V2 Chapter 193

“Cian…”

“Hm?”

Suddenly Cornelia called out to him, acting hesitant.

Cian looks at her, bewildered.

Is something wrong?

“You… you do know that trying to capture or kill a Serpent Monster in this forest is a taboo, right? If the Serpent Empress learned of what you are doing, you will be hunted by her.”

Cornelia warned while looking at the small snake dangling on his hands. Her expression was complicated, also there was fear.

“Why would I be afraid of her?”

Cian replied nonchalantly.

“I take what I want. If she wants to stop me, then let’s see if she has the ability to do so,” he muttered as he placed back the small snake around his neck.

He didn’t notice the mocking expression on the small snake’s eyes when he said those words.

This brat… hmph, when I’m fully recovered, I’ll see how you can escape from me then!

"It's not about you being afraid or not. I know you are strong, really, really strong. But Cian, the Serpent Empress is not someone you can easily defeat."

Cornelia still couldn't help but be worried. And even her voice was somewhat full of fear as if she was afraid that someone might be listening secretly. It would just invite a catastrophe. Cian's confidence might be a good thing, but it wouldn't help in a fight at all. Thus, instead of being helpful, Confidence might actually become detrimental. And that's what worried her.

"If it's about the village, they would not be involved in my affairs. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to the village because of me," Cian smiled wryly.

"You know this is not about the village!"

Cornelia furrowed her willow-like brows and said with a somewhat raised voice.

"I'm worried about you Cian...if possible, even if the village would be destroyed, as long as you can escape safely, that would be the best...I think,"

Cian stop and suddenly stared at her with a doubtful expression.

"So you are trying to say that my, this stranger's life is more important than your own village? Are you just that good-natured, or just plain foolish,"

To people, Cian's words had never laced with falsehood and flowery filter. He would always say what he wanted to say--frank, and perhaps, even a bit cruel.

And Cornelia had already known about this, and she didn't care about it.

"Our village would have already died a long time ago if not for you. Because of you, we have been given a second life, and we even gained much, much more important things from you. We would never be able to repay you for all the things you've done, even if we labored until we die. If we still have the heart to see you die in front of us, what differentiates us from mindless beasts?" she said with a faint, helpless smile.

"Cian, you might think this is foolishness, but our lives had already been in your hands the moment you saved us from our impending death. Even if we lose our life for you, we would not bat an eyelid. We will rather die with a cause than be left alone and died in shame,"

"... ..."

"So, can you say that the village is more important than you?" she shook her head.

"No, you are more important."

"I wasn't asking that much from you... this is, but a passing whim of mine," Cian frowned.

Although he is cruel and indifferent to other people's well-being. But this kind of straightforward honesty and loyalty is something so hard to ignore coldly. Something within his heart couldn't help but feel moved, touched for the very first time.

Although he had known that Werebeasts tend to be extremely simple creatures, knows exactly what differs from gratitude and grudges. Loyalty and simplicity on treating enemies and friends, that frank affection still made his firm, indifferent heart quiver. Somehow, he felt somewhat guilty.

Despite what Cian said, however, there wasn’t a need to remind others and without a doubt that he had definitely saved and protected the people and their village. Just that act alone was good enough to make Cornelia feel endless gratitude. And her heart trembled, due to a strange unfamiliar, yet seemingly familiar feelings that are creeping inside her, starting to bud without permission.

She smiled, her face turning a shade of pink.

"Nevertheless, it still can't change the fact that we owe you our lives."

"... ..."

"Therefore, no matter what happens, we are at your disposal, Cian." she continued.

"And besides, this might be strange, but this is the way of the land. The law of this world. And henceforth, from here on out, we are your slaves and servant. We are at your beck and call. It's as simple as that."

"... ... Something completely unnecessary,"

Cian shrugged.

But since he doesn't have anything to feel bad about it, he just continued on his stroll.

