Bab 35: It's more fun playing the villain

"Tristan..." Neriah choked out, struggling to find her voice amidst her sobs. "Please...save her..."

Tristan's response was a cold, heartless laugh. "And why would I do that?"

Neriah gathered the remains of her shattered dignity, finally succumbing to the desolation in her heart. Her usually strong voice was reduced to a mere whimper as if a mere gentle breeze against the raging storm. "Because… because I'm begging you…"

Tristan looked at her, taken aback, not by the sudden plea but by the desperation tainting Neriah's voice. It was a sound so strange to him, so far removed from the usual confident, intimidating tone she sported during the tournaments.

A flicker of surprise shone in his blue eyes, quickly masked by a newfound glint of interest. His devilish grin softened, giving way to a cunning smirk, a testament to his twisted thoughts. "Now, isn't this an unexpected turn of events, the Siren Empress on her knees."

He then closed the distance between them, kneeling to meet her on equal ground. He leaned in, his electrically charged eyes reflecting her vulnerability. "Would you sacrifice your pride for her?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper, his hot breath ghosting over her cheek, sending shivers down her spine.

Neriah's response was almost instantaneous. "Yes...anything." She choked out, her voice laced with desperation.

This admission of surrender seemed to amuse Tristan. A sinister chuckle slipped from his lips, causing an eerie echo to fill the room. His eyes danced with cruel delight as he took in the sight of the mighty Siren Empress, brought low by her love for her child.

Tristan glanced up at the timer that had appeared above them as it came to a stop at forty-two hours and eleven minutes.

[Level Two-TEMPEST has now concluded!]

[Level completion bonus: $10,000,000,000]

'It's about time,' Tristan thought with a satisfied smile, looking at the cumulative massive amount that flashed on the screen.

He straightened up, casting a long shadow over her. His smirk widened into a full-fledged grin, reflecting the victory he felt. He then turned his attention back to the ongoing spectacle before them, approaching the battling twins and their captive with the swagger of a man in control.

Without a moment's hesitation, Tristan closed the distance between himself and Lyla, his boots echoing ominously across the grand hall.

He approached the twins with a certain nonchalance that only someone accustomed to power could afford. "Lyla, dear," he called out in a deceptively sweet tone.

His sudden interruption made Lyla glance at him, her focus diverted from the suffocating Selkie for a mere second, but that was enough. Swift as a fox, Tristan reached Lyla, pulling her by the waist to his side and placing a soft kiss on her lips.

Caught off guard, Lyla reflexively released the air dome around Selkie. The abruptness of his action served its purpose. Selkie gasped, drawing in a lungful of precious oxygen.

Lyla's rosy cheeks contrasted with her wide, bewildered eyes as she processed Tristan's audacious move. It was a distraction, she realized, a clever ploy disguised in the veil of affection.

Just in time, Neriah rushed towards Selkie, her arms outstretched as she broke her daughter's fall. A sense of relief washed over her as she felt the warmth of her daughter's body, still alive, still breathing. "Selkie..." she whispered, her voice hoarse from her cries. "You're okay… you're okay now." pulling her into a protective embrace.

Tears welled up in Selkie's eyes, rolling down her pale cheeks as she clung to her mother. "I'm sorry, Mother," she choked out. "I'm sorry I failed you..."

"Hush, love," Neriah murmured, her voice laced with pain and relief. "You've done nothing wrong. It was my responsibility to protect you...and I failed."

Before either of them could say anything more, Tristan's voice echoed in the hall, pulling them out of their heartfelt reunion. "Let's not turn this into a sobfest, ladies. I'll assume I'm free to leave now."

Meanwhile, Tristan's unexpected move left Lyla reeling. She glanced at him, her brow furrowing in a mixture of annoyance and confusion. "Tristan, what was that? You ruined my plan!" she accused, her tone a sharp contrast to her flushed cheeks.

"I've got a better one, darling," Tristan replied nonchalantly, wrapping his arm around Lyla and Lily's waist. "How about we stick together like always? You, me, and your lovely sister. After all, the more the merrier, right?"

As he proposed his new plan, Tristan's eyes twinkled with a sense of mischief. The charming grin that had replaced his sinister smirk seemed to disarm Lyla, her initial irritation melting away as she considered his words.

Neriah tightened her grip on Selkie, her eyes darting between the twins and Tristan. A spark of defiance ignited within her as she rose to her feet, her daughter still safely tucked in her arms. "Leave my kingdom!" she declared, her voice echoing throughout the grand hall.

Tristan simply laughed at her declaration, a sound as chilling as the winter wind. "Oh, Neriah," he mused, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Always playing the heroic mother and ruler. But, let's face it," he added, his grin widening, "it's far more interesting when we play the villains."

His words sent a shiver down Neriah's spine, the cruel honesty in his voice striking a nerve. But she refused to show any fear, staring back at him with fierce determination. She was the Siren Empress, the one who had once dominated the grand tournaments, and she was not about to let her adversaries see her as weak.

Meanwhile, Selkie watched the exchange with wide, fearful eyes. She looked up at her mother, her gaze searching for answers, for assurance. "Mother," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Don't provoke him..."

