Chapter 32
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 32. Awkward Living Together
Bathhouses are the yardstick of civilization.
When ancient empires prospered, the first thing they built was a bathhouse, and when they fell, the first thing to crumble was also the bathhouse.
In other words, the level of the bathhouse = the level of civilization.
A truth proven by history.
In that sense.
'……Unexpected.'
Leona was slightly surprised at the sight before her eyes.
Underground of Frostgard Main Castle.
A large-scale bath facility using natural hot springs was spread out.
Hot steam rose, and steam rose mura mura from the stone bathtubs.
Soft lamps hung on the wooden walls, and the sound of water flowing echoed calmly from somewhere.
'Thought the North was the land of barbarians.'
It was a prejudice.
'At this level, it doesn't fall behind even compared to the Empire.'
No, rather.
'Might be better because it’s a natural hot spring.'
Most bathhouses in the Empire heat water by boiling.
But here, hot water springs up from the ground.
Gift of nature.
Treasure hidden by the barren land of the North.
'……Hate to admit it, but not bad.'
The banquet was still in full swing on the streets right now.
Northerners all went out to roast Black Mammoth meat.
'Now is the opportunity.'
Leona aimed for this gap.
Men's bath.
Since she is a 'man'.
Naturally men's bath.
Fortunately, no one was there.
Northerners seem to not care about anything else while concentrating on alcohol and meat if there is a festival.
'Good.'
Leona carefully took off her clothes.
First armor.
Next underwear.
Lastly.
Compression bandage.
Cloth wound tightly was released.
Things that were suppressed were liberated.
"……Phew."
Sigh of relief.
Even if living with compression bandages since childhood, one doesn't get completely used to it.
Naturally, breathing is hard if the chest is tightened.
Even more so after fighting all day and catching a mammoth.
Dipped body in water.
Splash.
"Huu……"
Warm water wrapped around the whole body.
Muscle tension was released.
Fatigue of battle melted away.
'It’s been a while.'
Proper rest.
Peace tasted for the first time since coming to the North.
Closed eyes.
Steam embraced the face.
Only the sound of water echoed quietly.
Felt like it would be okay to fall asleep like this.
Peace. Silence. Rest.
Splash.
'……?'
Water sound?
Leona opened her eyes.
Someone was entering through the steam.
Silhouette.
At first, only the outline was visible.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
And.
Black hair. Sharp features. Purple eyes.
'……Who is it?'
Leona narrowed her eyes.
Steam cleared and the figure became clearer.
It was a young man.
Looks about early to mid-20s.
Face is.
'……'
Handsome.
No, the expression handsome is insufficient.
Features as if cut sharply.
Cold but somewhat wild atmosphere.
Red pupils flashed through the steam.
Body is.
'……!'
Solid.
Line of muscles leading from broad shoulders to forearms.
Sculpted outline flowing from chest to abs.
Water droplets flowed down along it.
Leona's face burned hot.
She didn't know herself why it was burning.
Flustered, she dipped her body deeper into the water.
Up to shoulders.
No, up to chin.
'No, wait.'
Something was strange.
'Shouldn't everyone be at the banquet?'
Cheers are still heard from outside.
It would take a long time for the mammoth meat to be fully cooked.
Why is this man here?
The man walked calmly.
Towards Leona.
One step.
Two steps.
Sat next to her naturally.
Splash.
"Mm? Were you here."
Familiar voice.
Low and thick baritone.
And that unique tone that grates on the ears.
'……Don't tell me.'
Leona's eyes widened.
"B, Black Knight!?"
"Noisy."
The Black Knight muttered sweeping back his wet hair.
"Be quiet in the bathhouse. Echoes."
Calm answer.
Leona's brain overloaded.
'That is the Black Knight!?'
Black Knight who took off armor.
Bare face without helmet.
'Different from expectation!'
Black Knight in Leona's imagination was.
Rough face full of scars. Or bizarre appearance distorted by burns. Or shape of a demon, not human.
So she thought he hid his face with a helmet.
But reality?
'Why does he look like that!'
Younger than expected. Much handsomer than expected. Body was better than expected.
Heart beat strangely.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
'Because of anger.'
Leona told herself.
The Black Knight stretched in the water.
Crack.
Shoulder muscles moved.
Water droplets splashed.
Leona turned her gaze reflexively.
'Why keep looking!'
Angry at herself.
'Don't look!'
But gaze kept going there.
Broad shoulders.
Solid chest.
Defined abs.
Line where water droplets flow down.
'……!'
Leona turned her head sharply.
Face was hot.
