Arahan's Obsession
His entire body felt languid and heavy. Outside, snow and rain were still falling together. There was no moving today. Rowen turned his heavy head to look beside him. Arahan was sleeping soundly, her breathing soft and even.
“...Hah.”
How the hell had it come to this? He’d never imagined she actually harbored romantic feelings for him. He hadn’t even given a proper answer to her not-quite-confession. Hell, had he even been given the chance? Sixteen years old. His soul was that of a fully grown adult, but this was all new experience-wise.
Arahan had wrung him dry—completely wrung him dry—and now he could barely move. He didn’t hate it. Quite the opposite, actually. The six years they’d spent together weren’t for nothing. But it wasn’t romantic affection. It was the fondness for a teacher and a close maidservant, nothing more.
He was a man who couldn’t live up to Arahan’s expectations. Pathetic. Always making excuses, running away, escaping the reality right in front of him... that’s the kind of guy he was. Which made it all the more ambiguous. They’d already crossed that line. He knew better than anyone they couldn’t go back to how things were.
He wondered what face he should make when she woke up.
“...Hah.”
“Why the endless sighing, young master?”
“After that, of course it’s... Huh? Arahan!?”
“Yes, your precious Arahan.”
Arahan gazed at Rowen like he was her beloved lover. That burdensome look in her eyes hadn’t changed. Her obsession had taken form, staring straight at him. She’d become a woman who couldn’t live without Rowen anymore. Madness-like fixation, dependency, jealousy, and love had all bloomed together deep inside her. Her endlessly blue eyes seemed to peer right into his soul.
“...Sleep well?”
“I’d like to stay like this a bit longer.”
“Yeah? Get some more shut-eye then.”
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
“...?”
Arahan slipped into Rowen’s arms. Their size difference wasn’t that extreme. They were about the same height. But with her curling up a little to nestle in, she looked... kinda cute.
What the hell am I thinking right now...!
It was just because she was still half-asleep. That’s what he wanted to believe. Her near-maniacal obsession. The excessive affection directed at him. He’d thought it a bit heavy before.
“Maybe pull back a little...”
Rowen stopped himself. Arahan was terrified even of him pushing her away. Was it her over-the-top obsession, or fear of something else? He didn’t know, but she hated being separated from him. So he let her stay in his arms.
Rowen didn’t lay a hand on her. He still hadn’t given a proper answer. He didn’t love her. But he didn’t hate her either. If he had to put a label on his feelings for her, it’d fall under “likes.” No one had ever shown him this much goodwill before. Without his past-life memories, he probably would’ve gone for it. Even now, giving in wouldn’t be so bad. She was ephemerally beautiful, damn near perfect. For a woman like that to protect him, cherish him, love him? What man could refuse?
“This is driving me insane. Really...”
Rowen ignored Arahan as she pressed closer. ...Why the hell was she naked? He swallowed hard. Arahan must’ve noticed, because she smiled softly with her eyes closed.
“Hng...”
He ignored her as she subtly groped him and let out a moan. He had no choice. If he acknowledged it now, he might end up totally exhausted for real.
“Young master, this Arahan feels a bit hot...”
“...Yeah.”
“I know it’s improper, but I can’t hold back...”
“Hold back.”
Rowen’s voice cracked with desperation.
“...Please.”
Arahan smiled lewdly, as if his reaction was adorable. Rowen found it chilling.
She’s a demon. A straight-up demon!
Arahan dove under his blanket. At the rustling sound, Rowen tried to stop her.
“Please don’t. I’m begging you...!”
“...Do you hate me, young master?”
“That’s not the issue.”
“Then what is?”
Rowen felt like he was going mad. The emotions Arahan had bottled up for six years had burst open this morning. She wouldn’t stop now. She was just being honest with her feelings.
Rowen thought to himself. Arahan’s chains blocked mana interference. So he needed to create something to counter it.
“...Damn it.”
He was exhausted.
*
A sultry voice tickled his ear. Beautiful black hair neatly tied back, swaying with her movements. Arahan, who hadn’t left Rowen’s side, spoke up.
“Now, say ahh.”
Rowen sighed. She’d said she had to step out for a bit, so he’d thought he could finally rest... but she’d returned faster than expected.
Of course. This was Winterer’s port. The busier the area, the more Arkanthian imperial troops. To Rowen, it was prime hunting ground—and a danger zone. Arahan had gone out in his place, thinking of him. Effectively, he was stuck in this inn. She was being a bit forceful right now.
The inn was a good one, even Rowen had heard of it. No complaints there. But he couldn’t just sit idle.
He donned a robe that lowered his presence and headed for the door. But—
Hehe... Where are you off to in such a hurry?
Arahan was there. Her speed surpassed even Lucius’s Rosmerta. Though Lucius not fully mastering it yet played a big part. If Arahan’s Rosbriel was pitch-black, Rosmerta was pure white. It highlighted the gap between the opposing black of Arahan and Lucius.
Well... somehow, things had ended up like this. Arahan had anxiously clung to him, forbidding him from going out.
Rowen understood. Outside was crawling with enemies. He’d already killed hundreds of imperial troops. They’d be searching for him—identity unknown—with eyes wide open.
If she’d confessed her love, of course she’d worry. ...Even if her way of confessing was very, very twisted.
“Not hungry?”
“Just... kinda embarrassing.”
