A Legendary Encounter and a Night of Unexpected Passion
The investigators had been dispatched on a request that normally carried only a low level of risk. Wandering out with the easygoing spirit of a simple stroll, the adventurers had stumbled into a far more perilous situation than anyone anticipated when they encountered a cultist group.
One of their companions had been captured, and the replacements sent to bolster the party had taken the lead. On top of that, they had even been graced with divine power—something far too peculiar to be called a miracle.
They had endured a month of stories that would keep even the most seasoned drinkers at the tavern busy. Add to that the incredible display of skill shown by the mysterious woman, and it would almost qualify as material for a proper adventure novel.
After Melanie had single-handedly wiped out the cultists in one swift strike, Joshua took a moment to assess the situation. When Drex finally returned with the defensive squad, Joshua had a brief conversation with the man who appeared to be their leader before heading back to Aslan.
“The squad has been thoroughly briefed by me, so feel free to submit the guild report and rest up.” “Yes, understood.” “Yes… thank you for saving us.” “Hah— what’s there to thank me for? Even without me, you probably would’ve slipped out fine on your own. You must’ve been studying under Rai hard, because you’re nothing like the scaredy-cat I met at first.”
Joshua clapped Aslan on the shoulder with genuine praise. Although the two had barely crossed paths once before, Joshua spoke as if he already knew him well. Aslan tilted his head in mild confusion, but simply assumed it was a casual remark and let it pass.
While Joshua’s group departed, Aslan’s party soon followed, returning to the guild. They had originally been forced to explain the scene and endure a lengthy investigation from the squad, but thanks to Joshua’s quick resolution, they were able to head home immediately.
The moment the mission ended, Aslan’s neck began to ache from the tension, so he rotated it left and right. “Let’s grab a drink since the request went smoothly.” Lydia suggested a night out.
She had only made the offer, yet she kept her arm firmly linked through Zeroa’s, blocking any escape. The softness of her chest pressing against his arm through the fabric left Zeroa speechless and he quickly averted his gaze.
“I’m a bit tired.” “You saved Lydia, so let us buy you a drink.” “Right! We almost got violated by tentacles—today’s on me!”
Drex and Lydia’s insistent urging left Aslan nodding. He had never turned down free alcohol after working hard for it in the first place. Since the others hadn’t even asked his opinion, the group headed straight for the nearest tavern.
The rich food and ice-cold beer sliding down their throats lifted their spirits, and soon their voices rose louder with each passing hour. The conversation naturally turned to the day’s events.
To entertain Drex, who had missed the main action, Lydia launched into an excited recounting, describing how Melanie had swung her weapon once and the entire cultist force was wiped out. When Drex still refused to believe her, Lydia grew visibly frustrated.
“There’s no way anyone possesses that kind of skill. You’re exaggerating way too much.” “Seriously. Even I saw it with my own eyes and I still don’t believe it. But it’s real—what the hell was that person?” “You seem to know him well enough.”
Lydia remembered how Joshua had slammed his head against the wall and pointed at Aslan. “What do you mean ‘well enough’? Aslan, you seemed pretty close to Mr. Joshua.”
Aslan blinked, utterly lost at how such a simple statement could be taken as closeness, then glanced at Zeroa for help before opening his mouth. “You don’t know?”
Zeroa simply blinked in innocent confusion. Aslan hesitated—after all, the Information Bureau was a highly secretive agency, yet Joshua was too famous for secrecy. Moreover, the Melanie Joshua had introduced was just as renowned.
Amused, Aslan let out a small sigh. “Everyone knows Joshua-nim.” “I’m asking because I don’t, so.” “Joshua de Mo Parianesa. You really don’t know?”
Aslan recited the full name, and Pia’s expression darkened. The middle name “de Mo” belonged to distant collateral branches of the imperial family with almost no blood relation and zero succession rights. Even though a trace of the original imperial blood might linger, they remained noblemen without imperial status.
“So what’s the big deal?” “Ugh…”
Pia, who had no idea about noble society, grew irritated, while Drex’s eyes widened in surprise. “The Devil of All Nations.”
