Demon King (4)
Adelaide walked ahead with her head bowed. Unusually quick steps. Peering around every corner first, gesturing only after confirming no NPCs were in sight.
“…… M, Master. This way.”
“Where are we headed?”
“Outside the walls. A river flows to the east.”
“A river?”
“…… Don't you need to wash up? You'll get caught wandering around like that. There was already enough commotion.”
“Hmm…… I don't really care.”
An NPC being this meticulous. But that's part of what makes Adelaide useful.
“Fine, good. Lead on.”
“…… Understood.”
We passed a few more narrow alleys. Once, a staggering drunkard approached from ahead, and Adelaide hurriedly stepped in front of me.
“…… Stay still.”
“All this for one drunk?”
“If even one spots us, it's over.”
“Over my ass. Just kill him—”
“Please.”
I shrugged. Only after the drunkard vanished into the opposite alley did Adelaide release my hand.
We used the same secret passage from before. She pressed a stone in the wall, revealing underground stairs that led beyond the ramparts.
The sun still hung in the sky. The river water, reflecting its light, sparkled faintly in my view.
“Here?”
“…… Yes. No one's eyes reach this spot.”
“How do you know?”
“Before investi—gating you—”
“Get the title right.”
“…… Before investigating Master, I scouted the water source on the way here. Mapping a garrison's elements is basic.”
“As expected of a knight.”
“…… Mocking me?”
“Praise. For real. Though you're NPCs, not people.”
“…….”
The riverbank was better than expected. Thick bushes blocked the surroundings, and the rushing water was loud enough to drown out noise—unless someone screamed.
“Ah.”
“……?”
No plans to kill anyone right now, but old habits die hard.
I glanced down at the blood staining my clothes. Stripping felt like a hassle, but letting it dry and crust would be worse.
“Adel. Got spare clothes?”
“…… Yes.”
“Perfect. Wash me, then?”
Adelaide's steps halted.
“…… What?”
“I said wash me. Didn't hear?”
“You can do it yourself.”
“I can. Don't want to.”
“…….”
“You brought me here. Take responsibility.”
“I meant for you to wash, not that I'd—”
“Adel.”
Calling her name again shut her mouth. In her half-turned eyes lingered familiar emotions. Revulsion. Shame. And the resignation they inevitably led to.
I love that process. The agonizing, chewing, swallowing—the whole flow.
“…… Understood.”
“Good girl.”
The crusted blood clinging to my skin was irritating. Peeling it off left my flesh red and inflamed, but it was nothing.
Outer layer. Inner layer. I stripped away the bloodied rags piece by piece until I stood naked. Adelaide averted her gaze.
“What? Not looking?”
“…… No need.”
“You have to wash me.”
“…….”
“Hmm, still shy? We're both girls.”
Though inside, I'm all man. Not that spilling the truth would make anyone believe it—and she's still just an NPC either way, so no point.
“It's not that……”
“Then what?”
I ignored her silence and stepped into the river.
Cold. A chill climbed from my toes, making my whole body shrink. Wiggling them, I shivered as the water washed away the blood in dark red streaks.
“Hurry up.”
At my urging, Adelaide finally approached. She shed her outer garment on the bank and knelt at the water's edge in her underclothes. Splash—her knees submerged as she cupped water in both hands.
She poured it over my shoulder. The cold stream traced my collarbone down to my chest. The dried bloodstains slowly dissolved and ran off.
“Cold.”
“…… Endure it.”
“Endure? Or do you have another way?”
“…… Endure. What else?”
“Thought you'd warm it up.”
“How, with cold river water…… one.”
Her palm rubbed my nape. Rough. A knight's hands, naturally. The calluses from gripping a sword hilt scraped my skin with each pass, sending peculiar tingles.
Not unpleasant, but not exactly good either. Just…… odd.
Scoop and pour, rub. Her hands trailed from shoulders down my back to my waist. Then a hesitation, retreating upward.
“Why stop?”
“…… Didn't.”
“You did. Don't wanna go lower?”
“…….”
“Not teasing. Curious for real.”
“…… Just scooping more water.”
Obvious lie, but I let it slide. These petty resistances make it fun.
She scooped again and poured. The motion repeated, scrubbing my entire back. I stared blankly at the blood trailing away in the current.
“Harder.”
“…… It'll hurt. Master's skin is delicate.”
“Don't care. Blood smell won't go away.”
