Volume 8 Chapter 50 The Warrior Woman Reunited
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Haa… haa… enough already…!”
A muffled cry echoed through the estate’s upper floor.
The building was stone-built, old but sturdy—stronger than any common house. Even so, its thick walls couldn’t quite hide a woman’s high-pitched voice from slipping past the heavy door.
”Honestly… you beast. How many times are you going to push yourself like that?”
The room’s owner lay sprawled across her bed, her orange hair clinging to her damp forehead. The sheets were a mess, the air thick with heat.
Klock stood beside her, looking far too pleased with himself.
”Running out of breath already?” he teased.
”Try barging into my room at dawn and see how you like it,” she shot back. “You’ve worn me out completely. I swear, that rough day in Rushelora felt kinder than this.”
He reached over and drew a hand along her back, his touch half-teasing, half-possessive. She sighed but didn’t pull away.
”So that was Rushelora, huh? Didn’t think I was that bad.”
”No different,” she said flatly. “You were just as persistent then—relentless hands, no pause for breath.”
Primlena sat up slowly, gathering the tangled sheets around herself. Her expression was more exasperated than shy.
”You enjoy yourself plenty, but there’s a limit, Klock. If you want a child, I won’t refuse. But at least treat me like I’m alive afterward. If this is how land-dwellers show affection, I’m speechless.”
Klock chuckled under her glare. She looked exhausted, yet her poise remained regal—a true Merfolk warrior even out of water.
”Typical brute behavior,” she muttered, then reached out, tugged him closer, and brushed a light kiss across his lips.
”My belly will start to swell soon, no doubt. I never thought much of myself as a woman, but judging from your energy, perhaps I should. Tell me, are Merfolk your type?”
”Not especially,” Klock said.
”I see. Well, most men fear what’s different. You don’t. That says something. Tell me then—are you this rough with Flavia too?”
He shook his head. “No. Haven’t even gone that far with her.”
”Really?”
”Yeah. The whole engagement thing just… happened. Unlike you, she showed up out of nowhere. I barely know her, and we’ve hardly talked.”
Primlena’s brows knit. “That’s not something you should be proud of.”
She shifted, her legs folding beneath her, eyes narrowing as she faced him squarely.
”Are you saying I’m your priority? Or is that really the truth?”
”Truth,” Klock said. “Forestkin are… complicated. I’m still figuring out how to deal with them.”
”Fool.” Her tone hardened. “Flavia is royalty—a princess offered as a bridge between Humans and Forestkin. If you think she’s just some token bride, fix that now. Approach her properly. See who she really is.”
”What’s got you worked up?”
”Because she’s not weak,” Primlena said. “Flavia may smile politely, but when she decides you’re not worth her trust, she’ll act. And when she does, you won’t see it coming.”
He frowned. “You’re making it sound like she’ll kill me.”
”She could,” Primlena replied. “You’re her husband now, but that doesn’t make you safe. If her people judge you unworthy, they’ll strike—and she won’t stop them.”
Klock scratched his head. “You’re reading too deep into this.”
”No. You’re not reading it at all.”
She fixed him with a cold look. “Flavia and I both know there are other women. That’s your affair. But neglecting your wife isn’t strength—it’s weakness. A man who can’t even face his own household won’t survive an age of war. Disappoint Queen Isabella, and she’ll end you without hesitation.”
The mention of that name silenced him. Isabella—the Forestkin queen—radiated a quiet, crushing authority.
”You think she knows about… us?” he asked.
”I’m certain of it,” Primlena said. “She tracks every move her daughter makes. Humiliate that girl, and do you think Isabella will forgive you?”
Klock exhaled. So that’s it.
If he respected the Forestkin, he needed to show it through Flavia. Neglecting her would insult not just the princess but her entire clan.
”…Alright,” he said at last. “I’ll be careful.”
”Good.” Primlena rose from the bed, drawing a towel around herself. “Flavia was offered to you in good faith. Now it’s your turn to show the same. That marriage may not be born of love, but honor it as if it were.”
She wiped herself clean, composure returning with every movement.
”You’re heading to the battlefield today, aren’t you?” she asked. “Take both Flavia and me as your escorts.”
”My escorts? I’ve got a fine cat at home, you know.”
”That kitten can’t negotiate—or fight if needed. Neither can your Hero. You’ll need warriors beside you.”
”I’ll mediate between you two. You’ll drop that awkwardness around the Forestkin and start getting closer to Flavia.”
She said it like an order—but one wrapped in care.
