Seraphim (2)
"Don't you like the Captain?"
"…"
Objectively speaking, she was more beautiful than any woman I'd ever seen in the real world.
Her pink hair looked as soft as silk, and her porcelain skin glowed faintly.
Above all, her eyes shimmered with a mystical luster, like the finest jewels.
And besides…
To be honest, before possessing this body, I'd been a lifelong singleton glued to games.
Naturally, I had zero immunity to the temptations of a beautiful woman.
It was the same after coming to this world.
The beauties I'd met so far were mostly superiors like Balderic or my subordinates.
There were clear lines drawn with them, so this kind of direct seduction never even arose.
But Seraphim was different.
She wasn't my superior or subordinate—technically, we were equals.
Then she took another step closer.
I heard the soft rustle of her silk dress brushing against itself.
Her slender fingers trailed slowly up my arm.
It was a feather-light touch, yet it burned like fire where she touched.
"Hoo… Captain, you smell so good…"
Her hot breath tickled my nape. A sweet fragrance teased my nose.
My heart started racing.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My pulse, faster than usual, echoed in my ears.
Honestly… I was shaken.
For a peerless beauty like this to press her body close and whisper—any man who didn't react would be the weirdo.
Moreover, the lustful aura radiating from her directly stimulated my instincts.
A heat like poison spread through my veins, setting my whole body ablaze.
But fortunately, I never let go of the reins of my reason.
Probably the effect of my Supernatural Ability.
"I think that's enough playing around."
To counter the overwhelming lustful aura she exuded, I unleashed the presence I'd been holding back.
Boom—!
Black energy exploded outward.
The air grew heavy, starting to devour the surrounding pink haze.
"Eek—!"
Seraphim flinched, pulling her fingers away in surprise.
But it was only for a moment—her face flushed even deeper.
A dangerous madness swirled in her pink eyes.
"Haa… An incredible presence that doesn't pale next to the Demon King…"
She licked her lips.
Like a predator spotting prey.
"Captain, do you know? When I see a strong man…"
Suddenly, she thrust her face right up to mine.
Our noses nearly touched. Her sweet breath brushed my lips.
"I just can't hold back."
And the next moment—
"?!"
Her unexpected action left me completely frozen.
It was so shocking even my ability wavered for an instant.
Seraphim licked my cheek.
A warm, wet sensation glided across my skin.
Fuck, what the hell is she doing?!
"Mmm~ Delicious."
She smacked her lips with a satisfied expression.
Like a kid who'd just licked a candy.
This… this crazy bitch.
Goosebumps erupted all over my body.
Zeke, you bastard… You dumped me with this lunatic?
Now I perfectly understood why the Demon King had left an apology and fled in a hurry.
He couldn't handle this woman either and ran.
"Heeheehee… You can make that face too, Captain?"
Seraphim giggled and took a step back.
"Your usual icy statue look is cool, but… that flustered expression just now was so cute."
She traced her lips with a finger.
"That was just a greeting. Since it was our first meeting, I kept it light."
Light?
Licking someone's cheek was a light greeting?
"From now on…"
Seraphim's eyes curved like crescent moons.
"Even more fun things await… so look forward to it, Captain."
I instinctively stepped back further.
At that moment, in the Demon King's castle…
"Heh heh heh…"
Zeke let out a meaningful chuckle amid the mountain of piled-up documents.
Administrative work that would normally annoy him to no end felt like heaven today.
This boring paperwork was pure bliss.
"Ehehe… Better paperwork hell than dealing with that psycho bitch."
Twirling his pen, Zeke flashed a victorious grin.
"Astra, sorry, but… suffer in my place for a bit. Kekeke."
Vael opened the door and entered.
"Father, why are you in such a good mood?"
"Oh, Vael. It's nothing. Just…"
Zeke gazed out the window with a pleased expression.
Toward the Ruberia territory.
"I feel like I made a very wise decision today."
"…Is it because you sent the Captain to Lady Seraphim?"
"Eahaha, caught me."
Zeke shrugged.
"Just imagining the chaos that woman will cause… it's delightful. I wonder if Astra can endure it?"
"…Father, you're awful."
"Well, finding the Soul Orchid chaos and handling Seraphim too—killing two birds with one stone, right? Win-win, win-win."
* * *
Should I follow her or not…
I was following Seraphim, but I was on edge, not knowing when she'd pull another stunt.
It felt like walking with a live bomb in my arms.
Five meters.
