Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 37: Omen (1)

Before I knew it, half a year had passed since I began my stay in the Imperial Capital.

In the salon I had set up on the first floor of the mansion, noblewomen were always gathered, chirping away about how they were better than one another.

Ah, seducing noblewomen was simple.

My salon primarily dealt with the cultures and artifacts of other races or foreign lands that were difficult to encounter in the Imperial Capital. Such rarity naturally translates into a sense of superiority—the feeling that "I am different from the rest."

Thanks to those ladies, who were addicted to that sense of superiority, I had no trouble maintaining my lifestyle in the capital.

Of course, this was also the point where Natalia’s Heroine Supplement Plan was nearing its successful conclusion.

—Clang! Clang! Shing!

"Hup!"

"Haah!"

Beyond the crossed practice swords, I saw Natalia’s beautiful face, her green eyes flashing.

It had been three months since I first invited Natalia to the second floor, where no ordinary person was allowed. The Sword Princess, who had once been broken and ruined, had finally reclaimed her former self. It was as if she were standing before her coronation to be crowned the Sword Queen.

'Though, thanks to that, our sparring sessions have become quite intense!'

I had implemented thorough management of her diet and daily routine, even utilizing Sitri’s suggestions. I provided systematic, modern training menus and massages proven by science and medicine.

And… most importantly, there was Natalia’s own innate talent.

Just as a masterwork blade remains a masterwork even if it rusts, Natalia was a genius not only in skill but also in her physical specifications. According to Sitri, as her dormant magic power gradually activated, her body was becoming optimized.

Because of that, I thought it would take at least half a year, but Natalia returned to being the Sword Princess in a mere three months.

—Clang!

Natalia’s sword and mine crossed in mid-air.

"Whew…"

"Huff, huff…"

Natalia still held her sword at the ready, but I withdrew mine. This was already the fifth round. We could both keep going if we wanted to, but if we clashed any further, we would have to fight for a decisive conclusion.

'In truth, from the moment I formed a contract with Sitri, there is no one who can defeat me. If I set my mind to it, I can kill anyone.'

Therefore, the only reason I lowered my sword was simply because the risk of injury was increasing. An increased risk of injury would be unfortunate for Natalia and very dangerous for me. A human who heals the moment they are wounded isn't a person; they're a monster.

As a result… Natalia’s expression shifted to one of slight dissatisfaction.

"…You are withdrawing your sword again. We haven't even reached a conclusion."

"As I’ve told you before, I didn't pick up the sword to defeat you, Lady Natalia. I picked it up to help you."

"I am truly grateful for that. However… while sharing blades with you like this, Leon, a certain thought often crosses my mind."

"And what thought might that be?"

"That I feel… nothing from your sword. That sort of thing."

For a moment, my heart raced; Natalia’s observation was incredibly sharp. In reality, swordsmanship was merely a means to an end for me. It was a tool to close the psychological and physical distance with Helena, and now, it was a tool to close the distance with Natalia.

So, of course, she felt nothing from it.

"Hmm, is that so? I’ve practiced diligently since I was young…"

"P-please don't take it too much to heart. It’s just… I feel it’s a bit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of a waste. It’s as if I’m watching someone who could become peerless with just a little more effort, yet always discards it without hesitation right at the threshold…"

Regrettably, I felt only one thing: a cynical sentiment of, Hmm, is that all? Even though she was talking about me.

'Of course, it's because my goal is you.'

I have always been this kind of person. The type who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠saves the most delicious part of the steak for the very last bite. Everything else is merely an appetizer or a garnish to enhance the flavor of that final mouthful.

Accordingly, I cleared the unnecessarily prominent appetizer from the table.

"Haha, I’m flattered you’d say that, Lady Natalia. However… I have no desire to become a peerless swordsman. To be precise, among the roles my father expects of me, a peerless swordsman is not one of them."

As expected, a faint shadow fell over Natalia’s face. The noble duties that had trampled her life and dreams applied to me as well.

"…I suppose so. In fact, it is already surprising that someone in your position, Leon, possesses this level of swordsmanship."

"Is that so? Haha. Actually… when I was young, I also dreamed of becoming a great swordsman or knight like you, Lady Natalia. But… one must eventually wake up from dreams."