If Primlena was willing to bridge the gap, things would go smoother. Flavia would probably feel safer with another woman of rank nearby—someone who understood what it meant to marry into another people.
”If things sour between you and Flavia, that rift won’t stop there,” Primlena warned. “It’ll spread to the others—to your wives, to your concubines. I may have no choice but to kill her, and then the Forestkin will curse us for a thousand years.”
Klock grimaced. “That’s… comforting.”
”Quarreling with royalty is no small thing,” she continued. “Don’t fool yourself into thinking marriage means ownership. It means a lifetime of diplomacy—with your own wives.”
”…Yeah, I’ll be careful.”
Hard to argue with that.
He didn’t plan to ever let things get that bad, but he understood what she meant—if it came to that, she’d be forced into an impossible position.
Klock threw himself backward onto her bed, arms spread wide.
The day of departure, and already he felt heavy.
Too much to think about—too many people watching.
Life in the Beast Country had been simpler. Carefree.
He wondered what Elna and the innkeeper were doing now.
* * *
”Feeling unwell?”
”She hasn’t been herself since morning,” the steward said.
”I see. Please tell Lady Rosalie not to worry about seeing me off. I hope she recovers soon.”
Before leaving for the front, Klock stopped by to greet his employer. Kreis looked the same as ever, calm and polite. Rosalie, however, didn’t appear.
”Lady Rosalie’s always been frail,” Kreis said lightly. “She’ll recover soon enough. Just take care out there. No one will get in the way of your first shining victory. I expect good news.”
Klock kept his reply brief and left the Borges estate.
He’d half expected talk of reinforcements, but Kreis offered nothing.
”‘A shining victory,’ huh,” Klock muttered. “He sure says that easy. What kind of miracle are ninety-two soldiers supposed to pull off?”
Realistically, not much.
They’d be a drop in the ocean—facing an army of thousands.
If anyone made a name for themselves, it’d be Cianie and the other elites. Kreis didn’t know Hero, so he clearly didn’t plan to reward whatever happened. No witnesses, no commendations—no bonuses either.
That kind of attitude killed morale faster than enemy arrows.
Still, what Kreis wanted was simple: a record saying he’d sent troops.
Klock already had an estate. Complaining would sound ungrateful.
After that, he climbed into the waiting carriage.
Two women sat inside—his escorts for the campaign.
The sea and the forest, both in one carriage: Primlena and Flavia.
”Think things will go smoothly?” Primlena asked.
”For now, yeah. The Baron’s not lending us troops, but that might work out better. Less oversight means Hero can move freely.”
”That’s convenient,” Flavia said softly. “Your enemies are many. Having fewer hands in the pot is a blessing.”
‘Lord,’ she called him.
Klock nearly flinched.
Ever since he’d been granted an estate, Flavia had taken to addressing him like that.
He glanced at Primlena for rescue. She turned away, pretending not to hear, her finned ears twitching.
”Well,” Klock said, rubbing his neck, “it’s basically our first real battle. We’re short on numbers, so it won’t be easy. Brace yourselves.”
Primlena only shrugged.
Humans didn’t concern her much—and with Hero in their ranks, she had nothing to fear.
Flavia, on the other hand, straightened in her seat.
”Leave everything to me,” she said with absolute confidence. “This battle will be the perfect chance to show my worth. I’ll guard you with all I have. Whatever you need—use me as you wish.”
The phrasing was so formal it made Klock’s skin itch.
He turned his gaze toward the window.
”Uh, thanks. Just don’t mind if I sound rough sometimes. I’m not used to all that fancy talk.”
”Your thoughtfulness honors me,” she replied smoothly. “Rest easy. I hold no hesitation in my heart. My body already belongs to you. Treat Flavia as a tool—use me however you see fit.”
The air froze.
Klock met Primlena’s eyes. Both were speechless.
”Flavia,” Primlena said finally. “You came here as a princess of the Forestkin. I admire your loyalty, but calling yourself a tool is… not right.”
Klock nodded. “Yeah, that’s going a bit far.”
But Flavia didn’t waver. Her gaze stayed calm, her tone reverent.
”There is no error,” she said. “My body is a tool of the Chosen Ones and the Chain Binder. I am to serve as their limbs. To obey as servant, to stand as wife, to shield as protector. If commanded to strike, I shall bring judgment. If commanded to die, I shall open my throat without hesitation. Above all, I must serve the Chain Binder first. That is my mother’s teaching.”
Silence swallowed the carriage.
Only the wheels clattered beneath them.
…She’s terrifying, Klock thought.
He stared, mouth open. Primlena blinked twice, lost for words.
”Flavia?” he asked carefully.
