Chapter 476 – Camellia and Mary (3)

My disciple, Ebony, remains an enigma to me, no matter how hard I try to understand her true nature.

*Huff, huff!*

As I watch Ebony skillfully wielding her sword, I can’t help but wonder, ‘What goes on inside her mind?’

Reflecting on Ebony’s usual demeanor, she generally appears expressionless. While she obediently carries out any task I assign to her, she isn’t one to initiate conversation due to her reserved nature. She doesn’t show much interest in food either; whenever Mary asks for a share of a delectable side dish, Ebony readily offers it to her. She also doesn’t react to things her peers typically enjoy. Although she sleeps with a doll, it serves merely as a pillow substitute.

Despite my consistent efforts to show concern and care, I can’t seem to bridge the emotional gap between us. Admittedly, this leaves me feeling uneasy.

“Advance,” I instruct her.
“*Hup!*” she responds.
“Strike with more force.”

Yet, in moments like these, when training, Ebony is undeniably an SSS-grade disciple.

I quickly identified the issue and sought advice.

“…Gathering mana is quite challenging.”

As an apprentice, I had to endure, unable to offer any comfort.
Although it’s said that mastering the task is enough, my experience with my own mentor proved otherwise.

I grasped Ebony’s wrist, assisting her in controlling her mana.

“Feel it carefully. Like this… through the circuit. Yes, that’s it.”
“…Aha. So this is how it feels.”
“This much is sufficient for now. But as your core expands and your mana increases…”

I transformed the black mana emanating from Ebony’s hand, creating magical energy.

“In the future, you’ll need to reach this level.”

– Fzzzt.

Witnessing the magic engulfed in dense black darkness, Ebony’s hand trembled.
The power was too overwhelming for her at this stage.
Even with my manipulation of Ebony’s circuit, she barely managed to withstand it.

“Ouch. It hurts.”
“You’re doing well. You need to feel it for as long as possible. You must develop your sense of control… Let’s try to endure for another 30 seconds.”

I increased the output of the magic.

The body, corroded by magical energy, experiences circuit deformation, and in severe cases, the short circuit is destroyed. This is why one must not be consumed by such energy.

“Ah, uhhh…!”

Blood vessels swell and become vivid on the back of Ebony’s hand, spreading to her forearm. As her entire hand turns a bruised, purple shade, I simultaneously imbue the power of healing. This is how I adapted to the magical energy, the greatest secret I employed when I encountered the previous generation’s Heavenly Demon. After sustaining damage from the magic, I heal and train the circuit to accept the energy.

“Ugh, stop, aaaagh!”

A scream bursts from Ebony’s lips. This is enough.

“Well done.”

I gather the magical energy, inject the power of healing, and tap her head. Ebony, having only me for support, tightly grips my arm and breaks out in a cold sweat.

“It hurts so much.”

“It’s your first time, so it’s expected. It will get better.”

“…I’m sorry I couldn’t endure it a bit longer.”

“You’re doing well enough.”

Her body is highly compatible with magical energy.

The concern was more about the addiction that would follow rather than the pain. It would be wise to address the potential dangers later on.

I gently ruffled Ebony’s hair until it was disheveled.

Good girl! Good girl!

“A good girl?”

“Well done. I’ll give you a Teacher’s Sticker.”

“…Hold on a moment.”

Ebony unfolded a crumpled, grape-shaped piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to me. Upon applying a single sticker, it was already half-filled. Ebony gazed at the grape design with a satisfied expression.

“What is the wish you’re hoping for?”

“…An investigation by my friend.”

“Aha.”

Indeed, that’s why she became my disciple. Come to think of it, our teacher, Heaven, was quite worried that I might return to my previous world.

“What about after the investigation?”

“…I don’t really know.”

“Will you continue being a disciple?”

“Perhaps… The sword is quite enjoyable.”

Ebony caressed the black blade as she spoke. The attachment in her eyes seemed more intense than that of any other swordsman.

This fellow’s aptitude for the sword was boundless.

