Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Fuck, It Felt So Good
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“Daron. The Knight Commander’s calling for you?”
I woke up one lazy afternoon, sprawled out asleep, to the sound of Hamill’s voice.
“You mean... the commander of the Gold Eagle Knight Order?”
“Yeah. Probably about that Tyke business?”
“Who knows.”
The Tyke affair was pretty much wrapped up. The more they dug, the more undeniable evidence piled up against him, and word was he’d even given up denying it. With yesterday’s investigation results announced, all that was left was for Tyke to vanish like morning dew on the execution ground.
If you were gonna die anyway, why not treat me right in the previous loop? Live nicely, damn it.
“Got it. But do I need an escort or something?”
“She called for you directly, so you should be fine. I’ll let them know.”
No one would think I was name-dropping the Knight Commander. Junior Knights were already a rank above us, and she was the top dog among those elite knights. Probably just a formality check.
Ariana Katrin.
Commander of the knight order that the knight Tyke had killed. I’d met her a few times recently. In the previous loop, I’d never even had a chance to face her, but after the Tyke incident, I’d been summoned several times as a witness.
I was confident I could spill everything to bury Tyke, so I’d never refused and laid it all out. Of course... that wasn’t the only reason.
Ariana, the stunning swordswoman with her blonde hair flowing freely. She had that noble grace, but as a knight who wielded her body as a weapon, her figure was firm and bouncy in all the right places. I’d shown up often to build some goodwill—and for the eye candy.
“She’s hot and all, but she watches me like a hawk.”
I hadn’t ogled her outright, but every time my eyes flicked to Ariana’s chest, she’d glare. Rise Bella, Vice Commander of the Gold Eagle Knight Order and Ariana Katrin’s personal knightess. Short blue hair, a sensually curvaceous body like Ariana’s—but her death stares at me were seriously annoying.
Like this.
“You’re here.”
“Greetings, Vice Commander.”
Rise was waiting in front of the meeting spot with Ariana, her eyes openly filled with disgust.
But for all that staring, she couldn’t treat me roughly. What was she gonna do?
“...Come in. Lady Ariana is waiting.”
I followed Rise’s lead inside. There stood Ariana Katrin, sword in hand.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Greetings, Knight Commander.”
This was her private training room, as far as I knew. Spacious enough for one person—rank really was everything.
“Right. I called you here to grant that wish you mentioned.”
“Thank you for making time in your busy schedule!”
Ariana valued formality, so I responded as brightly and politely as possible. I lifted my head again, gauging her satisfied reaction.
Oh...
She must have been warming up just moments ago—her skin glistened faintly with sweat. And instead of her usual armor, she wore training gear. I’d never seen Ariana like this, and damn, it was hot. No cleavage or bare midriff, but the top clearly outlined her full breasts, and the bottoms clung tight to her body, exposing the lines from her thighs to her ankles in stark detail.
“Training. Not money or fame, but a desire to grow stronger—that resonated with me. So, what’s your goal?”
Money and fame would come naturally once I got strong.
What good was wealth or glory for the weak? They couldn’t hold onto it long.
“Since you asked for my personal guidance, I assume at least Junior Knight? Twenty-Man Leader? Or maybe Centurion?”
Becoming a knight elevated you above commoners, but knights had their own hierarchy. The lowest rung was Junior Knight.
Junior Knights didn’t have official titles but were appointed within the order for exceptional skill.
“Or... do you aim even higher?”
With an official knight’s title, you’d be one step below nobility—a full-fledged knight. Once formalized, you could climb based on merit. Sure, past a certain point you needed connections... but for a lowly soldier reaching that height, it’d be a happy problem.
“Where do you aim, soldier?”
“I...”
Knight.
Even full knight was a pipe dream.
...In the old days, maybe.
From the moment I got this second chance, I had no interest in settling for something so modest.
I might become a knight briefly on the way to my ultimate goal, but I wouldn’t stay there forever. Though my ambitions beyond that weren’t crystal clear yet.
“I...!”
This was the best answer.
“I want to become as strong as you, Lady Ariana!”
A brief silence fell. Ariana, who’d asked the question, and Rise, who’d been glaring, both lost for words. Rise especially looked incredulous, on the verge of scoffing, but she schooled her face at her superior’s demeanor.
“Hahaha... Good! A man needs ambitions like that!”
I knew damn well what I’d just spouted was nonsense.
Ariana Katrin was weaker than the Hero bitch, sure—but still plenty strong. A core pillar of the Empire’s forces. My bold target hit the mark with her, luckily.
...Honestly, I knew it was impossible.
I’d lived longer than most, gained all sorts of experience, but talent had its limits—even for me.
Fuck it, so what?
Shoot first, figure it out later!
“Then let’s see your skills first.”
Ariana picked up a practice sword and approached. Her scent wafted by as she closed in. ...Did she really sweat? It’s stirring my blood.
“Show me what a soldier can do.”
