Chapter 21: The Beautiful Female Swordswoman (*)

Even after an unforgettable tragedy, people can only keep walking forward.

Nearly two months had passed since the march training.

February was almost over and the first hints of spring hung in the air.

That day was bright and mild too.

But inside the dean’s office at the Royal Knight Academy, an arctic blizzard raged.

The cause lay in the “Investigation Report” from the southern city of Ryune.

“What the hell is this? You can’t confirm those mercenaries?”

Her voice stayed calm, yet her eyes burned with fury.

The academy and Ryune officials who delivered the report shrank back from the silent pressure.

Sweat beading on their foreheads, they started making excuses.

“I-it’s confirmed that right before march training began, two prison wagons left Garan and entered Ryune.

The detention center in Garan and Ryune’s town hall both have records—proper procedure.

The escort soldiers and mercenaries have vanished, but mercenaries wander by nature, so…”

Reda Factlin bit her thumbnail without thinking.

Even with the goddess-blessed hero Chevalier present, two ferocious beasts appearing at once was practically zero chance.

Therefore she judged it artificial.

Circumstantial evidence existed.

But no physical proof, no testimony.

Without those, she could only call it misfortune.

Reda Factlin thought for a moment, then sighed.

“…Call the first-year top hero Kaito.

I have to tell that boy.”

Reda Factlin planted both elbows on the desk and cradled her head.

“I see.

So in short… you don’t know.”

Kaito stood straight in the dean’s office and listened to the report.

Reda Factlin nodded, face twisted with regret.

“There’s no apology that fixes this.

We cross-checked every eyewitness in Ryune, town-hall records, every highway log—zero contradictions.

The only hard fact is that the escort soldiers and mercenaries disappeared.

At this point we can only say the beast appeared by chance.”

“What’s your personal opinion, Dean?”

Reda Factlin shook her head.

“Situation alone screams man-made.

Two ferocious beasts just happening to pop up?

Normal people don’t believe that.

Someone set it up.

But without proof we can’t pursue it…”

Kaito stayed expressionless, right hand on his chin, thinking.

“…Right before training started, two prison wagons entered Ryune.

Where exactly did they come from?”

“From the eastern prisoner city ‘Garan,’ of course.

We checked Garan’s records too.

Two prisoners received southern banishment, transfer date set a month earlier.

Ryune guards confirmed the prisoners, and the wagon was recorded departing south.”

“…And after that?”

“We don’t know.

Can’t even confirm if the prisoners lived or died.”

“Not that.

Did the wagon return?”

“Of course it returned.

Two empty prison wagons are recorded—right around when we reached Luca’s settlement.

The drivers and escort mercenaries were confirmed entering Ryune.”

“How was confirmation done?”

“Gate guards checked soldiers’ names and IDs.

Mercenaries same—guild-issued cards.”

“Those soldiers and mercenaries weren’t from Ryune, right?”

“Correct.

They came from Garan…”

“So Ryune guards only looked at the presented IDs?”

“That’s how it went.

I thought the wagons were suspicious too, so I tracked the escorts.

Results… not good.”

“You couldn’t find them?

The soldiers or the mercenaries?”

Reda Factlin nodded silently.

For Kaito that was enough.

“No physical evidence.

No witnesses.

Only circumstantial.

The academy can’t investigate further.

I’m truly sorry.”

To the pained dean, Kaito shook his head.

“No, that’s plenty.

Just tell me everything you know about those soldiers and mercenaries.

The rest is my problem.”

The man she expected to explode answered calmly, face blank.

To Reda Factlin that was far scarier.

This guy was definitely planning something.

“…Kaito, from what I said you caught something, didn’t you?

You’re going to act.

Don’t.

No evidence and you’ll become a criminal.”

“Dean.

I wanted to know who killed Roksane.

Direct blame is mine, but a force orchestrated the incident.

I wanted that force.

Your story gave me a clear picture.”

“…If the escorts were switched in the south… then Empire involvement drops.

If not Empire, two possibilities: domestic nobles who fear holy knights and heroes.

And the other…”

“Velos Great Theocracy… I think this one’s high.”

“Basis?”

“Situation says the switch happened south of Ryune.

Release beasts, then enter Ryune and clean up…

The plan leans too heavily on ‘luck.’

What if guards remembered faces?

What if beasts ignored us and went home?

This plan assumes perfect fortune—like they’re masters of the goddess’s protection.”

“You’re saying the Theocracy could pull it off?”

“At least worth checking.

But not immediately.

Take leave, go to the Theocracy, ask ‘Did you kill Roksane?’—no answer comes.

Become Chevalier, gain absolute power, and then…”

Kaito stopped without finishing.

Reda Factlin didn’t press.

After short silence he bowed and left.

