The Parasitic Flower
Evening in Ironforge was lively. Just like the heat of the blast furnaces that never cooled even after the sun went down, the streets bustled with people.
Tom and Jack were as giddy as young children on a picnic.
"Wow! Miss Lia, look over there! The weapon shop sign is shaped like a sword!"
"Stop acting like a country bumpkin. That's just basic. Miss Lia, I know a much better place than that."
The two men bickered, each desperately trying to get on Lia's good side. Even after entering the inn lobby, they began to squabble over booking the rooms.
"I'm sharing a room with Miss Lia this time!"
"Don't make me laugh! You lost at rock-paper-scissors!"
Leon let out a quiet sigh as she watched their pathetic backs.
'It's about time I cut them loose.'
Tom and Jack were no longer of any use. Their money, their information, and most importantly, their essence, were completely drained. Keeping them around any longer would only leave more clues for Kyle to track her down.
While they were arguing at the counter, Leon quietly slipped away to the back of the carriage. Pulling back the cover of the cargo bed revealed the massive steel shield shoved into the corner. Leon stroked its surface, reminiscing about the battlefields they had crossed together. The countless scratches and dents remained like medals of honor, testifying to those memories.
'Let's see...'
Leon took a deep breath and gripped the shield's handle.
"Hup!"
The heavy chunk of iron lifted into the air.
Just a few days ago, the shield wouldn't have budged an inch. But perhaps because she had absorbed the essence of the three mercenaries in Mistflower Village, she could now lift it with a decent amount of stability.
Of course, wielding it as freely as before was still out of the question, but at least carrying it around was no longer an issue.
"Haha..."
A faint smile spread across Leon's lips. She swung the shield a few times, but quickly grew tired and set it back down on the ground. It was at that moment—
"Huh? That shield..."
At the unfamiliar male voice behind her, Leon flinched, nearly dropping the shield.
"W-who is it?"
Leon hurriedly pulled her hood down low and turned around. Standing there was a fairly clean-cut young man with a longsword strapped to his waist.
Leon narrowed her eyes. It was a familiar face.
'Dean?'
Back when she had just formed a party with Kyle, she had saved Dean from being surrounded and killed by monsters. Since then, Dean had been a rookie swordsman who looked up to Leon with deep respect, calling him his savior.
'Could he have recognized me?'
Meeting someone she knew was definitely not part of the plan. Dean, unable to take his eyes off the shield, muttered under his breath.
"This is... definitely Leon-hyung's shield. That crest... there's no mistake."
The moment Dean recognized the shield, Leon swallowed hard in tension, but she quickly regained her composure.
'No, there's no need to panic. I look completely like a woman right now. No matter how sharp Dean's eyes are, there's no way he'd recognize me.'
Feigning complete ignorance, Leon cleared her throat and asked.
"Excuse me?"
At that, Dean snapped out of it and looked up in surprise.
"Oh! Ah, I'm sorry! I didn't realize anyone was here. Wait, more importantly, you're a woman?"
Dean was visibly flustered by the fact that the hooded figure was not a man, but a delicate woman.
"Yes... Does this shield happen to resemble one belonging to someone you know?"
As Leon tilted her head up slightly, her pale face, illuminated by the moonlight, was revealed beneath the hood.
"Ah..."
Dean gasped.
The mysterious blue eyes, red lips, and doll-like features visible beneath the hood. He had seen countless women during his life as an adventurer, but he had never seen a woman so breathtakingly beautiful.
Dean's face instantly flushed red. Who the shield's owner was had already flown out of his mind.
"Ah, w-well... yes! It looked similar to the shield of a very famous person. I must have been mistaken."
Dean cleared his throat, adjusted his posture, and suddenly squared his shoulders, lowering his voice to act cool.
"By any chance, have you ever heard of the Iron Wall Leon? He's a legendary adventurer who made a name for himself with just a single shield."
Leon scoffed inwardly.
'Legendary, my foot. I was just a sturdy shield-bearer.'
On the outside, however, she widened her eyes and put on a curious expression.
"Wow... I think I've heard of him. He must be an amazing person."
At the beautiful woman's interest, Dean's shoulders puffed up. Not wanting to miss this opportunity, he began to boast.
"Amazing doesn't even begin to cover it. We were extremely close. You could say we were like brothers."
'Bullshit. We only ate together a few times.'
Leon cursed him out internally, but Dean's bragging didn't stop there.
"Actually... I even saved him when he was in danger once. It was when he was surrounded by a pack of giant ogres. The moment I drew my sword and sliced their heads off in a single strike, Leon-hyung shed tears of gratitude and thanked me. Hahaha!"
