Chapter 90 (2/2)

[Mm?]

”By any chance, do you have any water?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

[How can you ask for water in this place?]

‘But, of course. Obviously, there wouldn't be water in here.' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu could only bitterly chuckle from that answer.

He exited from the tomb twenty minutes later. The ghost was curious as to how he ended up in this miserable state, and once he began with his detailed explanation, he ended up spending more time than he expected.

He said that he was sorry about bothering her like this and promised to come to see her again soon with a pinky swear. The ghost lady seemed reluctant to part with him, but still, didn't try to stop him. Even at a casual glance, one could see how poor his current condition was, so she judged that it was for the best that he returned to civilisation as soon as possible.

The folks from the Federation were long gone by the time he got outside. Teresa, now left all alone by herself, was squatting on the ground sucking on a blade of unknown gra.s.s. She jumped in delight to see the young man emerging unscathed. The two of them hugged each other and celebrated their survival for a short while. That wasn't all, though.

”Take this.” (Teresa Hussey)

Teresa pushed forward an ivory-coloured gown at him, saying that she got two of them from the Fallen Angel. It was small and barely covered down to his b.u.t.t, but it sure was better than nothing, wasn't it? Besides, he was quietly getting worried about when they were to enter the city itself, so Seol Ji-Hu gladly accepted them.

”By the way, what's that?” (Teresa Hussey)

”What's what, Princess?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Why is there something tied to your head?” (Teresa Hussey)

Teresa pointed with her index finger and asked. He reflexively felt around his head and became dumbfounded immediately. The gold bracelet was tied to his hair.

”S-Saintess?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

He did briefly wonder why his head felt ticklish back then, didn't he?

Of course, he tried to return the artefact, but the entrance remained tightly shut. He knocked and tugged at the door with all his might - and his efforts were all in vain. The door showed no signs of budging. He decided to leave it behind in front of the tomb, but then, less than ten seconds later, his head felt ticklish again. By the time he freaked out and raised his hands up there, the dang thing was already tied prettily to his head.

[Ehehe.]

Seeing the back of that black smoke run away like a naughty child, Seol Ji-Hu had no choice but to sigh under his breath.

‘It's not as if I don't want it…' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Indeed, who'd reject such a valuable gift? It was just that he had no right to ask for such a gift in the first place, that was all.

Still, he decided to accept it. He bowed towards the tomb one more time and turned around to leave.

They may have escaped from the grips of the Parasites, but it was too early to say that they were completely safe. Their new priority was to escape from the Forest of Denial without running into another incident.

Seol Ji-Hu walked forward without a single thought occupying his mind but had to stop his steps after seeing Teresa suddenly go down on one knee.

”Your Highness?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”….So, it's this kind of effect, is that it?” (Teresa Hussey)

”Are you alright?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Don't worry about me, this is nothing.” (Teresa Hussey)

Teresa slowly got back up again while wiping her lips with the back of her hand.

”Compared to the pursuit of the Parasites, this much is…..??” (Teresa Hussey)

Her voice abruptly got louder before her eyes opened wider. Seol Ji-Hu wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she placed her finger on her lips first.

”Shh. Please be quiet.” (Teresa Hussey)

Her eyes narrowed to a slit next. He raised his spear and began scanning his surroundings, only for his own movements to come to a halt without warning, as well. Trickle, trickle…. They heard the sound of flowing water.

They looked at each other in a bit of daze. Did they even need to say anything here? As if they had made a promise earlier, they dashed in the direction of that flowing water.

A short while later, they discovered a huge lake at the mouth of the Forest of Denial. It was connected by a small stream, and its surface glistened like a mirror under the sunlight, while the water itself was so pristine and clear that they could actually see bottom of the lake.

However, never mind stopping for a second to admire the beautiful scenery, they just dipped their heads straight into the lake the moment they saw this place.

Gulp, gulp!! Slurp, slurp!!! They breathlessly and crazily drank the water.

‘So delicious!!' (Seol Ji-Hu)

The lake's water was so pure and teeth-shudderingly refres.h.i.+ng. Heck, it even tasted sweet, too. The longer he drank it, the wetter his throat became, and it felt as if water was sticking to his tongue like glue. The sensation of burning flames instantly being quenched and his gut getting drenched in the refres.h.i.+ng coldness was a powerful ecstasy that no words in human language could adequately describe.

