Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: To Limno
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''.
This was a sensation Eclair often felt while reading.
Especially when poring over tactical manuals that recommended multiple books on command and strategy.
After finishing the first read-through and returning to certain passages.
Hidden meanings would gradually reveal themselves from the unchanged lines and arrangements of text.
'In what way are those two spitting images of each other.'
Today's conversation with her felt like wandering blindly through a maze where she couldn't see beyond the walls.
A maze where it seemed like she'd find the exit if she kept going, yet she couldn't guarantee its existence.
'...'
The young lady, gently caressing the scar on her face, had said she didn't say this to everyone.
- I trust your eyes too, brother, but I also think you're a good man, knight. Especially today, I was impressed. You can tell just from the 'eyes' and 'emotions' you show toward family... toward Chloe.
Worried that her hastily spoken words might feel too light, she emphasized that this was the first time she was recommending someone like this.
She even added a sincere apology, insisting that everyone understand it was said after much deliberation.
These were the words left by the young lady of House Scadi, who had now departed the mansion for a private talk with her.
"Mm..."
Lying in her bedroom, awkward words floated through her mind, making her body twist and turn involuntarily.
As she closed her eyes and ruminated on the enigmatic conversation, parts of what the young lady said began to make sense bit by bit.
'Special feelings... Does she mean I have them for Roman? Ridiculous.'
She could admit without denial that Roman was a good friend.
But even after facing him for long periods during commissions before their friendship formed.
She could confidently say she'd never felt anything beyond that.
Reviewing the conversation, she wondered if her understanding was truly correct, her thoughts spiraling.
That being with Roman would change her emotions?
Where on earth did that confidence come from?
Comparing it to an irresistible natural phenomenon—like some near-religious faith in mere humans—was impressive, at least.
'Even if you develop feelings for your lover, don't worry and come find me...'
She wasn't even sure if this was something to recommend to others in the first place.
In an era where even nobles schemed over polygamy to prevent power and wealth from scattering.
Attempting to add a romantic rival before even marriage?
Romantic relationships might take many forms, but she'd never imagined this one.
And unlike her other remarks, which she could revisit dozens of times and grasp, there was one she couldn't comprehend no matter how often she replayed it.
'What does it even mean, "When going, say you're going"...'
Going where, out of the blue?
Did it mean reconfirming the destination during travel would please Roman?
Considering reporting protocols, it was an excellent habit even for an adventurer, not a knight.
'If your traveling companion has that kind of compulsion, you'd better remember it.'
People with obsessions in some direction or another were common even in the knight order.
Frustrated by the conversation log yielding no clear answers, Eclair let out a groan and rolled side to side repeatedly.
'...I'll bill Roman for this sleepless night.'
She had to move busily soon, but the quality of her sleep was abysmal.
Vowing to pressure Roman a bit this time, Eclair slowly drifted off to sleep.
One of Rike's worries, scattered like stars in the night sky, was whether she'd pass out alone again this time and miss seeing him off.
Yet the young couple, whose libidos churned like volcanoes on the verge of eruption at mere eye contact, had chosen a surprisingly simple solution to hold back the urge to vent.
Was there really a need to start lovemaking from nightfall?
With the recent pattern of enduring pleasure until stamina bottomed out and falling asleep unwittingly, Rike had roughly gauged how long it took her to recover and wake.
The fervent blaze ignited as the sunset faded beyond the window had died down by late night.
Opening her eyes at dawn proved her judgment correct.
"Mmm... Brother..."
"You're awake? I was debating whether to wake you."
Grateful to the goddess today for the miracle born of her clumsy calculations.
Opening her eyes, she saw his broad back hurrying with preparations to leave.
She surely would've regretted it to the point of mental trauma if she'd slept even a little longer.
Reason defeated by instinct was always a pitiful sight.
Forcing her heavy eyelids up and somehow raising her upper body, her whole frame felt heavier than expected.
Because of that reckless remark yesterday... it had been truly dangerous.
- Do whatever you want for a while since we can't... Don't worry about me and do everything you desire.
Not her lover's usual 'gentleness,' but 'do as you please.'
She vowed strongly never to say that again.
Her lover knew her better than she knew herself.
Now fully grasping every weak spot on her body, pushing her to the brink of climax only to teeter precariously on the edge and halt.
Overwhelming her insurmountable strength and stamina with pure technique, dominating her completely.
'I... I nearly died...'
She recalled begging tearfully multiple times to let her go.
Thinking it was over, only for intercourse to shatter pleasure's peak once more.
The afterglow lingered too intensely.
Like a newborn herbivore, her trembling legs barely carried her from the bed.
"Huuu..."
Placing hands on her knees to steady the shaking legs.