"…"

Natalia’s eyes grew moist as she looked at me. Pity, sympathy, empathy… she was likely feeling those emotions right now, wasn't she? Thinking that I, too, had to give up my dreams—that I harbored the same wounds as her.

'I said those words to lead her to think that way, so I hope she does.'

Of course, I have absolutely no intention of giving up on my dreams. I wasn't born to follow. I was born to make others follow me.

Unlike me, who was harboring such thoughts, Natalia had unknowingly taken a step closer to me.

"…I am not someone worthy of your admiration, Leon."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because I… I gave up. Not only did I give up on myself, but I made Helena give up as well…"

And didn't I make you give up, too? Her bowed head seemed to say. It seemed my acting was a bit too good… Natalia appeared to believe that I had given up my dream of becoming a great swordsman because of her.

'Hmm, it’s about time…'

Soon, I would have to place the crown of the Sword Queen on Natalia’s head. Of course, a crown that is spelled "collar"—a dog collar of obedience and submission.

"Lady Natalia. Why did you pick up the sword you once laid down and try to reclaim your former self?"

"That’s…"

Because she wanted to see Helena again. Those words seemed stuck in Natalia’s throat. The reason was, well, because that wasn't the only reason.

"This is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what I think. Dreams are important, but what’s more important is not forgetting the 'self' that dreams."

"The self that dreams…?"

"Yes. Dreams are bound to collide with reality, break, and scatter like bubbles. Of course, there are those who carry out a pure and noble dream to the very end, but even so, I believe that not forgetting the 'me' who dreams is more important than the dream itself."

"I see… I see…"

"You may have laid down your sword, Lady Natalia, but you never forgot the self that dreams. That is why you suffered so much and pushed yourself so hard. And that is why you were able to return to your past self."

"…"

"That is why I told you that you were beautiful when I first met you. Because I love people who dream."

Before I knew it, Natalia was shedding large, heavy tears. Looking at her reaction… it seemed she hadn't been certain at all. She had been plagued by doubts, wondering if the current her was truly worthy of standing before Helena again.

'And… showing such a reaction in front of me means she’s that much more open to me.'

Since she had left the door open, it was only natural for me to enter. I naturally reached out and gently wiped away the tears flowing down Natalia’s cheek.

"Ah…"

"I’m sorry, Lady Natalia. Seeing you cry was so heartbreaking that… I acted out of turn without realizing it. My apologies."

"I-it’s alright. I’m the one who should be sorry. For showing you such a pathetic sight…"

The moment of achieving a goal is truly special, but achieving these small victories is also quite entertaining. To think she’s receiving an apology after a man who isn't her husband touched her cheek and even wiped away her tears. She’s experienced something so absurd, yet she can't even process that it’s absurd.

Now then… shall we move on to the main event?

"It’s already this late. Lady Natalia, how about we wrap up today’s training here?"

"…Yes. Let’s do that."

"Understood. Then, I’ll see you in the esthetic room."

"Yes."

*

Lustrous black hair flowing down.

Breasts that boasted a massive presence even while she was lying down.

The curves of her waist and hips, which weren't what they used to be, but were actually more heart-fluttering because of it.

And finally, the glimpse of her abdominal muscles…

The Natalia lying before me now was the very image of my dreams brought to life.

'Of course, I’ve covered her with a towel.'

To put it another way, it was because of that towel that Natalia could expose her bare skin before me. In other words… that towel was Natalia’s last line of defense. Though I wondered what kind of defense it was when I could just slide my hand underneath it.

"Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere, Lady Natalia?"

"No… thanks to you, Leon…"

Natalia’s voice was trembling slightly. The stimulation and excitement from the groin massage I had performed before she turned over were still lingering.

'In the beginning, she was so embarrassed and needed all sorts of excuses.'

Now, she gives up her inguinal region so easily that there’s no need for words. Now then… today…

"I will proceed with the treatment around the nape, shoulders, and collarbones. Please tell me immediately if you feel any discomfort or pain."

"You never forget to say that."

"Since I am laying hands on such a beautiful body, I must ensure there isn't even the slightest mishap. Haha…"

"Pfft, beautiful? Please."

