Grace of the Rose (1)
Grace of the Rose (1)
Only silence swirled soundlessly through the cave.
Now, I was the only one left breathing.
When the battle erupted between me and the hobgoblin, all the other goblins had fled.
Thanks to that, I could venture deeper into the cave without obstruction.
After walking some distance, an open cavern with three chambers appeared.
This seemed to be the dead end of the cave.
The rightmost chamber contained sacks of grain and fruits.
There were also processed herbs and unidentified dried meats.
A food storage, perhaps.
Having no interest in their diet, I was about to turn away when—
My gaze froze on a long table in the corner.
There lay Crowd, his body cold.
Maria had called him "feed."
Even if I hadn't joined the party, he would've met this fate regardless.
We'd only met today, so our bond wasn't deep.
Yet for that brief moment, we'd fought back-to-back as comrades.
I crossed myself and clasped my hands to pray for his soul.
"May Mother Earth and Father God watch over you."
I'd delivered death to Maria.
May that bring him some solace.
After a short prayer, I moved on.
The middle chamber appeared to be the goblins' living quarters.
A spacious area densely covered with straw and soiled cloths.
The pale semen stains everywhere suggested even these creatures masturbated.
Nothing of value here—just filth.
Finally, I headed to the left chamber.
This seemed to be a supply storage.
Miscellaneous items lay scattered about.
Among them, neatly arranged clothing caught my eye—all my garments.
This orderly section likely bore Maria's touch.
Probably intended for her own use later.
Though bloodstained, I had no choice but to wear them.
Aside from the slightly torn blouse, the clothes were in decent condition.
As I finished dressing, sudden clamoring footsteps echoed.
I hastily drew my sword from beside the clothes.
Peering cautiously outside, I saw goblins swarming the cavern.
An overwhelming number.
My eyes quickly scanned their ranks—
All ordinary grunt goblins.
Tension drained from my body.
"Kee, kee-rik?"
The lead gobllin hesitated upon spotting me.
No idea why they'd return after fleeing.
Perhaps they thought me dead or critically wounded from the earlier battle.
No matter—they'd delivered themselves to me.
I lunged into their midst.
After facing that vicious hobgoblin, these seemed almost laughable.
What followed was one-sided slaughter.
Blood splattered across their nest as green heads rolled.
"Keeegh! Kyaaaagh!"
Dismembered goblins shrieked in agony.
I swung my blade relentlessly, unfazed.
To them, I was just meat to sate their lust.
To me, they were merely silver coins and points.
I pursued them to the cave entrance, cutting down every throat.
A few escaped into the forest beyond—I let them go.
No need to chase further.
This was vengeance enough.
Besides, I had other business.
Returning to the cavern, I collected my dagger and a sack first.
Couldn't forget to harvest their ears.
20 Grange per goblin.
Enough for cheap meals like bread and stew.
With a farmer's harvest joy, I filled the sack.
Combined with ears collected earlier, easily over a hundred.
I took the hobgoblin's ear too.
No other trophies worth taking.
Even as a superior species, goblins remained low-tier monsters.
Their corpses held little value.
Still, being an elite variant should fetch good pay.
Setting down the heavy sack, I realized I hadn't fully searched the left chamber.
Reentering the cluttered storage, I spotted Crowd's sword against the wall.
A long two-handed greatsword—
Too unwieldy for me, but it'd sell well.
After claiming the dead man's legacy, I checked a small side chamber.
Women's garments and strange patterned papers lay scattered.
Likely Maria's quarters.
Rifling through shelves and boxes, I found:
Several silver rings, about 5 Arshen in silver coins,
And one metal badge.
The badge depicted a tree encircled by thorny vines,
With "Sephirot" inscribed below.
Perhaps her magical faction's name.
I pocketed it despite not knowing its significance.
With that, my cave business concluded.
Two swords at my waist, the ear-filled sack slung over my shoulder.
Heavier now, but not enough to hinder movement.
Outside, dusk darkened the forest.
Needed to return before city gates closed.
Barely made it at full sprint.
Went straight to the mercenary guild.
Inside, Daygan sorted paperwork at the counter.
"Huh? You're—"
"Good to see you, Daygan. Sorry—should I come back tomorrow?"
Near closing time, only he remained.
When I hesitated about making him work overtime, he shook his head.
"Normally I'd turn you away, but seeing your state..."
My blood-soaked appearance must've been ghastly.
Even the gate guards had been wary.
Daygan set aside his files and beckoned.
"Come. Massacred more goblin hordes, I see."
"Something like that."
I hefted the sack onto the counter.
He untied it and began counting ears.
After some tallying, his face paled.
"...125 total. Got some deep grudge against goblins?"
"Not particularly."
"Best not get on your bad side. This pile of severed ears chills my spine."
He actually shuddered and stepped back.
If this shocked him already—
I produced the elongated jade-green ear.
"Got a hobgoblin too."
"What?"
He snatched it, examining closely before sighing.
"Hah! A genuine hobgoblin ear."
"What's the bounty?"
"20 Arshen."
Equivalent to 100 goblins.
