Mage Manual

Chapter 1687 - 1244: Am I Actually a Pervert?

Diya’s voice abruptly stopped, staring blankly at Ash.

Before coming over to demand an explanation, she had considered many possibilities. Perhaps Ash was deliberately ignoring her to ingratiate himself with the Sword Maiden, or maybe Ash’s mind had been damaged during the Six-winged Trial, but she never expected this development—it’s like accusing your lover of not taking care of you when you’re sick, only to have them hand you a terminal illness notice.

"...When did it happen?" the Witch asked dumbfoundedly.

"Just yesterday when I went to Hell," Ash replied. "I’ve forgotten how I met you, how I became close with you, what happened between us, and all the beautiful memories we shared... I’ve forgotten everything, not a trace left."

"Last night as I returned from Hell, opening my eyes to see you acting spoiled was, to me, actually our first meeting." He laughed. "I wonder how it compares to our actual first meeting—better or worse?"

Diya stammered, speaking somewhat incoherently: "But—why would it be—you—why?"

Ash paused for a moment, then softly said, "I believe the Black Demon approached you, definitely because I hurt you deeply, but you were still willing to tell me rather than conceal it, so I shouldn’t hide from you either."

"I’ve lost about 75% of my memory now, not just regarding you—I’ve also forgotten Weiser and Vishi."

Diya immediately responded: "Senluo Divine War?"

During the Senluo Divine War, Ash suddenly erupted midway through, single-handedly destroying three descending Divine Lords. Everyone knew he must have used some sort of trump card. But since Ash never mentioned it, and given he has been recuperating, they set the matter aside. If he wanted to discuss it, Ash would certainly be honest, because everyone knew he could not keep secrets. If he wasn’t willing to say it, no amount of pushing would make him reveal it.

"That time, the price I paid was forgetting Weiser." Ash shrugged. "But it’s all worth it, isn’t it?"

"Why didn’t you tell us!?" Diya straightened her body, feeling both angry and distressed. "How can you squander yourself like that—you belong to us, and you’re irresponsibly misusing our shared assets!"

Ash froze, thinking Lissdia truly worthy as Empress Yisu; he hadn’t thought of this objectification perspective, top luminary of Nabistin belongs to none but her.

"Of course, because I wanted to keep my secrets safe, just in case you all banded together against me in the future, I’d use that trump card to subdue and take you into my harem day and night." Ash winked. "Definitely not because I’m worried you’d blame yourselves."

Diya lightly bit her lip looking at him and suddenly hugged his neck to kiss him. Soft, innocent, fervent, they entwined silently in the darkness, left with only shallow, rapid breathing along with the Cult Leader pressed beneath the Empress.

"You clearly broke the promise..." Diya lay on him, pouting: "But how can I hate you like this?"

"Don’t tell them." Ash said. "Especially not the Sword Maiden... We’re all going traveling soon, let’s not ruin the mood because of me."

"You’re only concerned about the Sword Maiden!"

Diya resentfully hammered his chest, unable to contain her irritation. "Why do you remember everyone but us, and not forget the Sword Maiden? It’s unfair!"

"It’s not like I chose to do that." Ash said, half laughing and crying. He subdued his emotions and tightly hugged Diya, sincerely saying, "I’m sorry."

Diya uncomfortably squirmed for a bit before abruptly falling silent, softly asking, "Will you still squander your memories in the future?"

"No, didn’t you remember, our next enemy is Dazzling Star, it’s an opponent I can’t defeat by burning my memories. The only ones I can rely on are you all." Ash laughed. "So, I couldn’t become the Supreme of Magic, it’s surely because you all weren’t putting in enough effort."

"I bet you just refuse to burn the Sword Maiden’s memories," Diya huffed, puffing angrily. "It’s all 75% anyway, why can’t you burn 75% of our shared memories instead and leave it behind with just the Sword Maiden?"

Ash blinked. "By the way, what promise did I forget?"

"I see right through you; whenever you can’t justify your favoritism for the Sword Maiden, you start changing the subject!" Diya pouted. "Forget about that promise; it’s not important anymore, since you’ve forgotten about us, your mind is only filled with the Sword Maiden."

"That won’t do—if I’ve made a promise, I must see it through!" Ash declared boldly. "If I’m willing to promise, it means it’s something I genuinely wish to achieve. Consider it helping me out; can you tell me what wonderful wish I’ve forgotten?"

Diya pretended to be angry and huffed, though the last trace of resentment in her heart dispersed like smoke. She hesitated a bit and said, "After we defeat Dazzling Star, I’ll tell you. But you have to promise me, no matter what promise I reveal, you must fulfill it!"

Ash blinked. "Well..."

Diya immediately bared her teeth, her voice escalated with a dual tone: "What, you’re unwilling!?"

"Even without a promise, if you make a request, do you think I’d refuse?" Ash chuckled. "I just thought, if the promise can be fulfilled within these two months, it could create beautiful memories since I’ve lost everything—I’m in urgent need of new memories to fill the void."

"No, I want to save this promise for the future!" Diya paused, her intelligence reclaimed high ground, and she questioned suspiciously, "Speaking of which, even though you forgot about me last night, why do you still... feel affection for me?"

"It’s not just me—I don’t see you forgetting Weiser and Vishi. You always treat them as lovers. I remember after the Senluo Divine War ended, you immediately entangled with Weiser for a long time..."

She stared at Ash intently, shocked: "You can’t possibly... think any beauty automatically becomes your lover? Even a trash bin wouldn’t be this outrageous!?"

"I just lost memory, not the feelings for you all." Ash said irritably. "It’s like writing on a paper and then erasing—the paper may be blank again, but the traces remain. I forget you all, but the moment I see you, the feelings for you surge in my heart."

"What kind of feelings?"

"I can’t quite describe it," Ash thought for a moment. "If I had to characterize it... Vishi’s is soul-stirring, Weiser’s is etched in my bones, and yours is of utmost significance."

"Holding you makes me feel very secure, even the Sword Maiden doesn’t make me feel this way... It’s like only where you are can truly feel like home to me."

Diya’s heart was sweet yet shy, she altered the topic: "Have you told anyone else about this?"

"No, you’re the first to know, but Weiser probably guessed it, and Vishi might have sensed something." Ash exhaled: "Now that I’ve confessed, I also want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Although I’ve forgotten Vishi and Weiser, through interactions I still know they’re my intimate lovers." Ash’s tone was slightly complex. "But you..."

"When I sleep hugging you, your appearance is that of a little girl, calling me daddy; when you wake you’re a maiden, still calling me daddy, but our mode of interaction is clearly that of lovers, and no one else seems surprised, indicating everyone agrees we are lovers."

"So..."

Ash asked with considerable struggle: "Am I actually a pervert?"