Chapter 332: Blazing Flames of the Battlefield[R-18] (50)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 332: Blazing Flames of the Battlefield[R-18] (50)
Nautica. That was the name of this city.
The heart of Planet Eratus. As a city floating like a massive platform on the water's surface, everything was systematic and refined. I was walking with Elena through Nautica’s residential district.
A long, awkward silence stretched between us.
Elena walked cautiously beside me, stealing glances whenever she could. Then she would blush, cover her cheeks with both hands, and shake her head.
She must still be thinking about the kiss.
I couldn't help but smile. I looked around as if nothing was wrong. Shops lined the well-maintained streets, their glass panels gleaming, and automated, unmanned vehicles zipped across them. It was a much more sophisticated city than I had expected.
"Major."
Elena flinched at the sound of my voice and awkwardly turned her head.
"Y-yes?"
"Where did Brol say that shop was?"
She fumbled for a moment, pulling out her terminal.
"W-wait a second… I'll find it right away…"
Elena stopped walking as she operated the device. I quietly stopped beside her.
"Uh… found it. It says to go that way. About three blocks to the left."
"Let's go."
I nodded and stepped aside slightly to let her lead. She hesitated for a moment before cautiously walking ahead. I followed, matching her slow pace.
"…Why do you keep staring at me?"
Elena suddenly turned her head and asked. She looked like she was about to frown, but embarrassment seemed to win out as her cheeks flushed red.
"I wasn't staring."
"Liar. You keep glancing… with those eyes…"
"Those eyes?"
"I-I mean… like that day…"
She couldn't finish her sentence and quickly turned back, hastening her steps. I swallowed a laugh. Seeing the usually cool-headed woman so flustered was a refreshing change.
Is she having delusions now?
After walking for a while, the surrounding scenery began to change. As we neared the maintenance district, the streets grew louder, and vehicles carrying heavy equipment and parts passed by intermittently.
"The shop Brol mentioned… it's probably over there."
Elena stopped and pointed. A building with a steel exterior and a half-open shutter. A neon sign in the shape of weapons and parts flickered above the entrance.
"Let's head inside."
The shop was larger than I expected. The walls were lined with all sorts of customization parts and armaments, and in the back, a drone arm was automatically assembling a component. A few mercenary-types were consulting with someone inside, and a clerk spotted us and walked over.
"Looking for something?"
"There should be a parts reservation under the name Brol."
I said, holding out the document. The clerk gave it a cursory glance and nodded.
"Ah, this way."
We followed the clerk to a storage area in the back of the shop. This place was more like a maintenance bay, with various pieces of mech equipment lined up on the floor.
"Please wait here a moment. I'll bring it right out."
After the employee left, Elena quietly tugged on my sleeve.
"What is it?"
She avoided my gaze for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.
"…I was just wondering if we're going to keep working with Brol."
"Do you still want to go back to the Earth Federation?"
Elena blinked in surprise and shook her head.
"No… that's not it. It's just…"
She bit her lip slightly before continuing quietly.
"It's about whether we can trust him. I'm still not sure."
I narrowed my eyes, my gaze fixed ahead.
"…He's certainly a mercenary who's more like a pirate, and he acts on instinct."
"That's why I'm worried," she added.
He could betray us at any moment. That wasn't just her concern. I had considered it enough myself.
But strangely, my gut told me otherwise.
"…I don't think he's that type of person. It's just a feeling."
Elena bowed her head, still looking unconvinced.
"If you can't trust him, then just think of it as using him."
At my words, she looked up at me for a moment.
"…Well, if you say so, I'll trust you and follow your lead for now."
"By the way, Major. You've dropped the formalities, haven't you?"
"Huh? Oh… sorry. Did that bother you?"
"No, I like it. It feels like we've gotten closer."
"Ugh…"
Just then, the employee returned with the parts.
"Here you are."
We took the parts and left the shop. On the way back, we stopped at a restaurant with a decent atmosphere for a simple meal. Soft music that matched the lively noise of the city enveloped us.
"This place is nicer than I thought."
"I know. I never imagined a place like this was hidden somewhere in space."
Elena said, looking around. As we engaged in comfortable conversation, the tension in her shoulders gradually eased.
After finishing our meal, we continued our conversation while taking a slow walk to aid our digestion.
"It's been a while since I've had time like this," Elena murmured in a small voice.
"It has. Things have been so hectic lately."
A moment of silence passed. The wind gently rustled her blonde hair, and I quietly watched her profile.
"And… thank you for saving me. If you hadn't found me, I might have died on that escape vessel."
Elena looked at me with a serious expression. I smiled lightly and spoke in a playful, low whisper.
"If you're that grateful… can I kiss you again?"
Her eyes widened in an instant, and a blush quickly spread across her face. She pressed her lips together nervously, then averted her gaze and answered quietly.
"O-okay…"
The moment she finished speaking, I wrapped my arm firmly around her waist. I didn't care about the noise of the street or the eyes of those around us.
Our lips met. Deeper and much hotter than the first time.
Mwah… Chuuup… Haah…
I could feel her breath tremble as I slowly bit the tip of her lip and pulled gently. Elena's hand came to rest on my chest. Her trembling fingertips, the tension she couldn't hide. Over it all, my tongue pushed past her lips.
