I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 106

"stop--!!"

Seeing that Meryl looked righteous and wanted to say something, Arcueid actually stopped.

"I, Mary, absolutely did not lie! That bastard must have done something unspeakable behind your back!"

After waiting for so long to hear this, Arcueid suddenly felt that it was beneath her to argue with Meryl. Seeing Meryl pick up her wand, still wanting to prove something, Arcueid simply walked past Meryl and silently expressed her attitude.

"Wait, why don't you believe Miss Meryl? Miss Meryl really didn't lie! Ugh..."

Clinging to Arcueid's leg, Merry finally understood the meaning of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." Thrown out of the room by Arcueid, Merry felt utterly abandoned by the world, a forsaken child...

That evening, after studying the primate killer, Kenneth opened the door, and the unusual scene immediately caught his attention.

"Hey~ Partner, are you hiding something from me?"

In the darkness, her red eyes flickered, and her tone was gentle and soft. Arcueid, who was sitting on the bed with her knees drawn up to her chest, stopped swaying and tilted her head to look directly at Kenneth. Seeing that Arcueid was obviously not in a good mood, Kenneth casually turned on the overhead light and hung his coat on the hanger.

"Hidden from you? I did hide some things from you, after all, you're an emotional idiot."

The glint in her eyes vanished, replaced by an unsettling magical aura that filled the room. This afternoon, after catching a whiff of Altruchi's scent on Kenneth, Arcueid wavered, realizing that things might indeed be as Meryl had said—Arquette, with so many personalities within her that she could play mahjong, had inevitably succumbed to paranoia.

With a hum, the already small space expanded, bathed in the bright moonlight. Under the serene atmosphere, moon daisies spread, and amidst the fluttering petals, conceptual chains enveloped Kenneth. The palace gates of the Millennium City slammed shut. When his vision cleared, Kenneth realized that the chains binding him were being held in his hands like flower ropes, and before him stood Arcueid, whose size had increased dozens of times.

"So you were hiding it from me after all... It must be that Eltrucci guy... It's okay, from now on I'll keep you by my side forever and ever..."

As the light dissipated with the closing of his palm, Arcueid, now in a new mode, tightly gripped Kenneth in his hand. Faced with the current anomaly, Kenneth wouldn't bother explaining anything; explaining to someone caught in a whirlwind of obsession would only cause more trouble. Rather than wasting words, he decided to address the root cause, using the magic of the Third Law to soothe the soul. Kenneth, empowered by the planet's blessings, appeared before Arcueid.

"It is indeed related to Arcueid, but it is more about my own will. After all, I am a person full of desires. And Arcueid, compared to that stubborn guy, I prefer you who will take the initiative to cooperate."

Kenneth disdained escapism and concealment; he was simply lustful. As someone who followed his desires, Kenneth was self-aware. Faced with Kenneth's blunt outburst, Arcueid, in a frenzy, was momentarily stunned by a few key words. However, this lapse in concentration didn't last long. As his hand loosened, Arcueid's gaze returned to its vacant state.

"But...partner, you still kissed that guy, didn't you?"

"Well, it wasn't a pleasant memory. After all, the taste of blood in my mouth really didn't feel good."

Seemingly 'moved' by Kenneth's honesty, Arcueid, who had been in a berserk state, shrank in size under the guidance of the Third Law, and stood in front of Kenneth with her head down, her arms wrapped in white long sleeves hanging straight out.

"Well... they really did kiss... Even though I was here first, whether it's getting to know my partner or going on a date..."

With her nose twitching as she sniffed the scent of Arcueid, Arcueid, in a berserk state, pounced on Kenneth and knocked him down. Her breath hit his neck, and Arcueid's eyes were so red they looked like they could bleed.

"It's okay, it's okay. As long as you can't live without me, everything will be fine... Leave everything to me, I'll cover up all traces of that guy..."

As if declaring her territory, Arcueid, in a berserk state, swept away the scent belonging to Arcueid in the most direct way. Hearing the heavy breathing in his ear, Kenneth, who had been somewhat indulgent these past few days, let Arcueid go on its own. But after a while, Kenneth realized that something was wrong; the weight on his body seemed to have increased.