The name of a figure known even to three-year-old empire citizens sent the others into shock. “That’s right. Among the people who captured the Devil of All Nations, the Marquis Edelian has the next highest achievements after Joshua.” “Eh… really? He’s that incredible?”
The person who had actually displayed terrifying power was Melanie, and from Pia’s perspective Joshua had only been sniping from the sidelines. Yet hearing he was famous made it impossible to accept.
“He really is incredible. He went behind enemy lines alone to infiltrate the Devil of All Nations’ forces, earned his trust, and even controlled the entire front! Without the intelligence and tactics he supplied, the Empire’s casualties would have been multiplied several times over!”
Aslan had mentioned Joshua’s name, but it was Drex who grew even more excited and launched into a full explanation. “Drex is a total fanatic of the Era of Strife.” “Fanatic? As an empire citizen, you’re supposed to know this history!”
Lydia laughed, but Drex insisted it was a legitimate historical fact. “Then who was that woman?” “Can’t you tell if you know her that well? Don’t you know Melanie?” “The Iron-Blooded Empress.”
Drex spoke with deep emotion, gazing at the ceiling. “Damn it… why did I have to call in the squad? I should’ve been there.” “Is her life more important than mine?”
Lydia asked in disbelief, but Drex barely registered it and continued his lament. The Iron-Blooded Empress was the title given to Melanie by empire citizens.
She had been a general who transferred to the Empire after serving in the Devil of All Nations’ army. Her popularity still soared. Though she showed unwavering loyalty to the Empire, she always insisted her true lord was none other than the Devil of All Nations and refused to pledge allegiance to any unit.
There had been criticism that she was overly arrogant for a mere general, but the Empire valued her loyalty and noble ideals and respected her firm resolve. Without a single soldier or subordinate of her own, she fought on the front lines and accumulated countless achievements.
Because Melanie rejected every reward offered and simply devoted herself to the Empire, the Emperor had even created a special unit composed solely of former generals to honor her. It was clear how much the ruler trusted her.
Thanks to that unit, countless legends about her were born. The most famous was the rumor that her golden hair and golden eyes made her the Emperor’s illegitimate child, but it was nothing more than an unsubstantiated rumor.
Standing beside Drex and Zeroa, who were mourning the missed opportunity to meet such great figures, Lydia never left their side, and neither did Pia or Aslan. Tonight’s adventure became the excuse to keep drinking.
After a long night of drinking, Pia finally noticed that both Lydia and Zeroa had vanished from their seats and furrowed her brows. “Fox-girl must’ve slipped away somewhere…”
The usual script was playing out once the young couple disappeared from the tavern: loud and messy companionship.
Pia, cursing at her unruly friend, spotted Aslan nursing a tipsy Drex. Though his eyes were fierce, he was undeniably handsome. When he was calm he looked a little foolish, yet he had been cool and composed when planning to save Lydia.
‘Huh? No way…’
Pia shook her head violently to dispel the thought that he was cool, but her cheeks still burned. “Are you drunk? Drink moderately.” “Ah, I’m not drunk yet! Stop interfering.” “Ooh, you drink well. Drex already looks wasted.”
Aslan suddenly spoke, startling Pia. Even though she answered his question with a sharp retort, he continued chatting as if nothing had happened. Caught in his sharp gaze, Pia looked away and muttered.
“You, that…” “Wah wah, you got me—!”
When Pia finally opened her mouth, Lydia returned alone and took her seat. “A pretty woman propositions you and you run away? Where’s the man for that?” “He’s too naive.”
Lydia poured more drinks and grumbled. Aslan laughed in response. “Damn, even if you ran away he’d probably still follow you. Does that mean he likes you?” “If that’s how you put it, then maybe he didn’t run away at all.” “I didn’t say that! I’m just pointing it out.”
Lydia gulped down her drink and let out a deep sigh. “He probably ran away because he likes someone else.” “Wow— a pure-hearted innocent guy who protects his virginity. I hate that.”
