Chapter 22: Monster Subjugation (XV).
A group of knights who were hanging out at the back were talking to one another, a little bit of a mundane day before they'll work to exterminate the goblin nest tomorrow. It was a rare moment of downtime before the chaos would begin.
"I'm relieved the mission got delayed," one knight remarked with a chuckle. "Can you imagine charging into that goblin nest without being mentally ready? I'd be dead in minutes!"
They sat on barrels of gunpowder, the low rumble of their voices filling the air. It wasn't long before their chatter shifted to the Alarie family, particularly its current heir. Daughter of Owyn Alarie, famous for their military strategic skills.
He and his brother were a terrifying combination. One was cold and calculating, with a mind for war; and Vernon, a tyrant who ruled with an iron fist. Together, they were an unstoppable force. The Alaries weren't just powerful; they were feared, respected, and for anyone who crossed them, dangerous.
"Lady Alarie's strategy is brilliant, but honestly? I have doubts. I've seen her train, and while she's sharp, I'm not sure how well she'd execute under pressure."
Just then, a voice cut through their discussion.
It seems a familiar figure was walking towards them. Silver hair, cold periwinkle eyes and she looked out of it.
"Lady Alarie-! What brings you here?"
Olivia stood before them, her armor speckled with dirt and dried blood. A slight tear in her cloak fluttered in the wind. Her presence alone made the knights tense up, but it was the blood on her that caused them to blink in concern.
"Where can I find the medical tent?" She asked, her voice even, but with an underlying edge that made the air feel colder.
One knight stood immediately, eyes widening. "Are you... are you alright? You're covered in blood. We should get you to the medic at once!"
Olivia held up a hand, silencing him.
"It's nothing," She said with an unsettling calm, her gaze lowering to the stains on her gloves- a few bits of memories flashed as she satisfyingly cut the tongue of the man that insulted and even disrespected Mariana. "I need to go to the medical tent. It's not a matter of injury... You need not to worry, this blood is not mine."
Her words were soft, but there was a firmness to them that made the knights hesitate. They weren't sure if it was safe to ask who it belonged to, was there a sudden monster attack and they didn't know?
It was impossible, because they would've sounded the alarm.
So... if it wasn't her blood... then who's-
"O-Okay... then please follow us, we'll lead you into the medical tent." They exchanged uneasy glances, but there was little choice but to guide her toward the medical tent. As they walked, the whispers in the camp followed like a growing storm.
===
Alarie Military Camp: Medic Tent
===
The sound of distant chatter and soft laughter came through the fabric of the tent. Olivia stood just outside, her posture stiff and composed. She could hear healers at work, the occasional hum of healing magic, and Mariana's unmistakable voice. It was light, filled with warmth, and the sound twisted something in Olivia's chest.
"You can leave now." The knights who escorted her were excused.
"Yes, milady."
As they turned the villainess didn't step foot inside the tent just yet.
As promised, it had been exactly one hour since the duel had finished, since the villainess had faced two of her own family's knights who had not only disrespected the Alarie family name but also the heroine of the story.
"..."
Her armor was streaked with dust, blood, and remnants of the duel that had unfolded earlier. Her hand instinctively clenched into a fist, the stained gloves a sharp reminder of the violence she'd just wielded.
The reincarnator knows she did right.
But why is it that she can't come inside the medical tent so easily?
Sebastian stood a few paces from the medical tent, keeping silent guard as promised. The camp had settled into an uneasy calm; the soldiers spoke in hushed tones now, their glances turning wary whenever Olivia passed.
The smell of the dried blood was bothering her.
'If she sees me like this, she'll think I'm a monster...' (Olivia) thought, her chest tightening at the idea. 'I am supposed to be a monster, but why is it so hard to accept that? Why does the thought of her seeing me like this feel... wrong?'
She could hear faint voices inside, the soft hum of healing magic being cast, and Mariana's tired laughter among them.
"Hahaha! Please take care of yourself more. We're safe here... everyone can rest for a while."
"You're quite talented dear, thank you for helping us around." One of the elderly hired healers compliments the heroine and was impressed by her mastery of casting light magic. "You could even become the next saintess at this rate!"
"Hahaha! You flatter me too much."
Her laughter- oh... it was sweet, a warm sound twisted something in her chest.
"Hm." She could already feel the eyes of the camp on her, heavy, judging, some filled with fear, others with respect.
Yet, it was Mariana's laughter that gnawed at her.
That warmth, the kindness that the heroine exuded without effort, was everything Olivia admired about the heroine.
