Holy Kingdom – Sleep (3)

“Are you… worried about me?”

“…What nonsense are you spouting now?”

“I thought you’d only come find me when your plan preparations were perfectly ready, given your personality. But it’s strange that you visit me every day like this. Has your dislike for me faded even a little?”

“….”

Ian momentarily flinched at Lena’s words, rendered speechless.

She had instantly picked up on his subtly changed attitude.

‘Her perception is frighteningly sharp.’

To be precise, Ian’s visits stemmed more from “desire” than “worry.” He was physically experiencing his aversion toward Lena gradually diminishing.

Of course, he couldn’t tell her the truth.

If this already-insolent woman learned about his feelings… Just imagining the aftermath was terrifying.

Ultimately, Ian hid his true feelings and responded curtly.

“Huu… Didn’t I say it’s all for the plan? Or do you want to argue with me?”

“No. Well, there’s no way you’d worry about me.”

Fortunately, Lena seemed unaware of Ian’s inner thoughts as she shook her head vigorously.

“But since you’re here, can I ask something? Is the crucial plan preparation going well?”

“Of course.”

Ian pulled a blue stone from his pocket and held it before Lena’s eyes.

“Do you recognize what this is?”

“This is…”

Lena immediately recognized the stone and gasped.

“Ah! A Magic Stone? And such a large one.”

“We’ll use this Magic Stone to neutralize the barrier around the Papal Chamber.”

The artifact theft plan was simple in concept.

Just disable the barrier inside the Papal Chamber and retrieve the artifact.

The problem was that neutralizing a barrier composed of immense holy power bordered on impossibility.

Thus, even Ian needed the help of magic pre-engraved on the Magic Stone for guaranteed success.

Lena curiously poked the Magic Stone with her finger.

“This looks incredibly expensive. Is it really okay to use something this valuable?”

“We only get one chance anyway. If we fail, I might have to abandon you and leave the Holy Kingdom. Hence the thorough preparation.”

“Not that I’m complaining. Just grateful…”

Lena scratched her head and fidgeted with her words for a while.

What’s the problem now? I’m afraid of what nonsense she’ll spout next.

Ian watched her uneasily.

As time passed, Ian finally asked first, unable to bear it.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Um… Is there nothing I can help with?”

“…Did you stall just to say that?”

“My conscience stung me about saying it. You’re preparing and executing this entire plan alone.”

“Don’t worry. The information you provided is more than enough help.”

The intelligence Lena gave him held immense value that couldn’t be bought with gold or jewels.

‘With just information about the artifact and the Saint, I could shake the Holy Kingdom anytime.’

Though Ian hadn’t expected much from Lena initially.

Ian tucked the Magic Stone back into his pocket.

“By the way, I’m glad you recognized the Magic Stone immediately. Explaining everything would’ve been bothersome.”

“Urk. Aren’t you underestimating me too much? I attended an academy too. And was top of my class like you. If I hadn’t dropped out, I would’ve transferred to Rain Academy and become your junior.”

“A top student who engages in lewd acts outdoors? I can imagine the academy’s current standards without seeing them.”

“Th-that’s harsh! You know that insults Annie too, right? She attended the same academy!”

Lena huffed, her pride seemingly wounded by Ian’s words.

But Ian remained unfazed as he countered.

“It’s true Annie isn’t exceptionally talented. I won’t deny that.”

“…Even your sister gets no mercy.”

“I’m worried Annie might’ve been corrupted hanging around you. You didn’t do anything strange with her, did you?”

To Ian, Annie was always a pure, adorable younger sister. He suddenly worried she might’ve been corrupted by bad influences.

Lena seemed flustered by the sudden question, stammering slightly.

“W-well.”

“Why are you panicking?”

“Because it’s such an absurd question! What do you take me for?”

“I think you know that better than anyone.”

“Haah… I admitted doing sexual acts outdoors was wrong. But I’m not some crazy bitch who forces that on others. And Annie’s an adult now. She’s not a puppet who just obeys her oppa. Shouldn’t you let Annie do what she wants?”

“Even as an adult, Annie still has many immature aspects. Like joining something as dangerous as a Hero Party.”