She tried to defend her friend Zeroa, but her lips jutted out in a pout. Then, as if a brilliant idea had struck her, Lydia leaned forward, rested her chin on the back of her hand, and looked up at Aslan. The mysterious glint in her eyes and the chest resting on the table seduced his gaze.
“Aslan, you really are a pure-hearted guy who protects his virginity, aren’t you?” “Uh, wait…”
Pia had barely finished speaking when she covered her own mouth in shock. Startled, Lydia narrowed her eyes and gave Pia a sharp look. Her face flushed red—whether from alcohol or embarrassment—she could not meet anyone’s eyes and stared only at the floor.
“I’m the kind of guy who gives his virginity away like it’s nothing.”
Aslan, who never missed an opportunity, answered immediately. Lydia found the quick reply so amusing she laughed loudly and leaned closer to Pia, whispering something in her ear before glancing back at Aslan. “Then shall we three non-virgins have some fun?”
Aslan nodded without hesitation. “Thanks, Zeroa.”
Grateful, Aslan rose with the others and followed them upstairs.
* * *
Stretched out beneath the night sky in the garden, Rai turned his head sideways. He removed the cigarette from his mouth and addressed the approaching man and woman.
“Want to announce to the world that I’m right here?” “That’s what you’d say to old comrades you haven’t seen in a while? Melanie’s already sulking about it.”
Joshua answered with a laugh. Behind him, Melanie walked gracefully over and froze the moment she locked eyes with Rai.
Her symbolic red hair and eyes had faded to dull brown, yet the face she had never forgotten caused tears to spill from Melanie’s eyes. “Look, Melanie’s crying because of Rai. It’s not right to be so cold—own up to your responsibility.”
Pretending to be angry, Joshua ignored her teasing. Rai met Melanie’s gaze. “Pretty as ever. You should wear that dress more often.” “I… never had the chance…”
Tears continued to fall and her words became hard to form, so Melanie spoke in a stammer. Rai lit another cigarette, flicked the ashes onto the ground, and stood up. Before he could, Melanie ran to him and they collapsed together.
Unfitting for the Iron-Blooded Empress, she buried her face in Rai’s chest and sobbed. Hearing the childish wail, Rai stroked her back and tried to soothe her. “What are you crying for? And— ow, it hurts. Your strength has increased a lot. Just a second, it really—”
Rai complained about the pain from Melanie’s powerful embrace without any strength adjustment. “Don’t just throw cigarette butts on the ground. Do you have no civic sense? Hah— you’ll have to play the cool guy all by yourself.”
Joshua clicked his tongue and kicked the discarded cigarette toward Cale with his foot. Cale, who had picked it up and then glanced at Joshua, said nothing and pocketed it. “We’ll continue our reunion in a moment. I’ll return in an hour—feel free to break something in the meantime.” “Where are you going?” “To the headmistress. The Emperor told me to take good care of that dog I borrowed, and since he’s been ignoring it, I’ll have to use a little pressure.”
Joshua referred to Rai as “that dog.” Melanie glared at him murderously, but Rai ignored it. Joshua, still holding Cale by the collar, left the garden.
The two were alone once more. “Long time no see. Your Highness… Master Rai.” “Ahahaha, you’re so awkward now. Since your status is higher, just call me Rai. You used to beg to be called that.” “I’ve missed you. Rai.”
Melanie, climbing onto his lap, kissed him without hesitation. After a deep, rich kiss, she pulled back slightly and met his eyes. “You seem calmed down now. You even put on makeup, yet your face is a mess.”
Instead of answering, Melanie hugged Rai as he wiped her face. While stroking the woman nestled in his arms, Rai felt her squirming as she kissed his neck and felt a jolt. “U-um, wait—what exactly—”
Melanie rubbed against his hips and pulled down his pants, revealing her snowy white breasts. “Wait, why so eager? Hey, slow down. Your eyes—” “—Ahh—!”
Despite Rai’s frantic cry, Melanie ignored him and tore his clothes away, clinging tightly.