Chapter 14: So-Called Freebies Always Bring Surprises
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: So-Called Freebies Always Bring Surprises
The maid stepped back into the darkness.
In the shadows around the corner, another figure in a maid’s uniform was crouching, busily occupied with something.
Faint glimmers of light flickered around her. Intricate, ancient runes rose and vanished repeatedly, like bubbles surfacing on water.
“I didn't expect you to know that girl’s hobbies,” Number Six said from her position on the ground. “Is she one of your targets too?”
“No, she isn't.”
Number Eight leaned against the wall, eyes closed as she rested.
“But she was Number Nine’s target. Since Number Nine used to be my partner, I happen to have some intel on her.”
“Number Nine… I remember that mission failed…”
“It was that girl. She was two major realms below Number Nine, yet she still managed to turn the tables and kill her.”
“…”
Number Six fell silent, focusing entirely on her task.
As the minutes ticked by, Number Eight finally lost her patience and opened her eyes.
“How much longer? We don’t have much time.”
“Almost there.”
Number Six was drenched in sweat, her face pale, but her focus didn't waver for a second as she tirelessly decoded the runes.
“This was set up by ‘Lion King’ Lorne Campbell himself. Even though it’s a massive array covering the entire Duke’s estate, opening a gap silently without alerting him is no easy feat.”
“You need to hurry up.”
Number Eight stared at the closed door.
“If Muen Campbell or Princess Celicia comes out suddenly, our mission is a failure.”
“I know, but I think we have enough time.”
At this, Number Six’s expression turned a bit strange.
“Those two… they’re currently in the room doing that sort of thing.”
*
Muen stared expectantly at the door, like a devout believer praying for a miracle.
Unfortunately, no miracle occurred.
Ariel, his only potential savior, was nowhere to be seen.
“So hot…”
On the contrary, the frequency of Celicia’s moans was increasing. It looked like she could wake up at any moment.
“It’s over…”
Muen wanted to bury his face in his hands and weep.
It seemed no miracle would happen today.
Without the protagonist present, the so-called Destruction Route would never be averted. Muen’s fate was about to collide with a "Death Flag" like a runaway truck, leading him straight toward the end he had tried so hard to avoid.
In fact, he didn't even have to wait for the mysterious assassins to strike. Once Celicia woke up, the first thing she’d do was definitely slap him to death.
“Wait, now that I think about it, Celicia has moaned so many times—why hasn't she actually woken up yet?”
Having calmed down slightly, Muen noticed a crucial discrepancy.
As everyone knows, when people wake up from a deep sleep—especially an unnatural one caused by drugs or alcohol—they often let out a subconscious groan.
That was why Muen thought Celicia was about to wake up.
However, no one moans repeatedly before waking up unless they are having an erotic dream.
Celicia definitely wasn't having one of those, so her behavior had to be caused by something else.
Furthermore…
“So hot…”
Muen looked at the fireplace.
The fire was still burning, but because of the frost Celicia had released earlier, the room was actually quite chilly.
At the very least, Muen felt a bit cold since he was half-undressed.
Celicia wasn't wearing much more than he was, so why was she hot?
Moaning.
Heat.
Could it be…
Gulp.
Muen couldn't help but swallow hard as a wild, bizarre thought flashed through his mind.
To prove his half-baked theory wrong, Muen began to cautiously move toward Celicia.
Earlier, fearing he’d be killed the moment she opened her eyes, he had kept his distance. Now, as he drew closer, Celicia—lying on the sofa—came back into full view.
“No way…”
The moment he saw her, Muen’s heart skipped a beat.
“Nngh… so hot…”
Celicia’s eyes were still tightly shut; she hadn't woken up.
However, her silver eyelashes were fluttering, and her skin glowed with an unnatural, crimson flush. Her long, toned legs were rubbing together restlessly, and her hands clawed at the air unconsciously, further disheveling her already revealing formal dress.
“No, no, it can’t be what I think it is.”
“This must be a side effect of the knockout potion. Yeah, just a side effect!”
“You can get rid of side effects with a cold shower. Right, that’s how it works! That’s how it always goes in novels!”
“Hang in there, Celicia! I’ll get you some cold water!”
Panicking and at a total loss, Muen reached out, intending to scoop Celicia up and carry her to the bathroom to wash away the "side effect" with cold water.
But he failed.
Because a slender, pale hand suddenly clamped onto his wrist.
At some point, Celicia had actually woken up. She was staring straight at Muen.
Her eyes held a flash of fiery rage, but it quickly dissipated, replaced by the dazed confusion of a lost rabbit.
“Um… Your Highness, let me explain. Actually, you just got drunk from the tea. I was just about to take you to the bathroom to sober you up.”
Muen’s legs were shaking as he started spouting nonsense.
“Since you’re awake, I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll be going now.”
Muen tried to make a run for it, realizing the situation was spiraling out of control.
No matter how much he wanted to deny reality, seeing Celicia like this made it impossible not to know what was happening.
It was an aphrodisiac!
That “little gift” from the mysterious shopkeeper was a goddamn aphrodisiac!
Holy crap, so that’s what she meant by ‘miraculous effects’?
A knockout potion mixed with an aphrodisiac? You’re a real piece of work, you scammer!
Give me my money back!
He had to get out of there.
If something "wonderful"—which was actually anything but—happened between him and Celicia here, Muen couldn't see any way he’d survive the aftermath.
At best, he’d probably be executed by a thousand cuts!
Unfortunately…
He couldn't leave even if he wanted to.
Celicia’s small hand was gripping Muen with a deathly vice.
Even though her hand looked soft and weak, Muen felt as if his wrist were caught in a pair of iron pliers.
This was the gap in raw strength.
Muen was reminded once again that the woman before him was far stronger than he was.
Trying to escape?
Hmph, fat chance.
“Um… Your Highness, stay calm! You have to stay calm! With your willpower, I’m sure you can just tough it out!”
Muen could only pin his hopes on Celicia herself.
Celicia’s gaze flickered between clarity and confusion.
However, Muen could clearly see that even during her moments of clarity, the fire of anger in her eyes was beginning to transform into a different kind of flame.
“Keep it together, Your Highness! Don’t give in to a mere drug! You can definitely—”
Thud!
Muen’s encouragement was cut short.
The world suddenly spun.
By the time Muen regained his senses, he realized his position had been swapped with Celicia’s.
Muen was now lying on the sofa.
And Celicia, her waist curving gracefully, was sitting on top of him.