Volume 3 Chapter 205 Showdown! Part Two – ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
As Kian descended the open staircase, he spotted Gary and Homork the Third dressed in formal wear, speaking with Aerial—the head magician of Maribel’s court—in the center of the entrance hall. The moment the three noticed the hurried sound of Kian’s footsteps, they looked up toward the landing and each offered a respectful bow.
”Good morning, Lord Kian.”
”Good morning, Lord Kian.”
”Morning, everyone,” Kian replied, slowing his pace as he approached. “What brings you all here so early?”
”A decree from Princess Maribel has arrived,” Gary reported. “We of the Holy Squad are to continue fortifying Ramsey’s defenses and assist with receiving and guiding the slave traders.”
”Although we’ve been officially placed under the princess’s command, we were prepared for this from the start,” Homork added. “If we can continue protecting Ramsey with our own hands, then perhaps it’s for the best.”
”I see.”
So they plan to wring out the Holy Squad after draining the Owl Knights dry, Kian thought. But if this is what they truly want… then I have no reason to protest.
Gary spoke again.
”The first of the slave traders will begin arriving today. Will you be greeting them in that outfit, Lord Kian?”
”Is it strange?”
”No… It’s very attractive. Sexy, even. Are those ‘glasses’ just for show?”
”They are,” Kian said, tapping the edge of the frames where they met his face. “They don’t have a prescription.”
Homork gave him an inexplicable, flirtatious wink. What the gesture meant was anyone’s guess.
”Even though the war is over, we barely have time to catch our breath,” Gary said, his tone relaxed but tired. “But just a little more patience. Tomorrow, we finally get a day off.”
”Wasn’t the Western Church supposed to take over watch duty and handle the slave traders during that break?”
”Yes, thanks to Bishop Yalchin Mancuso’s generosity,” Homork confirmed.
”Then let’s give it our best today. I’ll head to the southern gate after breakfast.”
”I’ll go on ahead and wait for you.”
”See you later.”
The two knights departed amiably through the main gate, leaving Kian alone with Aerial, who had remained behind.
”Good morning,” Kian said. “Do you have something for me?”
”There’s a message from Her Highness,” Aerial replied. “She apologizes for not yet being able to pay the promised reward. She wishes to discuss the matter at the Izerland government office. She asks that you let her know the date and time you plan to be there.”
”I’m sorry, but we need time to recover. We’ve exhausted our stamina and equipment. Once we reach Izerland, we’ll need to deal with Umar first. I have no idea when we’ll be able to make a formal appearance.”
”Even a rough estimate would suffice.”
”As for the matter of compensation—that was agreed upon in our contract when we accepted the quest, wasn’t it? I don’t understand why it’s being called into question now. The letter from the princess said something like, ‘If you want the rest of the payment, you must appear before the government.’ But the contract clearly states that payment can be transferred to the Adventurer’s Guild or my account. Why would it need to be handed over in person at my own base of operations? Are you planning to surround me with armed guards in formal dress and say something like, ‘We’ll pay you in promissory notes like we did with the barrier repairs, and you have no right to refuse’?”
”…Your anger is justified, Lord Kian,” Aerial said calmly. “I too don’t fully understand what that girl is thinking.”
”But if you don’t show your face, it wouldn’t be surprising if the government acted as if you were never entitled to compensation at all. I recommend visiting Izerland—for the sake of your companions’ rewards, if nothing else.”
”So that’s their strategy for erasing the fact that I protected Ramsey? Twist the narrative and make it seem like it was the princess all along? If this continues, letters questioning her reward policy will flood in from across the region. For her sake, she’d better follow through with the contract.”
”Which is precisely why she says she will pay. If you would simply visit the Izerland government—”
”Good morning, Sir Kian.”
A calm woman’s voice interrupted Aerial’s plea. Turning toward it, Kian saw Linca descending from the landing above, dressed in a flowing, light-purple kimono. She appeared to have just arrived, but given that he hadn’t noticed her until she was this close, she had likely been concealing her presence and listening in.
With her smooth black hair trailing behind her, she came to Kian’s side and offered Aerial a graceful bow.
”Good morning, Ms. Aerial.”
”…Excuse me. I’ll take my leave.”
Clearly realizing the tide had turned with Linca’s appearance, Aerial abandoned her attempt to convince Kian and briskly exited through the main gate. As soon as she was out of sight, Linca turned to Kian, her expression now serious.
”Sir Kian, I believe it would be unwise to show your face at the Izerland government.”
