Different.
Oliver's eyes were firmly locked on the phantom in front of him.
If the person on the other side was the "Nimo" he knew, he would never be able to suppress the boiling emotions at this moment. The Nemo Wright he was familiar with was not very good at concealing his emotions, and even had to rely on Sha Jiaomei to help him with his "expressionless face".
The thought flashed through his mind for a second. But the next second, Oliver denied it in his mind.
The current self is not much different from the Nemo in front of him.
Oliver pursed his lips and took a few steps forward. The Sword of Rest in his left hand was not put down, and the tip of the sword still pointed upwards vigilantly.
At this moment, the two were only a step apart.
Restlessness, panic, anxiety, and longings, desires, and thoughts. All kinds of turbulent feelings were forcibly suppressed in his heart, and at first glance, both of them were even calm.
Like the calm before the storm.
Nemo's phantom sat on Ulysses' huge skull, moving naturally without the slightest bit of stiffness. With the power of the magic circle, the skull slowly floated up and down in the air, and the orange-red light jumped on the surface of the bones.
The floating skull made him two heads taller than Oliver. The Demon King lowered his gaze slightly, his inhuman cross-shaped pupils contracted slightly, staring at the summoner in front of him.
"I hope to make a deal with you," Oliver repeated, without a title.
Nemo didn't answer, he just looked at Oliver earnestly without blinking.
"Can you tell, Dylan? Is that Nemo, or..." Ann carefully stepped over the lines of the hot coal-burning magic circle and moved closer to the white behemoth.
"No." Jesse didn't hesitate for a second, "If the Pillars of the World wanted to pretend to be 'Nimo Wright', I couldn't tell the difference anyway—it's a purely spiritual thing, a psychopath pretending to be a normal human being It is difficult to distinguish them at a glance, and it takes a long time to observe.”
One ear of the white behemoth trembled in the direction of Della Laineen: "Not to mention the pillar of the world, even if Della Layenen pretends to 'love' a person, normal humans can't tell the difference."
An worriedly looked at the center of the circle and grasped the hunting spear in his hand.
The Pillars of the World know everything about Nemo Wright, and no matter what the "Nimo" in front of them does, they have reason to doubt. There is no "I know it's him" magic or 100% accurate intuition.
Oliver can't make mistakes in this matter - let alone mistakes, he can't even make small mistakes.
He is negotiating with the world itself.
The sky with dark clouds was lit up by the light of the magic circle, and the woods behind kept making a loud noise of tree trunks breaking. That strange smell of water has disappeared. The air was getting hotter and brighter, and it was hard to tell whether it was the effect of the magic circle or the flame was really burning.
Everything around him seemed to be doomsday, and the aura of destruction in the air was so thick that it was impossible to breathe. Sweat came out of the pores, sticking the close-fitting clothes to the skin, aggravating the suffocation effect.
Considering the two people in the center of the circle and the identities of everyone present. This may be a major event that should be recorded in the annals of human history, but Ann does not have much sense of reality. The excessive familiarity and companionship strip away those unimportant parts, leaving only a pair of sad lovers.
Ann failed to feel the fear, she was just a little sad.
"... What is the content of the transaction?" Seeing that Oliver did not continue for a long time, the phantom took over the conversation cooperatively.
Just like the countless conversations they once had.
"There was a knight's oath between us." Oliver cleared his throat.
The array is getting brighter and brighter. There is a starry sky overhead, but the surrounding is like daytime.
"Yes. After you left my sphere of influence, it was no longer valid." The Demon King's tone was calm, sounding like a statement of facts without any emotion.
"I want to restore it, in a more egalitarian form." Oliver's tone was slightly trembling.
Nemo opened his mouth but did not speak.
"I have introduced a new power system to the world. This new intelligence, and the developments and changes it will bring, I believe will be of some value to you."
Oliver's voice was not drowned out by the huge wind in the surrounding forest, he was serious and calm.
He placed his clenched right hand on his heart, lowered his head, and gave a serious salute.
"... I promise not to hurt you, and do my best to protect you and block the fatal damage from this world for you."
He said word by word.
"In exchange, you promise me not to destroy the surface until it destroys itself."
Nemo didn't move, just rolled his eyes, and a little smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. There was no apparent despair or sadness in those silver-grey eyes. On the contrary, his gaze was soft, so soft that Oliver couldn't bear to doubt it.
