Chapter 332: Bread and Dagger (30)
Chapter 332: Bread and Dagger (30)
The coniferous forests of the North boasted a vast expanse.
Until then, the land had shown little more than patches of moss at best. The mere fact that such a multitude of trees could grow here was astonishing.
The forest was a treasure trove of life.
Plants served as the entities that absorbed nutrients from the soil. Only when flora supported the base of the food chain could an ecosystem be established.
Thus, the coniferous forest held profound significance in the North.
It was perhaps the place where the most life thrived in the North, yet it harbored even greater dangers.
I had planned to explore the mysteries of this great wilderness.
That is, if Senior Elsie hadn't suddenly barged in on me.
Senior Elsie’s clumsy attempt at seduction continued.
“Master, so… um, it—it’s a little hot, isn’t it? Do you want to take off some clothes?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“D-don’t be like that!”
After much effort, Senior Elsie had managed to get me to sit on the bed.
Her dedication to seizing this opportunity to advance our relationship was commendable. Now, she was even fumbling with my clothes, trying to pull them off.
Of course, no matter how strong Senior Elsie’s physical strength was, she was no match for me.
Moreover, her touch was far too awkward. It was clear she didn't have much of an understanding of men's clothing.
Come to think of it, Senior Elsie was a virgin, too.
Though I had only spent a single night, I had inadvertently become someone who possessed the composure of the experienced. If Reto saw me, he would have moved past mockery straight into sheer exasperation.
But what could I do?
Senior Elsie was no different from a blank canvas that knew nothing, whereas I had just come from spending a dense, intense night. Our mindsets were bound to be different.
Also, the current Senior Elsie seemed excessively impatient.
I silently caught Senior Elsie’s hands as they fumbled with my clothes.
At that, she flinched as if startled, her body trembling slightly before she began to cautiously read my expression.
She looked exactly like a puppy caught doing something wrong.
I had to offer some warm words to reassure her.
“Senior Elsie, what’s wrong?”
“W-what do you mean…?”
Lately, Senior Elsie had been using a mix of formal and informal speech with me.
There was only one reason for her to revert to purely formal speech: it meant she felt psychologically intimidated.
She was in the middle of attempting a sexual seduction she had never done in her life.
I didn't know what had prompted this, but it would be a lie to say she wasn't anxious and trembling. After all, a first experience was an object of both longing and fear for anyone.
There was no need to limit this to women, either.
Reto had once advised me that many men also face difficulties during their first time because they are too nervous.
Was that why he said he’d share his own detailed experiences to help me feel less tense?
What a joke.
When I actually found myself drunk in front of a woman like Senior Delphine, my reason and self-restraint turned out to be utterly worthless. That fact still left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I felt particularly guilty toward the Saintess and Senior Elsie.
Both of them had many points of connection with me in various ways. I had even occasionally found myself imagining a future with them.
At the very least, life wouldn't be boring if I lived with the Saintess or Senior Elsie.
Additionally, I had once or twice pictured life with other women as well.
For example, Emma.
If I wanted to spend a quiet remainder of my life, wouldn't she be the optimal choice?
Of course, it was nothing more than a vain delusion. Marriage was the union of two lives, and it required not only the will of the parties involved but also various conditions to align.
However, Senior Elsie was an exception.
She had conveyed her feelings to me, and I was also seriously contemplating the relationship between us.
Therefore, the sin lay with me.
Even if we weren't in a relationship yet, I had an obligation to respond to that sincerity.
I soothed Senior Elsie in a low voice.
“You’re acting strange today. Constantly telling me to take off my clothes… Senior Elsie used to be someone with more of that ‘older woman’ composure.”
It was a commentary laced with a bit of a lie.
Senior Elsie hardly ever felt like an older sister figure. Though she seemed to have regained some composure lately, the wall of perception I had built up over time was high and steep.
It wasn't something that could be overturned in a short period.
