NOVEL NEXT Chapter 41
Chapter 41: I’m Telling You, That Girl is Really Cunning!
The Serpent Archipelago is a cluster of islands located in the southeastern part of the continent.
As you might infer from its name, the geographical features resemble a serpent on the map.
In fact, it’s quite fitting, as serpents really do inhabit the area.
If we were to highlight one more characteristic, it would be that the residents of the archipelago are pirates.
It was a natural occurrence.
Its geographical location makes it hard for land dwellers to approach, creating a perfect hiding spot for criminals.
Thus, the gathering of these criminals inevitably leads to pirate activities.
The nearby port city of Whitten sees a continuous flow of goods across the waters.
Pirates make their living by plundering these trade goods.
This mission was to investigate such pirates.
Connections with heretics were suspected… No, it was confirmed.
Depending on the situation, it might even be necessary to eradicate both the heretics and the pirates at once, pushing the archipelago itself into chaos.
It was that serious of a mission, which is why Judith felt quite worried.
“Ah…!”
They arrived in Whitten.
Bershia, who got off the carriage, gasped as she looked out at the sea.
With her eyes wide open, her cheeks flushed, and gazing at the ocean, she radiated youthful beauty. Her sky-blue hair and eyes harmonized well with the blue sea, creating a sense of clarity.
Add to that her white dress and straw hat, and she looked like a quintessential tourist.
‘Is this really okay for our mission?’
An alarm rang in Judith’s head.
Even within the church, she was known for her sharp intellect, and she sensed danger in this atmosphere.
Above all, she was worried about Bershia.
Wasn’t she just excited to be on the sea, carefree despite the past fiasco that left her escort half-dead?
Of course, Judith didn’t believe that was genuine.
Unlike some fools.
“Hehehe, Bershia the Saintess is truly pure-hearted.”
Judith shot a sidelong glance at her escort, Melburn.
With his short black hair, sturdy features, tanned skin, and stubbly beard, he looked like a well-drawn uncle wearing a contented smile as he looked at her.
Judith despaired internally.
‘Why does my escort have to look like this?’
Wasn’t he a little too oblivious?
Well, at least he was better than the bald guy, right?
Having reassured herself, Judith asked,
“Do you think that’s sincere?”
“Huh? Why would the Saintess act?”
“She’s clearly trying to attract men. I’m telling you, that girl is really cunning!”
Judith pointed out Asher, who was beside her.
“Her eyes only sparkle when he’s nearby. Think back to the day we visited the clinic.”
“Oh, he was certainly gloomy.”
“Was it just gloomy? He looked like he wanted to kill me!”
“Is that so?”
Melburn scratched his head.
He was excessively clueless.
If he wasn’t strong, she’d have replaced him.
Judith clicked her tongue and took a puff from her pipe.
“Things are different when I’m on a mission with Halia. Stay alert here.”
“Ah, I’m always on guard!”
“Don’t just say that; actually be on guard.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“…”
He appeared utterly lost.
Judith sighed and exhaled a puff of smoke while checking on her party once again.
“Isn’t it lovely?”
“It’s so, so beautiful…”
A pair of lovebirds cooed.
“Wow, youth is just too enchanting, isn’t it?”
A robust fool nearby.
“…”
And herself.
‘…Ah.’
Judith suddenly wanted to go home.
* * *
The blueness of the sea far exceeded Asher’s expectations.
The endless emerald waves, the white sunlight breaking upon them, and the vastness of it all.
This must be what nature’s beauty truly is.
In that moment, every worry he’d carried with him until now seemed to vanish into the distance.
He couldn’t help but recall a man’s words from the past.
“It’s love, Asher. I have shared love with that sea.”
Indeed, with a sea like this, one couldn’t help but fall in love.
A smile spread across his face.
His heart raced.
He thought to himself how glad he was to have come here.
However, he knew he could never truly indulge in such sentiments.
Asher took in the salty breeze, moving forward.
Eventually, he arrived at a high-end inn in Whitten.
This city was renowned not only for trade through its port but also as a popular vacation spot for nobility from various countries.
Such inns were common along the main road, so their presence didn’t seem out of the ordinary.
‘First day is rest.’
He planned it that way.
He didn’t want to appear suspicious by poking around immediately upon arrival.
Perhaps this moment would be the only time during the journey when he could truly be a tourist.
He intended to go out, eat some food, or maybe visit the beach.
He longed to feel the waves crashing against his feet.
Thus, Asher, who had been smiling loosely, gradually lost his smile.
It wasn’t for any particular reason.
“……”
As he unpacked, he lifted a piece of flimsy cloth that hardly even qualified as clothing.
It was just a coverup. A white swimsuit that was really just a joke.
Was he really supposed to wear this?
Could it genuinely be so?
Was it possible that Bershia had tricked him?
