Assassination Attempt
Tension hung thick in the air.
"Mmh..."
"......"
"Nngh~"
Pained groans laced with agonizing conflict leaked from the mouths of the three girls, each glaring daggers at their hand of cards. Sharp, guarded glances sliced through the stifling atmosphere.
"...I'm playing a Queen here! That reverses the turn order! And then, an attack with a Joker!"
"Kgh...!?"
Leona gasped in dismay at the sudden strike. Wearing a thoroughly disgruntled pout, she drew five cards from the deck and added them to her hand.
"Heh, heheheh...! You made a mistake, Vivian! You've only handed me an opportunity! I'll play three Twos, the Ace of Spades, and finish with a Jack! Which means the next turn skips a person and lands right back on you, Vivian!"
"Whaaat!? W-Wait...!"
Vivian frantically scanned the two remaining cards in her hand, but finding no way to defend herself, she bit her lip and drew a whopping eleven cards from the deck.
"Just you wait. I'm going to get my revenge...!"
"Fufufu. Try it if you can!"
"One card."
"Aaaah!? That's foul, Cecilia! Slipping your card down while people are talking is totally cheating!"
"My, this is merely strategy, you know?"
"You didn't shout it, you whispered it! Does that even count!?"
"I don't see why not."
"No way! If that's allowed, people could just mumble under their breath and claim they said it!" Vivian snapped, spinning toward me. "Orabeoni! Give us a ruling!"
"Wait a moment," Cecilia said. "What does Lord Alzen have to do with this?"
"Because my brother is the one who invented this game!"
"What!?"
"Really...!? In that case...!"
At Vivian's declaration, the sharp gazes of the other two snapped directly to me.
I had just been enjoying the show from the sidelines, so having all those wide, earnest eyes suddenly pinned on me was a little overwhelming.
"Uh... yeah, I'm pretty sure you have to shout it loud enough for everyone to hear."
"I knew it! Did you hear that!? That doesn't count!"
"No...!"
"Come on, come on! Pick up your cards!"
"Kgh...!"
Cecilia shot me a fierce glare before reaching out with a trembling hand to draw a penalty card.
Vivian and Leona watched her like hawks, their eyes darting rapidly across their own hands. Just watching their pupils roll was enough to tell how many strategies and tactics were being formulated, discarded, and rewritten in their heads.
"Man, the suspense is real. Aren't they taking a card game a little too seriously?"
"The Saintess has rarely had the chance to play with peers her own age," Wendy murmured, having slipped quietly into the seat beside me. "Perhaps that is why she is so deeply immersed."
I gave an understanding nod.
"Fair enough. Vivian and Leona aren't much different in that regard... somehow, birds of a feather flocked together."
"Indeed. It is truly a relief. To be honest, I was quite worried about the Saintess's social life... I am glad to see her making friends like this."
Glancing sideways at Wendy's profile, I nudged my cup toward her. "Drink?"
She offered a soft smile and shook her head.
"My apologies. I do not consume alcohol while on escort duty."
"Didn't you say you were on leave?"
"Circumstances have changed. Especially when I now have two protectees to look after, I cannot afford to drink."
"Two...?" I pointed at my own chest. "Wait, you're guarding me, too?"
She gave me a slightly baffled look, as if wondering why I would even ask.
"Is that not obvious? Lord Han-gil currently has no guard. An assassination syndicate has marked you, yet you intend to remain completely defenseless?"
"I mean, I'm not going to complain if you're volunteering... but while I don't mind you calling me by my real name in private, you'd better switch it back when other people are around, got it?"
"Of course. I am well aware."
"Make sure you drill that into Cecilia's head, too. That girl can be pretty scatterbrained—she's definitely the type to accidentally blurt out my name in public."
"Mm, quite true. I shall remind her thoroughly."
With that, silence settled between us as we watched the three youngsters continue their fiery, cutthroat battle of cards.
"...There is one thing I am curious about," Wendy spoke up softly.
"Yeah? What's that?"
"Is your disregard for your own life because you were forcibly pushed into that body?"
"You could say that."
"However, if you truly perish, you will fail to fulfill the Goddess's will. I believe that is rather irresponsible."
"...And what exactly are you trying to say?"
When I narrowed my eyes and bared my teeth in annoyance, she met my gaze for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.
