Ominous Premonition <Side: Raysi Gliss>
『Martyr Moon - 20th (Evening)』
That night, after seeing Muse back to the church, I returned home and turned in for the night. I'd once thought a month wasn't that long, but time apart from the one you love drags like sinking into a swamp, every minute and second heavier than the last.
"Still... even if it was a strain, giving Muse that ring might've been the right call..."
Lying in bed, I gazed at the ring on my finger. A gemstone swirling with blue and pink hues, crafted to match our colors. In truth, I'd joined the war between kingdom and empire as a mercenary solely to make this ring. Rare materials from monsters unique to the empire, dropped only by them—that's what I'd risked offending my comrades and extending our schedule to obtain.
'Th-that's... I mean, this is my first time with something like this... I don't know what to say. It's just... so, so thank you...... hic...'
Muse's face when she received it—thinking back still made me chuckle. If there'd been a painter nearby, I'd have commissioned a portrait on the spot.
Anyway, what to do starting tomorrow? It'd been a long expedition, so the party planned to rest for a bit.
'Plus, Clarice hasn't shown her face at the church lately...'
Muse's words from earlier nagged at me, along with Alex's gloomy demeanor. Maybe tomorrow I'd check on Alex's party... Mulling over the day's events, I drifted into a cozy sleep.
『Martyr Moon - 21st (Morning)』
"Haa! Haa... haa... haa......"
What... was that? That voice just now......?
Looking around, no one was there. This house was mine alone anyway. So what was that voice I heard?
I kicked off the covers, sprang up, and scanned the house. If it wasn't my imagination, someone might've broken in. Gripping my ice spear from the corner of the bedroom, I checked the living room, bathroom—everywhere.
"......Strange. Everything's in place..."
The house was silent, spotless—no signs of disturbance, even if I hunted for them.
"Must be all the recent fatigue making me jumpy..."
But it was too vivid for fatigue—a woman's voice, slurred like muffled words, unintelligible meaning. Without proof, it could've been a hallucination. Haa... Ever since returning, nothing but annoyances.
"Ruined my mood for nothing. Back to bed..."
Shaking off the irritation, relaxing my tensed shoulders, I turned to my room—just as sunlight filtered through the curtains.
Huh, already morning...?
"Today's off to a rotten start..."
I'd never been one for oversleeping, oddly enough. More precisely, I snapped awake at set times. As a holy knight, bound by discipline and schedule, I'd seen it as a blessing. But as a freelancer adventurer with some autonomy, it felt like a curse. Today was no different—sleep tugged at my mind, but my body refused.
"Might as well grab breakfast."
That bizarre voice had soured my groggy morning. Hopefully, this rotten luck ended here... Though oddly, it hadn't sounded that unpleasant.
* * *
After a quick breakfast and changing into simple clothes, I headed out. No plans set for today, but Muse's mention of Clarice and Alex's downcast look stuck with me. Their oddities might not be coincidence. With two out of three in the party showing suspicious signs, Mel could be next—no guarantees.
It started as chance guidance for their party. Not some flimsy sense of duty—I genuinely saw them as promising adventurers worth mentoring into the future.
With that in mind, I made for the inn in the western district where Alex's group stayed. Opposite my eastern lodging, but my expedition-hardened legs got me there quick.
A rough, weathered three-story building. Despite appearances, guild-affiliated and popular with rookies.
"This the place."
I pushed open the door. The ground floor doubled as a dining hall, filled with adventurers eating breakfast. No sign of Alex's crew among them.
I approached the man polishing dishes behind the counter—the innkeeper, familiar from guild run-ins.
"Innkeep. Got a question."
"Raysi Gliss? What brings a high-rank adventurer like you to this dump?"
"Alex Leiz, Clarice Siete, Mel Grande. Adventurers staying here. In the last month or so, notice anything odd about them?"
I described their looks. He pondered, then set down his dish as if recalling something.
"Those greenhorns? Left just now. So rushed, ignored me when I called out. And they're the talk of the inn—haven't taken a break in a month, grinding guild quests nonstop."
"A whole month without rest?"
A month is plenty long. Even our top-tier party took breaks. For mid-rank hanger-ons to go nonstop?
That explained Clarice skipping church and Alex's gloom. Pushing that hard, of course they'd be worn out.
"Even more impressive—they succeeded every time, back safe. Thought they'd fizzle quick myself. So, what's your business with 'em?"
"Call 'em my juniors. Thanks for the info. I'll be off."
They'd just left. Probably heading to the guild for quests—chasing now, I'd catch them. I thanked the innkeep, exited, and beelined for the guild.
Not far between inn and guild. Early morning bustle: tireless merchants hawking wares, adventurers bound for quests. Alleys seemed... normal. No Alex's party amid the crowd.
