The Annoying Attention
No matter how much we wanted to, we couldn't start a brawl inside the Heart family estate, so we just glared at each other instead of throwing punches.
To make matters worse, Gald, the head of the house, came running out in his slippers to welcome Mullin with open arms. When the master of the house wants to greet a guest of honor, what was I supposed to say? Besides, Gald had taken my side at the royal palace, so I couldn't exactly open my mouth to protest.
The news that Mullin and I had fought must have already spread, because Gald kept glancing at me nervously, but in the end, Mullin was allowed to stay at the Heart estate.
Fine. Whatever. I’m leaving this place in a week anyway. I’ll just have to endure it for a little while. It’s not like she’s going to follow me to the dormitory just to keep an eye on me, right? Anyway, I learned one thing from this whole ordeal.
Mullin is even more of a monster than I thought.
Of course, a saint candidate who thinks nothing of smashing skulls with a flail and has allegedly claimed thousands of lives was never going to be "normal," but I didn't expect her to be such a big shot that even the head of a Ten Great Family would come scurrying out to meet her. Gold had told me that a lecturer position was worth that much. I guess I had still been underestimating the title of "Lecturer at Pruynar Academy."
But in this case, it didn't seem to be just about the prestige of the position. It felt like Mullin herself had something that, when combined with the lecturer title, created an even greater reputation.
...Let's just stop thinking about it.
I might have to run into her later because of Blan’s arm, but for now, our relationship is so toxic that we’d just end up in a shouting match. And I’m busy, too. I have two things to do just this morning.
One is to submit the dormitory move-in papers I mentioned earlier. The time has finally come to leave the comfortable Heart estate and stay in the academy dorms.
Since I’m a lecturer, I thought they might give me a research lab like they did for Emily or Alfred, but they were special even among the lecturers, and there was no reason to give a building to someone who had just become one. Honestly, I wouldn't even know what to use a building for if I got one. Even if I received support, it would be a headache; if the building became my property, I’d have to maintain it, and I have no idea how to handle building maintenance. Whether I hire someone or not, it all comes down to money, and I don’t have any right now. I’m actually in a position where I have to pay back the allowance I received from the Heart family someday. I have enough ability, so I’m sure I can pay it back soon, but rather than borrowing money, it’s better to stay in the dorms and be taken care of.
Yes. Taken care of. In other words, if I move into the dormitory, I can receive service.
My face broke into a goofy grin.
I heard that besides the "servants" students are allowed to bring, there are maids hired directly by the academy. Being served by a maid—what a blissful thought. Of course, they’re wholesome people with absolutely no "lewd" business involved, but it’s still nice to look at, and life would be incredibly comfortable.
There were maids at the Heart estate, too, but they felt more like close coworkers than the dream-like beings that embody a man's hopes and dreams. Perhaps thanks to Gold's personality, the staff was cheerful and open with each other; they were diligent in their duties, but there was no unnecessary hierarchy, so aside from Gald, the head of the house, there was rarely any extreme formality.
Although I was a guest of honor, I was practically under Gold’s command, so we were the type of people who respected each other while also cracking friendly jokes. The first time I ever received truly exquisite treatment was from the maid unit at the Graize mansion back in the day. It would be hard to find that level of service anywhere else, but remembering that experience made me look forward to dormitory life even more.
In fact, I wanted to go see the dorms right now. I was curious about which of the three dorms, divided by location, I’d be assigned to, and I wanted to check out the interior and see what my room felt like.
If possible, I wanted to take Lena, who is currently learning magic at the academy, and take my time looking around. But I’m the kind of man who saves the fun for later.
That’s right.
The second thing I have to do, which I genuinely consider a huge deal.
I have to go pick up the sealed Destruction Dragon, Prostia.
......
......
Damn it.
No matter how I think about it, that noble bitch is going to throw a massive tantrum.
And that bastard Kaits—how could he go as far as to seal her? And if he was the one who sealed her, he should have been the one to let her out.
"Why is your expression rotting again?"
"......"
"Even without that, your eyes are so nasty that you look like a criminal just by standing still. If you don't want to get arrested, try a smiling face... no, that’s even more unpleasant, so just keep a blank expression."
"Ugh, just get lost."
What’s even more fucked up is that this bitch Mullin followed me. It seems her talk about being my "monitor" wasn't just a bluff; she looks like she’s ready to follow me into the bathroom.
"Do you really think I’d follow you into the bathroom?"
"? Can you read my mind or something?"
"No. It’s just written all over your face."
What a pain in the ass.
I clicked my tongue and quickened my pace, but Mullin kept up without any trouble. I hate to admit it, but in terms of pure physical specs, this woman is overwhelmingly superior to me. No, it’s not just "superior." After looking closely, I realized Mullin is far beyond the category of a human. The physical strength and the density of Ryunar in her body, plus some other energy I can't quite identify—likely divine power—are so full that they’re overflowing.