Because of steam.
Definitely because of steam.
Because the hot spring is hot, face turns red.
There is no other reason.
"What’s wrong."
The Black Knight asked.
"Can't have a conversation if you turn your head."
"……Forget it. Don't want to talk with you."
"Cold."
The Black Knight smirked.
That smile was annoying.
'Don't tell me I'm caught?'
Leona hugged her knees in the water.
Posture shrank.
It was defensive instinct.
'Must run away.'
Instinct shouted.
'Must get out right now.'
'Dangerous if stay here.'
But.
'If I go out, I lose.'
Pride held on.
'For a Hero to run away.'
Above all, if she goes out of the bath now, her body will be completely shown.
Even if in a state where protection is applied, might be dangerous in front of the Black Knight.
'Must pretend nothing is wrong.'
Leona ground her teeth.
'I am a man. I am Leon. Bathing between men is natural. Not strange at all.'
Self-hypnosis.
"N, Nothing! Just, didn't know you would come here so was flustered!"
But body didn't listen.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Heart kept beating fast.
"Tense?"
The Black Knight spoke.
"……What?"
"Shoulders are full of strength."
The Black Knight leaned towards Leona.
Water rippled.
"Bathing is for relaxing tension."
"D, Don't come close."
Leona retreated.
Back touched the tub wall.
No more place to retreat.
"Why? Uncomfortable?"
"Of course!"
"What is uncomfortable about bathing between men?"
'……!'
Leona flinched at those words.
Correct words.
If between men, no reason to be uncomfortable.
"Or."
The Black Knight's red eyes flashed.
"Hiding something?"
"……!"
Heart sank with a thud.
'Caught?''No, calm down.''Testing me. Definitely.'
Leona forced herself to maintain composure.
"What is there to hide."
The Black Knight shrugged.
And leaned body comfortably on water again.
'Phew……'
Moment sigh of relief was about to come out.
The Black Knight scanned Leona.
From top to bottom.
Slowly.
Shoulders revealed above water.
Collarbone.
And.
Remaining parts submerged in water.
"……Quite good."
The Black Knight muttered.
Corners of mouth went up slightly.
Smirk.
Expression smiling somewhat gloomily.
"Wh, What are you looking at!"
Leona shouted.
"Body."
"……!?"
"Warrior's body is like a weapon. Can know skill by looking at maintenance state."
Plausible explanation.
But not reassured at all.
That gaze is definitely.
'……Evaluating gaze!'
Like choosing meat at the market.
No, containing something more impure than that.
Leona sank deeper into the water.
Submerged up to tip of nose.
Bubble bubble.
Bubbles rose as she exhaled.
Like that.
Awkward time passed.
Leona didn't move an inch submerged up to chin.
The Black Knight was soaking in water calmly.
No conversation.
Only steam rose thickly.
1 minute.
5 minutes.
10 minutes.
Felt like perceived time was about 10 hours.
'……Until when will he stay, that man.'
Leona ground her teeth inwardly.
Stalemate.
War of nerves no one yields.
Then.
Splash.
The Black Knight stood up from the water.
"Should get going slowly."
'……!'
Leaving first.
From that side first.
Leona cheered inwardly.
'Won.'
Don't know what won, but anyway won.
The Black Knight went out of the tub.
Water dripped.
Leona glanced reflexively.
……Let's not look.
"Will wait at the banquet hall. Troublesome if main character is missing."
"……Main character?"
Leona blinked.
Ah, right.
She contributed to catching the mammoth too.
Hacked the back with Holy Sword, and put in the last blow together.
"Alcohol and meat will remain plentiful, so don't be late."
Saying so.
"Let's do it often from now on."
Muttered like talking to himself.
"……."
Do what often?
Bath?
Or other thing?
Sentence that could mean various things depending on interpretation.
Leona's brain overloaded.
'Going crazy……'
Is this man doing it on purpose?
Or really has no thought?
Couldn't judge.
Black Knight's way of thinking is immeasurable by human common sense.
That alone was certain.
The Black Knight walked towards the changing room.
Door opened and closed.
Footsteps receded.
"……."
Leona was left alone.
Steam rose thickly.
Only sound of water echoed quietly.
'……What.'
Tension released.
Strength drained from shoulders.
'Really just going?'
Thought there would be something more.
Whether threat, or blackmail, or…
But the Black Knight just went.
Leaving only words to see at the banquet.
'……Strange guy.'
Leona hugged her knees in the water.
Dipped half face in water.
Bubble bubble.
Bubbles rose.
Heart was still beating fast.