Already at the guild? Faster than I thought.
* * *
""...Rock, paper, scissors!""
As the guild neared, men's and woman's voices rang out, familiar. Myrit and Elizabeth. They'd suggested resting first, yet here they were, weapons out—Myrit's steel gauntlets, Elizabeth's guns.
"What're you two doing here?"
"I win! ...Oh? Hey! Raysi, long time no see."
"Aaaah!!! Lost again? You using magic or something? How many times is this now!!!!"
Elizabeth's shriek drew stares from nearby adventurers and passersby. The pair, faces thick as steel plates, just showed their moods openly.
I stepped in to calm the commotion. "Bit rude, you two. Didn't rent out the street."
"Sorry~ Won the bet, got hyped. Liza here's fuming from losing~"
"No! Fifth straight loss! Why only me?!"
"Bet's a bet. Take the gauntlets for check-up, Liza~"
Ignoring me, Elizabeth vented, slung Myrit's gauntlets roughly over her shoulder, and stormed off huffing. Infuriatingly self-willed duo. Brushing off the chaos, I approached smirking Myrit.
"Didn't you say rest today? Making noise outside the guild... something up?"
"Oh, that? Just light bet with Liza. Came early to see Heri—guild business."
"Bet?"
"Heading for weapon maintenance—same shop for us both. Bet loser hauls both. I won by luck!"
Drawing eyes for that? Some talent... "Wait... so you've been here since early morning?"
"Yeah. Heri sent her familiar super urgent. Reason why... too many ears here. Wanna talk elsewhere?"
"One thing first. Has Alex—the kid from yesterday—and his party been here?"
"Huh? That kid? Hasn't shown face once. Though guild buzz calls him a supernova—100% mid-rank success rate~"
I pondered as Myrit spoke. If not guild, where? Not for quests...?
Myrit tapped my shoulder, snapping me out. "Deep in thought, huh. My two cents: you're overprotecting the kid. You heard the rumors—nonstop quests, no breaks."
"That's why I'm here. Figured they'd come for more."
"Worrying as mentor's natural. But meddling in everything—even for favorites—turns concern to interference."
Myrit dropped the grin, serious now. I knew his point. But dragged from denial, I just made excuses.
"Felt their odd behavior linked to the month's activities. Couldn't ignore as their guide. That's all."
Might be undervaluing them, restricting as he said. Rookies or not, they're adventurers. No right to intervene. But I was still too soft to dismiss it.
"Sigh... You're worried, got some tie to the kid—I'll help a bit. But return the favor... as party leader."
Redirecting to steady my wandering mind. Hard to agree fully, but no more on the absent party.
"Fair point, but I need to talk to them. Pointless without 'em. So, that reason you can't say here?"
"Yes! Finally game! Uh... not that alley... teahouse instead."
He pointed to a rundown teahouse, scant traffic.
"Least people there."
"That important?"
"Hear me out."
* * *
Followed Myrit into the teahouse, sat. Eerie quiet: old owner polishing glasses, no other patrons.
Sipping tea he brought, Myrit dove in. "This stifling vibe—I can't stand it. Quick version: Heri called us early for the black market. Wants us investigating its location."
"Black market?"
"While we were at war, evidence surfaced of slave trading there. Lord's tacitly allowed it before, but slave trade's banned here—Lord issued warrants himself."
"Why hire adventurers? Send the guards."
Heard the territory had elite guards—even flying captain rumors.
"They've gone deep underground, pros at hiding. Heri can't find 'em—mages stumped, brute guards useless. So solo commission to our party."
Solo? Guild master bypassing Lord. Anxious, huh. Lord's drawn sword, her as master yielding nothing...
"That's it. Simple gig, right?"
"......Bluntly, underwhelming. Just scout black market location? No leads?"
"Sadly, starting from zero. No clues baffles me too."
Absorbed scant shared intel on black market from guild/guards, about to leave. Pushing chair—Myrit piped up again.
"Oh! Ring delivered okay? To your fiancée."
"Yeah, thrilled. Painter-worthy face."
"One fiancée mention, and your ice melts. Love changes people, true."
My face softened? Proof my love for Muse ran deep—eternal.
--BAM!!
"F-found... you!!"
Door slammed open, purple flash streaked past. Dull metal clash, dragon-wing swift blur. Chasing the violet afterimage—familiar woman atop shattered table from flung gauntlet.
"Liza!? Q-quite quick...! H-how'd you know I was here. Haha..."
"Haa... haa... Tracked your scent. Meanwhile, I'm hauling heavy gear alone for maintenance, and you're sipping tea leisurely?"
"N-no, fair bet... And here with Raysi, man-to-man important talk..."
