Iris was furious at herself for being on the defensive. She wouldn't be able to save anyone—not even the girl crying before her very eyes—if she fought like this. Iris wanted to save Asura and take her away from the dark depths of vengeance. Even if it was none of her business, she couldn't leave Asura alone. That Asura had grown up to be a piece of shit must have been because of Pietro's actions.
So all Iris wanted to do was hug Asura and reassure her that it was all right now. But to do that, she had to defeat Asura first. That was the reality of their situation. If she wanted to save Asura, she had to beat her. For the first time in her life, Iris learned that such paradoxes were possible in the real world. So she had no time to waste on self-doubt.
Asura was strong. She'd completely mastered the orthodox swordsmanship of Central Felsen. Central Felsen's sword techniques favored sideways slashes. Iris held her sword upright and parried Asura's attack.
"I'm sorry for saying something so frivolous. I didn't mean any harm. I'm truly sorry." First, she apologized for her own wrongdoings. It was basic human decency to apologize if you did something wrong. But Asura didn't look like she accepted it. "I'm going to save you, Asura!"
Iris released her fighting spirit and unleashed her full strength. Far faster than Asura could pull away her sword, Iris slapped the weapon out of her hand. She twisted her wrist and then moved her sword upwards as if slashing from below. Then she stopped the tip of the weapon right under Asura's chin.
Asura stared at the blade with a surprised expression. "Ha ha... Ha ha! I see. I forgot you're a hero, Iris. Is that your full strength? I would expect no less of the future Great Hero candidate."
Iris sheathed her sword and then slowly wrapped her arms around Asura.
Image here:
Asura didn't try to struggle out of the hug.
"It's all right now, Asura. I don't think any of the villagers wanted to see you lose yourself to revenge. Your mother smiled at the very end, didn't she? Isn't that because she wanted you to survive and live a long happy life?"
"Humph. You just can't stop arguing morals, can you? Of course I think that's what she wanted. By the way, your breasts are a lot bigger than they look. Are you the type to look more slender with clothes on?"
"Huh?"
"Never mind. I agree that revenge is pointless. There's plenty of other business to be done." Asura pushed herself away from Iris and then picked up her claymore in a smooth movement.
"That's right. Let's move forward, Asura. Tell me if you need me to help with anything."
"You're really such a kind girl." Asura slowly walked towards Pietro, who was cowering so much he had basically fallen unconscious while still standing. "Just in case, I want to know the name of that female sergeant. Of course, I don't plan on actively seeking her out."
"Tania...Cafaro..." Pietro heaved out a long breath. He must have relaxed under the presumption that he wouldn't be killed.
"Thank you." Asura casually raised her claymore and ran it through Pietro's chest. It happened so fast that Iris couldn't even understand what had happened, let alone react. "Now, die."
Asura pressed the claymore even deeper. Pietro shuddered and shook under the pressure, and when he died, he did so with an expression of confused pain.
***
Lumia's cheeks puffed out as though she were pouting. "If it were a true battle of life or death rather than something like a tournament match, then Asura would've won. My Asura is really strong, you know? The only reason she lost is because she wasn't in her right mind."
"Er, Vice Captain, I believe that it would've been quite troublesome for us if Boss did win against Iris in a real life-or-death battle. If I recall correctly, you also mentioned that Iris wouldn't lose because she's a hero," Marx said with a wry smile.
"In any case, I guess all's well that ends well. Boss, can we take some of the goods lyin' around?" Jyrki asked.
"Do whatever you want. But half of whatever you take will go to the group."
"'Kaaaay." With that, Jyrki started looking around the room with a happy grin on his face.
Iina and Reko followed suit. It was only when Reko gestured for Salume to follow him that she also started to poke around the place as well.
"Marx, I'm sorry to have to rely on you all the time, but I want you to carry Circie," Asura ordered.
"Of course, Boss." Marx leaned down and picked up Circie in a bridal carry.
I'm glad that neither Iris nor I stepped on her when we were fighting earlier, Asura couldn't help but think. Then, she turned her attention to the group. "Err... Everyone, listen up. I'm sure you've all noticed by now, but I lost control during a mission. I'll gladly receive a punishment alongside Lumia, who went against my direct orders. So start thinking of something."
"'Kay," Ina replied happily.
"Can it be sexual?" Reko asked.
"Anything goes so long as both Lumia and I don't enjoy it. Truthfully, normal physical punishment doesn't affect us at all. Alas, that's the price you pay for investing in antitorture training."
"Oh? So I really will have to be punished too... Even though everything went so well... Even though I got all the information we need..." Lumia muttered, sounding dissatisfied.
"That's information you need, isn't it? If I'd been here, I would've killed Pietro after we talked, so that's why you came alone, right?" Asura said with a lopsided grin. "The entire way here, I was brainstorming the best ways to humiliate and hurt you. But I never thought that I'd also mess up at the very end."
