Chapter 56 Ingrid's Ordeal
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Ingrid's Ordeal
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Dawn was breaking.
A priest in white robes ran through the gaps between the guards.
"...Mion?"
"Skar!"
Mion ran to Jeong Yoo-shin and sat down in front of him.
The ground was soaked with blood, but Mion didn't seem to care.
Jeong Yoo-shin and Mion knelt while gazing at each other for a moment.
"...I read your letter, Skar."
The apology letter he sent through the temple receptionist had reached Mion.
He felt both embarrassed and relieved at that. He had written the letter with complete honesty, which intensified these feelings.
"I'm sorry."
"No. First, let's take care of your injuries."
[High Heal]
A warm, golden light enveloped Jeong Yoo-shin's entire body.
His broken wrist and other wounds began to heal rapidly.
"Thank you, Mion."
Jeong Yoo-shin bowed his head to her in gratitude.
Mion smiled faintly.
"No. If I had come a little sooner, you wouldn't have had to go through so much... I'm sorry."
"Don't mention it."
The thought of Mion fighting monsters like Hans worried him. A pang of concern stabbed at his heart.
"Ahem!"
Ingrid coughed.
"There are many eyes watching. Behave yourselves."
Mion's cheeks flushed.
Ingrid was right. It wouldn't do for him to be noticed by her crazy, siscon Knight-Commander.
He decided to address one last concern.
"Mion, it looks like I won't be able to attend class for a while."
"I understand. Is it because of the night watch requests? Don't worry about the tuition. I'll talk to the temple receptionist. They'll charge you only for the days you attended."
"Thank you."
Jeong Yoo-shin bowed deeply.
Meanwhile, the approaching guards began to murmur.
"...I couldn't believe it at first, but he really is a barbarian, huh? And a half-breed at that…"
"Is this even possible? Am I dreaming?"
Ingrid then spoke.
"This barbarian broke Hans' imprint."
Jeong Yoo-shin stared blankly at Ingrid.
Suddenly?
She was stabbing him in the back like this so suddenly?
Just moments ago, he had been enjoying a heavenly stroll with Mion, and now he was being dragged down to hell by the collar.
The guards murmured amongst themselves. Ingrid pointed at Jeong Yoo-shin and delivered the final blow.
"The half-breed barbarian, Skar, is a 'virgin.'"
He heard Mion gasp beside him, but he couldn't focus on it.
"Gasp! So that's why Hans' Virginity Defense Imprint…?!"
"Crazy. This is crazy. How can such a thing be possible? A virgin barbarian?!"
"Hey! Slap me. I can't tell if this is a dream or reality!"
The guards chattered excitedly.
Jeong Yoo-shin's face contorted.
The guards' murmurs turned into whispers and ventured into the realm of speculation.
"He looks like a young man, but how can he...?"
"It's possible. 'It' could malfunction, couldn't it?"
"Oh dear, what a tragedy at such a young age. Poor thing."
Their pitying gazes pierced Jeong Yoo-shin's heart.
Anger boiled within him, then quickly subsided. Punching the guards here would be insane. Getting angry at Ingrid was out of the question, considering the vast difference in their status and the fact that she had just saved his life.
Above all, he was mentally exhausted. He didn't want to stay here any longer.
Jeong Yoo-shin staggered to his feet.
"I, I'll be getting off work now."
"Get some rest. You don't have to come in for a few days."
Ingrid said.
"Skar, you go ahead."
Mion waved slightly at Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Wait."
Ingrid then stopped him.
"It's indecent for a 'pure' one to walk around half-naked, so wear my coat."
Jeong Yoo-shin glared at Ingrid.
Could she be holding a grudge because he called her "mother-in-law"?
He stared intently at her, but Ingrid's expressionless face revealed nothing.
Jeong Yoo-shin sighed deeply.
"Sigh, thank you."
Ingrid took off her own coat and draped it over Jeong Yoo-shin's shoulders.
