Kicking the air, squirming, and nibbling–these are the actions of a captured rabbit whose natural instinct to survive has gone into overdrive. But no matter how much she struggles, Flenn cannot break from the rings of water that shackle her within the palm of Perlina's hand.
"Give up already, Flenn. You've lost, so there's no use in struggling so pathetically."
"What do you want from me, you stalker? You are really relying on this giant freak to hold me down so that you can have your way with me? Is this how you treat women in the presence of nobility, no less?!"
"Don't try to pull that trick–you know exactly what I want, or you wouldn't have tried running away like a guilty coward. I don't care about the time or place, I will get what I worked for. So let's start with my first demand: pay me my money, right here and now."
"I…I don't have this money that you speak of–you just sound like a thief. A petty thief!"
"Wrong answer. Perlina, give her a nice soak. Extra cold."
"O-okay! Spew!"
"Aieeee?!!"
The bunny shivers uncontrollably from the cold steam of water that flowed from Perlina's mouth.
"Perlina, loosen your grip on her. In fact, just place her down right there."
"Like this?"
"Perfect."
With Flenn placed perfectly at ground level, Vex stretches his fingers, skimming his eyes around Flenn's body, searching for something in particular. He bends down, eyeing his target.
"Yep, that'll do. It's really come down to this…"
"M-my l-left p-pocket! S-sto-stop!"
"Hmph, of course someone like you would stuff her money in a breast pocket…what's this? Only one platinum coin? That wasn't our deal."
"ZZZZZ"
Words appear to be leaving Flenn's lips, but her shivering transforms them into incoherent babble.
"Sigh, this is insufferable. Perlina, would you please dry her body? Just enough not to sound like a shivering buffoon."
"Mmm!"
Perlina enthusiastically nods, and inhales the moisture from Flenn's soaked body.
"I was trying to say...the platinum coins that I promised you were actually the payment I received…and I spent most of it. That's really all I have left…"
"Pathetic."
Vex withdraws the singular coin from the pouch and throws it carelessly at Flenn's face.
"Then to make up for the rest of the payment, tell me who assigned you the mission to betray me."
"That's…confidential…I'm not permitted to mention his name to you."
"So it's a man?"
"..."
"Betraying me–a temporary acquaintance–is one thing, but doing the same to Sylow, your supposed friend and partner, is downright despicable. I ended up being saved by this water nymph–if it weren't for her, I'd be dead. Digested and gone along with Sylow. Yet you expect me to let you sit there in silence and not answer for your crime? One more chance, tell me who assigned you this mission."
Quietly remaining on standby in the background, Perlina blushes as she attempts to withhold a smile.
"..."
"Fine, let's skip that question and save it for last. Where is Lily? Speak carefully, your life depends on it."
"The girl went with someone else by her own volition. She's not with me anymore, only Joanne's kid."
"With whom?! Why are you doing this? We're Dark Mercenaries and all, but no gig is worth compromising every single moral you have left! I know that you aren't the mastermind, so tell me who it is so that I can deal with them next!"
"..."
Flenn looks up, her ears flopped over, her face bearing no strong emotion.
"That look in your eyes is pissing me off to no end! You feel no sadness or remorse from the fact that you betrayed a friend–killed him–just for money? I know whoever assigned you to do this told you about the man-eating water nymphs in that lake, why else would you bait me to go there? Tch, I'm done pointlessly ranting–you lack the emotional intelligence to fathom your sin. Maybe you will gain some empathy once you experience how Sylow felt in his final moments first-hand."
"What do you mean by that?!"
Vex gazes into Perlina's eyes, she nods in understanding. Witnessing this exchange, Flenn quickly realizes the situation.
"Oh no…no no no no no! Please, don't–?!"
Perlina picks up Flenn and lifts her up to her mouth.
"Aaah…"
"Wait, don't eat me, please…I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
"Be sorry as you rot in hell for all I care."
"There he is! Hands up, you hooded criminal and–! Is that his familiar?! No way!"
Just in the nick of time, a squadron of noble guards raid the room, forming a barricade that blocks the only exit. Though they have a firm stance and formation, not a single one of them couldn't help but to give their divided attention to the giantess beauty within the fountain.
"N-never mind that for now, let's apprehend this man first!"
"Um, V-Vex…?"
Perlina closes her mouth, feeling increasingly anxious as more guards pour in, casting their eyes on her.
"Sigh…"
I figured something like this would happen to me, because of course it would. Regardless, I'm not going down without taking something. I will ensure Flenn gets retribution of some kind.
As he rolls his eyes, Vex haphazardly lifts his hands up in an insincere gesture of surrender.
"Why'd you stop, Perlina? They didn't tell you to raise your hands or anything, so by all means, finish your snack."
"But…sigh, o-okay, as you say…"
Perlina reluctantly opens her mouth, bringing Flenn closer and closer to her tongue that is stretching out to meet her.
