You can read 505 episodes for $10. p.*atreon.com/Astrid02
༺ A Knight's Resolution ༻
"Haah…"
Our tongues, Frey's and mine intertwined gently.
"Hmm…"
Just days ago, this act was a distant thought. I anticipated my heart would race when the moment arrived.
– Thump, thump.
But when I actually did it, it wasn't like that at all. My heart now beats rhythmically, synchronized with Frey's breathing.
– Hooo…
Frey's mana and mine blended seamlessly. The point of contact between his abdomen and mine, the meeting of our chests, and the union of our tongues became conduits for accelerated mana flow.
– Zzzz…
Merging wasn't an accurate term. It felt disrespectful. This current act was a binding process—an entwining of myself with Frey.
I was no longer a teacher at the academy. Nor his mentor. Nor a noble lady. Nor the eldest daughter of the Bywalker family.
From this moment onward, I am but Frey Raon Starlight's servant—his subordinate. Simultaneously, I was reborn as a knight solely dedicated to him.
Pledging allegiance to an individual, as opposed to a nation, a concept, or an organization carries profound significance. While a wizard may make a 'Blood Oath,' a knight, on the other hand, makes a 'Vow.'
– Thump, thump, thump.
Therefore, labeling this act as a 'merging' would be misleading. It is more fittingly described as a 'binding' or 'subjugation.'
I forsake the unique heartbeat and breathing patterns that have accompanied me since birth, aligning myself with the rhythm of my master's heart and breath.
Similarly, I abandoned the distinctive arrangement and uniqueness of the mana coursing through me, replacing it with the pattern of my master's mana, etched into my very being.
All these actions serve as a declaration before my young lord.
I cease to be Isolet Arham Bywalker, the eldest daughter of the Bywalker family.
I renounce all that I was, overwriting with his essence.
This declaration marked the complete redefinition of my identity—now simply Isolet, Frey's possession.
No matter how foolish Frey might be, he would understand this meaning.
It was clear that I was becoming entirely his possession.
"Puhah…"
"Haa, haa…"
Lost in contemplation, I disentangled our tongues and lifted my head slightly, catching a faint sound from below.
"…Stay still."
The binding was not yet complete. It would be disastrous if Frey broke free now.
– Press…
Thus, I gripped both his hands, extended his arms, and pressed down firmly.
"Si, sister…"
Frey, his gaze fixed on my face, addressed me with a restrained intensity and an odd fervor.
"Frey."
Every time he called me 'Sister', a warmth surged within me. The same happens when I call him by his name.
"…Lord Frey."
And, for the first time, I addressed him formally.
"I am your knight."
"…..!"
The expression on the intoxicated Frey was something I'll never forget.
Yes, this was what I wanted, irrespective of his identity, our relationship, or the circumstances.
I simply yearned for a connection with him…
"…Hmm."
Gazing into Frey's blushing face and silver eyes, I suddenly shook my head.
"What, what…? What was that memory…?"
As I regained my senses, I muttered. What was that overpowering memory and emotion just now?
It seemed akin to the present situation, yet it held a profound sadness.
"…Sister."
"Hm?"
As Frey gazed at me, his eyes wavered, and suddenly my eyes shook.
"Did you really think I couldn't beat you?"
In an instant, I found myself pinned beneath him.
"…Sigh."
True to his words, my attempts to resist proved futile. Frey, that delicate and seemingly fragile boy, now held me in a dominating position.
"…Do you know?"
I was struggling to adjust to this sudden turn of events.
"Sister… I made a mistake."
Just like I had done earlier, he secured both my arms, and looking down at me, Frey began to speak.
"I… I'm truly a bad kid, you know? Making a pledge to someone like that, what are you thinking?"
"..."
"I… I'm not as pure as you believe. I've been rotten for a long time. There's no redemption for me."
As Frey spoke, he applied even more force on my arms. Simultaneously, his expression turned fierce, growling like an angry cat.
"Sister, you're in big trouble now. You have to obey my orders. Even if I command you to commit heinous acts, assassinate noble heroes, or engage in vile deeds, or even self-harm or suicide, you must comply."
With those words, Frey lifted my arms above my head with one hand, and with the other, he reached for my clothes.
"And, even if… I do such things…"
Even though he tried to use his drunkenness as an excuse, his voice faltered as his hand touched my chest.
