Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 86: The Second Major Request (3).

Allen took in the seven members who had gathered with a glance. Now, they were no longer a ragtag group but a mercenary band that could be deemed respectable.

The Group Leader smiled faintly, nodded lightly, and then struck somewhere on the map hanging on the wall with something like a baton.

Their gazes were drawn sharply to the tip of the baton.

Allen tapped on three cities that formed the vertices of a triangle.

“The Iron Fortress, Kalstadt… The Silver City, Agnentia… And us, the mercenary city, Vermandois.”

Then, he drew a triangle, connecting the three cities with straight lines.

“Does anyone know what’s happening here now? Heard any rumors?”

At that, the furry Geese made a slight chin gesture as if he knew a bit about the rumors and answered.

“I heard that disappearances are happening frequently now.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

In fact, there was no reason to react so peculiarly to the disappearance cases of merchant groups or mercenary groups. In this land full of all sorts of dangers, incidents like simple disappearances or mass killings happen all too often.

That such a minor incident had spread so far in rumors meant it couldn’t be seen as just a simple case. In other words, it meant there was some terrifying danger lurking.

“Of course, everyone might be expecting this… but it’s not just a simple disappearance.”

Allen’s cool gaze swept over the members.

“It involves demonic minions. It’s likely a dark mage, or a monster that has become a powerful magical beast.”

“…Is it our next mission?”

“It hasn’t been decided yet. Now that we’ve got some structure, I’m thinking of deciding based on your reactions… Of course, the decision will ultimately be mine alone.”

Everyone chuckled softly.

“Still, there’s no need to worry too much. Who do you think I am? I don’t just dive into things without thinking.”

Except for the two new recruits, everyone else trusted the Group Leader’s judgment without a doubt. After all, his decisions had always been right so far.

“Anyway. It’s just my guess, but I think we might enter a nearby demon land. The enemy wouldn’t be situated in such an open wasteland.”

“It sounds like a tough mission.”

“Still, it’ll probably be easier than the Susalber Dungeon or the Necromancer Wars.”

The laughter was louder this time. The comparison was just too intense… Honestly, if it were harder than that, it would basically be a death sentence.

“But since it’s a major request, it won’t be too harsh… There’s a week left until we depart. Any problems…? None, right?”

At that moment, the newly arrived archer, Gheorghe Pierre, raised his hand. The man, muscular enough to make a warrior blush, was of a very cautious character.

“Then, is there anything special we need to prepare?”

“There is, but I’ll take care of that. Just make sure to have emergency potions ready… Ah, and if you can afford it, holy water would be good too.”

Allen clapped his hands lightly to refocus the scattered attention.

“This demon uses dark magic of the mental type. It’s called the Siren’s Song. You’ll hear hallucinations and auditory illusions. It will be hard to distinguish from reality. Just like how it’s hard to realize you’re dreaming while in a dream… Of course, we’ll prepare to some extent, but it won’t be perfect.”

He lightly clenched his fist.

“It sounds easy, but you just have to not fall for the temptations… In the end, it’s all about willpower.”

‘Willpower!’

This was the very essence of martial arts that Itty Titty Natasha believed in.

“Just don’t forget your main duty. Then there won’t be any problems.”

The seven mercenary groups, having accepted a major request from the Marquis, left Vermandois at dawn.

For Natasha, this wasn’t her first mission, but it was her first as a member of the Allen-Mercenary Group… Perhaps because of that, her heart was pounding as if she were a newbie once again.

Adventure, journey, and exploration…

Her anticipation swelled like that of a dream-filled girl. Of course, a mission wasn’t always such a dreamy affair, but for her, who had been through death and back, this was something she greatly looked forward to.

‘…I will definitely prove the value of my existence.’

The itty titty swordswoman stealthily glanced at Group Leader Allen, who was sitting right across from her. He looked like a painting, endlessly staring at the dawn sky as if it were soaked in melancholy…

Feeling Natasha’s gaze, Allen quickly turned his head. She hurriedly closed her eyes tight, pretending to meditate.

Having devoted her life to swordsmanship, she didn’t quite understand this emotion blooming messily in her heart. She thought it was merely admiration and affection.

‘…Group Leader Allen is the savior of my life. He has been with me and supported me. It’s natural to feel good emotions.’

The particular interest she felt towards him was sufficiently justified with such excuses.

♪

The road to Agnentia was emptier than expected. Due to the mass disappearances and massacres, the frightened caravans avoided this path.

So even after a full day had passed since leaving Vermandois, the mercenary group hadn’t seen a single person, let alone the snout of an animal.

Whenever they took regular breaks, the itty titty swordswoman would often spar lightly with Training Junkie Victor to prevent their bodies from stiffening. If not sparring, then meditating.

Group Leader Allen, in particular, hovered around Natasha… For various reasons.

“How’s your first expedition?”

