Double Room
‘There are other people inside. Members of the cult.’
‘What?’
On the way back, after telling Cedric everything, he passed it on to the knights. Since I figured out the entry method, he'll handle it. Today's Sugar was exhausted.
Before entering the forest, she had sent the knights away, which was fortunate. Even if lightning strikes the forest, no one is particularly worried. With a Guardian there, they just shrug it off. How could they possibly harbor suspicions?
Rather, the eyes looking at him seem to hold respect. It should be fine.
With everything behind her, Sugar soon found herself in Ryly's arms, heading to the infirmary.
“If it hurts, tell me.”
“It hurts! Aaaah! Something's coming in! It's weird!”
“It was painful from the start.”
Truly meaningless conversation. The pretty nurse auntie stuffed a slimy substance into Sugar's arm where bones were exposed, and the process was truly painful.
“Do not remove the bandages. You must be careful until it settles with new flesh.”
After that, she sewed the wound on her thigh and wrapped it with bandages on top.
After the treatment was over, Sugar came out from behind the curtain of the infirmary room.
She thrust the ruined stockings at Ryly, and he immediately smacked her.
“Was it not painful?”
“It was pretty serious…”
Another smack.
“I don't know what you want… not even using the wish coupon.”
“You're trying to do too much for me. Just don't cause trouble.”
As she rubbed her head while saying that, Ryly grumbled. That sight was annoyingly pitiful.
I don't know what she's thinking either…
I want to do something. But she's always saying it's unnecessary, which is frustrating.
Then she shook her head.
I don't need to say anything! I'll find a way to do it!
To not make Ryly uncomfortable, or find things that won't make him uncomfortable.
Sitting in the heretic interrogation room, Sugar was scribbling today's events with a determined expression.
Next to her, Ryly had a flustered expression. She's thinking something weird again. Her thoughts are transparent.
With the matter somewhat concluded.
The two could head to the lodging only around sunset. Cedric had arranged it nearby.
On the way to the inn.
“Ryly… I'm embarrassed…”
Suddenly, these words came out of Sugar's mouth. What could be happening.
Ryly was walking while carrying the princess, so that's why.
Normally, she sits on Ryly's leg in front of people? But the subject is who is doing what.
Sitting on the leg. Since Sugar herself climbed on, it's not particularly embarrassing.
Carrying the princess. This is Ryly carrying Sugar, so it's embarrassing.
When she was joking, she didn't know she was embarrassing herself, but when counterattacked, she couldn't say anything and just muttered. That's Sugar's personality.
For Ryly, who had lost Sugar in front of him today, there was nothing he could do. He physically and magically wrapped her. How many layers of barrier had he put? Sugar was flailing inside Ryly's dense mana.
It feels like I'm going to melt…
The man's mana flowing into Sugar. Soon it settled inside her body and changed her nature. The oppressive cycle made her mind hazy.
“Now it's not dangerous. It's okay, Ryly. Let me down…”
Since she wasn't wearing stockings, it was bare. Ryly's hand was touching her bare thigh.
The feeling was extremely strange, so she appealed with spinning eyes, but Ryly just walked silently.
Even in that, his mind was only worried.
The unknown modification tower. The crystal of the gem dragon.
According to Sugar, there were disciples under Rubshi inside the tower. 'Fuel' expression. Fallen apostle. False apostle… She didn't want to call them beasts.
She recalled the monster they confronted during the day. She knew similar things. She had seen them with Cedric.
The act of fusing human and non-human, mocking all things.
Why with the Shadow Cult…
What exactly is happening. What are they planning. What kind of demon will they extend to Sugar.
The more she thought, the deeper the doubts and the more unpleasantness settled.
Ryly, who habitually frowned, tightened his grip on the hand. He tightly hugged the woman in his arms.
Sugar trembled with the firm arms wrapped around her.
Before long, they arrived at the inn.
It looked old from outside, but inside it was quite clean. Cedric seemed to have chosen a decent place.
Ryly told the counter staff his name, and the staff immediately handed over the key.
When they entered the inn, Sugar, who had been holding her breath, could finally step on the floor.
“Isn't it two rooms? Why only one key…”
“Didn't you reserve only one? Let me check. Yes, one double room reserved in Ryly-nim's name.”
An unexpected sound entered her ears.
Double room.
Not a twin room with two beds, but double room.
One bed. One room.
From somewhere, an old man with a full beard seems to be saying casually, 'Even so, I have eyes.'
Sugar opened her mouth wide and looked at Ryly. Ryly kept his mouth shut and accepted the key.
“One room, one, one, two, two, two…”
As Sugar hesitated, Ryly silently took her hand and headed to the second floor.
“Ah, ah, ah, ah…”
What is this situation. The worries she had before boarding the train came to mind in an instant.
She had been excited thinking they were going on a 1 night 2 day trip alone, but when she heard the destination, it cooled down. Even though they couldn't go on the trip, the '1 night 2 day' remained.
Sugar's cheeks were flushed red as she lowered her head. The clasped hands were warm. Sweat had soaked in, making them damp.
What to do. What should I do. It's not possible. I have to stop it.
But if this is what Ryly wants…?
I want to fulfill what Ryly wants, but she's always saying it's unnecessary, which is frustrating. Express gratitude and apology. She wanted to give something to a man who cherished her so much.