But you have to continue until the moment you decide.
"Use your own intelligence and loyalty to exchange the stability of the world... a very good proposal."
Nemo's voice was soft and easy.
"...I just noticed that the circles around here are not related to transactions. I'm a little curious, Ollie. If I refuse, what are you going to do?"
Oliver closed his eyes.
"I will trap you with that magic circle and seal this place. I will stay by your side, as your jailer in this life, until the current surface civilization disappears. I know that destruction is your freedom... But I have my position, I am so sorry."
This time, Oliver couldn't help but smile a little sadly.
"If you don't want to wait or fall asleep, and still insist on choosing to destroy... I promised you, you should remember the answer." He added softly, without concealing anything.
Nemo just looked at him.
I beg you.
He has already given all his options, just waiting for the other party to speak again.
… I beg you.
Staring at the inhuman pupil, Oliver kept repeating in his heart, but he couldn't hold back his tears. His expression remained calm, without trembling or choking, but tears kept rolling down his face. He didn't mean to show weakness at all, this was supposed to be a serious negotiation, he just...
The phantom did not answer immediately.
The demon king's phantom lowered his head slightly, leaned his upper body, and printed a kiss without warmth on his forehead, but it was like a breeze blowing.
"On one side is freedom and power, and on the other side is a long wait for no benefit. I have no reason to say no."
The "Nimo" smile in front of him was even more pronounced.
The Demon King stretched out his disembodied right hand and stroked Oliver's cheek with a feint. Countless pitch-black magic formations suddenly piled up in the air. They instantly overflowed between the heavens and the earth, but they did not carry the slightest murderous aura.
By the way, he wiped away the tears that filled the faces of the people in front of him.
The gray mist filaments rose and wrapped around the shadow. Copies a large number of identical magic circles. They cut through the darkness in swarms like fluorescent jellyfish floating in the night sky. Unreal and delicate beauty, unreal to make people sigh.
Although he could not understand the meaning of those magic circles, Oliver could vaguely perceive their effects by instinct.
It was undoubtedly a contract, a promise, stronger and more stable than their rambunctious knightly oath.
He tapped the phantom of Nemo's outstretched right hand with his left hand holding the sword, and closed his eyes.
The wind stopped at that moment.
Within a dozen kilometers around, the broken leaves and branches that were swept up into the sky by the wind fell back to the ground. The dazzling magic circle subsided slightly, and the surrounding scene recovered from the fire of the apocalypse to the desolate dusk that was reversed.
The human beings he loves really struggled to the end.
Nemo didn't withdraw the hand, he could feel Oliver's heat.
The dusty windows were wiped clean, and sunlight poured into the darkness. "Nimo Wright" will no longer panic and be negative because of the unknown, and it will be difficult to let his emotions get out of control. But he did feel that the moment his body temperature touched his fingertips, his heartbeat in the distant abyss was undoubtedly half a beat faster.
His lover really didn't let him down.
He wanted to say believe me, I still love you now. He wanted to say that there was no need for a new power system, just "Oliver Ramon" itself was enough to bring too much new information that he couldn't parse.
But it's easy to be suspicious at the moment. He had to do his best to kiss each other's forehead with the most gentle gesture.
As they "real" meet for the first time.
Oliver's proposed deal, whether it is rational Ulysses or himself who loves Olly, is difficult to find a reason to refuse.
Then his hero, after making sure that the world will not be destroyed, will never give up confirmation—
"This is the first part of the contract."
Sure enough, Oliver spoke again, a little more hoarse in his voice.
"Now that you agree, allow me to continue."
Nemo withdrew his right hand and looked into the familiar green eyes.
"The next thing I'm going to ask is a question that's too small for the world to even ask. It won't do you any definite benefit by itself, it's just very common among humans..."
Oliver's voice really started to tremble with nervousness this time, and he got stuck miserably.
In the previous knight's oath, the new god, his lover, had always straightened his back, and at most had performed proper etiquette. Although Nemo could recognize the tension in the voice, he had to admit that Oliver had concealed it well.
But right now, Oliver in front of him was a little nervous to the point that he couldn't hide it.
Nemo pondered for a moment, jumped down from the floating skull, stood in front of Oliver in a phantom state, and changed his gaze to a level one.
Maybe it'll make him feel better, Nemo thought.
