Each of Their Three Days (2)
“Sir Hero.”
“...Yes.”
He didn’t need to speak for Dain to understand. Dain had been scanning their surroundings the entire time.
A rather large cloud drifted across the moon, plunging the area where they stood into complete darkness.
Zarko.
If not for him, their current situation would have looked very different. He would have been able to meet Ceres’s eyes with an unburdened, upright gaze.
Dain drew in a slow, deep breath.
He couldn’t allow stray thoughts to cloud his mind before an operation. There was only one thing he needed to confirm.
This time, he would cut him down.
For the happy days he would spend with Ceres in the future, the bastard that had to be erased.
Hans had ultimately failed to strike the blow, but Dain confirmed for himself that he would show Zarko not a shred of mercy.
Gripping the hilt of his sword, Dain spoke quietly.
“Everyone… let’s move out.”
Clank. Clank.
Instead of a verbal reply came the sound of armed soldiers carefully rising to their feet.
Toward the monster outpost visible in the distance below, the hero and his brave elite troops began to advance.
Since the start of the campaign, Dain’s combat skills had grown far more polished. There was no need to explain how critical the first strike of this ambush would be.
He silenced his footsteps and sprinted toward a monster that had yet to notice him.
Slice.
The blade Grahn had forged through the night severed the monster’s head so cleanly it felt as though he had cut through empty air.
Thud.
The sound of the monster’s head hitting the ground echoed.
A successful opening strike by the hero. That alone sent the kingdom army’s morale soaring toward the heavens.
“Uwaaaaa!”
The ambush on the monster outpost by the hero and the kingdom forces had begun in earnest.
The monsters’ foul blood sprayed everywhere.
He had only ever been called a hero; Dain possessed little actual experience in strategy. He couldn’t yet gauge just how skilled these so-called elites truly were for an operation like this.
It might have been arrogance, but if they had fallen short, he had been prepared to handle as much as he could on his own.
Yet he quickly understood why command had selected them. The elites’ swordplay was powerful, swift, and impeccably clean.
They could face smaller monsters one-on-one, while medium-to-large monsters were brought down by teams of three or four working in perfect coordination.
This was not the result of a day or two of training. These were the people who would be absolutely essential when they moved to subjugate the Demon King.
The kingdom army’s ambush, launched after waiting for full darkness to fall, annihilated the monsters’ first outpost with almost ridiculous ease.
Dain’s morale rose alongside the soldiers’ demonstrated prowess. Whether from a competitive spirit or a thirst for revenge, he scanned the battlefield for any sign of demons among the monsters, but found none.
“Huu…”
When the clouds that had hidden the moon finally parted slightly, not a single monster among them remained alive.
“Casualties?”
“Not even a single injury.”
“...That’s a relief.”
The outcome far exceeded expectations. In merely an hour, they had cleared one of their three target outposts.
“What are your orders, Sir Hero?”
“Pardon?”
“Zero casualties. We could ride this momentum straight into the next outpost.”
“....”
Vice-Commander Gales’s suggestion was logical. Such a result was only possible because it had been an ambush. Another operation had been prepared for tomorrow, but the enemy would surely be on guard by then.
“...No. We return according to the original plan.”
Even with a favorable wind, a ship could still capsize. Dain had only observed the current outpost with his own eyes. At a time when he had no clear information about the next outpost’s exact situation, these soldiers were simply too valuable to risk on an impulsive follow-up attack.
If they were to lose even one of them, the kingdom army would face a severe disadvantage in the main battle.
When Dain explained his reasoning, Gales let out a small chuckle.
“...Haha. As expected of you, Sir Hero.”
“Pardon?”
“I apologize for sounding as though I were testing you. Since I also bear responsibility for these soldiers’ lives, I wanted to see what kind of man our hero truly was.”
“Ah.”
Gales smiled with clear satisfaction.
“It is fortunate indeed that Dain-nim is our hero. I will guard the rear, so please focus on what lies ahead. I will follow you anywhere.”
“....”
It is fortunate that he is the hero.
It was the highest praise imaginable.
“Haa.”
“Why the long face?”
