Streamer Crazy About Slaughter - Chapter 473
***
Imperial Palace.
The place where the Emperor resides. As expected of a place with great significance, Serin was able to explore various areas within the Imperial Palace. However, it was impossible to fully explore the vast interior of the palace within a few hours.
Far from being able to see everything, she only managed to explore a small portion of it, primarily areas that seemed to be touched by Dalki’s breath, coexisting with lavish Eastern aesthetics.
…
“It’s not the pond in the garden that I cherish the most, but still, don’t you find it somewhat charming?”
As Dalki pointed at a pond right in front of them, Serin nodded while gazing at the pond.
A charming garden. The surface of the pond was so clear that even the koi swimming in it could be seen reflecting off the water.
“It’s beautiful.”
Serin admired inadvertently.
As time passed and the sun began to set, illuminating the ground with twilight.
As the twilight turned the water’s surface red, Serin genuinely thought it was beautiful.
The pond was undeniably an artificially created landscape, yet it had a charm that captivated one’s gaze as if witnessing a breathtaking scenery.
Seeing Serin like that, Dalki wore a satisfied smile.
“Even now, it’s beautiful, but the surface illuminated by the full moonlight will be even more beautiful. You should visit this place whenever you have the time.”
“Yeah, I think I will.”
Serin replied calmly, listening to her words.
She had forgotten that they were live broadcasting.
‘It really feels like an Imperial Palace.’
She had lived in the Imperial Palace of Grandelia for a long time, but looking at the Caldea Empire’s palace made her realize anew just how grand it truly was.
It had been quite a while since she started wandering around and chatting with Dalki.
Nevertheless, there was still so much left to explore.
The Imperial Palace, with its vast expanse, would take at least a few days to be fully explored.
At that moment, while she was blankly looking at the sunset reflected on the water’s surface.
“You are truly… mysterious.”
Dalki’s subtle voice echoed.
As she slowly turned her head, she saw Dalki sharing her gaze on the sunset-lit surface.
“What do you find mysterious?”
She asked slowly. Dalki met her gaze.
“I won’t beat around the bush. However, Lin, how can you appear so composed right now?”
“Composed…?”
“Your demeanor is so, and even right after arriving at the banquet hall, you were only momentarily surprised, maintaining a composed appearance afterward.”
Dalki’s continued tone momentarily took Serin aback.
She began to reflect on how her actions came across.
It seemed that her intentions to appear natural and composed felt rather alien to Dalki.
And it made her think that the viewers watching the broadcast might feel similarly. She realized it a moment too late.
‘…I shouldn’t have come across that way.’
Thinking back, there had been many comments in the chat regarding her demeanor.
Questions about how she could remain so composed. Chatting suggesting she could act.
Yet, the situation was already out in the open.
“Did I seem strange to you?”
With a faint smile, she asked directly.
—Did it really seem that strange?
If she was going to show her actions, it often yielded better results to approach it with confidence.
And that turned out to be the right thought.
“Strange… In my view, it would be more fitting to say you appear mysterious rather than strange.”
A strangely different word.
“Isn’t that essentially the same thing?”
She playfully responded.
Was Dalki firmly against that? She shook her head right away.
Smoothly.
As she did, her silk-like hair brushed against her face.
Even while watching the scattering of her hair, Serin was curious about what Dalki would say.
Noticing her gaze, Dalki smiled softly.
“You already know the difference. Thus, the word ‘strange’ doesn’t suit you.”
A small laugh escaped from her mouth at Dalki’s flattering words.
In a way, her gaze was already filled with affection for her, making the term ‘mysterious’ a fitting description, perhaps.
Thinking back, ‘mysterious’ was a term she had heard quite often.
Then, perhaps the notion of ‘strange’ stemmed from how she perceived herself.
Even while lost in thought, she opened her mouth.
“There’s really no reason for being composed. It’s just that acting composed is the best way to handle things.”
As she spoke, she pondered.
Why was she able to remain so composed? The answer came easily.
Because she had been in similar situations for a long time.
Yes, having experienced the Black Ark allowed her to remain composed like this.
However, she couldn’t say that directly, so she reframed it.
“Acting composed is the best way to handle things.”
And that was not an incorrect thought.
It was a perspective that made sense.
“Acting composed is indeed the best…”
Dalki seemed to contemplate her words, and Serin smiled, engaging her again.
“It’s not such a grand thing. I’m just trying not to overthink it.”
Whenever a person can observe from a distance as if contemplating, they become the wisest.
Without being swayed by emotions, judging and acting rationally is the most ideal.
Therefore, experiences can appear simple when viewed as if someone else had gone through them, including the situations and crises.
