episode_0091

“There is a way to infiltrate. However, we cannot guarantee your safety.”

“If I were still a Saintess candidate… but now I am a double agent, right? Knowing the path to the heart of the enemy country, would I have left that path untouched?”

“It might be even more dangerous. The conventional method might actually be safer. I don’t know what sinister traps lie along the path I’m familiar with.”

“Tsk.”

Despite plying Alein with drinks and snacks, I unfortunately didn’t yield any meaningful results.

I thought having someone on the inside this time would make things easier.

Ironically, being an insider ended up being a hindrance.

“Sigh.”

Staggering towards the room in a drunken stupor.

What unconventional method should I try this time?

Even if I do, will it work against those fanatics?

Recalling the combatants from the enemy nation I faced in the west, my thoughts grew more complicated.

The Paladin, relying on overwhelming tanking abilities to push forward resolutely.

The Inquisitor, ready to strike at the slightest opening.

And the annoying rear guard constantly buffing the front lines in moments of danger.

At least the battles in front of had manageable enemy numbers; fighting on the fanatics’ home turf…

“It’s dizzying just to imagine.”

The prospect of facing another arduous trial fills me with a sense of dread.

Ugh, I really don’t want to go.

Should I just not go? Honestly, there isn’t much to gain compared to the risks.

Engaging in risky ventures only led to hearing truths from the gods at best.

“…Risking my life for a hollow truth seems pointless.”

Muttering to myself, I found myself at the door without realizing it.

Yawning, I turned the doorknob slowly.

“Ugh… I should get some rest now. Tomorrow is going to be hectic…”

Planning to collapse onto the bed to alleviate my fatigue.

Creak.

Creak creak.

The distinctly unfamiliar scent in the room made me stop in my tracks.

…This isn’t the smell of my room.

Seems like I’ve mistakenly entered someone else’s room.

After dispelling my tipsiness, a careful scan of the surroundings confirmed my suspicions.

This familiar sight, I remember it clearly.

I’d visited here several times over the past week.

Checking for any signs of life, thankfully, the owner seemed unaware of my presence.

So, I tried to quietly open the door and leave, concealing my surprise.

Squelch –

“…”

Due to a damn nuisance lurking in the thick darkness, my plan was thwarted.

Why on earth is there a sword lying on the floor!

And what about the maids who left it unattended!

Plan already ruined.

Deciding to make a dignified escape, I grabbed the doorknob, only to find a massive sword pointed at my neck.

“Beatrice? What are you doing here?”

The room’s owner stared at me in confusion.

Indeed.

I have no idea why I’m here either.

—–

“…”

“…”

After a brief awkward silence.

Karl retrieved the sword aimed at my neck and chuckled.

“Coming uninvited at this late hour, it was you?”

“…”

“No matter how much you miss me, showing up this late is a bit inconvenient… We’re not even married, after all.”

Teasing me with a smirk, Karl, the mischievous one.

But since the fault lay squarely with me, I couldn’t muster a response.

Showing up drunk in the dead of night to disturb someone’s sleep, I have no excuse for such a nuisance.

With her lips sealed shut and head bowed low, it felt as though the sword was teasing me, almost as if it were unharmed.

“Pffft! Just kidding, kidding! If it were Yeongam or the others waking me up for a drink, I wouldn’t mind, but when a pretty lady like you wakes me, you should get up quietly. Isn’t that right?”

“…Sorry.”

“Are you okay? Alright then, what brings you here? Our witch probably didn’t summon you without reason.”

Erasing his smile, the sword demanded an answer in a lowered voice.

Seeing his serious demeanor, I felt even more guilt and hung my head in shame.

…I did come without a reason.

What should I say?

If I admit I came here by mistake due to being drunk, he would probably get really annoyed.

No matter how kind-hearted he is, he would definitely furrow his brow at this level of nuisance.

I had to tell a lie that would ease his mood and absolve my guilt.

But lies of that sort…

“I’m too embarrassed.”

It sounded too cringeworthy coming from me. It felt quite repulsive.

For instance, saying “Because I want to sleep with you,” or “Because I’m lonely,” might resolve things instantly.

However, you know what?

Setting aside the repulsion, wouldn’t I be putting myself in danger? Huh?