"Sis, now you… must obey me…"
He began to undo my buttons slowly as he spoke. Come to think of it, A similar scenario unfolded a few weeks ago, where I had exerted control over Frey. In hindsight, that marked the inception of this journey.
The reason why I tread this path.
"…Isolet, you are mine."
Even though my buttons were almost undone and I hadn't shown any reaction, Frey tried hard to smirk and speak.
'…Could he be trying to upset me?'
His expression left little doubt; it was undoubtedly a provocation.
In such situations, Frey's words typically elicited a look of disgust from those with a personality akin to mine. Yet, considering his inebriated state, perhaps he couldn't discern this.
Does he truly not realize?
That most people would be thrilled to hear him say those words?
"You're mine. From now on, I'll use you to do vile things. Right now even…"
"…I understand."
"What?"
Exhaling deeply, I gazed up at him pinning me down.
"Now, I belong to you."
Frey's eyes wavered in response.
"I realize it's challenging to meet the pure you. I understand I can't redeem you."
"What…"
"That's why I've chosen to fall alongside you."
At the end of my words, Frey's mouth fell agape.
"If you tell me to, I can assassinate the heroes. I can do vile deeds, self-harm, even suicide."
"Sis…"
"I'm simply your knight, after all."
Saying that to him, I continued.
"In that sense, even if you take me right here…"
After grabbing his hand and placing it inside my disheveled clothes…
"…I won't resist."
I cautiously turned my gaze to the side.
""...""
Then, silence enveloped us.
"You're supposed to hate me… you idiot…"
Frey broke the silence.
"Idiot, blockhead, pervert mentor… old maid."
Trembling, he continued to unleash a barrage of insults.
"Just hate me… like before. Despise me, loathe me, beat me… like everyone else…"
"....."
"It's an order… please…"
As Frey spoke, the force pinning me down began to loosen.
– Whoosh!
"…Ugh!"
Sensing the opportune moment, I wrapped my legs around his waist and exerted strength.
"…Huh!"
"...…!"
With all my might, I reclaimed the dominant position from him.
"It's futile. In reality, I am stronger than you…"
Frey, who ended up beneath me once again, started to exert strength with gritted teeth.
"Oh, what?"
But he merely floundered, unable to overpower me with strength, he began to panic.
"…What? What is it? Huh?"
Looking down at him, I whispered softly.
"How audacious… Did you believe you've been letting me win all this time?"
"That's… No, that can't be…"
"You insolent boy. Did you think this sister of yours is weaker than you?"
As I spoke, gently licking his nose with my tongue, the look in Frey's eyes began to waver.
'What is… this?'
However, it wasn't just him who was flustered; Internally I was equally taken aback.
– Thump, thump, thump.
My heartbeat, previously synchronized with Frey's breathing as he subdued me, suddenly quickened.
"Haa…"
Simultaneously, my heart and breath grew warmer than ever.
It was peculiar.
Just moments ago, I was completely overwhelmed by Frey's real strength.
Yet, as my heart warmed, it felt as though a barrier had been lifted, enabling me to even subdue Frey's strength.
How did this happen?
'I'm not sure… but this is good.'
I had no idea what was going on, but given the current situation, it couldn't be better.
For now, I can sternly discipline this arrogant fellow lying beneath me, who claimed to be part of the Demon Army.
– There are two in the room. One is the target. The identity of the other is currently being verified…
– Stand by.
As the conversation clarified in my ears, dealing with the assassins closing in on my young lord should become easier.
I wasn't sure when this situation would conclude, but I needed to wrap things up quickly.
"This fellow…♡"
"…Huff."
Having made that decision, I lightly applied pressure to Frey's hips.
"You arrogant little one. You thought you had the upper hand, but how does it feel to realize you didn't?"
"That, that is…"
"What were your words earlier? Perverted mentor? Old maid?"
Saying that with a relaxed smile and planting a kiss on Frey's eye, his expression morphed into sheer terror.
'Indeed… He can still be redeemed.'
From his expression and gaze, I could faintly sense it.
His innocence still lingered deep within.
And…
'Frey, what's on your mind?'
There must be another reason why his innocence faded.
The reason he tried to disappoint and resent me, the secrets tied between the Hero and him. Some truth connects all these things.
So…
"I'll extensively train you as your exclusive knight."
