Chapter 25: Ruined

The girl prayed silently…

“Alright,” Larvia replied calmly.

‘She actually bought it?’

Chloe tilted her head, studying Larvia for a few seconds.

Seeing no suspicious reaction, she cheered inwardly.

‘Score!’

“But aren’t you the human Sword Saint, and I’m your mortal enemy? Is it really okay to come to me for cuddles?”

Larvia’s tone grew even more teasing.

“Well…” Chloe thought for a moment. “That was then, this is now. I’m just here to keep up the lie I told Silia.”

‘Tch, why’d I mention the lie again?’

She couldn’t keep bringing it up. If Larvia noticed the holes in her story, she’d be in trouble.

“By the way, what are you reading? What’s so urgent you’re working this late?”

“Come see for yourself.”

“Huh?”

Chloe blinked.

“A little maid like me can look at that?”

“Just look. Don’t tell anyone.”

“But I’m the human Sword Saint, your enemy?”

“So what?”

Larvia smiled faintly.

“But there’s no chair for you.”

“No problem, I’ll stand.”

Chloe said casually, climbing off the bed.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Hm?”

Chloe tilted her head, confused by Larvia’s words.

“Hehe…”

Larvia turned around for the first time.

She patted her lap, beckoning Chloe.

Cluck, cluck, cluck.

Chloe’s face turned bright red.

After a long hesitation, she stiffly turned away.

“No way.”

“But didn’t you say you came to pick up my scent?” Larvia smirked slyly. “If you don’t get close, it might not be strong enough. We’re sleeping late tonight, so cuddle time’s shorter.”

“Ugh…”

‘She… kinda has a point?’

Chloe slowly approached Larvia.

Deep down, in a place even she didn’t notice, a tiny part of her was looking forward to it.

“Guh…”

As she touched Larvia’s lap, a faint fragrance filled her nose, making her cheeks flush.

“Relax, relax…” Larvia whispered, sensing Chloe’s tension.

“Don’t stay so far. How’ll you get my scent if you’re not close?”

As she spoke, Larvia moved her left hand from the desk to Chloe’s waist.

With a gentle pull, Chloe leaned back, melting into Larvia’s soft chest.

“Ugh…”

Feeling the softness behind her, Chloe’s eyes narrowed comfortably.

‘So cozy…’

“Zzz…”

“What, asleep? Didn’t you want to see the letter?”

“…Huh?”

Half-asleep, Chloe jolted awake.

‘What am I doing?!’

‘Right, I was supposed to look at the letter. How’d I almost fall asleep?’

She shook her head, focusing on the open letter on the desk.

“Tarrilberg… sounds familiar…” Chloe muttered, something clicking.

“Of course it does. That’s where I beat you, in the wilderness outside Tarrilberg.”

“Guh, don’t bring that up.”

Chloe shot Larvia a pouty glare.

“So? What’s up with Tarrilberg?”

“The human army’s attacking. They’ve clashed outside the city several times.”

“And? Why’d humans suddenly attack Tarrilberg? Sounds like they sent a lot of people.”

“Tch.”

Thwack!

“Ow! That hurts!” Chloe clutched her head, tears glistening. “Why’d you hit me?!”

“Stop saying ‘and’ every time! Use that little brain of yours instead of just asking!” Larvia said, exasperated.

“Oh.”

Chloe wiped her tears, lowered her head, and thought about why the humans were attacking.

A few seconds later, she threw up her hands and dove into Larvia’s arms.

“Can’t figure it out. Just tell me.”

“Idiot.”

Larvia grabbed Chloe’s cheeks, tugging them until she squealed.

“You’re the human Sword Saint! How can you not get this?”

“I-I only know how to fight! I don’t get this stuff! Besides, if I can ask you, why bother thinking…?”

Chloe was on the verge of tears.

If she were that smart, she wouldn’t have lived so simply, barely scraping by to stay independent.

Larvia sighed, spreading her hands.

‘She’s hopeless.’

‘I thought I’d keep an eye on her, but looks like the throne’s still Silia’s.’

Though Silia wasn’t exactly worry-free either.

Larvia rubbed the back of her head.

‘It’s fine. Silia’s only 14. She’s got time to grow into someone responsible and sharp.’

‘But this one’s a lost cause.’

Chloe was over 20 in her human life.

To be this clueless after 20 years? Might as well bury her.

Curiosity struck Larvia.

How did someone like Chloe climb from the bottom to nobility and stay honest for years? A miracle.

“So why are they attacking? Tell me!” Chloe pressed.

“Think about it. You ‘died’ between Tarrilberg and the human empire. Why would they attack there?”

“For revenge?”

“Wow, little Chloe, you’re so smart for figuring that out.”

Larvia deadpanned, each word dripping with sarcasm.

“Stop teasing me!”

“Who’s teasing? I’m praising you.”

“You… ugh, you’re so annoying!”

Chloe smacked Larvia’s shoulder in frustration.

Realizing she needed to change the topic, she asked, “How many people did the humans send?”

“Three fourth-tier mages and a fifth-tier mage general leading them.”

“That’s a lot!” Chloe was surprised. “But with vampire strength, they don’t need an urgent letter for reinforcements, right?”

“True. It’s not about reinforcements. They found something else and want me to investigate.”

Larvia didn’t elaborate, shifting gears.

“Alright, I’m almost done with the reply. Go lie in bed.”

“Oh.”

Five minutes later.

“Still not done?” Chloe’s face was half-buried in the covers. “I warmed the bed for you.”

“Almost, almost…”

Facing away from the white fluff ball in her bed, Larvia smiled.