Volume 3 Chapter 179 Shock! Marilyn’s True Identity
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Because of the meeting’s outcome, every idea was accepted except Kian’s. His plan—to hide a blast bomb in the riverbed—was turned down. People feared leftover bombs might hurt someone after the war ended.
”We should avoid fighting Arminus face-to-face if we can,” Sarah said, arms folded. “The best path is to take him down before the main battle, using Miss Linca’s Eight Formation of Stone Soldiers. If that fails, we must watch him closely and block his magic to erase him.”
As the others left the meeting room, Sarah stepped toward Kian. Linca followed beside her, giving a small nod.
”That’s right,” Linca said with a calm tone. “Ms. Sarah’s idea is for when we truly must fight Arminus directly. But we don’t even know yet if the raindrops can really weaken him.”
”That’s true,” Sarah replied, nodding slowly. “His body moves beyond anything we understand. The Secret Technique, ‘Pursuit of the Shadow,’ changes the laws inside your own body. It boosts your speed fifty or sixty times. If someone without talent tries, their body tears apart. But Arminus moves even faster than that, and he doesn’t even use the skill. His body must be built different… so strong that even heavy rain may not hurt him.”
”He wasn’t using a domain, right?” Kian asked, eyes narrowed.
”No,” Sarah answered with a firm tone. “He wasn’t.”
”But he still stood there without injury…” Linca muttered, deep in thought.
”And that speed,” Sarah added, “he moved like it was natural. Not a hint of pain. Not even a flinch.”
Kian looked between the two warrior monks, seeing their serious faces.
”Arminus’s speed isn’t normal,” Sarah said. “There might be something inside his body… something even other Beastmen don’t have.”
”A secret…” Kian whispered, placing a hand under her chin. “Maybe we missed something before. Maybe a clue was already there.”
”This is our task until the ceasefire ends,” Sarah said. “How long do we have?”
”Until the wheat turns gold… about a week,” Kian answered. “But the ancient temple likely only has Lady Eleonora and the guild staff left. Umar, who led the talks, is gone. Without him, the chance of progress is slim.”
Umar had paid off the Cat Beastmen, Kakaka, and also Malbodous of the Steel Tiger Tribe. He had gained the Wolfmen’s support by taking down Madam Colinna.
But Eleonora held no such tools. She had only her voice and her presence. Honestly, it was a hard situation.
”Sir Umar… I mean, Kian. I… I want to say something—” Sarah began, glancing up.
”—Lord Kian?” a hoarse voice cut in from behind.
The three turned at once. Standing there were Lord Bertrand and the elderly witch, Marilyn.
”May I have a moment of your time?” Marilyn asked gently. “There’s something very important we must speak about.”
”Of course,” Kian said, stepping back.
Lord Bertrand glanced between Sarah and Linca.
”I’m sorry,” he said politely. “But I’d like to speak with Lord Kian alone. Could you wait outside?”
”────”
”────”
Sarah and Linca looked at each other. Linca gave a light smile and turned to Kian.
”Well then, we shall leave,” she said. “Sir Kian, I would like your help setting up the Eight Formation of Stone Soldiers. Would that be alright?”
”If I can help, I will,” Kian replied. “Also… I want to get Rufna’s bacteria. If we use that, maybe we won’t need the rain plan to stop Arminus.”
”Understood. I’ll come back tomorrow morning, once the Ramsey barrier is finished,” Linca said with a nod.
”Okay.”
”……”
Sarah looked like she wanted to speak again, but no words came. In the end, she followed Linca out.
Kian walked toward the balcony. The sky was tinted violet. He lit a candle, then returned to Bertrand and Marilyn. Talking was fine, but seeing each other’s faces felt better.
”Lord Kian,” Bertrand said quietly, “we don’t know who might be listening in here. Let’s move to a safer place.”
”Somewhere Owl’s eyes can’t reach,” Marilyn added from under her deep black robe.
