Chapter 683: 161. Method of Relaxation
In the room of Valentina, within the Parasol Tree, Fisher was staring blankly at the Supplement Handbook for Sub-Humans laid out in the palm of his hand. He was trying to memorize the various square characters on the top, but those characters, so different from anything he had encountered before, still gave him a headache.
He didn’t even know why he was doing this— it was as if he just wanted to understand the person who called herself “Mouse,” a Trans.
In his hand, there was actually another pair of rings. When he was at Saint Nali, he not only bought one for Valentina. Knowing that Alagina was here, he of course wouldn’t neglect her either. He bought up all the rings from the jewelry store, not just for them, but for everyone else.
Thinking back, if he were to wear all these rings, his hand would certainly shine brilliantly. Wearing one on each finger would be the most fitting, but it seemed that the finger representing the contract had to be the ring finger. So, each of his ring fingers would have to stack several layers of rings, just like a medieval knight turning his ring finger into a stacked iron barrel?
Fisher blinked, transforming his body back to its original appearance. He gazed at the ethereal tentacles flickering with tiny lights, which should resemble his original form as a Chaos Race, yet he still found it strange and unacceptable.
Perhaps the only aspect of himself influenced by the Chaos Race was his “liking for subhuman women,” or maybe it was influenced by the Subhuman Girl Enthusiast.
Fisher’s gaze sank slightly, awakening the incarnation of Azanros that was coiled around him.
He had always been there, yet under the influence of secret powers, if he didn’t reveal himself, Fisher wouldn’t feel his presence at all, as if he didn’t exist.
He realized earlier that the so-called “hiding” was absolutely not so simple as to just hide and become invisible. Azanros’s authority could not only subjectively obscure certain existences but also reveal others. More critically, once obscured, in the eyes of others, that thing was absolutely “nonexistent.”
Unreachable, imperceptible, as if entirely eliminated yet still truly existing—this was the essence of secrecy.
Looking at the tentacles revealed in his palm, Fisher pondered for a moment, the emotions surging within him compelled him to speak,
“Azanros, considering how long you’ve been around her, can you tell me what she thinks of me after she left you and entrusted me with her mission? A child, a tool to save the world on her behalf—a Chaos Race disguised as a human?”
But Azanros’s incarnation merely wrapped around him with sticky tentacles. The entirely featureless suction cups, like swirling stars, touched his skin, seemingly a form of reply.
Fisher smiled wryly, looking at the Chinese characters on the Supplement Handbook for Sub-Humans, and self-mockingly said,
“I almost forgot, you can only understand the text of the Subhuman Girl Enthusiast. I also don’t know why, after all this time, she hasn’t taught you anything else.”
Just then, the door gently opened, revealing Valentina standing outside with a slightly fatigued expression. She rubbed her brow and, looking at Fisher in the room, smiled and said,
“I’ve already discussed the plan with the other tribe leaders. Everything has been ordered—counting and preparing. However, Chief Baleren calculated that, along with the mechanism, we won’t be able to transport many people—at most, perhaps only a few hundred.”
The cost of transporting slimes is quite high, especially to instantaneously appear on the western side of the Western Continent from the northernmost Sema Snow Mountain. The cost for each person is substantially greater. Moreover, in recent years, the Parasol Tree has been developing discreetly and hasn’t saved up much money. It’s thanks to the slimes subsidizing the transport that there are this many slots available.
Fisher was not disappointed; with Valentina, Raphael, and Jasmine—three high-ranking beings—coordinated with the mechanism, they would definitely create quite a bit of chaos in Saint Nali, enough to distract Elizabeth.
“However, Valentina, remember, you are going there to create chaos to distract Elizabeth; there’s no need to kill anyone.”
Valentina walked to Fisher’s side, completely unable to see the Azanros incarnation wrapped around him. In the next moment, that incarnation suddenly disappeared from Fisher’s view.
Valentina reached out and gently patted Fisher’s head, snorting lightly, saying,
“Of course, I can distinguish right from wrong. I can only manage the people of the Parasol Tree, but the Red Dragon Court over there has a grudge against Nali, so it might be better to worry about them than about the Parasol Tree.”
“I’ve sent another message. There won’t be any issues.”
Valentina nodded, presumably having arranged the issues on the battlefield. She turned to glance at the time and exclaimed,
“It’s already so late! We had just said we would eat something. Are you hungry? I’ll have someone bring some food over.”
Fisher shook his head, smiling as he said,
“I’m not hungry, but if you want to eat, I can keep you company.”
Seeing Fisher’s face carry a hint of worry, Valentina’s heart stirred a bit. While she spoke, she quietly sat down next to him,
“Well, ever since I became a phoenix, it seems my appetite has not been great. I used to feel hungry quite often when I went to Nali. Duke of Peach said it was because I could absorb energy from the roots of the World Tree here, so I don’t eat much anymore. But there is one good thing…”
“What good thing?”