"What are you doing?! Hey you giant, cease at once!"
Three guards in front of the formation now point their gun-like weapons filled with acid water upwards at Perlina, while the leader of the squad remains focused on Vex.
"The giant won't listen to you–she only takes orders from me."
"So make her stop, then shut your mouth! If you don't, we'll have you prosecuted for murder in the name of Lord Waltine's justice!"
"Justice? You guys are the defenders of justice? Then there should be no issue here–this lady robbed me, kidnapped a child, and tried to kill me. This is her judgment, nothing more or less."
"You have no authority to make such a judgment, even if we were to assume your baseless accusations to be true. This is not a request, but a demand–tell the giant to hand the woman over to us, or we will shoot you. Clear?!"
"Fine by me, but just so you know, she is obligated to protect me, so if you take me down, then we'll be neighbors in hell. And not just everyone in this room either."
"Wait, what does he mean by that? Is that a death threat?"
"Captain, how do we respond? Proceed or stand down?"
"Damn!...We don't know whether this guy is bluffing or not, but we cannot risk the guests here–especially Lord Waltine's family. You, what's your deal?"
"Back off and let me finish executing justice. After that, my giantess will disappear and you'll be free to arrest me with no retaliation."
That is, if they can catch me before I dive into the fountain. I'm just one simple backflip away.
"...stand down for now as per the deal. Be on standby the moment that giant familiar of his disappears."
"Yes sir…"
The guards stand down, fighting their sense of reluctance within.
"Everyone, halt! As the noble leader of Avarice, I command you to stop this unauthorized execution on palace grounds!"
"???"
In obedience, Perlina shuts her mouth, freezing in place. Vex, not pleased with this outcome, turns around towards the commanding, but familiar voice.
Wait, there's no way it's her. Could it really be…
"This matter will be properly handled in the noble court, so there's no need for bloodshed…?!"
Paving her way through the guards, a young woman in crimson commands the atmosphere with full authority. This stern look on her face immediately softens as she returns Vex's stare into her eyes.
"Lady Endori?"
"V-Vex?!"
__________________________________________________
Endori really dragged me to this dining room, despite my subtle…less than subtle declines. Worse of all, she won't stop rambling.
Someone…something…anything–kill me, please.
"Mmm, it was really nice of Lord Waltine to permit us to converse over a light snack and tea. How does it feel to dine with a noble lady of my caliber? It's a great honor that leaves you speechless, isn't it? That's why you have yet to grab a bite–you are doing your best to show me the utmost respect. How charming of you, my love!"
Inside of a blue-hue dining room, Vex and Endori share an aquamarine table that takes up a third of the room–directly across from each other. Endori, full of glee, refuses to take her eyes off of Vex for even a moment–not even to look at the tea cup she sips from that is on the edge of spilling onto her hand. On the contrary, Vex frowns as though he is experiencing an unbearable headache, the plate and cup before him remain untouched.
"Uh-huh, my stomach can't bear the burden of digesting any food before you, Lady Endori."
"Lady? Oh Vex, don't you mean…?"
Endori grins, looking at Vex endearingly with her bright teeth. Serine, who has been patiently standing right beside her master, mugs Vex, daring him to speak. Nevertheless, air escapes from his lips.
"…Endori."
"Ahhh, that's excellent–you still remember our relationship status even after so long! No need for formalities, it's just the two of us here. Serine and I speak like this all the time when we are alone, so she shouldn't have a problem. Right, Serine?"
"Yes, m'lady. No problem whatsoever…"
Serine barely squeezes those words out of her clenched teeth, doing her best to keep anymore bulging veins from protruding from her forehead.
"...Dang it…"
Even though it's only been a few minutes relatively, it feels like I've been stuck here for hours with no end in sight. All of this pointless filler talk, question after question–especially coming from Endori, is killing me on the inside. She dared to interrupt my interrogation for this? For this!?
"This brings back so many fond memories between us. I really missed your presence, you know. I can't believe that you didn't tell me that you were leaving Avarice and traveling around the world! Though our fate is so strongly connected that it brought us back together once again–it was meant to be!"
"Milady, you ordered the noble guards to patrol all over the country in order to find Vex…"
"But I knew that fate would eventually reunite us in the end. Even Yami and that annoying Reoni wanted to see Vex again!"
"I believe that their motivations were quite different from yours, milady."
"Oh, so you're the expert, Serine? Then what about your motivations? Hmmm?"
"I have no personal relations with that man!"
"You will soon, once he and I get married. 'That man' is your future lord, so we will all be a close-knit family!"
"Tch! Grrr…"
"..."
Seems like Reoni and Yami made it out of Endori's body alive after all. Great for them–I can imagine the state of their minds after that experience. Anyway, this conversation will go nowhere, unless…
"Isn't that right, Vex? Aren't you also looking forward to our–"
"Unfortunately, we commoners don't have the luxury of infinite idle time to sit around doing nothing of value. I'm sorry if that limitation disappoints you, oh noble one."