He pondered these thoughts but soon crumbled upon arriving at the beach, where he confirmed people were indeed strolling about in swimsuits.
How could they flaunt such scandalous attire without a hint of embarrassment? They strutted around the sandy beach in clothing no different from undergarments.
Asher trembled as he made his decision.
‘…Alright, culture dictates one must follow the customs of the region.’
If he was in Whitten, he had to adhere to its ways.
It wasn’t hard.
He was already someone capable of expertly changing clothes while closing his eyes.
The swimsuit was the same; it looked just like underwear, so putting it on and taking it off should be easy!
…At least that’s what he thought.
He discovered his flaw.
The material in the swimsuit didn’t comfortably embrace his body; instead, thanks to its elasticity, it hugged him tightly.
Furthermore, feeling the smooth fabric brush against his skin sent an eerie sensation up his spine.
After enduring that discomfort, he finally completed putting it on.
A pure white cloth, upon pure white skin.
And pressure.
Asher’s body quivered.
The sensation of air on his exposed skin sent waves of humiliation crashing over him.
Could he really go outside?
No, could he even take a step?
He couldn’t even bear to look in the mirror.
It felt as though he was spying on Bershia’s body, on its curves.
He found himself fidgeting with his toes.
As he bent down to look, *wham!* he suddenly lifted his head.
Because he ended up staring at something other than his toes.
“Ah…!”
It was at that moment.
*Knock knock—*
-Can I come in?
It was Bershia.
Asher jumped in surprise.
His eyes darted around in panic.
Could he really show this?
Wasn’t this too scandalous?
What kind of teasing would she engage in this time?
Would he be able to endure whatever teasing came?
He pondered this but then,
‘…Open it. You must open it! Asher!’
Asher made a fateful decision.
Indeed, if he couldn’t even reveal his form to his original owner out of shame, how could he step outside?
Moreover, boarding a ship to approach the archipelago was not an option, either.
He must endure not just for a mere vacation, but for a mission as well.
Asher swallowed dryly.
Steeling himself against the rising heat in his face, he took a step toward the door.
*Click!*
Grasping the doorknob, his heart raced.
Exposing his bare skin to someone else made his heart pound.
It felt like he was turning into a shameless exhibitionist.
Asher desperately tried to suppress those thoughts, squeezing his eyes shut.
*Swing!*
He opened the door, crossing the final threshold.
“Oh, you’ve come!”
He lifted his head and opened his eyes wide.
As he met Bershia’s gaze at the door, her expression shifted from a lopsided grin to an awkward stare. Her body tensed up too.
Asher shrunk back from her reaction.
Was something wrong?
Was this not how one was supposed to dress?
His thoughts swirled, and naturally, his arms moved to cover his bare skin.
His legs instinctively crossed, and his gaze dropped, avoiding hers and fixating on the floor.
His skin felt hot all over.
“Why, why are you…”
It was at that instant.
Clank, the door snapped shut.
Bershia snatched a large piece of fabric and wrapped it around Asher’s body.
Asher looked up in confusion.
Where had her previous stiff expression gone? Bershia was smiling mischievously, just like usual.
“I can’t believe you actually believed that.”
“Huh?”
“I was joking about having to walk around in that flimsy piece. I thought you actually believed it.”
“?”
Asher’s expression turned blank.
He needed a moment to comprehend. One, two, three.
And then it hit him.
“…Huh?”
“Sorry, that was a joke. That kind of swimsuit is something only nobles on a vacation wear to show off their bodies. It’s practically clothing to attract breeding partners.”
At that moment, Asher’s sanity snapped.
Unable to contain his deep sense of betrayal and humiliation, he grabbed Bershia by the wrist.
Then, he slammed her down!
“…Ouch.”
“I hate the Saintess more than anyone in the world! You’ve gone too far!!!”
With that, Asher tossed his clothes aside and dashed into the back room, slamming the door shut.
* * *
His back stung.
Bershia lay on the floor, staring at the ceiling.
She covered her face with her hands and exhaled deeply.
The scene she had just witnessed wouldn’t leave her mind.
The pitifully flushed face, the way he looked shy and pitiful, his bare skin, and the redness of his cheeks.
All of it remained vividly etched in her mind, refusing to fade.
‘Why?’
She felt bewildered.
Wasn’t she usually the one who enjoyed such reactions, reveling in her teasing? Yet, she’d never felt this way before.
At that moment, it occurred to her that this was a side of him that she shouldn’t show to anyone else.
This expression of his should only be permitted for her eyes.
A vicious desire surged within her.
Thump, thump.
The pounding of her heart felt strange.
A hot sensation surged up through her throat.
This unfamiliar feeling made Bershia clutch her chest tightly.
She gripped the fabric of her clothing firmly, enough to see the veins in her palms.
It wouldn’t calm down.