Now that Kian looked closer, the robe wasn’t ordinary. It shimmered with a strange richness. Even a vampire’s sharp senses wouldn’t catch her scent or feel her heartbeat through magic sight. Almost impossible. Still…
”Then let’s go to my bedroom,” Kian said. “Owl likely watches Ramsey’s area through the windows, so it’s not safe here. My room has Rufna’s strongest barrier.”
”Is that so?” Marilyn asked.
”Yes. Vampires can see blood flowing inside people, but inside my room… they can’t see anything at all.”
”Then to Master Kian’s bedroom,” Marilyn said with a soft snap of her fingers.
Ffft.
The candle flickered and went out. Darkness filled the room. Kian walked ahead, leading the two out.
* * *
The room was quiet. A place that hadn’t been used until now.
As soon as the door shut, Marilyn pulled back her hood.
She slipped off the robe from her neck and handed it to Bertrand.
Kian, having locked the door, let out a soft breath as he saw who truly stood before him.
”Your Excellency Maribel… why are you doing this?” he asked.
”To keep the promises we made with the lords,” she replied, her voice turning younger, lighter.
Standing before him was the Princess—Maribel. Her long golden hair fell as she loosened it, switching her bun to a ponytail. She wore robes of white and jade, her blue eyes catching the candlelight.
Bertrand picked up a chair from beside the bed and set it behind her. But Maribel didn’t sit. Instead, she snapped her fingers once, sharp and clear.
Fffump… fffump… fffump.
The flames around the room came to life, casting warm orange light on everything.
Then she moved.
Quick as a breeze, she rushed to Kian and hugged him tight.
Her soft arms wrapped around his waist, through the thin white shirt he wore. A gentle scent, like roses in early bloom, rose from her hair—the same one Christy used too.
”I missed you so much,” Maribel whispered, her cheek pressing to his chest. “Really… I did.”
”W-wait, Your Excellency! Bertrand is still here!” Kian said, voice cracking.
”Do not worry about me,” Bertrand replied with a calm nod. “I am your loyal knight, and I will not let a single rumor escape my lips.”
”Ah, Kian…” Maribel said again, her voice light.
She rested her face against him, dreamlike eyes looking up. It felt like a moment no one else should see—not even Owl.
”Lord Bertrand, did you know Marilyn is Your Excellency?” Maribel asked, wiping the tears from her dark blue eyes with her finger as she stepped back slightly from Kian.
”Of course. The two witches are aware too,” Bertrand replied calmly.
”What’s going on with Izerland’s government? Isn’t there chaos without Your Excellency’s presence?” Kian voice held concern.
”I left a body double behind,” Maribel said, watching him carefully.
Kian blinked and asked, “The body double isn’t Christy, is it?”
”Of course not,” Maribel smiled softly. “There’s a witch skilled in disguises acting in my place. Lucretia helps her, so there’s no need to worry~ desuwa.”
(I can’t shake this uneasy feeling…)
Lying face down on the soft bed, kicking her feet, Talia interrupted, ‘Anyway, let’s focus on the matter at hand. That woman would probably talk your ear off until dawn if you let her.’
Kian’s eyes flickered. “Why did you come to the frontlines yourself, Your Excellency? If you hadn’t revealed yourself here, we would have sent you to the northern hills of Ramsey during the fight.”
”There are three reasons,” Maribel said, reluctantly sitting as Kian pushed her gently toward a chair. Lord Bertrand kneeled and handed her a handkerchief and a water bottle.
”One reason is the promise I made with the frontier lords,” Maribel began.
”What promise?” Kian asked.
”The other day, I taxed the war expenses across the country, but in return, I must ensure Izerland’s safety. After the war or during key moments, I’ll reveal my true self and show that Maribel was the one fighting on the battlefield.”
”That makes sense. It would be a problem if Your Excellency showed up too soon.”
”I never planned to reveal myself. Right after the war started, I would appear, shout ‘Charge!’ and leave it at that. Then Master Kian would finish the enemies, and all glory would be mine.”
Maribel took a glass from nowhere and poured water from the bottle, swirling it playfully. “About finishing the fight: the enemy has three thousand soldiers, but we only have one hundred fifty. Those drugged fools aren’t a threat at all.”
