Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Dancing Butterfly's Devotion
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“Before a noble being like you, what meaning does gender even have?”
“......Sorry.”
Huh? Didn't expect the first words to be an apology.
I knew that even though she seemed composed on the outside, deep down she was intimidated by me.
As soon as we were left alone, she lowered her voice and bowed her head.
Truth be told, I hadn't really planned to take her head.
Well, maybe just a tiny bit.
But she was an original character from the story, so I still had enough magnanimity left to show some mercy.
Above all, seeing Esira had already calmed the rage bubbling up inside me quite a bit.
Dancing Butterfly cautiously opened her mouth.
“Honestly, I never imagined that Commander guy would spout such nonsense right in your face.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Who in the world would dare hurl such rudeness at you? Not unless they're out of their mind.”
No, even a madman would cherish his own neck. Right?
I didn't bother replying.
She had orchestrated the whole setup, but even she hadn't anticipated the Commander's reaction.
『Oh my. Can the script derail this badly?』
That's why Dancing Butterfly had said that.
She probably never dreamed the Commander would go this far.
“You've grown unusually lenient yourself.”
I've heard lines like that so often that this kind of treatment feels routine now.
“Is it thanks to Esira?”
“You should know your head's still on your shoulders because of that girl.”
“Naturally. Normally, there wouldn't even be a conversation—you'd be a corpse by now.”
So what did Dancing Butterfly want? What was her scheme?
Just as I opened my mouth to speak, she cut in abruptly.
“......I hate the Commander.”
“Then why not kill him yourself?”
Dancing Butterfly slowly shook her head.
“The grudge I hold is only from today.”
“Then you hated him enough to want him dead on sight?”
“......I just couldn't understand it.”
She looked at me. Yet somehow, her gaze felt distant, unfocused as if she weren't truly seeing me.
“How can someone like the Commander be by your side?”
That's her issue?
Before I could recover from my fluster and respond, Dancing Butterfly continued in a hazy voice.
“I've admired you for so long—since ages ago.”
I've only just met you.
Is she talking about the old Asrania?
Early Asrania was nothing but a bloodthirsty demon.
“Have we met before?”
“Not once.”
Yeah, that tracks.
For the old Asrania, meeting an Axiom meant claiming a life.
Unless it was some bizarre exception I didn't know about.
With Dancing Butterfly still breathing steadily, we had to be total strangers.
And yet, this admiration?
“You're the one who truly fits as the protagonist. Slaying foes, vanishing into the shadows, forever a lofty presence lurking in the dark.”
“......”
“I longed to meet you just once—someone like that.”
“If you'd met me, your head would've rolled.”
“It wouldn't matter. Even if I died, just seeing you would be enough.”
This girl's genuinely insane.
“Is it just because I'm strong?”
“Your exploits captivate me completely.”
“Exploits?”
“I told you. Wielding such overwhelming power, yet choosing to dwell in darkness. You're like the blackness incarnate.”
Didn't she play the sweet heroine to the Commander—giving him lap pillows in the sub-stories?
Why the twisted personality?
“I've pictured you countless times. I always hoped to meet you someday.”
She clasped her hands together, whispering in a voice thick with rapture.
“My long-cherished dream has finally come true.”
Alone at last, Dancing Butterfly bared her heart.
Congratulate her? Or tell her to scram?
Dancing Butterfly beamed.
It differed from her earlier poised, enigmatic smile.
Cheeks flushed, shyly grinning—she looked every bit the lovestruck girl.
What the hell did she come here expecting?
“What were you planning to do after meeting me?”
“Now that I've seen you up close......”
She gazed at my face with dreamy eyes.
“You're truly beautiful.”
“......”
“Far more than I imagined. I think I'm falling for you.”
My brows knit tightly.
“Is that part of the admiration too?”
“I'm not sure. Could be love.”
“You're a woman, though?”
“Does that matter?”
Dancing Butterfly tilted her head innocently, as if the question was absurd.
“Before a noble being like you, what meaning does gender even have?”
Am I a god or something?
It matters a great deal, you nutcase.
“Before meeting you, I steeled myself to be cleaved by your sword—pure body and all. Dying by your hand would've been ecstasy in its own way.”
She took a step toward me.
“But conversing with you, realizing you've changed... now I'm greedy.”
“......What greed?”
“I want you to ruin this pure body of mine.”
Situations I'd never even dreamed of before. But my leniency sparked even more desire in her?
