When Keyaruga opened his eyes, he was alone in the bed. After the nightmare, he had no more dreams, and that was truly liberating. But what interested him the most now was Freia. It didn't take long to find her, though.
"Ua-a-ah" — The healer yawned and then gazed upon his toy, who was at the moment tinting her eyelids. "Good gods, why would you need such a thing? You're beautiful as it is. Why would you ask for this colorful mess?"
"Every girl wants to be perfect, my lord." No, her resolve at this matter certainty wouldn't be shaken. Not even by her master. It seemed like at least some of her memories remained intact. "By the way, I got us some breakfast. It's on the table. If you want, I could spoon-feed you. Or… with my mouth." Now this is getting out of hand.
"Now listen here! I'm not that helpless to be cuddled by an attendant! What happened that night will not happen again. Got it?" Keyaruga once again got bold and confident. Unwilling to embarrass himself ever again, he grabbed a bottle of murky tincture and went to rinse his teeth. It didn't help against the sorceress' attentive sight, though. Oral hygiene was not really necessary for someone capable of restructuring entire bodies, but having fresh breath and not suffering from decaying food stuck between the teeth felt nice. Just like having a sink where you can spit everything out. Ranalitta, or at least its wealthy regions, had a basic canalization. And not having to relieve themselves in a reeking cesspool, like in the lower city, was another merit of a good inn.
One peek at the sleeping Setsuna, some buckwheat for breakfast, and feeding his still unconscious future companion mouth to mouth — from now it would be a routine... This time, though, the Hero of Healing poured one potion into the food. While Keyaruga was at it, Freia had already finished with her eyelids. Good timing, actually. Finally, with his shirt and vest on, the man wryly smiled and approached his toy.
"Freia, get your staff. I'm gonna teach you, and you're gonna learn."
"Of course!" The girl cheerfully got her weapon, a rod made from a fine ash tree with an imposing emerald on top. Or was it just polished malachite?
"So, you do know how to use it? Pour your energy…"
"And hold it within, releasing your power with small, but rash portions. I've read it." This wasn't just bragging. Her staff would glow with golden light, and now trace of disturbances could be felt. "Now watch this, Et Veni ad Lucem!" With but a few words, Freia summoned a floating sphere of fire. Although it didn't last very long. The healer grabbed it and dispelled the bright ball with his bare palms.
"Don't use fire here. You want us dead, or what?" This wasn't a scold, just a warning.
"I could just… Why would you burn your hands for that?" The girl got nervous. She was concerned about her master, so she quickly dragged him to the sink and poured some cold water on his burns. For a few moments, the lad just stood motionless, wondering how someone could care for him like this, let alone that woman. But when he snapped out of his thoughts, the man broke out of Freia's grasp, slapped his palms, and showed nothing but burn-less smooth skin.
"See? I'm strong enough not to worry about such trifles." Keyaruga spoke, sitting behind a desk with alchemical instruments, willing to hide his confusion from the magician. "Now, the lesson is not over yet. Do you know about the elemental affinities?"
"Uh-huh, I do. There are five elements: fire, water, wind, earth, and thunder. And you can only wield two. I think I have fire and wind. Although I used lightning… Lord Keyaruga, don't you think it's because lightning is actually born from air?" It seemed like the girl speculated on her unique nature. She was the only one who could conjure all of the elemental schools, and the sorceress was actually quite knowledgeable. But not enough.
"No-no. You see, when enough gaseous water is condensed in the clouds, there are those charged particles that turn into thunder. Well, it's just a hypothesis of one foolish mage, but even so, the nature of elements is a bit more complicated than you think." — The man spoke, as new and new miraculous potions were born in his hands. Strangely enough, having something to do filled the lad with peace, and even speaking got much more entertaining.
"Then, how can I use three elements instead of two?" Freia asked, sitting right next to her man. Although she couldn't grasp or fully understand alchemy from the get-go, the process looked interesting to her.
"Not three, five. You, Freia, are special. You can cast spells up to the seventh level; you have no limits." — The man spoke with a grin on his face.
"Does it make me a Hero of Magic? I even have the brand." Well, well, well, now that's actually surprising.
"Ha-ha-ha! Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps Marduk just likes you too much." — The man replied evasively. It seemed too early to let Freia know who she was, but without it, utilizing her full power would prove impossible. The caster was smart, so the seed of doubt would still be planted, though.
"Fine… But who is Marduk?" — And so the heroine asked carefully.