"Compared to the grand objective of slaying the Evil God, your conduct appears far too precarious. I wish you would value your own life a little more."
I felt an immediate wave of fatigue at the lecture. It was getting old.
First Muriel, now her... What kind of impression was I giving off that everyone felt the need to say this to me?
"None of your business. Besides, it's not like I have any intention of dying easily."
"I say this precisely because you do not look that way at all. Look at the current situation. Was there truly a need to push all three of them into the trial at once? Even just for your own security, you could have kept one behind, rotating them once the first passed."
"...Are you nagging me right now?"
Letting out a dry chuckle, I reached out and poked her cheek with a finger.
"We're not close enough for you to lecture me. Don't cross the line."
"...I see. So this is what it feels like to stand by your side."
"What?"
The very next moment, my world shifted—and somehow, my head was resting squarely in her lap.
"...???"
Utterly bewildered, I looked up. Wendy leaned down, looking back at me with a faintly mischievous smile playing upon her lips.
"Watching someone as fragile as you act so flippant and brash does stir a bit of irritation. Furthermore, that precarious demeanor naturally triggers a protective instinct."
"And what does that have to do with this!?"
She was wearing lightweight, flexible leather armor, so there was barely any bare skin to feel. Even so, the firm yet supple contour beneath was unmistakable.
"In short, it makes one want to seize the upper hand. Your habit of drawing lines and pushing people away only provokes stronger resistance, driving one to be more assertive."
"...And you're telling me this is seizing the upper hand?"
"By process of elimination, yes."
"Process of elimination?"
"You are not the type one can easily best in an argument. Surprisingly, your reasoning is always sound, your eloquence is remarkable, and you hold high noble status. Resorting to physical force is even more out of the question; flexing martial might against someone as delicate as you would merely feel hollow. Which leaves this as the only viable method."
I let out a dumbfounded laugh.
"So you're saying the only way to get the better of me is a honey trap?"
"If one wishes to be close to you, this seems to be virtually the only way. If one were an enemy seeking dominance, open warfare would be the only alternative."
"Aren't your extremes a little too wild?"
"When your personality, actions, and words are extreme, extreme situations are an inevitable consequence."
"......"
Was that so?
Come to think of it, she kind of had a point.
"Indeed, look at you now. Have you not quieted down?"
Her calloused, steady hand gently brushed back my hair.
"Unbelievable. Hey, isn't closing the distance this fast just because the Goddess paid a visit a bit much?"
"...Lord Han-gil. The descent of the Goddess is not a matter to be spoken of so lightly. Anyone of our faith who witnessed and heard Her divine will would act just as I am."
"Hah, if I knew it'd be like this, I should've pulled that stunt right in the middle of the Holy See. Then the Pope and every last cardinal would be groveling at my feet."
"I rather doubt that would be the case, but..."
She gave a wry smile, then applied steady pressure to my temples, massaging them in firm circles.
"Oh... whoa. That feels amazing."
"Does it? Then how about here?"
Her thumbs moved down to knead the base of my neck and shoulders, sending a shiver of relief straight down my spine. Despite the awkward angle, her overwhelming grip strength expertly untied every knotted muscle, melting my body into complete lethargy in seconds.
"Ohhh... incredible. You could do this for a living."
"Heh... A woman working as a masseuse? What an amusing notion."
"...Ah."
Right. This was a conservative medieval fantasy world.
Even if female masseuses existed here, the profession was almost certainly synonymous with sex work.
"...My bad. That was out of line."
"So you know how to apologize. You have your cute sides after all."
"......"
Was Wendy always like this?
No matter how I looked at it, this felt like way too sharp a pivot.
I stared up at her with mixed feelings, but her expression was an unreadable mask of composure. I let out a defeated sigh.
"Whatever. I definitely like the massage. Come by every day from tomorrow on."
"Every day?"
"Yeah. You said you were worried about my safety, right? You can guard me while giving me a massage."
"......"
Her hands froze. Silence fell over her.
"What's with the face?"
"Do you realize what you just did? For a moment there, it felt as though you opened your heart to me."
"Huh...?"
"How should I put it... like a prickly, wary wild fox suddenly showing its belly. You truly know how to act like a vixen. Impressive. You are a natural-born flirt."
