Chapter 31. Subjugation
Ganesha, who had been on the brink of death after taking the Demon King's final strike, groaned through the night only to rise perfectly fine come morning. She was first shocked that she had survived what she thought was certain death, then doubly stunned by the changes to her body. The princess immediately bellowed for Kang Ji-hyuk.
"Kang Ji-hyuk! Kang Jiii-hyuuuuuk—!!!"
Her booming shout pierced the ears of Ji-hyuk, who was inspecting the subjugation force outside the tent. As he turned toward her tent, a stunning beauty emerged, her loose clothes barely clinging to her frame. Golden blonde hair, skin radiant like fresh milk, voluptuous breasts straining against the fabric, and a body with perfect curves—she was a paragon of feminine allure.
"What the fuck is this? Huh? ...Why the hell is my body like thiiiis—?!"
She rushed up to him, grabbing her massive tits with both hands and squeezing them urgently as she yelled.
"It's completely changed—!"
"Your Highness, there are eyes everywhere. Let's talk inside."
Ganesha ground her teeth, yanked up her slipping clothes, and stomped back into the tent. Her maids scurried after her, crying "Your Highness!" in a panic.
Just then, Gid sidled up to the captain with a sleazy grin.
"Fuuuuck, she's even better than expected. Hot as hell. ...You hit the jackpot, boss. Heh heh."
Ji-hyuk snorted derisively. Muscle or no muscle, Ganesha was still Ganesha.
"Don't spread weird rumors. If any shit like that starts, I'll know it's you."
"Whoa, I swear I won't say a word. Boss, you doubting my loyalty—?!"
"Cut the act and get ready to move out. Her Highness is up, so we're leaving soon."
"Got it, boss—! Heh heh."
The bald brute saluted exaggeratedly, then bellowed at his comrades, "You fuckers, get your asses moving!"
Ji-hyuk entered the princess's tent. A maid let out a sharp "Ah—!" and freaked out, saying he couldn't come in. The princess was in her undergarments.
"Hey, shut up and stay out. Fuck, what's there to be shy about? ...Hey, Kang Ji-hyuk. Explain what the hell happened."
"How much do you remember?"
"Right up to the edge of dying. ...Fuuuuck, it hurt like a bitch. Starting to think I shouldn't have taken that hit."
The two shared a laugh. Ji-hyuk slowly leaned forward.
"Thank you."
"Hey hey, enough. Fuck, don't get all sappy on me.... I was just being nosy, you punk."
"Still, you took it for me. ...But why? You knew it was dangerous...."
"...Huh? ...Oh, that...."
The princess's eyes darted around.
"Just..., y'know, you're still young and full of potential. Waste to die now. ...Me? I'm past my prime anyway."
"You're precious. You should value yourself."
"Fuck, precious my ass.... Whatever. We're both alive, so drop it. ...But seriously, why'd my body change like this? Doesn't feel like curse backlash..., the transformation's too extreme."
By now, she'd changed into clothes that fit her new figure perfectly. Ganesha shooed out her two maids. Ji-hyuk waited until they were behind the curtain before speaking.
"It's because of the pill you swallowed then. That was... an elixir."
"...I figured."
Ganesha nodded as if she'd suspected as much. Ji-hyuk's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You knew?"
"Kinda guessed something like that. ...Fuck, but isn't elixir super rare? Legendary shit. You sure it's okay to use it on me?"
"...Your life is worth more than any elixir, Your Highness."
The princess grinned.
"You sly bastard.... Buttering me up good."
Ji-hyuk chuckled softly.
"If it was just flattery, I wouldn't have used it."
"You little shit. I took that hit for you—of course you'd use it—!"
After a brief silence, the princess spoke again.
"But saying I took an elixir might cause issues, right? ...What're you gonna tell people?"
"Just say the curse changed your body. The Demon King's curse was so potent it did this. Everyone'll buy it."
With all that intimidating muscle gone, people would chalk it up to the curse without question.
"Fuck, but what about my muscles? I worked my ass off for those—!"
"They were just for show anyway, right?"
"Fuck, muscles are my identity. The symbol of S-rank Ganesha itself—! ...Fuck, whatever, bitching now won't change shit...."
"Life's more important than muscles."
"Yeah...."
Ganesha let out a long sigh. Watching her quietly, Ji-hyuk bowed deeply again.
"Anyway, thank you once more. ...I never expected Your Highness to protect me so selflessly."
"You punk...."
Heh heh. The princess smiled shyly, a bit embarrassed.
"...My life's been one wild ride, fuuuck. Never thought I'd go through all this in my later years. ...This ain't a dream, right?"
She lingered in the moment briefly, then clapped her hands with an "Oh yeah—!"
"Right, fuck. You... yoooou—!"
"...Yes?"
Ji-hyuk had a bad feeling.
"Fuck, I won the bet, right? I clearly cut that bastard's head off? I killed him—!"
He averted his gaze, bowed politely, and slipped out of the tent.
