Arahan's Obsession
Arahan wasn't exactly thrilled with the current situation. She was confident she could do anything for Rowen. She knew better than anyone how exhausted he was, how broken his heart was. Even without those reasons, she'd do anything if he asked. But she didn't like his decision.
Where the hell does he plan to find the Holy Sword?
The Holy Sword. The blade wielded by heroes, God's proxies, to seal demons. Unlike Lucius's holy relic Rosmerta or her own Rosbriel, it was said to emit even an angelic aura from the mana it generated. Such a sword had been missing for a thousand years—ever since the death of the great knight, Rian Rose. Rumor had it that his comrades had buried it with his body. His tomb still hadn't been found, and countless archaeologists had given up the search. There were whispers that his reclusive companions were silently pressuring people not to look, but even from what her own master Uba had told her, that seemed unlikely.
"The Holy Sword isn't something just anyone can find."
"Why the hell is even finding one damn sword so hard?"
"I can't tell you the reason."
"What bullshit is this?"
"It's not bullshit! Rian's sword mustn't come out into the world yet. We have to wait for that time too."
"I don't understand a word of that."
"You idiot! You can't even understand your master's words. Girl, you're lacking in training."
"Ha! What does a pig with nothing but muscle in its brain know?"
"I'm not a pig. I have the honorable name Uba Kaliarun. Descendant of Kalia Rune. Don't rename me on your whim!"
"...Tch."
Arahan recalled her master's words from the past, the one who had raised her.
—It mustn't come out into the world yet. What the hell does that mean? No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't figure it out.
Arahan looked at Rowen. His hollow eyes had lost half their vitality. His emotions weren't completely dead, but the shadow of his grief still loomed thick. Honestly, she didn't like the idea of him setting out to find the Holy Sword. He needed rest. Right by her side, without a thought in his head. He could lean his forehead against hers. He could just cling to her. They could embrace. They could make love. She'd fulfill any request of his. Venturing out into the dangerous world would only hurt his heart more. He was in a rush right now. Rushing because of Kael's request. She had no intention of blaming her second young master, but she resented him a little. That made her even more worried. Of course, she was happy to be with him. Alone, just the two of them. Ever since that incident, the past two days had been pure bliss for Arahan. Like the pleasant buzz of a good drink, not too overwhelming. Soft, gentle emotions. She was feeling love.
Of course, she'd forced her affections on him. She knew she should hold back, but she couldn't. The thread in her mind snapped, and an inexplicable lust boiled up. She didn't regret it. She was going to claim him eventually anyway. Even if by force, she needed an excuse to stay together. If they had a child between them, he couldn't just leave recklessly. There was no guarantee a child had been conceived yet. She hadn't used contraception, but she'd only taken his seed twice. Not yet... probably not yet. No need to rush. He'd promised to stay with her forever. But if he broke that promise? If he turned his eyes to another woman? If he tried to leave her?
"...."
She didn't know what she'd do then. It could turn into a truly dangerous situation.
"Hehe..."
"What's so funny?"
"It's nothing. I just... got a little angry imagining you leaving me, young master."
"Why the hell would you think something so pointless?"
From the start.
"...Without even you now, I..."
"Yes, I know. You can't live without me, young master."
"Yeah, so... what?"
Rowen felt a twinge of fear in Arahan's smile. The chill creeping up his spine wasn't pleasant.
"So, when do we depart?"
"...Soon."
"Honestly, I'm worried about you, young master."
"Unnecessary worry."
"No. I'm the only one who truly knows your condition. Sometimes an outsider's perspective is clearer."
His body and mind were both badly damaged. Would things go smoothly if he suddenly set off to find the Holy Sword like this? He didn't even know its location, and as her master had said, it might not be findable by just anyone. That's why she was worried. If he got fixated on the Holy Sword and overworked himself...
"No, this won't do."
"Arahan...?"
"Promise me one thing."
"What?"
"If your body and mind deteriorate further from now, I'll stop you by force if I have to."
"...."
"And if you still won't listen, I have my ways..."
She'd tie him down so he couldn't go anywhere. Keep him by her side until his body fully healed. She'd heal his heart herself. Somehow. If all else failed, she'd give him everything she had...
—So.
"Don't make me worry too much."
"Got it."
"...Do you really understand?"
"I said yes."
"Those eyes don't look convinced at all."
"Your mouth! Sigh... Fine. I'll try not to get hurt."
"As long as you understand."
Arahan just chuckled softly.
*
Rowen slept deeply. He planned to leave early the next morning, so he'd gone to bed earlier than usual. Just in case. Even with the perception-lowering robe, magitech could strike from unexpected angles. That's why they'd decided on early morning when there were fewer eyes.
Arahan pressed close to his side. She couldn't cling to him when he was awake. Partly to let him rest undisturbed, but also because after that incident, he'd seemed a bit uncomfortable with her...
Why why why why why why why.
"Why do you find me uncomfortable? Do you hate me? Or was I too forceful...? I'll fix it. I'll change until it suits you. I'll do anything. So please don't push me away..."
Emotions she'd never shown outwardly before. Arahan pushed away the sudden rush of thoughts. At least in moments like this, she wanted to be happy. No need for useless worries. Just...
"Young master... I love you."
She whispered her affections into his ear while clinging to him. He twitched slightly, and it was adorable. His firm muscles, mature beyond his years, were alluring.
"So please don't leave me..."
