Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Stone Mountain - Marina
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After finishing the meal, Marina called me aside and spoke.
"Let's take a walk for a bit."
Marina led me out to the garden outside the mansion.
It was quite a picturesque spot. The well-tended flowerbeds were bursting with flowers I'd never seen before. Not a single one was wilted or underdeveloped; they were all blooming beautifully.
The skill and effort of the gardener here were palpable in the scenery.
On the other hand, it made me shudder to think how many people must have been ground down to create something like this.
"You ate well midway through. Has there been some change in your state of mind?"
"Just... I guess you could say I found some courage thanks to what you said, my lady."
Marina glanced back at me as she walked ahead, then let out a small chuckle.
"You have no talent for lying. It's better not to try. If you do it again, I'll cut out your tongue."
"...I'm sorry."
Marina walked in silence for a moment. Then, as we reached the center of the garden, she spoke again.
"This garden was made by my father to court my mother. He proposed here, they married here, and both were buried here. It's a neat little beginning, middle, climax, and end, don't you think?"
Marina said as she looked around the garden.
Her story reminded me of what she'd said yesterday.
I didn't remember it perfectly, but summing up what stuck in my mind, it seemed her mom had been cheating on her dad or something.
The kind of thing that happens in every world, probably.
"Were you sad when your mother passed?"
I asked on impulse, curiosity getting the better of me.
It seemed obvious, but would a woman as cold-blooded as her really have felt that way?
Marina fell silent for a while before finally answering.
"What I felt doesn't matter. A ruler must stay in the most realistic realm. What do you think reality is? Reality is the simplest facts. They're clear and renowned. The people don't believe my words. They don't believe my emotions. They only believe what they see from me."
Marina stopped and turned to me, asking,
"What do you see in me?"
What do I see?
"...If I answer honestly, will you get mad?"
"I won't promise not to. But speak. That's an order."
What the hell kind of thing is that?
Recklessness
Your inner barbarian calls out. Can't tolerate this rude civilized ruler any longer.
"A crazy psycho lesbian who acts tough but is actually lonely and craving love, so she gathers up women she likes around her...?"
"Crazy psycho lesbian...? What does that mean?"
"It's, uh... a polite way of saying homosexual."
"Half of that's a lie. But since there's truth in the other half, I'll let it slide this time."
Marina said that, then turned and started walking again.
"Well, it's not entirely wrong."
She's letting this slide?
Alright then. Might as well go further.
"But if you say something like that again, I'll kill you."
Whoa there.
Nope.
"I've said enough about myself. Now it's your turn. Why did you come to my city?"
Marina asked.
I figured honesty wouldn't hurt.
"I want to become an adventurer. And to get to the capital, I have to pass through here."
"An adventurer. It doesn't suit you. But that doesn't explain everything. You were with a heretic inquisitor."
"We met along the way. She heard about what happened in Wilhelm and I offered to help."
"Why?"
"Because it was an adventure. And it turned out to be a pretty good one."
I saved your ass, is what I meant.
I said it with pride.
"An adventure. I have no interest in such foolish acts, but your motivation intrigues me. What makes you think you're cut out to be an adventurer?"
"I'm good with a sword. And why does there need to be a reason to do what you like? You just do it."
Like asking why live life.
Something you don't overthink, and I've never seriously pondered.
But thinking about it, wanting to be an adventurer is 'Lia's' wish, not really 'mine'.
They're different. I'm not Lia. Or am I...?
I... don't know.
What kind of person was I before?
I can't remember well.
"Are you confident?"
Marina asked while I was lost in thought.
I snapped back and turned to her.
"In what?"
"Swordsmanship. If you're really confident, let's duel. If you beat me, I'll grant you one wish."
"So Suddenly?"
"Why? Are you scared?"
"Not exactly... I just don't want you getting hurt and it causing trouble for me..."
"I don't do petty things like that. How insulting. I've changed my mind. If I win, I'll chop off your limbs."
"Pardon...?"
"You only need your head and torso."
Marina pointed at my face and chest with her finger.
Is she insane?
But if that's the case, there is no reason to hold back either.
You have no idea who you're dealing with. Someone who went all-in on charm and swordsmanship instead of brains.
Time to show the power of the next Sword Saint.
"Fine. Let's do it."
"I like that spirit. Follow me."
Marina had a maid fetch two training swords used by the soldiers.
Then we went to an open area in the garden.
I took one of the swords and faced off against Marina.
"I'll yield the first strike. Show me what you can do."
"I won't hold back."
With a spirited shout, I charged at Marina and swung my sword.
Marina parried it head-on and counterattacked.
"Not bad in strength, technique, or speed. You're not all talk."
Her casual assessment pissed me off.
I put more force into it and pressed down.
"But that's all."
Marina overpowered me in turn, knocked my sword aside, and thrust her blade forward.
I barely dodged and slipped behind her, launching another strike.
Marina rolled to the side nimbly. Then she sprang up and charged.
"You can't block this attack!"
She was right.
The distance closed in an instant, leaving no room to evade.
Meeting her blade head-on would mean she'd win easily with her superior strength.
Worst case, I'd take the hit full-on; best case, I'd drop my sword.
As I panicked over what to do—
A sudden memory flashed in my mind.
A strange yet familiar one.
In it, I was dueling Lena with a sword of light.
Just like now.
But reversed—I was the attacker then.
The moment I was sure of victory, Lena deliberately took the hit and seized the decisive opening.
This had to be an illusion. Something that never happened. Lena and I never formally fought.
But if this is it—
I deliberately twisted my body sideways, exposing my side.
Shhhk.
The training sword sliced through my dress and grazed my skin.
Blood spurted out with intense pain.