"..."
Leon's expression instantly froze.
'What? You saved me? I was the one who blocked the ogre's club with my shield when you were about to be flattened into a pancake, carried you on my back, and ran! I even paid for your medical treatment!'
She was so dumbfounded she was speechless. She hadn't expected him to be this full of hot air in front of a woman, let alone fabricate memories with his savior.
But Leon quickly softened her expression and beamed.
This guy seemed pretty useful. He was much more skilled than riffraff like Tom and Jack, and he seemed better than the mercenaries she met in the last village. Besides, guys who were full of bravado like him were always the easiest to seduce.
'Perfect timing. I should get some help on my way to the Capital.'
Leon changed her expression and looked up at Dean with eyes full of admiration.
"Oh my, really? Heavens... To think such a hero is standing right in front of me! I always thought adventurers were scary, but you are truly amazing!"
As Leon clasped her hands together in admiration, Dean's ego soared to the heavens, his nostrils flaring with pride.
"Haha! Well, it's nothing. Isn't it an adventurer's duty to help the weak? By the way... for a beautiful lady like yourself to carry such a heavy shield, is there some kind of story behind it?"
Dean subtly edged closer to Leon. He had taken the bait. Leon put on a sorrowful expression, letting her eyes grow misty.
"Actually... I've been looking for an escort to the Capital. This shield is a keepsake from my late brother... and I need to deliver it there."
Leon looked straight into Dean's eyes and threw out an irresistible offer.
"Could... someone as strong and wonderful as you help me?"
Dean felt his heart stop at Leon's pleading gaze. Without hesitation, he thumped his chest.
"Of course! I, Dean, will take full responsibility and escort you! I couldn't possibly leave a lady like you to travel such a dangerous road alone."
It was then.
"Miss Lia! What are you doing here?"
"We got the rooms! Let's go, quickly!"
Tom and Jack, who had been squabbling over the rooms for a while, came running over out of breath. Seeing a strange man standing next to Leon, they glared at him warily.
"Who are you? Why are you hanging around Miss Lia?"
"Back off! Don't you dare try anything with our Miss Lia!"
Dean frowned at the two men who had suddenly appeared.
"Who are these rude fellows?"
Leon hid behind Dean's back, gently clutching his sleeve.
"Sniff... T-those men... they keep following me because of how I look. They even threatened me to share a room with them... I'm so scared..."
At Leon's lie, sparks flew from Dean's eyes.
"What? You shameless bastards!"
Dean placed his hand on his sword and stepped forward.
"Hey, you guys. If you don't get lost right now, my sword won't show any mercy."
"W-what? Is this bastard crazy?!"
"Hey, Tom! Let's teach this guy a lesson! Where does this nobody think he is?!"
Tom and Jack underestimated Dean and lunged at him, swinging their fists. But Dean was an experienced combatant.
"Hmph, trash."
Thud! Crash!
Without even drawing his sword, Dean swung it in its scabbard, striking both of them squarely in the solar plexus.
"Gah!"
"Squeak!"
Tom and Jack couldn't even scream properly before collapsing flat on the floor. It was quite a sight, with their eyes rolled back and foam bubbling at their mouths.
Dean brushed off some dust, striking a pose.
"Phew... Thugs like them only understand violence. Are you alright?"
Leon rushed over and clung tightly to Dean's arm. Her voluptuous breasts pressed firmly against his forearm, squishing against it.
"Oh my... You're so amazing! In the blink of an eye... As expected of a hero!"
Between the soft sensation against his arm and Leon's praise, Dean lost his mind and grinned foolishly.
"Hahaha! Well, this is nothing. Come, if we stay here, more annoying pests might show up. Let's head to the inn where I'm staying. I'll keep you safe."
"Yes, I'll trust you, Mr. Hero."
Leon followed Dean, glancing down at the unconscious Jack and Tom on the floor.
'Goodbye, idiots. You should thank me. At least you got to dream of a night with a beauty you'd never even get to look at in your entire lives.'
Though it ended as a mere dream, it was a dream far too good for them.
Dean easily lifted Leon's luggage and shield.
"By the way, what is your name?"
"Lia... Please call me Lia."
As Leon replied shyly, Dean smiled with satisfaction.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Well, let's go, Miss Lia."
Dean led the way, having officially become her newest sucker, while Leon followed behind, her lips curling upward. It seemed the journey to the Capital was going to be much more comfortable than she had anticipated.
