The Heroes' Oath (2)
Men and women don't always overlap their bodies just because of sexual desire.
Sometimes, it's about confirming each other's feelings or moods. Or just wanting to feel unburdened and free.
Today was one of those times.
Lying side by side on the bed, drenched in sweat, my chest felt wide open and relieved. Just like Ashu said—a feeling of having shed my worries.
In the darkness, I could stroke her deep navy hair without any hesitation.
At one point, Ashu took my hand and placed it on the scar on her stomach.
"That's why I like you, Kirgil. And that's why I hate the Darania knights."
This scar must symbolize her painful past memories.
"It's not because they take bribes or grab privileges at the city gates.
It's not because they wield power that threatens the throne.
It's not even because they're so devoid of humanity that they kill not just those around them but their own children for their family's sake.
I just... hate them for making me hurt and miserable."
Shedding one's heart meant something like this.
Ashu really wanted to show me everything inside her—all the malice and rage she'd bottled up.
To support her courageous confession, I pulled her body into my arms.
"Everything—my birth, the abuse, the disdain, being used—it was all because of them.
I hate having those kinds of people around me. I hate the idea of spending my life with them.
Why should I forgive them just because I'm a cleric now?
They're people who won't change even if I forgive them. And because of them, so many will keep suffering now and in the future.
No matter how much people praise me as the blessed saintess, my anger hasn't vanished—it's only been suppressed.
Seeing Inario today made it clear. I want to punish them. Execute them... If not, at least make them suffer!"
Ashu's tone, calm at first, grew heated, tears streaming down her face. A torrent of emotions.
I held the trembling woman, who had finally spoken her piece, even tighter.
"You want revenge, don't you."
"…………."
She wanted to wipe out those filthy Darania knights.
Not for some grand cause, not for the common folk, not out of righteous saintly duty, not even to right the kingdom.
Just a deeply personal reason for revenge.
"...Is it okay if I'm like this?"
"What? You were snarling so fiercely a second ago, and now you're getting all fragile?"
"Now that I've actually said it... I worry you'll be disappointed. Uw... No, it's the alcohol's fault..."
"Now you're making excuses like a kid.
Even when you smashed that door, or charged in blazing and wrecked everything, you'd suddenly turn timid afterward.
Like an angry bull charging full tilt, then scampering into a hole like a mouse."
"Wh-why a bull of all things...? Ugh, whatever!"
In the end, Ashu pulled the blanket over her head to hide her fluster. But with just one blanket, I patted her back reassuringly from underneath.
"Ashu, this is exactly why I liked you from the start. You know how to feel embarrassed."
Ashu peeked out from under the blanket like a turtle, looking up at me expectantly. A face hoping for praise.
"You were such a pretentious goody-two-shoes, but when you suddenly dropped the mask and charged in hot-blooded, even I was scared. But then you apologize late and hide under the covers..."
Her face was flushing red again. Ashu seemed to get more excited from talking than from the physical stuff. That's why...
"It makes me think you're still just an immature kid who can't look ahead."
"Argh! What the hell! You could say my heart's in the right place, or I'm shy—something nice!"
"In the eyes of a full-grown guy like me, it just looks like a child's tantrum."
"I don't act like that normally! Only in front of you! Not with others! It's your fault!!
Ugh, seriously! Keep teasing me, and I'll grow up for real."
"Hey, hey, molting like a snake? Where do you think you're rubbing up against."
We didn't go all the way to adult stuff, but sharing body heat seemed to ease her mood. She was soon smiling bashfully and clinging close.
When skin touches skin like this and it feels good no matter who's touching, is it free-touch time? Or just enjoying the other's presence as is?
With body and mind relaxed, even hearing Ashu's dark inner thoughts didn't make me dislike her. On the contrary, knowing she trusted and liked me enough to share that made me want to stroke her hair again.
"Ashu, I'll help you with your revenge."
"...Huh? Uhmm."
Her reaction was lukewarm. Wasn't this what she confessed for?
"I should be happy, but hearing you say it feels weird. Like I'm dragging you into the fire pit too."
"Backing off again? Worried I'll turn into a murder demon or Demon King for revenge? Is that the kind you had in mind?"
"……."
From how she tried to hide, she'd thought about it.
But Ashu wouldn't. Despite her words, she felt shame and reflected on wrongdoings. A good kid at heart.
Even on the internet, plenty say they want to kill others. Anyone can feel destructive or murderous impulses. But they don't act on them right away. That's what matters.
"Anyway, you want to hit the Darania Knights hard, right? Let's plan the revenge together."
I see vengeful feelings as strong energy.
I don't think revenge itself is bad.
Sometimes, it takes that fire to punish terrifying villains, turning it into a lesson for upholding justice.
I just hope it doesn't spiral into indiscriminate murder or purges sweeping up the innocent.
Even democratic voting is a form of revenge—pulling down or scolding stupid politicians.
Conversely, foolish people's revenge elects morons. That's the bad kind.
Why bring this up? Because I want us to do good revenge.
"If we have to, I can even assassinate them, but let's see that as a last resort only when unavoidable. Got it?"
"Of course. You're not my subordinate, Kirgil. If I go astray, tell me. Scold me.
From the start, you've been the light guiding me."
"What grand talk? From now on, we're accomplices. And I'll be the main culprit."
"Wait! I won't yield on that. I'm the boss! Uw, the princess has to take responsibility."
Like that, Ashu and I bickered playfully and laughed through the night.
For the first time in this world, it felt like a fantasy oath. I could almost hear the quest-start sound effect in my head.
QUEST ACCEPTED
Eliminate the Darania Knights Order
This has to be a main quest.
When I woke in the morning, Ashu was still glued to my side. I thought maybe she'd slept in from the hangover, but no—her eyes were clear as she smiled and greeted me.
"I just want to stay like this today."
"We agreed to meet up with the dungeon raiders again today. Time to get ready."
"Uww... I know. I just want to sometimes."
Her clinginess had ramped up since last night. Definitely.
Thankfully, my condition had improved dramatically overnight, giving me the strength to peel off the wriggling Ashu and lift her.
Even full rest yesterday hadn't fully restored my stamina in the
Status Window
, but now it was nearly full.
Ashu in her disheveled, rare state had its own charm, but we had an important meetup today.
Best to set her down in front of the mirror.
...Effective.
While Ashu washed and dressed first, I found my laundered clothes and took a spoonful of the medicine Agnes had given me.
This stuff works great.
Oh right, I should give some to Ashu too.
Ashu tilted her head at first, wondering what it was, but gulped it down once I said it was what I was taking, made by Agnes.
"The medicine Agnes-sensei gave me as a kid worked well. She was one of the few who really saw me among all the guests. Uw... but it's bitter."
Naturally, I finished preparing first as the man. I stepped out and waited for Ashu.
She knew without me saying.
And sure enough...
Ashu emerged in a soft pink party dress that revealed her collarbone. If only the skirt were longer, she'd look right walking a red carpet.
Adventurers preferred short, practical skirts even with dresses. Her long, slender legs naturally drew the eye.
No mace... Good.
I'd worried after the time she brought her sword.
Should I compliment her? Probably.
Uw, uww... Still embarrassing to say outright.
"Hehe, your eyes say it all—no words needed. Let's go."
Ashu offered her hand with a smile, and I took it. Felt like walking down the aisle at a wedding—needlessly shy.