Siron's Jealous Rage
A prickly, ticklish sensation spreads across my face, wrapped in an inexplicable cozy warmth.
"……?"
"Ah, you're awake."
I open my eyes to see a palm glowing with soft golden light and hear a woman's voice I recognize.
"The healing isn't quite done yet, so keep your eyes closed for a bit~"
"Ah, yep."
I realize the voice belongs to the priestess who brought me breakfast and a note this morning, so I obediently close my eyes again. Soon, the warmth enveloping my face fades.
"There, you can get up now."
"Yep."
I quickly open my eyes and sit up. I've seen Vizelin use magic a few times since coming to this world, so I'm used to it, but I never imagined I'd end up getting healed in a temple. Wait, why am I getting healed in the first place?
I ask the priestess smiling seductively at me.
"Adventurer Siron?"
Instead of answering, she subtly turns her head back and glances downward. My eyes follow naturally, and there—crouched under the bed, peeking out with just her eyes—is Siron, staring at me.
"Siron?"
"……You okay?"
"Huh? With what?"
"……Don't remember?"
Actually, the moment I saw her face, it all came rushing back. The first time in my life I'd ever blacked out from a punch—hers. But I play dumb because her reaction is kinda cute, and pretending not to know seems like the best move for me right now. No point stirring up trouble. Hell, if I let this slide, maybe I can sneak past the fact that I got hard staring at other women. From the look on her face, she's probably feeling guilty enough to let it go anyway.
"Smith? You remember meeting me this morning, right?"
"Yep. Breakfast was delicious too. I remember."
"Hmm~"
"W-what?"
The priestess glances at Siron, who flinches and averts her eyes. Looks like she knows she messed up. That's what makes her so damn cute. Siron endures the priestess's stare for a while, peeking at my face like a scolded puppy.
"Y-you really don't remember?"
"No, seriously, what? Wait... I remember you coming to see me... but why was I lying in bed?"
The priestess glares at Siron a bit harder. Siron hesitates, then suddenly jumps to her feet.
"Ah!! Whatever!! It's nothing. Anyway, you're fine now, right?"
"Yeah? I felt sluggish this morning, but thanks to the priestess, I'm full of energy."
No joke—my sore back and whole body feel brand new.
"Then let's get outta here. Fuck, I don't wanna see this temple for a while."
"Uh... okay."
Is it cool to say that in front of the priestess? Then again, when has Siron ever cared about other people's feelings? Well, she does around Ardella. Anyway, I hop off the bed, feeling great. The second I do, Siron grabs my left hand.
"She said no charge, so we're good? Let's go?"
"Adventurer Siron, a woman assaulting a man—"
"Aaaah!! We're going!!"
"Eek—!! Th-thank you, priestess!!"
Siron drags me out of the temple at a near-run. Our destination? The East Guard Post.
"Whoa!! Smith!!"
"Holy shit?! Smith's here!!"
"Tell the captain!!"
The guards freak out at the sight of me, running around like headless chickens. My face burns with embarrassment.
"……What the hell's with those bitches?"
"Uh, no idea?"
I've got way too much to feel guilty about, so I dodge the question.
"B-but Siron, why the guards all of a sudden?"
"Dunno. That Kernax bitch came to visit and told me to bring you later."
"Ooh—"
Shit. Mess this up, and my skull might cave in. Visit? While I was having storm sex, what the hell was Siron up to?
"Anyway... you sure you're really okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. See?"
I flex my right arm, showing off my solid muscles.
"……Don't do that 'cause of other bitches."
"Heh, got it."
Siron's face flushes a bit. She's seriously so fucking cute. But I can't laugh. A storm's coming soon, and I know it. Damn it.
The guards escort us straight to Kernax's office at lightning speed.
"Just go right in—"
BAM!!
Before he finishes, Siron kicks the door open.
"Uh... then..."
Even the tough guards can't handle Siron's infamous brutality(?) and slink away down the hall.
"……Open doors with your hands, not your feet, Adventurer Siron."
"Yeah, I know."
Siron strides in, still holding my hand. I cleverly close the wide-open door with my butt.