"Barbarian!"
The captain of the guard tossed him something.
Thwack!
In his hand was a kettle helm covered in teeth and claw marks.
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded once and looked around.
In the rising sunlight, the numerous guards and explorers gathered at the labyrinth entrance were looking at him.
His unique secret had been revealed with the dawn.
'This is just...'
He had done a good thing, hadn't he? Yet, his stomach churned, and his head spun.
'There are all sorts of crazy imprints in this world. A Virginity Defense Imprint. I'm the only one here who hasn't had sex. This damn other world.'
The morning breeze ruffled Jeong Yoo-shin's black hair.
He started walking with his upper body bare except for Ingrid's coat, and a single-edged sword resting on his shoulder.
The gathered crowd parted to make way for him.
From one side, his party approached him.
The Stonefist, Iron Mask, and Croak then stood beside him.
"Uh... you know... cheer up."
"You can mate anytime. There will be other opportunities in life."
"Skar, are you aspiring to become a monk?"
"Let's just go. I'm tired."
Jeong Yoo-shin brushed them off and walked through the crowd.
Mion shouted from behind.
"I, I don't mind that you're a v...virgin, Skar!"
'Why is she shouting?'
He wondered.
"Thank you,"
He replied as he turned to acknowledge her before facing forward again.
Something dark began to bloom within him. He knew he shouldn't feel this way. He had saved them. But he resented everything.
Ingrid watched Jeong Yoo-shin's retreating figure, then turned her head. Her subordinates were approaching from afar.
"We apologize for the delay."
One of Ingrid's subordinates, a black ox beast-person, knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
"It's alright. It's my fault for arriving in Labyrinth City so quickly. I'll rest for a bit, so I’ll leave the labyrinth entrance to you."
"Understood."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Jeong Yoo-shin entered the central district and looked back at his party members.
"See you later."
"Skar, get some rest."
"You worked hard today. Croak."
"Oh, I almost forgot."
Jeong Yoo-shin took off his gauntlet and handed it to Iron Mask.
"Thank you. Thanks to you, I've committed social suicide."
"Glad that it was useful to you."
Iron Mask chuckled and patted Jeong Yoo-shin's shoulder.
"How can keeping your purity for someone precious be something to be ashamed of? Pure love is something to be proud of. There's no need to be embarrassed."
"Let's stop."
Jeong Yoo-shin's voice lowered.
"Alright. See you later."
Jeong Yoo-shin parted ways with his party members and headed to the southern district. He went against the flow of explorers gathering in groups of three to five to enter the labyrinth and arrived at the inn.
"Oh! Skar!"
Tarman ran towards him.
"I'm back. Do you have any warm soup?"
"Yes. Please wait a moment."
Tarman then ran to the kitchen.
After a short wait, Tarman returned with a tray laden with food.
"Here you go."
The meal consisted of tomato soup, dark rye bread, grilled sausages, and pickled cabbages.
Jeong Yoo-shin ate the soup and tore into the bread. The food filled his empty stomach, and he felt alive again. He focused solely on eating. He had fought all night, and his stomach was practically glued to his back because of it.
He emptied all the bowls and placed the cutlery on the plate.
"Phew, that was good. Thank you, as always."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
Tarman said with a bright smile.
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at Tarman's smile for a moment before rising and turning.
"I'm going to bed. I'll be resting for a few days, so you don't need to prepare any late-night snacks for me."
"Yes, I understand. Please rest well."
He climbed the stairs and entered his room. He wiped his body with a wet towel, changed his clothes, and laid down on the bed.
Seeing Tarman's smile made him think that he had done the right thing.
He was embarrassed about his virginity being revealed, but...
Boron and Einhorfer.
And the people he met at the monster dismantling shop.
Each one of them may have been brief encounters, but they were certainly not shallow.
He had no regrets about protecting them from potential danger.
