"I am different from them... I am a soul demigod."
Now Vishi’s ability to express her thoughts smoothly was already at its limit, completely unconcerned about revealing her vicious fangs - there wasn’t a single offensive word, nor any insult, but her tone was filled with unabashed disdain, jealousy, and contempt, making Ash and Felix realize how little she thought of the Sword Maiden and Witch.
Ash gently stroked the back of her head, as if trying to push back her fangs.
"The soul curse can’t defeat . I endured thousands of tis more suffering during Soul Refining," Vishi panted heavily, "but my soul is bound by ruby chains... The knife is still entangled with chains, how can it still cut?"
"Untie my chains," she gripped Ash’s shoulders tightly, her gaze lifting to et Ash’s eyes, speaking word by word, "I can complete the trial myself!"
Felix, watching this pitiful yet stubborn sickly elf, quietly developed a sense of admiration.
Ti was seized just right, thought Vosloda’s second young lady, this is Vishi’s best opportunity.
Having been in the team for this long, Felix naturally knew about the complex love and resentnt between Ash and Vishi. If not controlled by the ruby chains, the defiant Ghost Prophet would definitely never willingly accept Ash’s command, nor wholeheartedly contribute to the team... Although Ash had never disrespected her, she was essentially Ash’s prisoner, his slave, a tool he could use at will. Her dignity, freedom, and even power were Ash’s personal possessions; he could take everything away from her anyti he wished.
To put it bluntly, Vishi was essentially living under Ash’s charity.
So even Felix, who had the best relationship with Vishi, never doubted that the maid would do everything possible to break free of the chains. No matter how well Ash treated her, it was useless; she was a monster wrapped in human skin, a cruel and tyrannical demon, a drear with ambitions burning for thousands of years... How could she possibly accept being dominated by Ash for her entire life? The word ’obedience’ was not in her life!
Yet, her evil record dood Ash to spend a lifeti guarding her. Not to ntion just being in love, even if Vishi were to have children with Ash in the future, Ash would never release her chains; indeed, the deeper their feelings for each other, the tighter the chains would be - both Ash and Vishi understood that if Vishi truly regained her freedom, she would absolutely commit atrocities Ash could not tolerate; this story that began with an error could ultimately only end in death.
Felix had also pondered how Vishi might get Ash to unlock the chains, the conclusion being that unless Ash was completely chard by her to lose his rationality, it was impossible, unless a miracle occurred.
Vishi caught a Miracle.
The sickly pitiful maid could awaken Ash’s emotions; the trial involved the Sword Maiden and the Witch, which could persuade Ash’s rationality.
Unlocking the chains and letting Vishi complete the trial herself benefited not only her but also the Sword Maiden and the Witch. Without Vishi’s subplot, Ash could wholeheartedly support the Sword Witch, and everyone could end this tornt as soon as possible.
This was the best and only opportunity; only matters concerning the Sword Maiden and them could make Ash abandon his principles, forsake his moral bottom line, and release this bloodless, tearless monster. Otherwise, if it were only a matter between Vishi and Ash, no matter what was said Ash absolutely wouldn’t budge.
Is it strategic calculation or re coincidence?
Felix watched Vishi, who was about to lt in Ash’s embrace, unable to determine the truth. She slowly moved backward, stood up, and prepared to leave the corridor—
"Co back, Felix."
Ash called out to her, "I will handle it... If you must tell Weiser, you can, but at least wait until I finish talking with Vishi, okay?"
Felix blinked and nodded, kneeling beside to watch.
"Let be clear with you, Vishi," Ash gazed at Vishi, speaking slowly and deliberately, "I definitely won’t voluntarily unlock the chains."
"If you find a way to unlock them, I’ll accept it, but as long as the chains are in my hands, I will always hold you close," Ash said, "I won’t repeat my grand excuses anymore; out of public interest, I won’t release you, and out of personal interest, I especially won’t let go of you."
"Were it not for the ruby chains, we would never have co together. We are completely different people; it’s only under the weight of reality that we can sincerely cooperate, but if we can overco all hardships in the future, our final enemy is bound to be each other. I don’t know if by then we’d loathe each other, fighting non-stop, but with your vengeful nature, the most likely developnt is you’d hide sowhere I can’t find, waiting for an opportunity to take your revenge."
"I neither want to be avenged by you nor wish to let you go," Ash held Vishi in his arms, "So I will grasp the chains tightly, binding you at my side. Just consider a trash can that needs such despicable ans to keep you, this garbage... isn’t it fitting? A trash can for garbage, a twisted relationship paired with twisted chains," Ash even laughed at the end.
"You’re the garbage..." Vishi weakly cursed, if it were usual she would’ve racked her brains for exquisite words to sarcastically belittle Ash, making him realize he’d been insulted only when he couldn’t sleep at night due to discomfort... But now Vishi could only hit him lightly, a strength like wheedling, her emotions almost collapsing as she hysterically cursed, "You demon, why can’t you just let go... "
"Nothing is more pleasing than being called a demon by you." Ash rubbed her head: "You don’t need to try hard anymore, I’ll find a way to help you complete the trial, just leave everything to , go back and rest."
However, Vishi held down Ash, who wanted to lift her. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, stubbornly fixing her gaze on Ash, an unhealthy blush covering her pale face, breathing heavy and weak, her entire weight resting on Ash. It was evident she was thinking with all her might, her head even emitting a faint heat.
She took a long breath, as if resigning herself, lowered her head, and said, "It’s okay not to unlock the chains... but at least release my restrictions."
"Hmm?"
"What binds my soul isn’t the ruby chains, but the many commands you imposed on through them," Vishi softly said, "The ruby chains only connect my soul; your commands are what truly bind my soul. The thousands of commands you issued are thousands of chains."
"When I want to fight the curse, my blade is entangled in an intricate web of chains, just swinging it drains the little strength I have left."
"Just releasing my restrictions, I can complete the trial myself, isn’t that acceptable?"
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