Amelia's Shadow and the Breeding Brand's Heat
The day after the feast, we left Heretic's Tomb right away. We'd already joined the expedition as planned, so there was no reason to stick around any longer. Plus, considering we still had to slip away from Onsen Village, the sooner we departed, the better. And with Mari taking command of the procession's escort, putting a huge gap between us and them! Everything was perfect.
But then,
"Since we're headed to the same destination anyway, I suggested we travel together for your comfort. Was it inconvenient?"
"No, no, not at all. Quite the opposite—I'm grateful! Thanks to you, Lady Amelia, we don't even have to stand watch while sleeping on the road... It's great. Hehe..."
Once Amelia's group tagged along, our plans shattered into pieces.
The procession was crawling with hundreds of soldiers and Paladins guarding her. Unless we were ready to fully turn against the Church, vanishing naturally wasn't going to be easy.
"Hehe... I'm glad I could help, even if just a little. What do you think, Lord Huu?"
"....."
You ruined everything. I already wanted to bail from the Church before Yunet could whisper who-knows-what to Chest. Why'd it have to be Amelia, of all people? Huh?? Apparently her business wrapped up early! She should've stayed longer somewhere else or hurried back to rest—either way!!
"...Lord Huu?"
"L-Lord Huu??"
"Grur? (Huh??)"
I was stewing over words I couldn't growl out loud when I noticed both their gazes locked on me.
"Are you alright?"
"Is something wrong with you?"
"....."
I shook my head. The golden-haired beauty's soft purple eyes fixed on me. And those huge, rolling black eyes framed by long dark hair. With two stunning women staring me down at once, my face burned hot. Thank god for these bandages.
"...If fatigue has built up, this might be a good opportunity."
"Yes! Lord Huu was really looking forward to it. He mentioned it several times."
Amelia smiled sweetly and looked away, and Ludia chimed in right away. Her face was grinning, but sweat was practically beading on her forehead. She's trying so hard. Gotta thank her later.
"Oh? Lord Huu mentioned it?"
"Yes, in a really weird voice."
"...?"
"...Ah. Th-that's, um, you see..."
But then Ludia, her tension snapping, let a slip escape. Amelia tilted her head with a curious "Hm?" and Ludia froze, babbling incoherently.
"You have a good sense of humor, Lady Ludia."
"Ah... haha... Sorry... I must've mixed it up with a dream..."
"My, you must've been exhausted."
Amelia patted her shoulder lightly, and only then did Ludia thaw. Whew... That was close. Watching from behind had my heart in my throat. If that two-faced blonde caught on to me or Ludia's secret, who knows what she'd do. And with them as rivals for saintess candidate... We needed a strategy meeting ASAP.
(Bitch. Later, when we're alone, call me to your quarters.)
Telepathy via the ring was a lifesaver in times like this. I whispered to her as quietly as possible.
She kept walking ahead with Amelia, but pretending to clasp her hands behind her back, she flashed a finger sign: Got it.
After dinner, Ludia called me to her quarters. She immediately pulled out thick bundles of bandages from her leather bag.
"Lord Huu, here!"
(Thanks, bitch!)
When Ludia first mentioned going to the onsen, I thought she was nuts. Stripping down and soaking naked in hot water? With that black mark branded on her shoulder? She'd been trembling at the thought it'd kill her if exposed.
"Bandages might slip if they get wet... so wrap them thick and tight. Should I do it for you now?"
But Church common sense was bizarrely prudish—apostles went into the baths fully clothed, men and women alike. Better to let clothes soak than show skin. Thanks to that, I ended up the lone pervert for my dirty thoughts.
(Krahahaha!! No need! Later! More importantly, we gotta talk!)
"...?"
Anyway, not the point. Lingering too long in her room could spark rumors, so keep it short and sweet.
(First off, security's too tight! Sneaking out's impossible!)
"Oh..."
Before meeting her, I'd pretended to stroll and scouted. Hundreds of Paladins stood guard in a tight circle. They could spot each other from anywhere. Unless I turned invisible, no escape.
"What do we do??"
(Officially leave at Church HQ! Take long-term leave or a new trial and bail! Till then, keep distance from Amelia—that's the goal!)
"Hng... But that means going back to the Church..."
(Safer that way! Or quit as candidate?!)
I'd mulled options on the way, but dropping candidate status was best. Instant clean exit from the Church. Ludia didn't seem super into becoming saintess anyway—more survival mode? Just a fluke candidate.