How is Oliver going to make sure
During the days at the bottom of the abyss, Nemo deduced the game between life and death over and over again, thinking about how the other party should restrain himself and how to deal with the current confusing situation. But he really hadn't thought about it—with subtle anticipation, consciously or not, Nemo avoided thinking about it.
The serious and calm Oliver was gradually disappearing, replaced by his familiar appearance.
Revealing a bit of youth and helplessness, the son of the innkeeper, Oliver Ramon, was standing in front of him.
Surrounded by twisted trees, in an imprisoning array with a chilling atmosphere. Ulysses' skull was crooked to one side, still exuding a faint aura of abyss. But Oliver's eyes slipped to his companion, with a little guilty and embarrassed.
Nemo couldn't help raising his eyebrows.
As if he had done enough psychological construction, his new knight inserted the sword of rest into the soil around him, and let out a long breath—
Oliver knelt down a little awkwardly, and finally opened his right hand, which he had been clenching tightly.
The two rings were lying quietly in the palm of the palm, which was wet with sweat from tension.
"A... a simple question."
His hero, his voice changed a bit due to nervousness, and his beautiful green eyes flickered slightly in the chilling light of the magic circle. Full of anticipation and longing.
"Nimo."
Oliver called softly, his eyes fixed on his face, as if he didn't intend to let go of any details.
"Would you like to live with me and be with each other until the end of your life... er, I mean, would you like to be with me, be with..."
Oliver is stuck again.
And Oliver's companions, no, their own companions have expressed their opinions on this.
Nemo was so sure that he heard the gigantic beast that exuded Jesse's breath, and then let out a long, tone-shifting sneer.
Adrian Close swallowed, and only remembered to sigh after a few seconds.
"I've thought about 10,000 reasons why he didn't take the initiative to tell us the plan." Ann snorted loudly, "I never thought the reason would be so... personal."
"Ramon is crazy!!!" The grey parrot screamed directly and fell from the branch to the ground.
Indeed a valid question.
The Pillars of the World has never been proposed, and no expedition member has ever made such a dangerous act at the bottom of the abyss. If it was Ulysses, he really wouldn't know how to react. And if it is yourself - even if it is negative, the first look is enough to reveal everything.
Without bright sunshine, flowers or cheers, without warm hugs and kisses, naturally there will be no blessings from everyone.
You are a life completely different from any creature on the surface. It was extremely cold and terrifying. There may be nothing more dangerous than yourself in this world - and in most cases, love does not mean eternal. Maybe one day, he will turn back into a downright "fatal danger". Oliver Ramon knows this.
At present, he is still unable to leave the bottom of the abyss. The next expedition will come, and the demon king named Nemo Wright is still the "enemy" of the entire surface. Oliver Ramon should know this too.
But his hero still asked that question. Serious and firm, with unrelenting courage.
What a mundane and crazy question. Pay tribute to this crazy love, maybe he should give an equally crazy answer.
Nemo took his attention away from his surroundings and focused on Oliver.
In this hellish scene, his Mr. Brave was half-kneeling in front of him, carefully picking out his lines, trying to get rid of his stuttering state. Oliver seemed to have forgotten to observe his own reaction for a few seconds, and seemed to almost faint from shame.
"Now I can't take this ring. You're absolutely right, it can't bring me any definite benefit by itself."
Nemo said softly, he no longer suppressed his emotions, and showed a bright smile.
"…but I would."
Oliver was still half-kneeling, his face mixed with daze and ecstasy, like a thirsty traveler in the desert falling into a clear stream. He appeared to be trying to get up, but was pinned to the ground by his weak ankles and knees.
"Nimo."
"Yes."
"… Nemo."
"Yes."
"Nimo." The depression between his brows was finally swept away, and Oliver's voice was no longer trembling, but full of joy and trance. This time he no longer stutters or gets stuck, and his speech is extremely smooth.
"You don't need to take it now."
He said so.
"...I'll go and put it on for you myself."
The author has something to say:
Oliver overtakes Jesse with a goal—
In the future, it is not a boyfriend, but a fiancé! ! !
——
There is a reason why Ollie didn't say it, and what he said might go something like this:
Everyone: It's much easier if you agree to the knight's oath, and the world is safe. The next step should be to test carefully, this and that, and this and that... Determine whether it is Ulysses or Nemo who intends to observe you through various details.
Ollie: I'm going to propose.
Everyone:.