”But if I don’t, I won’t be paid. Even if they try surrounding me with soldiers, I can handle Her Excellency’s pitiful troops. I intend to visit the salon the moment we arrive. If they withhold the payment, I’ll just threaten to deal with Umar instead.”
”No. From what she said, it sounds like their goal is to lure you to the government office. I don’t know what they’re plotting, but if you appear at the salon, I suspect it’ll only lead to more trouble.”
”That’s your gut feeling?”
”Yes. I think we should talk it over with everyone and decide whether it’s worth appearing there at all. Personally, I don’t need the reward for repairing the barrier. Being detained for a few days isn’t a big deal.”
”Detaining you and Rufna—who are both essential to the barrier—that’s not something I can dismiss as trivial. I’m the party leader. I can’t allow you to work for free.”
”Please don’t worry about it. Just being able to help you is more than enough for me, Sir Kian.”
She smiled softly, then slipped closer and wrapped herself around his left arm.
”…What’s with your hairstyle?”
”Does it look strange? I styled it in the Western noble fashion, since we’re meeting with the slave traders.”
”No, it looks good. It’s just not really my thing.”
She leaned in, sniffing near his collar. Though he was using Priscilla’s soap, he’d worn the perfume Linca had chosen, so it shouldn’t have stood out like it had with Sarah.
It’s fine, it’s fine… she reassured herself.
Then, without warning, Linca lifted his hand and licked it.
”Hey! What the—?!”
”…Doesn’t taste like sweat. Did you bathe this morning?”
”Huh? Oh, yeah. Something like that.”
”You’re also wearing ‘glasses.’ They aren’t Ms. Talia’s, are they? Whose glasses are those?”
”I found them in the mansion. They might’ve belonged to Oswald.”
”────────”
(That’s the look she gives when she suspects infidelity.)
Expressionless. Dead serious. Terrifying.
”Sir Kian, you’re not hiding anything from me… are you?”
”I thought you liked mysterious men. Like Jibril.”
”I used to. Not so much anymore. Given my profession, I’ve learned to be cautious of people like that.”
”Actually, I have something for you.”
”What is it?”
”This.”
He pulled something from the pocket of his Wraith coat and held it out to her—a pair of nearly string-like black lace underwear, once the prized possession of Count Cain. Linca’s eyes went wide. She glanced around the empty entrance hall in a panic.
”Sir Kian…”
”Sorry, sorry. Haha.”
”This is not funny! You’re showing me something like this in a place where people come and go!? What are you thinking!?”
”I’m thinking about you. You looked as cute as ever this morning.”
”────!?”
Linca staggered, as if she’d just taken a direct hit to the heart. Kian followed after her as she backed up to the stair railing, slamming his hand down beside her.
”N-No, Sir Kian! W-What are you doing in a place like this?”
”Then… does it matter if no one’s watching?” he murmured, voice low. “I’ve been busy lately. It’s been building up.”
”I-If that’s the case, then… Ms. Sarah too—”
”I want you. Just you.”
He whispered the words as he looked down at Linca. Her cheeks flushed, and she met his gaze with wide, expectant eyes.
”W-What do you mean…?”
”Maybe I need to spell it out.” Kian’s voice grew heavier. “Even when I’m working, I can’t stop thinking about you. I want to be alone with you. It’s been too long—I want to make love to you.”
”Mm—”
He pulled her into the shadow beneath the staircase and captured her lips in a kiss. Linca exhaled shakily, her eyes fluttering shut as she gave in, accepting him. The cool tingle of mint lingered on his breath, and his tongue slid against hers with practiced ease. His hands roamed—shoulders, back, then hips. When he touched her there, a sweet, breathy moan slipped out from between their mouths.
”Mm♡…”
”N-No… Really, no…”
Her voice trembled, desperate, as his hand slid over the soft curve of her hips, even through the layers of her kimono. But Kian ignored her plea, instead drawing her closer by the back of her head and kissing her again. By then, Linca had already melted into his arms, submissively swallowing his breath.
”Mm… mm, mm…♡”
”That’s enough,” Kian murmured at last.
”Mmha… Hah… hah…”
He wiped the smudged lipstick from her lips with his thumb and then licked it clean. Linca stared up at him with a dazed expression, her breath still unsteady.
”This way, our secret meetings will stay hidden from Sarah and Natra.”
”────”
”What’s your answer?”
”…Y-Yes…”
Kian stepped back, leaving Linca with her face flushed red, eyes downcast. He brought his palm to his face—the same one that had been caressing her—and inhaled.
”Such a nice scent. Sweet and elegant… like incense burning. I could breathe it in forever.”
”Y-Your gestures are kind of perverted! Please stop!”
”Am I being disliked? That’s a little sad.”
