episode_0022

A man sat arrogantly in the corner of the tavern, legs crossed, snickering to himself. His burly frame and the scar on his face made it clear he was desperate to flaunt his thuggish demeanor.

Most people would shrink back just from his appearance. But Arina, standing before him, showed no change in expression as she looked down at him with contempt.

“What do you want with me?”

“Well, wasn’t it you who needed a forged ID? You came to the right place. A small request like that, I can handle.”

“You sound like you want something in return.”

She already had an idea of what it was but asked anyway to be sure.

“You catch on quick. See, I’ve got plenty of money but no lover—gets a bit lonely, you know? A man like me needs company.”

“Then take her. Make the ID, and you can do whatever you want with her until we pass the checkpoint.”

Arina’s finger pointed at Lirit.

“Huh? Me?”

“Who else is there?”

Lirit gritted her teeth inwardly. After going out of her way to help, this was the thanks she got? For a succubus, it wasn’t a bad deal, but being treated like a tool still pissed her off.

To Arina, it was a win-win: Lirit got vitality, the man got pleasure, and she got her ID. Everyone was happy.

“Nah. That’s not enough.”

The man wagged his finger and uncrossed his legs. When he stood, the difference in height became stark.

A full head taller, the man loomed over Arina, forcing her to crane her neck almost vertically to meet his gaze.

To him, Arina probably looked like a pet.

No wonder he could smirk like that, oblivious to who was really in danger. The man ran his rough hand over Arina’s cheek.

“You need two IDs, right? Then two people should serve me. That’s only fair.”

“I’m not for sale. She is.”

“I’m not either!”

“Doesn’t matter. I prefer girls like you. There’s nothing better than seeing a proud woman like you break.”

“You’ll regret this. Do you even know who I am?”

“Heh, some noble’s kid? But that girl you’re with—she’s a succubus, right? Even nobles get executed for consorting with demons. What happens if I expose her here?”

His hand slid from her face to her neck. Still, she didn’t resist. The man could already taste victory.

“Fine. But not here. I’ve got my reputation. Let’s go somewhere quiet.”

Arina’s expression remained cold.

‘Playing tough? Cute. How long can you keep that up?’

Just imagining her panting beneath him made it hard to hold back.

“Then let’s hurry.”

“Wait, we haven’t settled the details. Are you the one making the IDs?”

“Nah. That’s handled by others. Security’s tight here, so I’m the only one around. The guys in the next town can do it—takes about ten days. You and the succubus just keep me company till then. Simple, right?”

“Ten days.”

“Got a problem? Well, if I put in a word, maybe we can shave off a day or two. But for that…” He smirked.

The man wrapped an arm around Arina’s shoulder and led her out of the tavern. Following behind, Lirit thought:

‘Is this guy blind?’

The way he strutted, oblivious that he had less than an hour left to live, was almost pitiful.

Arina was clearly planning to extract the location of his associates and then kill him.

How much pain he’d endure depended entirely on how much his attitude had pissed her off.

“Hey, old man. What’s your name?”

“Huh? It’s Dalcan. What, you wanna remember your master’s name? Good girl!”

‘Dalcan… May you rest in—actually, no. You don’t deserve it.’

Lirit shook her head at the fool marching straight into hell.

They stopped in a deserted back alley, untouched by foot traffic. Guards occasionally patrolled, but a bribe took care of that.

Dalcan hadn’t brought them here to save on lodging—just his vulgar tastes. Secretly, he hoped someone might watch.

“Now, both of you, strip.”

The moment Arina conjured lightning behind her back—

“Hold it!”

A voice cut in. Clicking her tongue, Arina dispersed the lightning. The alley was empty.

The voice had come from above. Backlit by the sun, the figure’s face was unclear.

The man jumped down—THUD—shaking the ground. His mass was immense.

Standing straight, he towered over Arina by three heads. His brutish frame made Dalcan look scrawny.

No matter how you looked at it, the difference was insurmountable. Dalcan paled.

“The hell are you?!”

“I saw it all. You coercing these innocent women into indecency.”