Lord Bertrand smirked. “I can be a meat shield if needed. Feel free to burn them away with Arminus or a big spell.”
”Eh?”
”They’re bound by magic scrolls. They don’t understand the Western or magic language on them, so they sign blindly. If Your Excellency orders, they become soldiers and charge. They’re amateurs but disciplined enough to serve as effective shields, sacrificing their lives.”
Lord Bertrand explained calmly. Maribel narrowed her eyes. “This is punishment for disturbing our territory. We’ll recruit the skilled ones into Lord Bertrand’s service and drain the rest.”
”That’s harsh…” Maribel whispered.
”Well, Kian…” Maribel chuckled softly. “Truth is, I don’t care. If they die, their treasure becomes public funds, and Kian’s salary gets paid fully. It’s better if they’re gone.”
Talia’s white-eyed glare cut through the air. ‘This woman, Kian, doesn’t even think about betrayal…’
(She looks so annoyed it’s like she wants me to get it—like, ‘Understand?’)
’Should we have abandoned her after all?’
(It’s over. That was emotional. I’ll keep it a noble story without weird guesses.)
”The second reason is that this is the limit of what I can send,” Maribel said, biting her lip as she looked at the staff leaning near Bertrand.
”If we lose this fight, I’m done too. I promised Izerland’s safety, but just taking war funds without results means Renaud and the other lords won’t forgive me. Returning funds won’t save me. They’ll replace me.”
Maribel looked seriously at Kian. “I wanted to appear with a larger force, grander, and I didn’t want to interfere with your Adventurer activities. But I had no choice. I apologize sincerely.”
”Could Lord Owl and Lady Eleonora have managed?” Kian asked.
”They tried their best. I’m grateful,” Maribel said, meeting Kian’s eyes. “But even together, they can’t match Kian of Izerland.”
Kian stayed silent.
”We wronged them, especially Eleonora. I must apologize properly later. I plan to secure peace in Sunlightland semi-permanently and appoint her as military deputy advisor.”
(I wondered what a military deputy advisor meant—if there was already a military advisor. I preferred to stay quiet to avoid more complications.)
’You’re just being used right now.’
(That’s true…)
Talia’s sharp words stung Kian’s ears.
Maribel continued, unaware of his thoughts. “If I’d paid in full, Christy would be here, but without her, Izerland’s water and sewage would collapse. That would cause a deadlock, so I couldn’t move. But she did send me a gift.”
”What gift?” Kian asked.
Maribel stood and rummaged through Bertrand’s robe, pulling out a long staff.
”This?” Kian asked.
”It’s Christina Famille’s staff~desuwa,” Maribel said, holding the large, blue gemmed staff with both hands and offering it forward. “It’s the highest-grade staff from Count Famille, head of the royal magicians. The material contains a spirit’s essence. She said, ‘Use this as if it were me! I will be by your side forever!’”
”That’s amazing. If I give it to Sarah, her power and speed will improve, boosting her destructive force. I’ll have her use it.”
’A man giving his ex-girlfriend’s staff to his current girlfriend…’ Talia muttered quietly nearby in the West common tongue.
Kian expected things to turn out this way, but right now, winning was the only thing that mattered. There was no time to waste worrying about anything else.
’If you let another woman use this blood art weapon, I’ll kill her,’ she said with a cold edge.
(That’s scary,)
’I’m serious,’ she added, but somehow kept a small smile.
”Please use it well,” Maribel said softly, giving a faint smile before continuing, “The third reason is I want to see your work with my own eyes.”
”This is all my first time, and I know I’ve made many mistakes, but once this battle ends, I’ll go back to being an Adventurer. So please, bear with me till then.”
”No,” Maribel shook her head firmly.
”Whoever I ask—Knights or townsfolk—they all say you’re a serious castle lord. You respond fast, don’t rest, and you’ve already defeated several famous enemy generals. What more could we ask?”
Her white hands grasped both of Kian’s. They were warm, full of gentle heat.
”I envy you and your great subordinates. I’ll work hard to be like you too!”