No! No matter what, I can't do that!
- Why can't I?
Me, me, doing such things with a man. It's weird. It feels bad.
- Is it the same as Ryly with the men around? Really bad feeling?
It's not that… but that's something done between lovers.
- Don't you cherish him more than almost a lover?
I don't know! Shut up!
The sudden situation caused Sugar to split. Heat rose in her head, and normal thinking was impossible.
In the meantime, they were in front of the door.
Ryly inserted the key. The metallic sound 'click' echoed in Sugar's brain.
“Sugar.”
The voice calling her name followed. Sugar's body trembled.
“I should mention this beforehand, just in case. Things that might worry you… ya…! Why are you like that!”
Her face turned bright red, gasping for breath, Ryly was startled. For Ryly, it was better to use one hand for safety. He was conscious of Sugar but generally kept the line. So he turned around saying don't worry, but what was it.
“Why is the fever like this… damn. Because of the wound…”
He put his hand on Sugar's forehead and clicked his tongue.
Of course, the fever wasn't because of the wound.
“Let's go back to the infirmary first. I said to just rest there.”
“I, I'm okay. It's not because I'm in pain. I'll feel better after resting a bit.”
“Stop acting tough.”
Ryly reached for her waist and legs to hug her again.
Sugar jumped in fright. Her body was sensitive due to the continuous delusions, so she couldn't help it.
“Look! It's weird! Not a poisoned frog…! Why aren't you coming?”
“No…! That's not it, you idiot…!”
“Idiot, you're the idiot! Listen!”
“Aaaah…! Ryly, I hate you… don't come. I don't want it. Don't touch…!”
The sound of their fight echoed to the lower floor. The counter staff just shook his head. Working in such places, he was used to quarrels.
A bit calmer now.
“… Really okay?”
“Okay… I said it several times…”
Sugar murmured with eyes moist with tears, looking frustrated. In the body struggle, physical contact kept happening. On top of being already sensitive, being touched constantly. I don't know anymore! she shouted while throwing herself on the bed and pulling the blanket over her.
“Wash and sleep. Wash.”
“Hmph…”
Ryly eventually pulled the blanket and lifted Sugar, taking her to the bathroom door.
“I'll put up a barrier. And, I was cut off earlier when talking. Just in case, I'm going to sleep on the sofa, so don't worry.”
Sugar closed the bathroom door without answering.
Idiot! Idiot! Fool!
Immediately, she raged. It wasn't anger at Ryly. It was because she herself was an idiot.
Why did I have such delusions, Ryly wouldn't do that, etc., she kept thinking, and let out aaaaaah.
Are you not thinking straight, Sugar? What are you thinking…
She banged her head against the bathroom wall and held her breath.
This can't go on. The thinking itself is rotten. She couldn't deny to Ian 'I'm not a lewd Sugar?'
She had to overcome weakness. With this kind of mind, it's hopeless.
Mature… I have to mature.
She has to escape the curse.
Since she's being overwhelmed by the big, sturdy Ryly and keeps having weird thoughts. She's leaning on him and relying on him. She has to escape the curse of size and think differently.
If I get bigger…!
Physically, she can't get bigger. Growth has already ended.
But that's not important. This is a matter of mindset.
The goal is an adult with tolerance! Tolerance to wrap Ryly!
That is, if the heart gets bigger, it will do!
“Uwaa!!”
Sugar burned her will and stood under the shower. She was like being hit by a waterfall. The wound area was wrapped with mana and waterproofed, so no problem.
At that moment, when she clenched her fist.
“… Hmm?”
Something grabbed in the fist. Smooth and hard, something there.
Curious, she opened her hand and found a white stone inside.
The shape was strangely familiar.
Sugar blinked her eyes. She didn't know when it appeared.
Then, where did the evil god's mana she used today go?
“…”
She was at a loss.
She didn't know why it was in this form. She didn't know how to handle it.
It wasn't black originally, was it? Recalling childhood memories, the cult's apostles had used it. With this, they made strange monsters, strange spaces, etc.
It neutralized in my body…
For now, even holding it with bare hands seems harmless. But she can't just throw it anywhere.
Give it as an offering to Ryly's grimoire?
It won't eat it well, right? Or will it?
She pressed it against her palm, but it didn't go back inside.
After struggling for a while, Sugar finally made up her mind and slightly opened the bathroom door.
“Ryly.”
“Why. I'm busy.”
“Just a moment. Come here? Look at this.”
Sugar peeked her hand through the door gap.
“What is this. Wait. This…”
“I'll give it to you. My guess is it neutralized the evil god's mana lump… Use it for research or give it to a book. Ah, I'm okay holding it with bare hands, but just in case, don't. Try handling it with mana.”
“No, what… Assuming all that. Why to me? And why give it while washing?”
“Because it's you? It came out while washing there.”
“… What?”
“Here. Take it quickly. My arm hurts.”
Since she was holding the staff because of the barrier work. Ryly waved it to bring the stone in front of himself.
The damp stone that came out while washing. She didn't know how it came out while washing, but since it was in a place full of warm water and steamy steam, the moisture made it glossy. It probably feels warm to the touch.
“…”
Ryly stared at the stone for a long time. Then he put it inside his cloak.
Sugar's collection-content: Whether to put in the letters, wish coupons, etc. she sent, or carry it. That was the dilemma.