Chapter 13. Temptation (1)
Chapter 13. Temptation (1)
Berdia.
The shrine maiden who served the God of War, and the woman who had single-handedly dealt with an officer of the Demon King's army.
In recognition of that feat, she had been selected as one of the Ten Strongest of the Continent at a relatively young age—a pillar of humanity and the sword that supported the hero.
She had achieved those preposterous feats, but ultimately, they had come at the cost of many sacrifices.
The rage born from losing her family and comrades in the war, and the burden of carrying a great cause. She had even given up living as a human being in order to raise a single girl into a worthy hero.
Naturally, she had no experience of forming a connection with a man.
She may have been the object of someone's lust before, but she had believed immersing herself in such things would only hinder her path.
She had never even dated a man. That was unlikely to change, but when it came to the circumstances of the child she wished to protect, the story was bound to be different.
'Serika sees Dave as a man.'
It wasn't a baseless conviction.
It was a fact anyone could recognize instantly just by observing what had happened recently.
-Kugung!
About ten days into their dungeon conquest, Serika had finally reached the deepest part of the artificial dungeon and succeeded in defeating the boss single-handedly.
A party-based approach was standard for normal adventurers, but Serika had managed to handle it alone.
"I-I did it."
Of course, Serika's condition wasn't perfect either.
She was short of breath, and her armor was cracked in several places. Regardless, defeating a boss solo was a truly impressive feat.
"I did it! Miss Berdia! Did you see?! I did it!!"
Serika jumped up and down on the spot, looking ready to take flight from joy. Berdia, watching the scene, felt proud as well, but praising her here carried the risk of making her complacent.
"...Still lacking."
"Lacking? But I beat the boss alone—"
"Don't get conceited just because you managed to defeat a boss in an artificial dungeon. The boss monsters in a real dungeon are far stronger than the one you just faced. Moreover, since there are no safety nets, a reckless fight where you disregard your own life, as you did before, will only eat away at your lifespan."
"...Ugh, you're just nagging me again, Miss Berdia."
Serika pouted and stuck out her lips, grumbling.
Since she was proud of herself, it was only natural for her to be displeased with this attitude.
Normally, Berdia might have felt a bit sorry...
'She looks the same as always, but beneath that, that side of her exists too, doesn't it?'
The image of Serika masturbating, which Berdia had witnessed the other day, swirled endlessly in her mind.
No matter how she tried to erase it, it wouldn't leave her.
No matter how much she pretended it meant nothing, the fact that such a facet existed in this child's heart—a facet she herself could never even dare to entertain—lingered.
"D-Dave too..."
And perhaps that was why.
Whenever Serika's attention shifted away from her and focused on their other companion, Berdia's body involuntarily tensed up.
"Dave, do you also think what I did is no big deal?"
Even though Berdia's harsh attitude was an unavoidable necessity, ever since he had joined the party, Serika had often shown a tendency to rely on him as if seeking shelter.
"There's no way that's true."
And Dave always kindly accepted Serika.
"At the very least, among all the adventurers I've seen, the ones who've soloed a boss are few enough to count on one hand."
"But this is an artificial dungeon. It was made for practice, at best..."
"Even an artificial dungeon is simply less dangerous—it still allows for an experience similar to real combat. If you just address the points for improvement Miss Berdia mentioned, I think you'll do just fine in a real battle."
As always, the praise flowed smoothly.
At this, Serika glanced at Berdia, then soon blushed and asked shyly,
"Do you... really think so?"
"Of course. Even as we've been traveling together, I've noticed your skills have visibly improved."
"...Hehe."
Only then, at the continued praise, did Serika's expression brighten.
Berdia had been worried that such behavior might breed arrogance, but the truth was that ever since Dave joined, the rate at which Serika's skills improved had increased noticeably.
'So mere diligence isn't the only answer.'
Well, if you use the whip, you have to offer a carrot too.
If Dave took on the role of offering the carrot, Serika's growth might skyrocket even more than it had so far.
If only that relationship could remain purely professional.
"Um, Dave."
But Berdia had already suspected it.
Bringing Dave into the party at first might have been a simple coincidence.
"If your work this time wraps up, could you spare some time for me?"
By now, Serika had begun to harbor 'personal feelings' toward Dave.
"Did you need something?"
"Huh? Ah, well, I was just thinking... we could get to know each other better..."
It might not yet qualify as full-blown affection, but a completely platonic friendship between a man and a woman simply cannot exist.