From his perspective, wouldn’t it seem like I’m trying to seduce him?

I’m just apologizing out of embarrassment! I have no intention of sharing a bed with him!

…I found myself in a dilemma.

Should I admit that I came late at night while intoxicated, disturbing someone else’s peaceful sleep?

Or should I become a shameless woman using alcohol’s power to seduce a man?

After much deliberation in the face of this life-or-death decision, I finally made up my mind and put on a determined expression.

Well, isn’t the latter better than the former?

The former would leave negative feelings for both of us, but the latter, as long as I endure the embarrassment, would at least leave good feelings!

Hesitating, I slowly opened my mouth.

“T-The thing is…”

“Why are you hesitating so much? Are you really here to pick a fight after drinking?”

“N-No! That’s not it!”

After shouting in a hushed tone, I continued speaking.

“I-I wanted to sleep together…”

“Sorry, could you speak up a bit louder? I didn’t hear you.”

“I-I said I heard you! How could someone who hears even the sound of ant footsteps not hear that!!!”

Thud – Thud –

Despite hitting his chest hard in frustration, the sword wore a happy smile on his face, showing no sign of pain.

“Oh, what a shame. I wanted to hear it one more time.”

“Shut up.”

“Well, can’t help it. But can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

Raising an eyebrow in question, he stroked his chin and asked.

“Why suddenly suggest sleeping together? Are you going to make some big decision or something?”

“… ”

Instead of answering, I lay down on the bed first and patted the empty space.

“Do you want to talk lying down? I’m a bit tired.”

“…This isn’t the time for someone who woke me up in the middle of the night to talk.”

Grumbling, the sword grudgingly threw himself onto the bed.

——

In the narrow space where each other’s breathing could be clearly heard, on the awkward atmosphere-laden bed, the sword slowly spoke.

“Are you really planning to make a big decision? It’s quite suspicious seeing you willingly share the same bed.”

As a situation unfolded that would never happen, he kept his eyes half-open, continuing to doubt.

Amused by his unexpectedly interesting reaction, I chuckled and turned to face him.

“So what? Regardless of the reason, isn’t sharing the same bed with you important to you?”

“…It is, but it’s unsettling. So tell me quickly, what’s the reason for this?”

In the midst of endless probing, exhausted, I reluctantly concocted a plausible excuse and presented it to him.

“Hmm, you might end up in a dangerous place soon?”

“Where?”

“Gyoguk.”

“In case everything feels tedious or life becomes monotonous…”

“You don’t need to worry; I’m not going there to commit suicide.”

“Even though it looks like you’re going to commit suicide to anyone else?”

“…”

I wanted to refute, but I couldn’t.

Even to me, this was akin to an act of suicide.

A witch walking into the den of humans eagerly waiting for a chance to kill her.

Who could argue that this wasn’t suicide?

“Tsk.”

Upon reconsideration, finding it absurd, I chuckled softly as the sharp fellow spoke with a voice full of concern.

“It’s dangerous. Do you really have to go?”

“…I need to. There’s someone I must meet.”

Should I go to Gyoguk or give up everything and continue with my current life? I pondered for a while.

However, I felt like I had to go because of the reason they possessed me in Beatrice’s body.

As I mentioned earlier, it’s close to suicidal behavior… but maybe things will work out this time too?

My life has always been on the line, hasn’t it? Haven’t there been times when it wasn’t dangerous?

With a firm resolve to go no matter what, the sharp fellow nodded as if to say he couldn’t stop me.

“Anyway, you’re a crazy witch. You might regret your life.”

“So you dislike it?”

“No? That kind of attitude is naturally charming. I even like your haughty rejection.”

“Is that so? Then should I accept it until the end?”

“Not exactly…”

Seemingly realizing his mistake, the sharp one hastily changed the subject to conceal it.

“Beatrice.”

“Yes?”

“There’s one thing I want to ask before sleeping.”

“Go ahead.”

Eyes starting to droop due to the soft bed, slipping into sleepiness.

Amidst fleeting consciousness, I heard his question.

“If, just if, you were to accept my feelings, when do you think it would happen?”

“■■■■■■■■…”

Responding with that word, he fell into a daze without a chance to reconsider.