Chapter 195: Records of the 1st Irregular Meeting - 9
Chapter 195: Records of the 1st Irregular Meeting - 9
The sun was beginning to set.
Narsha lay collapsed on the bed.
Jiha had driven into her without mercy, until she finally lost consciousness.
"Hoo..."
Even Jiha, who hadn't let up once, felt his head spinning.
Drinking blood restored his body; failing that, he could channel his vampiric Mana to direct blood to his groin and maintain an erection.
But the latter drained him, and the truth was that Jiha preferred taking it slow with a woman.
That was only natural, considering pure stamina, libido aside.
Didn't even a galloping horse need rest?
But he had pushed himself on purpose this time, to crush Narsha.
Unable to endure Jiha's coercive acts, Narsha begged and pleaded for him to stop.
Even so, she sobbed and whimpered as she reached climax, until she finally passed out.
"..."
Jiha sat beside Narsha, gazing out the window.
Rain was falling outside.
Narsha was sound asleep.
She was a woman consumed by a sense of loss, resentful and bitter toward him.
Jiha had pinned her down thoroughly so she wouldn't rebel carelessly, but she was surely grinding her teeth on the inside.
"At least she'll sleep."
Anger was better than sorrow.
Hatred for another could sometimes fuel a person's will to live.
She was someone entrusted to him, so he couldn't just leave her to rot.
"..."
Now wasn't the time to stay by her side.
He would have to take the long view with Narsha.
Jiha carefully pulled the blanket over her and quietly left the room.
It was time to handle the remaining issues.
Jiha closed the door and descended to the fourth floor.
Bran was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
As the escort guard studied Jiha's mood, trying to speak, Jiha spoke first.
"The woman?"
"I am not a woma—"
"Bring a woman to look after Narsha. No, that won't do..."
The escort guards were all male.
Narsha needed someone she could open her heart to.
"A half-elf named Lijin will come here. When she arrives, place her beside Narsha, and tell the escort guards to behave. Any bastard who lays a finger on the girl I sent will find his head flying off immediately."
"..."
Bran's face stiffened at Jiha's command.
The heavy weight of it made it clear this wasn't a simple threat.
Lijin can handle Narsha's heart, but I still need someone to look after her physically. Men might harbor ulterior motives, so they're out. A woman would be easier. A female bodyguard.
But the escort guards were all men, so they were useless for this.
Assigning a Unique would be a waste as well.
"A female fighter. I need someone to guard Narsha. Look into candidates."
"Why would you do such a thing...?"
"I'm doing it because it's obviously necessary."
Jiha spoke as he walked ahead, and Bran, following behind, called after him.
"Wait. You keep issuing one-sided orders, but you're not even an escort guard."
"..."
"Lungtao left word arbitrarily naming you Lady Narsha's Helper, but I do not recognize it. Even if you are her Helper, you have no authority to command me."
Jiha stopped walking as Bran spoke emphatically.
It seemed Bran had already cleared people out, as the two of them were alone on the fourth floor.
He must have sent everyone away to have this conversation.
Jiha snapped back.
"Let's say your logic sounds plausible. What's the alternative? You know Narsha is so out of her mind she can't even get her surroundings in order. Now that Lungtao is gone, is it your kingdom now?"
"Until Lady Narsha recovers in body and spirit, I will serve with loyalty—"
"Cut the bullshit, or at least burn with ambition. Or no, do you even know your own place?"
"..."
Bran was at least vaguely aware that he wasn't popular among the other escort guards.
Being overshadowed by Lungtao was one reason, but he also lacked the boldness and nerve to keep a pack of males in line.
A guy who only ever speaks by the book is naturally easy to dislike.
He could be a lieutenant, but he lacks the makings of a captain.
His martial ability was usable, but his leadership was lacking.
If I want to put all the escort guards under me, I'm better off dismantling their current structure and reorganizing them fresh. I'll transform them from Narsha's escort guards into a military force that follows me.
Bran bit his lower lip softly, then gripped the sword at his waist.
"Even so, I can't just let you run wild while she's like this."
"It's not 'let me.' You'll support me in every way, materially and spiritually."
Bran, trying to draw the sword, frowned.
Something was off—the sword wouldn't budge. Jiha spoke casually.
"A simple principle, it turns out."
Jiha snapped his fingers.
Snap!
With a crisp sound... Bran's armor smoothly melted away.
This armor, made by Narsha, could strip off the clothing beneath it all at once when removed.
In an instant, Bran was left stark naked. Bran blinked, then screamed and covered up.
"Aaaagh!"
"Screams like a man, but the body is a woman's."
Jiha appraised this with indifference.
Just as he suspected, Bran was a woman.
He could see her generous, swelling breasts and the hidden mound below.
A fully trained body with no excess fat, yet perhaps because she kept it wrapped tight, her skin was pure white.
She overflowed with healthy appeal.
"Wh-what..."
Bran, covering her breasts and lower body with her hands, was bewildered and at a loss.
"Do I need to talk any longer?"
Jiha returned her armor to its original state.
Though the moment was brief, Bran, who had been fully exposed, was utterly mortified, her face bright red.
Whatever the reason, Jiha held control over the Dirga Weapons.
The ability Jiha had gained when he took Narsha—it was intuitive.
He just thought it, and it happened. He could prevent her from drawing her sword, or strip her armor off.
As Bran froze in silence, Jiha sneered.
"The one who was speaking so righteously has suddenly gone quiet. What, scared now? Afraid I'll strip you naked and make you dance in front of the other guards?"
"..."
Bran's face went pale.
Jiha had her weakness completely in his grip.
"I won't do that, so stand guard at Narsha's side and make sure no one tries anything foolish. And keep the escort guards in line, maintain the status quo without any trouble."