”I’m not disliking you, but… um, Sir Kian? If it’s alright… may I come over tonight? Just the two of us…”
”What about tomorrow?” he replied with a calm smile. “Today, we’ve got all those party discussions with the others. I might not be able to take it easy.”
(The truth is, I promised to tease Sarah’s explosive tits today. It’d be a problem if Linca came over. Having both of them at once isn’t out of the question, but sex with Linca tends to veer into sweet, breeding-play territory. I’d rather enjoy that properly, one-on-one.)
”Understood. Then… I’ll come tomorrow night.”
Linca nodded, barely managing to keep her expression composed. Unlike Sarah, who would fluster and retreat, Linca seemed intent on staying close to Kian, even now, as they prepared to head to the dining hall together.
But timing wasn’t on their side.
Priscilla was just about to burst in through the front gate—and Kian prayed she wouldn’t. He still wanted to sleep with Priscilla in the future, and showing overt affection to another woman right now could sour things. Unfortunately, fate wasn’t so kind.
From beyond the closed gate, her voice rang out.
”Enough already! Following me all the way here—have you no sense of shame?!”
”It’s you who’s lacking sense, Priscilla!” came a man’s exasperated voice. “You vanished yesterday while Eros was visiting! I had no idea where you’d gone—only to find you loitering here?”
”This has nothing to do with Louis! I’m twenty-five already, you know! I’m not ‘little Priscilla’ anymore, so stop treating me like a child!”
”I’m not treating you like a child— Ah, Eros. I’m terribly sorry you had to see this spectacle.”
”No, no. I caused enough trouble yesterday, drinking that unfamiliar liquor.”
”Falling asleep in front of a woman is the worst.”
”Hey, Priscilla! Eros, I sincerely apologize. My sister’s quite the handful.”
”No… there’s no excuse for that!”
”Who are you calling a handful?!”
As the loud sibling quarrel echoed through the door, Linca furrowed her brows beside Kian. Meanwhile, he felt a wave of unease wash over him.
(What now…?)
From the hallway connecting to the dining hall, Sarah emerged, her voice sharp with concern.
”What is this commotion?”
Knights, assistants, and maids alike began peeking out from nearby doors.
”──Lord Kian!”
The main entrance slammed open.
Priscilla, still catching her breath, stormed in. Right behind her came Louis, the broad-shouldered Eros Mancuso, and his father—Bishop Yalchin Mancuso.
All eyes turned to Kian and Priscilla as she confidently marched up to his side, shoved Linca aside, and clung to his left arm.
”I’m sorry, but this is how it is!”
”W-What do you mean, Ms. Priscilla?!”
The stout young man—Eros—exclaimed, stepping in as Kian stood frozen.
Beside him, Bishop Yalchin cast a questioning glance toward Louis.
”…Lord Louis. What is going on here?”
”I don’t know either, Bishop.” Louis scowled. “Priscilla, what are you doing? Stop dragging Lord Kian into your mess. You’re being a nuisance.”
”I’m afraid not. It’s not like I was forced, Brother.”
Priscilla smiled, a little sarcasm in her eyes. Then she stood on her toes and kissed Kian lightly on the cheek.
”I’m in a relationship with this person—with the intention to marry! Right, Lord Kian!?”
Even hearing “Right, Lord Kian” from her, Kian couldn’t just say “Yes.” Not with Linca glaring beside her, and Sarah’s dark presence looming behind.
No matter what, Kian had no obligation to risk himself for Priscilla, who was just a friend with benefits. He wanted to correct her, but before he could, a quiet voice whispered inside his head: Reward. Gold coins. Cash out.
”────”
(Maribel probably won’t pay a reward. Rufna, Sarah, and Linca say it’s unavoidable if they don’t get paid, but as the party leader, I can’t let them work for free.)
He had some ancient currency and rare magical tools from Talia for emergencies, but handing over a thousand Gold Coins wasn’t easy. Exchanging ancient currency meant long talks about whether the coins were real or not.
Only Priscilla would skip all that and just give the money right away.
(A thousand Gold Coins… that’s heavy. Really heavy.)
In the end, it always came down to money. Nobody could beat money in human society.
After a few seconds of thinking, Kian decided he could explain about Sarah and Linca later. For now, he’d just go along with it.
”Yes. As Ms. Priscilla said.”
Bam! Crash!
A loud noise rang out, like something smashing against the entrance pillar behind them, but Kian forced himself to ignore it.
”I am in a relationship with Ms. Priscilla, with the intention of marriage. Mr. Ero Mancuso, please give up on her.”
