18. Awakening
At that moment, as Ian reeled from the nauseating truth he'd stumbled upon in his awakening, Carol approached Regina.
"Ah, aaah...! Lady Regina!"
"U, ah...?"
Her thighs and arms—any exposed skin—were covered in wounds. Her maid uniform was torn in places, and she limped along, pretending her ankle was sprained, ligaments stretched, bone cracked. Her face and hair were smeared with black soot and dirt.
Of course, it was all fake—a disguise Carol had concocted to fool Regina. A vile act to spin a lie about how she'd been attacked, fled, and barely survived the castle's collapse.
But Regina, oblivious to Carol's filthy scheme, eyed her warily at first. Yet the sight of those gashes stirred a flicker of pity. In Regina's mind, Carol was the kind maid who'd cared for Jubi so well. The fondness Regina held solely for Jubi now extended to her.
"You're alive! Thank goodness."
"U, uuuh...."
Carol grabbed Regina's hand, feigning delight. The old Regina would've questioned this sudden appearance. She might've even drawn a dagger to her throat before Carol could get close.
Yes, the real Regina would've been suspicious enough.
But now... Jubi's death filled her head with vengeance against the count—the one who'd killed her charge. Rational judgment was impossible. No suspicion, no guard up. She didn't even consider Carol might've slain the count. His head had burst open—hardly the work of the simple maid she'd always seen tending Jubi. The thought of her being a necromancer never crossed her mind.
Just, maybe...
"...Uah, uuh."
"Pardon? Uh... what do you mean?"
"Uuaa, uu... ahu."
Gesturing wildly, Regina tried to convey her question: Does she know who killed the count? Soon enough, Carol caught on and responded.
"Oh, ah—you're asking who killed the count, right?"
"Uuh."
"Well..."
Carol paused dramatically, trembling as if terrified.
"Mercenaries. You know them? The Red Evil Mercenaries... About twenty of 'em? They burst in through some secret passage behind the lord's castle, in the garden. Started slaughtering everyone. Ginny, Jenny, Cassie... all dead. I even saw them head for the count last."
Regina paused, pondering.
...Red Evil Mercenaries.
She recalled that was Bella's group. Then Carol continued.
"I-I got lucky and hid, so they missed me. Overheard them by chance... They snuck in to kill everyone while taking that Ian guy or whatever."
"......"
Regina bit her lip. Something felt off—fishy enough to spark doubt. But just as suspicion brewed, Carol smirked inwardly and feigned innocent confusion.
"More importantly, Lady Regina. Where's Jubi? Wasn't she with you?"
Did those words shake her? Regina's pupils darted side to side. The slave contract—count dead, Jubi dies too—was a secret between him and Regina. Carol played dumb on purpose, mentioning Jubi to rattle her again.
In truth, Jubi's death wasn't the contract but Carol lifting her own necromancy curse. But who cared? Regina would never know.
Oblivious to the scheme, Regina turned away, face stiff.
"......Mind Break."
"Ugh?!"
Mana flashed from Carol's hand. Violet lightning crackled out, surging straight for Regina's head. Too bad—she couldn't react in time.
Thud.
Regina crumpled. Gazing down, Carol grinned wickedly, raising a dagger from her bosom—brimming with death magic.
§
A bit later, Cheong-ah arrived first. Panting hard, her usual pale apricot skin flushed deep red—she'd sprinted here exhausted.
Spotting me, our eyes met. She rushed over, then hesitated—brushed off the dust on her clothes—and threw herself into my arms.
"Darling...!"
I hugged her lightly, pulling her close. Her skin after so long—soft, warm. ...Though the bandages on her chest made it a bit firm.
Still, for someone so rigorously trained, her body was remarkably yielding. Just holding her lifted my spirits.
"Cheong-ah, I missed you."
"Yes, me too. I missed y—ngh."
Her beaming smile froze mid-way. Face paling, I asked in alarm.
"What's wrong? Hurt somewhere?"
Did my power miss some injury? No undead could've risen again—my ability hadn't faded, so it blocked any attacks.
I checked her frantically. She bowed her head.
"...Darling, let me go for a bit."
"Why? Where's it hurt? Tell me quick."
I pressed worriedly. She shook her head fast.
"N-no... It's not that. I ran hard and sweated a ton. I stink—let go. I'll wash up quick!"
...Ah.
I'd worried for nothing. I squeezed the squirming Cheong-ah tighter.
"That's nothing."
"N-not nothing! First time seeing you in ages, and I reek like this?"
"I said it's fine. Where even is there to wash here?"
"B-but..."
She stubbornly refused my reassurance. Fine, time for drastic measures.
"...Cheong-ah."
"Yes?"
I buried my nose in her neck, inhaling deeply. Sniiiiif...
"D-Darling...?!"
She jolted, but I kept sniffing her scent. That faint, familiar sweat—always pleasant, now intoxicating after so long, stirring my instincts fiercely.
"Can't you tell?"
"Oh come on, seriously... I don't know."
My lower half stiffened, poking her smooth belly. Feeling it, her face burned redder. She bit her lip, burying her head.
"You know... You like it."
"...You're always so lewd."
"I always say it—your scent's fragrant. Makes me hard instantly."
Like lily flowers mixed with something else floral. Couldn't pinpoint it, but sweetly addictive.
"Darling..."
"Cheong-ah."
Gazing into each other's eyes, lips nearing—
"...Fuckin' hell. Eye-sore right off the bat, you shits. What're you doin' by the kid?"
A husky voice laced with curses and grumbles. Bella waddled up, already here.
Only then did Cheong-ah and I realize.
Oh crap—Dina's right there!
"Eek... Sorry, Dina. Didn't see you."
"...Ahem."
Dina acted unfazed, pouting sulkily at Bella—who'd drawn near.
"Why stop them? Fine sight. This body might use it someday."
"Fine my ass. Use what? The brat's flat as a board."
"Who ya callin' brat and flat? As this body said before..."
"Yeah, brat."
"Y-you bitch...! You beast!"
Dina lunged, furious. Bella blocked with her left arm to the forehead. Dina grabbed it, climbed up, locked in a flying armbar.
"Gyaahhh!!"
Her light frame couldn't topple Bella's bulk, but Dina's skill inflicted real pain—Bella screamed.
"Ow, fuck...! Sorry, brat! Sorry!"
"Today this body breaks the beast's habits!"
"Hey, argh...! For real...!"
Bella scooped her up, slammed her down—wham. Dina released quick, hopped back.
"F-fuck... You're dead today."
"Hmph, come at me."
They bickered on. Cheong-ah and I exchanged looks—sigh, kids at it again.
"Feels real now that I'm back."
"Hehe... Does it?"
Daily routine—they'd stop soon. Sure enough, mid-scuffle, they flopped down together like always.
"Hah, hah... Call me brat again, and you're done."
"Bullshit, brat."
"Y-you...! Hmph... Let off this once."
"Heard that three thousand times."
"...Hmph."
Dina snorted. Bella smirked at her, then turned to me.
"Anyway, hubby."
"...Yeah?"
She spread her arms wide.
"Me too."
"What?"
"Like with Ju Cheong-ah. Hurry."
"Ugh, seriously..."
As I approached the prone Bella to hug her—
BOOOOOOMMM!!
Something exploded.
-GWAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...!!