Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Mana User
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As my condition improved, we set off for the fortress.
But what the hell are we going to do now?
Luna rode at the front on her white horse.
The moment her fever broke in the tent, she'd put distance between us in front of everyone, leaving my mind in a tangle.
She'd said it would be a problem if rumors of an affair started when granting her a title and independence?
Well, turning a commoner rumored to have slept with her into a noble, giving her land, and letting her go independent would ding her reputation.
As I watched Luna from afar, lost in complicated thoughts...
Charles pulled up beside me.
"Aiden, sir. I heard about it from Jin."
"Oh? That orc prisoner thing?"
Charles wore an apologetic expression.
His voice was thick with worry.
"Yes. Even if you're not our lord, I can't tolerate that kind of behavior."
I'd heard Jin got a stern scolding from Charles not long ago.
Was that why?
I glanced back and saw Jin looking dejected, but he didn't seem pitiful at all.
-Jin... you okay? When we get to the fortress, I'll make you some tasty tea.
With the blonde elf and the dark-haired dark elf riding alongside him.
Damn... guy's got real talent.
"So, what'd you decide?"
When I asked, Charles replied with a stern face.
"I told him to apologize to you and beg forgiveness. If he doesn't get it... he'll lose his squire status."
Aha? So, kick him out?
I side-eyed Jin sighing heavily from behind and thought.
But... even if he quits being a knight, he'd live well as a sugar daddy, wouldn't he?
No joke—captain of a pirate fleet I'd heard about before, two elves, and countless maids in the grand duchess's palace.
If Jin asked them to bring money, they would, right?
Maybe overthinking it, but...
I'd heard elves have incredibly strong loyalty to their own kind.
They'd die before betraying their race.
For women of such a race to betray their own and follow Jin—not one, but two.
Just that proved Jin, the alpha male legend, made my thinking pretty valid.
Was I just going to sit back and watch?
While I'm pierced through the nose, fretting over rivals spotting it, and he's piled high with beauties, living carefree happy days?
No way in hell would I stand for that, even over my dead body.
But I didn't want to just let it slide either.
"So, when's he apologizing?"
"Not sure on that."
I nodded at Charles's answer.
Whatever—long as he apologizes to me. Just you wait, Jin...
Thus, my revenge against Jin blazed hot.
After arriving at camp, as I headed into the tent the soldiers had pitched for me...
"Aiden, sir!"
Jin called out, face full of determination. I replied indifferently.
"What?"
Elisha and Roa on either side glared at me intently.
What? What'd I even do to earn that glare?
As their eyes screamed disbelief...
"I have something to say."
For the first time, I saw Jin—always smiling with mischief—dead serious.
"Fine. Speak."
"Not here."
I had no intention of talking here either.
Gonna lay some proper physical persuasion on him.
Anyway, I nodded at Jin's words.
"Alright. Where?"
"There's a forest up ahead. Let's talk there."
"Lead on."
So I followed Jin into the woods.
As we went deeper, something I'd forgotten resurfaced.
Jin was a mana user.
In other words, a powerhouse who could kill me without a trace.
Was following him here a dumb move?
The thought swirled in my head.
Shit... shoulda just said talk in the tent?
Imagining getting my throat slit without resisting made my heart ache.
Eh... no way, right? Then I'd survive for Luna?
As I forced calm, Jin stopped and turned.
"Aiden, sir. Sorry about when you were a prisoner last time."
He bowed 90 degrees.
The elf women beside him eyed me pouty and displeased.
"Wait, Aiden! We could only take one at the time—nothing we could do!"
"Fuck that, you know how scared I was with those female orcs?"
No joke, I was terrified.
Mix with that build, that bulk?
And they stank weird too—telling me to sleep with them was as good as saying die.
As I trembled in rage, Jin cautiously spoke up.
"Truth is, I'd stake my life for you, sir, but I lack the confidence for physical relations with orcs."
Is that how you apologize?
"But with the sole resolve to save you, sir, I joined the grand duchess. Though it might not heal your wounded heart."
He straightened, gazing at me with fervent eyes.
"I'll do anything you command. Die if you say die, live if you say live."
What? No forgiveness, so you'll die?
"Since dying beats dealing with female orcs."
What kinda weird shit is this?
Apology or subtle diss? Unclear.
"Hey, one question. Same situation again—what you gonna do?"
Jin answered instantly, no hesitation.
"Same thing."
Then it clicked for me about Jin.
Ah... guy's a lunatic.
Normal person would swear never again... but this dude's a real psycho.
And psychos need the stick.
"Fine. You said anything, right?"
Never hit anyone in my life, but couldn't hold back this time.
In a barbaric society, even I gotta go barbaric.
I drew my scabbard.
"I'll make you feel your sins in your bones. Armor off!"
My shout made Jin nod and strip his armor.
"Thank you for your mercy."
Maybe seeing her boyfriend downcast?
"Aiden?! Isn't that too much?!"
"Yeah! Don't apologize to that jerk, Jin! We can feed you easy!"
As the two raged, I asked Jin.
"What now? Back out while you can?"
Just in case, but Jin shook his head firmly.
"No. Beat me freely till you're satisfied and cleanse my sin..."
He finished stripping his armor.
Under the winter leather was a white tunic.
"Bite down hard on this!"
I swung the scabbard at his arm...
-Whish! Thud!
Wh... what?!
Hitting a person sounding like hitting a rock?
"Wh... why's it like this?"
Jin looked sheepish.
"Well... as a squire, I've trained a lot, body's pretty tough. Don't worry about me—hit away."
"Uh? W... wait."
-Whish! Boom!
The shock climbed the scabbard, stinging my palm.
This should hurt plenty, right?
I checked Jin's face—no change.
Fine... today you die, I die.
Arms and legs not working, risky but aimed for his face.
Been thinking your face was punchable for ages!
-Whiiiish! Boom!
"F... fuck..."
Full force to the face, but not a twitch.
What monster is this?
Even experts should flinch from a scabbard whack!
This what a sword user monster is?
Heard sword users unbeatable by normals, but this excessive!
"Not hitting more?"
I gritted my teeth at Jin.
"Not done yet!"
-Whish! Crash!
-Whiii! Thud!
I hammered his whole body with all I had, but Jin didn't blink.
Wow... fucking hell, this real?
"Haa... haa..."
Hell, I was tiring faster—the hitter!
And lately, Luna trained me—stamina better than before.
"Sir, you look beat... wanna rest?"
Jin worrying about me pissed me off more.
"Haa... not tired at all!"
-Whiiiing. Tap!
-Whish! Thump!
Forced it, but honestly palm burned, lungs gasping.
"Sir, please stop."
Jin eyed me pitifully.
"No! Beating till you or me drops."
I flailed wildly; he looked awkward, eyes rolling.
Then...
"Aaaagh! It... it hit bone, sir Aiden!"
He fake-cried in pain.
Obvious it didn't hurt, forced acting—mood soured hard.
Ah... that annoys more.
My face darkened? Jin rolled eyes harder, faking worse.
"Ugh! It... hurts so bad! Aaaah!"
I wiped sweat with my arm.
"You bastard! I know it doesn't hurt a bit!"
Lying where?
I yelled; Jin sheepishly stood.
"Hehe..."
This damn unfair world.
"Fine! I'm heading back."
As I turned...
"Oh? So you forgive me?"
"Yeah! Forgiven."
Damn mana...