Chapter 100
Chapter 100
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 100
Baern was in chaos.
It was only natural. Not even three full days had passed since that cataclysmic event that had thrown the entire city into turmoil.
The section of the walls where the giant sandworms had swarmed was a gruesome, grand spectacle of collapsed stone rubble and the worms' exploded corpsesHalia's handiwork. Inside the city, bloodstains still lingered here and there from Tehla and the sandstorm's terrorist attack.
Yet the people carried on as if it were nothing.
That was just how Baern's culture had evolved.
In a society where those sharing drinks and laughs today might return as corpses tomorrow, death was no stranger.
"Hey! Pick up that arm rolling around over there!"
"Isn't that Hunter? Tch, the guy who said he was retiring to open a fruit stand went out fighting like a beast."
Though shaken by the calamity, they bounced back quickly.
They mourned the departed in their own ways and began rebuilding what was broken.
The royal palace was no different.
"Ah, you're here. Asher."
The palace had suffered heavy damage. Every one of the king's concubines had been artificial witches, and when they rampaged all at once, the Lion Corpswho should have stopped themhad been on their side.
The losses were incalculable. The one silver lining was that the buildings themselves weren't too badly damaged.
Gester looked exhausted. But his eyes burned brighter than ever.
"It's the house I haven't seen in ten years. It's a mess, sure, but isn't that how it always is with places left empty too long? Gotta clean it up nice."
Big Ten was helping him out.
Asher figured they were lending a hand to get picked for the Lion Corps, but he was off the mark.
"Oh! The Lion of Trevion is here!"
"Ha, that crybaby kid grew up into such a fine man!"
Every Big Ten mercenary he met said the same thing.
The Lion of Trevion.
It wasn't hard to see that the title went beyond just referring to a survivor of the old Lion Corps.
"...You think I'm staying here, don't you."
"Yeah."
Gester didn't deny it.
He was gazing at the palace under reconstruction.
"The city's damage isn't irreparable. Even the street vendors are retired mercenaries or have family in the trade. They all fought and survived in their own ways, so we've still got plenty of manpower. The palace staff is getting refilled fast too. Over half the administrators in charge of domestic affairs made it through. But that's not enough. Baern needs a symbol."
Asher fell silent.
Gester turned to him.
"You know it. What's the one unchanging symbol in Baern."
"......"
"The king exists only to rule. The people don't care who sits on the throne. What matters is the Lion Corps. The ultimate guardians. The incarnation of Baern."
He was dead serious. No one could miss his point.
"...Asher, I know it's rude to ask. But could you reconsider, just this once?"
"Gester..."
"Become a Lion. Rebuild Trevion."
Gester extended his hand.
"Rebuilding isn't enough. We need a powerful symbol."
Asher pressed his lips tight.
Truth be told, from the moment he'd stepped onto that battlefield in his original body, he'd half-expected this offer.
Maybe taking this hand would fulfill the dream of his youth. It wouldn't be a bad life.
But anticipating the question meant he'd had time to mull over his answer.
And right now, Asher had a reason he couldn't take it.
There was someone who absolutely needed him by her side.
"Sorry, Gester."
Asher gave a bitter smile.
"I've got someone I serve. She'd be in real trouble without me."
He'd snuck out today because he couldn't take it anymore, but Asher had decided long ago that his place was with Versia.
Of course, his feelings weren't exactly the same as when he'd first made that choice.
Awe and admiration? Honestly, there was barely a speck left. How could there be, with her usual behavior?
But that void... no, it had been filled to overflowing by something far greater.
A human affection. Versia was so unstable and childlike, it was hard to leave her alone.
He expected disappointment at the firm refusal.
But Gester's response was different.
"Figured as much."
Gester grinned sheepishly.
He scratched the back of his head and smacked his lips, showing no sign of gloom.
"Knew it. Can't go gallivanting around when you've got a girlfriend waiting."
"Th-that's not it!"
"Huh? Come on, no need to play coy now."