Seems there's no real need to find a woman for the job after all.
Since Bran is a woman, she can take care of Narsha.
"As I said before, I'm sending a woman named Lijin. Make sure the escort guards don't touch her. If anything happens to her, I'll wreck you first."
Should he also assign a Common to her as a guard?
"...You knew, and you just let it go?"
Bran asked, her face still thoroughly stiff.
The fact that Jiha knew she was a woman but showed no change and simply kept issuing orders was shocking. She found it hard to trust him so quickly.
Jiha tsked.
"Why? You think I'm going to rape you or something?"
"..."
Even if Jiha did that, Bran would be unable to resist.
If the truth that Bran was a woman came out, the escort guards would never follow her again.
On top of that, if Narsha found out, she could strip Bran of her sword and armor entirely.
It was a fatal secret that could ruin her overnight.
When she worried herself over nothing, Jiha laughed in disbelief.
"Why would I bother when there's nothing in it for me? Is your body that arousing to me?"
"..."
Bran was inwardly relieved, but her expression remained extremely complicated.
Well, a little intimidation here is probably for the best.
"Ah, but I could put you through something far more terrible, you see. You've got plenty of escort guards who find you unpleasant... What do you think would happen if they found out you were actually a woman who'd been deceiving them? And if you couldn't use your weapon and armor anymore?"
"That's..."
Bran was horrified.
She would be brutally trampled.
Jiha spoke quietly.
"If you don't want that to happen, shut your mouth and tread carefully. The situation is complicated, so stay sharp about it."
"..."
"If you're going to live in society, shouldn't you answer right away? Or do I have to teach you that first?"
At Jiha's threatening words, Bran dropped her head.
"Under... stood."
"Good. I'm leaving it to you, so handle it well."
Jiha nodded and walked on.
For now, he could leave Narsha as she was.
"It's raining..."
Maybe he should buy an umbrella on the way back?
When Jiha descended to the hotel lounge, a familiar face was waiting.
It was the succubus Yura.
The escort guards, and even the other guests, couldn't take their eyes off Yura's beauty.
In contrast to her demure looks, she wore a provocative outfit that flaunted her voluptuous figure. She was the kind of woman who, the moment a man saw her, stirred lewd thoughts and sent strength rushing to his groin.
But although men stole glances at her, none of them approached to speak.
They must have all recognized that Yura was a Unique and didn't dare hit on her carelessly.
"Ah."
Yura, who had been sitting alone, saw Jiha coming down and sprang to her feet with a bright expression.
As if she couldn't wait for him to finish descending the stairs, she quickly flew over and pressed herself to his side.
"Jiha, you're here."
As Yura cooed a flirtatious greeting and wrapped her arms around his, her full breasts pressed pleasantly against his arm.
The men watching all stared at Jiha in shock.
Their gazes were filled with jealousy and a sense of inferiority.
When the well-dressed men in expensive clothes looked at him with hostility, Jiha gave a scoff.
He draped an arm over Yura's shoulder as if to show off, and the silent jealousy grew, prickling against his skin.
Jiha strolled leisurely past the envious onlookers.
As he embraced her, Yura's face filled with joy and she clung to him even closer.
"What brought you here?"
"My business finished up, and I heard you had come this way, Jiha. It seemed you hadn't taken an umbrella, so I was waiting."
Yura held up the umbrella in her hand.
She had come herself because she couldn't bear to see Jiha get wet in the rain.
It was a task where simply sending someone would have sufficed, so the fact she came personally... she must have wanted to see him.
Indeed, Yura, pressing her cheek to Jiha's arm, was smiling happily.
Jiha stopped walking and said,
"The rain's heavy. Want to go inside and have some tea?"
"Really?"
Unable to hide her delight, Yura's tail swished back and forth.
A tea house on the first floor of the hotel.
Jiha went in and ordered coffee.
Yura placed the same order and settled down modestly right beside Jiha.
Ordinarily, people sat facing each other to converse.
Being side-by-side was closer, and this was what she wanted.
Even though she'd been clingy enough to link arms with him just moments before, now that she was actually sitting beside him, she couldn't even bring herself to meet Jiha's eyes.
"..."
No, to be precise, whenever her eyes met Jiha's, she would blush and look down, then sneak glances back up at him, repeating the cycle.
To anyone watching, she was a girl head over heels in love.
The other patrons around them, especially the men, looked at Jiha and Yura with envy.
Yura's beauty was one thing, but it was so obvious how much she adored Jiha.
"...Wow."
How happy must a man be to be so deeply loved by a beautiful succubus like that?
Every man present, regardless of species, seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Jiha observed them one by one.
People who frequent luxury hotels in times like these will either have money or be from the upper class. Waris has a population of hundreds of thousands, so anyone who recognizes Yura, a Unique, right away is no ordinary citizen. They'd have their own information network...
"Have you been well?"
As Jiha was lost in thought, Yura asked him softly.
We just saw each other yesterday?
Jiha turned to her and asked,
"Was it your idea to leave me alone with Enril?"
"...Yes. I was hoping it would make you happy."
Well, it had gotten intense.
When Enril lowered herself and started acting cute, Jiha had gotten hugely excited.
Jiha thought for a moment, then spoke plainly.
"There's no way Enril would just listen to anything you said."
"I didn't say anything at all."
Yura hunched her shoulders shyly.
But from the way she spoke, she clearly knew what Jiha and Enril had done.
Jiha asked, since the subject had come up.
"Aren't you jealous?"
"Truthfully, I am. But it's okay."
Yura confessed, looking at him with eyes full of affection.
"Because I'm going to become the woman you love most, Jiha."
Quietly.
And with certainty.