Because of anger.
Definitely because of anger.
No other reason.
Absolutely.
'……Must endure.'
Ground teeth.
"Lucia…"
What kind of fight have you been fighting on earth.
Came to respect Lucia.
Leona stayed submerged in water for a long time more.
Vowed not to come to the bathhouse alone in the future.
It was the prelude to an uneasy cohabitation.
Imperial Palace.
Behind that splendid surface, darkness was coiled.
Deep underground, a place ordinary people don't even know exists.
Cult serving Evil God. Mastermind behind the rebellion that overturned the Empire.
Secret Altar of 'Thorn Society'.
Red candles flickered, and forbidden patterns writhed on the walls.
In the center of exceedingly unwholesome place where blood, screams, and madness are daily life, there was pink.
"Aaah──! Really! Annoying! Annoying! Annoying!"
Swoosh swoosh.
Pink twintails shook left and right.
Girl stomped her feet on the chair.
Her name is Eris.
One of the 'Seven Fingers' of Thorn Society. Rank 6.
Alias Thorn Witch. Or Pink Calamity.
She was currently, extremely, greatly, indescribably in a bad mood.
"Why not coming? Why not coming? Dead? If dead, shouldn't he at least say so? That is social life! Irresponsible! So irresponsible I feel like vomiting! Bleh."
Eris stuck out her tongue long and pretended to retch.
Even that appearance was cute.
Appearance of a girl about 16 to 17 years old.
Pink twintails and magenta pupils. Eyes slanted sharply like a cat. Small and cute physique like a doll.
Angel if smiling, devil if angry.
Of course currently overwhelmingly the latter.
"Hey, listening? Am I wrong? Huh? Huh huh? Huh huh huh?"
"S, Spare…"
Existence under feet groaned.
Once a High Priest of Thorn Society, but now something hard to recognize form.
Red candles flickered around her, and complex magic circle shone red like blood on the floor.
Priests in black robes were hanging like insect specimens on thorn vines climbing up the wall.
Wriggle wriggle.
Naturally alive.
Because Eris is kind.
"No, not words asking to spare. Asking if you agree with me! Don't you know answering asked questions is basic of communication!?"
Eris beckoned with finger.
Pink light flashed.
Stab-
Sharp thorn rose and pierced the priest's thigh.
"Kuaaack! Eris-nim! W, Wrong!"
"What? What did you do wrong? Are you the Black Knight? Did you not come? Did you are absent without leave? Did you not contact Eris?"
"N, No…"
"Not you. Right? Not your fault right?"
"Y, Yes…!"
"Then why apologize?"
Eris's eyes narrowed.
"Why apologize and make Eris a bad person? I become a bad witch bullying people without reason! Did you aim for that? Huh?"
"N, No! Eris-nim is merciful and beautiful!"
"That is a natural fact! What do you intend by saying a fact everyone knows! Thought I would let you off if you flatter?"
Stab-
Another thorn rose.
This time shoulder.
"Kuaaaaaack!"
"Noisy! Eris-nim is thinking!"
Of course Thorn Society's situation is smooth.
2nd Prince's rebellion succeeded. Empire fell into chaos.
Emperor confined, Imperial Palace came into Thorn Society's grasp.
Now only thing left is Evil God Resurrection Ritual.
"Think about it."
Eris folded fingers one by one.
Thumb. One.
"Evil God-nim Resurrection Ritual. That is quite important, right? Sort of our Thorn Society's long-cherished wish?"
Index finger. Two.
"Evil God-nim clearly said. Black Knight comes. Black Knight opens the way. Black Knight breaks the world's latch, and flings open the Gate of Abyss. Thus Evil God-nim shall descend!"
Three. Four. Five.
"But why not coming!"
Fingers folded.
Fist made.
Kwaang──
Struck the table. Table became powder.
"When on earth coming? Huh? Asking when coming!"
Black Knight of Abyss.
Strongest and most evil martial power bestowed directly by Evil God.
Sword of Thorn Society. Spear of Thorn Society. Shield of Thorn Society.
Ace of Seven Fingers.
"Is the feeling of an abandoned woman like this perhaps? I haven't dated but feel like I know."
Girl lifted her head again.
Light disappeared from eyes.
Pupils without highlights.
"This is all because of Black Knight. If that black guy came properly, ritual would have proceeded smoothly too! Other guys wouldn't have done nonsense either."
Due to Black Knight's absence, chain problems were occurring.
First, ritual progress speed slowed down.
Evil God Resurrection Ritual requires enormous sacrifices.
Black Knight was supposed to handle considerable part of those sacrifices.