"It's not a good habit to casually occupy other people's bodies, Brunstard."

"Occupy? Hmph... This body already carries my consciousness, so my arrival is only natural. Besides, as expected of you, you are always filled with desire."

Well, regardless of whether someone is human or not, the biggest rule is not to reason with the opposite sex. Seeing Zhu Yue thoroughly enjoying looking down on him, Kenneth stood up and pushed down the Moon King who had cut in line.

"Since you're a defeated opponent, you should act like one. Get down here obediently."

"You only defeated me by using a trick; aren't you being a bit presumptuous, human!"

With an undeniable momentum, Zhu Yue, who was in the lead midway through the race, immediately exerted her strength and pushed Kenneth down. With each rise and fall, the rally race became increasingly strange.

Chapter 281 Zhu Yue's Ambition

The room still retained its allure. Zhu Yue, having finished her little game, slung lazily over the headboard, gazing at the night view outside the window. Her slightly disheveled blonde hair cascaded down, and her slightly damp skin reflected the light. In short, she exuded a sense of post-coital tranquility. For some reason, looking at Zhu Yue's demeanor, Kenneth felt as if he'd been photoshopped. After a while, perhaps still savoring the afterglow, Zhu Yue murmured softly:

"You're a bit too ambitious, aren't you, to be after that guy's power?"

Although Kenneth had a premonition that Zhu Yue hadn't descended just for 'one-night stand,' he really didn't expect her to bring it up. The attack, imbued with the consciousness of a primate, pierced right through Zhu Yue. It would be truly inexplicable if Zhu Yue didn't notice anything. Pulling up his pants and putting on his coat, Kenneth, his mind completely blank, plopped down on the sofa that had been knocked over by the previous melee.

"Is it big? I think it's just right. I don't think so. Haven't you already felt it with your body?"

Recalling the pain in her memory, Zhu Yue nodded thoughtfully at Kenneth's ambiguous answer. Her red eyes pierced through the illusion to the essence, and Zhu Yue began to observe the true nature that Kenneth had concealed.

"Indeed, you already have that possibility. Weak humanity seeks to continue, replacing the unconscious collection with an ordered consciousness. Are you qualified?"

After examining Kenneth's current situation, Zhu Yue, who possessed planetary consciousness, succinctly pointed out the problem Kenneth was facing: whether he could maintain his individuality after ascending to that position.

Rather than saying that Alaya is an individual, it is more accurate to say that Alaya is a collection of seven billion consciousnesses, a cold program that executes the continuation of primates without any desire. Now, Kenneth wants to replace the collection of seven billion consciousnesses with his own will. That kind of hierarchical consciousness is enough to submerge the individual named Kenneth in an instant, diluting him to the point that he is completely invisible.

"Can I take this as you being concerned about me? To be noticed by the consciousness of a planet is a little overwhelming."

"Concern, to some extent, does exist. Last time I was defeated by their combined efforts. Even if it's just to kill some boring time while waiting, I want to know how far you can go when facing the same situation."

He propped his cheek up with his arm, and strands of golden dust slid down his neck. Looking at the fair skin hidden in the shadows behind the gaps in the bedding, Kenneth had to admit that the woman in front of him was damn tempting.

"What a lustful creature you are. While I don't object to meaningless reproduction, aren't you going a bit too far, human?"

Noticing the restless gaze, Zhu Yue, who had just finished a rally race, also began to suspect Kenneth's mental state. From what she knew, Kenneth's desires had reached an unimaginable level.

"As you said, I am a guy full of desires, but that's inevitable. At least lust is easier to satisfy than other desires, isn't it?"

Kenneth was well aware of his own situation. Human evil was born from the dark side of human reason, and desire was merely the manifestation of these dark instincts. In addition, Kenneth was a person full of desires. The sum of one plus one is greater than two, which caused Kenneth to be constantly entangled by desires. He usurped the consciousness of beasts with a human body. If it weren't for the Third Law to guide him, Kenneth might have already become a beast driven by instinct.

