Chapter 73: The Sister’s Reward

Lee Hyun-woo and Lorein truly set out to subdue the werewolves together.

The result was overwhelming.

‘So strong…!’

Lorein faced each attacking werewolf one by one.

Then, Lee Hyun-woo intercepted monsters from a distance with magic.

The relentless onslaught of formidable firepower caused the werewolves to fall before they could even get close.

At this sight, Lorein gulped down her saliva.

‘I knew a magician was impressive, but to think that just the two of us could fight like this…!’

Of course, this was due to Lee Hyun-woo’s exceptionally high skill level.

What she was doing was perhaps just a supporting role.

But in the combination of a knight and a magician, this wasn’t particularly unusual.

Protecting a magician who is chanting spells is considered one of the most important tasks for a knight on the battlefield.

‘Most of all…it’s fun…!’

For Lorein, being surrounded by monsters in real combat like this was a first.

And doing so alongside an outstanding magician like Lee Hyun-woo was quite a stroke of luck.

Swinging her sword, she could feel her own skill.

With each monster she brought down, she could feel her techniques being effective.

Lorein, who had virtually led a hero’s party alone under Lee Hyun-woo’s tutelage.

Her swordsmanship was effective even against monsters.

And each time, Lorein felt a thrilling euphoria.

-Boom!!

Lee Hyun-woo’s magic exploded against a werewolf that was leaping towards them.

Perhaps because they were fully aware of each other’s abilities.

Having him fight alongside her felt incredibly reliable.

‘…So this is what it’s like to fight together.’

Lorein, who had always felt loneliness, had never truly experienced the feeling of fighting together, even at the academy.

But Lee Hyun-woo was a reliably trustworthy partner.

The fact that they were overcoming difficulties together repeatedly uplifted Lorein’s heart.

A strange emotion filled her heart.

“Haah…! Haah…!”

How intensely had they fought?

There were no monsters left in the surroundings.

Lorein looked around for a moment and was certain.

They had really defeated the entire horde of monsters with just the strength of the two of them.

‘…We did it!’

Lorein clenched her fist.

A threat that would have required borrowing a knight’s order from another domain.

She had vanquished it with her own hands.

Lorein’s lifelong goal of protecting the domain in place of her father.

She felt a sense of accomplishment that tingled up her spine.

“Huh…!”

Suddenly, she shivered from the coldness she felt on her nape.

Turning around, she saw Lee Hyun-woo, who had approached silently, offering her water.

“You did well.”

“…You scared me.”

“The hero of Armeina shouldn’t be scared that easily.”

“…Hero?”

“With such achievements, isn’t it fitting to be called a hero?”

“Shouldn’t you be called the hero? After all, you brought down most of them.”

“Then let’s call it a joint heroism.”

“Haha… Right.”

Lorein smiled and accepted the water.

Hearing it spoken aloud, there was a rising sense of pride and accomplishment.

‘…It’s all thanks to Hyun-woo.’

Truly, without him, such an unthinkable feat would have been impossible.

Armeina’s domain would have been forced to resort to borrowing a knight order.

And she would likely have been in despair, blocked by walls to her growth even amidst that.

Meeting Hyun-woo was undoubtedly a great fortune.

“Hey, wait a minute. Are you hurt?”

Suddenly, Lorein’s gaze fell on Hyun-woo’s shoulder.

There were signs of an attack there.

“Ah, it’s okay. This much is nothing in real combat.”

“But, still, you never know!”

“Really, I’m fine, so don’t worry.”

Despite Hyun-woo’s words, Lorein’s face remained serious.

How could it not be?

The very reason Hyun-woo pushed himself was to avoid burdening the domain.

‘…Hyun-woo didn’t need to go this far.’

Lorein bore the name ‘Armeina.’

As a noble, it’s her duty to strive to protect her domain.

That’s why she didn’t hesitate to throw herself into danger to save a child.

But Hyun-woo was different.

He was just a guest who had briefly stopped by.

Even if Hyun-woo wanted to fight hard, it was her position to dissuade him.

Lorein realized this belatedly.

‘…I forgot the basics because Hyun-woo was too easygoing.’

Above all, protecting a magician on the field was the role of a knight.

Yet, she failed to even notice he was injured, let alone protect him.

Lorein’s heart grew heavier.

“…I’m sorry. I should have been more attentive.”

“It’s really okay. Facing that many monsters, this is an honorable wound.”

Hyun-woo smiled lightly, as if to comfort Lorein.

His smile made her feel even more apologetic, yet at the same time, grateful.

How could she ever repay this debt…

With her current situation, Lorein couldn’t even think of a way.