Tristan turned towards Selkie, giving her a wink and a sly grin. "Don't worry, my little siren. I promise I won't do anything to harm your precious family." He then looked at Neriah, a devious glint flashing in his eyes. "But I would love nothing more than to ruin the happy family reunion you seem to be having."

Tristan's taunting words caused Neriah's heart to race in fear. She quickly turned away, breaking eye contact with him. "Come on, my dear. Let's get you out of here before this gets uglier."

Selkie tried to respond, but her voice was too shaky. She wrapped her arms tighter around her mother's neck, clinging to her like a lifeline.

Tristan smirked, taking in Neriah's obvious distress. As much as he wanted to toy with her, he knew it was time to leave.

[Would you like to report the bug?]

Tristan paused mid-step, glancing up at the text box hovering above him. The message flashed in red, indicating that it was a serious problem that needed to be addressed.

'Most definitely, I don't want that Smith dude on my tail,' he thought. 'If it's a bug, I'm sure they will have their ways of fixing it since I did the hardest part.'

A dazzling light suddenly engulfed the hall, the surroundings seeming to freeze. The light was so brilliant, so blinding, that the twins involuntarily squinted their eyes, stepping back in surprise.

As their vision gradually adapted, a familiar sight greeted them–a mysterious gateway bathed in an otherworldly luminescence, beckoning them to step into a new realm. Tristan couldn't help but admire the stunning spectacle as he and the twins stood before the portal, entranced by its allure.

However, the sight also triggered an unsettling memory. The twins recalled the last time they had faced such a gateway and the dread that had washed over them then. The memory of being pulled into the portal by an unseen force and getting separated from Tristan still haunted them, and they were understandably reluctant to enter.

Seeing their hesitation, Tristan stepped in, his tone soothing. "Don't worry, we'll be together this time." His assurance, however, did little to dispel their unease, but they found solace in his unwavering confidence.

Drawing in a deep breath, the trio walked hand in hand toward the glowing gateway. As they crossed the threshold, a green mist with glowing red eyes observed their departure from the shadows. The eerie silence that followed was unsettling, and the sinister mist followed suit, seeping into the gateway with a sly slither.

*****

A sudden burst of light left Tristan squinting, disoriented by the sharp change of scenery. One moment, they were in a grand hall in Nereid, the next moment, they found themselves in an luxurious bedroom, the likes of which Tristan had never seen before.

The room was enormous, decorated with walls of pearl white with trimmings of gold. It was furnished in such lavish grandeur that it could rival the chambers of a royal palace. Elegant curtains of silk and velvet draped down from the ceiling, adding a touch of opulence to the room. The walls were adorned with tasteful paintings of mesmerizing landscapes and exotic creatures, each one a testament to an artist's extraordinary skill and imagination.

A heavy carpet of royal blue ran beneath their feet, its patterns woven with threads of silver that sparkled in the soft light. A vintage fireplace was set against one wall, its ornate metalwork and polished mantel gleaming in the warm, inviting glow of the flames.

The room was bathed in the gentle illumination of numerous crystal chandeliers, their sparkling drops casting a myriad of colorful reflections around the room. An arched window covered the whole length of the opposite wall, offering a stunning view of a picturesque city skyline bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun.

A gargantuan bed, furnished with a plush mattress and silk sheets embroidered with intricate designs, stood majestically at the center of the room.

'Where is this place?' He wondered, his eyes darting around in confusion.

A sudden ding jolted Tristan from his trance, pulling his gaze upwards. A timer had appeared, hovering above him. It started counting down from three hundred and thirty-six hours. He stared at the countdown, feeling the urgency seep into his bones. The name of the third level, 'ALLURE BREWS,' appeared in bold letters above him.

In this new realm, Tristan found himself dressed differently. He was now dressed in elite clothes that screamed of wealth and power.

His clothing was a mix of traditional and modern, a unique blend that showcased his unique status. He wore a tailored white shirt made of the finest silk, the buttons replaced with small, polished diamonds that glittered under the light. A black velvet waistcoat covered his shirt, accentuating his slender yet muscular figure. His black trousers were immaculate, ironed to perfection, with silver trimmings running down the sides. The ensemble was complete with a pair of polished black leather boots that extended to his mid-calves, buckled with silver clasps.

His platinum blonde hair, previously falling in messy locks, was now styled into a cool undercut. The top part was brushed back, the sides neatly shaved, enhancing his striking features. His usually mischievous blue eyes now held a piercing gaze that could intimidate even the fiercest opponents. Even in this unexpected circumstance, Tristan maintained his devilish charm, his charismatic aura more pronounced than ever.

Turning to the twins, Tristan was struck by another surprise. They were both asleep, their heads resting comfortably on his thighs. But it wasn't their peaceful slumber that shocked him—it was their attire.

'What the hell is going on?' Tristan asked himself, staring at the twins in disbelief.

*****

A/N

This officially marks the end of level/volume two of the eroge, and I hope you had much fun as I did.

¶ Any idea on why Tristan shocked?

¶ What's your guess on the next level, what dere type do you think he'd encounter?

¶ How did you see level 2?

I would really appreciate your comments and support of this novel with your power stones. Your active comments would motivate me to write more chapters.