"Desire, human emotions are truly complex. Perhaps this is what has allowed you to survive to this day despite that guy's cleanup. So, do you even qualify?"

Having ended the fruitless chatter, Zhu Yue, who had come to verify the possibility, shifted the topic back to the original starting point: whether Kenneth was qualified to break through the blockade of Alaya and achieve a corner of human reason.

"I think I still have the qualifications, but I'm just a collection of seven billion consciousnesses. And compared to that irrational guy, I think it's much harder to pin you down. At least that guy can't break my bones."

Unfazed by Kenneth's joke about the underworld, Zhu Yue instead showed interest upon sensing the leaked aura. It was no longer mere lust, but a restless turmoil filled with the darker aspects of human reason, and now, that darkness belonging to human reason was constantly suppressing a corner belonging to Alaya.

"Interesting, using such methods to resist the assimilation of human reason, but this is not enough. Ultimately, it is something that has been dismantled by it. Even if it is reassembled, it will not reach the original level. In this era, some things have been fixed."

As Zhu Yue said, this era has been fixed, human reason has long flourished in the world, and the path to will has been blocked at the last moment. In this era, to complete himself, all that awaits Kenneth is the fate of being dismantled again.

"I'll keep that a secret for now. After all, some things are only valuable when revealed at the right time. Let's talk about you. I don't think you'd make a special trip for something so obvious."

Realizing that Kenneth didn't intend to tell her the plan, Zhu Yue's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly for a few seconds before relaxing. As a consciousness with an almost infinite lifespan, Zhu Yue had plenty of time to wait, and given Kenneth's current progress, she knew that day wouldn't be too far off.

"How do you know? As someone who will eventually descend to the surface of the earth, do you think you have anything that can catch my attention?"

After learning a glimpse of Kenneth's plan, Zhu Yue did have some thoughts, but as the Moon King who was destined to rule the earth, Zhu Yue, who had never paid so much attention to a human before, didn't know how to bring it up. In short, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

“You know what? When people try to hide something, there are always subtle changes. Although you are not human, I think this theory applies to you as well, since you have human senses.”

Ruthlessly puncturing the Moon King's attempt to conceal his true intentions, Kenneth, under the glare of the crimson moon, lifted the True Ancestor King's chin, looking directly into those crimson eyes, and whispered:

"Let me guess, for you, only the game of restraint can interest you. Although you are destined to arrive in the distant future, what you will get then is nothing more than a barren, lifeless steel land, right?"

Despite her anger, Zhu Yue remained silent in response to Kenneth's flippant remarks. Clearly, Kenneth was right, or rather, he had expressed Zhu Yue's thoughts.

Replacing the unconscious Gaia and taking over this vibrant planet has always been Zhu Yue's ambition. The first time, she was defeated by a coalition of forces. The second time, Arcueid, her anchor point, was severed by Kenneth. Now, she can only sit and wait for the end tens of thousands of years later. But now, someone with the ability to shake the planet has appeared before her, and Zhu Yue's obsession, which had been extinguished for thousands of years, has been rekindled.

Kenneth saw Zhu Yue's reaction, especially her expression of clear disgust but forced to endure it, which greatly satisfied his perverse sense of humor. Once desire is rekindled, it will overwhelm reason with even greater energy, and now, Zhu Yue was already in that state.

"To take over this vibrant planet and replace Gaia's authority from the inside out, am I right, Your Majesty?"

As Kenneth's fingers tugged at her chin, Zhu Yue's red eyes flashed with a cold, predatory light. It wasn't anger at Kenneth for seeing through her thoughts, but rather the feeling of being manipulated at will by the man before her that Zhu Yue found intolerable.

"Human, do you really think I am incapable of descending now? Even if this body has lost its anchor, my will will not lose its authority because of the limitations of a body."

“You won’t. You need me now, and I’m your only choice. Since we’ve already been physically honest with each other, why can’t we be even more honest? I think I still deserve to sit on your level.”