“Anyway, shall we go back now? We need to report the subjugation to Lady Priscilla.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Lorein nodded.

After all, they had safely completed the monster subjugation.

She felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

The duo who reported in were greeted with Priscilla’s scolding.

It was reckless to take on a task requiring a knight’s order with just the two of them.

Hyun-woo was a guest of the domain, and Lorein was the daughter of the lord.

Normally, even participating would require consultation.

That’s why they deliberately left without saying anything.

Fortunately, since the outcome was good, Priscilla didn’t blame them too harshly.

It was a fact that the two had achieved a great feat.

Having finished their report, Lorein took a light bath and returned to her room.

“Phew, I’m a bit tired.”

Still, knowing the threat to the domain was gone lightened her heart.

From tomorrow, the people of the domain will likely return to their peaceful daily lives.

That alone made the effort worthwhile.

‘Let’s forget everything and rest for today.’

-Knock, knock.

Just then, she heard a knock on the door.

Tilting her head curiously, she told the person to come in, and it was Hyun-woo.

“Excuse me.”

“Huh? Hyun-woo? What’s up?”

Was there something more to say about the monster subjugation?

Or about compensation for the aftermath?

But Hyun-woo, surpassing Lorein’s thoughts, answered as if it were obvious.

“You haven’t had your massage for today.”

“What, what? Wait a minute!”

Lorein jumped up in surprise.

Even so, this wasn’t right.

“After fighting like that…no, you even got hurt. And now a massage…what are you talking about?”

“I told you before. Now, in the beginning, is the time to focus on receiving it. Even missing one day could have side effects.”

“Still, not like this. You should rest too, just for today. Don’t worry about me-”

“My Lady.”

Hyun-woo interrupted her seriously.

Since this attitude was new, Lorein, who was about to send Hyun-woo away, stopped in her tracks.

“I’m really okay. Rather, I’m more worried about your condition right now. Do you want to let all the effort you’ve put in until now go to waste just because of missing one day?”

At those words, Lorein was left speechless.

She didn’t want to face that massive wall she had barely overcome again.

But she couldn’t be so selfish as to take advantage of Hyun-woo’s kindness and ignore his concerns.

“Still…I feel too sorry for you.”

“I’ve said it several times, I’m okay. It would be sadder if you miss this opportunity now.”

Unable to say anything against his serious gaze and voice, Lorein knew.

Having shared sword skills and fought together, she could tell.

Today, Hyun-woo wouldn’t back down no matter what.

‘This makes me feel even more sorry.’

She had doubted Hyun-woo like this.

Yet he, despite his injury, still wanted to help her.

Has she ever received this level of trust and kindness from someone before?

But she felt too guilty that there was nothing she could do in return.

‘If I refuse more, it will only make Hyun-woo uncomfortable.’

…At least, she wanted to lessen the burden she would place on Hyun-woo.

“Alright. Then, I’ll rely on you again today. But-”

Lorein’s hand went to her chest and hesitated slightly.

But eventually, her hand, still hesitant, slowly began to remove her clothes.

-Rustle.

One by one, the clothes covering her body fell away.

Soon, Lorein was left in just her underwear.

Only a bra covering her large breasts and black panties remained.

It was a moment when her sensual figure, never shown to anyone else, was exposed to a man, separated only by a thin layer of fabric.

Above all, those two large flesh mounds were striking.

“…Is this okay?”

“You said it’s more effective with fewer clothes. And…having less to get in the way is less of a burden for you.”

This was the greatest trust and consideration Lorein could show.

She didn’t want to hide anything from the boy who had made such an effort, even while being injured fighting monsters.

Above all, she wanted to ease any burden on the injured Hyun-woo, even if just a little.

Her body kept flinching in embarrassment, and her cheeks reddened, but that couldn’t be helped.

‘Ah… His gaze feels so intense…’

For Lorein, this was the first time standing in front of someone else in her underwear.

Since reaching maturity, she hadn’t even done so in front of her mother.

In such a situation, the gaze landing on her bare body was more stimulating than she had thought.

“Thank you for making a tough choice. For trusting me.”

“…I should be the one thanking you. Sorry, but please take care of me.”

After saying this, Lorein quickly lay face down on the bed.

She buried her face in the pillow.

She felt like she had to do something quickly out of embarrassment, or she wouldn’t know what to do with herself.

Her firm buttocks, wrapped in panties, curved upward, forming an apple shape.

“I’ll start as usual then.”

Seeing that provocative figure, Hyun-woo secretly laughed to himself.

Of course, the fact that there had never been any injury on his body from the monster in the first place was a secret.