Chapter 170: Mom

Ｒｅａｄ​ ｏｎ Ｋ​ａｔＲｅａｄ​ｉｎｇＣａｆｅ

“To any civilians you encounter, explain that this is a ‘live combat training drill for urban warfare situations’ and evacuate them. Do not cause panic under any circumstances.”

…

…

…

This was their first mission.

Naturally, they had assumed their first assignment would be an extermination mission outside the Holy City. Unexpectedly, they were deployed within the city itself.

This was supposed to be the safest place in the world. The duties of the holy knights here were usually limited to escorting or maintaining public order.

“The designated area has been cleared.”

Surprisingly, a demon extermination had taken place.

In the Holy City, where no corrupt being was allowed to intrude, such a thing had happened.

The holy knights remained silent. They carried out their given mission without a word. After all, these were just low-level demons—barely even formed. Wielding their swords and staffs to protect the people without question was the duty of a knight.

The only saving grace was that this had occurred only near the outer walls.

Still, the fact that this phenomenon had happened at all was troubling, and fear crept into the hearts of the new recruits.

“Why here… in the Holy City…?”

Someone muttered under their breath, and the already heavy atmosphere grew even more stifling. Corpses of demons littered the area. The sticky remnants clinging to their swords.

None of them had expected to witness such a sight within the Holy City.

They were all afraid. The suspicion that something might have happened to the noble one who protected the Holy City—and the fear that the place they had believed to be safe might no longer be so.

Amidst this tension—

“If you keep making faces like that, the civilians will really think this isn’t just a drill.”

A female knight smacked her comrade on the back, lightening the mood.

“If we waver over something like this, what good are we? We’re holy knights. We’re the ones who stand firm and protect the people, no matter where or when.”

She, too, was a new recruit. She had only just officially become a knight.

“And… maybe someone’s feeling a little unwell right now. Isn’t this exactly why we’re here? Instead of worrying, swing your sword. Who knows? Maybe the knight who slays the most will get a reward.”

As she finished speaking, she flashed a mischievous grin, as if she intended to claim that reward herself, then dashed off with swift agility. Seeing this, the other recruits loosened up slightly, their movements less tense than before.

In the slightly eased atmosphere—

Natasha pretended not to be nervous, wiping away the sweat she had secretly shed, before stopping mid-run.

‘…What?’

She could see corpses strewn about—corpses that shouldn’t have been there yet.

‘Was there another squad here before us? Did the team assigned to the opposite area come over here?’

She tried to reason it out as she ran. If this area had already been cleared, she needed to go assist elsewhere.

Then, in the distance, she spotted a lone figure standing still.

Pale pink-tinged white hair fluttered gently in contrast to a black cloak that stood out starkly.

The figure seemed to sense her presence, turning around abruptly. A mage, standing motionless with a staff in hand. Judging by the demon corpses nearby, they must have been the one who dealt with them.

“…”

“…”

Under the clear morning sky, an odd silence lingered.

“…Ahem. You there, civilian. This is a live combat training drill for urban warfare. It’s dangerous, so please return to the residential area immediately.”

When Natasha delivered the official line, Sugar grinned brightly.

“Mmm, no. I was just meeting the holy knights.”

Then, muttering to herself—likely communicating with someone—she added:

“I think it’s about time I head back. I’ll be going now.”

How was she holding a conversation without a communication device? As Natasha watched, Sugar, having finished her call, turned to look at her.

“You’ve been working hard since morning.”

“It’s nothing worth mentioning.”

“Nothing? Isn’t it all for the sake of protecting people? You’ve got it tough.”

“I appreciate the encouragement.”

They exchanged polite greetings, maintaining eye contact. On the surface, it was a warm encounter—until:

“By the way, Knight. You’ve got a bad habit when it comes to slaying demons. Let me give you a little tip.”

“Huh?”

Sugar stuck out her tongue, grinning like a mischievous child.

“Your perfume’s too strong.”

The demons will smell you and run away~

The moment she finished speaking, she lightly leaped off the outer wall and disappeared. She had said her piece and vanished without a trace.