Kenneth understands the principle of knowing when to stop. Training should be done step by step. Besides, he has already given Zhu Yue enough stimulation today. Kenneth has no intention of having another battle with Zhu Yue. A fight to the death would not be good for anyone.

Seeing Kenneth withdraw his hand, Zhu Yue's expression softened slightly. Looking at the arrogant man in front of her, Zhu Yue, driven by her obsession, finally closed her eyes, acknowledging Kenneth's words.

"Human, I must admit, your audacity is enough to make me take notice. As my apostle, you are barely qualified."

“An apostle? I have no interest in such things. I don’t like being subservient. Haven’t you already experienced that firsthand? If you want to cooperate, I think you should offer something more valuable.”

Showing no mercy to Zhu Yue, Kenneth propped his chin on his hand, crossed his legs, and stared at the icy-faced Zhu Yue. In the increasingly oppressive atmosphere, Kenneth spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Well then, let's make some terms, Brunsstadt."

Chapter 282 The Passage Connecting the World

Although the process wasn't very harmonious, in terms of the result, Kenneth and Zhu Yue reached an all-weather strategic partnership. As for the extent of this all-weather partnership, that depends on when Zhu Yue arrives.

"Hmm... Partner, I think I had a dream. In the dream, I was holding you in the palm of my hand, and then... hehehe..."

Clucking foolishly, Arcueid jumped out of bed. Her body always moved faster than her brain; she hadn't even realized her current state. Her gaze, quite frankly, was fixed on where it should be. Kenneth began analyzing the allure emanating from this body when different consciousnesses were in control. Yes, it was that academic air about it.

"Huh? Partner, what are you looking at... Hmm? Why does it feel so chilly... Hehehe, partner, do I look good? Don't you think I'm charming?"

As a fool lacking common sense, Arcueid's reaction was not beyond Kenneth's expectations. Watching Arcueid mimic the actions of a magical girl transformation from a manga, the emotionless Kenneth slapped Arcueid on the head with a chop.

"Hurry up and pack your things, we're going on a long trip today. And you better have some shame, you idiot!"

"Stop hitting my head! Shame on me, why should I be ashamed? There's nothing shameful about my body, and I'm only showing it to my partner! Why should I be ashamed!"

Despite her lack of a clear reason, Arcueid stood with her hands on her hips, using her imagination to conjure up various outfits while mimicking flashy transformation moves.

"Hey hey hey! Partner, you can't take your eyes off me, can you? I must look really handsome right now!"

Watching the beautiful girl's fancy transformations, Kenneth delivered another chop to Arcueid's head.

"Ouch! Ouch! Why did you hit me again, partner?! It's going to make me stupid!"

Seeing Arcueid's bulging face, demanding an explanation, Kenneth couldn't very well say it was just a habit. Glancing at the wall clock, Kenneth reached under the covers and pulled out his belt, fastening it around his waist.

"We can talk about transformations tonight. We're going on a long trip today, and if we keep playing around, we'll run out of time."

"Huh? Are we going on a long trip? Where are you going to take me, partner?"

Upon hearing that they were going on a long trip, Arcueid, who wished she could be as far away from Arceus as possible, immediately perked up. With a flash of imagination, Arcueid materialized and changed clothes at lightning speed, instantly hanging onto Kenneth.

Without explaining anything to Arcueid, he swept his fingers across space, creating a rift. Kenneth's figure then appeared in a snowy landscape. The sudden drop in temperature made Arcueid shiver instinctively. After sensing the ley lines below, Arcueid's face was instantly filled with confusion. However, before Arcueid could speak, a voice in her ear made her face turn serious.

"So it was this fool who made me wait. In that case, I will forgive you."

Using her usual accommodating tone, Altrouge always found an opportunity to look down on Arcueid, suppressing Arcueid's desire to challenge her, while Kenneth began to sense the ley lines beneath his feet.

"Hey! Partner, don't stop me! I'm going to teach this guy a lesson today!"

Although Arcueid said she was going to teach Altluge a lesson, she showed no intention of letting go of her arm. Staring defiantly at Altluge, Arcueid wore a "I've won" expression.

