Volume 2 Chapter 15 Conditions For Survival
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Both remained silent, the steady sound of water filling the quiet bathroom.
Tiet’s eyes locked onto Klock with a calm intensity, her gaze unwavering as if she were studying him. The silence between them stretched on, carrying an unexpected weight that made Klock shift slightly, uncomfortable under her scrutiny. He turned his face away, trying to break the tension, even as a restless urge pressed within him.
”Does it feel good?” she asked softly, her hand resting lightly on her abdomen.
”Hmm? Yeah, it feels good,” Klock replied without much thought.
Despite having shared many moments before, this was the first time she seemed genuinely curious about how things felt.
”How good?” she pressed.
”How good?” He frowned slightly, confused by the question. “I mean… it feels really good.”
”That’s not what I meant. You’ve been with others before, right? So where do I stand among them?”
Klock blinked, taken aback by the unusual question. It felt like a trap—impossible to answer honestly in the moment. Even if she were the worst, he couldn’t say it now.
”Why ask something like that out of nowhere?” he wondered silently. “It’s hard to answer when we’re… like this.”
Still, he tried to give her some reassurance. “Well… maybe first or second.”
”Oh? Is that so?”
He offered a vague compliment with a faint smile. The truth was, he felt a strong connection with Tiet, but it wasn’t like he kept a ranking in his head. He had been with many others—long-term partners included—and comparing them all was impossible. Each relationship was different, like distinct flavors, none better or worse.
So why was she suddenly so focused on this? It felt like the curiosity of someone beginning to realize how much she cared, wanting to gauge his feelings in return.
”Who’s on par with me? Adelina?”
”No, not really.”
”Then who? Is it someone I can’t ask about?”
”No, it’s not that. But, how about talking about others while we’re… together?”
Normally, moments like these were meant to deepen their bond. Klock’s attention should be solely on her—not wandering elsewhere. The idea of discussing someone else at such a time was strange, even unsettling.
”Why?” she asked, voice low.
”What if I said Adelina felt better while I’m with you?”
Normally, such words would spark anger or jealousy, but Klock only found himself silently noting how different her attitude was. Did being a Stras mean she thought differently?
”…Yeah, that would be frustrating. But I’m curious. Just this once, tell me.”
Her candidness surprised him. She clearly thought it was a fair question, and curiosity had won out over embarrassment.
”There was a childhood friend named Cianie. She was someone from long ago.”
”Cianie? Hmm…”
Upon hearing the name, Tiet tilted her head slightly, thoughtful. Did she have some connection to that name?
”So ‘long ago’ means you’re no longer in contact?”
”Yeah, I haven’t spoken to her in over ten years.”
Her questions kept coming, relentless even during their closeness. Was she really that curious?
”I see. So among the people you’re involved with now, I’m number one, right?”
”Hmm? Yeah, I suppose that might be true.”
What exactly was she aiming for? Did she want to be not just the best, but the absolute top in every way?
Suddenly, Tiet shifted, lifting her upper body and reaching for Klock’s shoulder. She pulled him close, her lips pressing against his in a soft, inviting kiss.
Her mouth was warm and gentle, lips tender and pleading. It was a silent request for affection, a sweet and subtle dance of closeness. When he responded with his own, she met him halfway, their mouths exploring each other with playful resistance.
Klock smirked at her spirited teasing, gripping her neck firmly as their kiss deepened. His tongue lightly met hers, hungry to explore every corner of her mouth.
After a moment, Tiet gave in, her tongue shyly intertwining with his. It felt as though he had crossed a hidden threshold, discovering a secret place. He wanted to keep pressing forward, to maintain the quiet dominance of their connection.
Breaking the kiss, Klock pulled back slightly, breath uneven.
”About what you said earlier,” she murmured, a touch of irritation in her voice.
”What is it?”
He paused, uncomfortable. They had agreed to do whatever she wanted today, but leaving him like this—half-entranced—was wearing on him. Could they at least finish properly before he had to deal with this?
”Would you become my subordinate knight?” she asked suddenly.
”A subordinate knight?” He blinked in surprise.
She explained, “It’s like being a knight’s apprentice, serving the master and caring for those around them. In the Kingdom of Crotopone, it’s a training period before becoming a full knight. Recommended by the knight you serve, you’re ordained to protect the realm.”
”And…?”
”There’s money. You won’t have to struggle to eat or survive. If you follow me, you’ll never have to worry about that again.”
Klock frowned. “Why are you saying this all of a sudden?”
”Because it’s better than living a lowly life. Follow me down the path of my strength. If you become my subordinate knight, Anna will change your mind.”
His confusion deepened. She had brought this up at the most unexpected time—while they were still close. And besides, it was odd for a man his age to serve a woman so much younger.
”I… I have to politely decline.”
”What? Why not?”
Tiet’s eyes widened, her body shifting to press against his even closer. They sat entwined, bodies connected as they spoke, yet her energy radiated like a challenge.
”Why aim to become a knight now? I’m free to face whatever comes.”
”That’s not true. Anna is targeting you! Honestly, Anna is the strongest human around! When we met at the royal capital, she seemed undecided, but once she gets serious, there won’t be time to negotiate or run.”