”Yes?”
”That’s, uh… more like a metaphor, right? In practice, maybe keep things flexible. If I say something stupid while drunk, like ‘drop dead,’ you don’t actually go and do it, okay? Sometimes loyalty means not taking orders literally. Think of your mom’s teaching as a mindset, not a rule.”
He forced a smile, trying to steer her off that cliff.
Flavia tilted her head, then nodded. “I understand.”
”Good. See, I’m Human and you’re Forestkin. Different worlds, different customs. You’ll learn our ways bit by bit. Just keep an open mind, yeah?”
”Yes, my lord,” she said softly.
Klock exhaled. One crisis defused—barely.
”As you command.”
Flavia bowed her head with quiet obedience.
Klock exhaled, half relieved, half uneasy. Primlena caught his eye and gave him a subtle thumbs-up from across the carriage.
So this is what she’s like, huh.
The girl’s mindset was twisted—devotion turned into self-erasure.
If someone tells her to die, she’ll do it? What kind of queen teaches that to her daughter?
He rubbed his temples.
Whatever led to that way of thinking, the root had to be Isabella.
Then it hit him. Teekua.
It wasn’t about him—it was about their goddess.
Maybe Flavia’s words had been directed at Klock, but Isabella’s intent was aimed higher—toward the deity behind the Chosen Ones.
Their marriage wasn’t just politics; it was a pact between the Void and the Grand Cathedral.
If that were true, Isabella had offered her daughter to Teekua, not to Klock.
Teaching Flavia to act as a sacrifice was her way of showing obedience to the divine.
”Lord Klock,” Flavia said softly. “You look troubled. Have I done something wrong?”
Klock forced a grin. “Nah. I was just thinking you’re… pretty cute, that’s all.”
Primlena’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
Flavia, unfazed, replied, “So I’ve been told. Back home, they said I was charming as a butterfly. I’m glad you find me pleasing.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. She spoke of herself like an item in a marketplace—valued for service, not self.
No emotions, just duty.
Good thing Primlena gave me that talk, he thought. I’ll need to keep an eye on this one. No telling what she might do.
Her blind obedience reminded him of a girl who was long gone.
The silence that followed stretched thin, the carriage swaying in uneasy quiet.
* * *
”Yo, Boit! Glad we’re hitting the field together again!”
”What are you babbling about, idiot? I told you I’m staying behind!”
At Conro’s south gate, the grass barely reached their boots. Armed men crowded the area, joking and laughing.
The Brigante band was assembled—mostly adventurers, judging by the lack of tension.
Boit barked orders from atop a wagon, yelling at workers to move crates faster.
”Nice work getting the weapons together,” Klock called. “I’ll officially appoint you as our personal arms dealer for this campaign!”
”Like hell you will! You dumped the money on me with no suppliers left. I had to pay above market just to scrape this up!”
”But you did get it done.”
”Yeah, by paying through the nose! Keep this up and we’ll be broke before the war even starts!”
Behind Boit, a few kids unloaded gear from the wagon.
Nora was among them, along with several faces Klock didn’t recognize. Probably day laborers—he’d freed the slaves already.
Less than two weeks had passed since they’d arrived in town.
Klock had left all the supply work to Boit, and the man had pulled it off by throwing money at every problem. Costly, but effective.
Food supplies came courtesy of the Borges family, sparing Klock’s wallet from total ruin.
With so few soldiers, preparation hadn’t taken long.
If he was leading personally, this number—ninety-two—was manageable.
These were the official members now; the other hundred had stayed behind in Valture to return to farming, just as he and Kreis agreed.
The troops gathered here were mostly seasoned adventurers and veterans from Rushelora.
Rachel and Kaitney had the day off.
”Sir Klock,” a voice called. Suzette approached, fully armored in leather gloves and boots—ready for monster combat.
He tried to make a joke about how good she looked, but she smacked his arm lightly in warning.
”Something happened last night,” she said. “Someone was attacked in town.”
”Attacked?”
”The victim was a local, not one of ours. But…” she hesitated, “…there were bite marks on the neck.”
”…What?”
Klock froze. Bite marks. His mind flashed to her—that manic woman with the blood-red grin.
”The rumors are spreading fast,” Suzette continued. “People say it was a monster, but monsters tear, they don’t bite.”
”It’s a vampire,” Meina cut in, appearing beside them out of nowhere. “I can feel it.”
Klock didn’t even flinch. He’d already spotted her jogging over earlier.
She and Suzette were working together today.
”Then that means,” Meina said gravely, “the Moon Court has infiltrated this town.”
