Chapter 446: The Hero Climaxes in Defeat Again Today[R-18] (36)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 446: The Hero Climaxes in Defeat Again Today[R-18] (36)
I forced myself to stifle a laugh as I glanced at the distinct red footprint stamped on the Pope’s gleaming head. I wasn’t the only one. Bi-yeon, as well as Aaren and his party over on the other side, were all sneaking glances at the same spot.
“Ahem… How rude. I must ask you to stop staring.”
The Pope spoke in a voice that struggled to maintain its dignity.
At his words, everyone quickly averted their eyes.
“I-I’m sorry… Your Holiness…”
Marienne hastily apologized, and the Pope let out a sigh.
“Hmph… More importantly, Marquis Alcladion. The recent matter has been settled for now thanks to the Hero’s intervention, but as you have used force within the Holy Land, official punishment will be unavoidable.”
With a calm expression, I nodded and replied.
“I offer my sincere apologies for that. However, weren’t the Archbishop’s side the ones who treated me like a trespasser and started with threats when I simply came to meet someone?”
“Ugh… That… I cannot deny. I will apologize on their behalf for that.”
The Pope reluctantly conceded, and I immediately continued.
“As for the damaged buildings and the compensation for the injured Holy Knights and priests, I will take full responsibility. And… since my side also responded excessively—”
I quietly reached into my coat and took out a small, exquisitely sealed jewelry box.
“A suitable donation.”
When the box lid opened, top-grade magic stones and gold coins glittered from within.
The Pope’s brow twitched for a moment as he swallowed hard.
“Ahem… The Order is deeply grateful for the Marquis’s generous… no, faithful donation.”
Though his words were polite, his eyes showed he was pleased. A Holy Knight, taking the hint, approached and carefully received the box.
“Then, we shall conclude that this incident… arose from a misunderstanding between the Marquis and the Order.”
I gave a slight nod and carefully took out and presented my final card. Inside a small envelope was a single document written in an ancient language.
“What is this…?” the Pope asked, a look of confusion on his face.
“I happened to find it while following a certain journey. It’s a summary of the contents of a mural I saw at an ancient ruin. I brought it in case it might be of help.”
The Pope unfolded the paper and began to read. As his eyes traced the sentences, his expression grew increasingly stiff.
It was a clue to the location where Akedion of Sloth, one of the Seven Deadly Sins, was sealed.
Of course, the term ‘sealed’ was an exaggeration. In reality, it was a voluntary seclusion because he was simply too lazy to come out.
Just like a creature symbolizing sloth, he’s not doing anything productive to regain his power.
The Pope quietly folded the paper and muttered.
“Marquis… you have done a truly wonderful thing.”
“I’m glad it was helpful. Now, there is one last thing to sort out.”
I turned my head to look at Marienne.
The Pope let out a short sigh and spoke cautiously.
“As the Marquis is aware… the existence of a Hero is not that of a simple individual. For a single nation, or a single noble, to take that existence under their wing and handle it is—”
He trailed off, but I could guess what he meant to say.
“It will cause a lot of talk, in many ways. Some will try to use the Hero for political gain… and others will use it as a pretext to draw their swords.”
I looked the Pope in the eye and answered calmly.
“I am well aware. However… Marienne is my woman.”
At my words, Marienne quietly gripped the hem of my clothes.
The Pope closed his eyes and remained silent for a long moment before slowly opening them again.
“…I understand the Marquis’s position, but what cannot be, cannot be. The role of the Hero is not one that can be swayed by an individual’s personal attachments.”
Just then, Marienne spoke for the first time.
“Your Holiness… I don’t want to be forced into the role of a Hero I never wanted. I want to live as a person, not as the Hero.”
“Ugh…”
“In that case, let’s do this. I will officially register my name in Marienne’s Hero party.”
At those words, the Pope looked at me as if I were a madman.
“The Marquis…? But what about your domain? If the demons appear, you may have to wander the entire continent.”
“I have many talented people. In my absence, they will ensure the domain runs splendidly.”
The Pope stared at me for a long time before finally letting out a small laugh.
“Ho ho… I never knew Marquis Alcladion’s heart was so resolute. I, Delpir Vanadel, am impressed.”
“…Does that mean?”
“How could I possibly separate two loving sweethearts? I concede. If I keep you apart, the Hero will not be able to focus anyway.”
“Thank you, Your Holiness.”
Marienne clasped her hands together and smiled brightly. Seeing her, the Pope muttered softly.
“…Among the teachings of Lumeis, fate and relationships certainly exist. All those we meet on life’s journey are part of the divine will, and not going against those bonds is also a way of following that will.”
In the end, I got Marienne back, just as I wanted.
She still seemed to be addicted to my trait. And although I had officially joined the Hero’s party, I honestly had no intention of roaming the world to enact justice.
Well, as long as I have a pretext, it’s fine.