“Look who’s talking, Mr. Perfect Oppa. If Annie ever dates, you’d never leave her boyfriend alone.”

“Annie dating…”

Ian imagined Annie whispering sweet nothings to some man.

Annie growing close to some punk.

Eventually, Annie’s body being groped indiscriminately by an outsider.

‘…Just imagining it makes my blood boil.’

He could never hand over his treasure-like sister to just anyone. Absolutely not.

“At the very least, I’ll thoroughly vet any bastard. The world’s full of trash.”

Lena shook her head as if expecting that response.

“See? That’s basically saying you’ll tear apart anyone you dislike. What would a block of wood who’s never loved know anyway?”

“You’re mistaken. I’ve dated before, and women flock to me. I simply choose not to because it’s a waste of time. Reading one more magic book is more rational.”

“Your ‘dating’ is obvious. Just curiosity-driven experimentation. You’d think differently if you truly fell in love! I was really happy when I got together with Jade. Even if only briefly…”

Lena stopped mid-sentence, her expression suddenly darkening.

Then she abruptly grabbed Ian’s arm.

“Ian, do you know anything about Jade?”

“I’ve never met the Hero separately, so I don’t know. Probably busy preparing for the upcoming appointment ceremony.”

“Appointment ceremony… I wonder if Jade’s doing well. I want to meet him soon and clear up the misunderstanding. He must be suffering terribly, thinking he was betrayed.”

Ian could feel Lena’s profound longing for Jade in her expression.

It was somewhat unexpected.

‘Is her love for the Hero genuine?’

He’d thought Lena was just a woman dazzled by the Hero’s title.

But now it seemed like a deeper, truer relationship.

“Lena, do you really like that Jade guy so much?”

“Huh? Do I love Jade?”

“Yes.”

“Well… yes? I’ve liked him since long ago. Going through life-and-death situations together made me fall hard. How could I dislike a man who risked his life for me?”

Lena smiled faintly as if recalling old memories.

“Having to separate from someone you love that much in the worst way… must be hard.”

“Right. Being violated by strangers for days was literally the worst. But… I was truly happy when I shared my body with Jade, the man I love. We only spent one night together – I never thought it’d be our last.”

Lena stretched as if shaking off gloom.

“Huuu… But thanks to you, I’ll meet him soon, so it’s okay. So Ian, don’t view ‘love’ so negatively.”

Lena lightly tapped Ian’s chest.

-Tap.

“Who knows? You might fall head over heels for a woman at first sight someday.”

“…That won’t happen.”

“Eh. You never know in life?”

Chap, chap, chap, chap.

Two fingers thrust relentlessly into Lena’s depths.

Wet sounds accompanied moans escaping Lena’s lips.

“Ngh… Hah…”

Lena’s pussy and Ian’s fingers were already drenched in love juice.

-Squelch.

Ian withdrew his hand, observing the love juice dripping down his fingers.

“Such a lewd woman. Already this wet.”

No wonder she did such shameful things with this oversexed body.

Ian finally understood the vulgar scene he’d witnessed in the garden.

-Flick.

After shaking his hand lightly, Ian pulled down his pants. An engorged pillar sprang out, swollen to bursting point.

Proof of his extreme arousal.

‘I can’t… hold back anymore.’

He wouldn’t foolishly turn back like yesterday.

-Thud.

Ian lifted the sleeping Lena’s thighs.

“Lena, consider this payment for my help.”

I’ll release all my desires through this opportunity. Then cleanly conclude our contract afterward.

After muttering words Lena couldn’t hear, Ian slowly began pushing his member into her pussy.

-Squelch.

“Hah…”

The glans pried apart her neatly closed entrance.

As Ian’s cock penetrated deeper, vaginal walls tightly clenched the intruder.

“Kgh?!”

This stimulation is too…

Ian groaned at the unexpectedly strong tightness.

His pent-up desires and this being his first sex in years.

Lena’s insides couldn’t help but feel overwhelmingly stimulating.

“Huu… The grip is no joke.”

Ian paused mid-thrust to adjust, his cock still buried inside.