"...Sorry... I can't do that..."
But Ludia wilted, head drooping slowly. She spoke in a faint whisper.
"Sorry, Lord Huu... I can't... not yet..."
(It's fine! I figured as much!)
"Eh?"
If she wanted out, she'd have said so first. But she only talked running away, so I guessed some unspoken reason. Goal: go missing. Meaning she still needed the candidate title.
(Bitch! Keep max distance from Amelia no matter what! That's our aim! If we're caught, we're both dead!)
"...Got it! I'll do that!"
I told her not to share the same bath at the onsen—or skip with an excuse. Keep talks short and curt if unavoidable. Minimize contact to safeguard our secret.
(Alright! Sleep well!)
"L-Lord Huu...!"
Done talking, she seemed to get it, so I turned to leave—but she tugged my robe lightly.
"...?"
"Y-you won't ask... why?"
Guess not quitting bugged her. Clutching my robe, those big eyes rolled pleadingly. Sizing me up.
(No need! A bitch's naughty secrets are fine! Krahahaha!!)
"But if I keep hiding it, you might not trust me..."
She's always straight with me, but this hesitated her—even mid-talk earlier. No need to pry. She'll spill when ready. She's no backstabber—that much was clear.
Pat.
(As if! I told you—entrust me with your back! Or your body right now!!)
I patted her head, nuzzling to reassure. While flailing denial of that last epic flirt.
"Hng... Thank you..."
Getting used to the ring's crude tone? She closed her eyes gently, sighing in relief. Her soft hair tickled delightfully between my fingers.
(Sleep well!)
More time passed than expected. Gotta bail before rumors—then she grabbed my arm outright. Pressing close.
(What now!)
"S-sorry, just... stay like this a bit? Please??"
"...?"
Hesitant before, now desperate. Room stuffy? Her face flushed beet red, breaths heavy. Like her body was burning up.
(Krahahaha!! Not in heat or anything—what's this!!)
"........."
Ring's vulgarity was routine—I'd apologize later. But her reaction was off. No yes or no, just that look. Arm hugged soft against her chest as usual, eyes down in shame, lips pouting.
(...Huh? No way... for real????)
"......."
Wha... what?? Real?? Why????
I shut my eyes, but sleep wouldn't come.
"Huu..."
Breeding Brand, huh. Ludia really was heating up. Explained her grabbing my arm all the time. Now her actions clicked like puzzle pieces.
"....."
I bit a perfectly fine girl and warped her. A virgin like me living too wildly—shocking. Worse, criminal? In Korea, I'd be in the slammer with an ankle monitor by now.
(Hah! Me, the world's biggest scumbag!)
...Hey, don't curse like that. Ring voice surged with indignation mid-crisis. I truly didn't know. I'm a victim too. Who plans getting isekai'd as a zombie? Waking up biting her—what was I supposed to do? And heat wasn't my doing.
"...Huu..."
Long sigh. Head cooling, reality sank in. Intent aside, I turned healthy Ludia into this. Yet she never complained; I treated her casually.
(You're right! I'm the ultimate trash!! Krahahaha!!)
Guilt crashed in. Stomach twisting. Every memory of laughing and crying with her turned apologetic.
(From now on, no matter what! I'll treat her right!!)
I rubbed my face, steeling myself. Gotta protect that smile. Never scare her. And never warp her body again. Seemed I caused it... Better keep distance from Ludia too, with Amelia around. Can't add risks.
"....."
But she kept floating in my mind. Eyes-closed sweet smile. Rolling big eyes gazing up. Chattering close by. Soft touch. Faint, sweet scent.
"Grurrr! (Agh! Stop! Enough already!)"
I bolted up, shaking off the fantasies. Amid guilt and resolve—why this? I'm not some pervert!! Please. Just forget and sleep. Please. Huh?!
"...Huu..."
Who knows how many times. Tossed and turned dozens before, couldn't sleep.
"Groan... (Damn...)"
Screw sleeping tonight.
The next day.
"Oh? Lady Ludia."
"Yes?"
"Did you two... fight? You seem to be keeping an odd distance..."
Amelia rolled her purple eyes at Ludia.
"...N-nooo..."
Ludia's voice drooped weakly. Huu walked even farther than yesterday. Awkward as hell.
"Hmm..."
Something's up. Amelia barely suppressed a twitching smirk.