At that moment, I turned my head toward those who had been standing silently behind me.
“Ah, and Your Holiness. These friends also came here on separate business.”
I gestured to Aaren and his party, who had been quietly watching the situation from behind.
The Pope’s gaze shifted to them. Aaren looked somewhat tense, but perhaps due to his self-awareness as a Hero, he managed to act relatively composed.
“Hmm… Let us hear what business brings you here.”
At the Pope’s words, Aaren puffed out his chest and nodded.
“It is an honor, Your Holiness. I am… the newly chosen Hero, Aaren!”
He slowly raised his hand and began to unwind the bandages wrapped around it. When the last of the bandages fell to the floor, a crest glowing faintly like starlight was revealed on the back of his hand.
“A Hero…?!”
At the appearance of a new Hero, the Pope’s head gleamed.
*
After our conversation with the Pope, we decided to stay in Lienos for the time being. During that period, Aaren was officially proclaimed a Hero, and the Order provided him with a separate space and support.
I was at the Holy Knights’ training grounds with Marienne and Bi-yeon.
Under the warm sunlight, several of the Order’s knights were watching the scene from a distance in the training ground made of pure white marble.
Marienne stood before me with a serious look in her eyes. I held my sword lightly in one hand and asked.
“Shall we see how much your skills have improved?”
As I smiled and drew my sword, Marienne immediately raised her own and nodded.
“Yes, Marquis.”
Bi-yeon, who was watching with her arms crossed, added.
“Seo-yoon, don’t hold back. Go all out.”
I gave a slight nod and held my sword horizontally.
“And Marienne, show me how much you’ve trained.”
“Yes, Master!”
Watching her respond energetically to Bi-yeon’s words, I spoke this time.
“Marienne, you can use the Hero’s power too.”
She seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then she pressed her lips together and quietly asked.
“…Is it really okay for me to use it?”
“Don’t tell me you’re underestimating me, a Sword Master?”
At my words, Marienne gave a small smile and corrected her stance.
“Never.”
A faint golden aura began to rise from her body. It spread as if refined holy light was slowly flowing over her, with a sacred power swirling calmly at its core.
I narrowed my eyes as I watched the scene.
This is definitely different from the Hero’s energy I felt from Aaren.
And when the golden aura reached its peak, a red energy began to mix into it. The red energy seemed to flow through the gold, the two colors mingling and exuding an overwhelming pressure.
…Is that the Heaven-Shattering Divine Art Bi-yeon mentioned?
Suddenly, Marienne took a powerful step forward and held her sword upright. The ground she stepped on caved in, kicking up stone dust, and an afterimage reached me in a flash, like lightning.
I raised my sword to block the blow.
—CRASH!
The impact was heavier than I expected.
“Marienne, your attacks are too linear. There are no variations.”
“Haaah!”
Instead of answering, Marienne lowered her stance again and twisted her body. This time, it was a powerful diagonal slash, followed by a spin, and then a heavy strike brought down from overhead.
The flow of her swordsmanship grew rougher. Her movements were so fast and explosive they almost looked like random swings.
Though it seemed chaotic, there was a clear, consistent rhythm within it.
Still, she lacks experience. Her precision can’t keep up with her power.
“Mari! I told you before, that’s not it! Don’t just rely on your strength to push through, use your whole body! The swordsmanship I taught you isn’t about just swinging with brute force. You have to imbue every single strike with the will to destroy! With the resolve to shatter their very bones!”
Marienne flinched in response to Bi-yeon’s sharp cry.
She took a short breath, then immediately raised her sword and corrected her stance.
The line connecting the center of her body—arms, shoulders, waist, legs—aligned, and a heavy, sharp energy extended from the tip of her sword.
“Haaap!”
For a while, I deliberately just received Marienne’s attacks. In the meantime, I glanced around.
Hmm… that bastard Aaren is here too. The Pope is also watching.
With the Holy Knights watching in admiration, my plan to tease her under the guise of testing her seemed to have gone down the drain.
Hehe, I should enjoy this kind of thrill too.
I deliberately revealed an opening, and as expected, Marienne lunged for it. At that moment, I dove into her embrace and, with my free hand, stealthily, from an angle no one could see—
—Poke.
I accurately poked her firm nipple through the fabric of her clothes.
“Ngh… Heut♡”
A breath, barely audible, escaped her lips.
“My little bitch, you’ve gotten so sensitive while I was away. Don’t tell me… you spread your legs for some other guy, did you?”
At my low whisper, Marienne glanced around before blushing and curling the corners of her lips up.
“I’m Lord Jin’s… personal bitch. I didn’t even glance at another man♡”
“Good, you did well.”
I slowly pressed her nipple once more and said.
“As a reward, tonight, I’ll fill your womb with my semen.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it…♡”
After gaining the Hero’s power, her body must have changed. Among all the changes, I was most curious about how much her pussy’s performance had improved.