‘It’s been a while since I last heard my inner thoughts. It feels good.’

Training disciples is quite enjoyable.
I wonder if our master and the Heavenly Demon of the previous generation felt the same way.

Now that things have become more intricate, Ebony and Wiki are the only ones who can assume a role other than a king.
Grinning, I rose from my seat.

“Take a break and finish what you were doing.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Once you’ve accepted the magic, your body will move more smoothly. Overexerting yourself at this point is a surefire way to get injured. Keep that in mind.”

Ebony nodded. This was enough.

Leaving the training ground and checking my watch, it was time to bid farewell to Mary.
I headed back towards the building where Dongbaek was located.

– Tap, tap.

The lively sound of footsteps that could only be heard from a lightweight body. Gazing into the distance, Mary was running towards me with excited steps.

– Huh? Lee Si-heon!

From afar, Mary waved as soon as she caught sight of me. I raised my hand in response, and her pace quickened considerably.

Udada! She raced toward me!

“Nyaaaak!”

She embraced me with surprising strength. This time, her hug felt childlike, unlike the one we shared three hours prior. I couldn’t help but wonder what had changed. Casting aside my lingering doubts, I asked Mary about her conversation.

“Did it go well?”

“Yeah, the person seemed really pitiful, you know? They lost an arm and both legs in the war.”

She nonchalantly untied the tape recorder and slipped it into her pocket.

“What did you talk about?”

“Um, a lot?”

“Tell me one thing at a time.”

“Well, first we exchanged names. And when they asked how I ended up here, I told them.”

Both Camellia and Mary were aware of the attack on the cradle. It seemed that Mary had responded with genuine innocence.

“And… they asked how I met you, Lee Si-heon.”

“Did you tell them?”

“Yeah. Was I not supposed to?”

The fact that the king’s identity was Lee Si-heon was quite significant information.

Now that Dongbaek is here, I decided to move on.
Instead, you shouldn’t say it next time.

“Alright! Got it.”

Mary replied spiritedly. Now let’s move on to the next story.

“I asked a lot about your land. What the people think, what the king is like.”
“Did you believe me?”
“At first, your face seemed a bit conflicted… but it got better later on.”

I can’t believe it, but can I trust Mary’s innocent words?
Persuasion will be easy. I’m properly fulfilling the role of a king. It was indirectly proven through Mary.

“And, did they ask if you were harmed by me?”
“By me? What kind of harm?”
“Um… rape?”
“Rape?”
“But rape, it involves a lot of hitting, right?”

Rape involves hitting? What kind of nonsense is that?
Since I’m not saying anything, Mary tilts her head.

“No? Si-heon doesn’t hit me!”
“Um, would you like to demonstrate?”

“Isn’t this what you meant? Ah! Ah!”

Mary prodded my body with a branch that sprouted from her head.
There was a bit more force to it than when she was merely fawning.
Our Mary… She must be more innocent than I thought. She was completely mistaken about the meaning of rape.

“Nick said so…”
“Yes. Rape is a terrible thing. Your brother is a bad person too.”
“…I don’t know. But you’re not bad! Because you’re someone I really like!”

I silently let Mary go.
She seemed discontented upon being released from my embrace, but I couldn’t continue holding her.

“Let’s meet later in the evening. I have more to discuss with Dongbaek.”
“Oh, right? We’ll be together at dinner!”
“Mhm.”
“…Oops. Is it time to head to the kitchen? I’ll go quickly!”

Mary scampered away. I tightly closed my eyes and entered Dongbaek’s room.

-Creak.

“……Who?”
“The one you dislike.”

“Oh.”

It took just a few seconds for Dongbaek’s voice to plummet from joy to despair. I sat in the chair next to the small table where I always did.

“How was it? Talking with another girl?”
“…I felt happiness for the first time in a while.”

Dongbaek’s face was one of pure satisfaction. Her shoulders were tense, perhaps with excitement.

