episode_0008

000

“Woo-hahaha! This is amazing, amazing!”

The restaurant located within the guild.

After the sun has completely set, adventurers returning from their adventures fill the seats one by one.

Carrying fatigue and wounds,

Holding accomplishment and spoils in both hands, pouring frothy liquor into their glasses, and

Raising their voices to boast about themselves, or to slander each other. Praising, or crying.

It is the time when the most unique people in the world become the most bizarre.

Albein was one such person.

With a liquor glass in one hand, he laughed heartily and put his foot on the chair.

“Albein. Be quiet, it’s embarrassing!”

Looking at Albein’s behavior, Lyla blushed.

It has been a year since she became an adventurer, but she still doesn’t seem accustomed to this kind of setting or atmosphere.

As if not caring about Lyla’s nagging, Albein downed the liquor in his glass in one go.

“Puh-! Hey Lyla! We completed an A-class request! It’s okay to be a little more excited!”

“You’re too excited!”

The exploration of the abandoned mine ended smoothly.

They smashed the stronghold of the goblin miners guarding the deepest part and returned with a large number of dwarven tools.

These were used in various studies through the guild, and the converted gold coins were a considerable sum.

A successful quest completion after a long time.

And to have made acquaintance with a new beauty while earning money,

Albein felt as if his recent pent-up stress was completely gone.

Lyla also knew Albein’s feelings to some extent, so she didn’t resort to physical force.

However, compared to the thoughtless Albein, Lyla and Sasha were each thinking about different things.

Lyla was suspicious of the woman quietly drinking from her glass in front of her.

The self-proclaimed ‘Shaman’ Gala.

Sasha was worried about her colleague who asked Kleon to take care of her.

The priest ‘Kuon.’

“Thanks to you, the quest was completed. It’s also important to freely relieve stress to some extent as an adventurer.”

Defending Albein, Gala smiled.

In her hand, she held a box decorated with jewels found in the deepest part of the abandoned mine.

“Is it really okay to only take that as compensation?”

Gala insisted that it was the item she was looking for and refused any other compensation.

Sasha opened her mouth, worrying about Gala.

“She said she’s okay with just that. There’s no problem, right?”

Lyla spat out at Sasha as if telling her to mind her own business.

Of course, Lyla was also concerned about the object Gala was holding.

Even when looking inside through magic vision, she couldn’t grasp what was inside at all.

If the contents are not related to magic, then it is not an item that a shaman would covet enough to give up other rewards.

Lyla had told Albein that it should be handed over to Gala after confirming what was inside.

However, Albein, who completely liked her, retorted at Lyla, saying that one box was okay.

Then, Lyla felt a headache and suppressed her anger, taking a step back and saying she understood.

“Haa~ Adventure is really good. Trustworthy companions and thrilling battles. And treasures too.”

“Yeah, I quite enjoyed this party this time too.”

Gala answered Albein’s words.

Seeing her face slightly flushed from the alcohol, Albein felt it was an opportunity and went closer to Gala.

“Speaking of that, Ms. Gala. Won’t you give me an answer to what I asked earlier?”

“Earlier? Ah, you mean formally forming a party?”

“Wait, Al….”

As the topic of conversation she was worried about unfolded, Lyla tried to stop Albein.

Her skills are certainly amazing, but she is reluctant to bring a suspicious person who is hiding something into the party.

However, the only one who could stop Albein’s rampage was Kuon, who was not present at this time.

When Albein briefly looked at Lyla and blocked her mouth, Lyla bit her lip and waited for Gala’s answer.

“…Hmm~ Certainly. We get along well. I think it’s not a bad offer.”

“Ooh…! Then!”

As Albein leaned forward, unable to contain his excitement, Gala stepped back slightly and continued talking.

“But can we decide just based on the opinions of the people here? As far as I know, there’s one more person….”

Everyone in the group fell silent at the words that seemed to pour cold water on his expectations.

The obvious truth that was unexpected.

Considering that there are quite a few adventurers who are eager to join the hero’s party,

Gala’s answer was unexpected in many ways.

Is this the余裕[yeoyu] of an adult? Sasha admired inwardly.

Lyla was confused, not knowing how to deal with this woman anymore.

“…Kuon, huh. Certainly, her opinion is also important.”

“Th, that’s right. Albein. You said you haven’t visited her once, right? Why don’t you go visit her now? And ask Kuon for her opinion there.”

Lyla thought it was a golden opportunity to separate Gala and Albein, so she suggested to Albein.

Then Sasha started to sweat coldly.

`K, Kleon-ssi might still be with Kuon-ssi…!? But I can’t stop him…!`

Whether she knew what the two were thinking or not, Albein smiled.