So it had begun.
Klock ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
Meina scowled; Suzette stayed stoic.
Behind them, Boit groaned as if he’d heard enough.
Once again, the enemy had slipped inside their walls.
It felt like a mosquito buzzing in his own room—irritating and impossible to ignore.
But infiltration was inevitable. It always was.
He’d already assumed the Majin had spies everywhere.
”Viola hasn’t stopped looking for us,” Suzette said. “She only stopped using her eyes because we stayed alert. If she’s resorted to infiltration, it means she’s grown impatient—and she’s sent her servants into human towns.”
Klock clenched his jaw. Another quiet war had already begun.
”Yeah, that’s the most reasonable way to see it.”
”Handling Lady Cianie is the Demon Lord’s Army’s top priority,” Suzette said. “They’ll start by finding her location. The infiltrator’s goal is almost certainly to locate and monitor the Hero.”
Klock and Meina both nodded. That lined up perfectly with what they’d guessed.
The Cursed Eye of the Moon Mirror was powerful—but useless indoors. It worked in open fields, not within a crowded town.
Every strategy on both sides revolved around Cianie. Viola couldn’t move without considering her. No matter what she did, it would tie back to the Hero.
”If we can leave before the vampires find us, we’re lucky,” Suzette continued. “As long as Lady Cianie remains hidden, Viola won’t act recklessly. If we free Sanrid before they strike, we might avoid fighting at a disadvantage.”
”Yeah. But if they already know we’re here, that changes everything,” Klock said.
Suzette frowned. “You think this could be a setup?”
”It could. Maybe they sent scouts ahead to prepare for an attack. If that’s the case, Conro might get hit while we’re gone.”
Meina went quiet. The idea made too much sense.
Nobody knew how much the enemy had learned. Brigante had come straight south to this town; if the vampires had tracked their movement, it wasn’t strange to assume they knew already.
”Then why leave such obvious bite marks?” Klock asked.
Suzette and Meina exchanged glances.
”If it were me,” he said, “I wouldn’t leave a body at all. Suzette, what about you?”
”I’d do the same. If I wanted to stay hidden, I’d dispose of the body.”
”Exactly.”
Rumors of a vampire attack were strange in themselves. Leaving a victim visible meant one of two things: a mistake—or a message.
”Could it be a declaration of war?” Meina asked.
”Could be,” Klock said. “Viola would do something like that. But it might’ve been an accident—or bait. She could be trying to draw Cianie out.”
Right now, every explanation seemed possible. The only certain thing was that the Vampire faction was on the move.
”If we leave town, we’ll have to watch our backs,” he muttered.
”Yes. If we cancel the operation, now’s our last chance,” Suzette said.
”Not happening. We’re already marching out. Can’t pull that back now.”
But Klock’s thoughts lingered on Conro. Could the town survive an assault from Viola’s forces? Probably not.
Running back to explain things to Baron Borges was impossible—and even if he did, Kreis would never agree to halt deployment.
Their marching order represented the Borges House. Turning back would mean political suicide.
”Once we’re on the road, we’ll need countermeasures against Viola,” he said.
She wanted the Hero—and that meant she wanted him.
But even aside from that, Conro itself was a prime target. It was a key hub in the east. Losing it would be a disaster.
”You feel that?” Suzette whispered suddenly.
Klock blinked. “What?”
She tilted her chin slightly toward a troop passing nearby.
A silver lion emblem gleamed on their banner.
”…That’s the Count Grasso’s troops,” Klock murmured. “Highest-ranking noble house in Conro.”
The soldiers marched with perfect discipline, banners fluttering, weapons glinting in the sunlight.
He frowned. “Did we do something to get on their bad side?”
”Perhaps it’s our banner,” Suzette said. “We’re flying the Borges crest, after all.”
He hadn’t noticed before, but now the weight of their gazes pressed against him. It wasn’t the whole troop—just one person among them.
”Kreis never mentioned a feud with House Grasso,” he started, then stopped cold.
No way.
His eyes widened. He knew that face.
”…Is something wrong?” Suzette asked.
Klock didn’t answer. His attention locked on a single figure among the Count’s vanguard.
A woman stood there, long black hair streaked with crimson, resting a halberd on her shoulder. She glared straight at him, daring him to move.
”Sir Klock?”
He forced a laugh. “Nah, it’s nothing. Hey, uh, where’s Cianie again?”
”She’s inspecting the troops for succubus traces,” Suzette said.
”Right, right. Gonna… check on her.”
He turned away quickly, pretending to admire the sky. “Nice weather today, huh?”
