Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Flesh Contract Established
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“I had no idea the Vice Commander had summoned me.”
“You didn’t know? And that makes it okay?!”
She was latching onto the tiniest nitpick. Well, they couldn’t punish me for something like this anyway, but she was just venting her temper for no good reason. Still, she could drag it out and make it annoying. So for now, I decided to play submissive and watch how things unfolded.
Only after I showed some proper deference did Rise’s voice soften again.
“So… what did the Vice Commander summon me for?”
“Hmph. The reason I called you here is simple.”
Rise issued the command with her usual arrogant tone.
“From now on, you’re forbidden from meeting with Lady Ariana. Got it?”
Suppressing me without any reason whatsoever. At that moment, I felt the anger I’d been holding back slip from my grasp.
“May I… ask why?”
“A mere soldier like you… talking back?”
Even when I phrased it as politely as possible, all I got back was an overbearing tone.
“I’m being kind here, so I’ll tell you. Do you think a wretch like you is in the proper place right now?”
“What do you mean by my ‘proper place’?”
“Do you think you’re someone fit to associate with Commander Ariana? That’s what I mean!”
Ah, so she’d picked up on that pink haze flowing between Ariana and me when we parted earlier. From a third party’s perspective—especially someone like Rise, who’d stood by Ariana’s side for so long—she must have noticed the clear shift in how Ariana treated me. Even I had glimpsed a side of her that wasn’t the usual crisp, no-nonsense commander, but a single woman.
And yet… surprisingly, this Vice Commander was meddling in Ariana’s love life like she was her mother or something. I knew she was fiercely loyal to Ariana Katrin, but interfering in personal matters like this was going too far, wasn’t it?
“…Is that not allowed?”
“So you were harboring those filthy intentions after all. Not allowed? Of course not!”
When I quietly pressed her, Rise grew even more bold at my subdued voice.
“Put your hand on your heart and think about it. Are you worthy? No, do you think I didn’t notice those lecherous eyes of yours the whole time you were with the Commander? Sure, it was under the pretext of training, but you were planning to seduce the innocent Commander and have your way with her!”
Well, damn.
Spot on.
“You think I haven’t seen scum like you before? You think I haven’t spotted those vile, predatory stares you give women, treating them like sex objects? Normally, I’d have you executed on the spot for attempted superior harassment, but I’m holding back because it might upset Commander Ariana. So it’d be best for you to back off while I’m being nice!”
“…Loud.”
“What?”
“I said you’re too loud—.”
“What did you just say?”
Fuck. I thought my eardrums were gonna burst. What was she, some bard? Who the hell did she think she was, bellowing her piece like that?
“I said you’re being too loud. Can’t you hear me?”
“You little….”
She probably thought I was scared stiff. That’s why she’d ridden the momentum and come at me hard. But what could she do? Was I really gonna back down from this?
“So… that’s your true color? I can’t let someone who doesn’t even respect their superiors anywhere near the Commander. Abso—lutely not!”
“No, why do I need your permission as Vice Commander in the first place?”
I spoke softly but firmly, driving my point home word by word.
“Yes, I do have feelings for the Knight Commander. But this is a matter between a man and a woman, separate from any official duties. There’s no reason I need your approval.”
“You… are you arguing with me?”
“She agreed to train me herself, and she was satisfied with that. Aren’t you the one disrespecting the Knight Commander instead?”
“N-no, it’s not that! It’s because you’re not fit for her! The Commander just doesn’t know how dirty men can be yet!”
“Is it wrong for a man to be drawn to a woman’s charms?”
Rise pushed back without yielding, but she was gradually losing ground logically. And I knew that in a situation like this, I had to push my common sense assertively.
“And as you know, my desire to grow stronger is genuine. You’d understand that—you’re the Vice Commander. Even in just these past few days, I’ve been getting stronger bit by bit.”
“Getting stronger doesn’t make you a match for her! Have you forgotten your place?”
At this point, it felt like there was some other reason she was so desperate to pry me away from Ariana. Rise was trembling with rage, even pointing at me accusingly.
Ah… come to think of it, I recalled hearing rumors like this in the previous loop. Wondering why she was being so stubborn, this might be the reason.
I had a annoyingly good memory. Partly to never forget those I hated, but also because I memorized everything while giving my all just to survive. I remembered that a man from some baronet family had confessed to Ariana Katrin. The soldiers around the camp had gossiped that he’d been pestering her for a long time. It was still in the future, but the name… Jodric Salt, right?