As Fisher was drawn in by her words, Valentina mischievously smiled, shaking her wings and lifting her garment slightly, pointing to her distinctly shaped waist,
“Of course, I won’t gain weight!”
“…”
Fisher touched his chin, recalling how he had seen her human form in the Northern Region, then nodded in agreement,
“That’s true. Back then, you had a little belly, but now it’s gone.”
Though it was true, Valentina still pouted angrily, seemingly displeased that Fisher thought she had a little belly.
“I was sitting in a wheelchair the whole time; I couldn’t move. Having a bit of extra weight is quite normal!”
“It’s not a bad thing; you look good.”
“Lies! You obviously care!”
Valentina let go of the garment she had lifted and after a moment’s pause, continued speaking,
“…Do you want to feel the difference?”
“…”
Fisher was slightly stunned, looking at Valentina, who was also looking back at him. His gaze drifted downward. Before he could respond, Valentina’s face flushed, and she quickly took a few steps back, explaining,
“It’s not that kind of test! At least we should wait until we go to bed, right?! I’m talking about a lap pillow!”
“A lap pillow, huh?”
“Mm-hmm, because, um, I’ve lost a lot of fat from my thighs.”
Valentina awkwardly fabricated a reason, but Fisher could see that she probably thought he was tired and intentionally wanted him to relax.
“If my lady wife says so, then I certainly can’t refuse.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Valentina bowed her head, and Fisher had already laid down on his side, resting in her embrace, facing the same direction.
After a moment of silence, she gently stroked Fisher’s head and shyly said,
“How… how is it? Is it leaner than before?”
Fisher quietly leaned on her thighs; he could even feel her legs trembling due to nerves and shyness. He remained there, not only sensing her care but also the vitality that was starkly different from his past disability.
“…”
Suddenly, he felt it was really wonderful to help Valentina stand up again.
“Doo!”
The next moment, her warm fingers poked his cheek, clearly because he kept silent, prompting her to lean down to look at him, wanting to see what he was thinking.
“So soft and warm.”
“What kind of evaluation is that? It has nothing to do with me getting thinner!”
After being poked several times by his wife, Fisher helplessly grabbed her hand, gently placing it on his cheek.
“By the way, didn’t you want to talk to me about Alagina this morning?”
Before the silence could settle for two seconds, Valentina’s voice rang out like a funeral bell, causing Fisher’s body to stiffen slightly.
For some reason, it felt as though the warm phoenix feathers from just a moment ago had transformed into a legendary garment carrying frost and storms, freezing his face painfully.
“That…”
Valentina gently moved her hand from his face, grabbing his ear. It was something she had never done before, but for some reason, after becoming his wife, it was as if hidden instincts awakened within her, making her suddenly adept at it.
Though she didn’t use much strength, the words came out only after she sighed,
“Earlier, Alagina told me she decided to leave the Parasol Tree after all this is over. She doesn’t want to distract you and doesn’t want our matters to interfere with the upcoming major events. I don’t want that either.”
“Well, Valentina, what do you think?”
“What do I think?” Valentina tugged on Fisher’s ear again, pouting as she said, “If you think about it, perhaps Alagina is right. Although she formed a bond with you first, the prerequisite for entering the Parasol Tree is the Holy Marriage edict left by the Moon Princess, which seems inescapable.”
Asking this, what reaction would Fisher’s heart have upon hearing Alagina’s words?
Could it be a sigh of relief? It seems Valentina also believes Fisher’s choice is a necessary one, which saved Fisher the trouble of further explanation; she filled in the reasons herself and even convinced herself—how wonderful is that?
If one thinks this way, then it can only be said that those without maxed survival skills should refrain from studying subhuman girls.
If one thinks it’s necessary to be tense and denies this point, then it indicates they already have the potential to study subhuman girls, but that’s still not enough; one must also recognize the crux of the problem.
The crux of the issue lies in the fact that Valentina’s words, on the surface, were persuading herself. Once Fisher agrees to this now, he definitely won’t be troubled since, as previously mentioned, Valentina seems to have persuaded herself, saving her efforts.
However, can Alagina think that Fisher’s holy marriage with Valentina is a necessary move, while Valentina, who has gone through the holy marriage with Fisher, thinks the same?
If the holy marriage serves as a makeshift means to enter the Parasol Tree, then what’s Fisher’s view on this relationship?
Thus, once Fisher admits this, even if at this moment the doubt barely exists, someday in the future, it will grow and eventually explode with terrifying power.
“Valentina, when I formed the holy marriage with you, it was out of sincere intentions, not just to obtain a ticket to enter the Parasol Tree. I hoped you could live on and heal your legs. I never viewed that holy marriage merely as an opportunity for a fleeting romance or a chance to have your body. Even now, I always consider you my wife.”