At the outpost without Dain, two soldiers who had just finished their night watch and handed over duty were sharing a smoke before returning to their beds. Smoking leaf tobacco was the ordinary soldier’s small pleasure.
“Just… no pleasure to be had. None at all.”
“What kind of pleasure are you expecting at the front lines?”
“No, man. Isn’t it precisely because we’re at the front lines that there should be some pleasure?”
“...You’re right. That makes sense.”
Huu. Acrid smoke curled upward.
“Damn it, didn’t they say they were sending reinforcements? They even talked about bringing in prostitutes.”
“That was back when we had a fake hero. Now that Dain-nim is the real one, it all fell through.”
“...Ah, that was close. I almost said something blasphemous.”
“Kuk, you crazy bastard.”
The soldier quietly exhaling smoke shook his head in irritation.
“Huu… I wonder if the new hero even understands the hardships of guys like us.”
“Watch your mouth, idiot.”
“One thing’s certain—the fake one was better.”
“What?”
The soldier who had been complaining suddenly wore a blissful expression.
“The Saintess’s outfit.”
“Aigoo, you lunatic.”
“Hey, be honest. When you saw that ass swaying as she walked, didn’t it fire you up?”
“Keke.”
“It was better back when we could at least enjoy the view. My eyes would snap wide open.”
“Even if the clothes are baggy again, the Saintess is still beautiful.”
The soldier ground his finished leaf tobacco into the dirt.
“But I haven’t seen her all day today. Did the Saintess go on the operation too?”
“I don’t think so. I heard only the Hero went.”
“Ah, she must be lonely with the Hero away. Maybe I should go comfort her? Hehehe.”
“You crazy bastard, be careful. You’ll really get dragged away.”
“Scaredy-cat. Yeah, yeah, I got it.”
It was an unfamiliar place, yet when Dain woke there wasn’t the slightest stiffness in his body.
Today was the day their coordinated attack with the main force would begin. Thanks to last night’s resounding success, everyone’s morale and confidence were soaring. Yet Dain couldn’t stop seeing Ceres’s deeply worried face as she had seen him off.
I miss her. Already.
Just then, someone weakly opened the flap of Dain’s tent.
“Hero, are you awake?”
“Ah, Gerta.”
He saw Gerta every time he used the magic circle, but today she looked different. Dark circles hung heavily beneath her eyes, reaching all the way to her cheeks.
“Are you all right? You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately.”
“About that! Hero, the magic circle is now fully connected.”
“Oh, finally! You’ve truly worked so hard!”
The kingdom army had been relying on Gerta’s magic circle constantly, but it had always required both Gerta and her magical power to function.
Now that the circle was complete, they could travel without her.
“You really are a genius, Gerta. Haha. Incredible!”
“N-no… Hehet.”
When Dain grasped her shoulders, Gerta’s face flushed with embarrassment.
“U-um. However, it seems not everyone will be able to use it. Since the magic has a limited lifespan, I plan to engrave the pattern onto a select few necessary individuals.”
“I see. So I’m first?”
“Of course. You are the hero. Here, give me your hand.”
Gerta gently took Dain’s hand. A faint light bloomed within the mage’s palm, and when she withdrew it, a softly glowing pattern had been etched onto the back of Dain’s hand.
“So this is the pattern.”
“Yes. Now you can use the magic circle without me, Hero.”
“Thank you, Gerta. You’ve really done so much. What about the others?”
“I’ll engrave it for the Saintess and the commanders of both the outpost and the main force. However—”
“However?”
At the hero’s question, Gerta swayed slightly and laughed.
“After I get some sleep. I’ve completely exhausted my magic power.”
“Ah, I’m sorry! Go rest right away.”
“Yes, then… Hehet.”
Gerta bowed politely.
“Um, Gerta.”
“Ah, yes!”
When she turned back at the hero’s call, Dain was scratching his head with an awkward smile.
“...Would it be all right if I stopped by to see Ceres for a moment before the operation?”
“...Ha, honestly.”
The mage shrugged.
“Do as you please. Just don’t be late for the operation, all right?”
“Haha.”
Even after Gerta left, Dain continued rubbing his nose in embarrassment.
He wanted to see his lover. He wanted to ease her worries.
