Chapter 21 (2)
If you’d like to make a one-time donation to support our translations or subscribe to read up to 10 chapters ahead, you can do so via Buymeacoffee
Bonus Chapter thanks to Elinis sub to ‘ARCHMAGE’ tier via Buymeacoffee.
Soon, Maeve’s left arm was exposed.
“Goodness… Lou Sola.”
“As expected. The scar from back then.”
Traces as if a snake had wrapped around her.
The swollen and discolored area, coupled with the black surroundings.
The pulsating blood vessels wriggled ominously.
“Do you know when this happened to you, Sir?”
“It’s an injury from Dullahan.”
Ian added in a cold tone.
“I thought your armor and divine power would protect you. But apparently not.”
In fact, the forest was as curious as it was tainted by the madness of the Black Wall. Even if Dullahan’s resentment ran deep, it couldn’t be strong enough to overcome divine power.
Anyway, what mattered now was that Maeve’s divine power couldn’t purify this curse.
Suddenly, a simple solution passed through Ian’s mind.
‘Isn’t this something that could be resolved by me just praying to Lou Sola?’
Being the divine power of the God of Light, it should be able to purify any curse.
Of course, he didn’t really want to choose that path.
Given the amount of help he had already asked from Lou Sola, she might grant him a great power in return.
And yet, if he refused the call this time, he would probably be hit by divine retribution.
“Tsk…”
With a cold tongue, Ian clenched both hands in front of his chest.
Squirm-
Something moved in his right hand.
As Ian’s mind momentarily froze, a primitive whisper followed.
A unique-grade ring, the Resentment of the Swamp.
The very demon he had commanded suddenly sent a message.
Ian’s forehead tightened.
‘You think you can swallow it?’
Such content wasn’t on the information window.
…Well, that’s not everything.
Ian soon shrugged his shoulders.
He was well aware that the information window wasn’t all-knowing.
Furthermore, in the first place, the Resentment of the Swamp was practically a part of Dullahan’s main body.
Even if it could subdue the demon’s curse, it wouldn’t be too strange.
‘Why did It just stand there when It could do this?’
A simple answer returned.
Because you didn’t command me to.
However, the presence of divine power within Ian’s body was uncomfortable, so it had expressed its intention beforehand.
Apparently, it wasn’t just him who disliked gods.
Amused by this unexpected commonality, Ian removed his gloves.
“Grab her arm tightly, Phillip.”
“I understand… but what are you planning?”
“Treatment.”
“How?”
Instead of answering, Ian extended his right hand over Maeve’s arm.
Swoosh-
The ring on his middle finger moved.
Phillip’s eyes widened.
“W-What is that? It’s not just an ordinary ring?”
“It’s the lingering resentment left by Dullahan. It’s currently bound to me.”
Phillip’s brow slowly furrowed.
“A demon… you mean?”
“Why, is there a problem?”
“Why wouldn’t there be! It’s common sense to stay away from the corrupt and demons! Let alone associating with them as a servant!”
What are you talking about? Whether it’s a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice well, it’s fine.
Though a snort came out involuntarily, this narrow perspective was the prevailing norm in this Dark Age. From their point of view, Ian’s practical way of thinking was considered heretical.
“If you use that on her, the goddess will surely be angry as well.”
As Ian listened, he couldn’t help but retort.
“More than letting the apostle die?”
“Well…? Uh, well…”
Phillip stammered as if his words were caught.
Ian added.
“Do you think I’ve become corrupted in your eyes?”
“Well, you don’t seem to be, but…”
“Then shut up and hold her arm. I’ll give you one more word to show you what my anger is like.”
“……”
Phillip, who had been trembling with his lips, grabbed Maeve’s arm with a reluctant expression.
As if the black snake had been waiting, it slithered down onto Maeve’s arm.
The creature bit down on the scarred area.
Dark blood pooled and gathered.
After a moment, Phillip’s eyes widened.
“T-There’s… a change, Sir!”
The faint black marks had noticeably faded from the edges.
With a swoosh, after only a few minutes, the Resentment of the Swamp seemed to be satisfied and retreated with a satisfied sigh.
While there was no significant external change, except for the added luster to the scales, the black marks that had covered Maeve’s arm had completely disappeared.
Of course, the scratches and the filled pustules remained, as did the stained area.
‘Looks like we’ve overcome the crisis for now.’
At least the palpable unease wasn’t present.
“…So, this demon really could treat her.”
Well, well, you said that.
Ian let out a dry chuckle and extended his hand again.
Shaaah-!
The Resentment of the Swamp exposed its fangs then.
Phillip jerked backward in surprise.
“Why, why are you doing this?!”
“Well.”
Ian casually continued to move his hand towards the Resentment of the Swamp’s fangs.
Their gazes locked.
Ian’s lips curved slightly.
‘Try it again, why not.’
The standoff was brief.
As soon as Ian’s fingertip touched the creature, its fangs closed with a hiss.
The creature crawled up Ian’s finger, reverting to the form of a ring.
With an uneasy expression, Phillip asked, “Is that really okay…?”
“Taming it doesn’t mean its nature disappears.”
At least it wasn’t as talkative as you, who babbles on and on.
“Give me the dagger. Take out the bandages and alcohol from the bag.”
“Why alcohol…? Oh, yes, Sir.”
With a stern look from Ian, Phillip handed over the dagger and got up to fetch the supplies.
Ian held the dagger blade to the torch.
In a sense, it was real from now on.
“I have brought them, sir!”
Philip returned with bandages and a bottle of wine.
Ian dipped his dagger’s blade into the bottle of alcohol he opened..
A strong, pungent smell pricked his nose.
Fortunately, it was closer to rum than beer.
Ian washed his hands with the alcohol.
‘Whether this works as effectively as in the movies…’
It’s better than doing nothing.contemporary romance
“Grab her arm tightly, Phillip.”
After disinfecting the wound, Ian whispered at the end of Maeve’s bandaged forearm.
“It’s going to hurt a bit.”
He drew his dagger along with the bandaging process.
Sticky blood and pus oozed out.
Once he set the dagger aside, Ian used both hands to firmly press on the wound.
“……!”
Maeve’s body convulsed involuntarily.
But Ian, and the pain he was inflicting on himself, wouldn’t let go of Phillip’s hands that held her.
Soon, Ian picked up the bottle of alcohol.
The liquid poured over Maeve’s blood and pus-covered forearm.
Her waist arched like a bowstring.
“Ugh…!”
Her trembling hand steadied.
Ian wiped away the remaining blood and pus, then wrapped the wound in bandages.
Thanks to his Emergency First Aid skill, the whole process looked rather convincing.
Once Ian let go of her, Maeve’s body slumped weakly.
“Are you really treating me? From my perspective, it seems more like you’re trying to harm me…!”
I wasn’t trying to kill you; it was you.
Ian smirked as he looked down at Mev.
“Are you back to your senses?”
A feeble voice slipped through the veil covering her face.
“…Thanks to you.”
Translator; ippo
Please rate this series here.
If you’d like to make a one-time donation to support our translations or subscribe to read up to 10 chapters ahead, you can do so via Buymeacoffee.
Schedule: Pending @ UTC+ 12:00 am. 3 – 4 ch a week
https://ko-fi.com/ippostranslations
done.co