Chapter 55: Reaping the Harvest - 8
Chapter 55: Reaping the Harvest - 8
"Ah, no, I hate you!"
Leticia screamed, her body trembling.
Her voice was thick with terror.
But the man didn't immediately touch her secret places. He spread his palm and slowly, deliberately, rubbed and kneaded the inside of her thigh.
"......."
Leticia, who had been screaming, faltered.
Jiha's touch was clean, clinical, as if working tension from a muscle.
Carefully, he pressed and rubbed the inside of her thigh, loosening the knots.
The woman's body, rigid with tension, gradually began to relax.
Like a deer caught by a tiger, Leticia trembled but watched Jiha warily from the corner of her eye.
If she made too much noise, someone outside might hear. But this male, instead of sating his lust immediately, was tapping at her body like a physician.
"Ah, ngh...."
When his rough palm rubbed her delicate skin, then gripped and released, it felt like the tension just drained away.
As his hand skimmed past her thigh, outward toward her hip, Leticia swallowed the sound that escaped her lips without permission.
A lewd moan she couldn't believe came from her own mouth.
Startled by the realization, she bit her lip in mortification.
To be so shaken by a wretch like him, to be thrown into such turmoil.
"I-if you're going to do it, just get it over with."
"Do what?"
Jiha pulled his hand away from Leticia's body.
Leaning back against Jiha, who remained seated, Leticia found it hard to believe when he actually let her go.
Jiha smiled as he spoke.
"Did you like being touched? Want more?"
"Wh-who the hell would!"
Leticia scrambled upright and snapped back at him.
When his gaze lingered on the fallen blanket and the pleasing swell of her breasts, she yanked it up and retreated hurriedly. Then she faltered as pain lanced through her.
"Ah, ngh...."
"Your body is worn out. Don't push yourself today. Rest well."
Jiha truly had no intention of taking Leticia again.
The pain of losing her virginity. She had only just become a woman in Jiha's arms the night before. It was only natural for her to be sore and aching everywhere come morning. Even a seasoned warrior couldn't simply ignore it.
"......."
Freed, Leticia blinked at his words, unable to believe them. He'd been tormenting her just moments ago, but the truth was he'd been worried about her condition?
A Unique like her had never been on the receiving end of anyone's concern. The only emotions directed her way were admiration and the envy and jealousy of other elves.
Jiha spoke calmly.
"Getting dressed will be hard, so don't strain yourself. Take it slow."
"L-like I need you to tell me that. I can manage perfectly well on my own!"
Leticia reflexively snapped back and turned away. Even wrapped in a blanket, she couldn't avoid some exposure while pulling on her undergarments. Glancing back at Jiha, she flinched involuntarily.
He was staring openly at her back and her rear. Even a single glance confirmed his lust.
'...But he isn't doing anything?'
No matter how much she snarled on the surface, deep down Leticia was cowed by Jiha. He had just seized her by the throat, and if he'd tried to force himself on her, she had no way to resist. Well, she could fight back to the death, but then there'd be the aftermath to deal with. Better to endure it once and plan for the next move.
Yet despite his clear desire, Jiha was simply watching. As if he wanted to, but was refraining out of concern for her body.
"...Ah."
Getting dressed was the priority.
She reflexively lifted a leg to step into her panties, then froze. A dull ache rose up from between her legs the moment she moved. She hadn't even noticed it before, which was strange in itself. She'd been so thoroughly kneaded and bitten by Jiha all night that her body was tender and sore everywhere, and the pain had masked the real issue.
No wonder her body felt so off. That's why Jiha had caught her by the throat so effortlessly.
"I'll just watch. Take it slow. You'll fall over at this rate."
"Ngh...."
Leticia flinched at the sound of Jiha's voice.
The blanket slipped. Her pale, bare rear was fully exposed to Jiha's gaze. And the man had the nerve to announce he was looking.
Embarrassing and humiliating... but oddly, Jiha's voice sounded almost tender. Following his words, she bent slowly to pull up her panties, then faltered again. The moment she lowered her body, she became aware of a reaction from deep within. The pain was one thing... but as Jiha's hands had kneaded and relaxed her thighs, she'd grown slightly wet.
