Chapter 100 – Salvation (3)

“What do you mean by that? You’re a mage… Could it be?”

Cara, who had worn a puzzled expression, suddenly hardened her face. Isabel smirked self-mockingly and stroked her body. The dark rune characters engraved on her pale skin shone ominously. She spoke.

“You all know that underground mana is flowing in my body, right? That power mainly used for evil and gloomy matters. The witches who captured me also taught me how to handle that power. Well, in reality, they pointed a knife at my body and opened my head to force it in, though…”

Before the three could open their mouths to say anything, Isabel continued.

“Reviving corpses, making chimeras… or absorbing the opponent’s flesh, soul, and blood to become stronger… things like that.”

So the powers she showed back then weren’t all? Following a paladin and a mage, they now had a necromancer, making their combination increasingly diverse. By the way, where would they obtain corpses? Cara spoke with a reluctant face.

“So what you’re saying is… let’s ride a monster made of corpses?”

“Yes. If we resurrect a winged demon and fly, the time it takes to reach our destination will be shortened significantly. The sand won’t hold us back, and we won’t need to feed it or let it sleep like handling beasts. As long as our stamina and my mana are sufficient, we can travel all day long.”

Nodding, Isabel fidgeted with her hands and glanced at Adele. No matter how much it was for the greater good, what she intended to perform was an evil art. She seemed to check the reaction of Adele, a paladin. Of course, that was because she didn’t know Adele well. Instead, Adele spoke with a satisfied smile.

“Excellent idea, Isabel. Thanks to you, I can breathe a sigh of relief.”

“Surely, it won’t suddenly eat us while we’re riding it, right? Well, Isabel will control it well. I also agree. But will you really be okay?”

Cara still wore an uneasy expression as she looked at Isabel. She spoke worriedly.

“Isabel. No matter how much you’ve become a being that handles underground… well, mana, using evil spells or secret arts alone will eat away at your mind. If you use it excessively, you might end up not being yourself. Just like when you became an insane monster back then.”

“What? In that case, it’d be better to look for another way after all.”

Adele was startled, and Belloc also frowned. Indeed, sacrificing the kid was a bit much. Despite the group’s dissuasion, Isabel smiled gigglingly and shook her head. Soon, locking eyes with each of the three, she placed her hand on her chest and spoke.

“You see, I think I’ve already died once. In the laboratory of those crazed witches. Maybe that’s why? I strongly feel that my current life is lived on borrowed time. What should someone like me do?”

Isabel’s indigo eyes scattered a turbid glow. However, determination was filled within them. She spoke.

“The time has come to repay the favor I received from my friends. Please do not trample upon my resolve and determination.”

“Isabel…”

Cara’s red face turned tearful again. Adele also snorted. Since both of them were heavily intoxicated, their emotional fluctuations seemed even greater. ‘It’ll be uncontrollable if they cry now.’ To prevent this, Belloc stepped forward. Patting Isabel’s shoulder, he spoke.

“I’ll be trusting only you.”

“Leave it to me.”

She smirked, stroked the back of Belloc’s hand, and continued speaking.

“Not far from here is Harmoa’s laboratory. Various carcasses of demons and materials needed for black magic are prepared there. We can use those.”

“We can rest well tonight and leave tomorrow when it gets light.”

“For the first time in a while, I’ll sleep on blankets padded with soft straw instead of an iron bed. Just imagining it makes me so happy. Shall we get up now?”

They had filled their bellies and finished formulating the plan. As Isabel yawned and stretched, Cara, who was listening, also stood up from her chair. Fiddling with her messy hair, she spoke.

“I need to heat some water, wash up, and sleep. I feel dirty.”

“I will prepare the bathwater, Lord Belloc.”

“I’ll help too.”

The three of them moved in a rush, heading to the inn’s bathhouse. Watching the women staggering along while arm in arm and giggling, Belloc smiled slightly. He pushed the remaining mead in his mouth. His esophagus burned hot, and his stomach boiled. His vision also shook slightly. However, after a short time, the intoxication subsided smoothly. It was due to his high stamina stat.

He contemplated for a moment whether he should stop putting points into the stamina stat for the sake of the pleasure of drinking. And he also pondered how to clean up the remaining food, alcohol, and the table. They were futile worries. He could just obtain stronger alcohol. As for the inn whose owner had disappeared, mice and flying insects would play the role of cleaners.

‘Let’s wash up and go to sleep.’

He threw the liquor bottle onto the floor like a wasted mercenary and stood up. Shedding his shirt and pants soaked in blood and filth, he headed near the bathhouse, and the laughter he heard grew louder.

-So, you see~ Back then, the lord bowed his head in front of Belloc. To the extent that he even slapped his own son, whom he had raised so dotingly.

-That sounds like Belloc. So what happened next?

-We slaughtered the monsters and witch of the sewer and received two treasure chests filled with gold and jewels! We became rich in an instant! What should we ask him to buy? A pretty dress? Accessories? Or magic items?

-I… need an enchanted axe. The ones I have now break too quickly.

-Let’s all tell Belloc together. Surely, he wouldn’t mind spending that much for us?

Belloc thought as he pushed open the door with a male symbol drawn on it. ‘If we go to the capital, there will be plenty of things to buy or eat. It seems fine to just give them the two chests entirely. Let them shop to their hearts’ content. Money can just be earned again.’ ‘If I go to this city’s lord’s castle right now and ransack the vault, a few similar chests would come out…’ He engaged in snobbish thoughts for a moment, then scooped water with a floating bucket (which appeared to have been heated by Adele) and poured it over his body.

Distinctly defined muscles and veins. A stream of white water flowed down beneath his log-like thighs. Between the rising steam, a multitude of grim scars was revealed. Countless sword slashes and teeth marks were visible. They were all traces proving his life-and-death struggles against the monsters since he set foot on this land.

In the past, around this point, he would have engaged in philosophical reflections like ‘Why am I here? Why do I live?’ But now, no thoughts came to mind. Was it due to the laughter and splashing of the women heard from the other side? Belloc continued to pour water over himself with an uninspired expression. Soon, he brushed his teeth with a green leaf that had a refreshing scent, and washed his hair with soap made by mixing oil and ash.

It was when he was lying on the bed, shaking his hair, having changed into new cloth clothes. Suddenly, the door opened and a woman with a blushed face entered. Grey skin and tattoos concealed between a towel. It was Isabel. ‘Why is she coming in here again?’ Did his thoughts show on his face? Isabel spoke. She also wore a bewildered expression.

“Did you forget? Belloc?”

“I didn’t know you sent this kind of signal. Or did I send the signal?”

She giggled, covering her mouth. Then, the towel hanging over her cleavage slipped down. She spoke without even thinking of pulling it up.

“Try to jog your memory. A few hours ago. You told me.”

‘Me?’ While Belloc racked his brain, his eyes stared at Isabel’s naked body. Two voluptuously swelling breasts, and smoothly extending calves and thighs. Her straight abs and navel, her wide pelvis, and below that. Was it because moisture remained? It was a figure that looked even more voluptuous. Before he could speak, Isabel moved her hand. It was the sound of the wooden door’s latch clicking shut.

Huh? Resting her head against the door and pricking up her ears for a long time, she smiled broadly. Soon, stepping bare feet on the carpet, she crept toward the bed.

“What? Did you really forget? We decided to share a room. You said you would stop me if there was any sign of me doing something strange. Because the crazed me mustn’t stab our sleeping companions…”

Isabel slowly overlapped her body on top of the lying Belloc. It was cold. At the same time, it was hot. As she stroked his chest and smiled softly, Belloc also laughed. Wrapping his arms around Isabel’s waist, he spoke.

“I didn’t mean I would poke you, though.”

Isabel’s smile grew deeper. She licked her lips with her tongue and muttered.

“So… do you dislike it?”

Looking at the turbid eyes staring down at him, Belloc raised his upper body. Then, he caressed her trembling neck.

“No way. Just… because you looked too urgent. It looked as if you were chased by something.”

Her trembling grew greater. Her sinister smile also vanished instantly. She sputtered, trying to say something, then bowed her head. Soon, leaning her head gently on Belloc’s shoulder, she mumbled.

“It’s because I’m anxious.”

“What are you anxious about?”