An unexpected intruder. For once, Arina and Dalcan shared a thought:

‘This is trouble. Guys like this never listen.’

“Coercion? Nah, it’s consensual. Right?”

Dalcan shot the girls a nervous look. Lirit, having no say, just stared blankly at Arina, who kept her lips sealed.

She’d agreed under duress, but saying it aloud was another matter.

“Hey!”

Sweating, Dalcan barked. Arina sighed. Fine.

“He’s right. It’s not forced. So leave.”

The sooner this trash was dealt with, the better.

But the man defied expectations.

“RRRAAAGH!”

CRASH! His fist slammed into the wall—with Dalcan’s face sandwiched in between.

Dalcan’s body flailed like a ragdoll before collapsing.

“What the—?!”

Arina’s curse slipped out. She hadn’t expected him to just punch the guy.

“The hell’s wrong with you?! Didn’t you hear me? We don’t need your help, you gorilla bastard!”

“I may not know what he threatened you with, but my eyes aren’t for show. I could tell you were being forced. I’d rather face scorn than ignore injustice.”

‘Is this guy insane?’ Sure, Dalcan was trash, but if this were a normal woman, how would she handle the gang’s retaliation?

But the man wasn’t oblivious.

“Come with me. The Hight family guarantees your safety.”

“Just leave him and—wait, Hight?”

“Indeed.”

As Arina hesitated, Lirit whispered:

“Never heard of them. Are they famous?”

“Demons only care about strength. The Hights are the kingdom’s top merchant family.”

Anyone on the continent would know. Turning back, Arina asked:

“You speak for the Hights? What influence do you have?”

“Naturally. I am the eldest son of House Hight.”

“Then you’re Daniel Hight? The so-called genius?”

Daniel was famous for his righteous nature and imposing stature, but his sharp mind defied his brutish appearance.

‘They say genius and madness are a thin line apart.’

Arina, who prided herself on brilliance, begrudgingly admitted there might be truth to it.

“Convinced now?”

“Convincing and trusting are different. We need to pass the checkpoint.”

“Hmm. So you were trading your bodies for forged IDs.”

He’d pieced it together without explanation.

“Should we really tell him? What if he arrests us?”

“That’s why I did. A man like him wouldn’t waste time on petty forgers.”

“True, but why are you heading to the Empire?”

“Because I am Riel Frost.”

“Huh?!”

Lirit’s eyes widened. Why reveal that? Though the chance he’d believe it was slim.

If he dismissed her as crazy and left, fine. They’d just have to abandon Dalcan.

“Is that true?”

“Surprised you’re not outright dismissing it.”

“I found it odd you showed no fear. Can you prove it?”

Arina didn’t move a finger. She simply released a pulse of magic. The gust of wind sent dust flying, blowing back Daniel’s hair.

“Heh. Seems I overstepped.”

“Convinced now?”

“At least I saved this man’s life. Not a total waste.”

Daniel’s tone turned polite.

“No need for formalities.”

“I must. You appear a teenage girl, but you’re my elder. It’d be rude to speak casually.”

“…? You’re younger? How old are you?”

“Twenty.”

Arina’s eyes widened. A rare look of shock. That face was twenty? She’d guessed thirty-five.

“If you’re truly the Archmage, you’d be twenty-seven. I couldn’t possibly use informal speech with someone seven years my senior.”

“I’m twenty-six. Don’t round up.”

The difference between six and seven was a sore spot—whether it counted as mid or late twenties.

“Huh? My information must’ve been wrong. Shouldn’t take rumors at face value.”

“Rumors, huh? Someone like you must’ve heard. The kingdom’s hunting Riel Frost for deserting the hero’s party.”

“Of course.”

“What will you do? Arrest me here?”

“Don’t be absurd. I know better than to pick a fight I can’t win.”

Daniel had never believed Riel fled without reason.

From what he knew, Riel wouldn’t abandon duty lightly. Political persecution made more sense—especially seeing her now as a woman.

“Then you’ll help me?”

“Yes. My position prevents me from aiding in forgery, but I can get you through the checkpoint another way.”

“Which is?”

“By becoming slaves of my family—temporarily.”