“So far, there’s absolutely no problem.”

“That’s a relief… I was worried I might have asked too much of you.”

“Asked too much? Not at all. It’s what mercenaries should naturally do… And, it’s something I wanted as well. I wanted to see the world.”

Allen smiled charmingly. His figure, reflected by the crackling campfire… was honestly too handsome.

He gently wrapped his hand around the back of her hand, which was resting on her knee.

“Ah…”

It was the same warmth she felt when she was struggling alone in loneliness. How moving it was—so much so that it was indescribable in words.

“Do you know how much I cherish you…? Don’t overdo it. If it’s hard, tell me anytime. I understand everything.”

…How could one not fall head over heels when an attractive person speaks so movingly? She felt as if her heart had plunged into a sweet honey pot and then emerged.

“…No, I’m okay. I can do it. With willpower, I can make it. With willpower…!”

“Haha. Yes, willpower….”

Soon, it was time for dinner. The two of them ate together, side by side, as before. She was happy just being with him. It was like a dreamy time.

The mealtime, neither too long nor too short, came to an end, and the group cleaned up before laying out their mats. Then, it was time for the last check before going to sleep.

Allen took Natasha, who was on her first night watch, behind the carriage. This night watch wasn’t just to monitor for bandit attacks, but also for various precautions.

The same points he had emphasized several times before flowed smoothly from his mouth again. She nodded vigorously, promising to remember them well.

“Good, I trust you, Natasha…”

“Don’t worry.”

Allen smiled oddly. Then, he gently pushed a strand of Natasha’s hair behind her ear and whispered.

“Elena’s chest… do you often steal glances?”

“…What?!”

She was startled, like a child caught telling a blatant lie.

“There’s no need to be too envious… Because I like you more.”

The moment she heard those words, joy surged from within her heart.

‘Ah… What a relief. Truly a relief…’

…And slowly, their faces drew closer.

Natasha closed her eyes gently and welcomed Group Leader Allen’s sweet kiss.

The first kiss in her life.

It was so sweet and ecstatic that it sent shivers through her body.

‘Group Leader also has feelings for me.’

‘What a relief. Truly a relief.’

‘I like it. Let’s keep going like this…!’

The kiss became more intense, and Allen’s touches grew bolder.

They roamed over her firm buttocks and her modest chest.

“Heup…”

An obscenely sticky and fierce kiss. Natasha was nearly out of her mind.

“I like you, Natasha.”

“…I-I like you too, Group Leader. Since then, until now, always…!”

And Allen enticingly sucked on Natasha’s ear while whispering stickily.

“…Want to go for a bit?”

“…Huh…?”

“To have sex… Every day, it must have been hard listening to the moans… You’ve held back a lot, right…?”

She couldn’t outright say yes… but it was an undeniable truth.

Every night at the inn, moans could be heard. No matter how calmly she tried to meditate, it wasn’t as easy as she wished. She often had erotic dreams, and sometimes, her underwear would end up damp.

“…You don’t want to? You don’t want to have sex with me?”

“Th-that’s not it…”

“Then let’s go. Just for a bit, let’s go…”

But strangely, she couldn’t bring herself to readily agree.

As if she were forgetting something.

There was something.

There was definitely something.

Something that must not be forgotten.

Allen once again greedily sucked on the pondering Natasha’s lips.

“Hmph.”

“Let’s go, hurry.”

“…Group Leader, just a moment. Just a moment….”

“Hurry up… Do you dislike me?”

“No, I like you. It’s just… we shouldn’t be doing this now…!”

“It’ll only take a moment.”

“Ah.”

…Right then, a phrase brushed through her mind.

“Just don’t forget your main duty. Then there won’t be any problems.”

It was something Group Leader Allen had said before departing on the expedition.

…Duty.

What was her duty?

Not to succumb to the demon’s temptation, to steadfastly keep her place. To diligently perform the role of a night watch.

‘…To overcome with willpower.’

———♬

Suddenly, everything spun before her eyes.

“Euh.”

After shaking her head vigorously and reopening her eyes, the scene had changed.

Group Leader Allen, with whom she had been sharing a sweet kiss, was nowhere to be seen, and instead, she saw the crackling campfire and her comrades snoring away.

The hourglass’s falling sand had not yet fallen halfway.

Ah…

Natasha swept her gaze around. A cool terror seeped into her chest.

‘…Everything was an illusion. Dizzyingly so, to the point where it was unclear when it had started.’

“Hey, are you okay?”

A sentinel from the nearby mercenary group asked Natasha if she was alright.

“…Yes, I’m fine.”

‘…No, in fact, I’m not fine.’

But she had no choice but to overcome it with willpower. With willpower, somehow…!

However, the sensation of the sweet first kiss still lingered on the tips of her lips.

…The demon’s temptation was dizzyingly soul-draining.