Chapter 410: The Hero Climaxes in Defeat Again Today[R-18] (13)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 410: The Hero Climaxes in Defeat Again Today[R-18] (13)
“More importantly…”
“Yes…?”
“You did well this time. If there's anything you want, tell me.”
Before I could even finish, a subtle waver passed through her eyes.
Then, she spoke cautiously.
“Um… I finished reading the second book. At the end… there was a certain scene.”
“What scene?”
“The scene where the previous Shadow Knight returns after a mission and receives a reward from her lord. But… it wasn't specified what the reward was…”
I took out the third book and said.
“The continuation of that scene is in here.”
Her ears perked up. When I held out the book, Ivril took it, flustered.
“Perhaps… you want the reward mentioned in there?”
“Yes…!”
The answer came without a moment's hesitation.
“Then, read it aloud yourself.”
Ivril caught her breath and opened the book. Her fingertips trembled slightly with nervousness, and the only sound breaking the bedroom's silence was the rustle of turning pages.
“…Here… here it is.”
Having found the page, she traced the line with her finger. But soon, her eyes widened, and her lips began to tremble. Her ears and cheeks flushed red, and her gaze slowly drifted shut.
“This… this is a bit…”
Ivril froze, still holding the book. The tips of her ears turned red, and her eyes darted from side to side.
“Why? Is it something you can't read?”
She flinched, then quickly shook her head.
“N-no… I'll read it.”
Looking back at the page cautiously, she took a deep breath. Then, she began to speak, enunciating each word, each sentence, clearly.
“The previous Shadow Knight… as a reward from her lord…”
Her lips quivered.
“…a-a kiss…”
Ivril's voice grew quieter. She brought the book closer and continued reading.
“It says… she wanted to kiss… her lord's lips…”
“Keep going.”
“…And… after that…”
Ivril swallowed hard.
“She was held in her lord's arms… and spent… the night… with him…”
Her voice trailed off into silence. Before she even finished, her cheeks had turned bright red, and she couldn't lift her head, as if conscious of my gaze from over the book.
I smiled and looked down at her.
“Is that what you want as your reward, Ivril?”
She didn't answer. She only lowered her head deeply and gave a slow nod.
This was the biggest hurdle…
I sneered inwardly. But the result was satisfying. She was now fitting herself into the book's narrative, as if it were her own destiny.
A female knight who loved her lord. And a man who saw that knight as nothing more than a toy.
From now on, she would crumble, believing herself to be a character in the story.
“Stand up, Ivril.”
She shuddered and rose to her feet. But she couldn't meet my eyes, clenching her hands tightly as she looked up at me with an unsteady gaze.
“You said you wanted a reward.”
I quietly lifted her chin.
“We'll start with a kiss. Just like the previous Shadow Knight.”
“…Yes, my lord…”
She whispered her reply and closed her eyes. She looked so innocent, as if she truly believed she was reenacting a scene from the book.
I pressed my lips lightly against hers. It was just a surface-level touch, but she tensed up, holding her breath at the brief kiss.
Gently at first.
But soon, I let the tip of my tongue brush against hers and lightly bit her lip. Ivril's shoulders flinched and trembled.
When I pulled away, she looked up at me with a dazed expression. Her eyes were moist, and her breathing was ragged.
“…Was that your first kiss?”
“Yess… it was my first…”
I suppressed a laugh and caressed her cheek.
“This time, don't be nervous. Stick out your tongue.”
“My tongue… how?”
“Just part your lips slightly and let the tip of your tongue out a little.”
After a moment of hesitation, Ivril slowly, cautiously opened her mouth. Then, she extended the pale pink tip of her tongue.
I held her chin, keeping her steady, and slowly leaned in toward her lips again.
Schlup… Tsk, smooooch…
Our lips met, and the tip of my tongue slowly enveloped hers. Ivril's eyes fluttered open in surprise, but they quickly shut again in embarrassment.
I explored the inside of her mouth, rubbing my tongue against hers and occasionally sucking on it.
I nipped at it lightly, then tugged at the tip.
Slurp… Smoooooch… Baep…♡
Ivril pushed lightly against my chest with both hands, but there was no strength in them. She was simply floundering in the pleasure of the kiss; it was a gesture completely devoid of resistance.
I slowly pulled away and looked into her eyes.
“That's a real kiss. Did you feel it?”
“…Yes… it feels so… strange… Hah…♡”
I gently wrapped an arm around Ivril's waist and slowly led her to the bed. She offered no resistance, letting me hold her as she naturally matched my steps.
When we reached the bed, I carefully laid her down. Then I lay beside her, facing her. Under the soft glow of the lamp on the bedside table, her cheeks were flushed red.
