Wreath of Lilies, Cauldron of Poison

Chapter 83

I will take from him, everything

In one of the many empty rooms of the Palace, one could hear the faint breathing of women. 3 to be exact. All of them young. All of them naked. Sweat and bodily fluid stained their white skin and one of them had traces of blood upon her shame. Their eyes were glazed and unfocused from the rigorous activity prior.

“P – please…one more time,” one of them pleaded.

“Sorry girls, I have other things to do. Heroes are very busy, you know.”

Kurosaki Yuuji put on his clothes with one last look at his handiwork. At the mounds of white flesh and pink tips. They were daughters of Nobles, who still dreamed of princes in shining armor. He gave them their dreams. Albeit for only one night.

He closed the door and walked away. Satisfied with a good deed done.

“Shame, I’d have gone for a few more rounds if it wasn’t for that loud sound interrupting me,” he murmured. “What was that sound anyway? It killed off my excitement.”

He walked briskly to return to the Audience Chamber. “Hah, that old man would be pissed.”

He was told to charm the women, mainly the impressionable ones. But some of them were very much to his taste that things escalate very fast, which made him abandon his job. Then again, I could just do private visits.

As he was passing a small garden, his eyes were drawn onto a figure sitting in the middle of the garden.

A singular beauty in a night dress. With skin so flawless the moonlight falling upon her made her body look glowing. Her slow breathing made her ample chest rise and fall like the bane of kings.

The Hero of Vorzenny was immediately struck dumb by this sight. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Not even those in his Harem could compare. The only flaw he saw was that unsightly eyepatch.

Desire rose in him, at the thought of hearing her gasp under him. At the thought of grasping that bountiful bronze chest with all his might.

He did not even have to think before he strode up to her and called her with a sickly-sweet voice.

“Hello, Milady. Are you alone?”

The dark elf languidly opened her eyes, before she opened them wide as she jumped out of the stone chair.

“Y-you - ! Who are you?” she cried out.

“My name is Kurosaki Yuuji. Here I am, just enjoying a walk under the moonlight and then I saw you,” he said, lacing every word with honeyed poison. “It is not safe for such a beautiful woman to be alone. Even inside a Palace. Some unsightly…Noble might have ideas.”

Illumca sensed that something was wrong and said. “I don’t have time for you.”

She tried to walk away to the opposite direction, but he was faster.

“Let me escort you.”

“Go away!” she tried to hit him, but she evaded the punch and grabbed her wrist, forcing her onto the wall of the hallway. She tried to fight back but he was stronger than her. His grip was so strong she could feel her bone creaking.

Spoiler: Spoiler

After he shouted in exasperation, something flew and crashed against his head. Pieces of glass fell onto the floor.

“Get away from her!” Martell shouted as he snapped his fingers and called out his skill. An ornamental vase levitated and flew towards the Hero. In normal condition, he would have evaded it easily, but the concussion from the earlier hit caused him to be unable to do so.

WHAM!

The vase hit him and sent him reeling on the floor.

Quickly Martell ran to Illumca’s side.

“Illumca, are you okay?”

“Go, run,” she urged as she willed the Dao Symbol inside her to fight the influence. “That won’t hurt him. We need to run.”

And just as she said, the Hero of Vorzenny was not hurt. He did not even bleed. That was an effect of his high level. Even broken glass hurled at strength could not puncture his skin. Kurosaki Yuuji smashed the large vase and made a show of dusting off his shirt.

“Well, shit. That’s not good!”

The two of them quickly turned around and ran.

“We need to get to the Audience Chamber. He can’t do as he wanted there,” Martell said.

Behind them, the man had begun his pursuit. The two of them were fast, but the Hero of Vorzenny was faster.

They turned around a sharp corner. Martell’s small body cannot stop in time and he hit his shoulder with a loud bam at a door. The loud noise made a door three doors down open. A tired looking man with a book came out and shouted angrily.

“Hey! Who’s that making a noise?” the man spotted the two people running and called out. “Hey! This is restricted area.”

“He’s coming…!” she cried out, wincing as she felt like her heart was being shredded from the inside out and her blood was boiling.

“Fireball!” She chanted, but no fire came out. When she took a glance at her fingers, her flawless skin had started to blister. “What’s this?”

“Why are you running away? I just want to help,” the man said with glee. It was a game to him, and the girl was his prize.