A sharp clang rang out.
Everyone turned toward the sound—the halberd had smashed into the cobblestones, sending shards flying.
Every eye went to the woman, but Klock didn’t so much as glance back.
He grabbed Meina by the hand and vanished into the crowd.
* * *
”Tch. That bastard,” Ada muttered.
”Heyyy, Ms. Adaaa!” Clara waved as she approached. “What’s up? You look cranky!”
”Clara, huh. Nothing.” Ada sighed. “Where are Deena and Licia?”
”With the carriage already. Want us to wait?”
”No. You and your crew ride with me. Once we reach Orrid, stick close. Don’t wander off.”
”Aw, really?”
”I mean it. Orrid’s turned into a full-blown pleasure town. Things happen there. If you get snatched off the street, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
”Okayyy,” Clara said, pouting.
Ada looked toward the road south, the halberd still glinting under the morning sun.
”…We’ll settle this soon, Klock.”
Notes:
• Rushelora – A port where demons are allowed to stay at embassies under special circumstances. It is a location where humans and demons have trade relations.
• Primlena – Orange-haired merfolk priestess, fierce yet elegant | First v8c3 | Sister of Sea General Primjune, subordinate to Primrity | Once captured and violated by Klock, now obsessed with reclaiming honor | Commands Obsidian Riders on giant fish, fights with trident | Seeks to drag Klock to Seabed Temple for marriage trial or execution | Unique note: revenge-driven siren bride who masks fury under ritual grace
• Flavia – Younger Forestkin princess (132). Gentle yet resolute. Sent by Queen Isabella as marriage pledge to Klock, the Chain Binder, symbolizing the Void’s loyalty to the Goddess Teekua.
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Rosalie – Daughter of Viscount Albert Fennec, district chief of Basselow. Formerly weak and bedridden under Suzette’s care, she recovered after escaping Basselow’s fall to the Demon Lord’s Army. Now sheltered by House Borges, she stands as the surviving heir to the Fennec title.
• Kreis – Baron of Valture and district chief. A middle-aged noble weighed down with gold chains and jeweled rings, yet it’s his hawk-like eyes and sly smile that mark him as dangerous. He meets Klock at the Borges family’s social gathering, greeting him by name as Maria’s son before Klock can even introduce himself—like a predator that already knows its prey.
• 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.
• Boit – A merchant involved in human trafficking, with a villainous face and a loud, obnoxious voice. He is pragmatic and willing to help Klock escape the country in exchange for something. His relationship with Klock is business-like, though both are aware of each other’s illicit activities.
• Valture – A district within the Conro Federation, administered by Baron Kreis Borges. Outwardly it appears stable and prosperous, but its politics run on favors and hidden bargains, making it a place where strangers like Klock can be measured as assets or prey the moment they arrive.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Meina – She is a golden-haired catgirl employee of the beastman (Larana the cat woman) Inn, appeared performing fellatio, desperate and tear-streaked, with an inexperienced yet earnest approach to her work.
• Count Grasso – Human noble of Conro known for strict discipline. His troops appear during Klock’s campaign march under the Borges crest. Leads the region’s highest-ranking house, commanding respect and tension with Klock’s forces. Alias: “The Silver Lion.” No direct ties to Klock, but his vanguard includes Ada, a former comrade turned rival.
• Ada – Female. Ada the Wild Wind. An A-rank adventurer. Her appearance is striking, with black hair mixed with fiery red, multiple earrings, and an axe spear as tall as she is. She is incredibly strong and fast, with a Unique Skill called the ‘Blessing of the Wind’ that enhances her speed and agility. Ada is ruthless in combat but shows a surprising willingness to negotiate. She is highly respected in adventurer circles and feared by criminals. Her relationship with Klock is adversarial, as he stole from her and escaped using trickery.
• Clara – Female. A junior knight in the Crotopone knights. She is energetic and a joker, often making light of serious situations. Her appearance is not described in detail. She has a casual relationship with Tiet, who sighs at her lack of growth.
• Deena – A 21-year-old unmarried woman. Her appearance is that of a beautiful woman wearing black mourning attire. She is grieving the recent loss of her father in a maritime accident. Deena is the older sister of Elide and is initially mistaken by Klock for a widow.
• Licia – Female. A junior knight in the Crotopone knights. Her playful banter adds warmth to the tense situation, reminding readers of the bonds between comrades.
• Orrid – Southern pleasure town near Conro, known for its chaos and vice. Serves as Brigante’s next destination and Count Grasso’s sphere of influence. Rumored den of spies and mercenaries.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply