Chapter 37: Return(4)
Chapter 37: Return(4)
The lion-headed fiend at the edge of the forest let out a monstrous roar. It was so loud it felt like the very air was vibrating.
Kwwwaaaaaah!
Goosebumps erupted all over my skin. I didn't even need the Goddess's Eye to check its stats to know that thing was a monster.
"Run, Victoria!"
"Right!"
Victoria and I sprinted back into the forest. God damn it. All I want is to go home, but this is just one thing after another.
The creature charged after us, running on all fours with its heavy hands and feet. I had no idea what kind of animal it was, but it was terrifyingly fast.
"Shit. How is it so fast?!"
"This isn't working. I'll hold it off, Kerry, you—!"
"Don't you ever get tired of that chivalry crap?"
"You! I'm trying to help you out of concern and you—!"
"Just run!"
Think. Find a way to survive. I had a Wind Blade spell ready to go. I also had the wooden spear, but that didn't seem like it would do a damn thing against that monster.
Judging by the wings on its back, it could probably fly, too. This was bad.
"Kerry! It's right behind us!"
"Fuck. I'll buy us some time with magic. When I do, you run—"
Before I could finish, another roar echoed from the opposite direction.
Now what? Is this some kind of monster royal rumble?
"Kraaaah!"
But this wasn't another threat. The roar belonged to Natasha.
"Natasha! You came to save us!"
We were saved. I couldn't see Lina, but she had to be nearby. The two of them could handle this somehow.
But as Natasha approached, she looked a little different than usual.
A red, shimmering haze was rising from her entire body.
I remembered Natasha's talent.
[Talent – One Who Craves Blood]
[Summary – The angrier you become, the stronger you get. Self-control is consumed in proportion to the increase in power.]
Natasha looked even more agitated than usual. I didn't know it at the time, but having lost me had put her under extreme stress, and the sight of the danger had sent her into a berserk state.
That red haze gave off a seriously dangerous vibe.
I was worried she'd lost her mind and would come after me instead, but my fear was unfounded.
Natasha charged the lion fiend. A tremendous crash echoed through the forest as they collided. Startled birds burst from the trees and took to the sky.
"Grrrr—"
"What the hell is this bitch...? Ah. You must be that red-haired woman Furuku mentioned. Heh heh. This just got interesting."
Barikmeteo couldn't continue. Natasha didn't wait, pressing her attack.
Instead of fighting on two feet as she usually did, Natasha attacked the lion fiend like a four-legged beast.
She even bit and tore at it with her teeth, like a wild animal.
"Stronger than I heard, aren't you? And quite the crazy bitch, too. Can't you even understand me?"
Natasha and the lion fiend were almost evenly matched. She had fought on par with Furuku, so how was she holding her own against this lion fiend, who looked much stronger?
This must be the power she gained by sacrificing most of her sanity.
"Sir Kerry!"
Just then, a welcome voice called out from the woods. She was finally here. I was so glad to see her!
"Lina!"
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I'm fine. But Natasha is...!"
"Yes, I know. The moment that thing's roar echoed, Natasha got all worked up and charged ahead."
"Is she going to be okay?"
"..."
Lina couldn't answer. Natasha's talent was incredible, but it wasn't something that could be controlled.
"Tch. You're one lucky bastard."
For some reason, the lion fiend glared at me as it spoke. Was it after me from the start? Why?
Before I could sort out my thoughts, the lion fiend took to the sky. Natasha continued to attack, but she couldn't stop it from flying.
"The situation is unfavorable for now, so I'll let this slide. But do not interfere with our work again. Not if you value your lives."
With that parting threat, the creature soared into the sky and vanished. Shortly after, the knights who had been searching for Victoria appeared one by one.
It was a moment for a touching reunion. A little while ago, I was sure I was going to die.
But one problem still remained.
Natasha. Her berserk state hadn't worn off. She glared at the spot where the lion fiend had disappeared, looking like she wanted to give chase.
But there was no way she could catch something that flew away. Then, Natasha, who had been staring after the fiend, suddenly turned around.
She started running toward us.
"Isn't this dangerous?"
"Yes, it is. Sir Kerry, please get away from me. I will try to stop Natasha. Everyone else, back away! It's dangerous."
Victoria, not understanding the situation, asked me urgently.
"Kerry, wasn't that woman on our side? Why is she trying to attack us?"
"It seems to be a bit of a complicated situation. For now, just get back, Victoria."
Natasha charged toward us with incredible speed. The sight of the red haze rising from her was downright terrifying.
Just as Lina and Natasha were about to clash, I shouted without thinking.
"Stop! Natasha!"
"It's no use, Sir Kerry! In that state, Natasha won't listen to any—"
Lina's words were cut short. Natasha had frozen in place as if she were petrified.
"..."
The rigid Natasha turned her head and stared intently at me. Then, she began walking toward me on all fours. What the hell is happening?
"Sir Kerry, it's dangerous!"
"Wait a second. I think this might be okay."
Natasha approached me with a bright smile. There was no way a smiling Natasha could be dangerous.
She stood up in front of me and began to lick my face. Literally, she licked my face with her tongue.
Just like a puppy.
"Heh heh. That tickles, Natasha."
Schlick- Schluuurp-
Natasha licked me while bouncing around happily. Lina watched the scene, looking slightly dumbfounded. Even she had never seen Natasha act like this before.
"I don't think she's an immediate threat, Lina."
"I... I see that. Natasha, has your... mind returned?"
"Grrrrrrrrr!"
When Lina reached out a hand, Natasha let out a ferocious growl. It seemed she had only calmed down for me.
Lina couldn't make sense of the situation.