"......."
Leticia's long ears flushed crimson all the way to the roots. She couldn't believe she'd reacted to a man's hands like that, but it was the truth. And his voice just a moment ago had sounded strangely warm and gentle.
"Want help if it's really that hard?"
"N-no, I don't."
Leticia bit down on her lower lip, desperate for him not to notice. She absolutely could not let Jiha discover that she was slightly wet right now.
Leticia straightened up as she pulled her panties into place. She took a breath and reached for her bra, then stopped. Her pert breasts, the soft pink nipples, were slightly stiff. As if the man's kneading and pinching had felt good to her.
'Wh-what is this.'
Her body was betraying her heart. Her mind wanted to leave this place immediately, but her body was getting wet and feeling pleasure. Had being taken by that man for a single night completely altered her body?
At that thought, the flush spread all the way down to the nape of Leticia's neck.
Still, she ignored her body's response, quickly fastened the hooks, and forcibly suppressed her emotions. Whatever happened, she couldn't let that man know her body's current state. With her underwear on, Leticia finally steadied her heart and slowly gathered the rest of her clothes.
And Jiha savored the sight at his leisure. Watching the female body he'd kneaded all night struggle to cover itself with clothing held a peculiar kind of charm. It also planted a new objective: to peel it all off again next time.
"......."
At last fully dressed, Leticia turned around. Her glare was fresh and sharp, as if she might lunge at Jiha any second.
He spoke evenly.
"You must be sore. Want some warm tea or something?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I don't want to stay here a moment longer."
"Then go back to the Purple barracks and wait until I contact you. Eat something warm with broth, and stay quietly in your room today and tomorrow. You'll hurt yourself otherwise."
"I can take care of my own body. You're the one who...."
"I'll handle what I promised, so just wait."
"...Really?"
That promise—to get rid of the unwanted engagement. Leticia's face brightened for a flash before she hurriedly put on an angry expression. She was convinced she had every right to be angry, that she had to be forceful. A sentiment that didn't make the slightest impression on Jiha, of course.
"You'll see when I do it. Just wait."
"......."
After steadying her breath, Leticia glared at Jiha with renewed venom.
"Consider this a warning. If you try anything funny, your life is forfeit. No...."
"Did you just say that was a warning?"
When Jiha's voice lowered, Leticia flinched. She'd tried to steel her resolve and come on strong, but Jiha refused to permit it. Once he'd bent someone to his will, he gave them no chance to resist.
As Leticia fell silent, Jiha pressed his point.
"If you act thoughtlessly, you won't even break even. Stay quiet."
"...Tch."
Leticia shot Jiha a defiant glare, then spun on her heel. She stormed out as if she loathed the idea of sharing a single extra second with him.
Jiha nodded with satisfaction.
"Well, she'll stay quiet for the time being at least."
It wasn't full submission, so she'd need more handling later. But now Jiha could wield influence over Purple's camp in Waris as well. Through Leticia.
"Now then...."
When Jiha summoned his Mana, a red aura enveloped both of his arms entirely. The energy that had only covered half a forearm right after feeding from Enril had swelled fourfold.
"Good."
The increase wasn't just about quantity. What truly pleased Jiha was being able to reinforce both arms with Mana simultaneously. Until now, his total Mana and the amount he could deploy at once had been limited. If he moderately reinforced his defense, he only had enough left to enhance one arm or a weapon. In other words, he couldn't chain consecutive attacks. That had been a critical weakness. But no one had managed to exploit it so far, because Jiha had hidden it thoroughly. That was precisely why his battle strategy in the Summoning War had mostly been to stall for time and finish things in a single decisive blow.
Now he could overcome it.
"It's about time to start moving."
Up to now, Jiha had manipulated situations, shaped the battlefield, and pushed his advantages to win even with meager Mana. But there were those who knew the truth—that it was Jiha who had crushed Pamin.
"With Pamin's downfall...."
Just as Jiha had killed Quadoran and earned the Commons' loyalty. Now, there would certainly be an elf who sought to avenge Pamin and seize his position.