She added force. A knight's hands—ones that had slain dozens, hundreds of NPCs—washing the body of their killer. To her, I was no mere NPC; I was history's greatest murderer of her kind.
“Isn't it hilarious?”
“……?”
“Never mind. Arms too.”
I extended my arm, and she cupped it with both hands. Hers weren't large, but my forearm was slimmer. Slowly, from wrist to shoulder, she swept away the stains.
“Between the fingers.”
Her fingers slipped between mine. One by one, rubbing them clean. Her thumb pressing my knuckles felt strangely ticklish.
Pfft—a laugh slipped out.
“What's so funny?”
“Nothing. Tickles.”
“…… Endure.”
“Says you.”
“…….”
“Oh, and.”
“What.”
“Your hands are pretty.”
“…… Say that now?”
“Just facts.”
Adelaide fell silent, still holding my hand. The sun dazzled, rippling on the water.
Below it reflected her: kneeling, washing me. Blue hair wet and plastered to her forehead, underclothes soaked and bulging at the tips.
Serving me in such raw exposure. It suits her…… and doesn't.
“Hair too.”
“…… Sit.”
I sank into the water up to my waist. The cold was familiar now. She circled behind, loosening my silver hair with both hands.
Pour, fingers combing through, scrubbing out the blood. Her fingertips massaged my scalp with surprising delicacy; my eyes drifted shut.
Not sleepy. Just…… feels good.
“You're good at this.”
“…….”
“For real. Quit knighthood, be a maid.”
“…… Kill me.”
“Joking.”
“Me too.”
“Liar. You meant it.”
“…… Half and half.”
The unexpected reply burst laughter from me. Ah, this. This reaction I wanted.
“Surprising. Thought you'd lunge at me once, screaming you'd kill me.”
“…… I'm not an idiot.”
“Hmm?”
“I know you've prepared…… some method, Master.”
“That your reason? Kinda disappointing.”
“Why disappointing?”
“Perfect excuse. Punish you for it—would've been fun.”
“…… Sick taste.”
Her hands trailed from hair to temples, temples to ears, ears to nape. Water streamed down my neck. Her exhales tickled warmly.
Thumb grazed my ear, index along my neckline. I felt them pause at my collarbone.
“…… Done.”
“Really? Not here yet.”
“Where.”
I pointed to my chest and belly. Her eyes blinked once.
“…… Do it yourself.”
“Aw, quitting midway? Should finish properly.”
“Enough done.”
“Adel.”
“…… Enough.”
“Adel.”
“…….”
Twice, and her hands moved again. Cautiously scooping water to pour over my chest. The rubbing was gentler now, shoulders slack. Resigned expression. Eyes fixed elsewhere.
Ignoring the peaks as best she could, palms trailed below my ribs. Circling my navel.
Brushing my side, her fingertips felt warm—odd, after all that water. My body heated subtly.
I twisted slightly; she flinched.
“What's wrong, Adel? First time with this?”
“…… Shut up.”
“Hee.”
“…… Don't laugh.”
“Sorry. Your face is too cute.”
“Shut more.”
She poured lower, roughly wiping blood from my thighs.
Adelaide withdrew. The blood was all gone now.
I climbed the bank and wrung my wet hair. Droplets plopped from the silver strands.
Refreshing. Alone, I'd have barely managed half. Watching me, she pulled a cloak from her bundle.
She hesitated, then draped it over my shoulders.
“…… You'll be cold.”
“Wow, thanks. So gentlemanly, Adel.”
“If grateful, go a bit less insane.”
“That's tough.”
“…… I know.”
Adelaide sighed. She plopped down on the bare ground in her soaked underclothes—exhausted, probably.
“Want me to wipe your ass?”
“…….”
Her horrified face drew a chuckle from me. Ah, delightful. Every time I see it, something inside me thrums. Undeniably human, despite being an NPC. Her reactions feel so real, unlike the others.
“Adel.”
“…… What.”
“Good work today.”
“…….”
“Serious. Gotta say it sometimes—as your master.”
“…… From that mouth, it all sounds like lies.”
“Hmm, why assume lies?”
“…… Think back on your actions.”
“Why so bad at taking kindness?”
“As if you know what kindness is.”
“I do. Knew you'd like it.”
“…… Don't.”
Adelaide sat with knees drawn up, staring at the river. Blue hair clung to her neckline. I gazed at her profile, then closed my eyes.
“Adel.”
“…… What is it.”
“Nothing.”
My hair carried the scent of river water. I liked it.