She’s emitting so much power that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a walking sun. It’s not just the energy; her posture and the way she walks are so refined that I can tell she’s undergone significant training.
Though all that posture disappears once she starts drinking.
Seriously. How did such a powerful human become such a massive bitch?
"Please, stop thinking such shitty thoughts."
"Go fuck yourself."
"......"
A bottle of liquor was suddenly in Mullin’s hand. For a second, I thought she was going to smash it over my head, but seeing her glance at the cap, it looked like she was debating whether to drink it or not. Go ahead and chug it.
But even for Mullin, she must have realized who we were about to meet, because she let out a frustrated, "Huuu," and held back, looking incredibly annoyed.
That’s right.
I don't know what she’s thinking, but she insists on following me to meet Prostia.
She’s not just following me blindly without knowing where I’m going; she knows we’re going to meet the leader of the Eight Demon Kings, even if she is heavily weakened. She knows the opponent is a Destruction Dragon, yet she shows no signs of fear.
What is this? Is it that unique priest-like morality that says she can't just stand by and watch a dangerous existence like Prostia? A woman who spends all day chugging booze and sleeping on benches couldn't possibly be like that.
Mullin, who had been exhaling hot, heavy breaths, tucked the bottle away somewhere. Where the hell did she put it? Did she shove it into that unnecessarily large cleavage of hers?
"I’ll gouge your eyes out."
"I didn't look at your filthy milk jugs, so don't worry about it."
"Brother, do you really want to die?"
"I don't want to, Sister."
We arrived at the principal’s office while continuing to waste our energy on useless emotions. Is Prostia in the principal’s office? No.
I heard that the moment Kaits subdued Prostia was almost the same time I was carried away. The principal told me that Prostia had been jumping up and down, demanding that I be woken up immediately to grant her wish. After taking her somewhere in an instant, Kaits returned alone and told the principal where he had sealed her.
That fake hero. He dumped all the cleanup on me, and he thinks he’s cool just because he can strike a pose?
[You, who used Prostia as you pleased under the guise of a favor, forgot about her without paying any price, and went about your daily life—you’re hardly in a position to blame him.]
Shut up.
"Are you ready?"
The principal’s voice was thick with tension.
"She is in a miserably weakened state, but she is still a Destruction Dragon. You never know what might happen."
She looked cute when she was nervous, so I answered immediately.
"Yes. I understand."
"...You don't seem to understand at all. Honestly. You’re the only person who would treat a Destruction Dragon, who rivals a 'True Demon King,' with such indifference."
That’s a compliment, right?
"I’ll cover for this idiot who’s happy thinking he’s being praised. Don't worry, Principal."
"You little shi..."
I held back because the principal was watching. She looked at me and Mullin as if she didn't trust us, and then spread her arms. I almost moved, thinking she wanted a hug, but a magic circle appeared instead.
Soon, a blue current wrapped around me and Mullin, transporting us somewhere on this island. According to Kaits, he had sealed her in some cave.
By the time the blue current faded, we were in a damp room. There was pitch-black darkness, and a light was flickering as if it were trying to tear that darkness apart.
The source of the light was her, the noble one.
"......"
She was bound by layers of light rings, and magic circle patterns were spread out in all four directions, sparking. Occasionally, crimson flames erupted from Prostia’s body, scattering the light and the magic circles. The light and magic circles would automatically repair themselves, but the destruction from the flames was slightly stronger than the repair.
In other words, if left alone, she would have broken the seal by herself.
......
I’m glad I came today! Just imagining the kind of rampage she would have caused if she had escaped on her own gave me a headache. I closed the distance to Prostia with quick steps. She had been keeping her head bowed the whole time since we arrived—was she sleeping?
"Prost..."
"You son of a bitch."
"......"
So she wasn't sleeping. A voice filled with pitch-black hatred flowed from the lips of the noble lady, who was trembling.
"You’re a son of a bitch. You... you..."
Who taught her how to curse? Until now, the worst thing Prostia had ever said was "I’ll kill you."
"I will explain."
"..."
"The reason I was late is..."
"You must have forgotten about me while you were enjoying your leisure."
"...How could that be?"
I was so flustered because she hit the nail on the head that my answer was a split second late. But that moment was decisive; Prostia began to tremble violently.
Crack. Crack.
As the flames surged, black cracks like darkness began to form on the light barrier. I quickly drew my sword and slashed through the barrier. I had intended to pretend that I was the one who freed her, but...
BOOM!
An explosion occurred, and the Ryunar that formed the light and the mana that formed the magic circle scattered in all directions.
The room went pitch black. Prostia stood still in a zombie-like posture with her arms hanging down.
"......"
"Heh, hehe..."
Is she laughing...? It’s terrifying. Without realizing it, I looked at Mullin.
"What are you staring at?"
"If you’re going to follow me, don't just stand there, turn on some light."
"Do I look like a flashlight to you?"
"Oh, damn it. You’re worse than a flashlight."