"A god of magic. Right, that should be enough for tomorrow." Finally, another set of thirty phials with precious medicine was ready to go. "With that out of the way, tell me, Freia, what spells of the fifth circle can you cast?"
"Meteor, Unmovable Star, Rain of Fire. Wait, wasn't it the sixth?" — The stunning magician would then go on to mention a few more, but only a few she seemed to have mastered. The process of learning a spell binds its power to the very soul, so most of Flare's magic skills survived the amnesia, but not the redo. After all, to resurrect the dead, even the spiritual world had to be reverted back to animate the dead souls.
"Good, that's enough for now. Now let's move to hand-to-hand combat. Let's try teaching you how to protect your rear." — The smug man said, groping Freia's butt. Although they both smiled, the matter was of the utmost importance, so no jokes would be made further.
"What should I do?" The sorceress asked, trying to assume the battle stance, Or, at least something that looked like it.
"Hey! Lower your shoulders. Don't put your feet on the same line! And stop putting all of your weight on the front leg; you'll get knocked down like this in no time! Also, watch your balance…" Even with all the hints he gave her, the girl looked miserable. Second level of battle arts? Just laughable! It took an entire ten minutes to get her at least standing properly.
"Is that good?" — Awkwardly asked Freia.
"No, but that'll suffice for now. Now, keep your center of mass lower, bend your knees, and try punching my chest." Keyaruga commanded, assuming the true battle stance without a single weak spot. It was so perfect that even Freia, a novice, got discouraged. But she did strike. Her fist was so mighty, so powerful, that the healer… felt nothing. "Haa… That's so goddamn hopeless. Well, at least we have two days. Now, be ready, for I will not spare you."
…
The next day, the duo of heroes walked across the middle city of Ranalitta. Keyaruga reflected on this entire day, while Freia was just crushed. When it came to magic, she was unparalleled, but in close combat… Her master had sworn to never again give her his saber, for the sorceress's own safety. From time to time, the man used the jade eye on the nearby buildings. He did so to satisfy his curiosity and for his and Freia's safety, just like Setsuna's. After all, his special eye allowed him to see at least five kilometers ahead, and no wall could blind him. Once again, the lad had his toy carry a couple of ornamented boxes. And when they finally reached their destination…
"Oh, welcome, dear sir. Good lady. Come and sit with us!" — The bearded dealer called upon his partners. And once again, the inn had no customers other than his group. Either Quinta booked all the tables to avoid undesired ears, or that place was specifically built for his dirty deeds. "Hey, man! Give us the usual!"
The meeting once again started with a long but interesting talk. This time with fruit ale as a beverage. The businessman revealed to the heroes details about the drought in the east and the harsher laws in Capital. He spoke about the struggles between artels and independent craftsmen and merchants. And even…
"Did you know that in three days, slavers will raid the ice wolves? Poor beasts, they should've run away a long time ago." — As Quinta was speaking, Keyaruga nodded to his companion, and she responded the same way. They would not let them have it their way. Although now…
"Yeah, yeah, this is interesting, sure, but let's make another deal. Just like last time, I can offer you thirty doses. Now tell me, how much are you willing to pay me?" — With this said, the man grinned slyly. He wouldn't give him too much. That would only lower the price.
"Ten coins! This time I will pay you ten Jioral cadmi for every potion." — The profiteer replied, impatiently waiting for Freia to reveal another couple of boxes. However, this time he was not that lucky. Perhaps, Quinta wished to pay twice as little, but Keyaruga looked just too menacing.
"Hmm, ten golden coins for each." — The pleased healer savored that sum.
"Would you accept my offer?"
"Deal, I'm fine with that." In the end, Keyaruga got two medium bags with a hundred and a half genuine golden discs each. He didn't even bother counting them.
"He-he, then I will take this." — Quinta's face warped into an ugly grin, while his bodyguard took the goods.
"Go on, make the most of it."
"Certainly. With your permission. I, Ledra Goldman, will keep on working with you two." The standard phrase was barely of any interest, but finally hearing his full name, albeit most likely fake, was at least interesting. I wonder how many more names he has?
Before leaving, Keyaruga drank his ale. An apple flavor made it taste more like a juice than beer. Freia, though, was forbidden from touching such "gifts". Although this time it wasn't poisoned, who knew what could happen in the future? And when the duo made their way outside, the sun had already set. Soon, the darkness would engulf Ranalitta, but that was of no importance. After all, this city had never truly slept.