After establishing dominance by pinning him down, I gazed straight into his eyes and whispered.
"For a while, I will train you. Dominate you. Discipline you. Crush you like this."
"...…"
"How dare you commit such insolence, and if I've tried and tried, and you still don't get redeemed…"
After saying that, I took a moment to catch my breath.
"I'll be yours then."
I gently trailed a hand down his back.
"At that time, I will embrace corruption with you and tread the path of evil together."
She whispered softly.
"The vow is already completed."
Maternal love, the desire to dominate, protectiveness, loyalty, and love—all mingled and intertwined.
"Now, I will protect you, Frey."
Biting my lips gently, I met my lips with Frey's, who looked at me, his emotions were as mixed as mine.
– Woo-woong…
Then, the mana inside me resonated with him.
'…So this is what a vow is.'
The moment of the vow I always imagined when I was a girl, my heart fluttered even thinking about it.
Becoming a knight of the Imperial Family, having a sword placed on my shoulder, receiving a baptism from the altar, or if not, I thought I would vow to myself.
I never imagined I would vow to a man.
It almost felt like a romance novel.
'Well, does it matter…'
Ultimately, it didn't matter now.
I was finally bound to him.
From this moment on, I was Frey's possession and his protector.
– Swish…
With that thought in mind, a shy, soft smile tugging at the corners of my mouth as I released my embrace with Frey.
"....."
Even as I let go, Frey, still lying on the ground, looked at me with drunken eyes and a complex expression filled with various emotions.
'…I have to protect him.'
Observing him, so adorable as he shyly covered his face with his hands, putting away the cheeky look he usually showed.
'I must save him here.'
I soon shifted my gaze toward the desk.
– It's an order. Prepare for battle.
– Confirmed.
The increasingly unsettling sounds of the radio.
And at the same time, her heart became fiercely hot.
"…Huh."
The fluttering romance ended. Now, I must struggle for survival as his knight.
– Woo-woong…
Gently stroking my sword, creating a pleasing resonance, I turned my gaze back to the desk.
"Hmm…"
The disciple of the Tower Master had left several scrolls that could prove helpful in this situation. Since they were made by the Tower Master, they should be useful.
– Single-use Shield Magic
– Electric Whip Magic
– Fluidization Magic
– Doppelgänger Magic (30 second duration)
– Radar Magic
"Quite useful."
Indeed, it was stocked with items suitable for battle and high-quality resources fit for warfare.
"Of course, I'll take them all… huh?"
As I was carefully picking out the most useful things.
– Miniaturization Magic [Animal Transformation]
".....Oho."
Discovering an old scroll, I squinted.
"Don't overdo it, Sister. Once we join up with the Demon King Army…"
I seemed to have found a way to keep Frey safe.
.
.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, at that moment.
"Thank you for the warm welcome~!"
Ruby was greeting everyone at the celebratory party for the Hero Party nearing its climax.
'…You guys, what are you plotting?'
Sweating nervously as she looked at Dmir Khan and Lemerno, who had been watching her with suspicious smiles since earlier.
'What on earth…'
Ruby had been concentrating her nerves on the impending unknown attack and pondering for quite a while.
– We are investigating what's going on. So, please do not worry too much.
"…Hmm."
When Serena, whom she believed she had turned into a subordinate by taking her soul a long time ago, transmitted that radio message, she withdrew her gaze from them and brightened her expression again.
"From now on, I will protect all of you and this world! So, please don't worry and enjoy your life!"
"Waaaaaaaa!"
Ruby declared to everyone.
'Frey, no matter how much you rack your brain…'
As the lights went off, she envisioned the idiots who had just been praising her.
'…It still won't work against me.'
She murmured to herself with a chilling smile.
– Fizz…
At that moment, all the lights in the main hall went out all at once.
"Kyaa?"
"What, what's going on…?"
In the now darkened main hall.
"…Hmm."
She scanned the surroundings with a scowl.
– Groooo…
"...!"
As the tightly shut door creaked open and someone came in, her eyes widened.
"W, what…!"
"…..!"
Others shared the same reaction.
"Uhh….uhh…"
The First Princess, Rifael, appeared at the Validation Ceremony of the Hero Party in an utterly terrible state.
You can read 505 episodes for $10. p.*atreon.com/Astrid02