"How dare you cut off Lady Endori with your less than worthless drivel, you–!"
"Calm down, Serine. You mustn't use another noble's silverware as a weapon…or anyone's for that matter; please consider how such a rash act of unbecoming violence would affect Avarice's reputation. I can handle him as I please, understand?"
"...understood."
Returning to her reasonable senses, Serine lowers her raised hand and returns the slightly soiled silverware.
"Furthermore, he is right. I wasted too much of his time trying to catch up when there are more important manners that need to be discussed at once. Yes, it was rather crass…but I can't say that I disliked it. I know that it's his way of looking out for me."
No matter what I say, her deranged mind will interpret it lustfully. At least she seems to be doing a much better job holding those emotions inwardly, but I would rather not find out her limit.
"So, you said that you knew who the culprit was if I recall. Can we start there?"
"Yes, I'll try to keep the details succinct. Recently, I had a conversation with the apostle of Fraus–he just so happens to also be the man who sent his underling to bother me about you and the demi-human child. I could sense that Pai guy had bad intentions, so I threatened to spit on him!"
"Hey, please don't spit on me as you're shouting! We are not far enough from each other at all…"
"Spit on you? I would never do something so undignified. Besides, I have a much better way of exchanging that kind of fluid with you, you know. Smwah!"
Endori blows a kiss, sending it with a wink. The receiver swats the air around him.
"I'm only kidding, of course–its okay to laugh, you know! Anyway, the apostle personally conversed with me about an upcoming festival here in Fraus; it's called the "Pristine Festival" if I'm not mistaken. I wasn't too sure about accepting his offer to attend, but I strangely felt…compelled. Ever since that conversation, it feels like something has been weighing inside my mind in an unnatural sense. It's hard for me to explain, and I apologies for any confusion, but…"
"...but?"
"That's all I have in mind. Truth be told, I was just speaking on the spur of the moment to make a strong impression as the new noble leader of Avarice. So, do you think it worked? By the looks on all of your faces, I believe it did spectacularly!"
"..."
Vex facepalms his face onto the table, the impact slightly shifts his plate and a bit of lukewarm tea spills out of its cup.
This idiot, I swear!
"Hey, what are you doing that for? I wouldn't mind receiving feedback from someone other than my maids–especially if it's coming from you."
"I think I am going to resume what I was doing before getting my time wasted here. Just taking a moment to regain my mental stability…"
Unable to hold back, Vex airs out his grievances, though the extent of its effectiveness is diluted due to his voice being muffled. In this case, the table's hearing is the most receptive to his message.
"You seem to be under the mistaken impression that this was all for naught."
"What exactly is wrong about that impression?"
"The primary reason why I told you all of this is that I have a request to ask of you. I want you to investigate."
Vex slowly lifts up his head, making eye contact with Endori with his slightly baggy eyes.
"And by 'investigate', you mean…"
"What else could I mean? Please go inside my body and find out the source of my uneasiness."
"Huh?! Why me of all people?! Ask your maids, family, guards, literally anyone else but me!"
"Who else could I ask? You are the only one I can trust with such an intimate request. After all, you have been inside my body before, so you are the best candidate for the job!"
"Don't treat me like some kind of expert on your body! It's weird, and I refuse to willingly go back for any reason, no matter how much you offer me!"
"Vex…I really think you should reconsider. This will not only help me, but it could help you resolve–"
"Absolutely not."
I had enough–I'm getting out of here!
Watching the man before her eject from his seat, Endori reacts with a sigh and a head shake.
"So it has come to this…Serine, please take it from here."
"My pleasure!"
Serine approaches Vex, putting her hand on his shoulder, forcing him back down into the chair. She pulls out a small tube with a clear liquid.
"Oh no, you wouldn't dare, you spit freak!"
"Sorry, but it's an order from my master. Enjoy your trip–try not to take too long in there!"
"!!!"
Serine gleefully smiles with a sadistic smirk, slowly pouring the substance down upon Vex like rain drops.
Dang it, I won't be able to dodge from this position. Looks like I have no other choice…but if I am forced to go back inside her body…
"??"
With a firm grip, Vex snatches Serine's arm. Her smirk fades away.
"...then I'm taking you with me!"
Vex bends her arm, causing the liquid to not only pour over his head, but hers as well. Realizing the impending doom, Serine visibly panics, her eyes stretched wide.
"Unhand me, you fool! Let me go right now, or I'll–!"
Sploink!
Across Endori's seat is now an empty space. Even though it lasted less than a second, the image of a smugly grinning man lingers in her mind as though it is still there. She places her hands on her chest, softly rubbing herself.
"I can feel him already…I never want to forget this sensation!"
She resumes eating and sipping her tea, with even more glee, rubbing her cheeks. Her graceful demeanor remains ever-present.