The moment that Asura lost to Iris, the younger version of her calmed down. The second that Pietro died, the younger version of her completely fell silent.
"Wait just a secoooond!!!!!!!!!!" Iris, who had been standing stock-still for a while, suddenly screamed. "Why?! Hey, explain to me why! Why did you kill Pietro after all of that?! Why isn't anyone asking that question? Like, hello?! Are you guys crazy?! It was totally like we were gonna stop with the whole revenge thing, right?!"
"Uh, no? Of course she'd kill Pietro," Jyrki said.
"If Boss didn't do it, I would've," Marx agreed.
"That was someone who could die..." Iina muttered. "It felt great..."
"Ever since the beginning, I predicted that Pietro at the very least would die in this room. So I'm actually more confused at why you're making such a fuss about this, Iris," Lumia said.
"Anyone who bullies Boss should die," Reko said with a snort.
"I also think that Pietro is someone who doesn't deserve to live," Salume added in a much harsher tone than usual.
"Wh-Why?! Why are you all treating his death like it's a given?! It's like I'm the crazy one here! Why do you think I hugged Asura? It's because I wanted her to give up on revenge!"
"Firstly, the only reason I came here was because I wanted to kill Pietro. So all I did was accomplish that goal," Asura said with a shrug. "Secondly, you're on the side of righteousness, and you're a kind girl. I'm quite fond of you. But that doesn't mean I have to listen to you."
"It's not about listening to me or not!"
"We can continue discussing this later. It's time to leave." Asura started to clean up in preparation to make their retreat, far too lazy to continue dealing with Iris.
***
The day after Asura killed Pietro, Moon Blossom gathered in the Arnian military police's headquarters, located in the trading city of Nielta.
"Thank you so much for saving me, as well as destroying the Felmafia, Miss Asura," Commandant Circie said. Her face was covered in gauze and bandages, and her body underneath her usual white uniform was likely in a similar condition. However, since Lumia had used her healing magic on her for several hours, her injuries should have been less severe than when they first found her.
"I thought you would quit. But seeing as you're summoning us while in that uniform, I assume you plan on remaining as commandant?" Asura asked.
"Yes. Ever since I joined the military police, I've prepared myself for such situations. But I'm sorry. I ended up giving them information on you."
"It's fine. No one's angry at you. It's not as if you were trained to withstand torture."
"I apologize."
"If you're that concerned about it, then consider yourself in our debt. We'll come collecting someday, all right?"
"Yes. I sincerely apologize for all the trouble." As Circie spoke, she placed a wad of cash onto the table. "This is the thirty thousand dora we agreed on, and I've pardoned all the crimes you committed within Arnia. Jyrki and Ina are no longer on the wanted list either. However, please remember that they're only off Arnia's list."
"Thanks. If there's anything else you need, feel free to call on us. We'll be staying in Arnia for a few more days." Asura had given Moon Blossom the day off. Tomorrow, she and Lumia would receive their punishments, then they would train for a little bit. They would leave the country after gathering information on other ongoing wars. "Oh, I almost forgot." Asura took out a folded piece of paper from her pocket. "This is information Lumia extracted from Pietro. Share it with other nations' military police if you wish."
Asura placed the piece of paper on the table and picked up the cash.
"Right. I appreciate it." Circie opened up the piece of paper Asura left and started to look through it. "Miss Asura... Your writing is very nice."
"Uh, okay. Is it really?" Asura was a little taken aback; she hadn't expected that to be the first thing out of Circie's mouth.
"Yes. But are members of the Oathkeeper Brigade really...?"
"Apparently so. According to Lumia, if this Miriam person really spent the past decade undergoing proper training, then she's probably on par with a hero in terms of combat strength."
"I see. I'll pass that information along to the other military police organizations."
***
In an ancient castle in Central Felsen, the sound of something hitting against skin echoed continuously through the halls.
"Ahh, Lady Jeanne, please forgive me!"
The Blessed Child, completely naked, was laid out over Jeanne's lap as Jeanne spanked her butt. Miriam could barely contain her jealousy. When one stood before Jeanne, one naturally wanted to repent and wish for punishment of some kind. Her divinity was so powerful, it was akin to standing before a god.
Jeanne's divinity hadn't been as strong as this ten years ago. Though she possessed the traits of a god, it was impossible to mistake her for one. When Jeanne was declared guilty a decade ago, the Oathkeeper Brigade was dissolved and all of its members scattered to the wind. Miriam was fortunate enough to meet up with Jeanne again, but the latter was a completely different person from who she was before. Her hair had become pure white, and even her manner of speech was different.
"No. Our Arnian headquarters were destroyed. Whose fault is that?"
Jeanne was in her usual black clothing. It was long and simple, resembling mourning robes. The Blessed Child in her lap had shoulder-length red hair, and her face looked as though she were naturally sassing someone. She had a toned frame from her training, but as a whole, she was petite, so she looked around fourteen years old. According to her, she was actually seventeen. Though the Blessed Child's buttocks were red and swollen, Jeanne apparently had no intention of letting up.