"Quiet... Worked fragile me to death—time for serious talk today?"
"Ra-Raysi, help a sec...!"
Ignoring Myrit's plea in Elizabeth's grip, I slipped out quietly. Her target was Myrit ditching for tea. Even in loss, ideal spouses tag-team. Vowed not to pull Myrit stunt if roles reversed.
* * *
『Martyr Moon - 21st (Evening)』
Post-Myrit chat, headed home. No leads on Alex's party. Thought of rechecking inn, but his words hit: overprotecting, binding them.
Sky still mid-heaven. Passed church en route. Yeah, pick up Muse tonight. Needed her sanctuary for my muddled heart.
At home till evening, timed exit for church closing. Flung open heavy doors like yesterday. Amid radiant lights, my pink-haired love prayed devoutly before goddess statue.
Sensing me, Muse turned—face lit brighter seeing mine.
"You! What's up today? Just finishing to leave."
"Timed it perfect. Walking my love home."
"Wh-what!? Too straight! N-no? Beat around bush a bit..."
Face crimson, she stammered. Never tires whispering love to her. Church empty save us—she'd just finished prayers.
"Th-then wait a sec. Lights off, locks..."
She bustled clumsily—uncharacteristic, fumbling. Near-stumble drew fond smile.
"D-done. Let's go?"
"Yeah."
Held her hand, exited. She locked massive padlock, hugged tight. All-day church scent—fragrant oil, wax—tickled nose.
"So you're walking me home today?"
"Ah... Muse... come to my place instead?"
"Wh-wha!? Eeeeh!???"
Overreaction flustered me. No ill intent... Wait, no. Spilled milk hard to recapture... Damn, words failed.
"Muse... just offhand. Forget I said..."
"If Raysi wants... I-I'm happy too..."
Her unexpected reply flipped my expectations. We'd been intimate before. No virgin complex; I craved it too—smooth sailing. Difference now? Last night's engagement ring.
Clutching my sleeve, trembling. Normally bold, now ears scarlet, head down—yesterday's events fresh.
"Hoo..."
Deep breath, took her hand, headed home. Crowds, noise—irrelevant. She followed silently; I berated my words' weight, striding mute and swift.
* * *
--Thud! Home already. Dark, still house felt awkward despite familiarity.
"I-I'll wash up... You prep too... Been a while, so..."
"Y-yeah... Looking forward..."
We showered in turns, entered bedroom. Heat intensified, wrapping my body. Torment with beloved... Pitiful.
"You... Raysi. Be gentle, okay?"
She plopped on bed ahead. Sheer, ornate lingerie—ill-fit for priestess. Imagining under robes hardened me instantly.
--Stroke...
Sitting, she tenderly caressed my bulge through underwear. Signal fired—restraint snapped.
"Kyaa!"
"Muse... going in..."
"...Love you, Raysi♡"
Pinned her back, lust surged like possession. Unlike past romps—sticky, devouring. Nibbling shoulders, groping breasts, sex, bellies—insatiable. Lips inseparable.
Yes, this is it. Our love proven to the gods anew.
* * *
『Martyr Moon - 22nd (Evening)』
A woman loomed, head taller, utterly nude. Body honed daily—ripped abs, black hair, crimson eyes, breasts and hips violently voluptuous. And... a manhood thicker than my arm.
Women don't have those...?
Undeterred by my gaze, she approached. Or prowled seductively, hips swaying—me spectating remotely.
She spoke: yesterday morning's voice, sweet breeze caressing ears.
Then... time to wake.
Hee hee, precious child soon to be my apostle♥
My other children will find you shortly.
Wait for them, my child♥
"Nngh...!?"
Was I asleep...? Dreamlike, but blank. Just refreshingly awake after ages.
"Al...ready evening?"
Remembered passion with Muse, sleeping together—but evening already? She was gone, note on dresser caught eye.
First time seeing you oversleep. Always up before me. Shook you forever this morning—thought you were up. Had to go—time crunch. P.S. Borrowed bath!
Overslept? Note in her hand—leapt up, window: sun set, moon mid-sky.
"Never slept this long before..."
--Knock... BAM BAM BAM BAM!!
Staring blankly—fierce door pounding.
"Raysi Gliss! High-rank adventurer sir! You in?"
"What... this hour?"
Pounding intensified, heedless of presence.
Evening now. Caller risking ire for intrusion.
--Creeeak...
"Do you know the time..."
"Apologies for the late hour, Raysi sir. Urgent matter—scold later."
Hooded figure: wolf-and-chains crest—Lord's symbol.
Why here now? Crest sparked curiosity over rudeness.
"What's the business?"
"Francis Wing, territory guard captain."
Trembling voice: "E-emergency. Details en route. Please come."
"Emergency...?"
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