It was my first experience. I had done the deed at least once in both my past life and this life, so it wasn’t that surprising. But doing it outdoors? That was a first.
Before this, Hans had simply lived as an ordinary man in his past life—before he was reincarnated, that is. And outdoor sex is something very, very distant for an average guy.
Hans looked at the sleeping elf mother and daughter on either side of him. Then he recalled last night’s events. He wondered what was so great about doing it outside. But…
The pleasure was beyond his imagination. Was it the fear and tension of potentially being caught? It was all very pleasant, anyway.
At this point, he had to admit it. Hans was really enjoying the situation. To be precise, he had been full of concerns and worries until yesterday. Did I even qualify for this?
What if I actually ended up dying? Could I really take responsibility afterward? But at last night’s wedding, Hans found his answer: don’t foolishly let people close to you go.
When you can hold on, you must hold on tightly.
Hans quietly got up and tidied his clothes. He draped an outer garment over Cluna and Clara, who were still fast asleep. Sometimes he wondered,
“What on earth is so great about me?”
No matter how he thought about it, he just couldn’t get it. In his past life, he would have shown an ugly side if anything. He never presented himself as handsome. Yeah, that was the case.
Yet, over the course of three years, they continuously longed for just him. They all did silly things in their own ways. Although they made mistakes, you know what they say: ‘an arm bends inward.’
Thinking they did it for themselves, Hans just could not bring himself to hate them. He sat near the lake, staring at the sky. The lake lacked the mystique it had yesterday.
“This place…?”
“Are you finally awake?”
“S-sorry!!”
Cluna, just waking up, hurriedly stood up with a flushed face. She then shook Clara awake, who was blissfully unaware beside her. Hans burst out laughing.
“Just let her be. How tired do you think she was?”
“I’m just flustered you see me in a good light.”
“More importantly, you should go rest next to me now.”
“Y-yes!!”
For a moment, Cluna worried she was moving ahead too recklessly. But that concern didn’t last long. There were things she absolutely wouldn’t lose to another woman in.
Cluna carefully sat right next to Hans. They sat together, admiring the lake, looking like a couple out for a stroll. At least to Cluna’s eyes.
She did feel some guilt over her late husband. But what could she do? She had just fallen head over heels. Cluna sighed, prompting a response from Hans.
“Are you worried about something?”
“I just wonder if it’s okay to be this happy.”
“You’ve been through a lot already. You’ll have to go through even more.”
“That’s not it.”
Cluna poured out her honest feelings. Since elves are long-lived, they inevitably hear or see history, good or bad. Most of the time, they succumb to emotions leading to ruin.
“They’ve betrayed for many reasons: to win over a beloved, due to jealousy, or for other miscellaneous reasons.”
“And most of them haven’t had good outcomes.”
“Exactly. But that doesn’t apply to us, does it?”
Hans nodded. Usually, the desire to monopolize is quite strong. But, for some reason, they chose to share. That part puzzled Hans as well.
“How on earth did it come to all of us wanting to share?”
“Because we all know the pain of loss.”
“The pain of loss, huh… right.”
Knowing how painful it is to lose someone you love, they couldn’t bring themselves to treat each other cruelly, even Helia.
It could be seen as twisted love in a way. Yet, in the current situation, it was bittersweet that it was the best option. Hans forced a bitter smile. Perfectly, it had turned out well.
With a common enemy in front of them, there was no reason to bicker. Suddenly, he felt a bit pathetic for having such worries. Still, he was a commander of the Royal Knights.
To think that the most he could do was trivial, he stopped the self-reproach. Ultimately, everyone fights risking their lives for an ordinary life, so there was no reason to belittle it.
Hans and Cluna spent some time together, without anyone’s shield around them.
*
After everything was over, Hans, Cluna, and Clara returned to Lionheart Fortress on a wyvern. Fortunately, Helia reported that nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
“Really? Nothing happened?”
“Yes, aside from the monsters attacking, it was fine.”
“That’s exactly what happened.”
Hans pointed out that no one noticed the absurdity of it. To them, monsters were just appetizer-level foes at this point. Hans sighed.
Of course, he knew how strong they were. But, in an erotic game, the most dangerous thing is complacency. Even the world’s strongest can get captured by letting their guard down.
In the world of erotic games, evil individuals can have you taught an entirely different way. That’s why he chose to closely follow the elven mother and daughter’s matter. At that moment, Helia turned her gaze to Cluna.
“……”
“……”
“So you really did it?”
“Yes, that happened.”
What is this, some radar? Just one glance, and Helia caught on? Hans was astonished. He tried to hide it as best he could, yet he was found out so easily?
Helia looked at Hans without saying a word this time. He naturally avoided Helia’s gaze. She was staring, and he felt as if holes were being drilled into his body.
“Um, excuse me?”
“I’m sorry.”
“…It’s fine. I knew this would happen anyway.”
“What?”
“I saw those girls going for it full on.”
Hearing that, Hans looked at Cluna. Cluna explained that while they hadn’t planned it from the start, it just happened that way when Hans joined them.
So it wasn’t planned from the beginning, but somehow they got ready for it, which was Cluna’s justification. Hans shook his head. What the heck was going on here?
However, scolding them was impossible since something already happened. What good would it be to scold? Hans changed the topic.
“Look at Bayard and Ruby. Aren’t they exemplary?”
“But where are they?”
“Um?”
Listening to Cluna, Hans looked around. Just moments ago, Bayard and Ruby had been behind Helia, but now they were gone. Where did they go in that time?
“They said they’re preparing for an operation tonight.”
“Who? Bayard and Ruby?”
“Yes.”
“……”
Yes. Bayard and Ruby were starting to feel a sense of crisis. Everyone except them had already latched onto the commander. But they hadn’t received any news at all…
That feeling of crisis quickly turned into impatience. Hans easily understood what was on Bayard and Ruby’s minds and felt a headache coming on. What to do? Of course, there was an answer.
Just hug them like the others. In a sexual way, obviously. But right now, he was too tired to think about that. More than anything, checking things was a priority.
“Later, bring Bayard and Ruby to my chambers.”
“What are you planning to do this time?”
“You know, don’t you?”
“……”
Now, Hans boldly retorted back, leaving Helia at a loss for words. But Helia didn’t particularly mind. After all, she was the highest-ranking consort in this place.
As long as everyone can be happy, she could be satisfied. Though she still had an obsession with wanting to be the best, at least at that moment, she was being docile.
A little while later, Hans headed to the Table of Equality with the members. He was there to check on what remained and for a meeting. Many things have transformed through their efforts until now.
“But I’m not planning to stop here.”
They would deal with those corrupt beings infesting the continent. Furthermore, to regain perfect peace. Many had sacrificed, and many more would likely do so. So they had to win, without fail.
Hans compiled all the letters sent by the Racial Alliances. Thanks to that, he realized that the day of the final battle was in half a month. Half a month felt too precious, yet…
It couldn’t be helped. With the colossal army of Racial Alliances preparing for an expedition, a mere two weeks felt rather short. Nodding, Hans spoke.
“In two weeks, we stake everything.”
Finally, the last war was preparing to begin.