“…Well, Kuon’s answer is obvious.”

“Haa…”

“Of course she’ll agree!”

001

“I’m against it.”

“─Hey hey, what are you talking about?”

Kuon’s lodging.

Eventually, Albein, who was pushed on the back by Lyla and came to her place, opened the door and saw her.

Seeing her sitting on the bed in the dark room, he felt fear for a moment.

When he turned on the light in the room and examined her complexion, it seemed that her healing ability had returned, but her complexion was not very good.

Albein abruptly conveyed the main point to Kuon.

There was no way she would reject his proposal.

Because it was a decision for the party.

That’s what he thought, but when she gave a flat refusal, Albein couldn’t help but be taken aback.

“I understand why Lyla is against it too. Our party has three rear guards including me. If the party gets bigger, we have to think about balance.”

If the size of the rear guard increases, the attention of the monsters will naturally be focused on the rear guard.

Therefore, just like the national army, adventurers also value the balance between the front guard and the rear guard.

If Gala joins the party, it will be front guard 1 : rear guard 4. Albein’s burden will increase, and if he falls, the rear guard will be exposed to danger immediately.

It wasn’t such a good balance.

That was the superficial reason.

What Albein felt while talking about Gala was that Gala was a woman with an attractive appearance.

He had also secretly opposed recruiting Sasha.

But he was won over by the goodness she felt from Sasha and the lack of manpower in the party.

Because the party that Kleon left needed someone to act as a lubricant.

However, he couldn’t agree with the recruitment of Gala.

Moreover, to Kuon, who was feeling disturbed because of what had happened earlier,

Albein’s proposal was just the whim of a childish childhood friend.

Albein scratched his head as if he was getting a little annoyed by the difference in opinion that was not easily narrowed.

And Kuon also showed signs of disappointment to him for not understanding her feelings.

Three years ago. When Albein was an ordinary swordsman and adventurer who was not chosen by the Holy Sword.

A boy who was kind to everyone, brave, and knew how to throw himself to protect others.

Her own hero whom Kuon cherished with all her heart.

Now, although he had grown taller and stronger than he was then.

Even with the honorable title of being chosen by the Holy Sword.

However, Albein was drunk with that power.

By the name of hero, attention, favor, and power.

It was…herself who made him like this.

Kleon was wary of Albein’s rampage, but Kuon tended to side with the person she cared about.

In addition, with the appearance of Lyla, it was impossible to break the will of the hero who had gained full momentum with ordinary arguments.

“If that’s the case, I shouldn’t have sent Kleon away.”

“…What?”

Kuon’s words that she blurted out without realizing it.

Albein reacted immediately to the quiet but unmistakable word.

His face frowned and grabbed Kuon’s shoulder roughly.

“If I had realized a little sooner that you were a person who doesn’t listen to anyone’s story…! I wouldn’t have sent Kleon away!”

Kuon covered her face with her hands and raised her voice.

Looking at Kuon’s appearance, Albein staggered back, whether he was shocked or angry.

But soon his expression changed to a fierce one, and he also raised his voice.

“Is that what you’re going to say now?! Who’s fault is it that I couldn’t use my strength at an important time and fell behind him…!”

Those words were the most violent words that hit Kuon’s heart the hardest.

Kuon also knew.

That she had caused trouble to the party due to her carelessness.

Sasha and Lyla also understood Kuon’s feelings to some extent.

That’s why Lyla spent as much time as Kuon searching for a way to heal her.

Sasha dedicated her chastity to Kleon and took care of Kuon, who was exhausted, by her side.

But Albein could say such things because he didn’t know her feelings.

Kuon felt a pain that tore her heart apart and gripped her chest with both hands.

She felt a burning sensation in her throat and couldn’t seem to get her voice out properly.

Albein took a deep breath, calmed down to some extent, and sat back in his chair.

A heavy and painful silence flowed between the two.

It was unexpectedly Kuon who opened her mouth first.

“Kleon said he’s leaving this city.”

“…What? When? Where to?”

Albein’s eyes widened at Kuon’s words, which he hadn’t even expected.

Kuon had expected this reaction, but she couldn’t answer his question.

From the beginning, Kleon hadn’t taught Kuon anything.

“I don’t know. He said he wouldn’t tell me. Because he doesn’t want to run into you.”

“─Ha, haha. That guy. He’s been working so hard lately. In the end, he’s leaving here on his own… Well, that’s better. Being kicked out of the party after fighting with the hero….”

Albein laughed as if mocking Kleon, and continued to mutter to himself with trembling eyes while clenching his fists.