”By the way, Lord Kian, of course, keep Marilyn’s identity secret. But if teleportation restrictions are lifted, it’d help if I could drop blood onto a magic tool. Could I have permission?” Bertrand ask.
”Understood. I’ll guide you now.”
”There are two more things I need to mention, Your Excellency.”
Maribel nodded, then made a more difficult request.
”As I said before, I want to trade timber with the Steel Tiger Tribe’s Malbodous. Also, if possible, I’d like to reveal my true identity in front of everyone. It’s optional, but if you have the time, please consider it. I’ll offer a generous reward.”
* * *
After finishing Maribel’s registration, Kian escorted them to the back of the castle. Her registered name appeared in the ledger as “Marilyn.”
Once they passed through the gate, he joined the Knights and Holy Squad to patrol the town. The barrier wasn’t complete yet, and even though there was a truce, the enemy might try to sneak in. I wouldn’t let our guard down when lives were at stake.
Some Knights had noticed he hadn’t slept since the day before yesterday, so by midnight, they insisted Iherest.
With no choice, he went to the Catacombs to train with Talia on handling magic swords. The magic sword ‘Water Moon (Mizuki),’ which defeated Oswald and Juji, was strong but risky. If he mistimed the attack, he’d be crushed. Each magic sword had its quirks, so he had to practice handling them often.
”By the way, you didn’t take my blood yesterday,” Talia said as she slowly swung the magic sword.
He dispersed the sword ‘Mistcloud (Kasumigumo)’ and turned to her.
”I was busy. If I drink it, I get a high feeling and… my lower body stays stiff for a while. So I can’t drink it around others.”
”Tonight, you’re just sleeping, so maybe you can have a bit more?”
”Yeah,” he nodded and pulled a small bottle from Night Wraith’s pocket. It held the medicine for Talia’s vampire factor.
He opened the cap and tilted it slowly.
”Wait! Don’t tilt it like that, you’ll mess up the dose. Use a dropper to measure.”
”I don’t have a dropper… Oh, but I do have a device for drawing liquids. It’s a bit different, though.”
”What’s that?” Talia asked, tilting her head as she looked at the strange clear tool I pulled out.
”It’s a clit extractor.”
”Clit…? What?! What are you showing me?! Did you actually use that?!”
”I used it once on Linca. Her clit is big, about the size of my pinky. Her body is beautiful, but her is undeveloped—makes it even more tempting.”
He gently pulled back the foreskin and stimulated it with the suction device. If she sat cross-legged with legs apart, he wanted to make her clit so big it would touch the ground when erect.
”Just drink my blood quickly. I said two drops, no more. If you get the dose wrong, it could be bad.”
”Got it.”
He operated the extractor, took exactly two drops from the bottle, dropped him in his mouth, and swallowed.
The taste was bitter.
Talia’s blood contained poison. If a normal human took it, before their body processed the medicine, their organs would fail one by one.
After drinking, heat suddenly surged through his body.
The mutation began.
A sharp euphoria hit his mind, waking a fierce desire.
His fingers stretched out, claws growing long, hard, and sharp. Clenching his fist against the stone floor left shallow scratches.
His strength and endurance rose dramatically.
It was scary to think he still wasn’t as strong as Talia’s flesh doll.
If he drank the whole bottle at once, what would happen? Talia’s warning was no joke—Ramsey would be destroyed.
”Phew… Talia,” he gasped.
”What is it?” she asked.
”Even if I loses my mind… don’t let me use your blood art weapon. If I use it like this, it’ll end in disaster.”
”Unfortunately, your right hand will probably use it without your say. Even if you don’t like it, you’ll be able to.”
”What?!”
”We’re bound by fate, for now. So, Kian, never misjudge the blood amount. When taking a large dose, always have a Blood Servant ready to take his blood and desire.”
”…”
Her voice faded.
One drop was fine, but two made his mind go hazy.
He fought hard to hold himself, but a deep growl tore from his throat as his ten claws scraped violently across the stone floor.