Hearing her describe the hero as such a terrifying threat shook Klock. If Tiet truly saw her as the strongest, she must be an incredible force.
Still, to Klock, both the Hero and Tiet felt like distant, otherworldly powers—inescapable forces rather than people.
”It wouldn’t change anything if I were under your command. And do you guarantee the Hero wouldn’t target me if I became your squire?”
”I’ll protect you! I can hold off Anna, even if I can’t defeat her!”
Klock was caught off guard by her confidence. He had never imagined a day when a young woman would protect him. It wasn’t just awkward; it stirred a strange feeling deep inside.
Words failed him. The steam in the bath hung thick, droplets falling quietly onto the rocky floor. The silence somehow made everything feel heavier, as if time itself had slowed.
”So… what will you do?”
Tiet’s voice was cautious but steady. He wanted to refuse outright, to end this strange conversation. But protecting her was not entirely unreasonable. She was skilled, capable, and might truly hold her own against the Hero’s wrath.
Still, why did she want him as her subordinate? Thieves and knights were usually on opposite sides—chasers and prey. Their current relationship was complicated enough. Why ask him to protect her as well? Shouldn’t she worry more about the dangers around her?
At a loss for words, he resumed moving gently, unable to answer just yet.
He pressed a light kiss to her lips, so close to his, as their bodies moved together in a steady rhythm. Tiet responded with a soft sound, but her eyes stayed fixed on him without a hint of frustration.
It seemed she didn’t mind continuing their conversation even in such an intimate moment.
Taking advantage of this, he decided to buy some time.
”Sorry, I’m a bit distracted right now. Can I finish this part first, then we can talk more?”
”Mmm… I suppose men can’t focus until they’ve released, right? Go ahead.”
Her permission came easily, and as she shifted, he pressed down, returning them to their original closeness. He leaned into her, moving steadily inside her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, inviting him closer, holding him tightly.
…He couldn’t move much.
Her embrace held him firmly; when he tried to sit up, he found himself lifting her with him, unable to create any space. With no choice, he continued as best he could.
The sounds of their closeness filled the air—wet and unmistakably intimate. Most would be shy at such noises, but Tiet showed no embarrassment, her calmness almost surprising.
Holding her close, he matched her pace, moving simply but precisely, hitting all the right spots. No special technique was needed; all that mattered was finding a rhythm she liked.
”Feels like you’re getting close,” he joked softly, wanting to see her blush for once.
Instead, she answered plainly, her voice steady yet inviting. “Come on, let it out with me! When you do, kiss me!”
Far from embarrassed, she spoke with pure honesty, commanding him gently to time everything perfectly. It was normally hard to admit such things aloud, but she was fearless in expressing her desire.
How had she ended up in a party of heroes with such openness? Klock imagined her companions must have found her spirited nature both challenging and endearing.
Contrary to what he thought, Tiet had been a serious and dependable adventurer before meeting him—trusted like a precious younger sister.
Now, she felt safe enough to be completely herself around him. It was as if her heart had opened wide.
”Y-Yes! It feels so good!” she gasped.
”…Huh?”
Her words caught him off guard—so direct and unabashed. Though he understood, his head tilted in confusion.
”You’re so eager, moving against me like you want more… Like you’re ready to claim me, right?”
Her body tightened with every movement, and he felt the intensity growing.
Why was she suddenly so passionate?
Her candid words calmed him somewhat. He wasn’t put off by such talk—after all, he was a man—but it was unusual to hear from her so openly.
He recalled a time when she’d spoken like this before, hyping up the moment with her words.
”Ahh… Klock…”
She was nearing her limit. He matched her pace quickly, releasing in sync with her.
Tiet wrapped her legs around him, holding him close.
”Be mine! I’ll cherish you every day!” she whispered fervently.
They reached their peaks together, a perfect harmony of pleasure that left them breathless and tightly entwined.
Panting heavily, Klock caught his breath while Tiet, still composed, kissed his neck softly and teased his ear with her tongue.
He’d thought their connection was strong before, but this moment felt unparalleled. With every encounter, she felt more like the only one for him, making past memories with others feel distant and faded.
”She’s definitely the best match for me,” he thought with certainty.
Tiet spoke with quiet conviction, “Klock, you should just belong to me. You can’t defeat Anna on your own. Your only choices are to die or become mine. There’s no other way, is there?”
The conversation resumed quickly, though it sounded like a plea wrapped in passion. Normally, it might sound like just lust—but it was also a life decision.
Why was she so determined to bind him to her? And why did he feel the urge to accept?
When she mentioned the hero Anna, Klock’s resolve wavered. Facing the hero alone was nearly impossible. If survival meant following her lead, he didn’t have the luxury to refuse.
”…Well, maybe that’s alright,” he admitted, tired of overthinking.
He didn’t like being bossed around, but Tiet didn’t push in a harsh way. If things went wrong, he could always run. For now, pretending to agree would keep the peace.
”Good. Then Adelina’s not needed anymore,” she said casually.
Klock reacted sharply, surprised by the sudden declaration.
”…What?” he asked.
”Yes. For battles, for dealing with Anna, for everything—just the two of us is enough. Adelina can stay behind once we reach the capital. From now on, it’s just us traveling together.”
To his shock, Tiet was ready to push Adelina out of the picture entirely.
Notes:
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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