I’d even seen him before.
I recalled a man with the same blue hair as Rise.
“Vice Commander Rise Salt.”
“I don’t know where you heard my family name, but how dare you address a knight so casually!”
“Even for the sake of reviving your baronet family… you can’t go picking on me just to set up the Commander with your brother.”
“…!”
Right on the mark.
Damn right.
Her mouth snapped shut at my words—my guess had hit the nail on the head.
“House Salt. I know it’s an ambiguous family that’s waffled between noble factions. Then, Lady Rise of House Salt somehow ended up serving under the daughter of the Katrin earldom.”
Rise Salt.
A baronetcy was far above my station, but among nobles, it was relatively low. Still, Rise Salt, daughter of a baronet, had seized her chance.
“A superior with no ties to any man. Ariana, of House Katrin and Commander of the Knights, seemed like someone House Salt could use for advancement. So the two siblings schemed. The little sister helps from the shadows, while the brother, Jodric Salt, plans to marry Ariana.”
“How… how did you know?”
It was a plan they hadn’t even properly executed yet. But when I saw through it all, Rise couldn’t even deny it.
“E-even so… as a little sister, I’m just trying to help my brother, who likes the Commander!”
Too late for excuses now.
The ball was entirely in my court.
“Shall I ask the Commander directly, then? I’ll tell her everything—about me, about you and your brother… and leave the judgment to her.”
“N-no, you can’t!”
See?
You know it’s a bad idea too, don’t you?
“Then… how about this?”
Pretending to be magnanimous, I stepped closer to Rise. The Vice Commander had a body that could rival Ariana’s. I’d left her alone because of her prickly attitude, but the situation was different now.
“There’s one way to keep me from bothering Lady Ariana.”
“Where do you think you’re touching?!”
“For the revival of your house. For Lady Ariana.”
I groped Rise’s ample rear without a shred of manners. But Rise couldn’t shake me off as I continued. Her loyalty to her family must be strong, and after years of serving Ariana, so was her devotion. It was ironic, but for Ariana’s sake… for her own sake… she probably thought linking her brother with Ariana Katrin was best for everyone.
“Satisfy my lust.”
“L-lust?”
“Sex.”
“Me, with the likes of you…? Hnngh.”
“Should I go tell her right now?”
Even as a lowly soldier toyed with her body, Rise couldn’t lash out.
“To keep annoying men away from Lady Ariana, shouldn’t you, Lady Rise, fill that man’s desires instead?”
In other words, be my substitute for Ariana.
What a humiliating demand.
Even for a noble lady.
“I’m not asking to be lovers. Just a win-win sex partner arrangement, each with our own goals. How about it? You keep me company until your brother gets with Lady Ariana.”
I whispered sweet temptation into Rise’s ear like the devil himself.
“I promise you the greatest pleasure, Lady Rise. Even among the women I’ve been with, not one has left unsatisfied.”
Choose.
“Now make your choice.”
What would it be?
If she rejected me to the end, Ariana would learn of her brother’s deliberate approach and grow wary. Plus, Rise’s trustworthiness would plummet.
But if she accepted my offer, her mouth would be sealed, and she’d buy time for her brother to approach Ariana. Just her sacrifice, and the plan stayed on track.
Rise didn’t agonize long.
“Just… my body? That’s all I have to permit?”
“Your heart too would be nice.”
Squeeze, squeeze.
“Nngh, who’d give their heart to scum like you! Anyway, your goal is just my body, right?”
“Correct.”
“In that case….”
Rise’s face flushed crimson with shame. But what could she do? These were her only options.
“Fine… I’ll accept your lust.”
She truly hated it, trembling with humiliation, but… she’d declared she’d become my fuck buddy.
“Great, great. Vice Commander, you’re more reasonable than I thought.”
I released her ass and slung my arm around her shoulders like old pals. The armor kept me from feeling her chest, but I patted the parts that jutted out just right. I could feel those full, heavy breasts straining against it.
“Then… I’ll see you tonight in your room, Vice Commander.”
There’s a saying: When the iron’s hot, strike it. Great advice—when the moment’s right, charge without hesitation.
“Oh, tonight already? In my room?”
“Just tell me where, and I’ll find it. Leave the window open.”
I’d scored a top-tier fuck buddy like this—why put it off? Give her time to think, and she’d pull some weird stunt for sure.
“I’ll make it a night you’ll never forget.”
“Fine….”
Finally, I’d get to break this prickly bitch.