Arahan thought. Before, she'd hidden her feelings behind teasing to get closer, to talk more. She didn't know if he'd accepted her heart or not. She wanted to know but held back. As long as she could stay by his side, it didn't matter. But now, maybe she needed to rethink it. She'd confessed her feelings. Did she need to keep acting this way? Maybe she could act seductive, warm, affectionate to make him look at her.
Yes, at least for now...
Rowen slept soundly amid swirling emotions and extreme fatigue. Arahan wasn't so consumed by lust that she'd disturb his sleep. She lightly kissed his forehead. Her lower belly grew hot, but she held back. It was a shame, but she could comfort herself alone. Don't trouble him. Instead...
"Mm... haa..."
A little. Just a very little. She borrowed his body.
"I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you."
She whispered obsessively into his ear like a plea. Her voice trembled more and more. But Arahan ignored it and poured out her lust. With each whisper, her body heated up. Her disheveled, beautiful hair was already damp with sweat.
"...At this rate, my lowly sweat will stain your noble body..."
Arahan whispered more. Words she couldn't say aloud. She comforted herself with such filthy, lewd mutterings.
"Ah... to dirty you with my sweat..."
She whispered again.
"I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you...? Ah... I've dirtied you. Forgive me...! I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry...! But I love you..."
Arahan thought. She knew licking a noble's body with her lowly one was forbidden. But imagining his body wetting with her sweat brought a strange sense of taboo pleasure. The man she adored was a noble, even if illegitimate. A commoner like her wouldn't normally be allowed to love him.
...Thank goodness he was kind and warm. That's why her love grew, turning to lust and then sexual desire. Human cravings were truly wondrous.
She lightly licked the drop of her sweat on his cheek. Coming to her senses, she realized she was sucking on his cheek with wet sounds.
"...Please don't ever leave me. Stay by my side forever. Hehe, once your revenge is complete, finding a new home wouldn't be bad. Just the two of us somewhere remote... Ah! Thinking of living with the children we'll have someday... my belly aches..."
"Mm..."
Rowen stirred. Arahan held her breath for a moment. Hoping he wouldn't wake, she pressed closer. She slowly exhaled and caressed his hand. Soft yet firm. Proof of his efforts since childhood to shed the illegitimate son's image. She could see his determination to prove himself through achievements if bloodline wouldn't suffice. Of course, Rowen had trained to grow strong... but to Arahan, it didn't matter. Just having him in her arms was enough. Connecting with him made her happy. Whether he'd accepted her courtship or not, she didn't know. If he had no thoughts on it, she'd just take him. It was fine. She was this happy now. No bad thoughts.
"I love you..."
Arahan gazed at Rowen. Lust in the form of obsession drove her. She couldn't tear her eyes from him. She knew every inch of his body. What he did daily, when, what he liked, his hobbies, favorite foods—everything about him.
"I love you... I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you...!"
Her gaze never left him. Sleep wouldn't come. She focused only on him. Whispered her love. She lovingly watched him until he opened his eyes.
*
Three days after leaving the inn. The rain had stopped, but the cold had intensified. Autumn was near. Winterer's autumn was coldly ordinary, but this was a sharper chill. True severe cold.
Rowen felt disgust. If this wind, this air was because the demons' seal was breaking...
Rowen went beyond disgust to rage. It was ultimately the cause of his brother's death.
Grind.
Rowen ground his teeth. It hurt a little. To others, he looked like a black-robed youth standing by the road, gnashing his teeth.
The perception-lowering robe. Not enforced magitech, but a robe infused with magic from the start. A product of the Magic Association, now conquered by Arkanthia.
"...Young master."
"I'm fine. Just in a bad mood."
"If it's hard, we can go back. I'd approve."
"...No. Let's go."
Rowen turned away from Arahan's words. Go back and rest quietly. He knew how much she cared. He was grateful, but separate from his own feelings. She might be happy, but he wasn't. With enemies still breathing, how could he rest?
Rowen resolved himself. Something he'd thought about endlessly. In a way, no different from his past life. Eradicate magitech from the world, reseal the demons.
...Their kings, the Demon Lords, wouldn't die. As infuriating as that was, sealing them was something.
Rowen would walk the same path as in his past life. Family revenge. At the end of that path were always Arkanthia and the demons.
Rowen glanced at Arahan walking beside him. She'd follow him. She was stronger than him now, his master, the woman who'd said she loved him. She'd surely follow to the end.
He knew it was selfish. It was.
—I'm selfish.
But he couldn't help it. He'd use anything for his goals. That was Rowen's law.
Find the Holy Sword, gain power. Purging them would eventually reclaim Snowfall. Then straight to the Soul Spring. Not a proper adult ritual, but inheriting the ancestors' power would catch him up to his past life's realm. Or beyond.
Rowen clenched his fist. It was cold. A reminder that this was still his homeland. But the surroundings were filled with Arkanthian traces. Imperial ships filling the harbor. Those worrying for the Valenos family and the betrayers. Amid all that, Rowen thought. Reclaim power, reclaim home. He recalled Kael's request.
—Protect the North.
"Yeah."
—The North is our home.
"I know."
—I love you, little brother.
"Me too, brother."
A short vow, then he looked away. Rowen gazed at the sky. Still high and clear. Early dawn. The sun rose, painting the horizon orange. Behind the towering snow mountains. A familiar sight, yet Rowen felt a poignant ache.
"I'm worried, but... if you've made up your mind, nothing to be done."
"Thanks for sticking with me to the end."
"It hasn't ended yet."
"...Right. Not yet."
Arahan showed satisfaction at the spark returning to Rowen's eyes. The two walked on with slightly calmer hearts. Arahan gazing at him affectionately. Rowen toward an unseen future.
They smiled.