No regrets.
He rested his head on his arm and closed his eyes.
"Ha... The rumors are going to spread, aren't they? Tsk. What should I say here… Yoo-shin, this is just you being self-conscious. Get a grip."
Nagging worries rose and fell within him. The fatigue accumulated from the all-night battle was heavy.
Soon, darkness claimed him.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Late at night, when everyone was asleep.
A room deep within the inner castle of the central district.
Antique furniture and ornate artwork adorned the room.
Someone was looking at a teacup placed on a luxurious ivory table.
Red-tinged tail and hair.
An almost expressionless face.
Ingrid Redtail.
The tea, which cost a sum that would make even the richest people in Labyrinth City gasp, was now cooling, steam rising gently from the cup.
"...It’s late."
Ingrid muttered to herself.
Tap! Tap, tap!
Something tapped on the window. Ingrid's head turned. A white rat was outside.
Ingrid approached and opened the window. The white rat hopped inside.
"...Why are you so late?"
"Squeak! Squeak, squeak!"
The rat stood on its hind legs while gesturing and squeaking.
"I see."
Ingrid knelt on one knee and stroked the white rat.
Her cold expression softened slightly.
She always felt stifled after arriving in Labyrinth City from the vast plains of the west. This feeling intensified when she spent time in front of the labyrinth, switched shifts with her subordinates, and went to bed.
That was why she got a familiar.
She didn't have the time or the mental space for other hobbies.
Simply peeking into her familiar's memories and briefly sharing its senses was Ingrid's only pastime.
Ingrid sat on the bed with the rat.
"Shall we take a look?"
"Squeak!"
Ingrid closed her eyes and placed her hand on the rat's head.
[Memory Share]
The rat's memories unfolded before her eyes.
Ingrid's closed eyes furrowed.
"...Is this that half-breed barbarian from today?"
The white rat wandered around the city and entered an inn.
It entered a room and hid under the bed, only to be caught. By that very half-breed barbarian.
It thought it was in big trouble, but surprisingly, nothing much happened.
It was confined in a cage for two weeks, but it was well-fed and even taken to the temple for an imprint examination.
Ingrid used Sensory Synchronization to savor the taste of the food.
It was excessive treatment for a mere rat. Of course, their attitude would have been different if they knew who the rat's owner was.
Ingrid nodded.
The half-breed barbarian released the white rat.
As time passed, trivial things about the Labyrinth City flashed before her eyes.
"...Hmm? Where is this?"
It was the place where the rat had stayed from last night until this morning.
It was in front of the labyrinth.
The starving rat, after wandering around the city, ran to where the half-breed barbarian was.
"Roasted chicken."
Thanks to the Sensory Synchronization magic, the savory smell of chicken wafted into her nose.
It ran towards the smell, only to be caught and held aloft by the barbarian.
"...Ugh!"
Ingrid shifted her body.
A warm, soft sensation pressed against the nape of her neck.
"...Wait."
"Squeak?"
Ingrid waved her hand, her eyes still closed.
But the sudden influx of sensations prevented her from stopping the Memory Share and Sensory Synchronization magic.
"Huh!"
The sensation of a hand gently stroking her belly sent a chill down her spine.
"...W-what is this?"
Her shoulders were then massaged, and her back was firmly pressed.
A refreshing sensation washed over her, as if her muscles were loosening.
"Haah."
A sweet sigh briefly escaped Ingrid's lips.
"Ugh?!"
Suddenly, her womb was pressed firmly.
She had been momentarily distracted by the sensation of her back, shoulders, and waist being loosened, and now he was targeting the most important part of a woman's body.
Her strength drained, and she collapsed onto the bed.
"W-wait! There?!"
The half-breed barbarian's touch traveled from the soles of her feet, up her calves.
"Heeot!"
The inside of her thighs was pressed firmly.
"D-don't spread them!"
