Warrior Lord Splash (2)
Yushin Gilliard awoke from his coma around eight days after the end of the hegemony war on the Libria Peninsula. On the ninth day, after some basic physical therapy, he boldly checked himself out of the hospital. But instead of heading to Valencia Castle with Ardena, they made their way to Maherith Palace.
The Diablo Slayer who had toppled not just the Tyranny Demon King but the Raging Flames Demon King as well—Yushin Gilliard—was accorded the highest honors by the Liberia Elf Kingdom.
“I’m so glad you made it out safely, Yushin Gilliard.”
Silver hair like tinkling bellflowers. Sky-blue eyes with a faint hue. A mischievous smile full of playfulness, dimples flashing every time she grinned. The beautiful girl welcoming him was Ileina, the Third High Priestess of the Liberia Elf Kingdom and its spiritual symbol.
The moment she heard Yushin had been discharged and arrived at the palace, she’d rushed over barefoot to greet him. As the benefactor who had saved her homeland and her people, Yushin received a rapturous welcome.
“What’s the situation?” Yushin asked.
Ileina opened her mouth to reply. “Sabnack and her minions have fled to Granada for now. Our elves are regrouping and recovering from the losses of the last battle. Once our forces are assembled, we’ll launch a full assault on Granada and drive every last Demon King Army soldier off the Libria Peninsula.”
She spoke with fierce confidence, vowing to expel the Demon King Army entirely. The time had finally come to fulfill their long-held wish. After centuries of hegemony war, they were about to drive in the final nail.
“You’re awfully mature about this.”
“Of course. I am a High Priestess, after all.”
“Last time, you were definitely…”
“Come on, let’s head inside. I’ve prepared a feast.”
Deliberately cutting Yushin off, Ileina pushed him along with both hands.
Formally invited by the High Priestess herself, Yushin received salutes from the elf knights lined up on either side as he walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Ileina toward the banquet hall, where lavish dishes awaited.
“What?”
Yushin glanced at Allen. Also invited to the feast, she was eating her steak with noble poise.
“Just realizing you’re actually a noble lady.”
“Duh? I’m the daughter of the Rocksfield family, a martial house of the Valua Kingdom.”
“And a lady that grand sends white chrysanthemums to a guy in a coma. If Ardena and Ileina hadn’t stopped you, I bet you would’ve shown up in a black suit, hung my coffin over your shoulder, and done the Coffin Dance. Gives me chills just thinking about it.”
“I didn’t know about that custom!”
Allen’s face flushed red at Yushin’s jab, admitting it stemmed from her ignorance. A cultural difference. A mistake born from the disparate traditions of the Valua Kingdom and the Liberia Elf Kingdom.
“Pfft.”
Ileina, seated at the head table and enjoying the feast, let out a snicker. How shocked she’d been witnessing that scene. She’d nearly pissed herself. But viewing it now as mere happenstance, she chuckled at the memory. Of course, the man who’d almost been sent off for good by his own subordinates wouldn’t find it funny at all.
“I hope there are no such blunders next time, Allen Rocksfield.”
“Pointy-ears, who asked you to butt in?”
“Still no manners, I see.”
Ardena and Allen glared daggers at each other, growling with murderous intent. Unfortunately, the two knightesses were seated face-to-face at the same table. Their sharp gazes clashed in midair, making Yushin and Ileina squirm uncomfortably amid the feast.
“Speaking of which, Yushin Gilliard, I feel like I don’t know much about you. Mind introducing yourself?”
“An introduction, huh… Teachers always made us do that by roll call number at the start of every semester.”
Ileina’s mention of “introduction” dredged up dark memories, prompting Yushin to mutter something the others couldn’t follow.
Self-introductions. The greeting that tormented outcasts every new term. Alonne Valencia, poster child for loners at Bria Academy, would’ve nodded in total understanding.
“Yushin Gilliard, one of Valua Kingdom’s Seven Swords. Also known as the Diablo Slayer of the Holy Empire for slaying the Tyranny Demon King. That work for an intro?”
Yushin glanced at Ileina and Ardena as he introduced himself. It felt redundant. Everyone already knew, so why bother? But that was just the mindset of Yushin, Korea’s top outcast rep. Even among acquaintances, a proper introduction was essential for building bonds later.
“Thanks for that. Guess it’s my turn.”
Ileina had asked first precisely so she could introduce herself in return. Dressed in sloppy tracksuit pants and a dolphin-print tee that screamed NEET, she nonetheless proved her political stature with eloquent flair.
“I’m Ileina. Ileina Tres Liberia. ‘Tres’ means third generation, and ‘Liberia’ is the new family name bestowed upon me as High Priestess.”
Yushin nodded at her introduction. Allen, meanwhile, shrugged like “Why should I care?” and kept eating. Ardena’s eyes narrowed at the rudeness.