However, the reason I framed my evaluation that way was purely because Senior Elsie preferred it.
She was strangely stubborn about the fact that she was older.
It was something I had only recently realized.
And as if to prove my hypothesis, Senior Elsie soon cleared her throat and began struggling to regain her composure.
“Ahem, cough… W-was I?”
Yes, very much so.
I forced back the remark rising in my throat and said to her:
“It’s just that you seem a bit like that today. And we have to wander through the middle of enemy territory starting tomorrow; it would be a problem if the mind of one of our strongest combatants was unstable.”
It was a rare instance of me flattering her.
Inherently, people like Senior Elsie were weak to such praise. Especially since she had always enjoyed being patted by me.
My high evaluation was bound to make her feel even more elated.
Normally, I wouldn't have needed to go so far as to soothe her, but right now, obtaining the information I wanted was the priority.
Watching Senior Elsie’s lips twitch, I decided to deliver the finishing blow.
“Also, if Senior Elsie is anxious, it makes me feel uneasy too.”
This was the truth.
It was just a sincere feeling I hadn't revealed until now because it felt embarrassing to say.
I had realized it not long ago when Senior Elsie was being bullied.
The fact that my relationship with her would never be the same as before.
Yes, it was my honest feeling.
But once I spat it out in words, it was quite embarrassing. In the end, I cleared my throat and slightly averted my gaze.
I could feel my ears burning.
However, it seemed to be well worth it, as Senior Elsie couldn't suppress a giddy grin.
She puffed out her chest and declared proudly.
“R-right?! Master can’t help but be concerned about me, of course. Naturally!”
Now was the time.
With animalistic intuition, I delved into the main point.
“Yes, so please tell me.”
Senior Elsie’s body flinched and trembled.
But I didn't give her time to hesitate.
“Why do you look so anxious? You even said you couldn't sleep last night.”
“T-that’s because…….”
Senior Elsie scratched her cheek and tried to look away. Judging by her slightly flushed face, it seemed to be an embarrassing confession for her as well.
I pressed her again.
“Senior Elsie, I endured my embarrassment to speak. So you should tell me the truth too.”
“Ah, ugh, w-well, you see…….”
She hesitated until the very end, but there was no way she could win against my persistence.
Eventually, she declared her surrender.
“Aah, seriously! It’s because of those strange rumors going around!”
I let out a low hum and swallowed a groan while crossing my arms.
‘Strange rumors’ are going around, huh.
At the very least, it meant Senior Elsie wasn't an eyewitness.
Nevertheless, it was still concerning, so I asked her back.
“Strange rumors?”
“T-that… that girl Delphine is eyeing Master…….”
That was an undeniable fact.
If it weren't, there would be no reason for her to have spent the night with me.
That alluring smile still hadn't left my mind. In fact, the reason I could maintain my composure in the face of Senior Elsie’s seduction was thanks to Senior Delphine.
Compared to Senior Delphine, Senior Elsie’s seduction was nothing more than child’s play.
As I remained silent, Senior Elsie continued in a somewhat excited tone.
“Doesn't that girl have any conscience at all?! After stabbing you in the back during the Hunting Festival, she suddenly decides she likes Master now? Pfft, ahaha… It’s honestly absurd!”
Judging by the way she clenched her fists, Senior Elsie seemed very angry.
It was understandable.
Even without this, Senior Elsie had been keeping a wary eye on the women around me. Then she heard the news that Senior Delphine was eyeing me.
Considering the arch-rivalry between Senior Elsie and Senior Delphine, her anger was perfectly justified.
She even began to resort to slander.
“M-Master… you aren't going to fall for that woman, are you? That girl, I bet she’s been with more than just one or two men! I heard a rumor this morning that even last night, the sound of moaning echoed through the hallway……!”
It was a story that was half-truth and half-lie.
First, the truth was that Senior Delphine had indeed let out moans last night.
Because the person rolling around on the bed with her at that time was me.