“But… the bathroom…”
“Should I ask Mary?”
“How could you…”

I embraced Dongbaek and lowered her underwear as usual.

“…Now, I’m slowly becoming disillusioned with myself, getting used to this.”
“How do you think it feels for me to receive your urine?”
“You…! You could avoid it if you wanted to.”
“But I don’t have many people I trust.”

Holding Dongbaek so she wouldn’t fall into the toilet, I stimulated her genitals. A white liquid sprayed like a stream from the crevice in the split. Soon, the sound of flowing liquid resonated clearly throughout the bathroom.

-*Gurgle*-

“…….”

“…….”

At this moment, words fail me. I take an appropriate amount of tissue and wipe my intimate area.

“You know, umm….”
“What?”

After repeating the series of actions, I lie back down on the bed.

“Have you ever, talked to someone else….”
“You should know what that implies.”
“Ugh.”

Camellia’s lips quiver beneath her bowed head, seemingly feeling ashamed.

“What, should I do?”

Does she really want to talk that badly?
To the point of choosing to engage in shameful acts herself.

“…I heard it from Mary. You care for people deeply… and love them.”
“Did I say that?”
“I thought, I might be a better person than Flower.”
“Who’s to decide that?”

I interrupt Camellia’s words.

“There’s nothing more foolish than a bunch of idiots gathering together, weighing themselves against each other, and claiming to be better.”

“…Just as good deeds carry varying degrees of significance, wouldn’t evil deeds be the same? Mary praised you immensely. There must be a reason for that…”
“It’s all the same. What I’m going to do to you as well.”

Startled, Dongbaek licked her lower lip.

“You wanted to have a conversation, didn’t you? You choose.”
“What…?”
“What you should do, by yourself.”
“Well, that is…”

Bewilderment spread across Dongbaek’s face. Her thighs rolled in place of her feet.
Dongbaek, having no arms or legs, could either offer her body or do something else. She remained silent for a moment before cautiously speaking.

“I’ve…licked fingers before. Next… is…”

She waited for a response.
Dongbaek tightly closed her eyes.

“Feet…perhaps?”
“Will that suffice?”

Is she serious?
In truth, she didn’t have to go that far; I would have allowed her to continue what she had been doing.
I said nothing. This was the answer she arrived at on her own.

“Then let’s proceed.”
“…Wait, just a moment. Perhaps that’s…ugh…”

Camellia, having fallen into a trap, closed her mouth.
She could deny it at this moment. She could choose not to act.
It was a deeply repulsive deed, so she could endure it for a few days at least… But how long could she last, parched for conversation?

Even if food and water were provided.
She was blind and limbless; her spirit wouldn’t hold.

“I’ll just leave for today. I’ll come back around lunchtime tomorrow.”
“Wait, just a moment…”
“Why?”
“I’ll do it…”

It happened quite quickly.
Camellia’s spirit must be faltering more than anticipated.

Feet, or submission.
It wasn’t that she lacked experience.

She had experienced it all too often while frequenting the red-light district. During her three years traversing dungeons, she’d had no choice but to sate her sexual desires on occasion.
She had done it, and it’d been done to her by the tree as well.
It wasn’t just feet; she had done dirtier, filthier things.
In comparison, this was almost medicinal.

I climbed onto the bed and stretched out my feet. As they touched Dongbaek’s cheek, Dongbaek hesitated for a long time.

“Um… this, it’s a foot… right?”

No response. Dongbaek’s lips slowly parted, and then her extended tongue made contact with the top of my foot. Her tongue trailed down the moistened surface of my foot.

“Uh…mm. Chup…”

Saliva pooled and dripped. Dongbaek squeezed her eyes shut, touching my foot solely with her tongue and saliva. Her lips brushed against my skin—an unintentional kiss. Afterward, Dongbaek took a breath.

“Phew… ah…”

Her jaw trembled. It seemed slightly difficult to put my foot in her mouth, so she gently bit down.

An aristocrat willing to endure humiliation,
I decided to leave things as they were for now.