She was simply aware of it, and it was only possible to do so when she was conscious of it.
As she briefly gazed at Dalki, Dalki hesitated for a moment.
Not wanting to disturb her contemplative state, Serin held back on her own words.
After a brief moment, Dalki smiled softly.
“Your words… might surprisingly be quite close to the essence of it.”
“Really. Even if it’s not something so grand.”
Shaking her head with a gentle smile, she figured that what she had just said was a statement that should not be delved into deeply.
—As if observing herself through the gaze of another.
That was a statement close to theory, essentially no different from a falsehood.
People inherently live emotionally, as they are social beings.
No matter how much she emphasized rationality, it was hard to exclude emotions.
Even in moments when she thought she made judgments based purely on rationality, emotions often served as the foundation for those judgments.
Breaking away from her deepening thoughts, she spoke.
“I think I’ve seen enough now; I’d like to look at other places.”
“…Understood. Let’s head to another location.”
As Dalki slowly turned her body to lead the way, a small laugh slipped out.
…
While following Dalki and exchanging words while looking at another location, a young girl resembling a servant approached cautiously and greeted with respect. As Dalki cast her gaze in the girl’s direction, the girl spoke in a restrained voice.
“Lady Dalki.”
“What is it?”
“The banquet preparations are complete.”
“I see. Got it. You may go.”
“Yes. Then…”
As the girl departed with a demeanor that was anything but childlike, Dalki slowly turned her gaze skyward.
I gazed upward absentmindedly as well, and I saw the sky consumed by darkness. However, even within that darkness, countless stars shone brightly, showcasing their unique beauty, making the night sky truly beautiful.
“Lin. How much time do you think you have left?”
At that, I blankly turned my head at the calm voice.
‘Remaining time.’
It seemed as if Dalki was aware that I could not stay here for long.
Glancing at the time, it was already past 7 PM.
“About 3 to 4 hours, I suppose.”
I stated the fact calmly.
Even if it were a lengthy broadcast, that was about the time it would take to conclude, and even Another World would be finished too.
At my words, Dalki smiled faintly.
“Well, it seems like you’ll be here longer than I thought.”
As she spoke, I met her gaze.
Suddenly, I found myself saying,
“From now on, we’ll spend quite a bit of time together. So, don’t worry.”
Now that I had arrived in the Caldea Empire.
The schedule for Another World from this point onwards was already set.
I would be spending time with Dalki or engaging in other activities in the Caldea Empire.
As I looked at Dalki, she slowly nodded.
“That sounds pleasant to hear.”
Seeing her smile with satisfaction made me feel uplifted as well.
Even though we lived in different worlds.
Our perceptions of time differ.
Yet, our conversation continues.
Moreover, how much influence does Dalki possess? It seemed some part of her could intervene with the system, making me feel she might as well be a user herself.
“I suppose it’s time to head to the banquet hall. This banquet will be quite a nice time for you to enjoy in the remaining hours.”
Following Dalki’s lead, I turned my body.
Sarak.
Sarak…
In that space where only faint footsteps echoed. It felt strangely as if those footsteps resembled each other.
***
Serin’s broadcast viewers continued to grow.
Though Serin seemed to spend time with Dalki as if she had forgotten the broadcast, the viewers were not dissatisfied with just that.
Among them were viewers satisfied with the beautiful appearance of the two reflected on the screen, and others who admired the majestic background of the Imperial Palace, each watching the broadcast with more satisfaction than anticipated.
And this soon led to the dissemination of information across various communities and sites, attracting even more viewers.
…
On the midnight streets of the Imperial Palace.
The sight of two contrasting women strolling down that path had an aura of mystery and beauty.
Even while watching their forms reflected on the screen, a woman with sharp features and black short hair, Yujeong frowned slightly.
“I don’t like it.”
With a coldly ringing tone, Yujeong expressed her dissatisfaction with the scene displayed.
No matter how great a hero, ultimately, an NPC spends such a long time with Lin.
Almost completely monopolizing Lin’s time.
Just watching that situation was not enjoyable for her.
The appearance of Serin and Dalki on the screen looked different to Yujeong.
‘Is an NPC going on a date with Lin that I couldn’t have?’
Dalki’s lingering gaze toward Lin, somewhat sly on the screen, made it increasingly seem like a fox’s behavior.
A fox that has lived for hundreds of years.
And then…
As I watched the broadcast, feeling that strange atmosphere of the two matching too well, I started to dislike it.
“How wonderful it would be if I were in Dalki’s position…”
Yujeong muttered while overcome with deep regret.
Not long after, as the magnificent banquet hall filled the screen, Yujeong’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What is up with all this…?”
Words escaped her at the sight of the splendor.