"You know, I'm quite surprised. I expected that "Goldman" to rob us at the very least." — Keyaruga mentioned, fanatically monitoring his sleeping she-wolf.
"Hm, and how do you imagine he would do that?"
"Heh, first he'd hire a band of thugs and then they'd force us to reveal the recipe. Maybe, sell us to authorities. Or even throw somewhere underground."
"He didn't, though. And with this money, we can live our best lives! We don't even need to work now!" — Freia cheerfully said. After all, she barely even knew about her master's motives, let alone his vengeful thoughts.
"If we were ordinary people, that is, which we aren't." — Keyaruga replied, rubbing his shiny reward. The heroes of Magic and Healing had their brands hidden by the sorceress' concealer. At least some of the cosmetics proved useful. "You see, we're saving the world here, so we need food, weapons, and a ride. By the way, don't get used to your staff, it's just too weak for you. Also, I have a few ideas on how to enchant your clothes."
"Then, let's make more money! Saving people and getting rewarded? What could be better than this?" — Freia rejoiced, and the healer spared her from the truth. Only the rich could afford his potions, and the poor had had it rough even before that monster plague.
On their way home, the duo briefly visited a bright shop with enchanted goods. Keyaruga would leave at least one third of his income on magic silk for Freia and fifteen throwing knives that could aim automatically. Not that he lacked the skills, but successfully throwing two or more daggers with one hand was downright impossible, to say the least. And he would leave even more, but the sorceress's pleas to buy her a necklace, a ring, a diadema, and a crystal ball were in vain this time.
"Why, my lord?" — This time Freia got disheartened. "They can be so useful, I promise you!"
"You're already more useful than all of that junk combined." Not to say his words restored the ex-princess' vivacity all at once, but at least she smiled at his compliment. "Now, let's go home."
…
Before entering his room, Keyaruga checked if it wasn't broken in, not even sparing his jade eye. All seemed to be in order. That same room with alchemical tools. The only thing that changed was the second bed, which was set right next to the one where Setsuna slept. But that was the man's deed, so he wouldn't pay attention.
"She hasn't woken up." — Freia remarked sadly. For better or worse, she started to feel for that girl. Even though she would soon become her rival.
"She's too weak, after all. But don't worry, this time I'll wake her up." At last, it was time for the last kiss like that. The Hero of Healing took one of his potions and started giving it to the she-wolf mouth to mouth. Along with that, the man touched her hand. And with a green light burst…
"M-m?.. A-A-AH?!" A loud slap thundered in the room as the girl struck her buyer. After all, what else should she do? The first thing to see after her awakening was a smug, red-haired man, who apparently she was sold to.
"What you do to Setsuna?!" It turns out that the girl is illiterate enough to speak about herself in the third person. Or did she simply lack proficiency in the Phasain language spoken in Jioral and beyond?
"I…" But barely had Keyaruga opened his mouth…
"How could you do that?!" …when Freia stood up for her master. This was actually one of the reasons he hadn't restored the Ice Warrior at once. To impress her, wasting seemingly precious potions.
"He assault Setsuna! He bad!"
"He cared for you! He healed you, washed you, gave you clothes, he even made up your hair and this is how you show your gratitude?" Wow, she's about to cry again!
"Y-yes… Body not hurt. Sorry for strike you." — Setsuna said in disbelief, touching her completely restored clean body. Not only did the healer raise her muscle strength with magic a minute ago, he also fed the girl with rabbit and basilisk meat, which the man would give to all of his new companions from now on.
"You've finally come around?" Finally, the magician gave the word to her master.
"Good to see you're better. Now then, let's try again. My name is Keyaruga." — The lad introduced himself, still towering above his purchase.
"Setsuna is Setsuna. Proud… warrior of the Ice Wolf Tribe. " And so did she. Although, if not for the man's control over his emotions, he would've chuckled a bit.
"Setsuna? A beautiful name." The hero wouldn't reveal that he knew it all along. "Freia, could you get us something nice for dinner?"
"All right, I'm on my way! After all, we have to celebrate Setsuna's recovery! Strangely enough, the she-wolf tried to ask for some meat for herself, but stopped halfway through. When Freia left the room and coincidentally Keyaruga just happened to be facing her with his back...