“Mind if I call you Yushin?”
“Sure. What’s the big deal?”
“Thanks.”
With Yushin’s permission, Ileina spoke in a friendly tone.
“Thanks to you, the Liberia Elf Kingdom escaped annihilation and seized a once-in-a-lifetime chance to unify the Libria Peninsula. For centuries, no one achieved unification. Now, I can do it in my generation. Truly, thank you. It’s all because of you. I could thank you a thousand times and it wouldn’t be enough, but allow me to express my gratitude once more here.”
“You’re making me blush. Sure, I fought with my life on the line, so I deserve the thanks. But getting this much appreciation from a national leader? First time for everything.”
“Just say the word. I’ll grant anything you want.”
Ileina pledged boldly, thumping her chest. Ardena felt unease at the sight. She glanced at Yushin. Sure enough, his eyes gleamed with dark ambition at Ileina’s “anything you want” offer. Ardena sighed deeply at the blatant lechery.
* * *
After the feast, Yushin lounged about like a king of the realm, treated to every luxury. Beautiful maids attended him. Elves brimming with carnal lust, yet stunningly gorgeous on the outside. In miniskirts so short their long legs were fully exposed, they subtly tempted him, stoking his desires—leaning forward to flaunt deep cleavage, or boldly hiking skirts to reveal garter belts squeezing their thighs.
“Fuck, you damn bitches… Get lost now! Or I’ll snap your necks! You there! I remember your face—watch your back later!”
The blue-haired knightess barked sharply, shooing away the elves tempting Yushin. He stared blankly, crestfallen. He’d been savoring true debauchery, only to have it yanked away. His subordinates must be reveling in similar delights at Santander Castle—so why couldn’t he?
Allen snorted dismissively at Yushin’s silent lament, expelling every approaching elf.
“You’re doing this on purpose to torment me, right?”
She responded with shameless innocence. “It’s wrong to even think of cheating with your fiancée right here.”
“Who’s my fiancée?”
“Me. Allen Rocksfield.”
“Weird. All I remember is the Rocksfield family’s atrocity—shoving some incomprehensible contract in my face and threatening me to sign it.”
Grumbling, Yushin sighed in resignation and flopped onto the bed. Allen peeked at him. She nearly slid in beside him. They’d shared beds countless times before, but only when he was comatose. Lying next to a wide-awake man was forbidden affection for a virgin like her.
“Can’t sleep. Guess that’s what a week-plus coma does.”
Bolting upright on the bed, Yushin groaned in frustration. He rose and prepared to leave the room. Naturally, Allen moved to follow.
“Don’t come.”
“No way. What’re you plotting now?”
“Gonna take a bath. Keep babysitting me? Follow me in.”
“P-pervert!!”
Yushin ditched Allen under the bath pretext. She shrieked about how men and women couldn’t bathe together, but he was already following a palace maid to the baths.
“We’ll take our leave now.”
After escorting him to the grand bathhouse, the elf maids scurried away. No back-scrubbing, huh. He muttered his regret, but they were gone. He’d hoped for a mixed bath with beauties, but no such luck for a human guy—no massages or extras. Maids weren’t brothel whores, after all.
“Wasted effort. Should’ve begged for that mixed bath, even if it meant a slap. But why’d those elf ladies eyeing me vanish so suddenly?”
Still griping, Yushin opened the door to the bathhouse proper.
A vast hall unfolded. Luxurious facilities abounded in the grand bath, with massive pools around a central chamber big enough for dozens at once. It evoked Roman senators’ baths.
Stripping down and loosely toweling his privates, Yushin wandered in muttering, “Anyone else using it…?” But the huge bathhouse was empty save for one human man.
“Haaah…”
Slipping into a pool of steaming ochre water, Yushin sighed like an old-timer soaking away fatigue.
About ten minutes later, the entrance door creaked open. A slender woman entered hesitantly. Silver hair swaying, porcelain skin gleaming—a beauty stepping forward uncertainly. Yushin’s sharp eyes pierced the steam; his face lit up with anticipation. Who’d refuse an elf beauty’s mixed bath service? He eagerly eyed her face—then deflated in disappointment, looking away.
“Life’s a bitch.”
The bold elf invading a man’s bath was a familiar face: Liana Linehold. Eleventh Swordmaster, part-time Bria Academy instructor, and Yushin’s constant sparring partner. Her face beet-red, she clutched a white bathrobe tight.
Maybe here to scrub his back? Liana approached awkwardly. Yushin scowled at the letdown—not the seductresses he’d hoped for, just his frenemy.
“Wh-what’s with that face! What’s your problem?! I came on behalf of your senior—thought I’d repay the favor by scrubbing your back…”
“Senior? Ardena…?”
Utterly baffled, Yushin stared at her.