Kingdom Turmoil (3)
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The divine power granted to Another Ones was one per person. It was an unchangeable truth, accepted as common sense. Even the second generation who inherited fragments of divine power through their parents' blood followed the same rule. Across centuries, arrogant humans had dreamed of gathering multiple fragments of divine power to achieve perfect omnipotence, but not a single one had ever succeeded in fusing them.
"What're you staring at my face like that for?"
At the sharp-featured knight's question, Yushin shook his head.
Allen has no idea that fragments of divine power are mixed within her body. She just thinks it's some innate strength she's born with.
Recalling Diana's words, Yushin silently stroked Allen's hair with a wry smile. The superhuman strength that could uproot mountains, skin that repelled even Mana Blades, regenerative abilities that would astonish monsters, and limitless potential—all clearly transcended the boundaries of humanity.
"Take it off for a sec."
"Huh? S-suddenly?! It's still daytime, y'know.... And Mom could walk in any minute like last time...."
"I need to check something."
"Tch. Just say you wanna fuck me already instead of beating around the bush."
The blue-haired knight flushed with embarrassment but didn't refuse Yushin's insistence. She hesitated, shoulders trembling slightly. Seeing his dead-serious expression, Allen steeled herself against the shame and began peeling off her clothes layer by layer. First, the outer garment she was wearing. Then the top underneath, revealing a plain blue bra. It hugged her ample C-cup breasts, taut and curvaceous.
"No marks on the shoulders...."
"Eek!"
As Yushin suddenly reached out and traced her shoulders and back, Allen let out a short moan. His rough male fingers brushed her skin. Perhaps because of their frenzied lovemaking in that nameless hotel before—her body remembered the pleasure from that time.
Another One tattoos are usually on the shoulders, wrists, or chest....
That was why Yushin had asked her to undress—to search her body for the mark of an Another One. He'd explored her pristine nudity thoroughly during their previous romp, but maybe he'd missed something. Yushin widened his eyes, meticulously scanning her form.
"Hngh.... Ahh!"
Every brush of his fingers drew lewd moans from the knight's lips. She was hypersensitive. It was like her entire body had become an erogenous zone; even a light touch sent waves of ecstasy flooding through her.
"I'm examining your body right now, so quit moaning like a slut!"
"I can't... help it...!"
Allen whined nasally, clinging to him. Like a kitten purring for attention, she grabbed his arms and rubbed against him, begging for more touch. She twisted her legs together, one hand slipping to her crotch as if masturbating, fingering herself through her panties.
"Lie face-down for a bit."
From affectionate kitten to a she-cat in heat, Yushin pushed Allen's body with both arms, guiding her onto her stomach on the bed. He slowly ran his hands over her back, checking carefully. But her flawless white skin bore no trace of an Another One tattoo.
"Got it, just put it back on then."
Misunderstanding his actions, Allen reached back and unhooked her bra with a snap. It fell limply onto the bed. Her pale breasts squished into an oval against the sheets, the side profile revealing a glimpse of pink areola where they met the fabric.
Yushin averted his eyes from her cute nipples, suppressing his arousal. This wasn't the time.
If there's nothing after checking this far, then there isn't. No need to inspect the lower body. If she had some insane tattoo, I would've spotted it back then unless I'm blind.
Reaching that conclusion, Yushin nodded and stood from the bed. They were in Allen's room, filled with memories of her childhood and girlhood. Though their relationship had progressed to the point of seriously considering marriage, lingering too long in a young woman's fresh-scented space felt awkwardly embarrassing.
"Oppa, should I take off my panties too?"
Allen asked. She'd already stripped off her bottoms and was spreading her legs to slide them down. Even with just the slightest skin contact, her underwear was soaked like morning dew, and the pussy beneath throbbed with hot anticipation.
"What're you doing? Put your clothes back on already. Don't be such a perv."
"Huh?"
"Sex in broad daylight? And this is your family home. I get that you're a total nympho who loves it, but at least pick the time and place."
"What the...?"
Allen's face twisted in confusion at Yushin's sudden saintly demeanor. He'd barged in and ordered her to strip, only to spout nagging old-man bullshit like he'd been possessed by a geezer. It made her want to beat the crap out of him.
"Did you know the countess is an Another One like me?"