Ingrid struggled to close her thighs, but the persistent pressure forced them slightly apart.
It was a body that even her deceased husband hadn't dared to touch so casually.
Moreover, she was in a humiliating position, like a frog exposing its belly.
Humiliation churned in her stomach.
Ingrid's expressionless face turned as red as a tomato.
The feeling of her thighs being forcibly pressed then disappeared.
Ingrid quickly rolled over.
She felt a sudden pressure on her buttocks, followed by a firm press on her pelvis.
Startled, her red tail stood erect, and her buttocks lifted towards the sky.
"Hoot. Hoout."
She tried to calm herself with deep breaths, but her body wouldn't obey her.
Her waist swayed up and down of its own accord.
It was a vulgar act, as if she were grinding against a man.
Saliva trickled down her lips.
Her hand gripping the bedsheet tightened.
"Hrroot. Heeot!"
Her womb was pressed firmly once more.
Ingrid's eyes rolled slightly upwards.
"N...no!"
"Lady Ingrid? Are you alright?"
Someone called her name from outside the door.
"I-I'm fine, so don't come in! Go away!"
Ingrid shouted urgently.
"U-understood."
Ingrid covered her mouth with one hand and desperately suppressed her moans.
"Hoooup. Hooot!!!"
The precious place that once held Karin was throbbing.
Her labia, tightly closed for a long time due to her celibacy after losing her husband and giving birth to Karin, parted slightly inside her panties.
"Krooot!!! N...no!"
Ingrid's waist arched like a bow.
"I, in a place like this! So easily!"
Ingrid's words contradicted her actions.
Her already erect nipples rubbed against the inside of her bra and the bed.
Her hips moved desperately up and down beyond her control, as if determined to get pregnant.
The intimate area of her tight, legging-like pants was becoming slightly damp.
"J-just with this! This barbarian!"
Her womb was pressed again.
Ingrid's eyes rolled back.
Her head tilted back.
Electricity crackled in her head.
"HooOOOooong!!!"
The noble leader of the Red Wolf Tribe.
A member of the Labyrinth City Council and the representative of the Beast-person Alliance.
Because of a mere barbarian's touch.
She moaned vulgarly, her tongue lolling out in a humiliating posture.
For a woman who only had one obligatory encounter with her husband long ago and had lived a solitary life ever since, it was a shocking and brutal forced climax.
"Hoot. Hoit. W-what in the world...?"
Ingrid, her head buried in the bedsheet, mumbled with her loosened tongue.
The lingering afterglow of her climax caused her buttocks to twitch involuntarily, and her plump thighs to clench and unclench repeatedly.
Was there something wrong with the Sensory Synchronization magic?
Her head felt like mush, and she couldn't think straight.
"D-dangerous man."
Ingrid mumbled with a dazed expression as drool dripped from her red lips.
He was a very dangerous barbarian. For her daughter. And for herself, too.
Did he have some other kind of imprint?
She needed to find out more.
Ingrid made up her mind.
She had no ulterior motives. It was solely for the sake of her daughter and the safety of Labyrinth City.
Ingrid unconsciously stuck out her tongue and licked her lips seductively.
"Squeak?"
The white rat tilted its head next to Ingrid.
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T/N - Fuck! I was laughing so hard at the first part. Poor MC, getting outed like that. Also, a fucking Virginity Defense imprint, of all things. Does that mean Hans and his party got attacked in the labyrinth by virgin monsters or something?
Also, damn, not only the daughter but also the mother? As to why she got so affected, I think her rat familiar must have been a virgin, and since it had a good impression of the MC after being fed, it met the requirements of his negative imprint. And through Memory Share and Sense Synchronization, Ingrid felt what the rat was feeling. But face-to-face, Ingrid won't be affected since she's not a virgin anymore. I feel like the MC will get more sex-related imprints in the future though, so who knows.
Lastly, the thought of the MC lewding a female rat is making me laugh.