"Ahh, Tina, I love you. But not answering me is very mean of you." Jeanne put on a slightly angry expression, but her eyes were watery and her cheeks were flushed. Her face was so cute that Miriam's heart started beating faster.
"Um, Mistress Jeanne," she said. "Arnia was my responsibility to begin with, so if anyone here should receive a punishment, it should be me..."
Thanks to her divinity, Jeanne's punishments could expiate feelings of guilt. They would truly and completely wipe away all sense of blame from one's consciousness, so Miriam sought them out of her own accord.
"I am the one in charge of all the God Hands, including Miriam," the Blessed Child said. "And so, the blame ultimately falls onto my shoul— Ow!"
Jeanne's palm smacked down upon the Blessed Child's bum. She was sitting on an old and sturdy stool. It was a simple piece of furniture, but one that Jeanne had used ever since her days in the Oathkeeper Brigade.
"That's right. It would be very difficult for me to go around punishing everyone who causes problems," Jeanne said.
"Yes..." the Blessed Child sniffed.
"Tina, I truly love you. You can beg me like a good girl, can't you?"
"Milady... Please...punish me."
Upon the Blessed Child's request for further discipline, the sound of Jeanne's palm slapping against her butt cheeks continued to echo throughout the room. It was only when the Blessed Child passed out that Jeanne finally stopped.
Under normal circumstances, a person wouldn't pass out from simply getting their butt smacked. But Jeanne had been using her fighting spirit and spanking without any bodily limitations. A random villager wouldn't have lasted even ten hits, yet the Blessed Child had managed to withstand over fifty.
The Blessed Child looks like an ordinary little girl, so I wonder why she's so tough, Miriam thought to herself.
"My hand hurts a little." Jeanne started to rub her right hand with her left. Beating someone with one's entire strength was damaging, especially if one was as powerful as Jeanne Autun Lala.
"Are you all right, Mistress Jeanne? I'm sure the Blessed Child will thank you when she wakes up, since her guilt has been beaten out of her."
Miriam didn't know that the Blessed Child received abuse every single day. Guilt was an emotion that had long since disappeared from the Blessed Child, which meant the only thing she received from these beatings was pain. Every day, the Blessed Child listened to Jeanne whispering words of love into her ears while inflicting unreasonable amounts of violence upon her body.
"That's right. That's how it is for everyone. Is there something you wanted to report?"
"Ah, yes. It's in regards to Moon Blossom, the mercenary group that destroyed our headquarters in Arnia. A woman calling herself Lumia was among them."
"Continue." Jeanne's expression changed.
"She used the Central Felsen style of swordsmanship, was skilled in the art of war, and could cast magic. Apparently, she's a beautiful woman with brown hair."
"Did she use Divine Retribution?"
"I don't know. There are no such reports, but isn't that your spell, Mistress Jeanne?"
Jeanne stared at Miriam, her eyes suddenly dark. "Revised Divine Retribution: Dance of Divine Destruction." An ethereally beautiful fallen angel descended into the room, brandishing her black wings. "Miriam, I don't believe in gods. If a god appeared before me, I would rip him apart. Thus, I would never punish in his name. Isn't that right?"
Before Miriam even realized it, the fallen angel stood before her. The dark sword in the angel's hand pierced through her shoulder, and she grunted at the sharp pain before falling to her knees.
"Yes... I'm sorry."
"I'm glad you understand. I don't particularly love you, so if you make me mad, I just might kill you. Please watch your words."
I'm so jealous of the Blessed Child, Miriam thought as she watched the fallen angel disappear. Why does she get to hoard all of Jeanne's love?
"Let's meet with her sometime soon," Jeanne said. "If she truly is my sister, then we must save her."
"I understand. Hopefully it really is Lumia. I wanted her to surv—"
"Miriam." Jeanne's expression twisted and she covered her face with her left hand. "Why do you constantly say things that make me angry? There's no way she'd die. So of course she isn't dead. Why can't you understand that?"
"I-I'm sorry... I simply meant..."
"Do you want to die?" Jeanne asked, a fearsome look on her face. "Or do you miss my punishments?"
"No, I..." Miriam hesitated for a moment before saying, "Yes... I do miss them, Mistress Jeanne..."
The last time she'd received a punishment was about two years ago. Miriam's heart was already filled with new feelings of guilt. She wanted to be cleansed. Experiencing that wonderful sensation of freedom even once, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders, was addicting. Like a drug addict, she desired it on a regular basis.
"Very well..." Jeanne sighed softly. "Come to me after you finish dressing your injuries and taking off your clothes. But before that, please help me to remove Tina from my lap."
Jeanne was unstable. She'd always been. She would act like an innocent child, only to suddenly lose her temper. It was hard to tell what would set her off, because she got angry at the most irrational things.
Ahh, but, that's what I love about Mistress Jeanne.