The sword she handed me wasn’t wooden—it was a real, sharp blade. Not razor-edged, but...
“I won’t stab a soldier anyway, and you won’t touch me, so no issue.”
Fair enough.
“Come at me full force. You don’t seem great with mana, so I won’t use any either.”
Ariana drew a matching sword. Wood would’ve hurt for real.
No mana? Maybe I had a shot.
“If I win, can I have another wish? No big meaning—just motivates me more.”
“Won’t happen, but if you do, sure.”
Been a while.
“Hoo.”
This chill thrill!
It’d been a week since regression, just soldier duties. Basic training, sure, but one-on-one like this? Long time.
But... until just a week ago, I’d been in real war. Survived to the bitter end through sheer grit.
After the burns tangled my mana circuits, I’d maxed out on swordsmanship. Couldn’t use mana properly back then, but now my circuits were fine—so I’d asked Ariana for training to learn it.
“Here I come!”
Ariana, waiting casually, flinched for a split second. My stance alone must’ve tipped her off to my skill.
Our swords clashed.
The clear ring of metal echoed through the training hall as we truly began exchanging blows.
Without mana, Ariana was naturally weaker. But she hadn’t slacked on sword training despite her mana reliance—it showed. She pressed me relentlessly.
Clang—!
Once more, swords locked, eyes meeting.
A handspan apart. I savored Ariana’s beauty; she looked intensely focused.
Even self-handicapped, the Knight Commander’s swordsmanship as a martial artist was no joke.
Her blade dominated position but never broke through.
Seemed overwhelming, but wasn’t.
“How has a talent like you only surfaced now?! At your age, this level?!”
...You’re twenty-three, one year younger than me.
Talent freaking out over talent? Nah, this was years of battlefield research to survive.
“Show me more of that soldier’s sword!”
Ariana’s strikes sharpened. Pure defense wouldn’t cut it; this could drag forever. And something nagging me despite trying to ignore it...
Her breasts swaying with big movements... might get me hard?
Seeing that would tank my score to hell. No negatives!
Win or lose, end it quick. Better to attack properly and lose than just block and drop.
“Hah!”
I ducked her swing, surged in. She dodged my sword easily, but hesitated at my immediate fist.
Sword-only mindset caught her off-guard. Seemed dirty, but battlefield basics. Ariana, risen through duels not wars, probably new to this. Mixing martial arts in a sword bout? Gap opened.
I hooked her leg; focused on my upper body, she toppled. Her perfectly shaped ass hit the floor.
“My win.”
Normally, I’d hold sword to throat—but with the Vice Commander gawking behind, that’d get me decapitated on the spot.
Ariana lay stunned, never expecting defeat.
“You bastard! Sword duel means swords only, don’t you know?!”
“Says who? Sure, a bit sneaky, but does an enemy use one weapon in real combat?”
Rise stormed over, snapping; I played it cool.
Her pride stung after promising a wish for victory, but I’d meant it somewhat.
This continent was complacent.
Too long in peace; real fights rare, so pragmatic tactics like mine seemed cowardly. Time to overhaul training. Peacekeeping bounty hunts wouldn’t cut it anymore.
“How dare you talk back—”
“...Impressive.”
Ariana’s murmur cut Rise off. The blonde commander shot up, grabbed my hand tight as she strode over.
“C-Commander?”
“Incredible! No mana, pure clash—you beat me, soldier!”
Ariana’s eyes sparkled, yanking my hand. Our bodies pressed; her soft breast brushed my hand. Squishy!
“Not just sword. Obvious, but after focusing solely on it, this shocked me!”
Love the closeness, but Rise is murder-glaring!
“Soldier—no, Daron, right?”
“Y-Yes.”
“Daron. Master mana, and you’ll soar higher. I’ll make it happen! Your sword-and-body style is so efficient—teach me too?”
Was Ariana this chatty?
True to her sword devotion, spotting a growth path spiked her favor. Not romantically, but like a pearl in sand?
“Daron, later—”
Ariana froze mid-sentence.
Fuck.
We’re screwed.
Feeling so good.
“Uh...”
Thin bottoms clung tight; she felt the sensation on her thigh keenly. She pulled back, glanced down. Not fully erect, but pants hid nothing.
Fuck, that’s cheating!
Pressing that body against me—who wouldn’t?
Total accident.
“Commander?”
Rise, behind me, clueless, looked puzzled.
“A... haha. I’ll call you later.”
Our commander recoiled like a flustered virgin, turned, and hurried out in awkward steps unlike her usual poise. Rise called after, following.
At least Ariana covered for me tactfully. If Rise caught on, I’d be castrated.
But...
“Fuck, the mood was perfect.”
I’d planned to ease in slowly, build closeness. But she’d clocked my lust already.
Fine for a one-off, but she’s teaching me mana swordsmanship... poison or medicine? Unclear. Awkward as hell.
Today, that oblivious dick was slightly resented.
...Ariana’s breast, felt briefly through clothes, lingered in mind.