Baern was confused
Of course. It had been less than three days since the great turmoil that engulfed the entire city.
The area where the giant sandworms had approached, near the city walls, was filled with the wreckage of collapsed walls and the exploded corpses of sandworms (the work of Halia), creating a horrific and grand scene.
Inside the city, there were still traces of blood from the terror attacks carried out by Tehra and the sandstorm.
However, the people were calm.
This was because the culture of Baern had developed in such a way.
In a society where those who shared drinks today might return tomorrow as corpses, and where mercenaries fought for survival, death was not a stranger to them.
“Hey! Pick up that arm rolling over there!”
“Isn’t that Hunter? Tch, the guy who was going to retire and open a fruit shop went out with a fight after all.”
They staggered under the crisis but quickly recovered.
They began to mourn the departed in their own way and rebuild what had fallen.
The royal palace was no different.
“Ah, you’re here. Usher.”
The damage to the royal palace was severe. All the king’s concubines were artificial witches, and they went on a rampage simultaneously, with the Lion Guard, who were supposed to stop them, being on their side.
The extent of the damage was hard to estimate. The only fortunate thing was that the buildings had not been severely damaged. Gester seemed full of fatigue. But his eyes were burning more than ever.
“It’s been ten years since I’ve been home. The place looks terrible, but isn’t that the case with any house that’s been left for a long time? I’ll just tidy up.”
Big Ten helped him.
Usher thought they might be trying to assist him in becoming a member of the Lion Guard, but his assumption was wrong.
“Oh! The Lion of Therbion has arrived!”
“Ha, that crybaby kid has grown up so tall!”
All the mercenaries who met Big Ten said the same.
The Lion of Therbion.
It wasn’t hard to tell that the title didn’t just refer to the survivors of the previous Lion Guard.
“…You thought I would stay here.”
“Yes.”
Gester didn’t deny it.
He was looking at the palace that was being rebuilt.
“The damage to the entire city is not beyond recovery. Even street vendors, those who are retired mercenaries or have family members who are mercenaries, they survived by fighting in their own ways. So, the workforce is somewhat preserved. The manpower of the royal palace, which had been emptied, is being quickly replenished. More than half of the officials responsible for the internal administration survived. But that alone is not enough. Baern needs a symbol.”
Usher kept silent.
Gester spoke to him.
“You know what the unchanging symbol of Baern is.”
“……”
“The king exists merely to rule. The people don’t care who becomes the king. What matters is the Lion Guard. The most powerful protectors. The embodiment of Baern.”
He was serious. It was clear what he meant.
“…Usher, I know this is an imposition, but could you reconsider?”
“Gester…….”
“Become a Lion. Rebuild Therbion.”
Gester extended his hand.
“Rebuilding alone won’t do. We need a powerful symbol.”
Usher pressed his lips tightly together.
In fact, this was a proposal he had somewhat anticipated from the moment he entered the battlefield in his original body.
Perhaps, by accepting this hand, he could fulfill his childhood dream. That life wouldn’t be so bad.
But, having anticipated the question, he had also taken time to consider his answer.
Now, there was a reason why Usher couldn’t accept this hand.
There was someone by his side whom he could not abandon.
“I’m sorry, Gester.”
Usher smiled bitterly.
“I’m serving someone. Without me, it would be quite difficult for that person.”
Though he had fled today, unable to endure, Usher had already decided where his place was—by Bersia’s side.
Of course, it wasn’t exactly the same as when he had first made that decision.
Reverence or admiration had, to be honest, dwindled to the point that it was hard to find even a trace of it. And truth be told, his usual behavior didn’t leave room for such feelings.
But what had filled the void… perhaps, what had filled it to overflowing, was a much bigger and different feeling.
A human affection. It was more unstable than expected, and it was hard to leave the childish Bersia alone.
He had expected Gester to be disappointed by the firm refusal.
But the reaction that came back was different from what Usher had thought.
“I expected this.”
Gester chuckled awkwardly.
Scratching the back of his head and licking his lips, there was no trace of gloom.
“I figured you’d say this. It’s a bit awkward to be walking around with a girlfriend left behind.”
“Th-that’s not it!”
“Huh? Oh, come on, what’s with this now?”
Flushed with embarrassment, Usher glanced at him, and Gester grinned wickedly.
“Boy, you acted so manly in front of the lady, but now look at you—nothing’s changed, huh?”
It wasn’t that. Back then, the person using this body was different.