‘So sweet! So good!!' (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Pu-hahaaah!” (Teresa Hussey)

Teresa finally lifted her head up and broke out into boisterous laughter after spotting Seol Ji-Hu half-way submerged under the lake to drink. He was holding his breath right up until his limit to hoover up the water and belatedly raised his head while forming a sheepish grin.

He had no idea that water could taste this great until now. He was truly happy. So happy, as a matter of fact, he might just die of happiness. For real, he briefly thought that he wouldn't mind dying right about now.

The two of them drank to their hearts' content. Their bodies that had been demanding for any kind of moisture for a long while began to completely sag in relaxation, now that they were topped up with water. But then, Teresa urgently stood up as if simply drinking wasn't enough for her. She threw off the gown and the miniature chain mail to the ground, and then…

”Eiii!” (Teresa Hussey)

Splas.h.!.+ She jumped straight into the water.

”Ah, aaaaah~…. Huwaa~ang…!” (Teresa Hussey)

Her entire body trembled, and she let out a weird noise.

”Do you have any idea just how badly I wanted to take a bath?!” (Teresa Hussey)

She even grew tearful as she dived deep below the surface before emerging back again. Seeing her go for a bath like that, Seol Ji-Hu also couldn't hold back anymore. Following his instincts, he shrugged off the gown and the yellowing underpants to dive into the lake's water.

”Euh…. Euhuh-uhh!!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu's entire body s.h.i.+vered powerfully. He now understood why Teresa did so earlier.

The sensation of water touching his body that felt dirty and caked in sweat? In a word, refres.h.i.+ng. So, so refres.h.i.+ng and eye-opening that he might even lose his mind here. Every time he felt the clean water flow past his groin, this wonderful chill brushed past his entire body, and he just wanted to cry out in delight and roll around on the floor without a care in the world.

He plunged all the way down to his head and began was.h.i.+ng his body in great haste. He rubbed and rubbed hard, causing the dried-up pus and caked-up dirt and sweat to melt off his skin. He felt pity for the fish population living in the lake, but still, he didn't stop cleaning himself.

”Aaaaaah~~. I'm so happy~.” (Teresa Hussey)

Teresa hummed in pure joy as well. Their gazes met, and simultaneously, happy peals of laughter escaped from their mouths. It wasn't funny at all, but they just couldn't hold back in.

”It's so much better to be alive, right?” (Teresa Hussey)

Teresa asked him with a wide grin on her lips. Seol Ji-Hu nodded his head, but then, his gaze stopped moving out of the blue. The Princess was enjoying the warm rays of the sun while sweeping back her drenched hair behind her.

Was this because all the acc.u.mulated layers of dirt had been finally removed from her? Having regained its original look, her nude form was eye-searingly beautiful to behold. Her skin, wet with copious amount of water sensuously dripping down, reflected the sun's rays and emitted this soft, peach-like ethereal glow. Her neck and her shoulders arched gracefully like a wild orchid, and just below them, a pair of peaks that proudly boasted unparalleled bounciness………

[”Very good! Of course I'll tell you! First of all, she's 70D around her chest, and her waistline is like…..”] (Ian)

….Suddenly, Seol Ji-Hu recalled Ian's words, and he quickly averted his gaze. He also didn't forget to sing Korea's national anthem in his head just for a good measure, too.

”….Mm?” (Teresa Hussey)

After seeing him panic and get fl.u.s.tered like that, Teresa gradually realised what was going on here. A refres.h.i.+ng smile floated up on her lips.

”What are you feeling shy about? We've already seen pretty much everything there is to see, haven't we?” (Teresa Hussey)

Well, that was true. They were rather used to being almost completely nude now, and during the nights, they embraced each other tightly in order to fall asleep, too.

”B-but, that's that, and this is something else. Our circ.u.mstances have changed, wouldn't you agree?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu inadvertently stuttered somewhat. Teresa stared at him for a bit, but then, the corners of her lips sneaked upwards. Now that she was feeling refreshed and alive, her mischievous streak clicked into gear again. She easily parted the water and got closer to him before suddenly throwing out a question.

”So, what do you think?” (Teresa Hussey)

”It's pink, isn't it~?” (Teresa Hussey)

”………….”