Left behind, the female knight’s veins bulged in frustration.

“Hey! I don’t wear it on missions!!”

She nearly jumped in place, itching to give Sugar a knuckle rap on the head. The other recruits, who had caught up, stared at her in bewilderment before bursting into stifled laughter. The knight who had seemed so mature just moments ago was now throwing a fit over one small woman—naturally, the tension dissipated.

Even as they laughed, their posture straightened, their expressions sharpened. To anyone watching, they were unmistakably trained holy knights.

And so, another peaceful day in the Holy City passed by.

***************

‘To think they’d slip in just because Her Holiness caught a cold and weakened a little…’

Sugar clicked her tongue as she darted between rooftops.

The Saint had collapsed. It wasn’t a life-threatening illness—just a common fever and cough.

The problem was that the person afflicted was the most crucial figure in the Holy City’s defenses.

‘At least she was still well enough to keep an eye on the commercial and residential districts.’

Like tiny insects slipping through a net, the dense barrier surrounding the Holy City had gaps, allowing low-level demons to infiltrate. Fortunately, they had only breached the less populated areas and outer walls.

“I’m back.”

Sugar arrived at the treatment center and climbed in through the window.

Inside the sickroom, Riley sat lethargically on the bed, a map of the Holy City spread out before him.

Sugar stood in front of him, a knife in one hand while she pinched her own cheeks with the other.

“I’m here… I took care of all the nasty bugs targeting Riley…”

“Please don’t say things like that while holding a knife.”

It doesn’t even sound like a joke— Riley sighed, and Sugar, giggling, threw herself into his arms.

“Any injuries?”

“Nope. Just this little thing. What about you? You okay?”

The two had teamed up to assist the busy holy knights. Riley scouted and gave directions, while Sugar did the legwork.

“This? Pfft, as if it’d be hard.”

“But you’re not in good shape.”

This also doubled as Riley’s rehabilitation. His internals were damaged, making mana use difficult, so they started with simple perimeter detection.

Sugar studied his expression—his dazed, unfocused eyes. He looked exhausted. She knew Riley’s habits inside and out; there was no way she’d miss it.

“Riley. I need to ask you something seriously…”

“What?”

“About the auction house trip. Do you want to just stay in the Holy City and rest?”

“Nonsense.”

Gently stroking the back of her neck as she nestled against him, he answered firmly.

“We still have two weeks. I’ll recover by then.”

“Idiot. Recovery doesn’t work like that…”

“Then I’ll push through.”

Sugar lifted her head slightly.

He doesn’t need to push himself this hard. Rest was the priority when injured. What if he overexerted himself and got worse?

‘We still have to go to school together next semester…’

Half-worry, half-resentment—and guilt wrapped around it all. Voicing it would only weigh on him, so she swallowed the words.

Instead, she brought up something else.

“…Riley. Just to be clear—the beach trip is just for us. Later, just the two of us.”

She had wondered if Riley was misunderstanding. Maybe he was pushing himself because of their promise to go to the beach.

“Zenrock City is purely for the auction. So you don’t have to force yourself. The beach is separate—we’ll take our time then…”

“I wasn’t confused.”

“…Oh?”

“I was already looking into it. Where would be good for a beach trip. Somewhere quiet. Just the two of us, relaxing.”

So we were thinking the same thing. Embarrassed, she averted her gaze.

Then, curiosity struck.

“Then… why did you look like that yesterday?”

“Look like what?”

“Yeah. You seemed… off.”

“…Ah.”

Riley closed his eyes briefly. His brow almost furrowed.

“It’s not worth talking about. Forget it.”

“Can’t you tell me?”

“It’ll just put you in a bad mood.”

“I don’t care.”

Sugar answered instantly, looping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips close to his ear. She clung to him, as if melding into him.

The moment she sensed something hidden in his words, her gaze sharpened with determination. I’ll uncover everything about you. A possessive desire.

“Tell me. I won’t get upset. Confide in me. Everything.”

“…”

“Hmm? Riley.”

I’ll accept all of you. I’ll swallow every part of you. Her sweet whisper left him dizzy.

