Volume 3 Chapter 92 Please Don’t Misunderstand
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The day after they rescued Lyritisse, Natra and Serena set off towards the west of the ruins, having received a report from Rufna and Sarah that the damaged teleportation array was almost fixed.
To reach the western area, one must proceed straight from the square with the colossal statue of Erynys, then turn right and head deeper in.
The stone paving made it impossible to discern Rean’s footprints anymore, but Serena mentioned that the faint scent of Juniper, trodden by Vestacia, still lingered.
Whether it was the overpowering perfume or Serena’s sharp sense of smell──it might be wise to inquire just how keen her nose was.
One would have to reconsider their interactions with Serena, lest they inadvertently reveal too much, from stealthy farts to the state of one’s health.
Enough of that tangent.
At the base of the cliff in the west of the ruins──where numerous vines snaked like veins──Rufna and Sarah were seen, along with the guild magician John (Rufna and Sarah had removed their masks, presumably deeming it unnecessary in front of John, a mere bureaucrat with no ties to politics).
They were leaning over a simple table conjured by Rufna’s magic, pointing at diagrams and discussing something intently.
As Kian approached, the trio looked up and turned to face him.
”Good morning, Master.”
”Morning,” “Good morning.”
”Oh, have you been training since this morning?”
Sarah asked, eyeing Kian’s relaxed shirt attire.
Kian pushed up the bridge of his ‘glasses’.
”Yeah. I like to keep my body ready for action at all times.”
”Good mindset. …I really should train more myself. It’s been ages since I last swung a sword with any real intent. Would you care to join me sometime?”
The last comment was directed at Natra, who stood behind Kian.
Natra’s breath caught ever so slightly when Sarah’s gaze fell on her, but she soon gave a small nod.
Sarah viewed Natra as a stranger, and Natra, in turn, made no attempt to behave as Sarah’s little sister.
An invisible wall stood between them, yet Sarah seemed determined to navigate this ‘intimate’ relationship with her estranged sister.
Natra, it seemed, was struggling to understand her sister’s approach, tangled in a web of unease and confusion.
To Kian, who couldn’t fathom a drop of sibling love, their interaction was utterly trivial.
Brothers, after all, were born to support and, if necessary, kill each other──.
”What about Ms. Priscilla? We’ve been out here a while. Is she getting enough rest?”
Kian alternated his gaze between Rufna and Sarah as he inquired, and John, standing behind, let out a wry chuckle.
”Priscilla is lively as ever. She’s still rummaging through the research building that Lich abandoned. She’s got a thing for the thorny mutations that were once kept inside, I hear.”
”Has she discovered anything worthwhile, including the sap…?”
”According to the Dragon Witch, it’s got some strong aphrodisiac and paralytic effects, and can cause hallucinations. And if you take a lot, there’s a risk of addiction.”
”Really? Then is Ms. Lyritisse okay?”
”Who knows?”
”I’ve been sleeping with her, and so far, she seems fine. She’s been petted a bit, but…”
”Did you take off your mask in front of her?”
”I already let her see my face. Besides, even without the mask, we can manipulate our facial muscles to drastically change our appearance.”
”Guess so.”
John was listening, but he seemed disinterested, turning his face away instinctively.
He sensed that knowing too much could be problematic.
”We took a bath together this morning, and she was already all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. That’s youth for you…”
Sarah added the last word with a gloomy expression.
She and Lyritisse were supposed to be only about 5 years apart, but among the human race, that age gap could be the difference between sister and aunt.
(Come to think of it, Sarah’s probably still a virgin at 27──a virgin, huh? More like prime catch.)
Then again, witches are always a prime catch at any age.
As long as her ass and thighs are firm.
And her armpit and pubic hair, body odor.
A woman’s body is like wine, to be enjoyed with the taste and aroma.
’This one is puzzled.’
”Master, I’d like to get to the point soon, if that’s all right?”
”Ah, yes. How is it? Is it looking fixable?”
”Yes, the barrier’s repairs are complete. Now we just wait for the new crystals to arrive. However…”
Rufna trailed off and turned to John.
John nodded and picked up the map, pointing it out to Kian as he explained.
”Actually, we calculated the teleportation coordinates, and it turns out the exit is quite a ways from here. Specifically, it’s like this. The Spiritual Vein runs deep underground, crossing Lord Owl’s territory and leading to the other side of the North End River, right into the Hairkin Races’ domain.”
John continued.
”So, once we jump through the gate, we’ll be unceremoniously dumped into a domain on the Hairkin Races’ side where a Mercenary Unit is camped out. It’s incredibly dangerous. You know, those mercenaries across the way will swarm anyone from the human race they spot, especially if they’re decked out in expensive gear. Both the armor and the person are worth a fortune.”
(No problem there.)
The battle with Lich taught him that the more one seriously crosses swords with humans, the more one cultivates a battle sense that can’t be gained through training alone.
To improve his strength, he needed to kill humans regularly.
He was actually hoping for situations where he could kill in self-defense.
He wanted to quickly cultivate ‘Pursuit of the Shadow’ into the ultimate secret technique.
He desired the overwhelming strength to steal an enemy’s head at a speed too fast for the eyes to follow.
No matter how many he has to kill for that──he doesn’t care…
Kian had always craved an abnormal level of strength since his time with Azrael.
That hasn’t changed, and he suspects it never will.
Of course, to those with common sensibilities, revealing such a nature would be akin to pasting a ‘dangerous person’ label on one’s forehead, necessitating careful concealment.
Kian gave a sly smile behind ‘glasses’.
”Haha, I’m well aware of the risks.”
John, on the other hand, seemed to be the epitome of a brave knight resolved for his mission.
”Is that so?”
”Yes, but the real issue is whether the teleportation array can withstand the movement. Remember what Ms. Lyritisse said about Ms. Vestacia’s leap? The array broke after she jumped. Is it safe for all of us to teleport?”
Kian inquired, and this time, Sarah spoke up in John’s stead.
”It might be better to hold back. It’s wise to keep a certain number here for flexibility. If we all jump and the teleportation array breaks again in that split second, we’ll be stranded, turning us into mummies instead.”
”You mean we should select a few to jump?”
”Yes. Observe the situation for a while. If it seems safe, we can have Ms. Priscilla jump and collect the samples she needs.”
”Lady Priscilla’s capture could fetch around 50 thousand Franz Gold Coins from the mercenaries on the other side. Is that alright?”
”It’s at her own risk. Anyway, couldn’t the acting lord of Châtillon spare 50 thousand Gold Coins?”
Rufna spoke lightly, but one couldn’t help but wonder if Guy’s stomach wouldn’t drop at the thought of his beloved sister captured by foreigners.
Or perhaps Kian would engage in a deadly battle with the enraged Renaud first.
Kian pondered for a moment before finally lifting his head to address everyone.
”She’s a beauty who owns multiple casinos, a direct descendant of Châtillon with superior genes. Sending her out could be too dangerous. A… ah, a maiden who has missed her marriageable age is not just desirable but a prize the tribal chiefs would kill for.”
”Who’s a maiden who has missed her marriageable age, huh?!”
A sudden, half-irked voice echoed from behind, laced with a killing chill below freezing.
Before Kian could say “I’m doomed,” a ghostly, cold hand already brushed Priscilla’s cheek with a whisper.
”Good morning, Lady Priscilla.” “Lady Priscilla, good morning.”
Following Sarah, whose voice closely mirrored Natra’s, the rest of the members greeted her, turning towards Kian’s back.
”Mornin’!” “Morning!” “Did you sleep well, Priscilla?”
”Good morning, everyone! Last night, I was so excited, I couldn’t sleep well!”
”Ouch.”
A white-haired Witch clung to him from behind, grinding her heel into the top of his foot with a cruel twist.
Calmly, se appealed to the Witch.
Pressed against his back, the chest remained as flat as ever, a mix of citrus fragrance and the sweet sweat unique to a woman tickled his nose.
Priscilla continued speaking, her smile never fading, a skilled move that brought blood vessels to the surface on her temples.
”I’ve heard the talk. I’m not about to go rushing into danger myself. Lord Kian will gather the victims of Ramsey’s monster as my limbs. I’ll just behave and gather thorn samples like a gentle, elderly grandmother! I’m only 25, but still, an elderly, grandmotherly figure, right?”
”Hey, Kian. Do you also think of me as some sort of *dried-up, sour… woman*?”
”No, that’s not──”
”To Lord Kian, even I must be a crone, huh? A girl of 27 is bound to turn into one too, right? What about Christina or Princess Maribel, do they suit you better?”
”──What? Are you caught up in a love tangle?”
John raised an eyebrow, looking annoyed.
Natra shook her head, deadpan.
”The story goes that Sir Kian has a thing for little girls.”
”Huh, really? I mean, Kian’s whole deal with women is a mess, but I wouldn’t say he has a specialty in little girls or anything.”
(Serena, your assessment is just too harsh!)
”Stop. I am a pure and righteous warrior monk of Azrael.”
”You? Surely, you’re joking. You used to be so devout, but now you’re just a run-of-the-mill monk.”
”Hey, Sa──okina!?”
Betrayal from an old friend.
Sarah crossed her arms, turning away with an unamused expression.
This is bad──
Kian’s eyes widened.
He felt cold sweat trickling down his temple.
(What should I do? The situation is too grim. I need to say something to dodge this──maybe shift the topic and postpone the problem.)
’You’re gonna get stabbed someday.’
(Then I’d better strengthen my vampire abilities, just in case. If I’m strong enough, I won’t be defeated by anyone.)
’No, that’s not it.’
After a brief moment of hesitation, Kian decided to charge through it with all his might, raising his voice.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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