Asher flushed in panic, and Gester leered wickedly.
"Kid, you acted all manly in front of the lady, but look at youno change at all."
It wasn't that; it was just a different person in this body back then.
But no one would believe that, and there was no need to add to the list of people in on the secret.
Asher shot Gester his signature sullen glare.
Gester chuckled and said,
"Got it, got it. I'll stop."
"I'm her guard. Just doing my job."
"Sure, let's call it that. Anyway, back to business."
It really was that!
He glared with all his indignation, but Gester ignored it and pressed on.
"We'll pick the new Lion Corps from Big Ten. You're the best choice, but you're not a Baern man anymore. Protecting this land is for its own people."
With that said first, Asher felt awkwardly chastened, with no room to snap back.
As they watched people come and go, Gester said,
"Take care. Swing by sometime."
He already seemed to know Asher wouldn't stay long.
"...Yeah, I'll come around when I'm not busy."
"By then, I'll be king. Remember? I'm taking a hundred concubines. Gonna be the most debauched king ever. Good luck with your fated love."
Asher chuckled. It felt like they were boys again.
Was it a blessing he could catch up in his real body?
They reminisced about old times with Gester.
He was just about to leave.
"Big bro... Oh, Sir Trevion!"
Jern appeared, clutching a stack of documents.
Word was, he'd been running around helping Gester during the crisis and got assigned to the understaffed administration. Never having ties to the sandstorm or witches helped too.
Anyway, with Jern there, Gester looked a bit troubled. Jern bowed to Asher, then blushed brightly as he chattered reports to Gester.
What to make of that scene?
A thought popped up.
-Total incestuous gay.
...Maybe Versia had corrupted his brain.
Asher quietly stepped away.
Hoping Gester stuck to sexual tastes that could produce an heir.
* * *
Whatever Halia had done, after Asher returned from the palace, she was much meeker than before.
She'd occasionally spout weird stuff like "What's a grandma?", but it didn't feel like a big deal.
Four days passed.
Meals had to be taken sealed up, and for bathroom breaks, Halia personally supervised to keep Versia's curse from spreading.
The toughest part was probably trying to sip soup only for her tongue to go for the fingers instead.
But that was over now.
"Today's the day I get unsealed. Promise you won't touch me!"
"I promise."
Time to release Versia from the seal.
She nodded with her usual inscrutable blank expression.
Asher stayed on guard. He slowly undid the seal, and thankfully, Versia didn't do anything odd.
...Or so he thought.
"Thought I was gonna die holding back."
Kiiiiing!
"Eek!"
Versia's halo flared up. It compressed its immense mass to keep it from leaking out of the room and instantly bound Asher.
Asher's heart pounded wildly, and Versia yanked at the ties of her outer clothes.
A disaster born of that one moment of relief.
Asher was truly terrified of her, waiting stone-faced for that exact opening.
"S-Saintess! Calm down! Please calm down!"
"No. I'm not calming down. I'm gonna have sex."
There was no reason in her eyes. Versia's breath grew hot.
Asher struggled, but he could never overpower her with divine power's mass.
His jaw was gripped, and he was pinned under her body.
That was the moment.
"Kyaaaa..."
Fwaaah!
"...Aaaah?"
Suddenly, the scream turned high and clear.
The ceiling was right there, but Asher's eyes saw his own body.
Their gazes met.
It swapped back.
Should he lament getting body-swapped again, or be grateful he wasn't raped?
Overwhelmed by feelings he couldn't explain, Asher covered his face with his hands.
Versia blankly fumbled with her pants ties.
Asher ground his teeth and said,
"That's not it. The curse is on me right now."
"...Oh, right."
Asher's shoulders trembled pitifully.
Not knowing his turmoil, Versia said,
"...Sorry. Wanna go change your underwear first? Bet you're soaked."
"I really hate youuuu!"
Asher bolted from the room.
He couldn't help the whimper in his voice.
Because Versia was right.
Asher despaired at how he was getting used to sensations of womanhood he never wanted to know.