But he wouldn’t believe it anyway, and there was no need to increase the number of people who knew his secret.
Usher glared at Gester with his usual pouty expression.
Gester chuckled.
“I got it. I got it. I’ll stop.”
“I’m just a bodyguard. I’m just doing my job.”
“Alright, let’s go with that. Anyway, going back to the point.”
It wasn’t just “going with that,” it really was like that!
Usher glared at him in frustration, but Gester paid no attention and continued talking.
“We’ll pick someone from Big Ten for the Lion Guard. You’re the best candidate, but you’re no longer a person of Baern. Protecting this land is the duty of the people of this land.”
Before Usher could retort, Gester had already said it. Usher felt somewhat awkward.
As they were watching people come and go, Gester said,
“Take care. Come visit sometimes.”
It seemed like he already knew he wouldn’t be staying here for long.
“…Yeah, I’ll come often when I’m not busy.”
“By then, I’ll probably be king. Do you remember that? I’ll have 100 concubines. I’ll be an incredibly depraved king. Are you still the one true love? Hang in there.”
Usher chuckled. It felt as if he had returned to his boyhood.
Perhaps it was fortunate that he could still unwind in his original body.
Thus, he and Gester reminisced about past events.
It was just as they were about to part ways.
“Brother… Ah, Sir Therbion!”
Jeren appeared, holding a pile of documents in his arms.
From what he heard, Jeren had entered the administration due to the shortage of manpower, having been busy assisting Gester during the great turmoil.
Apparently, the fact that he had no connections to the sandstorm or witches was also a significant reason.
Anyway, upon Jeren’s appearance, Gester’s face turned a little awkward. Jeren bowed his head to Usher before blushing and chattering as he reported to Gester.
What should be said about this scene?
A thought suddenly crossed Usher’s mind.
- Truly, a brotherly gay.
…Perhaps his brain had been contaminated by Bersia.
Usher quietly stepped aside.
He hoped Gester would stick to his sexual preferences, ensuring a proper heir.
He didn’t know what Halia had done, but since Usher had returned to the palace, she had become much more subdued.
Occasionally, she would say strange things like, “What is a grandmother?” but it didn’t seem important.
About four days had passed.
Meals had to be taken in restraints, and when it came to relieving himself, Halia had directly supervised him to ensure Bersia’s curse didn’t spread further.
The most troublesome part of this process was when he tried to drink soup; instead of drinking the soup, his fingers would attempt to lick them.
But that was over now.
“Today is the day for my return. Please promise you won’t touch me!”
“I promise.”
It was time to release Bersia from her seal.
She nodded with her characteristic inscrutable expression.
Usher didn’t let his guard down. Slowly, he unsealed her, and fortunately, Bersia didn’t do anything unusual.
…Or so he thought.
“I thought I was going to die from holding it in.”
Kiiiiiing!
“Ugh!”
Bersia’s halo appeared. The immense mass was compressed so that it wouldn’t leak outside the room, immediately binding Usher.
Usher felt his heart race, and Bersia began to undo the ties of her outer garments.
It was a carnage born from a momentary relief.
Usher feared the expressionless face of hers, waiting for an opening.
“S-saint! Calm down! Please calm down!”
“No. I won’t calm down. I’m going to have sex.”
Her eyes lacked reason. Bersia’s breath became hot.
Usher struggled, but with the mass of divine power, he couldn’t possibly overpower Bersia.
So, he was pinned and trapped beneath her.
It was in that moment.
“Kyahhhh…”
Fwaaah!
“…Aah?”
Suddenly, the scream changed to a very high and pure tone.
He had clearly seen the ceiling, but now what Usher saw was his own body.
Their gazes met.
It changed again.
Should he feel regret over how this happened, or should he be thankful he hadn’t been assaulted?
Usher didn’t know how to explain it and covered his face with his hands.
Bersia, with blank eyes, fumbled to undo her pants.
Usher gritted his teeth and said,
“That’s not it. The curse is on me right now.”
“…Ah, right.”
Usher’s shoulders trembled miserably.
Whether Bersia knew it or not, she said,
“…Sorry. Want to change into new underwear? You must be soaking.”
“I really hate you!”
Usher yelled as he dashed out of the room.
His voice was trembling, but there was nothing he could do.
Because Bersia’s words were true.
Usher despaired at the fact that he was becoming accustomed to sensations he never wanted to experience as a woman.
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