Chapter 157
Chapter 157
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: The Saint's Inner Thoughts Are Heard
The dragon, conjured by Victoria and the young Astal combining their strength with illusion magic, displayed its massive size and imposing majesty, terrifying the villagers.
This was a remote rural village barely touched by the kingdom's influence. As sudden dragon sightings began popping up everywhere, bad rumors started circulating among the people.
"Well, I did as my wife said and told everyone to evacuate to the cave in the back mountain…."
It was Astal's parents who fanned the flames of those rumors, stoking the people's fear and confusion to drive them to evacuate.
Of course, their friend and the man who had supported their love, Celine's former fiancé, also lent his strength.
As the lord, he should have sent knights or requested aid from the kingdom, but he, too, first told the villagers to take shelter in a safe place.
"What if someone refuses to evacuate, or the monsters attack earlier than we anticipated?"
Claude Caisaros, Astal's father, let out a deep sigh.
Could monsters really invade a peaceful village like this in just one day?
He didn't fully trust Victoria, who had appeared so suddenly, but he could believe his wife Celine's story.
The fact that the Demon King and Dullahan, one of the Four Heavenly Kings—both figures lost to distant history—were leading an army to attack this village was shocking in itself.
"Given that she declares even my wife's magic can't handle it, the situation seems quite serious… Are we really right to keep this among ourselves?"
"I think this is the best course. After all, their target isn't anyone else but our son."
Celine looked at her husband's worried face, then gently stroked the young Astal's hair.
"I-is it really going to be okay? We did try to devise defensive measures as much as Victoria said…."
The young Astal, now clinging anxiously to Victoria's side.
Though it had been less than a week, he seemed to trust Victoria as if they'd known each other for a long time.
Already, the young Astal's first love had shifted to Victoria, and his tastes had been thoroughly reshaped to her liking.
Now, when Victoria teased him or made lewd jokes, he didn't get startled or dislike it—he blushed because of the strange, unfamiliar feelings stirring within him.
"…Everything will be fine. I will definitely protect you, Master Astal."
Still, Victoria's determination to protect Astal was genuine.
Victoria spoke with a voice full of resolve. No matter how many enemies swarmed tomorrow, she wanted to protect this boy, even if it meant burning her own life away.
Even if that meant the future changed and he was no longer her boyfriend,
she thought it was better than letting the person she loved most suffer for a lifetime.
"Surely you don't doubt this unnie? I may look like this, but I'm bigger… and stronger than you, Master Astal."
Victoria emphasized the word 'bigger' and slightly pushed her chest forward.
"……."
Immediately, Astal's cheeks and ears turned bright red. Every time she saw this pure reaction, she felt a sudden urge to tease him more because he was so cute.
"I-i'm not doubting you…."
"Oh? If you're not doubting me, I wonder why you're trembling with anxiety like that."
Victoria was currently wearing the Holy Garments she used to wear in the Demon Realm.
The lewd curves that weren't hidden by the male fur clothing were now fully exposed.
Wondering if perhaps her attire was causing his distrust, Victoria waited for the young Astal's answer.
"I'm worried that Victoria unnie might get hurt…. No matter how perfect the plan is, I'm anxious…."
Surprisingly, what came from the young Astal's mouth was pure concern for Victoria.
"Oh my."
Hearing that, Victoria couldn't help but cover her mouth without thinking.
My man could say things like this too.
If it were the original Astal, he would have said he trusted her in a serious tone or would have reviewed the plan again.
The adult Astal was an iron-walled man who rarely succumbed to Victoria's temptations, except when it came to saving people.
"O-of course, I've already set up defensive magic around the village, and just in case, I sent a messenger bird to the Magic Tower to warn them of the danger…."
The young Astal, his face bright red, was trying to say what he wanted to say to Victoria.
His consideration was evident as he spoke with his eyes tightly shut, as if worried his gaze might stray to her chest.
"There might be unforeseen circumstances…. You said the opponent is one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's army…."
As if to prove his words, deep shadows hung under the young Astal's eyes.
He seemed to have stayed up all night, likely worrying about Victoria.