Honestly speaking, he did see ‘it'. So, he couldn't pretend that he didn't know what she was talking about, but that also didn't mean he could think up of something to say right this moment, either.

”Isn't it? Or am I wrong?” (Teresa Hussey)

He squeezed his eyes shut involuntarily. With that, she got him for good.

”Oh, my. Oh, my~. My knight doesn't want to say anything. Are you disobeying a direct order~?” (Teresa Hussey)

”…..I'd like to avoid being put to death for lese-majesty, Your Highness.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”What are you talking about? We don't have a law like that. In any case, I guess you did see ‘it', right?” (Teresa Hussey)

Seol Ji-Hu barely managed to nod his head. He really didn't want to be led around the nose by her. Too bad, Teresa remained rather persistent now that she had bitten into her prey.

”Hmm~~. So, where were you looking, then?” (Teresa Hussey)

”Pardon?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”You know, you said you confirmed ‘it' to be pink, so I'm asking you, which part?” (Teresa Hussey)

She took a superhero pose - with her hands holding her waists - and confidently asked him.

”….But, you know already.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”I honestly don't? It's not just one or two places, so how can I know?” (Teresa Hussey)

Teresa twirled her lush hair with her fingers before shrugging her shoulders. While doing his very best to cover his groin, he studied her and her disarming smile.

Then…

‘Why is she doing this?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

….A certain emotion began boiling over in his chest. He realised that they were still inside the Forest of Denial and inwardly went, ”Ah, sh*t”, but the effects had activated already.

‘She must know that I'm getting embarra.s.sed here, so why?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

The flames lit up inside and grew too powerful for him to control in an instant.

‘Does she enjoy making fun of other people? Is her personality like that?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu stopped covering himself. He was planning to let it slide after a while, but he couldn't hold back any longer.

”I can't be sure.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Ei~ii. You said you saw it before!” (Teresa Hussey)

”Well, I did see, but everything went past just too quickly. I can't remember all that well.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu began answering back in a cheeky manner now. Teresa sensed that something had changed, and her eyes blinked in confusion.

”I really can't be sure, so…. Ah, Princess, maybe you can tell us.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”….Eh?” (Teresa Hussey)

”Please, tell us in your own words where it is pink.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seeing her get fl.u.s.tered in return like that, a victorious expression emerged on his face next.

”…H-mm.” (Teresa Hussey)

She quickly recovered her composure and crossed her arms while shooting him a prim glare.

”Ohhh, so… You want me to personally tell you. Is that so?” (Teresa Hussey)

”Yes, Your Highness.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Oho.” (Teresa Hussey)

She smirked, her expression seemingly implying ”You dare to go up against me?”

”Of course, it's not like I can't tell you, right?” (Teresa Hussey)

She took a look around her surroundings before lightly clapping her hands.

”Can you ask me if I have seen a ghost before?” (Teresa Hussey)

”Why?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”No, well, just. It's not a strange request, is it~? You can ask such a question, right?” (Teresa Hussey)

‘Ask her if she's seen a ghost before?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Although he felt rather suspicious of where this was going, he still did as asked.

”Your Highness, have you seen a ghost before?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

It was then - Teresa formed a refres.h.i.+ng smile as if he had fallen for her trap.

”Yup.” (Teresa Hussey)

And she replied back to him.

”Didn't you ‘see' it before?” (Teresa Hussey) (TL note at the end)

For some reason, she greatly emphasized that one word in the middle. What ensued was a short bout of silence.

”…..Ah.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu tilted his head this way and that, but eventually, his expression stiffened up like a rock, and then….

Splas.h.!.+

….He hurriedly dived under the water.

On that day, battles.h.i.+p Seol Ji-Hu raising the banner of rebellion for the first time ever was sunk to the depths of the ocean by a single concentrated strike from battles.h.i.+p Teresa.

< 90.=”” seol=”” ji-hu=”” vs=”” teresa=”” hussey=””> Fin.

(TL: Sooo. If you are wondering what happened, let me apologise first, as there was a Korean pun involved in the sentence ‘didn't you see it before' that simply couldn't be TLed into English. Basically, the variant of past tense of the verb ‘See' in Korean sounds exactly the same as the Korean slang for ‘p*ssy'. I hope you get it now.)