Passing through the streets of Ironforge, Dean guided Leon to the Steel Anvil Inn, the lodging where he was staying.
It boasted a fairly luxurious exterior.
However, as they approached the entrance of the inn, Dean's leading steps slowed down noticeably.
"Um... Mr. Dean? Is there something wrong?"
When Leon tilted her head and asked, Dean scratched the back of his head with a troubled expression.
"Ah, well... Actually, I have a companion."
"A companion?"
Leon's eyes sparkled.
'He must have a party.'
As was typical for adventurers, it seemed Dean wasn't traveling alone but was active in a party.
'Perfect. I can seduce his party members too and drain their essence. A group is much better than just Dean alone. Once I recover enough of my strength, I might even be able to head to the Capital by myself.'
Leon gently took Dean's arm and spoke reassuringly.
"It's alright. If my sudden intrusion makes things uncomfortable, I'll explain it to them nicely. Since they are the companions of a hero, they must be wonderful people, right?"
As Leon gave a soft smile, Dean's expression melted, completely captivated by her beauty. He clenched his fists and nodded resolutely.
"O-oh, not at all! How could it be uncomfortable? Who in their right mind would turn away a beauty like Miss Lia? Besides, we just finished our Labyrinth exploration anyway, and we were about to head up to the Capital. The timing is absolutely perfect."
Dean grandly threw open the inn door.
"Please, after you."
The first-floor dining hall was bustling with guests enjoying dinner and drinks. Dean waved toward a corner table at the back of the hall.
"Hey! I'm back!"
Leon followed Dean's gaze with expectant eyes, hoping to see a sturdy warrior or a dependable mage.
However, sitting there was someone completely unexpected.
On the table sat a bottle of fine wine, and before it sat a woman, resting her chin on her hand and swirling her glass with a bored expression.
With long, flowing red hair, she wore a white shirt that subtly traced her body lines paired with a black skirt. Despite her neat attire, she exuded an atmosphere that strangely drew the eye.
In stark contrast to her relaxed posture, a sharp gaze and calm demeanor radiated a coldness that made her difficult to approach.
She was clearly a highly skilled combatant at a glance, and above all, an remarkably beautiful woman.
'...A woman?'
Leon's brow furrowed slightly.
She had expected a muscular, dependable man, but instead, some prickly-looking woman was sitting there.
'Damn it. Was this bastard Dean traveling with just a woman? But is it really okay for him to bring another woman along like this?'
A wave of disappointment washed over her.
Another woman was merely a tiresome competitor. Moreover, women of that type instinctively guarded against other women, which could disrupt her plan to seduce and exploit Dean.
However, Leon kept her composure and managed her expression.
"Wow... She is truly beautiful. Is she your lover, Mr. Hero?"
When Leon intentionally asked, Dean waved his hands in dismissal.
"Ah, what are you talking about! Lover? No way. She's just a business partner. A comrade, a comrade."
Dean led Leon to the table.
The red-haired woman raised an eyebrow in amusement as Dean appeared with an unfamiliar woman in tow.
"What's this, Dean? I thought you went to pack your things, but you came back having picked up a pretty lady?"
Her voice carried a subtle edge, yet it was laced with a strange sense of leisure.
"Picked up? Watch your mouth, Elena. This is Miss Lia. She needs an escort to the Capital, so I decided to take her there."
As Dean introduced her boastfully, the woman named Elena set down her wine glass and swept her eyes up and down Leon.
Her sharp gaze started from Leon's face, moved down to her voluptuous breasts, passed her slender waist, and thoroughly scanned all the way down to her legs.
'Huh...?'
Leon felt it instinctively. This woman's gaze was not one of simple wariness.
'This look... it's familiar.'
It resembled the greedy, predatory gaze she gave men, or the one men gave her.
Elena curled the corners of her lips upward and extended her hand to Leon.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Lia. I'm Elena. Dean's party member, and the best swordsman in this area."
Her touch was soft, but the strength of her grip was remarkably firm.
"Please take care of me, Miss Elena. I'm sorry for intruding so suddenly."
As Leon bowed her head, acting fragile, Elena wore a meaningful smile.
"Not at all. You're more than welcome. I was bored to death traveling with only that idiot Dean, but now that I have such a cute little sister, our journey is going to be much more enjoyable."
Elena's gaze lingered strangely on Leon's lips. Leon felt a cold sweat run down her spine.
'Wait... This woman, could she be...?'
Hiding behind Dean's back to avoid Elena's gaze, Leon swallowed hard.
The road to the Capital was not going to be as smooth as she thought.