Yushin sat back on the bed's edge and asked Allen, who was grumpily fumbling to rehook her bra.
She answered while fastening it with both hands.
"Of course I knew."
"Really?"
"Mom told me not to tell you. No idea why."
What a dutiful daughter. Yushin nodded at Allen's straightforward reply.
"Oh, right. Never asked where she's from."
With that, Yushin guessed Diana was probably from Western Europe. Her refined beauty and allure evoked images of a supermodel you'd see on TV. Thanks to such a mother, Allen herself was repeatedly hailed as the kingdom's top beauty.
"You're awfully interested in my mom, huh?"
"Obviously. She's my type."
The worst possible clueless answer. Allen wasn't one to let that slide. The blue-haired knight lunged like a beast, pinning her prey to the bed. Yushin looked flustered. She clamped him down with both arms, blocking any escape. In raw strength, she far outmatched him. Pressing hard on his shoulders, her eyes gleamed with excitement and heat. Yushin swallowed dryly.
"You're mine and no one else's. My man. Now you gotta take responsibility for getting me this worked up."
With that, Allen leaned in close to his ear and whispered while holding him firm.
"So get that dick hard already."
No sooner said than done—she roughly tore open his clothes left and right.
* * *
The vampire officers disguised as nobles dispatched from the Valua royal family scoured for the Diablo Slayer on Marishka's orders. The great mother's plan, the vampires' ritual using the Blood Boundary Stones. The Diablo Slayer was the biggest wildcard and threat. Having slain Agares and toppled Sabnack, the monster prompted the vampires to deploy magic, curses, and familiars in pursuit.
"That bastard's definitely gonna mess with Mother's plan. We gotta find him and prepare countermeasures before then!"
Marishka was a flighty vampire by nature, but like her mother, she had a cautious side. Her face rigid, she commanded her vampire minions.
Druin...! That son of a bitch who insulted Mother and vanished—he's here too?! He should've kept wandering like a mangy stray dog. Why show up in Valua Kingdom now? Damn it! Damn it!!
They couldn't even pinpoint the Diablo Slayer, the most likely saboteur of the Blood Ritual. And to make matters worse, the Tyrant's Blade had surfaced too. Her mind reeled in complication. She tore at her hair, face etched with deep worry.
Diablo Slayer. Tyrant's Blade. The two presences tormented Marishka.
"Marishka, the Tyrant's Blade nearly killed all three Rocksfield sons and then vanished."
"Rocksfield family?"
Marishka scowled and repeated the name at her subordinate's report. Rocksfield family.... She'd heard it somewhere. A famous martial house in Valua Kingdom. A bloodline clan revering the sword. She'd heard most commanders of the capital's central knight order were collaterals tied to the Rocksfields.
"Rocksfield...."
Marishka tapped her lips with a finger, eyes rolling as she pondered. Rocksfield family. Sounded familiar from someone else too. Racking her brain, she recalled Princess Katrin Valua—newly turned vampire—mentioning them offhand.
"Yeah, they stole her elves, right...."
The queen's eldest daughter muttered. Katrin's jealousy toward elves—the race of eternal beauty—made even Marishka shudder. If I can't have eternal youth and beauty, no one can. She'd tortured countless elves, trampling and defiling their youth and allure.
"And the Rocksfields were the ones who snatched the elves midway."
Rocksfield family. It stuck in her craw like a fishbone. But she decided to ignore it. The Blood Ritual came first. Locating the Tyrant's Blade and Diablo Slayer was priority too.
"Just until the ritual completes.... If we can fool the Diablo Slayer's eyes that long, we're good. It's almost over. Once it's done safely, this kingdom falls into Mother's embrace."
Blood Boundary Stones dotted key points. Ample blood and flesh to nourish them littered the land.The kingdom overflowed with the vengeful spirits of those unjustly slain, their death and fear rooting deep as the stones awaited bloom.
"Our mother awaits the stones' simultaneous flowering. The day the world drowns in blood, our homeland will engulf this kingdom."
Marishka shed her flippant smile, her face deadly serious as she anticipated the ritual's success. It was near. The stones would open soon. Everything proceeded smoothly.
Except for one thing: the whereabouts of the Tyrant's Blade and Diablo Slayer, presumed to be the ritual's greatest threats, remained utterly unknown.