Martell took a passing glimpse at the room beyond the door and saw mounds of book within. He snapped her fingers and took control of the books as he declared his skill. He timed their pursuer and motioned with his hand, causing the books to rush at him as he went past, slamming him to the wall.

“Who – who - whoaa!!”

The man screamed from the sudden torrent of paper and leather.

A Knight who was standing guard nearby glanced at what was making the ruckus and chose to stand back and hid behind the pillar without skipping a beat.

“I really need to get myself a fucking Item Ring,” Martell cursed under his breath.

“Urgh…agh,” Illumca stumbled on her own legs and fell onto the floor.

“Illumca!” Martell doubled back when he heard her fall.

“Stand up! Come on! Stand up!”

“Aaargh!” The Dark Elf screamed.

And suddenly, they were pulled into darkness.

Kurosaki Yuuji dug himself out of the mounds of paperwork and stood up, exasperated. Only to find his target had disappeared.

“Where is she? Where is she?!” he strode towards the Knight pathetically trying to become one with the pillar and grabbed her by the neck, lifting the full-armored Knight with one hand and shook him hard.

“I – I don’t know,” the man said, coughing. “They went around that bend and vanished!”

“Shit!” he let him go and trot briskly towards the bend. It opened to a wide square with a fountain and numerous decorative plants, from which there were many paths to other parts of the Palace.

“Shit! This place is more confusing than a Dungeon!”

Then, he spotted a girl wearing a white jacket sitting by the fountain. A large man with bare arms was standing beside him.

He knew the girl. It was the Hero of Al-Khemiya. A very plain girl with no redeeming features. Very much not to his taste. His King had warned him not to place his Charm on her, just to be safe. He would not do it anyway. She was not worth the hassle.

But now he threw caution to the wind and approached her while smoothing his hair.

Kasheem and Kim Sooyoung had sneaked out of the Audience Chamber as she was very uncomfortable with conflicts. Ever since she told him about how little points she had left, Kasheem had insisted on following her everywhere.

She had done her best to accumulate some points by eating well, doing her morning exercise, and such. And she now had enough points to get a new medical book. She had read the one she bought last time back to back. Books in the language of her old world was very expensive.

“Don’t you think it’s time to return, Maziri Sooyoung?” the man asked.

“Urgh, do we have to? You know I don’t like crowds. And politics. Especially politics,” she yawned, tired of the stupid event. “I just want to go back to my room and rest. The seafood was good, but then the King made the whole thing a bragging party.”

“That’s politics for you, Maziri Sooyoung. They wouldn’t make a decision right at this moment. It will take days, even weeks. It’s just that King Gerard was the one who made the opening move.”

“Hello. Hi.”

The two heard the call and turned their eyes towards the man calling.

“I want to ask you something. Did you see two people walking by here? One is a beastfolk and the other was a dark elf.”

He was showing a wide smile, but somehow it made Kim recoil.

“I would appreciate it if you don’t approach Maziri Sooyoung so candidly. It is improper.”

“I’m not asking you. I’m asking her as fellow Heroes. Have you seen them?”

“N – no. I haven’t,” she drew herself farther. “Stop looking at me like that.”

The Heroes of the current age had never used their power against each other. But at that moment, Yuuji attacked her with his Charm Gaze at Full Power. Unlike regular Skills, Charm Gaze was a Passive Skill that was only limited by his will. But with a Hero he did not want to leave things to chance.

“Urgh…I…I…” her mind started to muddle and she began to saw him as a kind person.

Charm Resistance Level 2

Charm Resistance Level 3

No, he’s not.

Charm Resistance Level 4

Charm Resistance Level 5

Stop looking! You have to stop looking!

Charm Resistance Level 6

Charm Resistance Level 7

Charm Resistance Level 8

Charm Resistance Level 9

Charm Resistance Level 10 ->MAX

The Charm Gaze broke and Kim Sooyoung jumped behind Kasheem like a frightened cat. The System had emptied her Points to upgrade her Charm Resistance automatically.

Charm Gaze! He is using a Charm Magic at MAX level!!

She quickly made up an excuse on the spot. “I-I don’t feel so good. I’d like to return to our compound please.”

“You…answer me!” he lost his patience and barked his order. Confused and angered by the fact that his Skill failed to take hold.

“You will not speak to her like that!!” the man growled. Veins popping on his muscled arm.

By this time, Kim's stress had begun to reemerge and she took a puff from her inhaler. Her hand gripping his valiant guardian's arm tight.

“And what are you going to do to me? I am a Hero! I can do what I want.”