“You’re not that kind of person, but… there are no absolutes in the world. And you never know a person’s heart. Because a monster like me could be abandoned at any time…”

His shoulder joint felt hot. Belloc wrapped his arms around Isabel’s tender back and patted her silently. After a long time, a mumbling sound was heard again.

“All I have left now is you guys. If I’m left alone again, I…”

What should I do with this lady… Belloc pondered for a moment, then stroked her cheek and spoke gently.

“Isabel. Raise your head a bit.”

“No!”

She shook her head side to side. Belloc smiled faintly and soothed her. He caressed her earlobe and rubbed his sharp nose against her. His hands also moved relentlessly, patting her back. He spoke.

“Please. Okay?”

Was it thanks to his blood-sweating effort? Isabel hesitated slightly, then raised her buried head. Next to her reddened eyelids, her indigo pupils full of moisture were visible. ‘Oh my, ugly. Your pretty face is a mess.’ Belloc wiped her tears with one hand and spoke.

“Should I ask Cara to find a spell? Like a vow spell saying I will never abandon you. Or how about making my face into a stamp and stamping it on your body? Leaving a mark that you are mine. Or we could do the opposite.”

Although his tone sounded somewhat playful, his dark eyes did not twitch. If she refused to leave a mark, he looked ready to draw a sword right away. Feeling the firm forearm wrapping around her body, the calloused hand, and the something rising below, Isabel closed her eyes slightly. Soon, bringing her lips close to Belloc’s face, she spoke.

“Later… if this long journey ends, do that for me.”

He thought to himself. It was a good thing the soundproofing here was quite excellent. It was even more of a relief that Cara and Adele, who had gone up to the second floor, were drunk.

#

The night in the devastated village passed safely. Having slept in late and relieved their fatigue on the spacious beds, Adele and Cara were smiling broadly. Belloc was the same. Only Isabel let out faint groans every time the camel she was riding swayed. Cara, who was riding in front of her, asked.

“Isabel. Are you not feeling well? Come to think of it, the skin under your eyes seems dark…”

Isabel rolled her eyes to glare at Belloc and then laughed casually.

“It’s nothing. Yesterday, some beast…”

“Huh?”

“It seems a bit of the aftereffects of last night’s battle remain. It will get better as time passes. You know my body well, don’t you?”

Indeed, it wasn’t ordinary. While Belloc nodded, Cara and Adele spoke in turn with worried expressions.

“Don’t push yourself too hard. If your body condition isn’t good, we can rest for a few more days. Okay?”

“Cara is right. Since our current plan is in a position where we must rely solely on the spells you wield.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Isabel nodded, looking at the two with a slightly ambiguous smile. They traveled for some time, and under her guidance, the group arrived at the laboratory where Harmoa had resided. It was a musty cavern located in the gap of a rock that had jutted out on its own. Cara, who cast a spell, lit up the staff’s light. The group roamed the den of the already dead witches, gathering the carcasses of the demons Isabel had mentioned and various tools required for the spells.

‘Dammit. Using this kind of stuff? Crazed bastards.’ Belloc, who was carrying the corpse of a monster that looked like a human-faced monstrous bird, frowned deeply. It was due to the bizarre nature of the tools Isabel gathered: human skulls, plants with faces that screamed, and flasks containing suspicious green liquid.

“Is there still more to pack?”

When Cara asked, Isabel turned around. She was wearing leather armor picked up from the masterless blacksmith instead of the armor torn by Belloc. The dual swords she used when fighting him had also been picked up at some point, hanging at her waist. ‘Right, they were nice items, so they had to be secured.’ She spoke.

“Wait a moment. I haven’t found… one thing yet. It is precious to me, so I must find it…”

Isabel was anxious for a moment, then clicked her heels as she moved. The group followed behind her. The other places were all rooms they had already visited. Now, the only remaining place was a giant iron door splattered with pitch-black blood. Looking at the door that emitted a thick fishy odor, Isabel hardened her face slightly.

“Only this place… I didn’t want to come back here.”

She trembled slightly and turned her head. There was the dark-eyed warrior. The paladin in white armor and the mage with red hair were also there. Feeling her mind settle for some reason, Isabel kicked hard. The door opened with a thud, and the smell of blood grew even thicker. She shouted.

“Found it!”