"Thanks for save. Tribe always return debts. But Setsuna needs to go. Sorry!" — With the phrase ending, the warrior covered her hands and forearms in ice gauntlets and dashed towards her savior with malicious intent. If he did nothing, the claws would rip his carotid artery. The warrior didn't want to kill her benefactor, but from her perspective, he bought her as a slave. Only one strike, but… she failed once again. With a couple of swift moves, the man caught the arm and pressed the wild soul to the floor. And after a single painful clinch, the ice claws shattered to mere cold dust.
"Haven't you wondered why I haven't left a collar on you?"
"W-why?.."
"Because I don't need one. I'm so strong that I literally broke it off your neck with my bare hands!"
"Who… are you?"
"I'm just a simple alchemist. Oh, and don't worry about your village. It's still intact, at least for the three days before slavers get back there."
All that time, Keyaruga's face had been warped by a grin. That feeling of superiority, even with just helping another wronged soul, filled him with confidence. She tried her best, to the point where her eyes got teary But still…
"You can't do it. How can you help your own kind when even a simple alchemist can overpower you? Now tell me, you can't get any stronger, can you? No matter how much you try, how much you struggle, you just can't push past your limit! Am I right?" He was, and Setsuna understood it just too well. When the man released her, it was out of his mercy, not anything else. "Look, can you see this cup? This is you! And water is your strength! You're full, but what if I pour more? See how it overflows? But don't fret, for I can make it several times its current size!"
"Setsuna… can get stronger?"
"More than you can imagine! I'm the hero!" — Keyaruga exclaimed, rubbing his hand to reveal the brand of a blue bird.
"Hero… Setsuna do everything. To protect everyone. To hunt humans!" That set of words was just to the lad's liking.
"Heh, this is exactly what I'm going to promise you. I'm also an enemy of those who sold you off. I have only a single condition: reveal to me your true name. You do understand what it means, don't you?"
"Uh-huh. Name carved on Setsuna's soul. You know it, you become Setsuna's master forever." Not exactly, actually. Knowing it only allowed to perform the ritual of bonding. It's just that humans have corrupted this beautiful wedding ceremony to the state of a slave contract. But voicing it was unnecessary.
"Setsuna too have condition. Save tribe. Only after Setsuna believe you."
"As you wish. Now, let's get down to business. Time to raise your limits!" Having said that, the man started undressing, to the girl's utmost embarrassment. Although she blushed, that wouldn't waver her determination. She never stopped looking at the hero. Not even when he revealed his manhood. "See this? This isn't a simple rod, this is your future! Now choose! Do you want to remain weak and useless? Or would you change by taking the future back in your hands?"
(https://preview.redd.it/hddj5t9z3dk91.png?width=849&format=png&auto=webp&s=18f77f4b11792fb671f07f3ec67eaee33c508374 - Barely SFW illustration)
"Setsuna… want to change. Want be strong, protect tribe! Want to rip human necks! Setsuna chooses future!"
"I commend your resolve!" He truly did. To sell her own freedom to an unknown man for a phantom chance of getting back at the Jioral Kingdom. Fortunately, he always kept his word, unless someone deserved to be his hated foe.
"What me do?"
"Take it and lick it."
He wouldn't need to tell her twice. The she-wolf, although inexperienced, proved to be enthusiastic and vigorous. At least while she had hope. If Keyaruga failed her, the wild soul would shred him or die trying. Either way, the hero loved her determination.
"Now, take it deeper. Careful, don't bite. Oh, that's good."
First, Setsuna's own pace would be enough. She savored the phallus, gently caressing it with her tongue. She's better than Freia from the get-go. But even that decisiveness had its limits, so the healer took the ice warrior's head and started to set a pace of his own. Much harsher and deeper.
"Please, bear with me… It won't take long." But it did. Those two remaining minutes felt like eternity for the she-wolf. Though, if she survived the dungeon, that much wouldn't even sway her. Ultimately, the man felt the upcoming ejaculation. After a long day, the feeling was so intense that the lad raised his head and closed his eyes because of the sheer pleasure. And when it finally happened, it felt like heaven. Now… "Haa… Swallow. This is your power."
"Um… Ha… Yes… Yes, Setsuna feel it! Power!"
"Exactly. I can see it already." — The man with his right jade eye spoke. Not only did her level cap increase to eight, but her level also increased a bit. But not even that pleased the man most. "Hey, you're smiling for the first time." In spite of his miserable life, Keyaruga loved seeing good people smile. It's just that he spent too much time with the bad ones.
"Now, let's try a more direct approach." The smug healer now took Setsuna's soft chin.