His threat did not faze him in the slightest. He had been in more battles than the creature who called himself Hero had masturbated.

“A Hero you might be. But touch her and the whole of Al-Khemiya will bear down on you like the desert storm and bury you under the sand,” Kasheem said as he pushed Sooyoung behind his back. “You best go on back to your King, Hero of Vorzenny.”

“…humph.”

The unpleasant man’s eyes twitched as he slowly drew back and walked away. No matter. The Charm has already been planted. I will find her, sooner or later.

As soon as he was gone, the two headed towards a door that led to a small sitting room. Kasheem stood by outside while Kim entered the room.

Once she entered, she was hit by very hot air. Even hotter than the sandy air of Al-Khemiya. A bead of sweat quickly formed upon her forehead.

“Miss Sooyoung!” Martell called out gratefully. “Thank you for helping us.”

“Don’t mind it. But this is…what…what is happening?”

Illumca was groaning on the floor, her back arching and skin contracting while intense heat was coming from her body. The beautiful dress on her was drenched with sweat.

“I don’t know. The Mistress might now. I need to call her. Can I trouble you to keep guard while I go there?”

“No,” the girl said. “I’m going to call her and warn my people. I - if that pervert dared to use that shitty magic on a Hero, then what’s stopping him from using it on them?”

“That’s…that’s actually possible,” he said with a look of surprise. “I didn’t think you have it in you.”

The girl made an awkward smile of encouragement and walked out. Martell closed the door behind her and placed various item in front of him as he stood guard, ready to attack if unfriendly people came in.

Back in the Audience Chamber, the Party had ground to a halt, and everyone gathered in their cliques to discuss King Gerard’s propositions. Connie was feeling restless from how long Illumca was taking and she kept looking at the door.

Finally she decided to look for her.

As she was exiting the Chamber, she brushed past a black-haired man who brusquely ignored her. He smelled of strong perfume and cheap sex.

Not long after, she saw two people running towards her.

“Hello, Kim. Did you see –“

“Your friends! Yes. Come with me!” the girl grabbed her by the wrist and urged her to follow.

“Please take care of her, Lady Cornelia. I’m going to warn Haynim Abbas.”

“W – what’s happening?” the blonde-haired girl asked in confusion.

“Just follow me!”

The girl led her to the small room where Martell and Illumca awaited.

The moment he sensed people standing in front of the door, he was ready to attack. But when he heard Kim’s familiar voice, he relaxed and opened the door.

Connie came into the room and saw Illumca on all fours with head tucked between her arms.

“Illumca!” she ran to her and took her into her arm.

The moment Connie did that, she could feel that the Energy within her was in chaos. She sent her will inside and understood that she was trying to push out something foreign that was invading her.

“Illumca. Can you hear me? Illumca. Focus your mind on your Dao!” she shouted instructions as she took her arm in hers.

Dao? Kim thought when he heard the vaguely familiar term.

In-between bouts of unconsciousness, Illumca saw the face of her beloved. She saw her speaking, but it was like she was hearing Connie from underwater. Somewhere distant.

“I’m sorry. I’m…really sorry.”

Connie saw tears coming from her and she decided.

She enclosed her lips with hers, sending her Yin Energy to calm down the torrent of Energy within Illumca’s body.

As she did so, she could feel Illumca’s emotion.

The desperation, the guilt, the humiliation.

Illumca reacted to the kiss by embracing her tight, not wanting to let go.

Connie accepted the desperate and tearful kiss that burned her lips and tongue as she held her tight, not refusing the pain that came from her companion. Tears fell from Illumca’s beautiful eyes and evaporated within seconds.

The heat blistered Connie’s skin and made her feel as if she was kissing a sun.

Her love was pain. Her love was suffering. She was born to love and hate in equal measure.

Illumca entwined their fingers together as she pushed her tongue inside her. Wanting to forget, wanting to erase, the memory of almost betraying her love for Connie by drowning in her presence.

After what seemed like hours, her breathing began to settle, and the heat subsided. The Dark Elf passed out in Connie’s embrace. And she laid her down gently on the floor.

She put a hand on her chest and pressed on the pressure points on her head and forehead with her forefingers.

“Mistress, your…mouth,” Martell spoke, unsure on how to say the words.

Kim clasped her mouth in horror, seeing the bad burn on Connie’s face. It was damaged down to her nerves, with some parts even had signs of charring. She could not imagine what happened to her tongue. Even her hands that she used to hold her companion with had horrible burns.