“Hmm.

So no decisive proof, just Kaito-san’s guess?

What are you planning now?”

First-year top holy knight Elfina Rogueia leaned both elbows on the desk, laced her fingers, rested her chin there, and stared with huge blue eyes.

Any normal man would have fallen instantly.

Kaito met those eyes head-on.

“Right now I can’t do shit.

Frustrating as hell.

But I won’t forget.

Someday I’ll make them pay every last bit…”

Vengeance flames flickered in his gaze.

Elfina narrowed her eyes slightly.

“You’re going to spend your whole life on ‘revenge’?

You called us for revenge too?

Then I refuse.

Not interested in men possessed by the past.

I won’t say forget, but you have duties as the future holy knight, right?”

In the academy lounge, window seat bathed in mild spring sun, first-year top hero Chevalier Kaito and first-year top holy knight paladin Elfina sat facing each other.

Kaito leaned in, face close.

“My holy knight was killed.

I’ll stake my life on revenge.

But I won’t live for that alone.

I want to do what no one else could, carve my name deep as hero Chevalier.”

“What no one else could… what is it?”

Elfina leaned in too, noses almost brushing, eyes locked.

Kaito whispered.

“…End the two-hundred-year war with my own hands.

For that, Elfina, I need your power.”

Elfina’s large eyes trembled faintly.

“To decide if I accept, we need to know each other better.

Best way to know each other—cross blades.”

Sofia Volfort strode in carrying two practice swords, declared it immediately, and tossed one.

Inside the classroom.

Classmates buzzed.

Kaito sighed.

Looks, tone, personality, judgment—perfect match.

Total muscle-brain.

“Hey… best way for man and woman to know each other is getting tangled on the bed, right?”

“…You still think with your dick?

My Volfort house has supplied sword instructors to the kingdom knights for generations.

Father trained me since I was little.

A sword carries its wielder’s form.

Crossing blades measures the opponent.

Take even one point from me and I’ll swear to become your holy knight on the spot.”

Sofia’s demand was insane.

Kaito was commoner-born, taught basics by neighbor Lilia, only fundamentals at the academy.

Taking a point from a master-level swordswoman was nearly impossible.

Yet Kaito nodded.

“Fine.

But my sword isn’t from any school.

Might look completely fucked to you—still okay?”

“Doesn’t matter.

Do it your way.”

They headed to the training grounds.

“I’ll go easy.

Even if you lose, if your sword isn’t twisted I’ll consider it positively.”

“Nah, from your view it’s probably twisted as hell.

Let’s go.”

Classmates circled them.

Four paces apart, swords ready.

Sofia crouched, two-handed stance.

Kaito held the hilt left-handed, sword dangling loose.

“What?

Fight seriously!”

“I am serious.

I can fuck strong knightly Sofia from behind, bam bam.

Gotta get serious.”

Kaito thrust his hips forward and back.

Sofia’s face burned with rage.

Even now this man thought that?

She’d break at least one arm.

“Then here I come!”

She closed distance—suddenly a stone flew straight at her face.

“What!”

She twisted to dodge.

But—

“There.

My win.”

Practice-sword tip pressed to her throat.

Oohs rippled through the crowd.

Sofia froze, then ground her teeth.

“Y-you cheater!”

“Cheater?

You’d say that on the battlefield?

Volfort sword only wins one-on-one, clashing nicely?

Then it’s worthless in real war.”

“Kuh…”

Words failed her.

If father or brother were here they’d declare her loss.

Strict on honor, but swordsmanship had no ‘cheating.’

Always on the battlefield—outnumbered, projectiles, poison, anything—crush it and win.

“My sword skill is nowhere near yours.

So I schemed to win.

If you call this cheating, I’m disappointed.

Thought you’d become a strong holy-knight swordswoman, but your heart’s too soft.”

“……”

Sofia dropped her sword.

Same words her brother once gave her.

(Sofia.

Talent yes, heart soft.

Battlefield has men play dead and slash from behind.

One-on-one duel and arrows fly from sides.

Poison assassins.

“Always on the battlefield” isn’t head knowledge.

It’s heart.)

“…You’re right, my heart is soft.

I assumed you’d fight fair with swords.

You said your sword is completely messed up.

I should have taken that seriously.”

“Nah, if you get that heavy about it, it’s actually awkward…”

Kaito scratched his head.

Next instant—thud—an elbow slammed into his gut.

Sofia slipped inside at blinding speed.

Breath cut off, he dropped to one knee.

“Gofuh… y-you…”

“I never said one point only.

Never admitted defeat.

Borrowing your words—dropping the sword was a scheme to drop your guard.

Now we’re even.”

Kaito rubbed his stomach and took the offered hand.

A white back slowly traced upward by tongue tip.

