This castle truly is built with only defence in mind. The hall interior wasnt as magnificent as the royal palace. They used fire-torches for lighting.
I watched the mercenaries in front of me laughing happily as they pulled their swords out from the troops bodies. I kept Freya close by to ensure our safety and thereby didnt charge in first.
The first group of people to charge over screaming were shot down.
Only then did I go over, bringing with me the remaining mercenaries as we killed our way through.
All of the troops were eliminated, and we had lost half of the mercenaries, too.
The mercenaries charged towards the interior of the castle like madmen. They tied up the crying maids and servants before tossing them into the hall.
I ignored them. They can do as they please. I did tell them not to hurt the innocent.
It looks like the maids cant compare to gold and items worth money.
I climbed the stairs as fast as I could. I dont know where Nier is, but I should be right about the Popes location.
The door is locked, onii-sama!
Move!
Freya stepped aside from the door of the room right at the top.
I poured my last fire potion on the door from the top, burning the timber door down, and quickly reducing it to a pile of charcoal. I kicked the door open and rushed in. I looked around the room and then saw a leg under the table trembling.
I ran over and dragged him out well, that was my plan because I discovered that I couldnt get the fat-ass to move
The pope hid underneath the empty space below the table and trembled. He was so fat he filled the entire space.
I kicked him in the face, and he cried out in pain.
With his nose bleeding, he shouted, Your Majesty! Your Majesty!! What are you doing?! What are you doing?! We did not do any-, argh!!!
I kicked him in his face again, but harder this time, and then asked, Wheres Nier?
What?! Argh!!!
His bloodied-teeth dropped onto the ground after I boot him in the face a third time. He cried and crawled on the ground while shouting, In the basement! The basement! I have the key! I have the key! Its hanging on the wall! Its the longest one! The basement is under the carpet in the hall! Its right in the centre!! Please! Your Majesty! Dont kill me! Dont kill me! Please give this old man a chance to see his grandchildren! Dont kill me! I didnt do anything to Nier! It was all that merchant! It was all that merchant!!
Is that right? Congratulations on keeping your life then. Otherwise, Ill chop off whichever hand you touched Nier with. Now get fucked!
I kicked him in the balls and ran to the wall. I snatched the longest key off the wall then ran down. I grabbed my head due to the intense pain in my head.
Freya looked at me, and then looked at the clouds outside clearing with concern. She exclaimed, Onii-sama! We must hurry! Not only is the full moon about to come out, the churchs knights in the vicinity should be here very soon! If we get stuck here well be done for!
I know! I know!
I hammered my head hard and then staggered a few steps before sprinting down the winding stairs.
We arrived back at the hall. I shouted at the tied-up maids. I pulled the thick carpet away with one hand and then looked for the ring that would allow me to lift the lid to the basement. I put the key into the hole and turned it to hear it click.
I pulled open the lid, which was like a brick, and climb down the ladder.
As I went to descend, the leader of the mercenaries called out to me.
I looked up and saw him come over. He handed me a long-sword he was holding, chuckled and said, Boss, we wont be going down to the basement. Take care of yourself.
Ah
Dont be moved. Its just that we wont get our payment if you die. He casually waved his hand, and I saw several gold necklaces around his neck.
I chuckled and then continued to climb down the ladder.
Down below was a pitch-black corridor with only sporadic light from a fire at the end of it. Although its called a basement, its still at sea-level.
I know that since I could see a big, dark forest opposite us through the tiny window.
Are you still going to reject me? Are you still resisting when you can feel a mans breath brush your skin? Look at how desperately your body wants it. Are you still going to resist?
He slapped Nier in the face with his hand covered in a transparent liquid.
Nier desperately tried to get her body to move. She herself couldnt tell if her body was moving to resist, or to pursue that ecstatic feeling.
Niers body was slightly flushed red. She let out sensual moans from time to time while the brick floor, that was always wet, made her blood runny. Nier pressed her legs together tightly.
Even though the merchant was worked up, he couldnt separate her legs.
You bastard!! Dont touch me!!!
High and mighty, huh?!! Come on, act high and mighty with me! Im dead-meat anyway! Im going to ruin you! You think you can still stay by his majestys side after this?! Im going to ruin you!!
No! No! Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!
Niers cries were accompanied by her tears.
She ran out of her last ounce of energy. Nier watched the man kneeling in front of her pull apart her last line of defence.
Her lower abdomen throbbed as if it were resisting and begging to be spared.
Im going to ruin you! Im going to ruin you! Im going to ruin you!!! Lets die together! Lets die together
The merchants voice began to resemble nothing like that of a humans. One of his eyes was dripping with blood while the other was filled with insanity.
Nier looked at him with horror. She was really scared now. He was right. He was doomed, but if he continues this and ruins her before he dies, not only will she never be able to marry his majesty, she also wont even get to remain as a Valkyrie.
No!! No!! Dont!! Please! Dont! Dont!!! Let go of me! Let go of me! I am His Majestys! No one is allowed to touch me!!
Nier cried as she desperately wiggled her body. She hopelessly struggled. She was scared, in despair, and she didnt know what to do. She had no idea what to do. She didnt want to leave She didnt want to leave His Majesty. She loved him. She didnt want to lose her chastity to anyone but His Majesty. She is His Majestys! No one is to touch her!
Haha! So youre finally begging, huh?! Youre finally begging?! Too late! Its too late! Argh!!
I huffed and puffed as I watched my sword stab through the merchants back from behind.
His body fell to the side like a torn sheet of cloth.
I rushed over, saw Nier crying on the ground and pulled her tightly into my embrace.
Nier leaned on my shoulder lifelessly.
Her courage and determination were gone from her eyes. All that was left in her eyes was the fear and despair of a girl.
She leaned on my shoulder and cried loudly.
I hugged her tightly, and my tears coursed down my face as I myself quivered. I was scared. I was honestly scared. I was scared to death. What would have happened to Nier if I was one step or one moment late? I didnt dare to imagine what would have become of her.
Dont be scared dont be scared Nier dont be scared Ive come to save you Im here Sorry sorry Im late sorry
Your Majesty Your Majesty I was so scared I scared that Id never see you again Your Majesty Your Majesty!!
I hugged Nier and the big boulder weighing on my chest finally went away. I cried out loud to let out all my tension and fear.
The two of us held each other tightly while kneeling on the ground and crying.
This truly was one hell of a strange rescue operation. The person making the rescue was more afraid than the one being rescued.
I didnt know what I was saying anymore. My lips were trembling and my mind was blank as I spoke.
Nier weakly leaned on me and cried painfully. She didnt have her usual seriousness and coldness at that moment. She hugged me tightly like she was afraid I would leave.
I, too, was afraid I wouldnt see her again. I had lost Mera, and I didnt want to lose Nier, too. I finally saved Nier. I could finally protect the people around me.
I took off my cape and wrapped it tightly around Nier. I then took in a deep breath to recollect my blank mind. While I was still trembling, I said, Lets go. Lets get out of here. Nier, Ill take you home
I picked Nier up, and she wrapped her arms around my neck. She closed her eyes and her body just flopped into my arms like she didnt have joints. She softly said, Alright Your Majesty lets go home lets go home