Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Northern Epilogue (3)
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The room was filled with the lewd scent of Yuri and Cecilia's mingled body fragrances.
A sweet pheromone that seduced the mind tempted them both, and they panted like beasts as their bodies intertwined.
They completely forgot the passage of time, all the way until morning.
"...After doing it after so long, I lost control completely."
Yuri gulped down the water sitting by the bed.
After abusing his body for nearly eight hours straight, the water felt almost like liquor.
'Well, far from resting, my body's even more worn out now.'
He had originally planned to enjoy the hot springs and some drinks to heal both body and mind, but everything had gone awry.
He couldn't properly enjoy the hot springs because Cecilia seduced him.
And the drinks he'd meant to have? No time for that after a wild romp with Cecilia.
Though it felt refreshing to release all the pent-up tension, his body hadn't rested at all.
Even with a transcendent's physique, eight hours of heavy labor inevitably left him a bit fatigued.
"Ah, marks all over."
Yuri glanced over his body and let out a deep sigh.
Red marks scattered across his skin.
They looked like mosquito bites, but unfortunately, there wasn't a single mosquito in the North.
This was the fault of Cecilia, his seductive slave who sucked not blood, but essence.
Pinch.
He lightly pinched the sleeping Cecilia.
A petty revenge for the kiss marks she'd left all over him.
Yuri stared intently at Cecilia, who slept so adorably with her steady breathing.
'After going at it like that last night, she won't want more today, right?'
Yuri resolved firmly that today, of all days, he would get proper rest.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Around the time Yuri vowed in his room to spend the day properly healing.
Karin, lying in bed, looked out the window and saw the sun had risen.
"Ah... didn't get any sleep."
Karin's eyes, usually so clear, were bloodshot and puffy.
'This is all Master's fault.'
She blamed it all on Yuri for her sleepless night.
'Master... didn't even put up a sound barrier...'
Karin was less affected by Yuri's sound barrier, so she could hear everything—but that wasn't the point to her.
The important thing was that the sounds of Yuri and Cecilia last night had her body burning up, leading her to eavesdrop on their moans while pleasuring herself intensely.
Even back in her room, she got so carried away masturbating that she couldn't sleep without realizing it.
And now, she had to face that Yuri, whom she'd tried so hard not to think of that way, suddenly looked completely like a man.
'He's around Grandpa's age, and yet...'
Even if Yuri was over a hundred, technically an old man, that was just formalities.
His current appearance was that of a strikingly handsome man in his early twenties.
Before coming North, she'd been vaguely aware of him, but chalked it up to mere admiration.
But after seeing him face Lucas, save her, and now mix bodies with Cecilia—someone her own apparent age—she was fully conscious of him now.
Of course, Cecilia was an elf, so she looked young despite being older than Yuri.
...Master. Thinking about it, isn't he prime husband material?
The thought suddenly crossed Karin’s mind.
Even as a former Seven Star, he held status and power rivaling a ducal house.
Plus, enviable wealth and no glaring issues.
Martial prowess to take on a nation single-handedly, widespread fame (infamy, perhaps), no kids, and unmarried.
The perfect catch that high nobles would drool over.
She even wondered why he hadn't married during his active days.
He would've been younger then, with women lining up in droves.
'Maybe he's not interested in women?'
But he'd spent a passionate night with Cecilia just last night.
Unable to find an answer no matter how she thought, she gave up.
"Hoo... Still, how am I supposed to face Master today..."
Karin sighed, her face flushing in a way uncharacteristic for her.
Even for someone who rarely showed emotions, acting normal around the man she'd used as masturbation fodder last night was impossible.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ This time, having finally enjoyed the hot springs properly, I barged straight into Bergil's study.
Boom!!
Revenge for last night—using Cecilia to mess with me—plus smashing the door for good measure.
"Looks like you've finally lost it. Smashing through the ducal estate's door like that."
"Shove it up your ass. You're not even a duke anymore."
"...Guess the former duke looks like shit to you too."
"Do you look like shit as a former Sword Saint?"
After locking eyes for about five seconds, we both burst out laughing.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Hahahahaha!"
Of course, Bergil stopped abruptly and reverted to his usual tone.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Drinking, among other things."
"...Booze in broad daylight?"
Bergil grimaced and sighed deeply.
As if it wasn't his fault for not joining us last night.
"Ah, get your son to handle work."
"...He's not at the estate."
"Then the head butler."
"......Haa. What can I expect from a guy who quit noble life and renounced his title after a few days."
Bergil sighed but eventually set a bottle in front of me.
White Gnome, 12-year vintage.
The White series, symbol of Northern prosperity.
Among them, White Gnome was a liquor even the rich struggled to obtain.
Perks of being a former Northern Grand Duke and former Archmage of Extremes.
"Your eyes are sparkling—you know what it is."
"Yeah. You sure it's okay to break out the good stuff?"
"If not now, when?"
Maybe because we were battle comrades who'd shared life and death.
"Shouldn't fancy liquor like this be saved for bigger celebrations?"
"Catching a demon isn't celebration enough?"
"Nah, more like your granddaughter's engagement or wedding."
"...What?"
The moment I mentioned Karin's name, an enormous wave of killing intent poured from Bergil.
Killing intent like he'd murder someone right then to vent it.
Typical doting grandpa— just mentioning her set him off.
"...No such thing will happen, so better drink today."
With that, Bergil opened the bottle.
A powerful Sipia aroma rushed into my nose.
The scent alone was intoxicating—truly a potent sake and masterpiece liquor.
"Well then, cheers after so long."
"Yeah. Been years, huh."
Last time I remembered clinking glasses with Bergil was about a decade ago.
Pretty long even for us, over a century old.
Well, we had no reason to meet, and stayed loyal to our paths.
Clink!
Glasses touched, and we downed the drinks.
A burning sensation down my throat, floral notes through my nose.
White Gnome's unique chill seeped into my body.
Reminded me of battles in the Northern snowfields.
Sweet yet bittersweet, refreshing yet murky.
A subtle harmony that lifted my spirits.
The moment I understood why White Gnome was legendary.
After a bit of chit-chat and sipping the White Gnome, with the mood relaxed,
I got to the real reason I'd come today.
"Hey, can you get me enrolled as a student at the Academy?"
Bergil's face soured instantly at my words.
"What...?"
He tilted his head, frowning like he'd heard nonsense.
But that was my business, so I repeated it.
"Can you get me into the Academy as a student? A-Class, even."
"You... I wondered what bullshit you'd come for, and it's actual bullshit."
Maybe he was pretty drunk.
Bergil rarely cursed, but now profanities flowed freely.
Fair enough—my request was absurd.
A 100-year-old former Sword Saint enrolling as a student? Yeah.
But no choice.
To handle things properly and move for real, best to be in the protagonist's position.
Any awkward spot, and it'd be game over.
"Can you? Or not? Just say that."
"...Not impossible. But why?"
Curious for the real reason, Bergil asked.
I decided on a short, concise answer he'd get.
"Uh... well, to learn some more swordsmanship?"