Fisher sat up, turned to look at Valentina, and said earnestly.
Valentina was slightly taken aback, quickly replying,
“Of course, I am your wife, and not the type that would get divorced. The holy marriage is the holy marriage; it cannot be revoked! If it were to be revoked, then only…”
Valentina raised her delicate fist, and the adorable “widow” threat didn’t come out, as it would undermine the elegance of a lady.
Then she stretched out her hand and pressed Fisher back down into her warm lap, lowering her head to look at Fisher, who was gazing up at her, a bit hesitant, seemingly recalling some frightening past,
“I’m not doubting your feelings for me, nor do I doubt your feelings for Alagina. I’m just a bit afraid.”
“Afraid? Why?”
“In the Turan Family, due to the effects of the curse, people tend to die young. For those in the Turan Family, the most important task is to give birth to offspring. The patriarch marries many wives. No, they can’t even be called wives; they are merely tools for reproduction and pleasure. I’ve seen too many cases of women giving birth, only to immediately conceive again. Family members even share wives, and once their value diminishes, they are cast aside.
If one thinks about it, based on the Turan Family’s curse, Valentina’s pure bloodline means she could only live under twenty years, while other members might have it a bit better, but forty years would likely be the limit.
In such a family with a short lifespan, to ensure survival, they can only mate as much as possible and produce as many offspring as they can to continue the family bloodline.
“Fortunately, my mother is a member of the bloodline family with outstanding magical talent, so she could choose a dedicated partner and only gave birth to me. I didn’t need to undergo the torment of repeated childbirth. I know I’ve escaped the Turan Family, far away from there, but every time I see Alagina, I still have such nightmares, worried that my holy marriage with you will turn into a mockery akin to that in the Turan Family.”
“Valentina.”
“I know, I certainly know you don’t think like that. So, when Alagina said that to me earlier, I did try to persuade her to stay, sincerely.”
Fisher thought for a moment, likely already knowing her response,
“She must have declined.”
“Mm-hmm, after all, she is from the Sardinia Kingdom, and somehow, when she responded that way, I also felt relieved.”
Valentina only rubbed Fisher’s temples again. She lifted her gaze ahead and softly said,
“So, that’s how it is between me and her. As for your past girlfriends, that’s about it.”
“Valentina.”
Fisher certainly chose to be honest again; he wanted to tell Valentina that those were not past girlfriends and that he still had contact with them. However, Valentina gently placed her finger on his lips.
She lowered her head, her pure white hair falling down, blocking the light from the ceiling above Fisher, leaving only her azure eyes visible, which seemed to be pleading for him not to speak the next words.
Valentina perhaps just wants to be the one with the ring as his wife. If there are others, she might only wish to believe they are inconsequential past girlfriends, even if it’s not true; at least she hopes to hear Fisher say so.
Psychologically, this is a possession of Fisher’s feelings, unrelated to any other factors; this is how she would think.
“Sorry, Valentina, I was wrong earlier and made you feel wronged.”
“No, no such wrongs. I’ve always been very happy next to you. Really, Fisher, let’s not always talk about heavy topics. We’re about to battle Nali; we should relax a bit.”
She quickly shifted the topic, saying with a smile.
Fisher read the underlying meaning in her words, sitting up, wanting to know how she intended to relax,
“Okay, how do you want to relax? As your husband, I must comply.”
“I? Actually, I feel fine; perhaps it’s because the pressure from Saint Nali isn’t that heavy for the upcoming battle? Instead, it’s you and Duke of Peach over there who are quite concerning, so wouldn’t it make sense to let you relax instead?”
“Me…”
“Yeah, yeah, Fisher, what do you want to do?”
Fisher thought for a second, just about to speak when Valentina made a “no” gesture,
“Those inappropriate things aren’t allowed now; it has to wait until bedtime. This has always been the plan, and the Duke of Peach isn’t here! I was thinking, if we were to do that kind of thing while he’s in the back of my mind, I—ah! I meant other things! Other relaxing things!”
Seeing Valentina’s face turn red as she rambled on, Fisher couldn’t help but chuckle.
But fortunately, he was genuinely not thinking about that; instead, he brought up another topic.
“Valentina, do you still remember that I have a little hobby?”
“Hobby? Um, it seems I didn’t have any hobbies back in the Northern Region, except for…”
Valentina’s puzzled expression while pondering led to her realization, and she gazed blankly at Fisher, completing her unfinished thought,
“Women of the Subhuman Race… Wait, Fisher, you’re not thinking of studying me, are you?”
Fisher smiled slightly, and as his smile widened, the blush on Valentina’s face deepened, and her wings behind her twitched increasingly restlessly.
“Since you’ve said that, can I study you, Miss Phoenix?”
(End of Chapter)