”Lord Louis, Lady Priscilla and Lord Kian say this—is it true? If so, it would be a public embarrassment,” Bishop Yalchin Mancuso quietly asked the young man beside him.
Most would panic, but Louis stayed calm. He watched Kian and Priscilla carefully, then spoke to Yalchin in a steady voice.
”I’m telling you again: there’s no relationship between Priscilla and Lord Kian. She met him only at the start of last month and helped him with a Quest for a few days. Do you really think the head Witch of Châtillon would fall for a lower-rank Adventurer so quickly?”
”But Lord Kian is a hero.”
”Even if he’s a hero, he’s still a commoner—no money, no place to settle down. Priscilla is just saying whatever to avoid marriage.”
Louis continued calmly.
”Priscilla never had freedom in love. Like other noble daughters, she was born to marry for Châtillon and bear children for Châtillon. The castle lord, Guy, would have approved her marriage to Eros. No matter what she says, Priscilla and Eros will marry. Of course, if you say you don’t want to join our family, that’s another matter. For Mancuso, deepening ties with Châtillon is important too.”
”Ms. Priscilla, do you love that person?”
Eros Mancuso stepped forward and asked. Though only eighteen, he had a composed and mature air. Usually, he read fables to town children and helped his father spread the Church’s teachings. His way of speaking and acting showed the difference in status compared to Kian, who had been a “garbage scavenger” until recently.
”As I said, I’m dating this person.”
”I see. Even so, both of us must marry as our families have decided.”
Eros spoke with steady confidence.
”It may be an unwanted marriage for Ms. Priscilla. But for me, even if arranged by the family, it’s a marriage I want. To be with a woman as beautiful, cheerful, and smart as you is a blessing. Surely God has noticed me and brought me my ideal partner. I feel sorry for Lord Kian, but I won’t let Ms. Priscilla go. She is mine. I will make her happy.”
”Uh, huh.”
”Hey, Lord Kian? Don’t just say ‘uh, huh.’ Say something. I’m your girlfriend, right?”
”Sir Kian? What is this? Are you going to abandon her and run off to Châtillon? I won’t let you get away. After having such awful sex, do you think you can just leave? Hey, aren’t you going to say something? If I pulled all the nerves from your arms, would you finally speak?”
Linca whispered quickly from behind with a smile.
It hurt when she pinched his butt.
Kian just wanted them all to be quiet and stay out of it until he could explain.
”U-um, well…”
Sweat ran down his back as Kian tried to keep calm.
The noisy maids went silent, and so did them. Kian’s shaky voice echoed through the open entrance.
(‘d rather they kept making noise—it would be less stressful. Why is everyone so focused on me? I haven’t done anything wrong. Talia, please help me.)
”Is Ms. Priscilla mine?”
”Don’t ask me. Speak more confidently. You’re a boy, aren’t you?”
Clears throat.
”Mr. Eros. Ms. Priscilla is mine. Even if your families arranged this marriage, I won’t let her go—no matter if the whole world turns against me—unless she gives up on me.”
BANG! CRACK!
”Ahh! Lady Sarah’s pillar broke!”
”Wow, that’s some strength…”
”That’s not just strength. It’s something else.”
”Lady Sarah, are you okay? Lady Sarah? Lady Sarahhhhhh!”
(Break… a god of destruction, maybe?)
Kian’s forced smile was about to crack.
Priscilla rubbed her head against his and whispered, “Lord Kian, you’re so cool! I love you♡.”
Then another loud crash came from behind—like a huge rock hitting the floor—as someone broke through the backyard door and stepped into the entrance.
The repair bills were going to be ridiculous.
”…Are you two really in a relationship?”
Unlike the blinded Sarah, Eros calmly studied Kian and Priscilla with suspicion.
Even Bishop Yalchin Mancuso, quietly watching, tilted his head.
”There is something strange about how close you two are…”
”It’s just because Lord Kian isn’t being assertive. That’s why it feels weird.”
Priscilla jumped in to clear things up.
She turned to Louis, who frowned and stared.
”See? Even you get it. So just leave, Elder Brother. Don’t you have that card tournament today?”
”Do you think I can just leave things like this and enjoy a card game? I’m canceling my participation.”
”Cancel it? And what will you do?”
”I’ll take you home for now. If I lock you in the basement for three hours, you’ll cool off.”
”I’m not going back. I’m spending the day with our guests—alongside my future husband.”
”Lord Kian, this must be annoying, right? Hey, Lord Kian?”
”No, we already agreed to handle this together,” Kian answered, half annoyed.
”Fine, whatever.”
Behind him, Linca followed close. He felt her using “Penetration.”
