Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Oracle
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Charhela's explanation was easy to understand and intuitive.
So, after hearing the rough outline, all I could do was sigh and cover my face with my palm.
I wish I hadn't understood it at all.
"So... you had no choice but to get engaged to save us?"
"That's right. Since I won the Duel of Glory, as the victor, I get to claim everything from you, the loser. But the barbarian warriors want you to pay for your crimes. Though that doesn't mean death."
"......"
"So, to save you and your companions, the only way was for us to become husband and wife. According to our tribe's laws, once we're married, any grudges from relatives or acquaintances are forgotten."
"......"
I listened quietly, then nodded lightly, feeling a bit relieved by her matter-of-fact attitude.
"Ah, so basically, we're just pretending to be a couple? That's the only option... At least it's not serious."
"Huh? What are you talking about? I'm dead serious."
"...What?"
A deep blush colored her face as I looked up.
Her heated eyes glistened moistly, and within those black pupils burned intense greed and desire.
"Though I won, you're the only one who's ever fought me on such equal footing."
Smoothly, she caressed her face and stomach with a flushed expression.
There were no wounds, but those were all the spots I'd... no, the Demon King had struck by controlling my left arm.
"The thrill and excitement from that fight are still vivid. And this isn't just from an equal duel or getting wounded after so long. It was your cleverness, defying me despite your weakness; the murderous glint amid the flying blood; the lives we exchanged through our fists... Yes, back then, I truly peered deep into your soul. In other words, it was a conversation of the body. And so, I fell for you."
She clenched her fist tightly, baring her teeth fiercely with an utterly serious expression.
"And I suspect you felt the same. We've already shared a physical bond, no different from lovers or spouses. That's what the world calls it."
"...What kind of bullshit are you spouting?"
I dismissed her long-winded speech in one go and shook my head in disbelief.
"Peered into me? You must've hit your head too hard and hallucinated."
"Hehe. No need to be shy, my love."
"......"
A chill ran down my spine, making me shudder.
"Charhela. You're joking, right?"
"No joke."
"You really want to marry me?"
"Yes."
"...This is the body of Starnassila Alzen."
"Incest is common enough. Even in the Empire, it's done in secret, isn't it?"
"...And I'm some unknown entity possessing Starnassila Alzen's body?"
"That's precisely why I feel no repulsion or resistance. Plus, as I said, I've already seen into you, so there's no issue. Of course, claiming to know everything about you would be arrogant... We'll learn the finer details as we live together from now on."
"......"
I was speechless and gaped at her.
"She's completely insane. Missing some basic human screw, isn't she?"
"Hahaha! I hear that a lot!"
Even harsh criticism pointing out the problem didn't faze her; she brushed it off casually, stalling the conversation.
"...Aren't you curious what happened to Starnassila Alzen?"
"Didn't you say you don't know either? Besides, you mentioned a god intervened for you to enter that body. So... it's not for me to meddle. I'm a bit worried, but Beast God Kubel and Goddess of Birth Tumoah are both benevolent deities, so everything will follow its natural course."
"...You're nuts."
"Oh dear, that constant criticism is getting hard to take. We're to be family soon; shouldn't you work on that?"
Her bold words killed my desire to talk entirely, and a sigh escaped me.
"...Hey, Murel. What the hell did you do to let it get this far? You should've run, even by force, instead of listening to that nonsense."
"Um..."
To my question, she gave a wry smile, her smooth, gleaming breasts resting on my head as she lay there.
"There was nothing I could do. I had to protect you first, Han-gil."
"...Me?"
"Yes. Right after the duel, Charhela took you hostage..."
"...Those barbarian warriors kept yapping about glory and pride; is taking hostages considered glorious among them?"
I narrowed my eyes and glared; Charhela scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"No, I know it's shameful. But I couldn't just let you go. I had questions, and as Great Chieftain, I couldn't afford to lose you... Ah, right. And there's the oracle from Kubel God too."
"...Oracle?"
I mulled over her words for a moment, then widened my eyes.
"Wait, oracle? You just said oracle."
"Yes."
"Why mention it now? Kubel gave an oracle? He had the power left? Wasn't his divinity all but gone?"
Her expression darkened menacingly at my words.
"Alzen... no, Han-gil, was it."
She glanced sideways at Murel and clenched her fist.
"Even so, insulting a god like that is hard to tolerate. Utterly irreverent."
"Shut up and tell me about this oracle first. What did it say?"
"You..."
Her lips twitched as if to snap back in anger, but she sighed in resignation instead.
"Haa... So much to teach my husband as his wife. How to handle this wretched man..."
"...Don't do that. Gives me the creeps. Seriously."
I shuddered all over; she chuckled and nodded.
"Anyway... the oracle was brief. 'Simply resolve their worries as they are.' That was it."
"...Their worries?"
I looked at her puzzled; she sighed again.
"Yes. You may know this, but our 'Kubel's Claw' tribe is in the process of uniting the nomadic tribes of the northern wilderness."
"Ah... Yeah, I know. But isn't that almost done?"
At the original story's start, Charhela was already the queen of the barbarian kingdom, so timing-wise, yes.
As if agreeing, she nodded sharply.
"Correct. Almost done. Just a few more tribes to subjugate, and the northern wilderness will be unified. But recently... one of those tribes has been acting strangely."
"What, demons appeared?"
"High possibility."
"Huh?"
Charhela clashing with demons while unifying the northern barbarians? I quickly searched my setting knowledge, but no such event.
"You're sure? About demons."
"Circumstantially, yes. That tribe wields undead, shows bizarre physical changes... and above all, they emanate demonic energy. Probably demons pulling strings from behind."
"Hmm..."
A spark of interest ignited.
"In short, the oracle is telling you to use us to crush them?"
"Can't be sure, but it's the only worry we have, so probably."
"...Fine. I'll help."
I need to figure out what that damned dog-god Kubel is thinking and plotting.
And squeeze hefty rewards if possible.
"Ooh! Really? Perfect! See, a good husband is a blessing!"
"Stop that..."
I rubbed my goosebumped arms and sat up.
"But that's that. Not doing it for free."
"What? Demanding payment? Too stingy. A husband like that will get fleeced. By me, no less."
"...Shut up and draw the ritual tattoo."
"Ritual tattoo?"
Caught off guard, she tilted her head.
"Not sure about the others, but I learned my lesson this time. I need one."
"Hmm, you sure? An Imperial getting a ritual tattoo will draw sharp looks."
"Don't care. So, can you do it?"
She grinned widely.
Joy, pride, and admiration gleamed in that smile.
"Truly, I picked a fine husband material. No prejudices like that, you'll adapt well here."
"Please, I have zero intention of marrying you, so cut the crap..."
I grumbled at her while slowly looking around.
"By the way, where are the others? Why just Murel?"
"Ah, the rest are at our tribe's traditional festival."
"Festival?"
"As I said, per our laws, we share alcohol and food to dissolve old grudges and hatreds, forgetting them. Necessary since you became my husband."
"......"
Much to say, but I nodded and slowly stood.
"Not calling me to a place with booze? You're all mad."
"Han-gil, no alcohol."
"Hey, Murel. This isn't me wanting to drink; it's the tribe's law. As Charhela's husband, to resolve grudges, I need to mingle, eat, and drink with them. Right?"
I glanced at Charhela for confirmation; she burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Exactly! Sharp mind! My husband indeed!"
"...Stop."
"You said it first this time!"
"...Anyway, let's go. Curious about barbarian booze."
I licked my lips and stepped forward; a heavy sigh came from Murel behind.
Ignoring it, I pushed aside the cloth serving as Ger's door and stepped outside.