Chapter 137 - 137. The Confined Space and the Bird Searching for the Sky (Cecily ☆)
"…This is a dungeon, isn't it?"
"Since you claimed you could defeat the Earth Dragon King, they're being cautious. The fact that you're the strongest here right now means…"
After the dining hall, the room they gave Mash and Cecily was locked from the outside. There was a slightly musty smell. Wallpaper covered the earthen walls, and two simple beds—like the ones in the inn—were lined up. It wasn’t bad, but an indescribable dissatisfaction lingered. Had staying in castles and nobles’ mansions made me too pampered?
"Maybe they were offended that I didn’t eat that worm-like thing. If I had, things might be different…"
"That’s impossible. I'm not a fish."
Cecily shuddered, recalling the meal from earlier. Since it was underground, there were no windows, only the light of the lamp. This morning, we left the inn in Heilong for the farm, fell into a cave, and encountered the Earth Dragon Clan. How much time has passed? I tried to check the time on my phone, but the storage wouldn’t open. Furthermore, both of us were dirty from walking through the cave, so I tried to wash myself with water magic, but it didn’t work.
"The distant future, the near future, the present, the recent past, the distant past…"
Cecily murmured.
"What’s with you all of a sudden?"
"The far, the near, yet to come, passing, coming, going. Time is described in terms of distance, huh? I’ve walked a lot in the dark today. But how much distance, and time, have we really walked? Living in the dark where you can't tell what's near or far… does the concept of time disappear?"
Cecily circled the room before sitting on the bed.
"Were you thinking about the same thing as me?"
"Because Mash tried to check the time."
"At least, the distinction between day and night is gone."
Plus, there was no change in temperature. Does the sun’s warmth not reach this place? This isn’t like a dungeon. This is the world I was transported to.
"Maybe we shouldn’t go to Migul after all."
I sat next to her.
"Why?"
"What are you planning to do when you get to Migul?"
"I’m quitting this party. Going to magic school. Finding a new boyfriend. Getting citizenship and getting married."
Cecily answered smoothly. Was that a firm decision?
"What? Stay with me!"
"Then why? You have plenty of other girls already! One less wouldn’t even matter!"
"No! I won’t allow it!"
"Then don’t touch any other girls!"
"That’s impossible."
"…Then so am I. Besides…"
Cecily trailed off. She forced a smile, but it lacked energy, filled with a melancholy that didn’t suit her.
"What is it? Just say it."
"If you feel that way, you should’ve left me as a slave! Then neither Mash nor I would have to worry!"
"I don’t want any slaves! I want Cecily!"
"…If that’s the case…"
Cecily whispered.
"If that’s the case?"
"Until Migul, you’re my boyfriend, so act like one!"
Cecily leaned against me, sitting straight. I pulled her close, holding her down. I seized her lips. Her arms reached around my back. I slid my tongue inside her, savoring the taste. She tangled her tongue eagerly with mine.
"Mmph… guh… Mash…"
She swallowed the saliva I shared. For a while, we both desperately sought the other. Then we broke apart. Her eyes looked slightly watery.
"I thought you’d refuse."
"Since when? You’re my boyfriend, aren’t you?"
What had been clouding her eyes formed into a single tear trailing down her cheek. I licked it away. She had cried the first time our skin touched, too.
"Just now, you said you were going to find a new boyfriend, right?"
Cecily stared intently at me. Red eyes. A color that suited her strong personality, I thought.
"...Mash doesn’t understand anything."
"I don’t get it!"
What should I do? What words would make her answer? I was at a loss. Cecily hugged me close.
"Mash, I love you."
She said as she covered my lips with hers. Then she reached to take off my clothes. I caught her hands and our faces separated.
"Cecily, please stay with me until we reach Migul. I want us to keep traveling together as companions, like always."
"Mash, right now, just the two of us. You should hurry. Someone might come to rescue us soon."
She shook off my hands and took off her robe. Then her underwear.
"You gonna do it? Or not?"
She asked, and I took off my clothes. Naked, we embraced.
I’m confused. I don't understand her feelings at all. What is Cecily thinking? I want to know. But words fail me. I stared at her while searching for words. Cecily interrupted my thoughts by seeking a kiss. As I touched her lips, my hands caressed her body. Smooth, firm skin. A little cold, I pulled her closer to ignite the fire within her. Several scrapes from the fall into the pit marred her white skin. As I traced the scratch on her thigh, she licked the scrape on my elbow.
"Hehe, tastes like iron."
She said with a mischievous grin. I reached for her breasts. The soft feeling nudged me. With my other hand, I traced her lower lips.
"Mmm…"
Cecily moaned, twisting away.
"What?"
"I want to stay with you."
"Then let’s keep adventuring together after we reach Migul."
Cecily brought her lips closer. I responded in kind. Our tongues and saliva intertwined.
"Mash, I'm sorry. To the place you're going… I…"
Her voice cracked with tears. My hips froze.
"Cecily…"
"Don’t stop. Until the end…"
She said as she held me tightly. She moved her hips herself, inviting my thrusts.
"Mash, I just… I don’t want to follow. I want to be strong for you. But I’m not strong, so… that’s why…"
Cecily. Our eyes met. We stared at each other.
"That’s why I want to get stronger."
Thank you for reading. The like button, bookmarking, and ratings are all encouraging. Thank you for pointing out typos as always.