13 (19)

She loosened two more pieces of clothing. Whistles sounded from around them. Her large breasts were tightly compressed by a single leather strap. She loosened it once, and for a fleeting moment her bare skin flashed dangerously before she tied it again, the cloth pressing down once more. She also untied the garment wrapped around her lower body, leaving both thighs blatantly exposed. The Great Warriors burst into sexual jokes and crude commentary that no ordinary woman would have tolerated—saying things like that body had matured perfectly, that at this rate she might end up married soon, that Blanda always put on a show like this and then suddenly attacked.

The mare’s milk liquor was bitter and harsh. Louis longed desperately for red wine. Among red wines, Red Storm would have been perfect. Red Storm was a wine produced only in tiny quantities in the Shanxi region and considered extremely rare. Perhaps it was because the alcohol had begun to take effect, but Louis allowed his eyes to enjoy her body. Blanda’s body was like honey. It was a body that had just ripened and called to men. Seeing her with her claws out only made the sight more entertaining for Louis.

Louis had grown stronger once again through war, and his swordsmanship had become more refined. Of course, it had not grown as strong as his desires, but it was still more than enough to handle Blanda. In any case, although there was no red wine, he had happened to bring blackberry fruit wine. Since he liked her, it would not be a bad idea to give her a drink after this was over.

Amid the heated atmosphere, Blanda stretched her body here and there while drawing the men’s attention. Then, after luring Louis into lowering his guard, she suddenly launched a strike. The target was his upper shoulder. Her attack was like a nimble cat—at best one could call it a leopard-like blow—but regardless, it came at a speed unbelievable for a woman’s strike.

Mihoff and Sir Ferdinand frowned slightly at the rudeness, but since both sides already held swords, it was practically as if the match had begun. Even considering that the opponent was a barbarian lacking proper manners, it could not be denied that it was a fairly decent attack.

It was fierce enough to make the Great Warriors gasp, wondering if she had been hiding her true skill. Yet the blade simply cut through empty air with a whoosh. Louis had easily dodged it. She had worn a confident smile, expecting a mischievous reward, but when her sword sliced only air her expression froze. That was because at the same moment Louis dodged, he hooked her leg and stole her balance. She rolled across the ground in embarrassment.

The movement had been so clean and natural that the mouths of the surrounding Great Warriors fell open. Responding properly while caught off guard was difficult enough, but more than that, Blanda had been defeated far too easily.

‘B… Blanda. She attacked first, yet she was handled that easily.’

‘Good thing this is only a spar.’

‘No wonder he was confident. This proves the Duke has martial power on Atila’s level.’

Not only the Great Warriors—Louis’s rapidly improved skill was enough to impress Ferdinand as well. Compared to when the king held Louis’s succession party in the past, it was obvious that his ability had grown.

‘His talent as a swordsman is remarkable… As expected of House Pontina. An even greater talent than Fred. Though he started late, his rate of improvement grows faster by the day… Heh… How unusual, very unusual.’

Ferdinand had once taught Louis’s older brother Fred in childhood, so he knew Louis’s former level and was all the more astonished. In truth, Louis’s ability had simply begun to grow rapidly again after being stagnant until the war, but the only person in the world who knew that fact was Louis himself.

Having lost her balance and fallen hard, Blanda staggered to her feet. She also used mana, so even after such a fall her body was not injured, but the impact had torn her clothes somewhat. Since she had already been wearing very little to begin with, it became even more precarious. A playful mood rose in Louis.

“It seems you are still immature if you wish to ask something of me.”

Aware of the surrounding gazes, she spoke.

“Again! You will do it again, right?”

“Of course.”

When Louis readily agreed, she took her stance once more. This time she approached calmly, unlike before. It was a cautious posture. Louis merely held his sword at a slight angle and did not assume any particular stance. She struck repeatedly with her sword. She attacked carefully while keeping some distance, but Louis accepted each of her strikes in succession. He simply blocked them, yet even that was enough to darken her expression. The difference in skill had become obvious.

Louis began mixing in counterattacks in earnest. She murmured quietly, “Fast,” but it was already too late. She was struck by Louis’s attack and collapsed. It had not been a light blow, so bruises quickly appeared across her body. Since she was wearing almost nothing, nearly all the marks were visible.

“Blanda can’t even move.”

“He might be stronger than the king…”

“His reputation was no exaggeration.”

Blanda let out a low groan, “Ugh…,” her face twisted in pain. Atila said nothing, but rather than worrying about Blanda he seemed to be reevaluating Louis’s unexpectedly great strength. Louis told a soldier waiting behind him to bring a potion. The soldier brought it to him, and Louis opened the cap. A fragrant scent drifted out.

It was an expensive and rare potion that could heal bruises instantly. He poured it little by little over Blanda as if letting it flow. The moment it touched her skin, the dark bruises healed at an astonishing speed. The eyes of the shaman Mountain, who had been preparing to treat her, lifted slightly.

