Enter Freely, But Leaving's Not Up to You (2)
"I can't live like this because of the queen."
In the North Gate Guard barracks, a guard who had just finished his shift grumbled as he returned.
His comrades burst into laughter.
"You'll get caught and dragged off, you idiot."
"He deserves the death penalty."
"No, seriously, isn't this too much? I haven't slept properly for weeks. Shift after shift after shift. Don't you seniors remember what your wives and kids look like?"
"Sucks, but what can we do?"
"When the hell is the queen gonna back off?"
"Beats me."
"To protect that one woman, every gate's on high alert every damn day."
"At least the pay's fat."
"Fuckin' hell."
"What's with all the noise!?"
North Gate Guard Captain Willis stormed in.
"Quit your bitching, you lot. If you're back from duty, change out of your armor and rest up."
"Captain, the rookie's whining he can't survive because of the queen."
"What? That punk's got balls. Why badmouth Her Majesty when she's just sitting pretty?"
"Hahaha. Says standing guard is killing him."
"Captain! Be real—dragging ourselves out at 4 a.m. and not getting back till 11 p.m.? Look at this. My feet are wrecked, and my boots reek like hell."
Willis strode over and smacked the helmeted rookie's head repeatedly.
"Don't wanna do it? Quit, you punk! Quit! Quit!"
"Ow, why hit me? You used to curse her out with us."
"When did I curse anyone?"
"The queen."
"You bastard! When did I ever curse Her Majesty? Our queen is great and noble! From now on, none of you badmouth her. Be grateful every day that thanks to her, you make it through alive!"
His men stared in confusion.
"What's up with him suddenly?"
"He dying or something?"
"The guy who led the queen-bashing..."
"Shut it! Quiet and eyes front! Just got orders from above. High alert's lifted—back to normal shifts. Pay stays at the bumped-up rate, and the no-leave ban's gone. Anyone wanting vacation, sign up without overlapping. I'll send you right off."
"Ooooh..."
The guards' eyes widened. Joy spread from their lips across their faces. They hugged and cheered.
"Yaaaay!"
Willis left the barracks with a satisfied smile, leaving the rejoicing men behind.
"Punks. When did I ever badmouth our queen? Well... maybe a little?"
Scratching his head as he descended the stairs, he soon thought of his beloved daughter. The memory from a couple days ago made his eyes tremble fiercely.
"S-someone named Assistant Professor Naru fixed it!?"
"Yes. Thanks to him, I can use magic freely now. Look!"
Angelina played with water on her palm. It turned into cute animals, then a statue resembling Willis. Astonishing.
"Oh, gods above!"
Everyone had given up on the girl, but he'd saved her! Gratitude to the gods surged with chills.
He vowed to rush to the teacher tomorrow and bow a thousand times in thanks.
Then it hit him.
"That Assistant Professor Naru... he's Hero Kang Naru, right?"
"Yes! Our professor is Hero Kang Naru."
"No way..."
Too busy to even know his daughter's teacher. Hero Kang Naru teaching her all this time?
Kang Naru was infamous among soldiers like him—Willis's crowd—as the queen's man.
The hero cursed alongside her whenever they trashed the queen.
'If not for that guy, the queen would've been done ages ago, right?'
'That guy's one thing, but Sir Latimore's scary too. Why's the queen surrounded by such heavy hitters? Tch.'
Not all soldiers hated the queen. Roughly 30% of the capital's forces did. Willis's North Gate crew hated her viciously.
They'd pledge undying loyalty to His Majesty, but the queen? No spark.
He'd seen her once at a big event. Her youth and beauty next to the king repulsed him. Queens should be kind, grandmotherly. But she was far younger, looking like some man-chasing vixen. No respect.
She seemed to ignore the people and kingdom, obsessed with luxury and looks.
But...
'She helped my daughter through one of her people...'
He had to acknowledge it.
Tears of emotion streamed down Willis's face as he descended.
"If my girl's happy, so am I. Whew."
Everyone said no hope. She took after her dad—no magic aptitude.
He always felt sorry for her. Without a father like him, she'd wield magic freely.
Seeing her mana-deficient body hurt every time.
That despairing life now had hope, thanks to Kang Naru.
He could... Yeah, fine.
Kang Naru, if you back the queen, I'll stand with you. Blind loyalty from here on.
From today, North Gate Guards were pro-queen. Willis declared inwardly and ordered his men to scrub the queen-hating graffiti from the bathrooms.
In the cozy, atmospheric royal dining room, the two dined alone.
Oven-roasted chicken, spice-dusted veggies, fine cheese, sturgeon pie, and wine. Perfect for two.
Mostly me eating it, though.
Whenever Isabella served herself once, I took three times as much. She smiled brightly each time, saying she loved seeing me eat well.
"What've you been up to?"
"Teaching at the academy, adventuring weekends. Getting by."
"Heard you hit the merfolk dungeon too."
"Yeah. Fun times."
I recounted the Migad sea city adventures. Dungeon tales flew by, time vanishing.
"Next time, snag a merfolk for me. Curious what they look like."
"Can't do that. Kidnapping."
"Even on my order?"
"Pardon 'em."
"Cheeky bastard."
She laughed. Even after finishing and setting down utensils, talk continued.
This round: my visions. She listened raptly.
"Perfect. Time to purge the capital's rebels too."
"Crushing the revolt will panic the people, chaos in the capital. Fine with that? Beef up defenses so they don't even dream of rebelling?"
"Some sacrifice is inevitable. Big fish are flopping right there."
Her red lips curved wickedly.
"Golden chance. Slaughter them all."
Honestly, I still wondered. Why'd the god task me with protecting this queen, so mismatched with me?
She's too much woman for me to handle. Without divine word, I'd ignore her forever.
Not hate—our wavelengths clash. I want simple, honest farmboy life: hard work, adventures.
She thrives on bloody politics and power.
Maybe Isabella'll help me someday? Or essential to saving this world?
What is it? Why protect a queen who seems unjust?
"I'll head out first."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
We parted right after leaving the dining room.
Then I was shown to a guest room, washed up neatly.
Soon, a knock.
Opening revealed Head Maid Marie, smiling with a lantern.
"This way."
"Right."
I followed silently down the hall. We passed a magic door in the wall into a dark secret passage.
Soon, a small door requiring a stoop.
"Take good care of Her Majesty."
"Thanks for guiding me."
Marie left. I entered.
A wardrobe. Opening it revealed Isabella's vast bedroom.
"Come hold me."
I turned toward the voice. An antique desk.
Holy shit...
I swallowed. The queen, stark naked, leaned on the desk, ass out invitingly!
She's been waiting like that.
Her pussy fully exposed in that seductive pose—I licked my lips unwittingly.
Rush in and pound? Amateur. Pros don't move lightly.
I gazed calmly.
"I'm not here for fun. Here to protect you. Assassins could be prowling the palace right now."
"Holding me is protecting me."
"Doesn't compute. How's embracing you protection?"
"Enemies coming to kill me? I'm anxious, want to lean on you. Calm my heart—that's it. Satisfied?"
I paused, then spoke.
"...I see."
Unbuckled my belt. Holding back that killer body this long? I deserved props.
"Why not the bed? Why there?"
She held up a glass beaker from the desk.
"Gonna collect your semen here. Something off last time."
Ah... she noticed my cum's effects.
Eh, whatever—I approached and slid right in.
Instinct over thought. Couldn't resist that premium pussy teasing me.
Deep thrust drew a pleased moan.
"Hngh... Yes, that's it. Slow at first... nnngh..."