“I’ll take that in the positive sense.”
“...Yeah.”
Honestly, Rowen found it awkward to even look at Arahan. Their relationship had changed overnight. Before, it was teacher and student, young master and servant. Close confidants. That was it. Now she’d carved out a little spot deep in his heart.
Who wouldn’t be swayed by someone fervently courting them, declaring their love? Especially Arahan. She’d been pursued by countless suitors since childhood. For her to say she liked him. This was all new to Rowen. Her affectionate behavior embarrassed him.
Aah...!
Arahan stared intently. It was a bit burdensome.
What magnificent resolve!
No, honestly, it was extremely burdensome. Her love was too heavy.
Love you love you love you love you love you...
So he tried to defuse the mood. But they couldn’t stay cooped up here forever. They’d have to leave eventually. His heart felt heavy.
He still dreamed of his brother when he slept. The dream—memory?—of his ice piercing Kael’s gut. Too vivid, too real. It tormented him. It didn’t stop after one loop. It repeated until Arahan woke him in worry. And it always ended the same.
“Find the holy sword.”
“Pardon?”
The seal of the King of Severe Cold is breaking.
Kael’s words.
I need the holy sword.
Rowen didn’t know how Kael knew his past life, but he’d told him to find it. Fulfill your duty as a hero. Press toward the unfulfilled wish of your previous life.
Probably... so Rowen wouldn’t drown in guilt.
“I need to find the holy sword.”
“...What Kael young master said.”
“Yeah.”
But Rowen’s hatred wasn’t just for demons anymore. He used to think turning his sword on humans was wrong. Sure, he’d killed those abusing magitech—they’d already forsaken their humanity. But now? Different story.
He’d fought to protect scum like that. Failed to avenge his father. Their descendants killed this life’s father. Rowen hated Arkanthia.
After Kael died, Rowen shut his heart. Still was. The only ones he’d opened it to were Arahan and family. Everyone else? Didn’t care.
Perfect—they were in a port city. Enemies everywhere. Densely populated, so naturally packed with them. That’s when it started. To hold his broken heart together, Rowen killed them.
In that month of slaughter, he’d learned: They’d fully seized control of Pentagon. Stationed commanders in Snowfall, Winterer territory. Controlled over half the North. Worst, the Magic Tower was in Arkanthia’s grasp.
“...Fucking bastards.”
“I’m grateful you worry about me.”
“Young master...”
“But you know. I have to keep moving forward.”
Always. Ahead of everyone. Grow stronger. Even if revenge consumed him, he had to unleash his hatred, his resentment.
“It’s complicated.”
“Humans right in front of us are enemies, but behind them lurk humanity’s true foes...”
“If the King of Severe Cold awakens, even Arkanthia won’t hold.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Magitech’s strong against humans, weak as hell against demons.”
Why?
“Demons aren’t demons for nothing.”
Vile, evil. They slipped sweet poisons into you unnoticed. Planted irresistible desires, turning you into a puppet who’d do anything to fulfill them. Sucking dry your emotions and vitality. That’s demons. Sure, species varied, not all like that. But them bowing to magitech? Bullshit. Their interference went beyond mana.
With the holy sword, Rowen could grow stronger than now. In his past life, mana-poor, he’d used magic. Why? Borrowed the sword’s mana. Power weakened as a result. But merging mana let him fight versatilely—a huge edge.
Now? His mana was plenty, but not for spamming top-tier spells. His magic circuits hadn’t fully matured. Mana flower hadn’t bloomed. Borrow the sword’s power? Wouldn’t match full ancestral inheritance, but close. Stronger than past life, at least. Time would tell.
“Let’s go find the holy sword, Arahan.”
“...Wherever you go, that’s where I’ll be.”
“Thanks.”
“But I don’t like it.”
“What now?”
“I want to stay closer to you a bit longer.”
“...We can during the journey.”
“I mean feeling you more surely than wandering outside together.”
Rowen didn’t refuse her approach. No desire to, and couldn’t anyway. Arahan would grant any request. But six years’ pent-up feelings? Unstoppable.
“You know what I mean by ‘close.’ Why pretend? Do you prefer outdoors? Hehe... I’ll consider it.”
“No need to consider!”
Rowen sighed deeply. Stay like this, and nothing’d be left of him. Yesterday was “rest” at her request, but today he wanted real rest.
“...I have to find the holy sword.”
Kael’s request aside. Rowen burned to destroy Arkanthia. But for that goal, he had to let immediate enemies slide sometimes. ...Yesterday, he’d have pushed through, thinning their numbers.
His hands still shook. Recalling they’d killed his family brought Kadan’s face. Shaking wouldn’t stop. He hadn’t abandoned Rowen, bastard child of an outsider. Accepted him as son, raised him with love. Rowen missed his father.
“Young master?”
“It’s nothing.”
Maybe because she was here. He felt a bit calmer. Sage time after climax, maybe. Either way, shitty situation. Misfortunes piled up. Loved ones gone, homeland ruined. All because he was weak.
Past-life memories, great knight’s experience fused in—and still no confidence against them. Goddamn magitech. No clue where they got golem blueprints, but they’d crossed the line.
“Bastards.”
His sealed heart sought strength. Purge them. Purge any who blocked his path. Something had twisted inside.
“...I need to reclaim the holy sword as soon as possible.”