“Sugar, you’re really…”

“Huh? What about me?”

Instead of answering, Riley suddenly grabbed her soft thigh. Sugar yelped and scrambled under the blanket like a snail poked in the eye.

“Wha—what was that?! Why?!”

Flustered, she flailed, while he replied with infuriating calm.

“Just keeping you in place. I’ll get you snacks.”

She realized his intent.

“Aaaah! Pervert! Scum!!”

A scream burst out on its own.

‘He sexually harassed me to dodge the question?! How dare he just grab my thigh like that?! Unbelievable! I didn’t raise you like this!’

‘You let him touch your chest all the time, though?’

‘Shut up!’

Scolding the voice in her head, she emerged from the blanket.

“Hey! You think dodging like this will make me give up?! If you’re avoiding it this hard, now I have to hear it!”

Her face was red, her stubbornness flaring. Riley watched her for a long moment before finally speaking.

“You really want to know?”

“Yeah!”

“Can you handle it?”

“Don’t underestimate me!”

Riley sighed. At this point, the only way to calm her down was to tell her.

…

The answer that followed, however, far exceeded expectations.

“Before… I told you that my mom left home when I was little, right?”

“Uh… huh?”

“The city she went to back then… was that one.”

Sugar just blinked.

Ah… Huh? Wait—

A cold sweat began trickling down her back.

Her mouth opened and closed reflexively, but no words came out. She didn’t even know what to say.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s all in the past. Doesn’t matter now.”

Riley spoke as if soothing her, but his tone carried frustration—mostly at himself.

Hearing the city’s name had dredged up old bitterness. He’d thought he’d forgotten those wounds, but apparently, they still lingered. It annoyed him that something so trivial could still affect him.

‘Sugar is my only family now. That’s all I need. So why do these old scars still hurt?’

He regretted bringing it up. Now he’d just upset the one person he cared about most. The only good thing that woman had ever done was lead him to Sugar—otherwise, she was worthless.

Riley handed Sugar some candy, hoping to distract her. She always cheered up when eating sweets. Maybe she’d at least force a smile.

“R-Riley…”

After a long silence, Sugar finally spoke.

“Come… sit here…”

She patted the spot beside her on the bed.

Riley sat down, expecting her to climb into his lap again—but instead, she pulled him into her embrace, pressing his face against her soft chest.

Then, in a trembling voice:

“M-Mommy’s here…”

“…”

“Riley’s mommy…”

Even as she said it, she shivered with embarrassment.

Sugar usually had no problem calling herself his “big sis” or even “mom,” but now she was shaking. Why?

“Y-You can… whine as much as you want…”

Her voice grew smaller, lips quivering. Her heart pounded wildly against his ear.

Riley almost laughed.

Did she feel guilty for prying into his past? Is this her way of apologizing?

He exhaled deeply, burying his face further into her. Her devotion was so absurd it made him want to tease her a little.

“Then… Sugar.”

“Y-Y-Yeah?”

“There’s something I want.”

“W-What is it?”

She gasped, subtly rubbing her chest against his face as she waited for his answer.

“I really wanna… lick something.”

“L-L-Lick…?”

She trembled so hard her body vibrated like a factory motor.

“N-No way… Y-You’re hurt… Y-You must be tired from earlier…”

“That’s why I need to lick.”

“Is… is that how it works?”

“Yeah.”

“O-Oh… okay…?”

Her voice wavered between nervousness and anticipation. This is an apology. Atonement. But guilt gnawed at her—this isn’t right.

‘If it’s what you want… I guess I have no choice…’

Just as she squeezed her eyes shut, lips pursed in resignation—

“So go buy me some candy.”

“…Huh?”

Her brain short-circuited.

Before she could react, Riley lifted her up and plopped her by the door.

“I’m out of sweets. Do me a favor.”

“Wait. Riley?”

“Here’s some coins. Get something for yourself too.”

“No, Riley, listen—”

“Watch for cars. And creeps.”

“But I was—”

“See you later.”

And just like that, she was ushered out, a few silver coins clutched in her hand.

“…Huh? HUH?!”