And the lie was the claim that Senior Delphine’s relationships with men were messy.
Since I had confirmed her virgin blood last night, this was undoubtedly a false rumor. It was just lamentable that I couldn't clear her name in this reality.
What if I revealed the truth of last night right here?
I asked Senior Elsie just in case.
It was a question disguised as a joke.
“Are you jealous? Worried that I might fall for Senior Delphine’s seduction?”
At my laughter-laced question, Senior Elsie jumped in surprise and waved her hands.
It was a desperate denial.
She stammered out an answer.
“N-no! How could I ever doubt Master? It’s just…….”
Just—that one word was the signal.
A gloomy shadow began to cast over Senior Elsie’s eyes. The sound leaking through her gritted teeth was chilling.
“It’s just, if she really lays a hand on Master… she’d better be prepared, right?”
Who, for what?
I barely managed to suppress the questions that surged up all at once. Instead, what flowed from my mouth was only an awkward laugh.
“Aha, hahaha… I see, yes.”
Senior Elsie gave a soft smile as she heard my laughter.
It was a smile full of trust, as if such a thing could never happen.
That lovely face pricked at my chest like arrowheads.
Finally, before leaving, Senior Elsie left me with an ominous warning.
“And also… watch out for that ‘Tits’ girl too.”
Her speech had reverted to her usual mix of formal and informal.
The insulting nickname ‘Tits’ was laced with a chilling coldness. It was a very rude term, but as soon as I heard it, I couldn't help but think of one person.
The ‘Saintess.’
My head tilted at the sudden mention of that name.
“Why the Saintess?”
“Because we made a bet.”
It was a confession tinged with displeasure.
Before I could even ask about the contents of the bet, Senior Elsie waved her hand and left the tent. Still, I was glad she showed a smiling face at the end.
Senior Elsie looked better with a smile like that.
So, I would make sure she kept smiling in the future.
I must never let her find out about my relationship with Senior Delphine. Though less so than Seria, Senior Elsie was still a dangerous individual.
I still remembered Senior Elsie coming to the Percus mansion holding a kitchen knife.
Then, one question remained.
Who was the woman who witnessed my night with Senior Delphine?
Now that Senior Elsie was crossed off the list of candidates, only two remained.
The Saintess, or the Princess.
Emma was excluded since she was merely surprised by the luxurious bedroom.
However, it was awkward for me to step forward blatantly. The more I did, the more likely the witness would try to hide the truth.
If they had intended to reveal it to me, they would have come to me already.
It seemed I would need the cooperation of an expert.
I pulled a small note from my pocket.
It was the reply to a letter I had sent to the Academy a while ago. The message written inside was incredibly brief.
‘I will visit you soon.’
The Yurdina information network couldn't be trusted, and in a situation where everyone had to be suspected to root out a traitor, I had no choice.
I had to call in my own person.
And while I was at it, there would be no problem in adding a small favor.
I checked my equipment to prepare for tomorrow.
I planned to enter the coniferous forest immediately starting the next day.
So, it would be best to go to sleep early tonight. I was worried about Emma and the Princess, but since it was the first day, they would likely want to spend time on their own personal maintenance.
Yes, I had no plans to meet anyone else.
If only the Saintess hadn't come to find me that night.
"Ian……."
Sobbing, the woman buried her face in my chest as if staggering.
"Are you… are you tired of me?!"
I’ve heard those words somewhere before.
While harboring that thought, I identified the scent tickling the tip of my nose.
It was the smell of alcohol.
It seemed the Saintess had also been going through a hard time mentally.
"Why, why did you leave me… hic, why did you do that!"
I silently patted the Saintess on the back.
And I thought to myself:
Why is this woman acting like this again?
Of course, it was a question that would vanish before long.
Because the sensation of the Saintess’s ‘Pouch of Divine Power’ pressing firmly against my upper body felt quite good.
It seemed the number of women I had to soothe had increased by one more.