“This? This doesn’t hurt as much as what Illumca is feeling right now,” she said grimly. She took out a few pills and crunched them down with a vengeance. The burned parts began to heal and replaced with new skin. Pink and raw.

“I've calemd the fire down in her meridian. Now. Tell me what happened.”

Connie sat and listened to Martell’s story.

And for the first time ever since she donned the body of Cornelia, she felt such rage. Such hatred. Such fury.

“He dares covet what is mine?!” Connie shouted as she punched a wooden table so hard it broke. “He dares to try and sully her dignity?!”

Her anger was to the point that the sides of her left cheek began to rip, and her eyes turned serpentine. Poisonous mist leaked out from the gaps between her cheek, which grazed a decorative plant and turned it black.

Martell saw this and quickly pulled Kim back. “Don’t breathe!” he warned her.

In reflex, Kim clasped her nose and mouth with her hand as Connie neutralized the poison with a waved of her hand.

She then stood up and walked towards the door.

“Mistress, where are you going?”

“I’m gonna kill that shit and tear him apart ad paint the marble floor with his intestines.”

“You can’t!” Kim blurted out.

“What?!”

“T – the Hero of Vorzenny’s Charm Gaze is extremely strong. Even I only managed to fight it back using my Cheat. A – ah, that might also explain why Akula followed him. She must be under his Charm!”

Connie ignored the last part of her statement and gazed at the fragile looking Illumca, who was still groaning in pain even as she slept. For a strong-willed girl like her to suffer like this meant that the one using it was not a weak person.

“Miss Sooyoung is right. We need to gather more information. We cannot guarantee that you can fight his Charm Gaze. We are also in a Palace filled with Knights that are on edge. I know that you are strong, Mistress. But you can’t fight a whole Palace. And even then, what will happen to Illumca if you leave? She is very vulnerable right now.”

“Your anger or Illumca’s safety. You cannot have one with the other,” Martell stated.

“Martell! Don’t you feel anything when someone almost sullied your friend’s dignity?!” She grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up angrily.

“No, I…don’t,” he floundered a bit, unsure if what he was saying would make her fly off the handle. “But I will say it again. You need to choose,” Martell said, face as blank as ever. “You are smarter than me, Mistress. And your schemes are beyond me. But you have one weakness. And that is when you care about someone you care too much. It stops you from seeing things objectively.Isn’t that why you took me in? Because I can help you make decisions without emotions getting in the way?”

“Dammit…” Connie gritted her teeth. She let go of the small boy and took a deep breath.

“Choices,” she groaned. “Then I choose Illumca. She’s what’s important now.”

“Alright,” Martell said with a nod.

“First thing first, we need to leave this godforsaken Palace and find someplace safe for me so that I can help her stabilize,” Connie said with an urgent tone.

“Then come to our compound,” Kim suggested. “It’s separate from the Palace and is filled with our people. I’m sure Haynim Abbas will approve. It’s only 10 minutes away with a carriage.”

“Good. Then let’s do it. Oh, and we need to take Allenca back home safe. Make sure that it’s subtle,” she looked at Martell. “Can I entrust her matter to you?”

“As you wish. I will escort her back to the Church. But how do I know if she is already under his influence?” he asked.

“I don’t know, just take her with you. We’ll handle that later,” she said dismissively. “Take care of what we can do now and leave what we can’t do for later.”

“Understood.”

“I – I’ll go with him too,” Kim said. She was quite the scaredy cat, but when it comes to people she cared about, she was not so bad. “Here, I’ll give you my medal, given to me by Haynim Abbas. As proof of your identity. You can use this to use our carriage.”

“Thank you. Kim,” Connie accepted her medal. One made of gold with precious gems inserted within. It was rather gaudy but very intricate.

“Good luck,” she said.

Finding the Al-Khemiyan carriage was really easy. All Connie had to do was find the one with people wearing a lot of red and dark skin and impressive mustaches. When she showed her the medal, they did not ask much and quickly guided her to a small carriage, which immediately took off with them inside.

While the carriage was rolling through the bridge, Connie watched her companion slept a troubled sleep. Her gaze still and focused.

She then took her hand and cupped it with hers.

“I promise you, Illumca,” She kissed the back of the sleeping elf’s hand and gripped it tight. “I will destroy him. I will take from him, everything that he holds dear. Everything that he loves and cares.”

“And nothing will stop me.”