When the seizure passed and he stood drenched in sweat,
Deep claw marks stretched across the stone floor of the Catacombs’ fourth basement, like a wild beast had gone on a rampage.
(My power keeps rising. My eyesight… feels sharper too.)
”It’s only for a little while,” Talia said, sitting cross-legged nearby and watching him closely.
She added, “It’s almost 2 AM. You should go back to your room.”
”Has it really been two hours already!?” Kian asked, surprised.
”Hmm,” she hummed.
”This is bad. I can’t remember things,” Kian muttered.
”You caused quite a mess,” Talia smirked, but it wasn’t a funny smile.
Kian quickly packed his things, pulled on the Nightshade coat, and left the Catacombs behind.
* * *
(Damn, this is bad…)
As he climbed the castle stairs, Kian glanced down at his groin nervously.
The castle door opened just as a maid appeared, but the sight of her made Kian feel like he might lose control and act on impulse. He held back tightly. It was dark, he wore the Nightshade coat, and he hoped she didn’t notice his bulge straining to its limit. Still, maybe she caught the faint scent of his leaking excitement.
(I just need to get this over with fast and then sleep. Talia, be my snack tonight.)
’I don’t want to. It just feels empty…’ the voice in his head whispered.
(It’s no use. Then I’ll imagine you and get it done.)
Reaching the corridor on the third floor, Kian spotted someone crouching near his door.
”…Sarah?”
He hurried over.
The woman sitting with her knees pulled close — Sarah — looked up, recognized him, and gave a weak smile.
”Kian. You’re back.”
”I’m home. Why are you still awake? Isn’t the barrier set?”
Thinking she was really Sarah, Kian reached out and touched her elbow and shoulder.
It was definitely her.
”I’ve been thinking about you all night, but I made a mistake,” Sarah said quietly.
”Oh no,” Kian replied.
”Rufna told me to go back to sleep.”
”I see. Good night then.”
The room still smelled faintly of Maribel. The incident with Umar earlier that day made things even more awkward between Sarah and Kian. What used to be a close bond had turned cold — their relationship was now just a useful exchange, no longer warm enough for real talk.
”Wait.”
Kian grabbed her arm.
Sarah held on tight, but her arm trembled strangely.
”What? Don’t try to trick me. I’ll give you what you want — land, money.”
”I don’t want that,” she said firmly.
”Huh?”
”I don’t want any of it.”
”────Do you really think you’re working hard just to bring the Nakash family together?”
”That’s exactly why! I don’t care about that anymore!”
Her voice echoed loudly in the castle halls like a scream.
A maid passing by rushed over with a lamp, but when she saw Kian and Sarah, she quickly covered her mouth and stepped back quietly. This would definitely be the talk of the castle tomorrow.
”…Is there something you want to tell me?” Kian asked.
”Yeah.”
”I understand. If you don’t mind, come inside.”
Kian opened his room door and gestured her in.
”I don’t want to cause trouble, so please be as quiet as you can.”
Notes:
• Arminus – Male. Leader of the Black Panther Tribe. Possesses extraordinary physical abilities, enhanced by the tribe’s unique technique that repels energy and magic attacks. His speed and strength surpass those of High Warlord Isthbaran. Wields the magic sword Balmung, capable of cleaving through an ice dragon with a single strike. His black fur provides camouflage in low visibility, making him nearly undetectable. Relationship: Leader of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Malbodous – Male. Member of the Steel Tiger Clan. A formidable warrior with significant combat experience. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Colinna – Serena’s mother.
• Kakaka – Male. Top warrior of the Cat Beastmen Tribe. Known for his agility and precision in combat. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Bertrand – The recent knight recruited by Maribel from bandit. He is from boar tribe and have goblin-like face.
• Marilyn – Female. An elderly witch who uses a hoarse voice. She is versatile, skilled in basic magic, teleportation gates, and large-scale group chants. Despite her age, she is sturdy and capable of frontline combat. She acts as a mentor figure to Botti and Aerial.
• Juji – Male. Leader of the Wolfmen’s ‘Jinsou’. A skilled warrior with sharp senses and combat abilities. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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