When our eyes met, Ivril shyly averted her gaze and muttered.
“…Um… in the book… it just said they slept together for one night… normally…”
“Don't worry.”
I reached out, tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and said.
“I won't lay a single finger on you unless you allow it.”
As if surprised by my words, she slowly nodded.
“Okay…”
“Come closer.”
Ivril hesitated for a moment, but then shifted slightly. She cautiously leaned her body against my chest.
I patted her back slowly and said.
“You've worked hard. For today… get some rest.”
Ivril was silent for a long time. Then, from within my embrace, she let out a quiet word.
“…Your embrace… is warm…”
*
As time passed, Ivril and Alfredo began to gather information.
The previous marquis and that Avatar bastard might have been more incompetent than I thought.
How lax could they have been for so many nobles to have been embezzling taxes and carving up interests for over a decade?
“My lord marquis.”
Alfredo approached, holding a stack of organized documents.
“There are more people involved than we anticipated. From simple bystanders to those directly involved… the numbers are quite high.”
I nodded, my gaze falling upon the documents.
“If we execute all of them, it will create a power vacuum in the southern administration.”
His words made me pause in thought.
If I had my way, I'd behead every last one of them. But if I did, that vacuum would be entirely my problem to fill. And causing a disruption in the territory's management right now was not ideal.
“In that case… single out those who might be given some leniency.”
“What will be the criteria?”
“The most vicious ones will be executed. But the rest… we can give them a chance, if necessary. As long as they can pay the price for their lives.”
“…Understood. I will organize the criteria.”
Just as Alfredo bowed and was about to leave, I spoke again.
“And Alfredo. Have you found the contact for Kairosen?”
“It's not certain yet… but there is one suspicious merchant.”
Alfredo said, taking out another document.
“A textile merchant named 'Marco.' He's been visiting this region regularly for the past few months. However, his actual volume of textile trade is not that high.”
“Interesting.”
“There is also testimony that this merchant was recently seen entering Lord Leonid Belzak's castle.”
“Continue tracking that merchant's movements.”
Alfredo bowed and departed.
After that, I went through the documents, one page, then another... With every turn of the page, the list of traitors grew. But among them, one name in particular stood out.
The one we tortured recently mentioned the Knight Commander's name.
Viscount Olise Oliver.
The current Knight Commander of the Alcladion territory, and a high-level Sword Expert.
On the surface, he was known as a loyal vassal of the same generation as the previous marquis, having served by his side his entire life. He was a respected figure in noble society.
But the evidence now before me shattered that fine reputation as if it were a lie.
Starting ten years ago, he steadily grew his power, pulling the territory's key nobles into his fold one by one.
This wasn't simple corruption. It was meticulous, secretive, and above all... it was the result of exploiting the previous marquis's trust.
I drew a red line next to Olise's name—a mark indicating a target that must not be missed.
At this rate... I should be able to clean everything up before the royal party.
But there was one problem. Olise was the Knight Commander. There were likely many within the knight order who sided with him.
Those I can trust and those I can't... I'll have to start by filtering them out.
After that, I spent a few days sorting out the trustworthy knights.
More of them followed the Knight Commander than I expected.
Even so, there was one man who remained unshaken.
After hearing the full story, Eric clenched his jaw, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
“How dare he… betray the marquis's grace like that. It's unforgivable.”
He looked ready to draw his sword and charge out at any moment.
But I quietly raised a hand to stop him.
“Calm down, Eric.”
“But, my lord marquis…!”
“It will all be over in a few days anyway.”
In that instant, the look in Eric's eyes changed completely.
“…In that case, I will make the preparations.”
*
Under the pretext of celebrating my ascension to Sword Master, I held a grand banquet. Nobles from all over the south were invited and began to arrive one by one.
Of course, the traitors, including Leonid Belzak, were no exception.
And among them, Viscount Olise Oliver made his appearance. A few knights followed silently behind him.
He bowed before me respectfully.
“My lord marquis. The subjugation is complete.”
I gave a slight nod and said.
“Good work. Now, you should join the banquet as well, Commander.”
But he shook his head.
“No. I must remain on guard in case of any unforeseen incidents.”
Judging by his words alone, he was the very model of a loyal knight.
…His acting is superb. If I didn't know anything, I would have been fooled too.
Without showing any sign, I gave a gentle smile.
“This is an order. For today, the entire knight order will attend the banquet. The commander is no exception.”
“Haha, I suppose I have no choice. I cannot defy the marquis's command. I will gladly attend.”
Olise retreated with a smile.
Bi-yeon. Tell Ivril and Eric. To get ready.
Got it.
With Bi-yeon's reply, I scanned the banquet hall, pinpointing the traitors' locations.