Cornelia simply smiled. She couldn't help but giggle, then hurriedly followed him. Looking at his back, her expression turned soft. Although what she said is somewhat exaggerated, but it's not without truth. There might be people in the village that wouldn't do what she said, laying down their lives for him, but they were only an insignificant minority.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Most people, including her Clan and Harley, had already decided to give everything they have to him. Even if it's their lives. It's a combination of gratitude, as well as a Gamble for a better future. They had already placed all their stakes into his plate, and the fate that he would bring to them.

Whether this was a mistake or not, no one knows.

However, she and Harley would certainly see to it until the end.

As expected, the Lake was abundant with resources and there were even countless over meter length fishes in there. Though, for some reason, there were also troublesome monsters that inhabited the lake. With Cian’s strength, he could fight a few, but it wouldn’t be easy due to the fact that fighting underwater was never his forte.

Especially now, without his [Vector Body] he would be like a sitting duck. Hence, Cian reaffirmed his decision on developing the village. Trying to start in this place would only invite tragedy. First, he needed to conquer the nearby villages and tribes, especially the Grakilis. Those guys should be quite useful…

After catching a few large fishes from the lake, horned demonic fishes, with the smallest size was the size of an adult, Cian and the group returned to the village. Since there’s a good water source nearby, it should be easier than what he initially expected.

“How is it?”

After arriving in the village, Cian and the others were greeted by Harley with a relieved smile.

“Indeed there were monsters nearby, and it is not safe to roam around,”

Cian recalled the monsters that attack them on the road. Although it would not be a problem for him, it would be a tragic fate for the other people. What made Cian helpless was the giant lizards he tentatively named [Grand Monitor] as they look like monitor lizards with steel-like scales. They are fast as well as strong. And their scales seemed to be even harder than metal. If not for his [Imagis Realis] Cian would find it difficult to deal with them. Normal swords can hardly able to penetrate those scales.

“…those giant lizards seemed to have made a lair nearby the Lake… but the Lake is indeed incredible. If we have time, we should clear the surroundings and secure a safe path towards the lake. That should be done after the village is rebuilt,”

“Hm, we tried to do that in the past; however, maintaining a safe route is extremely difficult. Powerful monsters one after another appear every time. We could only give up,” Harley smiled bitterly.

Cian understands that. However, if they wanted to develop this village, they needed that lake.

“But we need to do that. The village chance of survival would increase with the existence of a water reservoir,”

“Well, we will listen to you…”

Cornelia smiled in reply.

That’s like, I leave it to you… though, Cian sighs.

For some strange reason, Cian missed the time when he still possessed a cold heart, and automatically try to make use of anyone around him like a pawn. However, now that he became somewhat aware, he actually didn’t feel like abandoning these people.

“You heartless man, leaving so suddenly and then calling me here… are you treating me like a slave?”

A cold voice rang out from behind him.

Cian smiled unmeant as he turned around, looking at Amadea who was glaring at him. She was wearing a red dress, but it was still unable to hide her impressive body, a beautiful curve rose under the gown showing her perfectly round buttocks, her beautiful rolled-up hair made her face lovelier.

Cian chuckled in amusement.

As he had expected, Amadea could move her tree. She didn’t do so before because she likes the place, away from people, and also by the fact that she wanted to stay beside the remains of the Ten-tailed Fox, protecting that place. However, now that it was gone, she was freed from her duty. Hence, at the center of the village, one could see a large towering tree with red leaves.

This could become a landmark for the village. Cian mused.

Amadea’s existence in the village made the others excited because she has an automatic fertile land effect wherever she goes. Now, everyone was assured that they would have good farming land compared to before. And also, she was also very strong, she can protect the village easily.

“…that’s not my intention,”

Cian stepped forward and hugged Amadea, placing a faint kiss on her lips, before pulling her towards his body, his both hands gathering on her fine and tender waist: “Thank you for agreeing with my selfishness,”

Amadea’s eyes widened in shock before tilting her head in confusion. Not because Cian kissed her, but rather because Cian’s attitude and voice were…somewhat different than before.