'Em, you and Setsuna…" Now her resolve seems to be weakening. And soon it would be tested.
"Yes, you will derive your power from my love!"
"But… Setsuna never did this… mating." At this point, the she-wolf wasn't even brave enough to look at the man.
"I see, so you're a virgin? I will not force you. This I can promise." While his arrogance was still at the top, Keyaruga expected everything but for her to deny his gifts. The warrior's lust for might would even break her shell of shame. After all…
(https://preview.redd.it/h1c7ft4i4dk91.jpg?width=1100&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7222affff0800ff8311a1452929d233e8e29ccb - NSFW illustration)
"This is… no. Please, Keyaruga. Setsuna want your power." This time, the ice warrior was much more motivated. So much so that she even undressed herself beforehand.
"Then let us begin."
Finally, the man sat on the bed. He looked into her eyes, staring into the bottomless aquamarine sea. The blush fitted her pale skin too much, and the young naked body had already allured the hero with its charm. An ideal balance of human and inhuman features. And although Setsuna's legs were covered with fur, the pubic hair was yet to grow.
"I'll try to make it gentle." — The healer said, moving his two fingers between the ice warrior's legs.
"Just do!" And Setsuna had already braced herself for penetration. The latter proved harder than expected, though. Her hymen was too tight to rip it painlessly. It seems that the girl never pleased herself to stretch it. Moreover, when another fool tried assaulting her, the huntress fought with teeth and claws. Keyaruga did want to have more meaningful relationships, and the possibility of being killed in sleep wasn't even the main reason as to why. The man just wanted some love in his gruesome life. Even if he had to take it by brutal force, either from Flare or Setsuna's captors.
"U-u-uh!.." The ice warrior groaned. It wasn't a moan of pleasure. It would take too much time to get her wet when it feels that painful for her, so…
"This'll get us nowhere. Wait a bit." The man stood and ran to grab a bag, from which he took a flask of a violet potion. Only after he soaked his fingers in it, after he rubbed Setsuna's lower lips….
"Ahh!.." Only then would she start getting some delight. Where one finger struggled before, now two went in easily enough.
"It's better, right?"
"Setsuna… already better."
Keyaruga never wanted to hurt her. After all, his vengeance must have been deserved, and that small misunderstanding could barely have offended the maimed soul.
"Ah!.. Ah!.." Her moans grew louder, the inner walls got softer, and finally, the man removed his hand. But only after licking the delicious juices would he proceed. In that moment, Keyaruga raised both of the girl's animalistic legs and rubbed his dick against her trembling pubis.
"Now, accept your place at my side." — The healer said, carefully inserting his penis inside the ice warrior. She looked barely thirteen for her race, and yet he had already taken her first time. A trace of blood dripped on the sheets.
"Setsuna… so hot!.."
"Hot, yet good, right?"
"Don't know… Setsuna afraid!"
At the moment, the man would take it slowly. Even with his aphrodisiac, their intimacy could easily become traumatic. That is why, instead of ramming it into the she-wolf, like he did with Freia, Keyaruga took a different approach. The lad would caress her small, yet sensitive breasts, kiss her neck, pinch the nipples, lick her ears.
"A-ah! Ha-a!.." Setsuna's sweet gasps were his beacon. For him, it was proof that he did it right. And although the man didn't move his hips too much, the sheer pressure of the girl's vagina threatened to milk him whole.
"AAH!!!" — It wasn't easy, but after five minutes, the huntress finally reached her first orgasm. It was not as bright as Freia's, but it worked. So much so, that seeing the partner's exalted face turned out to be just too much for Keyaruga.
"Now it's my turn! Don't lose a single drop!" In the last moments, the Hero of Healing stopped holding back. Time after time, he thrusted into the girl's hole. He was drunk on pleasure, and he put everything into his final onslaught. But when the time came, when the pleasure subsided... He was met with failure. The eight level remained as it was. And yet…
"Finally… Setsuna can get… strong. Can kill them all! Setsuna… hold on future!" — Somehow, the ice warrior got satisfied even with this. After all, raising your level feels akin to an orgasm, so she probably mistook the feeling. That gray-haired beauty was just so energetic, that…
"Oh, damn it all. Come here now!" …the lad would even discover strength for the third time. She desired power, while he desired affection. And if he could say something for sure, "I will never let you go, Setsuna" was just that.
But what Keyaruga failed to notice was Freia. The sorceress sat at the door, right next to the serving dish with extravagant food. It was all cold by now…