But no Black Knight.
Sacrifices insufficient. Magic power insufficient. Ritual slows down.
Natural causality.
Second, other executives started to harbor complaints slowly.
'Waiting like this will take 100 years.''Wouldn't it be better to do it my way?''Can resurrect Evil God-nim without Black Knight.'
Such words went back and forth.
Eventually some of Seven Fingers tired of waiting declared independent action.
"Eventually only Eris is a good child. Only I am diligent. Only I work. Eris-nim is an angel. Right?"
Looked down at priest under feet.
Eyes expecting answer.
"Y, Yes! Eris-nim is an angel! Cutest and most beautiful angel in the world!"
"Eris who receives most love from Evil God-nim is an angel! Insulting! Evil God blasphemy! Die!"
Stab stab-
Thorns rose in succession.
"Kuaaaack!"
"Ah, shouldn't die. Then who works."
Eris snapped finger again.
This time healing magic.
Torn flesh attaches, burst blood vessels connect, broken bones align.
Pain doesn't disappear, but body becomes fine.
In other words, reset to state able to be stabbed again.
Practicing sustainable torture.
Because Eris is a witch with thorough recycling spirit.
Magenta pupils looked into priest's fear-stricken eyes.
"Hey, really don't know where Black Knight went? Said you are an informant. Source. Said ears are bright. Perhaps only ears bright and brain dark? Shall I remodel? Pierce a window?"
Thorn rose slither next to priest's temple.
1 centimeter distance.
If grows a little more, pierces brain.
"R, Rumor exists!"
"Rumor?"
Eris tilted her head. Twintails tilted along.
"What rumor? Rumor that 'Eris-nim is prettiest, cutest, loveliest in the world'? That is not a rumor but fact. Preaching truth is good, but no value as information."
"N, North… Demon King appeared…"
Eris's hand stopped.
Magic power trying to generate thorn scattered.
"North? That cold neighborhood? Perfect place to freeze to death?"
"Yes… in Frostgard… giant wearing black armor appeared."
Black armor.
Eris's eyebrow twitched.
"Continue. Almost interested. If not fun, will pull out your tongue and use as gift wrapping ribbon."
"Height is… over 5 meters…"
"5 meters?"
"Ten, ten horns attached…"
"Ten horns?"
"Shoots beams from eyes… breathes hellfire from mouth… ground splits every step…"
Eris burst into laughter pfft.
"Ha? 5 meters? Ten horns? What monster encyclopedia? Exaggeration is too severe."
She waved her hand.
"Black Knight is about a little over 2 meters. No horns either. Just helmet is pointy. And beam? Fire? He just does swordplay. Ignorantly."
"B, But… that person… kidnapped Princess… every night… ravages… enjoys torture… holds festival of blood…"
At that moment.
Eris's atmosphere changed.
Playfulness disappeared, and only chilly murderous intent remained.
1st Imperial Princess. Lucia Von Astellia.
One of Thorn Society's targets.
Top of sacrifice list.
"Hmm."
Eris crossed her arms.
Tapped cheek with index finger.
"Every night? Ravage? Torture?"
Puzzle pieces started to fit together arbitrarily in her head.
Black Knight. North. Princess. Kidnapping. Torture.
"If kidnapped Princess, should bring to headquarters, why set up house in North? Don't tell me… betrayal? Or trying to summon Evil God-nim alone? Princess as sacrifice? To monopolize Evil God-nim's favor? Worst!"
Eris trembled.
But at the same time, corners of mouth went up.
Fun.
Smells 100 times more interesting than this boring and stuffy Imperial Palace underground.
Eris stood up from seat.
Pink twintails danced lightly.
"Must go confirm. Whether that guy called 'Demon King' is really our runaway Blackie, or just an imposter. If imposter kill, if real Black Knight…"
Her pupils flashed magenta.
"…Ask why having fun alone then kill."
Conclusion is death.
"Everyone stay tied there and reflect until I return. Got it?"
"E, Eris-nim! Meal! Water! Toilet!"
"Figure it out! Integrated with thorn vines so do photosynthesis or something! Adapt and evolve! That is survival!"
Destination is North.
Frostgard.
Lalala~
She hummed a tune.
Soon the snowfield of the North was scheduled to be dyed pink.
"Ah, but any good restaurants on the way to North? Delicious dessert or something. Eris likes sweet things."
"Th, Such thing……"
Stab.
"If don't know find out! You incompetent thing!"
"Kuaaaack!"
Screams didn't stop today either.
This was Thorn Society's daily life.