Seeing this, her brother paused his preparations and approached.
Entrusting herself to his sturdy arms scooping under her armpits, she relaxed her legs and melted into his embrace.
"You okay?"
"Yeah..."
His masculine, musky scent soothed her heart.
Amid the regained calm, a tiny emotion wriggled like a thorn that hadn't been plucked—a worry that refused to fade.
Worry.
He said he'd be careful, but the world didn't bend to one's will.
Even he, with power doubting species transcendence, might get hurt.
A week of fretting over that while alone felt endlessly dark.
She didn't want to send him off.
But biting her tongue, she etched into her heart that she mustn't say it, and lifted the corners of her mouth.
"Did you have breakfast, brother?"
"I can grab something simple on the way, so rest more. You look like even standing is tough."
"No. I'll get something you can eat on the go. I prepared it ahead."
With sensation returning to her lower body alongside her mind, Rike took Roman's hand and left the bedroom.
She handed him the paper bag from the dining table corner.
If she started talking while looking into his eyes, she'd surely whine.
It might even become tedious and burdensome if she voiced more worries.
Conveying the affection blooming in her chest was plenty with a deep kiss.
"...I'll be waiting."
"I'll be back."
Crisply fried, finely chopped bacon mixed into cream cheese, neatly spread on a halved bagel.
On one side, a mocha bun from their favorite bakery.
Just peeking into the paper bag Rike had given him brought a smile.
"It's all my favorites."
This was happiness in concrete form.
Savoring explosive satisfaction on his tongue alone, he strolled through the capital at dawn, eat-walking.
Meeting Eclair wasn't in the capital.
Nor was it heading straight to Limno.
To reach Limno, without transit gates, he'd chosen one of many territories running carriages there.
Boarding a 24-hour gate, he hurled his body to a territory he'd never heard of in his life.
-Hey!! Don't push!
-Live beasts, even cubs, can't be carried back...
-Report your hunted catches at the table to the left!
'Why are there so many people this early in the morning?'
Loosely covered in cape and hood, he slipped out of the crowded gate zone teeming with people.
Was it some special day? Even with guards, the disorganized gate queue was utter chaos.
"Here."
Turning at the now-familiar voice, red eyes gleamed from under a deeply pulled hood.
A mask covering up to the nose hid her lower face, but that meticulous outfit screamed her personality—who else could it be.
"When did you get here?"
"About twenty minutes ago, I think."
He wasn't late.
If anything, a bit early.
Yet Eclair had arrived one step ahead.
Still eyeing the throng undertaking mass transit, he asked.
"You picked this place for a reason, right?"
"No grand motive. With the hunting festival guaranteeing crowds, this getup won't draw eyes... And among territories supporting carriages from our dispatched informants, this one's lord openly backs the imperial family."
That was plenty grand.
"Too reasonable; I got nothing."
Hearing him, Eclair turned and started walking.
"...We move now. Even departing immediately, we'll arrive at sunset."
He nearly yelped at the travel time.
Was Limno that far...? Or maybe this territory was that remote.
'A carriage...'
He hated carriages due to stuffiness alone.
But for this commission, no choice; he followed Eclair striding ahead.
Heading opposite the festival crowds, foot traffic thinned quickly.
"No need for disguises or anything?"
"Amateur magic or items are poison in Limno, per reports. The city's nature ignores face-covering outfits, but perception blocks or alterations to face or voice via magic get sniffed out by artifacts."
Listening, reasons popped up without much thought.
"Brothel strips and gambling dens lined up guarantee basic anonymity, but fakes or artificial stuff is a no-go?"
"...Not sure on exact details, but something like that."
Even a city embodying raw desire minded that.
As a 15+ game, Limno was shoddily rendered compared to other territories; he'd known nothing of this.
No reason to visit, so he'd never paid attention to tales.
"That's it."
A cabin at the end of Eclair's gaze.
To the left, a single carriage on an empty lot and a coachman with striking reddish-brown beard, preparations done.
Thinking of the long ride tensed his eyes instinctively.
"...Let's head out."
He'd thought it'd be stifling after so long, but the coachman's skill was top-notch—no sudden jolts or sore butts.
"Coachman's got killer skills."
"Power of professional training and education."
"Oh!"
Doubt if learning made it so, but impressed anyway.
Gazing out the open window, Eclair spoke without a breath.
"As you know, our destination is Limno."
"...? Yeah, I know."
"I'm announcing our heading."
"...I know that?"
What obvious thing was this?
The conversation's thread seemed no joke, her face as serious as ever.
-Or not...
She muttered softly.
"What?"
"Telling you where we're going."
"Why say that?"
Eclair and he locked eyes in midair, each baffled by the other.
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