In a low voice, she whispered, “Right now, I’m touching Sir Kian’s heart. I could crush it, but… what should I do?”
Her words were scary—but Kian wasn’t afraid. He had prepared for moments like this.
(I can’t use Restoration Curse. So if my heart gets crushed, that’s it—dead.)
Could Kian dodge fast enough when Linca’s body suddenly materialized, ready to Leap?
He had to. He would be quick enough to avoid death.
He believed that. He had to believe it.
Strength was power.
Even if he had to rely on a little cheating, as long as he had the ability to fight, he could survive any life-or-death situation.
But even if he survived this moment, there was no rest ahead. He still had to face powerful opponents like Linca, Sarah, and Arminus. If he was unlucky, Natra might show up too. And he’d left all his weapons back in the room—he really regretted that now.
”Excuse me, Lord Kian. Sorry to interrupt, but may I ask about your relationship with Ms. Priscilla?” Eros’s voice broke through the tension.
”Mr. Eros, the slave traders will arrive soon. Ms. Priscilla and I need to handle them,” Kian said sharply.
”Don’t call her ‘Ms. Priscilla.’”
”…There’s no time for arguments. We have to prepare.”
”Please, try to make this work. It’s not just for me—it’s important for your future, too.”
Bishop Yalchin stepped closer. “Normally, this matter is between the Mancuso family and the Châtillon family. You shouldn’t get involved. But I respect your wish to protect Ramsey. I hope you, my son, Lady Priscilla, and Lord Kian can settle this peacefully. The Western Church will send someone to help guide the slave traders. Everything considered, this won’t slow things down.”
”That’s… inconvenient,” Kian muttered.
Louis’s voice hardened, colder than before. “Lord Kian, if you refuse, I’ll take that as you giving up on my sister.”
Kian looked to Priscilla. “I’ll go with you. I don’t trust your smooth talk to fool Eros or Bishop Yalchin.”
”Then call Guy too. Let him decide if I’m better suited for you, Lord Kian, or Eros.”
Louis shook her head. “He’s useless. When it comes to cards, he loses focus. He’s still fiddling with his deck.”
”That’s just him being selfish. Call him already,” Priscilla insisted.
Louis clicked his tongue. “Brother thinks making Lord Kian his retainer is enough. But with Châtillon’s expansion, Guy’s attitude won’t work. Marrying a commoner is out of the question.”
”Lord Kian isn’t a commoner. Brother knows that.”
”If it’s okay to say here… but he’s still just an exile,” Louis whispered to Bishop Yalchin, who looked shocked. “What? That strategist Azrael, Umar’s!”
Kian sighed. As someone who wanted to live as a relaxed adventurer, he hated having his secrets casually spread around.
”Also, send a letter to Papa.”
”Wha!? Ms. Priscilla!? Lord Renaud is impossible! Please don’t!”
”What’s wrong, Lord Kian? You’re sticking with me till the end, right? Be ready.”
Kian hesitated, but Priscilla whispered to him, “It won’t be a problem if we part ways before the letter arrives. I’ll take care of everything.” Eros’s face twisted with jealousy.
”Everyone, I’m sure there’s a lot to talk about, but first—how about breakfast?” Linca, who had quietly moved to the side, smiled gently.
”In the East, we say you can’t fight on an empty stomach. If you’re crossing the marsh to meet our guests, you’ll need something nutritious, or you won’t last the day. The servants say they prepared plenty. Please, join us.”
”Thanks. I’ve been searching all over town for my wild sister—I’m starving,” Louis said gratefully.
”I’ll join too. Eros, what about you?”
”I’ll join, Father,” Eros said, his eyes bright with competitive spirit.
Meanwhile, Kian’s thoughts churned. When should he explain everything to his companions? Would Linca understand? Would Sarah return soon? What if Natra came back unexpectedly? That could spiral out of control. He’d almost forgotten—if Aerial returned, Christy might learn about his infidelity (even if it wasn’t really that).
(Maybe it’s already too late for everything… No. No, it’s not. Not yet. First, I’ll explain the situation to Linca and get her on my side. After that, I can leave the rest to her. She’ll know how to talk to Sarah and Natra properly.)
Notes:
• Aerial – Female. A modern-looking young woman with short brown hair, revealing clothes, and gaudy accessories. She specializes in healing and basic magic but is cold and unsociable. She has a sad backstory related to losing her ability to sing magic.
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Count Cain – Talia’s father.
• Eros – The bishop’s son is an 18-year-old suitor, described as a cheerful and sincere young man. His courtship of Priscilla adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative.
• Louis – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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