"......"
Huuuu.
I thought I heard a deep, annoyed sigh, but soon the surroundings became as bright as day. The day this fallen nun actually becomes useful has finally arrived.
"Prostia. Look, first of all, I have to tell you, if you start rampaging here... you might have to fight me..."
My conscience was pricking me. Honestly, she hadn't done much wrong; in fact, she had even helped block a super-massive Demon King, and here I was, threatening her and treating her poorly.
Just then.
"Heh, heh..."
"Heh?"
"Hwaaaaaaah...!"
Prostia, who had lifted her bowed head, was shedding tears. Not just a few, but enough to overflow her face.
"......"
No words came out. While I stood there awkwardly with my hands outstretched, not knowing what to do, her crying turned into a wail.
"Waaaaah!!"
"Um, Lady Prostia."
"Go away!! Waaaaah!"
I was pushed away, but her strength was feeble. Surely the power inherent within her should be explosive...?
[Prostia Current Status]
Advent Rate: 0.7%
H.P: 500,000
M.P: 6,000,000
A system window I remembered seeing before. ...She’s become incredibly weak. It’s astonishing that even in this state, I can feel enough power to crush most of the strong individuals I’ve seen so far.
No, this isn't the time for that.
"Lady Prostia. Look, first, please calm down..."
"Calm down?! You son of a bitch! You bad man! You said you’d grant my wish, and then you conspired with that hero and locked me in here!"
"No. I absolutely, positively did not conspire with him. I hate that hero."
Why does she have such a misunderstanding! And why does she keep mentioning a wish? My condition was just that I would grant her request as much as I could. Still, I wasn't so oblivious that I couldn't say that.
"Hic... hic... leaving me in a place like this all by myself...!"
"No, look, um..."
"After I helped you so much, *hic*, you locked me up, *hic*, and, oh, you forgot about me... *sob*..."
"......"
She’s not in a state where we can talk. In times like this, you just have to let them cry until the sorrow stops. As I made a move to just watch, Mullin looked at me with eyes that seemed to be looking at filth. Should I punch her...?
At that moment, Lady Prostia must have noticed my presence, because she shouted furiously.
"What kind of explanation could you possibly have!! Just like when you forgot about me while enjoying your leisure last time! You must have forgotten about me while playing around this time, and then remembered me for some reason and came to find me because you were worried about the danger later, didn't you!"
"...!"
I wanted to refute it, but she hit the nail on the head. I thought she was a child at heart despite her noble exterior, but she is a High Dragon, after all. She’s smart.
"And yet, you come after all this time and say you’ll kill me if I attack you... You’re a son of a bitch! Waaaaaah!!"
I said I’d have to fight if she attacked, not that I’d kill her. But I was the one at fault. I clasped my hands together like a sinner. I thought she had finally calmed down thanks to that, but she burst into tears again, as if the sorrow had welled up. Damn it...
[Doesn't it matter?]
Telepathy? Mullin, who was right behind me, was speaking into my mind. Get lost, you witch.
[Looking at it, if you leave her like this, you’ll be able to send her back to the seal completely. You’ll be able to clean up this headache nicely.]
That may be true, but... that would make me too much of a son of a bitch. I pondered for a moment and then spoke.
"Lady Prostia. I didn't forget about you."
"Waaaaah, waaaaaah..."
"Actually, I came here after finding a way for your spiritual body to stay here."
To hell with it. I’ll just babble something to stop the crying first. I’ve hated women crying since I was young. Truly.
But Prostia didn't stop crying, and I didn't know many ways to comfort a woman. There was only one thing in my memory.
"Um..."
Wondering if this was right, I reached out and pulled her toward me. A sweet scent, which I couldn't believe had been trapped for over a week, pierced my nose, and I hugged her tightly, ignoring the pounding of my heart.
"Hic... hiiiing..."
Pat. Pat.
Don't misunderstand. That’s the sound of me patting her back.
"Hiiing...?"
"...?"
Her voice changed? Was my embrace that sweet?
"......Hey, trash."
To go from "Lady" to "trash"... Lady Prostia, I’m sorry for the bad jokes...
But she said something completely unexpected.
"It seems it wasn't a complete lie, *sniff*."
Is she sniffing because she’s speechless? She’s so cute. But what? It wasn't a lie?
When I looked down at Prostia in my arms, wondering, she was thinking, "Hmm..." with a tear-stained face.
"Hmm... Fine. I was going to save it, but I’ll use my wish here."
"...?"
Thump!! Prostia pushed me away and glared at me. Isn't it too cold between us...? That pathetic thought lasted only for a moment.
"Let’s touch lips!"
"......"
"......"
Without realizing it, I looked back at Mullin behind me, and she had the same bewildered look on her face.
"What?"
To my question, Prostia answered in a confident voice.
"The right word is... um, yes, that's it! Let’s kiss!"
"......Oh, nice!"
Jackpot, lol.