"Wha wha—?!"
"You little shit, I remember—! You're my slave for a day next—! You fuuuck—!"
The princess yelled after him, then sighed heavily. She plopped down on the bed.
...I'm alive.... Really alive....
She'd always lived with death at her side, but when it stared her in the face, she'd been truly terrified.
...Didn't want to die.
She'd even regretted taking the hit for him. But the princess lived again. Her looks had changed completely, but inside, she was the same. Ganesha felt reborn. The old Ganesha died, and a new one was born.
She thought of Ji-hyuk. As she lay dying, he'd looked down at her with sorrow.
...That annoying prick can make that face, huh.
Her lips curved into a sly smile. Her chest tickled.
"Sly bastard...."
After slaying the Demon King, the subjugation force returned to the great city of Niger Song. There, the hero teams dispersed back to the capital. Ganesha's team left first. Ji-hyuk saw her off beyond the city walls.
"Don't die on me, punk. I'll go ahead and wait."
"Safe travels, Your Highness."
"Yeah."
With that, Ganesha's team departed, followed by Gunda's, Elraim's, and finally Ji-hyuk's and Mahushu's teams leaving the northern continent. A little over a month later, Ji-hyuk's team finally returned to the capital.
They headed straight to the mansion and unpacked their heavy gear. Steward Durka and the staff welcomed them back safely with fanfare.
After hot baths and hearty meals, they gathered in the meeting room. Seated at the head, Ji-hyuk praised his subordinates for a job well done.
"Everyone, great work. I'm thrilled we're all back safe. ...Tonight's a feast. Eat, drink, and party hard. That's an order."
"Hell yeeeeah—!!"
The thug trio pounded the table in ecstasy. Booze flowed, and they reveled rowdily through the night.
The next day, Ji-hyuk woke late to hear from the steward that Her Highness had visited.
"...Her Highness?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Got it."
He washed up, dressed, and went to the drawing room. There sat Ganesha, sipping tea while admiring the garden. No longer a hulking muscle woman, she was now a graceful beauty with pale skin. In a pristine day dress, wide-brimmed hat, and gloves, she stretched her elegant neck and gazed at Ji-hyuk as he entered.
...A stranger would've mistaken her for some nobleman's refined lady. Well, minus the "refined" part, it wasn't wrong.
"Hey, Kang Ji-hyuk."
The hero bowed.
"Your Highness."
"Long time no see, punk? Fuck, you look even brighter."
"Glad to see Your Highness looking healthy too."
"Who do I owe that to, fuuuck."
"...So, to what do we owe the visit?"
"Playing dumb?"
"...Pardon?"
The princess smirked and spread her legs wide. Her looks were now demure, but her brash speech and habits remained.
"The bet. Forgot?"
Ji-hyuk smiled wryly.
"...You still remember that?"
"Whoa, check this guy?"
Ganesha slammed the table excitedly.
...The force was the same with or without muscles. Real compressed power, huh.
"Fuck, a man's word means shit now? Huh? ...Fine, fuck, I'll spare your dick, you little shit."
"You really gonna cut it off?"
"Come here. I'll do it myself."
"...Understood. What was the deal again?"
"You're my slave for a day."
"Slave's a bit much—save my face. ...And haven't I been serving you like one already?"
The princess made a street-thug face, raised her fist like she was gonna punch him.
"That's beside the point, punk. I'm a princess, damn it. ...Fuck, you can be so infuriating sometimes."
Ji-hyuk stared at her steadily, and she waved it off.
"Fine, fine. No slave crap. ...Follow me then."
Ganesha swished her day dress as she headed to the garden. Ji-hyuk sighed lightly and followed.
"Hey, hurry up!"
She stomped once, urging him on. When he caught up, they crossed the garden to the mansion entrance. Her carriage waited there.
"Not taking the carriage."
"Where to?"
"Ah, just shut up and walk beside me, got it?"
When Ji-hyuk stayed silent, she glared sharply.
"Hey, got it, punk—!"
"You told me to shut up."
"You gotta answer—!"
"Yes."
Whoa, this guy's.... Ji-hyuk grinned playfully, and Ganesha burst into a small laugh despite herself.
"You're something else.... Good thing I'm tolerant. Got it?!"
"Yes, Your Highness. Let's go."
She eyed him up and down, then turned and strode ahead. Ji-hyuk quickly fell in beside her. They left the mansion.
It was a sunny day, the air mild—perfect for an outing.
"...Is this a date?"
"D-date?! No way—!"
"Then what?"
Fumbling, the princess finally yelled.
"Fuuuck..., yeah, it's a date, you punk—! ...Fuck, first date ever, so play along a little—!"
Ji-hyuk smiled warmly and crooked his elbow.
"Then let's do it right."
Ganesha's eyes bounced up and down. Then she hooked her arm in his. Her cheeks flushed pink.
"I'll serve you well today, Your Highness."
"...Yeah, you rascal."
The handsome pair walked arm-in-arm, perfectly in sync.