*
At last, Kerry and Victoria returned to the castle. It had been a long three weeks. Though it was only three weeks, so much had happened.
A grand banquet was being held in the castle.
Victoria had spared no expense, throwing a feast to celebrate Lina's party as the heroes who had saved Prague Castle.
"Wow. This is quite a spread."
I dug into the food without hesitation. I had fond memories of the food at Prague Castle being particularly delicious.
As expected, my tongue danced with joy at the taste of a proper meal after so long.
Just then, the old woman approached.
"Son-in-law! I'm so glad you returned safely. I was so shocked when I heard you'd fallen from a cliff... Anyway, it's a relief you're alive. You're not the type to die so easily. No, sir! Of course not."
"Thank you for your concern."
"But tell me... why is my granddaughter, who went to find you, acting like this?"
Beside me, Natasha was growling at her grandmother.
"Grrrr!"
"Natasha. It's me, your grandma. Don't you recognize me?"
"No, Natasha. I told you to be a good girl."
At my words, Natasha quietly sat back down. She looked rather cute.
"Grandmother, it's probably best not to approach Natasha right now."
"...So much for raising a granddaughter."
In her berserk state, Natasha would only listen to me. She wouldn't listen to anyone else, so I had no choice but to keep her by my side.
I enjoyed the banquet, making sure to feed Natasha as well.
"I'm relieved you've returned safely, Sir Kerry."
Lina came up beside me and said.
"And I apologize. This is all my fault for being inadequate. I shouldn't have left my post back then..."
"You did nothing wrong, Lina. Don't try to take all the responsibility yourself. At the time, it was the right call for you to head to the rear. I thought so, too."
"Sir Kerry..."
"And... being stranded wasn't so bad, you know."
"Pardon?"
"Ah, I just mean it was a rather refreshing experience."
"I-I see. You're very optimistic, Sir Kerry."
Victoria, who had been eavesdropping on our conversation, blushed to the tips of her ears. But she didn't come over to talk to me.
For some reason, ever since returning to the castle, she found it difficult to face me.
Victoria could only watch me with a complicated expression.
'I'm glad there were no fatalities. Just as Kerry said, Lina's party did an excellent job.'
There were quite a few seriously and minorly injured, but the fact that not a single person had died was truly remarkable.
She'd heard from the knights that Lina had been running herself ragged, working tirelessly.
Victoria had thanked Lina several times. She had also promised a reward, but Lina had waved her hand and refused.
The sight of Kerry looking displeased by that was quite amusing.
Just then, Natasha, who was beside Kerry, began to come to her senses.
"Ugh... I... Why... Why am I here?"
"Are you awake, Natasha?"
Natasha turned her head at the sound of my voice. As soon as she saw my face, her eyes welled up with tears and she threw herself into my arms.
"Husband! Hic, sob!"
Natasha checked me over from head to toe, asking repeatedly if I was hurt anywhere.
It had taken a full day to get to Prague Castle. During that time, Natasha's berserk state hadn't subsided.
Only Lina knew the reason why.
'When Natasha goes berserk... it never used to end until she drew blood. It was a rather troublesome drawback... to think it would be resolved like this.'
During the day they had spent together traveling back to Prague Castle, Natasha had been docile.
In fact, she had followed my commands as obediently as a puppy. On the way, I had jokingly said, "Paw!" and she had obediently offered her hand.
After hearing from the others about what had happened, Natasha was incredibly embarrassed.
"Still, I'm so glad you're back, Husband."
The banquet proceeded cheerfully. The knights who had worked so hard to find Kerry and Victoria, as well as Lina's party, all relaxed and unwound together.
I was having a good time, too.
That is, until Victoria sent me a lewd sign with her hand.
'Victoria... even here!'
It was the obscene signal Victoria would send whenever she wanted to do it back in the cave.
The sign of making a circle with her hand and poking a finger through the hole.
'That... that woman! What if someone sees?!'
Perhaps because she'd had to abstain with Natasha constantly stuck to my side, Victoria couldn't hold back any longer. The moment Natasha came to her senses, she must have thought, 'This is my chance!' and sent the signal.
Victoria's signal was so blatant that I worried someone would see, so I had no choice but to nod.
Victoria stood up from her seat and announced.
"Everyone, I shall take my leave now. It has been a long journey, and I am tired."
The knights all understood and let her go. It wasn't long after that.
I stood up as well.
"I'm feeling pretty tired myself. I think I'll head to my room and get some sleep."
"I understand, son-in-law. Tsk. You must have had a hard time, not being able to eat properly all this while."
Actually, it hadn't been that hard.
"Husband..."
"Natasha, you stay here and enjoy yourself a little longer. I'm really just going to sleep in my room... Well then, excuse me."
Lina also gave a small, quiet nod in farewell. I had enjoyed the banquet as much as I was going to.
The moment I stepped out of the banquet hall, just as I was walking down the corridor, Victoria appeared as expected.
"Kerry!"
"Victoria... how could you make such a vulgar gesture where people could see? What if someone saw you?"
"But... but... I could not bear it any longer. Because of Natasha, I could not even get close to you yesterday or today."
"I get it. But you can't do that again. Understood?"
"...You're so mean. It took courage to send that signal."
"If anyone saw a lewd gesture like that, it would be awkward for both of us."
Especially Lina and Natasha. They could never see something like that.
"I understand. I will be more careful next time. So, may we enjoy ourselves today? The others will not look for us. They will think we are sleeping. Right?"
This was a sex addiction. An addiction!
"Besides... today, of all days, is a day you can finish inside."
At her last words, a bulge formed in my trousers. Finishing inside? I couldn't resist that. Kerry and Victoria started toward the bedroom.