That was the minimum safe distance I aimed to keep.
"Captain~ Why are you walking so far back?"
Seraphim turned and beckoned me.
"Oh, are you having naughty fantasies about my back—"
"Stop."
I cut her off before she could spew more lewd nonsense.
"Hehe… Even keeping your distance so coldly…"
She licked her lips.
"Looks delicious."
Fuck, not cool—delicious…
I swallowed a curse inwardly.
Ha… If it weren't for Baekseol, I'd have bolted already.
"Oh, right, Captain! We're here~"
A massive obsidian gate loomed before us.
The Ruberia family's castle was overgrown with black rose vines, thorns faintly glowing pink.
The Castle of Lust, huh.
As the gates opened, a thick perfume scent assaulted my nose.
No, not perfume—something more primal and dangerous.
The moment I entered Seraphim's castle, I instinctively noticed the differences from others.
First, the inhabitants inside.
The gardeners tending the yard, the maids—no, servants—cleaning the halls, the guards at the doors: shockingly, not a single woman in sight.
Only men.
Second, their condition.
What the hell is this…
Every one had dark circles sagging to their cheekbones, cheeks hollowed like skulls.
Pale skin devoid of vitality, unfocused eyes, bodies reduced to skin and bones.
As if their very life force had been sucked dry.
Some couldn't even walk properly, leaning on walls just to stand; others wobbled while carrying heavy trays.
Then my eyes met a young servant's.
His gaze mixed despair, pity, and warning.
His trembling lips tried to form words, but he glanced at Seraphim and hurriedly bowed his head.
Another victim…
Poor bastard, you'll be next soon…
Run while you can…
I could tell without him saying it.
Their terrified eyes all conveyed the same message.
"Hehehe… What are you doing?"
Seraphim followed my gaze and smiled meaningfully.
"Staring so intently at my darlings… Oh, are you jealous?"
She stepped closer.
Her pink eyes sparkled playfully.
"It's fine. You're special, so I'll treat you much better. Way~ better than those boys."
"…"
I let out a deep sigh and fixed her with a cold stare.
"Enough. Take me to your office. I need to explain why I'm here."
"Oh my~ You want to go to the office alone with me?"
Seraphim clasped her hands and twisted her body exaggeratedly.
"In that enclosed space… just the two of us… hehe, what on earth are you planning…"
"…"
"Oh, are you going to confess to me or—"
"Do you want to die?"
My voice dropped to subzero chill.
At the same time, I released a sliver of my presence, letting sharp killing intent leak out.
Seraphim's expression stiffened for a moment, then lit up brighter.
"Wow… So cool! That icy glare! That threatening voice!"
She cupped her cheeks in ecstasy.
"Ah~ Goosebumps! That murderous stare like you're really going to kill me! My heart's pounding!"
…This woman is truly insane.
"Can't you be serious for even a second?"
I asked in an exhausted tone.
"Oh, but I am serious every moment?"
Seraphim widened her eyes innocently.
"I'm seriously observing, savoring every expression, every tone, every action of yours. Especially that killing glare just now…"
She licked her lips and half-closed her eyes.
"It was pure ecstasy. Want to show me more?"
…Communication impossible.
I shook my head in resignation.
I was the fool for expecting a normal conversation with this lunatic.
"Office. Now."
Any more talk was pointless.
I commanded firmly.
"Hehe, ordering me around like that makes it even better…"
Seraphim turned and walked ahead.
Deliberately swaying her hips side to side in an exaggerated sway that caught my eye.
I should look away…
But my eyes unconsciously followed the motion.
I disgusted myself.
Damn, is this her ability too? Yeah, must be—otherwise, no way I'd act like this.
"This way, Captain~"
The servants we passed in the hall all looked at me with pitying eyes.
Like they were watching a lamb led to slaughter.
Why am I going through this hell…
I glanced at the Frost Flower Gloves on my hand and steeled myself.
Right—this is all to keep my promise. I can endure this much.
"Oh, by the way, my office connects to my bedroom."
"What?"
My voice rose involuntarily.
"Just kidding~ Hehe, you're so cute!"
Seraphim burst into laughter and stopped before a massive door.
"But half of it's true. My office… is a bit special."
She opened the door, and a thick scent hit my nose.
It felt less like an office and more like a space for… other purposes.
"Come in."
Seraphim's expression shifted for an instant.
Seriousness flickered across her playful face.
"Now, shall we talk seriously about your 'purpose'?"