I figured she was just crazy.
This goes beyond crazy— she's an untouchable pervert.
Where's the pure Dancing Butterfly from before?
How did she hide these depraved urges all this time?
I'd planned to charm and exploit her moderately.
But now? Wondering if she's safe to keep around.
Her skills are impeccable, at least.
‘......Better than charging in to kill me, I guess.’
At least she won't stab me in the back.
Though she'd stab in a whole different way.
Ignoring my disgusted look, Dancing Butterfly's eyes gleamed.
“Your reaction tells me the Commander isn't your lover.”
“What are you getting at?”
“......Then, who is Esira's father?”
Father?
No way—husband!?
Ah, just thinking about it hurts my head.
As if.
I'm not even the mother.
“......No one.”
“Then that's a relief.”
Dancing Butterfly smiled radiantly.
Her face bright and carefree, all worries vanished, she stepped forward boldly.
“One more step, and I'll cut you down.”
She froze on the spot.
I wasn't holding a blade to her throat, but she could sense the killing intent.
“I don't want the genre flipping to a gore-fest thriller either.”
The reason she'd hated and tormented the Commander.
‘Jealousy, in the end.’
Couldn't stomach some dull guy loitering by her idol's side.
Axiom's full of lunatics, the more I see.
Still, maybe better than long-time Axiom vets.
‘Ah, wait—I'm a long-timer?’
If so, exclude me from that.
More talk would just ache my head.
“Behave from now on.”
The Commander? Grill him, boil him—your call.
I left those parting words and turned away without a backward glance.
A faint whisper grazed my ear.
“......Please, may we meet again.”
The moment I stepped into the room, the bathroom door swung open and Esira emerged.
Her body soaked through, water dripping from the tips of her hair.
‘At least put on some clothes......’
Ignoring my inner grumble, Esira strode toward me on wet feet.
Each step darkening the carpet, but she paid it no mind.
I snatched a large towel from the chair.
“What about the towel? You got the floor all wet.”
Esira didn't stop, thunking her forehead against my chest.
Moisture seeped through my thin shirt.
“Dry me.”
Really, impossible to hate this kid.
The tension from sparring words with Dancing Butterfly melted away like snow at her vulnerable sight.
I bundled her wet hair roughly in the towel.
“Come here. You'll catch cold.”
Once the water was patted out, Esira finally relaxed, tension draining from her body.
Her eyes narrowed to slits like a purring cat at every touch.
“Mmm... feels good......”
She nuzzled her cheek against my chest, murmuring.
Like a young beast rubbing its scent on me.
Her damp arms looped around my neck, then she hung her full weight on me.
“What's this?”
“Wanted to.”
“Yeah?”
“......Yeah.”
She buried her nose in the dip of my collarbone and inhaled deeply.
The ticklish breath on my skin made my shoulder twitch, but I didn't shove her off.
This kid needs this warmth right now.
I unfurled the towel's hem wide, draping it over her bare back and shoulders.
The heavy, sodden fabric settled cozily.
“Now clothes. You'll catch cold.”
“Little longer.”
I let out a soft chuckle, patting her back over the towel.
Rhythmic taps coaxed her hunched shoulders down bit by bit.
“Clothes on. Then I'll hold you more.”
Esira finally raised her head.
Water-clumped lashes blinked languidly.
“Promise.”
“Yeah. Promise.”
I nodded with feigned resignation, and she curved her lips in satisfaction.
She peeled slowly from my arms.
Towel draped like a cape—ridiculously cute somehow.
I watched her toddle to the bed a moment, then shook out my damp shirt.
I mulled today's events.
The Commander.
He's reliable enough, but his antics scream something's off—like a glitchy human.
Straight-faced weirdness, impossible to parse as joke or earnest.
‘That foot obsession. Weird every time.’
His talent's legit, though.
Original game: soloed every chapter's final boss through command alone.
A stray thought hit.
I'm no pushover either.
If I were the enemy—like a final boss—would he have beaten me too?
‘Nah, I'd win.’
Want to believe that.
But cocky types like me always slip up in cliches.
Pointless what-if anyway.
Asrania never even bossed in the original.
Just a name-drop in text scraps.
What made it creepier.
‘So where'd game-Asrania vanish to?’
Chills.
“All dressed!”
Her peppy shout snapped my reverie.
“Good. C'mere.”
Whatever.
Just a game in the end.