"......"
Before I could find the words to counter that ridiculous assessment, a subtle smile touched her lips, and her hands resumed their rhythmic kneading.
This woman was definitely a variety I hadn't encountered before.
She was so eccentric I couldn't get a read on her.
"I woooon!"
"Kgh...! By just one card...!"
"Lost again...!"
Meanwhile, Vivian leapt up with a triumphant roar, pumping her fist in the air. Just moments ago she had been in a hopeless pinch, but she had somehow pulled off a turnaround.
"...Wait!? Hold on a second! Lord Alzen! Why are you lying with your head in Wendy's lap!?"
"Because her lap was right there?"
"What kind of nonsense is that!? Get up right now! Wendy! You shouldn't offer your body so easily either! How many times have I told you? Men are wolves!"
"Oh, please."
I snorted at the little Saintess's lecturing tone, which earned me a flurry of indignant pokes to my ribs from an enraged Cecilia.
Even as time ticked away, the three women who had entered the Invitation of the Forgotten showed no signs of emerging.
"It's taking longer than I expected..."
"Isn't that obvious? Elevating one's realm of martial power is hardly an easy task."
Having finished dinner right in my room, Cecilia spoke in an instructively pompous tone, as if teaching me the ways of the world. I responded by flicking her squarely on the forehead.
"Ouch!? D-Did you just flick me!? You hit me!?"
"You hit me every chance you get."
"That is because you do things that warrant it, Lord Han-gil! I didn't say anything wrong!"
"You're only saying that because you don't know how this artifact actually works."
If the knowledge poured into my head was accurate, time inside the artifact's trial flowed considerably faster than in reality. Whether they passed or failed, they should have reappeared much sooner than this.
Did something go wrong?
"Mmh..."
Then again, even that wasn't an absolute certainty.
While I had peered into the future using the Demon King's authority, the branches of possibility were practically infinite—and on top of that, the Goddess and Her divine power, which lay entirely outside the Demon King's reach, had been introduced as major variables.
Perhaps the future had shifted due to factors beyond my awareness, causing the trial to take longer than usual.
"......"
Well, it wasn't like they were in any mortal danger inside, so there was no need to panic.
"By the way, when are you kids planning on heading back?" I asked, looking toward Cecilia as well as Vivian and Leona, who were still lounging about comfortably.
"Ah, well..."
Leona, the only timid one among them, shrank back and looked around anxiously, but Vivian raised her voice without a shred of hesitation.
"Orabeoni! Can we sleep in your room tonight?"
"...Why?"
"Because it sounds like more fun!"
"Mmh... No. If you want a sleepover, go sleep in your own rooms."
"What!? Why!?" Vivian's eyes went wide as saucers, utterly shocked, as if the concept of being rejected hadn't even crossed her mind.
"Because for once, I'd like to enjoy some time alone."
"Huh? What are you talking about!? You're always alone anyway!"
"......"
I see what you think of me, Vivian.
"Lord Alzen. Please, just accept it. Are you truly aware of your current predicament?"
I sighed under Wendy's reproaching glare.
Right. The Greenjack syndicate was gunning for me... I'd had a bit to drink, so it had slipped my mind.
"...Do whatever you want."
"Yay~! I'm going to grab my pajamas! Leona! Cecilia! You guys too!"
"Y-Yeah!"
"Understood!"
Watching the kids scramble out of the room in a chaotic rush, I turned to Wendy.
"Aren't you going to get your pajamas?"
"I intend to remain fully armed for the time being."
"Suit yourself... But wait, shouldn't you be staying by the Saintess's side at least?"
"At present, Lord Han-gil is an individual of comparable importance to the Saintess herself."
"That much...?"
"That much."
The Goddess's endorsement really was something else. I felt a mild surge of awe.
Before long, the girls returned. Even after the lights were turned off, they chattered endlessly, showing zero inclination to sleep.
While occupying the dead center of my bed, no less.
Sure, there was only one bed in the room so sleeping space was limited... but was it really proper to shove the master of the room into the corner while they sprawled out across the center?
In the end, relying on the lingering buzz of alcohol, I barely managed to drift off.
Regrettably, that shallow slumber didn't last very long.
Clang! Screeech!
In the dead of the night, an assassin breached the room.