Salvation Through Delusion C116

Chapter 116

I didn’t know about myself, but he definitely didn’t look like the type to starve a pig. I barely held back my urge to snark and shrugged.

“It’s punishment.”

“What punishment, when you didn’t do anything wrong?”

“Well, going somewhere I shouldn’t have—”

“Whatever kind of treatment you received in Adeye, you’re someone who will become the Duchess here. In this place, there’s nothing you’re forbidden from doing—except one thing.”

That was supposed to be touching, but it only made me feel more burdened. If I was allowed to do anything, then I really would become the Duchess. And every privilege comes with responsibility and obligation.

I swallowed the words I’d rather be punished.

Then Tyroc continued, calmly guessing,

“And you came into the fog because of the people gathered in front of the estate. You wanted to see the curse for yourself.”

That wasn’t it at all. I’d heard all paths to Acorn Forest were blocked, so I was checking whether there was a route through the fog. Feeling like I was lying by omission, I turned my head—only for him to misunderstand it completely.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Well, um—then am I allowed to enter the fog? To see Koon’s curse with my own eyes?”

“You want to see it?”

If I said yes, it felt like he’d nod without hesitation—and that made it heavier. I wasn’t a real Savior. I had no idea how to lift a curse. When I hesitated, he stated flatly,

“I don’t expect you to break it.”

“Why not?”

“Because that’s my responsibility.”

The way he said it sounded strangely practiced. Like someone who’d carried every hardship alone to reach this point.

“I can detect black magic, so I might be of some help. And if nothing else, I can help hunt down and beat up a black mage.”

He smiled again, his gaze oddly ticklish. Embarrassed, I hurriedly changed the subject.

“Then what’s the one thing I’m not allowed to do here?”

“The promise written in the contract you want.”

The word contract jolted my will awake. According to it, I had one job: follow the Koon family’s rules and live faithfully as a spouse.

Broad as that was, I swallowed my complaints. Until I got that contract, I’d be Kim Dutiful incarnate.

“You could say I was born to uphold the Koon family rules.”

My blatant flattery made him smile again. But why did it still feel like he didn’t trust me? I shook the bell a little harder.

“And I’m really very diligent, too—”

“Adeye Rue? Diligent?”

No—Manager Kim! Damn it. I swallowed a curse and forced a smile.

“Well, I’m getting married now. I think marriage suits me. I suddenly want to be very diligent.”

“And hearing that, the contract—”

The contract? And then? I leaned forward so far I nearly toppled, but the rest never came. Instead, his gaze slid down my leg and stopped at my ankle.

“Are you hurt?”

His voice sharpened. Following his gaze, I looked down at my stance. Trying not to move my injured leg must have looked unnatural.

“Just twisted it a bit. Anyway—about the contract—”

“Later.”

“No, we should discuss it now—what are you doing?!”

I yelped as Tyroc suddenly dropped to one knee and lifted my foot into his hands. I tried to pull back, but my ankle shifted and pain shot through it.

“Ugh.”

“Here?”

“Y-yes, there, so don’t touch—”

“Why?”

“Because it hurts!”

He ignored me, even slipping off my shoe and setting my foot on his knee.

“It’s swollen, but not broken.”

“Yes, so just leave it—oh?”

My protest turned into surprise. His palm covered my ankle, warmth spreading through it as the pain faded.

[Those who wield a divine beast’s power possess basic healing abilities.]

Mo explained before I could gasp. Healing too? I thought only high-ranking clergy had that.

“So I can also borrow a divine beast’s power, I’m a swordmaster, and I can heal?” This man was absurd.

“You’re looking at me like I’m a monster.”

“No—just impressed.”

“I can only dull simple pain.”

True enough, my ankle was still swollen and weak. Still, it was a miracle. Useful for sudden headaches or toothaches, at least.

I stared at Tyroc in awe. Maybe I was too obvious—he suddenly laughed under his breath and brushed his hair back.

“…This is driving me crazy.”

Crazy? I immediately suggested,

“Then try putting your hand on your own head. Might help.”

“It won’t. To fix it—”

He cut himself off and slowly turned to me.

“I’d need a more certain method. You want your ankle fully healed too?”

“Of course. I couldn’t walk back to the estate. But do you have herbs?”

I asked without thinking—and then noticed his gaze had changed. Luckily, I was perceptive. And Mo was even more so.

[In Tuvine, sexual intercourse is believed to have healing effects.]

Right. That was why people here were so unrestrained—believing shared energy improved the body.

I still didn’t quite buy it, but he clearly meant exactly that. I had no intention of running away. In fact, hadn’t I been waiting for this?

Still, it wasn’t what I expected. I’d imagined it would start like a battle—tense, loud, clashing wills.

Instead, it was quiet. Suffocatingly so. In the silence, his hand moved like a shadow—slowly from my ankle to my knee.

“Much more effective than herbs.”

He murmured lowly, his hand sliding higher. His large hand engulfed my thigh—but he didn’t grip it.

That made the slow movement even more sensitive. Unable to look away, I quietly ordered Mo,

‘Mo, sleep mode.’

[Sleep mode allows system maintenance, which takes approximately one day. Postpone maintenance?]

More than a day. His hand, which had paused, slid inward along my upper thigh. The movement was small, but it felt like my whole body was being overtaken.

It struck me—why didn’t his touch feel unpleasant? No need to analyze it now. It was fortunate, whatever the reason.

‘Mo, it’s fine. It’ll take me more than a day too.’

I had no intention of backing down from a fight Tyroc started. But to understand my opponent, I needed to know his tendencies.

Dominant, or submissive?

Not violence—just inclination. I believed everyone leaned slightly one way or the other.

Of course, one might assume Tyroc was dominant. But those in high positions often hid the opposite nature beneath public masks.

Perhaps relief came from shedding tension and responsibility.

And I hoped—no, prayed—he was like that. So I wouldn’t fall completely into this relationship.

I leaned more toward submission myself. Knowing this wasn’t real made it easier to play the dominant role. So I said coolly,

“That spot doesn’t hurt.”

“It has to be done this way to heal.”

“You’re treating an ankle through a thigh?”

“No. Inside you. By ramming my cock in.”

He said something obscene in the calmest tone imaginable. Shameless harassment—but it didn’t disgust me. Ridiculously, my body reacted.

A sharp shiver crawled from my rear entrance up my spine. His hand hadn’t moved at all—just hearing it was enough.

I’d always relied on direct stimulation before. Heat blooming from the back was unfamiliar.

Confusing, fascinating—and troublesome. Not because I disliked it, but because I felt like I’d enjoy it too much.

I shifted my gaze from his hand to between his legs and replied,

“Then you shouldn’t hurt that cock. If you can’t ram it, the treatment won’t work. Take good care of it.”

I lifted my head as I advised him—and met a slowly curving smile. Watching it bloom, I found myself staring, entranced.