Engaging in natural conversation, I placed my hand on the nape of Natalia’s neck. The sensation of her soft yet elastic skin and the fine wisps of hair seemed to tickle my fingertips.

"Hngh…"

"Does it hurt?"

"No… it’s just… haah… it feels good…"

"Haha, thank you."

Next were the shoulders. Unlike the nape, which I had caressed gently, I applied a bit of pressure to the shoulders.

"Mmm…"

"Is it uncomfortable?"

"No, it hurt a little… but that actually makes it feel better…"

"I see. Then I’ll continue like this. I can feel quite a bit of fatigue in your shoulders."

"Yes…"

Just doing a massage like this wouldn't be bad… but that wouldn't be fun for me. Why don't I go a little deeper?

"How have you been lately, Lady Natalia? Isn't everyone surprised?"

"Pardon? Everyone surprised…"

"Since you’ve reclaimed your former self, aren't people around you congratulating you? For example… your husband."

"…My husband."

Along with her cold tone, I felt her shoulder muscles stiffen slightly. I had heard rumors, but it seemed their marital relationship really wasn't very smooth. In times like this, it’s best to pretend to be completely ignorant.

"Yes. Since you’ve reclaimed your former self, Lady Natalia, wouldn't His Excellency the Knight Commander be the one most pleased?"

"I wonder. I haven't had a proper conversation with that man. Nor do I have any desire to."

"What? You haven't had a proper conversation…?"

"Not when we first met, not when we were wed, not even when we were doing the work to conceive a child, and not at any other time… that man has never looked at me for a single moment. No… in the first place, it didn't even seem like he saw me as a person."

It seemed Natalia’s husband, Loengram, truly viewed her as nothing more than a broodmare. A vessel to give birth to an even superior bloodline. And yet… I found it hard to believe. Because the Natalia of the past, known as the Sword Princess, was one of the most renowned beauties in the country.

"That can't be… you are such a beautiful and lovely person, Lady Natalia…"

"At least to that man, I didn't seem to appear that way. Of course, I never loved him for a moment either, but in that moment, it felt as if my heart had turned to ice."

"That moment… you mean…?"

"…Don't you know as well, Leon? The rumors that he has a child born out of wedlock."

So, the moment Natalia spoke of was a moment like this: the moment Loengram was fooling around with another woman. For Natalia, it must have been a moment where her self-esteem as a woman completely crumbled… but for me, it was a situation that couldn't be better. It meant there was no goalkeeper.

Of course, without showing any of this joy, I offered Natalia words of sincere consolation.

"…I don't know what to say."

"I didn't tell you this because I wanted words of comfort or empathy. It’s just… my mind feels a bit more at ease now."

"Perhaps it’s because your shoulders have eased up?"

"Fufu, that might be it. But…"

"Yes?"

"When you told me I was beautiful and lovely, Leon… I was truly happy. Oh my, what am I saying…"

"Hahaha, thank you."

When the body is at ease, the mind follows. And when the mind is at ease, the tongue loosens. Pretending not to care at all, I naturally moved both of Natalia’s arms above her head. Soon, Natalia’s neatly groomed, pale pink armpits were revealed.

"This position is… a bit…"

"Just like the inguinal region, there are lymph nodes in the armpits. Until now, I’ve only massaged the lymph nodes of your lower body, but from today, I intend to treat the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lymph nodes of your upper body as well… how does that sound?"

"I-I see…"

Natalia gave a low nod. Yes, the first time is always the hardest. Besides, she had already permitted me to touch her groin, which was far more embarrassing than her armpits. Thanks to that, conquering Natalia’s armpits was incredibly easy.

"Ha-ah…."

"Please bear with it for a moment. Lymphatic massage doesn't take very long."

"Yes… nngh… I know… hngh…"

Does Natalia know what kind of state she’s in right now? It was such an enjoyable time that I couldn't help but wonder.

'Now then… that’s enough for today.'

The time for a full-scale conquest would be when Natalia had completely reclaimed herself. That would be much more fun.

"I’ll wrap things up here for today. You’ve worked hard, Lady Natalia."

"Haah… yes… you worked hard too, Leon…"

Beyond the disheveled towel, I could see the gray underwear covering Natalia’s lower body. Along with a dark, wet stain of vivid desire, though it was still small.