Chapter 170

What is this? A red dragon polymorphed into a human or something?

Could be. If it’s a dragon, everything makes sense – suddenly becoming the continent’s greatest swordsman and then disappearing just as suddenly. Though he seems kinda inexperienced when it comes to fun. Not even bothering to hide his blood scent.

“Is the illustrious Blood Rose Liliard behind me? Am I correct?”

“Oh my, is that me? What an honor that such a handsome gentleman knows my name~”

“Hmm… doesn’t seem like someone who should be called a gentleman.”

Liliard looked down at me with a sinister smile. She seems rather light-hearted and cheerful.

A sword hangs from her curvaceous waist. It looks like one of those famous dwarven-made blades – even though the blade is still sheathed, you can tell it’s an exceptional sword.

Though… why does it feel like she’s wearing clothes that don’t quite fit?

For instance, there aren’t many fingerprints on the hilt. It might be a new sword she just acquired recently.

“Just because someone has a handsome face doesn’t make them a gentleman.”

Saying that, Liliard extended her hand, trying to stroke my cheek rudely.

I have no intention of letting her do that. Only Maria gets to touch me. Twisting my waist into a limbo pose, I dodged away.

Liliard’s hand flailed awkwardly in the air.

“Ooh, did my sudden petting make you uncomfortable?”

“Hmm? Who are you and how did you dodge?”

“It was obvious, so I dodged. The reason? It was unpleasant.”

“I didn’t put much speed into it… but that shouldn’t be a speed a mere student could dodge, right? How about I test you again?”

Shhh-

I tilted my head to the side. Where my head had been just moments ago, Liliard’s palm now hovered.

Her smile deepened. Did she find me interesting?

“Interesting, are you?”

“Sorry, not interested. Are you aware how rude you’re being?”

“I merely thought you were cute and wanted to pet you?”

“These days, we call that sexual harassment.”

“Sexual harassment? Hmm…”

Liliard let out a strange moan. Her crimson eyes turned even redder.

The atmosphere grew sticky with an unsettling energy. The sharp metallic smell mixed with a pinkish fragrance creating an odd sensation of pleasure. My mind began drifting into a surreal haze.

Ah, what a beautiful female. If being mesmerized feels like this… Liliard just standing there is incredibly alluring. I feel an overwhelming urge to pounce and ravage her.

“So, if both parties enjoy it, it’s fine, right?”

At that, I took a step forward in a trance-like state, charging directly at Liliard.

Hmph, Liliard let out a snort and raised her hand, seemingly ready to touch my face as I charged.

I won’t refuse. I charged without hesitation.

Liliard’s smile widened. Her palm made contact with my face, sending a cold tingling sensation across my skin.

Simultaneously.

Pffft!

“Aaaaah!”

I unleashed a punch, striking Liliard’s right ribcage with gale-force power. It hit perfectly, delivering a blow that would be hard to endure.

Liliard screamed from the sudden attack. But I wasn’t finished. I had no intention of ending it here.

Crack!

“Aaaaah! You insane human!”

I headbutted Liliard’s chin. Blood spurted from her mouth where she had bitten her tongue.

However, the blood didn’t hit the ground.

“Damn it, shit.”

The liquid slowly returned to Liliard’s mouth against gravity. Though she seemed to fall, she bizarrely rose back up with a groan.

“Are you a vampire? Or since you used charm, maybe you’re a mare? Half-human mare? Or just a mare?”

“Guh… w-what are you… how did you resist my charm…!”

“My heart already belongs to someone else. Who told you to go around touching someone who’s taken?”

After the brief exchange, Liliard took a deep breath to compose herself.

Should I press the advantage while she’s recovering? No, my face still stings from where she touched me earlier. As the continent’s greatest swordsman, if she goes all out, this whole area will be devastated.

Such surprise attacks won’t work again like they did just now.

“W-wha…”

Frey, who had witnessed the entire exchange, let out a groan beside us. She seemed terrified, her legs trembling uncontrollably. Watching high-level combat up close certainly has that effect.

Now that I think about it, Maria asked me to look after Frey, didn’t she? Though I’m not particularly inclined to help…

“Frey, put some strength in your legs. You’re supposed to be a hero candidate; don’t be so shaken by just this.”

I supported Frey by holding her shoulder. She was greatly surprised.

“What?! Wh-what’s your game!”

“Huh? Game? I was just helping.”

“You wouldn’t help me purely out of kindness! What do you want? More information?”

“…My reputation has really hit rock bottom. Well, considering I did hit you first, it’s understandable.”

Still, my hand on her arm made Frey’s legs tremble even more violently. It’s a fear ingrained in her body.

Can’t be helped. I held her firmly to prevent her from falling.

“Let go! What are you doing!”

“Frey, I’m just making sure you don’t fall. We’re friends, right?”

“Who said we’re friends! We’re enemies!”

Frey struggled frantically, but it was adorable flailing.

“Huff… Ah, my head’s spinning.”

While I was supporting Frey, Liliard regained her composure and sighed deeply.

“That punch really stung. Who taught you? And did you learn to throw the first punch without warning too?”

“Now that’s rich coming from someone who uses charm so naturally. Do you think I don’t know what happens if you suck the wrong kind of energy? I’m not stupid.”

“That you know that is even more surprising. So what do you do? Isn’t the hero supposed to be the strongest among humans?”

Probably true. Pure combat strength-wise.

No matter how weak the hero may seem, they’re still the hero. Among 18-year-old humans, they would likely display the greatest fighting ability.

Yet someone who knows that would recklessly use charm magic?

Definitely not human then. A human wouldn’t disregard another human life so casually.

“I’m just a regular freshman. Is there a problem with that?”

“Freshman my ass! You broke my ribs!”

“Hmm, I should’ve broken the other side too. Too bad.”

“If you had, you’d be dead already.”

“We won’t know until we finish this.”

Seems like a succubus. The blood scent affecting my nose since I first met her, and the level of charm that can influence me – such traits are rare.

Was she one of the powerful succubi from my past life? The only one I remember is Lilith, the Western Duchess who was also a fellow queen.

Wait, isn’t her name Liliard? Come to think of it, I don’t recall seeing Lilith and Liliard together in my past life. Could she be Lilith?

Anyway, it looks like we’ll end up fighting again. Whatever she is, one thing is certain – this succubus has an extraordinary temper. Despite getting beaten up just now, she’s not backing down. Need to leave soon.

Though I’m worried about leaving Frey with such an insane succubus, she’s not male so her energy should be safe. She probably won’t mistreat Frey as a guardian either.

Hmm, or will she? Considering she tried to take my energy despite being an academy student…

Eh, not my problem.

Maria asked me to take care of her, but if Frey stays out of my sight, there’s no need for me to bother. Hurriedly, I stepped back and left Frey’s room.

“Hey! Where are you going?! Wait, the charm isn’t working anymore? Did you develop resistance already? What kind of guy are you?!”

“Anyway, Frey! Remember you’re registered as a magic club member now!”

“Ugh…”

After Evans left in such a reckless manner…

Frey remained alone in the small dormitory room, watching the space he had vacated with a vacant gaze. Soon after, a chilly and sticky hand grazed her neck teasingly.

“Hero-sama, who was that child just now~?”

“Damn…”

“I didn’t know there could be humans that strong. Who is he? Could that kid be the one from back then?”

‘At least I learned Joker didn’t summon Queen… sigh. What should I do from here…’

Reflecting back, Evans was practically a goddess compared to the succubus queen. With a chilling breath brushing her earlobes, Frey bitterly thought to herself.

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