If he stopped by the outpost just long enough to see Ceres’s face, he believed he would be able to focus better on the mission. The operation wasn’t until the afternoon. There was still plenty of time, but leaving his post for too long felt burdensome.
He decided to finish all preparations thoroughly first, then slip away for just a brief moment to see Ceres.
“Eh, it’s the Hero!”
The soldiers looked startled to see Dain returning to the outpost alone, without a mage.
Dain smiled and waved before running straight toward the lodging.
“Ceres?”
He flung the door open, but the room was empty.
Considering where she might be, the face of a hearty, laughing blacksmith immediately rose in Dain’s mind.
“...Ah, aah!”
The moment he spotted Ceres’s face in the distance, she saw him too and let out a startled cry.
“Dain!”
A smile formed on his lips, but no words came out.
He ran to her in a single breath. The moment the hero and the saintess stood before each other, their hands clasped tightly.
“When did you get here? Is the operation already over?”
“Gerta completed the magic circle. Look.”
Dain showed her the glowing pattern on the back of his hand.
“With this, I can travel without her.”
“Wow… I see. Hehe, that’s wonderful.”
“It’s only been a day, but I missed you terribly.”
“...Hehe, me too.”
Their eyes met as if drawn by magnets, and their faces quickly grew flushed.
“...Khm. I suppose I’m invisible, then.”
“Ah, Grahn!”
Only then did Dain notice the half-dwarf sitting beside them.
“After you spent all night forging that sword.”
“Thank you. It cuts incredibly well.”
“Yeah. Is the operation finished?”
“Haha, actually… I have to head back now.”
Dain scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“We’re about to head into battle, and before I go… I wanted to see Ceres.”
“....”
Seeing Ceres’s face stiffen, Dain realized his mistake and quickly added, “No, yesterday’s ambush was a success, so today is just cleanup. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“...Really?”
“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow.”
“...All right.”
Even though neither healing nor reinforcement worked, Ceres gripped Dain’s hand tightly. Just that was enough to make the hero feel as though he could accomplish anything.
“I should get going. They’ll complain if I leave my post for too long.”
“...Should I come too? I can get ready quickly.”
Of course, the mere presence of both the hero and the saintess would raise the soldiers’ morale even higher. However, Dain could not bring himself to take Ceres to a place where Zarko might appear.
He had already vowed in his heart that he would deal with Zarko himself.
“They said only those with the pattern can use it. Wait for me.”
“...Okay.”
“I’ll be back. Let’s go, Grahn.”
Grahn stood up abruptly, grinning as he nodded.
“Do well out there! Don’t worry about Ceres!”
Having seen the most beautiful lover in the world and a friend he could always rely on, Dain felt he could do anything right now.
Not a single doubt that the operation might fail crossed his mind.
After taking one last look at Ceres and Grahn, Dain strode purposefully toward the magic circle.
“...A-are you crazy? Take it out!”
“Haha, we didn’t get caught.”
Dain’s back grew smaller in the distance.
Ceres grabbed Grahn’s hand and shouted in a quiet but forceful tone.
The hot, slippery interior—where the blacksmith’s member had been buried until moments ago—now held Grahn’s thick fingers, hooked inside her like a barbed harpoon. They refused to withdraw.
“Good timing too. Coming right when we were resting.”
“...Take them out. Now.”
“All right, all right. Don’t get angry.”
With a wet sound, two thick fingers slid free from the saintess’s sex, pulling with them sticky strands of her love juices and his semen.
Ceres, who had been about to snap at him, paused and let out a small sigh.
She didn’t bear any real malice toward Grahn. He had only slipped his hand inside after greeting Dain, as if it were some mischievous joke.
What hurt wasn’t Grahn’s actions, but the way Dain’s bright, innocent smile had felt like a blade slicing across her heart.
The sound of Grahn’s hammering rang out.
She was doing something terrible to both Dain and Grahn. All of it, simply to satisfy her own lust.
I have to stop. I need to stop this.
Her desire for happiness with the hero was genuine.
Just until Dain returns. Just until the operation ends…
This would be the last time.
So just until tomorrow,
I won’t feel sorry, Dain.
Even as she made that vow, another drop of her arousal slid down her thigh.