatives of the Great Ying Empire”!
At this moment, in the main hall of the secret royal palace of the Rodmar Empire.
The interior was ancient yet magnificent, showing no signs of wear from the passage of time; the surroundings were splendidly adorned yet slightly eerie with various cold lights; and with the diverse, uniformly moving “fairies,” it all seemed like Nilu was proving to me the existence of the Rodmar Empire.
As Kephir and I walked in, Nilu was already waiting for me at the farthest end of the carpet by the throne.
“Mr. Oujilide, welcome to your first visit to the main hall. How does it feel?”
Standing beside the throne, Nilu graciously welcomed us, her demeanor devoid of any hostility.
[Nilu stands beside the throne.]
Indeed, that throne, which once symbolized the highest power in the Rodmar Empire, was currently empty. It wouldn’t be strange for Nilu to sit on it, yet she merely stood to the side, as if waiting for “someone” to take a seat.
I had no time, nor dared to think further.
“It’s quite imposing. It seems that at this point, we no longer need to worry about the situation in the Rodmar Empire.”
After exchanging a brief glance with Kephir, I continued, “Thank you for your hospitality these past few days, Nilu. Next, Kephir and I will choose an appropriate time to return to the Great Ying Empire. Of course… we won’ t be borrowing your accommodations any longer.”
Before answering Nilu’s previous question, I decided to prepare a “backdoor” for myself—simply put, a way to slip away with the “upgraded” Kephir when the time came. The Queen’s patrol no longer needed us to act as a smokescreen, so I certainly couldn’t let Kephir be overshadowed by Nilu’s dangerous script at all times.
[Nilu knows Oujilide wants to leave!]
The script revealed unfavorable content, but knowing my intentions, Nilu didn’t resort to her usual violent methods to keep me here.
Could it be that Nilu had other means?
The script didn’t appear, and I had no other choice; after all, Nilu’s response was flawless.
“Of course, that’s no problem. The Great Ying Empire has played a very important role in the establishment of our Rodmar Empire’s royal authority, and we will maintain a good relationship with the Great Ying Empire moving forward.”
After a pause, Nilu looked over, “I’ve decided this. Do you think it’s appropriate, Your Majesty?”
She was clearly asking me.
I couldn’t even manage a bitter smile; what kind of torment was this? Fortunately, my decision was already made, and I wouldn’t be lured in by Nilu’s “temptation.”
“Kephir, you should head back to the hotel first, and then…”
Kephir didn’t respond to my hesitation but simply turned and left after the polite exchange. In the next moment, the appearance of Kephir’s script left me with no more confusion.
—
I hope this captures the essence and atmosphere of the original text!
Sure! Here’s the translation of the excerpt you provided, with attention to word choice, phrasing, and atmosphere, while preserving the line breaks:
—
Kefir was unwilling to concede defeat in front of Nilu.
The big boss has spoken, so I have to put in the effort, right?
I turned around and watched as Nilu waved her hand, dismissing all the silent fairies standing around us, even sending away those closest and most special to her, until only the two of us remained in the grand hall.
“Mr. O’Keefe, why not try sitting in your rightful place?”
Nilu’s voice echoed in the lavish yet empty hall.
“No, thank you. I’m not worthy of it.”
Just being forcibly pushed into the role of “king” has already put my script in jeopardy. If I were to actually sit on the throne, I’d probably have to spend every day under the shadow of death.
I didn’t come here to claim power or indulge in excess; I had just warmed up to Kefir’s thigh.
“Nilu, tell me.”
Meeting Nilu’s gaze, I slowly spoke, “I want to know more about the ‘fairies’ around you.”
The candles burning on both sides abruptly extinguished, and in Nilu’s smile, her gaze seemed to shine with a dim light.
“You certainly won’t disappoint me.”
Of course, if I were truly afraid of death, I wouldn’t have brought Kefir to Rodma to seek her script.
“Farther away from the palace, there are altars I once granted to my favored fairies, which awaken their powers. By temporarily offering all of the user’s magic there, one can learn everything about those marked fairies, just like a control panel~”
Nilu laughed so easily, as if she weren’t worried at all about exposing her weaknesses.
“Although those traitorous fairies have long lost their connection to me, the past contracts were very deep. It might still be possible to find their whereabouts or identities, Mr. O’Keefe.”
The next moment, as Nilu’s words fell, Kefir’s “script” in the Rodma Empire completely appeared in my mind.
Clear and distinct, yet it inevitably made me anxious.
Kefir went to the Rodma altar ruins and learned the location and identity of the ‘treasure’!
Kefir encountered life-threatening danger at the ruins! Failed to learn the fairy’s identity!
The “upgrade and treasure hunt” script also came with a failure component! It made me realize: everything ahead wouldn’t be as simple as I thought.
The script has appeared, and I had no reason to stay here any longer; Kefir was still waiting for me outside.
“Thank you, Nilu.”
“Mr. O’Keefe, please be careful~”
Nilu waved goodbye while reminding me.
As for what this “safety” really meant, I could probably guess.
After all, everything Nilu had just thought about couldn’t escape the hints in my script! She certainly wasn’t genuinely kind enough to just tell me the answers because I asked.
Nilu wants to kill Kefir!
Nilu wants to possess O’Keefe!
I’m sorry, Nilu. No matter what dangers Kefir encounters next in the “main storyline,” I won’t let her come to any harm. I won’t let history repeat itself like it did in the Kingdom of Plouce, allowing you to interfere with Kefir’s future!
—
I hope this captures the essence and atmosphere of the original text!