"I'll use Leticia as needed to deal with it...."
Jiha grinned.
The mayor of the border city Waris was an elf.
"Seems like I can make good use of that."
***
The entrance of the barracks annex.
Only now, in the early morning air, did Leticia finally release a shuddering breath.
"God, it hurts...."
Every step she took sent pain lancing up from between her legs. Her expression twisted into a grimace. She pressed a hand to her chest and bit her lip.
At first, it had seemed bearable, but the pain had sharpened as she walked down the corridor.
"A healer... no, forget it. How would I even explain this."
Leticia controlled her breathing and steadied her heart. Above all, the fact that she'd spent the night with Jiha—that, at least, had to be kept absolutely secret. Not just from the elves, but especially from that dark elf, Enril. It must never reach her ears.
"Ah...."
Come to think of it, she'd forgotten to warn Jiha to keep it secret.
Should she go back and threaten him?
The thought flickered, and Leticia shook her head. She didn't want to walk back into the tiger's den.
"No, no. I'm a Unique, after all...."
What kind of tiger was a mere Common human male?
Right now, she was just in too much pain, that's why she was letting him off. Once she recovered, she'd set him straight and make him pay.
'Ah, I can't kill him, so I'll just demonstrate the difference in strength to scare him a little, and....'
Leticia forcibly pushed aside the fear and unease Jiha inspired. It was only because her condition was poor that she was letting it slide. And besides...
"......."
She doubted Jiha would go around blabbing about last night. Not because he was a good person, of course, but... because she'd gotten the sense he planned to keep the fact he'd slept with her hidden and exploit it quite usefully?
Even Leticia, who saw Jiha as a bizarre and twisted monster, could recognize one thing: that man was chillingly thorough.
And yet.
"...What's that about liking someone."
Leticia pouted. The man was a cruel, cold-blooded monster, and then out of nowhere he said something like that and pretended to worry about her body.
"Whose fault do you think this is...."
Fighting down the pain, Leticia lifted her head. It was early enough that no one was around, but you never knew.
"I better get out of here before that dark elf shows up for work...."
If she ran into Enril, the woman might realize Leticia had spent the night at the Blue Seal barracks and interrogate her. The sight of her unable to even straighten her back right now would be a disaster if anyone saw it.
"Hooo."
Suppressing the ache, Leticia straightened her spine and walked. She wanted nothing more than to hurry back, take a bath, and rest.
As Leticia retreated, keeping one eye on her surroundings—
A pair of eyes watched her back.
The third floor of the main barracks building. The Unique's office.
Leaning against the window, a silver-haired dark elf stared down, still and silent.
Blue Seal's Unique, Enril Woniak.
"......."
For a Unique, working hours were a given—there was no reason for her to be at the barracks at this hour. Overtime? An all-nighter? The untouched, long-cold coffee on the desk had never been sipped. No special task required her presence.
But Enril had stood by this window deep into the night and until morning came, in a spot offering a clear view of whoever entered or left the annex.
"What...."
A sigh.
Just what am I doing?
A thought that had risen unbidden when she stood up at Jiha's words. The feeling that had gripped her at the realization that Jiha and Leticia were left alone together. She didn't know what to call this bitter, trembling sensation at her fingertips.
At first, she'd stood here to calm herself, telling herself it was nothing of consequence. But an hour passed, then two. And when Leticia still didn't emerge, her heart grew a little blacker each moment. She had simply stood there, ignorant of how to handle the feeling, staring down.
Then daylight came, and at last Leticia appeared.
"......."
Even a child could tell. That Leticia had spent the night with Jiha. And what it meant, when a man and a woman did such a thing. Enril knew it well. She'd experienced it herself.
Crrrack.
The dark elf's hand, braced against the wall, tightened with power.
"...No."
Whether she meant that such a thing could not have happened. That Jiha could not have done it. Or that she didn't know her own heart. Even Enril herself didn't know what she was denying. Her lips simply parted, forming empty words. She glared after Leticia's retreating form, then turned her gaze back toward the annex where Jiha was still staying.
A stinging sigh.
Her body shuddered with an emptiness she couldn't name.