Triumphal Return and Sisterly Scolding
Thank God there were no deaths, no critical injuries, no missing soldiers. The Elite Guard were probably all just lightly wounded, at worst. I had a few shallow scrapes and cuts on my forearms and thighs too, in the spots the bronze armor couldn't cover. That's how desperately the enemy had clung to me.
Fuuuck, I'm beat. Hurry up and wake the fuck up, you bastards.
I paced around on watch, staying alert to keep from dozing off while scanning the surroundings. Just in case the enemy pursued us to the bitter end, or some wild beast caught the scent of blood and came sniffing.
I passed the time wandering near the sprawled-out Elite Guard.
Ten hours later, the Elite Guard Leader woke up. This guy... he'd said he'd be up in two hours, but he slept a full ten. Still, the fact that he was the first one up said it all about how exhausted everyone was.
"Whoa, the sun's already setting...? Father, how long did I sleep for?"
"About ten hours?"
"Gasp...! Y-you didn't... w-wake me... I'm s-sorry!"
"Nah, it's fine. Light a fire. It'll get cold at night. I'm crashing now, so handle waking the others, set up sentries, keep the fire going. Manage things. They're all lightly wounded, but some might be bleeding a bit—take care of it."
"Yes, sir! Don't worry. Sleep well, Father."
"Yeah. Night."
I lay down on the ground. My eyelids shut before a second had passed.
#
When I woke, a cozy campfire was crackling at just the right distance—not too far, not too close, sharing its perfect warmth.
I rubbed my eyes and looked around. The Elite Guard were gathered in small groups, chatting or lounging, while a few stood sentry, keeping watch. Others were cooking rabbit or deer they'd hunted nearby.
"Yawwn~! Slept like a rock. Feels fucking refreshing."
"Father, you're awake?"
One of the guards, swapping war stories with the others nearby, noticed me stirring and came over to check on me. The rest—minus those on duty—flocked around, faces full of respect and gratitude.
"Yeah, yeah. ...So, how long was I out? Why's the sun rising?"
"...Uh, probably around twelve hours, sir. We were planning to head down at dawn and return to Seoul, so we were about to wake you once the sun was fully up."
"Got it. Alright then. ...Where's the Guard Leader?"
"He heard about a wild boar nearby earlier and took some brothers out to secure food."
"Hmm, okay."
"...Ah, looks like they're coming back. But... empty-handed."
The Elite Guard Leader trudged back with a few others, hands empty. Hunt failed, unfortunately. Can't be helped—hunting doesn't always pan out.
Still, the others had snagged rabbits and deer, so we divided that up among the hundred of us and set off for Seoul. It wasn't enough, but what can you do? The Guard Leader must've wanted a hearty breakfast for the Elite Guard before departure, hence chasing that boar rumor.
"Let's go home. We'll feast proper once we're back."
"""Yes, sir!"""
We descended the mountain and returned to Seoul. After hours of marching, the walls encircling the city's outskirts came into view, and tension melted away instantly.
The defensive units around Seoul must've spotted us via sentries and runners, relaying word ahead—because the gates stood wide open, welcoming our return.
"Long live Father!"
"""Woooaaahhh!!!"""
"You killed the enemy leader, right?!"
"Father and the Elite Guard took out over a thousand?!"
"Long live Father! Long live the Elite Guard!"
Petals rained down, greeting us as we marched through the streets. It felt like a full-on victory parade after conquering in war.
...Good thing I coordinated with the Elite Guard and spun a decent yarn.
Disobeying Total Commander Big Sis's orders and abandoning a strategic key point to charge the enemy? That was our little secret—mine and the Elite Guard's.
We'd just fended off an enemy assault... fought like hell... slain their leader... but they outnumbered us, so we pulled a "strategic retreat."
"Hahaha... yeah, I took down their leader."
"""Woooaaahhh!"""
I waved to the cheering crowds thrilled by our "first victory," soaking in the joy until we reached my palace.
I handed the Elite Guard off to their leader, told them to head home, rest up till the next deployment.
Back at the palace, word was Big Sis was waiting in the throne room amid a full council meeting.
I headed there to find her lounging on my throne, glaring at me with clear dissatisfaction.
Her face was stormy. Guilty as charged, I flashed a cheeky grin and asked,
"What? Why're you on my chair? Mounting a coup?"
"I'm seriously debating it right now, so don't push your luck."
"Yessum..."
"You... why... haa, forget it. I'm the idiot for trusting you. Was it that hard to follow one simple order?"
"...You knew...?"
"You thought I wouldn't?"
Big Sis had figured out I'd ignored orders and charged in. How? Spy in the Elite Guard? ...Possible. She raised them, after all. Loyal to me because she ordered it... but if it came down to me vs. her, they'd probably side with Sis. ...Though fighting alongside them this time built some real camaraderie—maybe not.
Or Sis is just that brilliant strategically. She probably pieced it together from battle reports. Send scouts to check traces, and she'd know exactly where, how, and why we fought.
My honed instincts from the Sensory skill said the Guard hadn't betrayed me and snitched. If anything, this battle netted me Sword Energy awakening and near-absolute loyalty from the Guard.
Worth the agony covering their rear to the end.
The Guard sees it as me risking my neck to look after each one. ...Pretty much true. I covered everyone, no stragglers left behind.
Sis must've deduced the full story with her genius.
"...Look, those barbarian fucks were smarter than they looked. Savage primitives like them..."
"Ugh, you moron. You think primitives can't use their heads? Digging traps predates civilized humanity. They've hunted beasts and prey that way forever. First thing they'd do seeing you as a dangerous predator? Dig traps."
"Got it. Sorry. I'll listen next time. ...But I really gave it my all. Fought harder than ever to keep our guys alive."
"Think I don't know that's why I'm letting it slide this much?"
"Uh... yeah..."
"I know you awakened Sword Energy, rampaged like a beast, broke their morale so they hesitated to close in, letting you escape the ambush."
"...Huh? How? Guard tell you? But timing..."
"I attached a five-man recon squad to your unit. ...Not just yours—all units have 'em. They double as military police, counterintel. They observed, recorded everything. Real-time reports on you. You're a powerhouse card, but one who pulls troll shit like this."
"What?! Then why not help?! Should've backed us retreating. It was brutal! You trying to fuck me over... on purpose...?"
"Bullshit. During your retreat, didn't the enemy suddenly stop chasing at one point?"
"Yeah... they did...?"
"Who do you think made that happen? Think they just got scared, tired, lazy? Us humans, with genes for chasing big game week after week in endurance hunts?"
"...You helped...?"
"Pulled some Seoul units forward, then detached from those to block or pressure your pursuers. ...Remember, you losing zero Guard isn't just your strength. Luck ran out this time. Good thing I repositioned forces the second I heard. Tsk."
"Uh..."
"...Sigh, don't mope. Chin up. You did good anyway, little bro."
"Sis..."
"My beloved little brother, listen to me next time, okay?"
"Yeah."
"Wanna grope my tits?"
"Hell yeah. Tits, pussy, then fuck."
"Heh, knew it. More than tits, how about this first?"
The scolding over, Big Sis rose from the throne and turned her ass my way. Leaning on it, arm draped casually, hips thrust out with a seductive gaze—she was smoking hot.
I stripped off her favorite red ensemble piece by piece, fondled that smooth, moon-like flawless ass, pressed my torso to her back to play with her tits, then slid my massive cock into her already sopping wet pussy.