"Son, are you not worried about your mom and dad, only thinking about the pretty unnie next to you?"
Seeing this side of Astal for the first time, Claude felt a slight pang of disappointment.
It's too soon for him to be so smitten with a girl, ready to give his heart and soul away.
Is blood truly thicker than water?
It felt just like watching his own situation when he was Celine's butler, so he couldn't help but give his son a warning look.
"N-no…! It's just… I have a feeling that after this is over, I won't be able to see Victoria unnie again…."
Astal waved his hands in denial at his father's words.
He had a feeling.
An uneasy sense that once this crisis ended, he would never see this person named Victoria again.
Of course, this was a ripple effect of Victoria's time travel and the possibility that the future might change.
"…That will absolutely never happen."
Hearing that, Victoria clenched her fists, a surge of defiance rising within her.
How could someone she met,
someone she fell in love with,
become a total stranger just because of one time travel? She hated that.
"I am your lover who came from the future to save you."
Unlike someone else, Victoria revealed her identity to Astal's parents and his younger self.
A pure white hammer materialized and embedded itself beside Victoria, and she knelt slightly to meet the young Astal's gaze.
"Huh…?"
"What did you say?"
Of course, Astal and his father, who had been unaware of this fact until now, were slightly shocked.
Seeing the horns and tail that signified dragon lineage, they knew she wasn't an ordinary person,
but they hadn't imagined she was Astal's girlfriend from the future.
"I am the future Saint, Victoria Everheart. A weak woman who was saved by you and fell helplessly in love."
Victoria smiled, seeing the young Astal's bewildered expression.
Confusion, agitation, a touch of elation, and the emotion of love were swirling across his face.
"U-unnie is really my future girlfriend…?"
Vitality returned to his previously exhausted expression, and hypotheticals must have been springing to mind.
Wanting to dye this pure, innocent boy, fresh as the first snow, in her own colors, Victoria carefully cupped the young Astal's chin.
"Yes. And I'm quite the greedy one."
She tilted his chin up slightly and wrapped her other hand around the nape of his neck so he couldn't escape.
She wanted to give him a memory he would never forget, one that would prevent him from ever looking at another woman.
"…Shall we try it?"
"Ah…, uhm…?!"
A lewd kiss only adults could share.
Victoria pressed her lips against Astal's, tapping them lightly with her teeth, leaving her mark.
Then, she pushed her slick tongue deep into Astal's mouth, gifting him a memory he could never forget.
How much time passed like that?
"Shouldn't we stop them? Honey?"
Claude, Astal's father, watched the two engrossed in their kiss for the past few minutes and spoke.
Astal was on his tiptoes, barely receiving Victoria's kiss,
and she was showing a greedy side, like a dragon trying to devour him whole.
Look at her, even wrapping her tail around his waist. If no one was watching, she might have truly crossed the line.
"It seems we're not even in their field of vision…."
To be honest, Claude had somewhat guessed Victoria's identity.
No matter how many monsters increased, a woman bearing the symbol of the Holy Kingdom of Aurelium wouldn't just fall into a remote village like this.
"We had our moments like that too, didn't we? When I asked you about kisses I read in a book."
Celine reached out toward Claude, who was about to intervene, and told him not to disturb them by recounting a past experience.
"At first, you just told me about simple pecks, so I secretly tried putting my tongue in a few times until I figured it out."
"…Right. What a remarkable young lady you were."
Claude sighed deeply with a complicated expression. It was painfully obvious that his son, too, would live his life tightly bound to a mischievous woman.
"Darling, shall we make a little Astal sibling, it's been a while?"
"H-honey… We clearly said we'd think carefully after Astal…."
"Hearing you call me 'young lady' after so long brings back fond memories from the old days."
"……."
Seeing Celine's eyes narrow, Claude trembled and had no choice but to prepare for the obligatory defensive battle that lay ahead.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ And so, a new dawn rose,
"Hear me—!! Our goal is to slaughter and burn every human in this village!!"
At the moment of twilight, where the boundary between day and night blurred, the evil horde led by Dullahan revealed themselves to Mavilos Village.