Holy Kingdom – Crossroads (1)

Blue mana gathered in Ian’s hand.

-Sssss.

But it trembled violently as if about to dissipate at any moment.

Seeing that, the barrier blocking Ian’s warp was clearly a mana-suppressing type.

‘Suppressing mana like that… It must be made of holy power.’

It felt similar to barriers the Holy Kingdom prepared in the past.

Of course, barriers come in various types and purposes, so I couldn’t be certain.

“When did they install the barrier? Coincidence? Or were they targeting me…?”

Even in this sudden crisis, Ian seemed to be calmly trying to assess the situation.

‘That composure is admirable but…’

No matter how composed, failing to detect something like this beforehand? He’s utterly unfit to be the next Tower Lord.

Well, to make a slight excuse, my body being too attractive might be the real crime here.

He probably got distracted while fucking me and overlooked the barrier’s presence. That, and the other side must have prepared it very stealthily.

“Did they discover I’ve been coming here to rescue Rena? No. If that were the case, I would have noticed. Then why would they set up a barrier…”

“…Looks good on you.”

“What did you just say?”

Having heard my mutter, Ian glared at me with cold eyes.

“Ian, I said it looks good on you.”

“…Are you provoking me now? Or have you gone mad from being fucked too much?”

“That’s what I want to say. You act so smart and meticulous, but in the end, you got caught by the Pope’s faction while raping me. What do you plan to do now?”

“Nonsense. I always checked thoroughly to avoid detection. If I wasn’t discovered, Annie must have made a mistake. That hero bastard probably slipped up.”

“How pathetic. Now you’re blaming your beloved little sister? The Annie I know would never do something so stupid. You lost surveillance while distracted by me. You did exactly what those ‘fools’ you always looked down on would do.”

“…You must want worse treatment after what you just endured.”

Annoyed by my nerve-hitting remarks, Ian strode over and looked down at me.

It was meant to intimidate me… but I had no reason to cower here.

“Ian, regardless of the truth, do we have time to argue like this? Others will be here soon.”

-Thud thud thud thud.

Right on cue, footsteps grew loud enough to hear clearly even without focusing.

“…They’re here.”

Everyone stopped right outside the room where I was being held.

Immediately, a booming voice came from beyond the door:

“Ian Orden of the Magic Tower. You are under arrest for colluding with Rena, a spy of the demon tribe. Surrender peacefully!”

“Huu…”

Hearing this, I forced my heavy body up and leaned against the wall.

“Ian, seems they came fully prepared to capture you? This isn’t a situation you can talk your way out of. You’ve fallen right into the Pope’s trap.”

“…I know that already. No need to explain.”

“Then what will you do? Give up everything and surrender here?”

“Can’t do that. If I surrender now, all plans collapse. Cleanup would become even harder.”

Then. Another voice of a holy knight came from outside:

“Considering the Magic Tower and your position, we have no intention of harming you immediately. Surrender and you’ll get a formal chance to explain. Don’t even think of escaping through magic. The holy power barrier blocks warp magic – escape is impossible.”

“Hear that?”

“…No choice then.”

Ian made a resolute expression and pulled something from his robe.

-Swish.

“That is?”

This… isn’t a bad decision.

I nodded seeing the stone glowing crimson red.

A Magic Stone prepared to break barriers. Using it now could pierce through the deployed barrier.

“Never thought I’d use this inside the papal chambers… but necessity demands it.”

“A good method… but what about the prepared plan if you use that?”

“If I get caught here, the plan ends anyway. Better than losing everything from greed.”

Then Ian could escape using the Magic Stone.

But this way… I’d be left alone.

“By any chance… are you planning to escape alone with that?”

“Hmm…?”

Ian glanced sideways at me.

“Th-that is…”

Shouldn’t have provoked him so much earlier.

I steeled myself and made my request to Ian.

“Take me with you. Now that things have come to this, wouldn’t it be better for us to escape together?”

“Huh. First you tell me to die and mock me, now you beg to escape together?”

“…If you have any conscience left, you should help me escape. Wasn’t your justification for raping me the confidence that you could get me out?”

“If I escape now, the Holy Kingdom’s claims lack evidence and can be ignored. But if you disappear from here, the story changes – you know that?”

“You raped me multiple times saying you’d use me as a sex slave for life. Now you’ll abandon me and run alone? Planning to drive me to hell completely?”

-Thud.

I grabbed Ian’s arm while awaiting his answer.

Having to beg my rapist for help.

A situation so humiliating it bordered on disgrace.

“Seeing your pathetic state softens my heart. But I’ll take compensation.”

“……”

I hesitated before answering, pretending to waver.

“Your answer?”

“…Fine.”

“But there’s one problem we must solve first.”

-Flick.

Ian tossed the Magic Stone into the air and caught it lightly.

“The stone needs preparation time to activate. As you know, safety devices are installed on Magic Stones to prevent accidents.”

“Meaning we need to buy time.”

“Right. Conflict is unavoidable now. Hundreds of regular holy knights would be manageable, but the problem is Cardinal Daniel. If he came too… even I would struggle against him under this barrier.”

I tapped my neck and approached Ian.

“Then remove my choker.”

“How can you guarantee you won’t point your sword at me again?”

“Do I look like someone who’d throw away my chance to escape? I’ll definitely help.”

“…Fine.”

Ian reached toward my neck.

-Clank.

The choker easily unlocked and fell away.

“Finally…”

I touched my now-bare neck.

‘Freedom from that damned Magic Suppression Collar.’

Choosing not to use mana versus being unable to use it felt completely different.

Being suppressed felt more uncomfortable and stifling.

…Though it was better while getting fucked.

“What’s your plan now?”

“I’ll ambush them first to buy time. Support me properly. You can manage that much?”

“Attacking holy knights – are you prepared for the aftermath?”

“You’re worrying about consequences after planning to overthrow the Holy Kingdom?”

“…Fair point.”

“We’re out of time. Ready?”

“Wait a moment.”

I lightly stretched to loosen up.

“Ngh…”

With mana restored, all limbs moved properly.

No problems then.

Not in perfect condition, but still combat-ready.

“Ian, can you clean my body with magic? Fighting like this is a bit…”

“Sigh… Fine.”

-Snap!

Ian flicked his fingers, instantly removing all filth from my body.

-Squelch.

Of course, the semen inside remained… but I couldn’t complain further.

“Surely you’re not asking for clothes too? We don’t have time to dress properly.”

“…Right.”

I hastily put on the torn clothes scattered on the floor.

More like my exposed skin was barely covered.

Still better than nothing.

“Ian, I’m ready.”

“Then we begin.”

-Thud, thud.

Ian walked to the door and stopped.

“Surrender immediately! Otherwise we’ll forcibㅡ”

-Kwaaaaang!

“Gaaah!”

“Dodge left!”

“Block it!”

“…Bold.”

Blasting away the door and holy knights without warning.