I gritted my teeth and endured.
Without giving her a moment, I countered, thrusting the sword tip at Marina's jaw.
"Gasp...?!"
It was the first time.
The first time I'd seen this woman's face twist like that.
It hurt, but it felt good.
"Looks like I win."
I grinned and said.
Marina's expression froze for a moment, then turned to surprise, and finally to an inexplicable smile.
"Impressive. It is the first time I've lost a duel since I was three."
Bullshit.
"Fine. You win."
Yes!
Ow, it hurts.
As the tension released, pain flooded in. Cold sweat poured down, and standing was agony.
"Does it hurt a lot? Sorry... I get carried away and can't stop..."
Marina was flustered at my state and said.
This woman knows how to apologize, huh.
I was amazed for a second. Then blood loss made me pass out.
When I came to, I was lying in bed.
It was a familiar place. Marina's room.
"Awake?"
Turning, I saw Marina sitting nearby in a chair.
"I called a healer to treat you. I considered fetching a priest who knows holy magic, but that seemed overkill. Besides, word of the lady dueling you with swords wouldn't look good. It's my situation, but please understand."
Marina said with an embarrassed look.
It was oddly cute, so I burst out laughing.
"Whydo you laugh?"
"No... just... you have a surprisingly kind side."
"Do I? I'm not so sure. Anyway, you won the duel, so I owe you a wish. But let's postpone it a month."
"What?! There was no such condition!"
I yelled without thinking, then winced as my side throbbed, squeezing my eyes shut.
"Ow..."
"I never set a deadline. You learned a lesson from this. Anything unspecified can be exploited anytime."
That's just cheating.
"Anyway... I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
"Would you teach me swordsmanship? Losing to you... it shocked me. The fact that I lost. I've never lost before, so I misjudged my skill. Imagining losing to someone else under the same stakes chills me. I can't let that happen."
"Then just don't make those stakes."
"Fool! Can I control that? A lady has dignity. If I don't crush those who look down on me myself, my authority crumbles. It is unacceptable."
I was starting to get it.
This woman is just a kid at heart.
"There is no real reason not to..."
"Then I ask you. After you're fully healed, of course."
Marina's face lit up brightly as she replied.
That reaction— didn't suit to her, but it was cute.
A few days later, I began teaching Marina swordsmanship.
It happened mostly in the evenings after her work was done.
"You're good at teaching."
Marina praised after the first lesson.
"Am I?"
"Direct and simple. Though it seems less intentional and more because there's nothing in your head."
"Was that praise or an insult?"
"Obviously praise."
Afterward, Marina took me to the bath.
"Be honored. You're the first in nearly twenty years to bathe with me as an equal."
"You can wash alone..."
"Enough chatter! Just say you're honored."
"I am honored..."
"Don't. I don't want forced words."
"What do you want me to say...?"
Marina entered the changing room and abruptly placed her hand on my waist.
"Stay still. I'll undress you myself."
"I can do it..."
"Fool. The right to unwrap belongs to the recipient."
"I'm not a gift or wrapping..."
Marina ignored me and started stripping me anyway.
Less than a minute later, I stood there naked.
Satisfied, she smirked, then undressed herself.
"Sit. I'll wash you myself."
Inside the bathhouse, Marina brought a chair and said.
Remembering the previous incident, I flinched.
"You are not planning to use some weird potion again, right?"
"Insolent. That was for your sake. To make it easier for you."
"Without asking my opinion...?"
"A lady doesn't need permission. All decisions are mine."
Marina began soaping and groping my body with her hand.
Thankfully, it wasn't that weird cleanser from before.
There were no strange feelings; normal suds formed.
It was still burdensome.
Marina focused on my nipples and crotch. They were unmistakably lewd touches.
"Hoo...♥"
I let out a moan midway, unable to hold it.
"Heh."
Marina smirked triumphantly and pulled her hands away.
This woman.
"Your turn now."
Marina sat on the chair.
Got it.
I lathered my hands with soap and immediately went for her breasts and between her legs.
Groping vigorously to pay her back, our eyes met.
"You're quite good at this."
Marina smiled.
Seeing her face made my heart race for no reason.
And embarrassment hit.
Felt like I was falling for her scheme.
Or something.
"Your hands stopped. It's not enough yet."
"Got it."
After soaping and rinsing, we entered the tub.
Soaking my exhausted body from teaching in the hot water melted away tension, bringing relief and pleasant drowsiness.
Like my body dissolving softly in the water.
"Haaah..."
"Don't sleep. It's early."
"I just want to sleep."
"No."
Marina whined stubbornly.
"You're not thinking of dragging me to your room after this, right...?"
"Why not?"
"Aren't you tired?"
"Not really."
"...There are plenty of other maids."
The maids here are all young and pretty.
Though I'm the prettiest, of course.
Marina stared at the water's surface thoughtfully, then spoke slowly.
"I was trapped in that mirror for months by that ungrateful steward."
She ground her teeth with a displeased expression, reliving the humiliation.
"Then you appeared. You broke the mirror and freed me."
"It wasn't on purpose..."
"I know. But the fact remains you saved me. The despair I felt during those months is indescribable. Betrayed, humiliated countless times. But something even worse awaited."
Marina said, trembling.
Her face was close to her usual indifference, but she was clearly afraid.
"It was my subordinates finding out. That would shatter my last bastion. So only you. Your impossible miracle was the only salvation."
Her uncharacteristic intensity left me flustered yet proud.
"If you're so grateful, treat me better."
"I'm trying my best. That you're still in one piece proves it. I'm not usually this lenient."
Oh, really.
"That's why I want you."
Marina smiled.
It resembled her usual smug grin but felt different somehow.