If Berdia had believed it possible, she wouldn't have always wrapped her body so tightly in armor.
"Wait, Serika."
So she couldn't simply overlook the further development of the two's relationship.
Because she treasured Serika and wished for her to be faithful to the responsibilities she bore.
"Before that, I have something to discuss with Dave."
But that didn't mean she could just throw him out now.
The party Serika belonged to had to be led by Serika, and at this point, trying to expel a party member based on mere suspicion was no different from disrespecting Serika's own choice.
"Huh? Miss Berdia, with... me?"
"Yes. Come to think of it, Dave, you've been exclusively interacting with Serika."
So she had to confirm it.
If this man seemed likely to harm Serika—if he harbored any intentions that might hinder their journey—she would strike him down.
"Can you spare some time for me tonight?"
Filled with this sense of duty, Berdia steeled her resolve, thinking about what she would do in that private meeting.
If, by even the slightest chance, such a thing came to pass...
Then she was prepared to risk losing something precious to her in the process.
***
For that reason, after sending Serika back, I found myself having a private meeting alone with Berdia.
Just the two of us, in the inn room where she was staying in this city...
"What's the matter?"
"Huh?"
Perhaps she noticed my tension in that arranged setting.
Berdia crossed her arms and began glaring at me with sharp eyes.
"You can't even look me in the eye. Do I seem strange to you?"
"N-No, that's not it..."
It was a reflexive answer, but truthfully, her appearance wasn't particularly strange.
No—if anything, she was alluring.
Right now, she had shed the thick armor she always wore.
The only thing covering her bare skin, now exposed, was a single T-shirt that clearly revealed the lines and contours of her body.
Her blue hair, grown down past her shoulders. And her amber eyes, set within a striking, charismatic gaze.
"...Can you drink alcohol?"
Yes, objectively speaking, she was a figure one would call a beauty.
If Serika was pure, this one was noble and aloof.
The feminine aura emanating from her might stir a man's heart, but the attitude of meeting one's gaze with unwavering eyes created a presence that made her hard to approach, even during a private meeting.
Was it truly possible for lust—the desire to mix bodies—and admiration—the feeling of worshipping from afar—to coexist?
"Alcohol, you mean?"
"You seem flustered since I called you so suddenly, but there's no need to be so tense. I simply thought we could share a drink and talk."
As she said this, Berdia took out a bottle and glasses and set them on the room's table. Judging by the label, it appeared to be a considerably high-grade wine.
Considering her wealth and connections, she must have procured it easily.
Of course, on the surface, the thought crossed my mind that this was something far too good for me, playing the role of a novice adventurer. But even more unexpected than that were the words she spoke next.
"For comrades who'll be together from now on, having a drinking session now and then isn't a bad idea."
"...Comrades, you say?"
"Yes. Comrades."
Berdia answered immediately, as if to confirm I hadn't misheard. Then, as she poured the wine into the glasses, she began to reveal her true thoughts.
"At first, since Serika brought you, I only intended for you to stay until the artificial dungeon training was over... but your skills weren't as poor as I expected, and unexpectedly, you knew how to do a great many things. If you receive guidance from professional scouts later, I believe you could be quite useful in a real dungeon."
"Ahaha, you flatter me."
"Spare me the modesty. After all, didn't you become an adventurer because you also have something you wish to achieve?"
With a smooth gesture, she pushed a glass forward. A deep wine scent began to spread from the liquor swishing inside.
An aroma so rich, one could feel intoxicated just by smelling it.
"Moreover, Serika—as you also think—is a child with little experience but high growth potential. If that child is to grow, having a friend who grows alongside her would be a good stimulus..."
Trailing off, Berdia smoothly raised the hand holding her glass.
Then, as she extended that hand toward me, a faint smile drew itself across her lips.
"At any rate, I hope you will continue to be a good friend and comrade to Serika, Dave."
The moment she, who had always shown such a stoic demeanor, smiled for the first time.
Anyone could interpret the emotion she was currently feeling toward me as goodwill.
At least, on the surface.
"...Yes. Likewise."
But what were the conditions of the hypnotic ability I was born with?
The target is limited to one person, there must be no outside interference, and above all, I can only fully apply the hypnosis if the target has opened their heart to me.
"I will work hard so as not to disappoint you, Miss Berdia."
Since I had always used my ability under those conditions, I could sense it instinctively.
At the very least, that what this woman held toward me wasn't pure goodwill—but wariness.