"Glad you're both safe. Ah, have a seat there."
"Was gonna anyway."
No, Siron, normally you wait for an invite... We plop down side by side on a plush new sofa. Kernax sets aside her paperwork, stands, and sits across from us.
"So? Why'd you call us here for a visit?"
"Hm."
Kernax subtly glances at my face, pressed close to Siron's.
"……Why're you checking this asshole out?"
"Adventurer Siron."
"What, you bitch."
I can feel Siron's mood souring in real time—my arm hairs stand on end. She's growling like she's about to pounce. Kernax stares her down for a long moment before speaking slowly.
"Adventurer Siron. First, promise no violence in this room."
"Me? Why?"
"Even you can't cause a scene inside the guard post. I'd have to restrain you by the book."
"Hah, you think you could?"
"……You think I couldn't?"
Even the usually calm Kernax winces at Siron's nonstop provocations. Is this really how women fight? Their chests are pretty impressive, though.
They glare at each other forever. Kernax backs down first, as expected.
"Take responsibility for your actions."
"I'll handle it, princess. But I asked why you called—why the bullshit?"
"……."
As Siron presses again, Kernax's lips twitch a few times.
"Adventurer Siron."
Siron just nods like spit it out. Whatever hesitation remained vanishes, and Kernax lifts her head proudly.
"I've become lovers with Smith."
"……Huh?"
Siron's eyebrows shoot up in a V.
"Wait... did I hear wrong? What? What'd you just say?"
"I said I've become lovers with Smith."
GRIIIND.
Sitting right next to her, I hear a creepy grinding noise by my ear. A quick glance shows Siron's cheek trembling. She glares at Kernax with a twisted face. Kernax just silently meets her gaze, waiting for Siron to speak first.
"So... while I was gone a bit, you seduced Smith?"
My heart pounds so hard I worry it'll burst. Because truth is, I seduced her first. Kernax was trying to keep boundaries, but my clueless sex appeal made her half-give up and go along. She didn't chase me. If Siron finds out, that rage'll turn on me for sure.
I swallow hard, waiting for Kernax's answer.
"……Yes."
"Hah—!!"
Despite never seducing me, Kernax takes the blame for Siron. I'm so grateful tears well up. But the warm moment shatters instantly—the office atmosphere turns to pure shit.
CRACK!!
Siron's kick splits the table between them clean in half. Splinters fly straight into Kernax's face. She calmly brushes them off, doing nothing.
I'm so shocked I forget to breathe, frozen stiff.
"That all you got to say?"
"Adventurer Siron. I acknowledge you're first. But don't delude yourself. Smith isn't your possession—"
Before she finishes, Siron's foot moves again, kicking half the table into Kernax's face. But this time, Kernax fights back.
THUD!!
Her punch slams the fragments vertically into the floor, shattering them completely.
"……Smith isn't your possession."
"No shit, bitch."
"Yet to me, you act like you've forgotten that."
"Me? Hah! If I really thought that, your skull would've been mush ages ago."
"You, captured by heretics? Laughable."
"……What?"
"Don't play dumb. You heard me. Pathetic adventurer."
"You...!"
"Why? Pride hurt? No need. It's fact. Folks around here hype you as silver-rank, but you're delusional. Head to a capital city, and adventurers like you are a dime a dozen."
Veins bulge on the back of Siron's hands.
"Mad? Good. I thought you spewed shit at everyone 'cause you couldn't feel rage or shame. Relieved."
"You...!!"
"Smith."
Siron, fist half-raised, flinches at her name on Kernax's lips and freezes.
"Smith."
"Y-yeah?"
"Sorry, but head back to the guild for today."
"Uh... um..."
I eye Siron, half-standing and rigid. Is it really okay to leave? But Kernax's tone makes it clear— this is an order, not a request.
"Eavesdroppers outside. Escort Smith to the guild. Now."
—Y-yes, ma'am!!
A booming reply from outside; the door flies open, and three soldiers surround me.
"Smith. This is woman-to-woman talk. You being here as a guy won't help. Go."
"……Go home."
Kernax, then Siron—both tell me to leave. I glance between them, then nod reluctantly.