Reached the nape.

Then slid down neck to collarbone.

Hands circled from behind, cupping firm breasts, savoring their spring.

The woman lifted her chin, letting out a sweet, heavy sigh.

“Hah… aaah…”

Twitch!

Her body jerked.

Daily training gave her upper body a perfect inverted triangle—yet smooth, feminine, soft skin.

“Just as I thought… Sofia, you’re magnificent both as swordswoman and woman…”

Man’s hands stayed endlessly lewd.

Every fingertip made her body answer with raw lust.

They wouldn’t go all the way—she accepted the condition and climbed onto the bed.

Thought intimacy would help them know each other.

What she never expected was reacting this hard just from his touch.

“Z-zcheat… Kaito… you used some weird trick, didn’t you?”

“No, I’m touching normal.

You’re feeling it ‘cause you’re a woman.

Manly tone, knightly attitude—doesn’t matter.

Sofia, you’re female.

Body knows when a man holds it.”

“Kuhh… w-who’s feeling anything!”

Even while saying it she twisted.

Nipple pinched.

Electricity shot down her spine.

Before she had felt some unknown heat and always burned it off swinging her sword.

But the flame now scorching her couldn’t be quenched.

No defense against his caresses.

“Ah… aaah…”

Nipple pinched, tugged.

Then pushed, areola stroked.

Hot hard length pressed to her back.

Urged, Sofia reached behind with her right hand and gripped it.

“Nn… ah, so hot…”

Left fingertips slid down.

From navel, slipping lower.

Spread closed thighs, accepted.

Past blue bush, invading untouched flower garden.

“Hiiiii…!”

First pleasure arched her back; she leaned into him.

Left middle finger slid through slick heat.

“Even one finger’s tight.

Yet it’s wriggling, begging deeper…?”

Whispered at her ear, finger slowly withdrew, then pushed back in.

Gripping his throbbing cock, Sofia cried out in raw pleasure.

“Admit it.

Right now you’re feeling my finger.

That’s a female’s joy.”

“D-different… I’m not… feeling it…”

Mouth denied while her flower garden leaked thick female scent, squish squish lewd water sounds filling the room.

Earlobe sucked, breasts kneaded, pussy fingered.

The beautiful swordswoman was already helpless in his hands.

Chin gripped, turned.

Eyes met.

Lips approached.

They overlapped; Sofia closed her eyes.

“If you’re not feeling it, I can tease harder, right?”

Man kept teasing her mercilessly.

Laid on her back, both breasts sucked.

“Nnnn…!”

Lower lip bitten, she tried to endure.

His hand stroked flank to hip bone.

Sweet ache spread through lower belly.

Womb throbbed, craving male.

Tongue crawled from right calf to knee to inner thigh.

Legs opened naturally.

Wet slit poked by tongue tip, clit rolled.

“Hiiiaaaah!”

Just that made Sofia cum lightly.

Flower garden gushed sweet honey.

He drank it; pleasure crashed again and again.

Both hands fisted in his hair, she moaned, voice dripping lust.

“D-damn… something’s coming… rising up!”

Tsunami from deep inside.

His tongue moved faster.

Drinking honey, hands stroking thighs, then kneading breasts.

Clutching his arms, Sofia drowned in unknown ecstasy.

Suddenly his face lifted, nose glistening with her juices.

“How’s that?

Feeling it?”

“I-I-I’m not…”

“Not honest at all.”

He smirked and dove back in.

The brief pause drove her insane.

While he drank her, the swordswoman’s eyes watered and she cried out.

“Kuh… so frustrating… but… but… I’m cumming—aaaahhh!”

Waves swallowed her; Sofia drowned in her very first climax.

“T-this is a man’s…”

Staring at the rigid, towering cock, Sofia hesitated.

While he licked her lower lips he urged her.

Slender white fingers wrapped around it; tongue flicked out, licking clear pre-cum from the tip.

“A little bitter… but not bad.”

She licked bolder—tip to ridge—then took him in her mouth.

Sixty-nine position, her dripping pussy right in his face.

Petals spread, clit rolled.

Lost in dizzying pleasure, she bobbed her head to service the hot shaft.

(This… this is going inside me… I want it.

My body wants this…)

Womb clenched with need while she sucked mindlessly.

Tongue sliding tip to base, sucking pre-cum, throat taking him deep.

“Fuuuunnn…”

He started fingering her in time with her head movements.

Felt like the cock in her mouth was fucking her.

Sofia moved bolder, head rising and falling faster.

(It’s coming… coming… that pleasure again—!)

Head went white.

At the same moment his hips jerked, cock pulsed.

Hot lava flooded her mouth.

Body drowning in sweet ecstasy, Sofia swallowed every drop of his thick cum.