"Ngh…?!"
Her body flinched in surprise, but I leisurely wrapped my tongue around hers, exploring deep inside her mouth. I tightened my hand on her waist, and she quietly closed her eyes, surrendering her lips to me.
Our breaths mingled, and sticky saliva trickled from the corners of our mouths. As our tongues intertwined, the kiss grew more and more intense.
I slid my hand down and placed my palm on her buttock. I could feel its firm, springy texture through her clothes, and I gave it a squeeze.
But Elena's eyes shot open, and she glared at me, swatting my hand away.
"Haah… I didn't give you permission for that…"
"Alright. Then… this time, stick your tongue out for me."
Her eyes wavered. After a moment's hesitation, Elena parted her trembling, shame-filled lips.
The tip of her tongue slowly emerged from the gap, and I didn't miss my chance, sucking on it gently.
Slurp… Jjup… Chuuuuup…
"Lillian~ Lillian~ When oh when will it be done~"
I was pestering Lillian, humming as I watched her work.
As expected, she reacted immediately.
"Aaaargh! You crazy bastard! How many days has it been! I can't focus because of you, so it's taking even longer!"
"Hearing a crazy bitch who wanted to dissect a human body call me a crazy bastard feels a little weird~ Hurry up and finish~ We're way past the promised time~"
"Kyaaaah!"
"Wow~ It's a pterodactyl~"
"I'm going to kill you!"
Lillian finally exploded, charging at me while swinging a monkey wrench.
"Whoops."
I lightly pushed myself up and jumped. In an instant, I was on the steel beams of the maintenance bay ceiling, looking down at her.
"Get down from there right now!"
Lillian ground her teeth, glaring up at me from below.
"You'll hit me if I come down~"
"Just… one hit. I'll just smack you on the back of the head once!"
"Uh, getting hit with that would kill a person."
"You're tough, you won't die! So let me hit you just once!"
"Nope~"
She threw the wrench in her hand against the wall with all her might. Clang! The sound of metal hitting the wall echoed as it bounced off.
"Aaargh! This is so annoying! Get out! Get out right now and go suck face with that blonde bitch and the brown-haired bitch!"
"Don't worry. I'll be doing that too. So just hurry up and finish."
I squatted on the steel beam and looked down at her.
"Haa… I'm almost done… so please stop… you crazy bastard."
"Alright. I'll stop messing around."
I slowly lowered myself from the beam and landed on the floor. Lillian still looked pissed off, but there was a strange hint of exhaustion in her eyes.
"But are you really almost done?" I asked.
"Yeah. All that's left is the final alignment. Your damn machine, Requiem. You can consider it ready to move again."
Lillian said with her arms crossed. Her words were rough, but her voice was laced with a strange sense of pride. I smiled lightly, walked over to her, and placed a hand on her shoulder. Lillian flinched slightly and avoided my gaze.
"You worked hard, Lillian. I mean it."
"…You won't get anything out of me with compliments."
"Hey, don't be so cold when I'm expressing my sincere feelings."
"…Hah, whatever. Talking to you just wears me out…"
"Well then, I'll be on my way."
"Get lost already!"
Leaving the familiar bickering behind, I left the maintenance bay. I headed straight down the corridor toward the room where Elena was staying.
When I arrived in front of her door, I could hear subtle voices from within.
"Major, men are animals who think with their dicks, not their heads. So if you just get a grip on that, they're helpless."
"Really…?"
"Yes. Don't overthink it. If you just take the lead, he'll just… well, you'll have him wrapped around your finger."
Carla's familiar, playful voice, and Elena's slightly hesitant response. I paused in front of the door.
Leaning in slightly, I could hear the conversation inside more clearly.
"But, Carla… is that really all it takes?"
"Of course. Men are creatures who are faithful to their instincts. If someone as beautiful and elegant as you, Major, just sets the mood a little… it's over."
"But… it's my first time, so I don't know how… What should I do… I heard he's very experienced…"
"Heehee, don't worry. I'll teach you everything, step by step."
"Okay…"
Elena's voice was somewhat anxious and shy, but Carla's tone was thoroughly relaxed and mischievous. I could feel a strange sense of enjoyment in her unique, cheerful playfulness.
I hesitated in front of the door for a moment. If I just barged in and broke the mood, they would definitely freeze up.
Well, I'll just save my kiss time with Elena for later…
I quietly turned on my heel and headed toward my own room, pretending I hadn't heard a thing. As I walked slowly down the hall, I heard Elena's small voice again from beyond the door.
"So… what if, he doesn't make a move first… can I do it first?"
"Yes, in that case, just pounce on him. Once you get his dick inside your pussy, a man can't do a thing. Especially for a blonde beauty like you, Major!"
I could clearly hear the sound of Elena swallowing, even through the crack in the door.
"Gulp… So that's how it is…?"
"That's right. And this is my own special move…"
I intentionally didn't listen to what came next. There was no reason to get spoilers ahead of time.
I'm looking forward to it.
A slight smile played on my lips as I leisurely walked down the corridor.