Was he this affectionate? Was he this loving before? She stared at Cian, wanting to see what he was scheming. However, her lover's expression appeared pure and honest.

What is this? Did this bastard change? Why?

“What? Is something wrong?”

Cian tilted his head with his usual smile. He leaned forward and took her hand. She didn’t offer any resistance. Her slender hand fit perfectly in his, and she clasped her fingers around his. She faced him, searching his eyes as if she was trying to read his thoughts.

“No, it’s nothing…”

Amadea shook her head, her eyes still fastened to his face, still searching intently: “Well, I heard from the people here but… are you really serious about this, rebuilding their village?”

Holding Amadea in his arms, Cian lowered his head. The tip of his nose brushed against her fragrant hair, inhaling her scent. The smell was so intoxicating.

“Well, it was on a whim, I guess. However, I don’t think it was a bad choice… since I’m planning to conquer this land anyway. Let’s just make this my first step,”

Hugging Cian and resting her head against his chest, Amadea furrowed her brows.

“You’re greatly ambitious, do you know that?”

"Ambition is the spice of men," he said, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at her.

Her eyes screamed for it, and the look on her face was practically begging for him to kiss her. So he did. With a laugh, he held her firmly, moving his mouth closer. Seeing his action, Amadea also didn’t resist. The first touch is tentative, whisper-soft. Their lips parted for only a second before Amadea returned the kiss, her lips parted just a little further. Cian felt the slightest slip of her tongue sliding out from her mouth, and welcomed it gladly with his own.

Amadea kissed him enthusiastically and her entire body became boiling hot and soft. Cian noticed this, and his lips curved upwards. He moves his face back and forth, brushing his mouth against hers as if he was teasing her, and her whole body just seemed to melt over the gentle nature he’s showing her. Finally, he pushes against hers a bit harder, and her mouth opens. Cian’s tongue slides in and touches hers briefly before pulling back.

“Mnn〜〜〜〜〜〜!?” Amadea’s flustered expression could soon be seen due to the abrupt offensive.

She really didn’t expect that Cian would do this in front of other people. When she averted her gaze from Cian’s eyes, she saw Harley and Cornelia looking at her with a red face. However, a hint of interest could be seen in their eyes. Even Roma’s eyes were blushing, but her eyes almost emitted with lightning sparks, her gaze locked on their passionate affair.

Amadea felt shameful all of a sudden. This was the first time she had experienced this, so she felt somewhat flustered. However, Cian seemed to enjoy her expression. Despite her struggle, his tongue violated all the nooks within her mouth. Tickling her palate, sliding along the back of her teeth ridge, it twined around her tongue before polishing her teeth. And then, he continued to torment her with his tongue.

When Amadea finally bit his tongue due to shame, Cian finally broke off the kiss.

“What would happen if you cut my tongue?”

Cian muttered, somewhat displeased.

Amadea snorted while her tongue licked the trace of blood on her lips.

“I told you to stop, but you didn’t. Hmph,”

With a red face, she turned around and walks away like a hare escaping.

“…she’s really a cute girl,”

“…that’s a wonderful performance, I say,”

Harley smiled wryly.

“Though, I think you should do that privately.”

“What? Did it spark something?” Cian grinned.

Harley’s eyes widened, and her face turned even redder. She shook her head with a wry smile and left as well.

“…perhaps,”

However, Cornelia was more open and she winked at him and grabbed her daughter’s nape before dragging her away before she could say something strange.

“Eh, wait…mom…! I’m not going! C, Cian…! I want to be with Cian!!”

“…you stop slacking off, and contribute to the village as well, I say!”

Cornelia greatly understands her daughter and pulled her away.

“NOOooo!!”

Cian laughs heartily.

… …