When it came to healing, nothing in the world could rival divine power. This potion had come from the supplies obtained during the Pope’s visit, and its quality was something that could normally only be found in the Empire. The Great Warriors who had been about to criticize Louis for being too generous fell silent. Instead, Blanda—the one receiving the potion—felt the pain vanish instantly and was almost intoxicated by the fragrant scent.

“Th… thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I simply used one of the many we received. By the way, you have clearly trained quite hard.”

At that moment, Blanda felt so drawn to Louis that it was hard to think clearly. It was the first time in her life she had felt such emotions. Atila laughed and clapped his hands.

“Remarkable. Truly remarkable. Duke Louis’s skill is no mere rumor.”

“I apologize if I struck too harshly. Her skill is far from ordinary.”

“No, rather I am glad Blanda has learned something of the world.”

Louis looked at Blanda.

“You were impressive. I will give you a drink of my wine. Bring it.”

Louis spoke to Blanda but then turned to a soldier, who brought the blackberry fruit wine. This too was an expensive drink that ordinary people would rarely even taste.

Louis poured a cup on the spot and handed it to her. Her face flushed red as she carefully accepted it and, unlike her usual self, drank shyly. The Great Warriors nearby burst into whistles again. As soon as she finished the cup, the first word that came out of her mouth naturally was, “Sweet.”

Louis poured himself a cup and drank as well. Then he gave the bottle to her as a gift. As he handed her the fruit wine, their hands briefly touched, and he felt that her palms were full of calluses from hard training.

“Th… this is…”

“I like you. Take it.”

The atmosphere of the alliance improved further. It had gone exactly as both sides intended. Finally, Louis spoke with Atila about the northern states.

The ger that Atila had set up temporarily to host Louis was unimaginably large. Atila and Louis returned to their respective gers, but the one prepared for Louis was practically like a building. Louis entered inside and experienced the final part of the event.

Before him, about six dancers shimmered in the firelight while performing dangerously provocative dances. Two of them were not Huns but women from Gaimer. Their nearly naked smooth bodies were covered in oil, glistening brightly.

Inside there were only Louis and the dancers, creating a strangely intimate atmosphere. Even while dancing, the women cast lingering gazes at him. Regardless of whether they liked their partner or not, they were destined to seduce him—but tonight was an exception for all of them. Hun music centered around drumbeats, with several instruments arranged into the rhythm, continuously stirring the dancers. Each time their naked bodies glistened under the soft torchlight, the light reflected off their breasts and hips.

All the dancers were excited and beautiful, yet they wore masks. Louis already knew the name of one of them. It was Blanda, who had shown her tall figure, large breasts, and elastic body earlier that day. Though she wore a mask, it made no difference—Louis knew exactly who she was.

Her skin was bronze, and she seemed to be competing—whether intentionally or not—with the two dancers from Gaimer. The Gaimer women were so pale their faces almost looked milky.

The song reached its climax, and the dancers entwined their legs together, assuming poses that resembled sexual acts. It was a sensual posture. Then they approached him one by one. Louis only needed to choose the woman he would spend the night with. Three approached in turn, but Louis remained still. All three were rejected. They gestured regretfully and left. As the music continued, others approached one by one. Eventually the Gaimer women began touching Louis’s body while trying to seduce him. The masked woman on the left had a slender figure and faint freckles, but her natural beauty could not be hidden. Since Louis showed no response, the three continued seducing him sensually.

The musicians exchanging glances whispered among themselves about Louis and the three dancers.

‘What a handsome man and beautiful women.’

‘Who will he choose?’

‘Did you know Lady Blanda slipped in?’

‘That’s Lady Blanda? My goodness.’

‘Yes. She shoved money into my hand, and when I refused she pulled a knife on me. She plans to settle that tonight.’

‘She must be smitten.’

‘But Lord Atila doesn’t know, right?’

‘Of course not. If we open our mouths, our heads will roll.’

‘Still, it won’t be easy. The other two are women even the tribal chiefs coveted. Lord Atila set them aside himself. The fact that he presented them to Duke Louis shows how much he likes him, but Lady Blanda might not be chosen. Anyone can see those two are far prettier than her.’

Louis finally made his decision. Without a word, he reached out and took Blanda’s hand.

‘My goodness. He chose Lady Blanda.’

‘Should we report this?’

‘How will you deal with Lady Blanda afterward? Besides, she’s a Hun woman.’

High-ranking Hun women could choose their first partner themselves. It differed somewhat from the customs of other countries, where most women were expected to remain pure until marriage. With Louis’s choice made, the other two women sighed regretfully. They exchanged glances, bowed politely to Louis, and quietly left the tent. The musicians who had been gossiping with their eyes also began gathering their instruments and leaving one by one. Now only Louis and she remained inside. She untied the rest of her clothes, and when the final strap slipped away she became completely naked. Louis looked at her body with admiration. The sight of Blanda completely bare surpassed anything he had seen earlier.