A worthy reward for the trouble.
"Before payment, some questions. How'd you slay so many goblins in one day? And the hobgoblin? Even for an aura user, this is extraordinary."
"Well..."
I hesitated.
Debated telling the full truth or partial lies.
Couldn't reveal the Seven Deadly Sins' exchange system.
But would he believe any excuse omitting that?
Before I could decide, Daygan broke the silence.
"Hmm. Fine. Won't pry further."
"...Is that alright?"
"My father once said: 'Delving into women's secrets is terrifyingly dangerous.' Seeing this, I understand completely."
He eyed the ear mountain warily.
Seemed I'd been categorized as a fearsome woman.
"No need for goblin hunts awhile. The council will be pleased."
"I was considering other work anyway. Any leads?"
This couldn't be the only goblin cave,
But I'd had my fill of those lustful monsters.
"Leads? Wolves have been troublesome lately. Might cull their numbers."
"Wolves. Not bad."
Lower bounty than goblins,
But pain points mattered more.
"Here. 45 Arshen total."
"Thanks."
No point overstaying.
Bade Daygan farewell and left.
The silver coins jingled pleasantly with each step.
Today's haul would keep me comfortable awhile.
Returned light-footed to the inn.
At last, this endless day concluded.
* * *
Several restful days followed.
Though I'd thought myself accustomed, the goblin ordeal's aftermath proved worse than expected.
For a full day, I buried my face in pillows, thinking only of Rubyia.
Once the gloom lifted somewhat, I resumed activity.
Rather than immediate mercenary work, I focused elsewhere.
"On Sacred Doctrine and the Seven Deadly Sins."
I read the elegantly engraved title aloud.
A newly purchased theological text—translated from the Holy Kingdom of Romerus.
Research into my Seven Deadly Sins ability.
Though using these powers, I knew little of their religious context.
Perhaps this could help.
Sitting on the bed, I began reading.
Complex terms and convoluted passages abounded.
Despite Rubyia's literacy lessons, theology's walls stood high.
This would require slow, careful study.
During this respite, I also:
Sold Crowd's greatsword and my damaged blade.
Hundreds of goblins had dulled the edge severely.
Used the proceeds for a balanced one-handed arming sword.
Perfect weight and balance for me.
Received a silver mercenary badge from the guild.
The hobgoblin kill must've counted as significant merit.
Silver rank denoted proven skill.
Apparently, I'd begun drawing attention among mercenaries.
Rapid advancement for a newcomer,
Compounded by my rarity as a female mercenary.
Whether this attention proved beneficial remained uncertain.
Regardless, minding my own business sufficed.
The remaining time passed peacefully—reading, dining at fine establishments, leisurely city strolls.
Alone, yet not lonely.
Rubyia lived on vividly in my mind's world.
Every detail of her etched perfectly in memory:
Her meltingly happy expression tasting sweets. Her bright chatter while holding my hand. Golden hair fluttering in cool breezes. Her baby-soft fragrance. The beautiful curve of her eyes. Those rose-pink pupils crinkling with adorable laughter.
Every door opening filled me with giddy anticipation—as if Rubyia might come running to embrace me any moment. Whispering that everything had just been a nightmare...
I pressed fingers to my temples.
That wouldn't happen.
I'd buried her corpse with these hands.
Comfort was fine, but dangerous delusions weren't.
Returning to reality, I reviewed plans.
The recent battle had amassed considerable pain points.
[ Seven Deadly Sins Exchange ]
- Lust (8,613pt)
- Pain (4,254pt)
- Greed (Locked)
Two paths forward:
Spend 4,000 pain points for immediate stat boosts,
Or save to 10,000 to unlock Pain's authority or Greed.
*Current Stats
Strength 30 | Stamina 10 | Speed 30
Senses 12 | Intelligence 13 | Magic 0
My current 30 strength already surpassed average men.
More than sufficient for mercenary work.
With caution, I'd rarely face real danger.
Creatures like hobgoblins or Maria weren't commonplace.
Thus, I prioritized saving to 10,000.
Whether to unlock an authority or Greed required more thought.
Next, I confronted a long-avoided issue.
The cave battle had shattered my complacency.
I couldn't afford to be selective now.
[ Lilith's Scent (Lv.1) ]
Releases Lust Demon King Lilith's alluring pheromones.
Those within range feel attraction and desire toward you.
Increases bodily sensitivity and sexual appetite.
This 10,000-lust-point ability seemed useless.
But would higher levels change that?
If the so-called Lust Demon King Lilith had any conscience, perhaps higher levels would grant properly demonic powers.
Relying solely on physical stats wasn't sustainable.
This half-baked ability needed proper cultivation.
Which required more lust points.
Advancing Lilith's Scent to Lv.2 demanded 20,000 points.
With 8,000 currently, I needed over 12,000 more.
An arduous task.
Even bedding men nightly would take considerable time.
Thus, I resolved to visit one place.
Where all the city's desires converged.
A district where lights never died—the street of decadence and revelry.
I stood before its most vibrant establishment:
Rivaid's infamous brothel—the "Grace of the Rose."