"Ha, you are as foolish as ever. You are nothing but a mere human. I have long been tired of playing with you, so I will give you this as a reward."

"My partner is mine to begin with. You're the outsider. Even if you say that, I will never give up my partner to you!"

Seeing Altrouge's expression that said, "I'm already full, so you can eat what I left over," Arcueid immediately glared at Altrouge, her temper flaring. Just as the verbal exchange between the two sisters was escalating, Kenneth, having finished checking the ley lines beneath their feet, timely dispelled the tension in the air.

"It is indeed land that can support the ceremony, and the quality of the preserved mystery is also very high."

"Of course, this is Yu's royal court. Its mystique is incomparable to those things that mortals fight over."

Seeing Kenneth and Arcueid start chatting, Arcueid, eager to make her presence known, immediately leaned in.

"This is where I was born, it must be very mysterious and amazing. My partner is awesome, right? Hehehe."

While petting Arcueid's golden retriever, Kenneth turned his gaze to Altrouge, who was about to leave. Sensing the gaze from behind, Altrouge gave a mocking smile.

"What, is it that you can't bear to see me go, or have you already fallen under my charm and become completely dependent on me?"

"If I remember correctly, it was you who kept looking like you were about to cry, Eltrauge."

Her past embarrassing moments were exposed on the spot, right in front of Arcueid. Arcueid's face was instantly filled with shame and anger, and she directly directed the wind to blow towards Kenneth, who had a wicked grin on his face.

"I am not a toy for you to play with. I am the Black Blood Moon who will eventually rule this land. You mere blood pack, find your place!"

Kenneth waved his hand, scattering Altrouge's playful attack, and tossed a vial of Moon Spirit Essence to Altrouge, whose blush had not yet faded.

"I've been very satisfied with your service these past few days, little kitty. This is a reward for your hard work in not fainting, so I'll give it to you. I'm looking forward to your next service."

Cats that have been wandering for thousands of years are difficult to tame, let alone the extremely strong-willed Altruchi. Although it was mostly to vent his desires, Kenneth wouldn't go back on his word. Anyway, the passage across the world was right there. Kenneth was very curious when this gluttonous cat, Altruchi, would finally give in.

"Don't call me that. Next time we meet, I will tame you into a pet that can't live without me."

After receiving the Moon Spirit Essence Liquid, Arcturus disappeared into the swirling snow after uttering a harsh remark. Kenneth, seeing Arcueid's face clearly showing her curiosity, gestured for her to go first.

"You've been here for so long, you should come out by now. Do all older people like to spy?"

The moment Kenneth finished speaking, the silly Arcueid immediately went into battle mode.

"Ahem! I've just arrived! Just arrived!"

"What?! It's Master Zell! I thought some guy was spying on me and my partner."

Arcueid's ahoge (cowlick) twitched, instantly dispelling her fierce aura and reverting to her silly state. As if remembering something, Arcueid immediately grabbed Kenneth's arm.

"Zel! Zel! Let me introduce you, this is my partner, and also my boyfriend, hehehe! We're already... mmm!"

To prevent Arcueid from making any outrageous remarks, Kenneth simply disabled Arcueid's speech function, pressed the button on the defiant idiot, and looked at Zelrich, whose face was practically contorted with rage.

"What, you want me to call you Master Zell?"

"Ahem, it's not that it's not acceptable. After all, I am this child's guardian, and according to seniority, you should indeed call me that."

As a representative of shamelessness, Gemstone is no decent person. He's a fool not to take advantage of any opportunity, especially not Kenneth, who has humiliated him so many times. However, upon seeing Kenneth's increasingly amiable smile, Zelrich, who has a flexible moral bottom line, immediately put on a serious expression.

"Ahem, the way you address people is a small matter. This time, you've made quite a splash. Arcueid aside, even Arcurugi and that Moon King... Tsk tsk tsk, you're quite the ladies' man... Ah, let me see, is this the place? You really know how to pick a spot, a passage connecting the world, right? It's nothing, it's nothing."