His gaze was moving busily as if justifying his own words.

“Let’s reconcile with Kleon.”

“…………………………─What?”

At Kuon’s words, Albein erased the smile from his face.

Kuon had finally realized.

That Kleon was the only one who could stop the rampage of this Holy Sword Hero.

If Albein continues to act as he pleases any further….

Not only Albein, but the party would not be able to avoid ruin.

Even if she asks Kleon for reconciliation, he may not accept it.

However, it was necessary to prevent this situation from continuing.

But even Kuon overlooked something.

──It was already too late.

Kleon, of course. Albein too. Kuon herself too.

Reconciliation, apology, etc.

The point at which such things were possible.

They had passed it far, far too far.

“─Kyaa…!”

Albein’s hand reached out to Kuon.

He grabbed her right wrist and left arm.

Although they were the same level, it was obvious which was stronger, the hero or the priest.

On top of that, it was impossible for Kuon, who was not in her best condition, to shake off Albein.

Albein stared at Kuon with frightening eyes and slowly began to push her over.

Kuon’s head was completely pressed against the bed, and Albein opened his mouth while on top of Kuon.

It was a voice pulled up from a hellishly low place.

“You…. Have you turned your heart to Kleon…?”

“Ha…. Ah…?”

Kuon felt a strong sense of fear at Albein’s appearance.

Was this really the hero chosen by the Holy Sword?

A hideous man with a ghost-like twisted and shadowed face emitting a mad glint in his eyes….

Was he the same person as the Albein she knew?

“You, who have never argued with my opinion this much…. Now you’re siding with Kleon…?”

“That’s not it, I’m not siding with him…! I’m just, thinking about you…!”

“Shut up! You’re mine…. I won’t give you to Kleon…!”

As Albein said that, he tied Kuon’s arm with one hand,

The moment he tried to bring his other hand to her chest─

“Mana Shock.”

“Kuaaak!?”

A black flash occurred instantaneously. The attack spell that manifested at point-blank range paralyzed Albein’s entire body, who had lost his composure.

The firepower was suppressed, but he would be unconscious and unable to open his eyes for a while.

“Haa… Haa…”

Kuon shed tears as she looked at the large hand that pushed Albein, who had fallen on top of her, to the side.

“Kleon…!”

“… …I told you not to say it.”

002

“Wait…. Where are you going…?”

“If we stay in the city, Albein will find you…. It would be better to spend one night outside.”

The forest path that went out of the city.

The dangerous area of the Living Forest.

Kuon was passing through that place on Kleon’s back.

She couldn’t relax even after hearing that the barrier of magic power flowing from his magic sword was protecting them from monsters….

In fact, she had to admit that it was thanks to Kleon that they had not encountered any monsters on their way here.

Soon, in the deepest part of the dangerous area, there was a mansion that had lost its past glory and was just there.

The legend of ‘Count Gordian’ that every adventurer in this city knows.

In the past, he had immense wealth and power by enslaving dwarves and using various jewels and precious metals….

It is said that he fell into ruin because of a great disaster that came out of the ruins, and only his mansion remains here.

Now it had become a monster’s lair and was too dangerous for people to find.

“Why, here?”

Could it be that he was trying to take revenge by abandoning her here?

Kuon thought about whether she should leave Kleon now, but with all the strength in her body gone due to various incidents,

She could only entrust herself to his destination and hope that Kleon would forgive her.

“After breaking up with you. I cleaned this mansion.”

“…Huh?”

But the story that came out of Kleon’s mouth was different from what she had expected.

“A request…. Because of that. To clean up the monsters living in the mansion. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought….”

“─By yourself…?”

Kuon looked at Kleon nodding her head and became confused.

The Living Forest was certainly a relatively low-risk area around the city, but

The dangerous area where this mansion was located was notorious for the appearance of high-ranking monsters as its name suggests.

What’s more, a mansion used as a den of such monsters.

Wouldn’t it be something that you could barely do with a party if your level was over 20?

“Even if it’s a monster, it’s impossible to find me when I hide my presence. If I hide and attack from behind and use items, there’s no problem.”

Did he notice Kuon’s doubts?

Kleon calmly told the story and entered the mansion.

The mansion of a nobleman who had once enjoyed the height of luxury.

Even if it was monsters, were they cleaning? The interior was cleaner than she thought.

And the sense of discomfort she felt when she stepped into the site.

Perhaps it was a barrier to drive out monsters.

“…It’s safe inside. Can you walk?”

“─U, um…. No, sorry. It’s still impossible.”

“Is that so. Then, I’ll take you to the bedroom.”

Eventually, she was able to get off Kleon’s back after arriving at a large room with an old bed.

It must have been the Count’s own room.

When she went up to the huge bed where one adult could lie down,

Kuon unknowingly sighed at the feeling that her body was sinking into it even after a long time.

It felt like all the tension in her body was being released at once.

“The rich have firm tastes. Even the bed has a spell to maintain its condition.”

Kleon nodded as he looked at the shape of the runes engraved on the legs of the bed.

Then, after confirming that Kuon was lying down, he turned around.

“…I’ll spend the night in the servant’s room. Let’s go back to the city tomorrow morning. Albein will be furious, but…. He’s at fault too.”

“…Albein.”

Kleon sighed and looked at Kuon’s sad voice.

“Should I not have saved you?”

“Th, that’s not it. …Thank you, Kleon.”

“…I just didn’t like Albein doing whatever he wanted.”

“Still. Thank you.”

Then, Kleon left the room without saying anything.

Kuon stared at the spot where he had left for a while.

Soon, she quietly closed her eyes as she was overcome with fatigue.

Alone in the darkened room.

But there was no fear or loneliness like before.

Kleon’s warmth was still in her body.

003

“…Haa… Haa…”

A feeling of heat rising throughout her body.

She was sweating and thirsty.

Something was crawling inside her body, and the sweetly flowing stimulation in important areas was gradually weakening her judgment.

It was like the touch of a soft woman’s hand.

Sometimes, like the desire of a greedy man.

Sticky, clammy. And certainly.

Slowly digging into the priest’s body.

Eventually, the desire for sleep was converted into another desire.

Making her body move against her will.

Drip… Drip…

Dropping another liquid along with sweat, leaving marks on the luxurious floor material of the hallway.

Why is it that, even though it was her first time in this mansion.

She could tell by instinct where the thing she needed to find was.

No, it was definitely connected.

The moment she drank that medicine.

Kuon is a priest.

Although not as much as Lyla, she was sensitive to magic as she used healing spells.

The identity of the medicine that Sasha gave her…. She didn’t want to imagine it.

But it wasn’t the time to worry about the means.

When Kleon came to her room and mentioned Sasha’s name.

Kuon felt like some of the puzzle pieces were being put together.

But soon, reason smashed that puzzle with a hammer.

Because she instinctively felt that it shouldn’t be completed.

But…. Magic drives people crazy.

Its effects include enhancing physical abilities. Improving recovery power. Heightening emotions. Excitement.

And amplification of reproductive instincts – that is. Heat.

If she replenishes the magic power needed by her body at intervals, she can control such things herself.

By filling the magic power warehouse that had been emptied by the magic power with magic power once.

Kuon’s body began to control magic power again.

However, when the body’s magic power becomes insufficient, it naturally heads to the nearest source of magic power to fill the prepared vessel with magic power again.

With a creaking sound, the door opened.

Inside, she saw a man leaning on a chair and reading a book by the light of a small lantern.

“Kl, Kleon….”

It was a desperate voice that sounded as if water was flowing over her skin just by listening to it.

Her breathing was rough, and her apricot-colored flushed skin changed her usual jade-like atmosphere.

If she stopped there, it felt like she would make a puddle there.

“I…. My body, is strange….”

“… …”

Kleon, who had been looking at Kuon for a while, put the book he was reading on the desk.

He approached Kuon with unwavering steps, lifted her up from her legs and threw her onto the servant’s bed.

“Hyaat…!”

The moment Kleon’s hand touched Kuon’s thin legs.

She screamed and fell onto the bed at the unknown sensation that flowed through her entire body.

The servant’s bed was not as good as the Count’s, but it was still much bigger and more comfortable than the one in the lodging.

Kuon knew what was going to happen to her from now on.

Even at the moment when instinct and reason were killing each other and she was slowly becoming an idiot, Albein’s face came to mind.

─But, that face soon.

Changed into a ghostly face that looked at her as if to kill her.

That’s not Albein.

That’s not my hero.

My hero is…. Kind….

“Kleon….”

Strong….

“Kl, Kleon….”

And─ Always…. The person who looks at the real me….

“Kleon….”

Ah, me. I’ve become strange.

Kleon’s expression looks sad.

That can’t be…. There’s no way Kleon would pity me.

“Kuon…”

His voice came to her.

It was to confirm her will for the last time.

If she accepts this.

Surely. She can’t go back to Albein.

Kuon instinctively felt that premonition.

Kleon will surely plunder her from Albein.

The one connected from the deepest part becomes Kleon, not Albein.

So. She asked him to be as gentle as possible.

This is, her apology. And gratitude.

At the same time,

It was her ruin.