"But for her... surely... She's mistaken. The love she feels for me now should be a mistake and I can fix it." The villainess believes that the heroine sees Olivia Charlotte Alarie currently as a girl who had deep intimate sex with her, a woman who's only in love with her because... of that one fateful night.
"I'm... only... a mistake. One night of a mistake, I'm the villainess and I will fulfill the role I was given."
She couldn't turn away.
Olivia stepped forward, the flap of the tent parting with a soft swish. Inside, the medical tent was bathed in a soft, ethereal light, the air thick with the scent of herbs and disinfectant. She could see healers accompanying Mariana with her guards as they make sure that their bandages are clean.
"As the young lady has said, please don't move too much, but you have to mind your body. She might have given you light magic healing but don't over exert yourself." They scolded the guards and the only reply they got were a few chuckles.
"I feel fine after our young lady has healed our wounds. They've already closed." One guard shrugged as the others nodded in agreement.
"Aye, we're fine."
The healer sighs, turning her head to Mariana, "I'm very thankful for your help. With your light magic I wish we had you around the medic field. You could become our next saintess with your skill."
A saintess is a highly respected figure in the kingdom. Her duty is to travel from place to place, helping the people and offering guidance wherever it's needed. Because of her connection to the light, she sometimes becomes involved in political matters as well. Her wisdom and authority are so valued that she's often treated almost like an adviser to the royal family.
Those were the traditions of the west kingdom, after all a light magic user only appears very rarely. Each record of light magic users by their year were four- on a good year it would be ten.
Mariana has only been recently adopted by a lower ranked Baron. She kept her magic hidden most of her life until now, when the story managed to get her positioned in the west kingdom.
"Oh... but I'm only a student. Being a saintess... I cannot imagine." In the south becoming an Iluminada. Their version of the saintess meaning, 'the enlightened one' was a very honorable position so she can already feel its weight.
The woman shakes her head. "Nonsense, even if you're a student people blessed with the light are very rare and it won't be too long before you're chosen to serve the kingdom. The royal can give you a pardon- if you want you don't have to go to the academy and even place you in a high ranking position if you'd wish."
Mariana forces herself to smile and laughs in reply, "Hahaha... si. I suppose you're right but my papa views my education as important so I don't think I will impose such a delightful offer."
The medical tent were mostly relaxing, fortunately no one is getting hurt because of their delay of the mission and they've already finished patching up the guards that Lady Alarie sent to the military camp to recover.
Step... step... step...
As Olivia stepped in, one of the healers glanced up, eyes widening at the sight of her.
"Milady-" The momentary silence that followed felt like a slap in the face. All of the healers that were inside lowered their heads and greeted the young lady. "W-Welcome to the medical tent. How can we help you?"
Olivia shaked her head, "I'm quite alright."
"Lady Alarie-!" (Mariana) turned, her eyes lighting up when she saw Olivia standing there, but it was only for a second before her expression shifted, concern taking over.
She quickly moved toward the villainess, her steps brisk.
"Lady Alarie, what happened?" Mariana's voice was soft, tinged with genuine worry. Her gaze dropped to the fresh streaks of blood staining Olivia's clothes before she met her eyes again, steady and searching.
A deep frown creased her features. Gently, Mariana raised a hand and cupped Olivia's cheek, her touch warm and careful. "Are you alright? You're not hurt are you? Tell me if you are... Haré que lo paguen. But first, let me heal you..."
Olivia drew in a shallow breath, trying to gather the pieces of herself. But standing here, with Mariana this close, the walls she had so carefully built felt suddenly thin... and breakable.
"I'm fine," She said, the words sounding empty even to her own ears. But then she looked at Mariana- really looked at her. The heroine's concern was so raw, so unpretentious, and it made Olivia's heart ache in a way she wasn't prepared for.
"..."
She could feel the other people's stares around them.
Olivia's cheeks flushed as she cleared her throat.
"Don't... touch me."
Mariana froze when Olivia's cheeks pulled away. The warmth between them broke, but the air didn't. It lingered, tense and fragile.
"M-My apologies." (Mariana) managed, the words shaky. She drew her hand back to her chest as if realizing too late she had crossed a line, her fingers curling with uncertainty. "I didn't mean to overstep..."
Deep inside however... she enjoyed even touching her face once more even for a second.
"Blood might get on your hands," (Olivia) murmured, almost as if warning her... almost as if afraid of what it meant to be held. She lowered her gaze to her own blood-stained fingers, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wouldn't dare let anything stain your hands. Not even this."
"Milady... I-" (Mariana) opened her mouth- wanting to ask, to understand what shem meant by her words... but footsteps approached behind them.
Heavy. Certain.
"Lady Olivia," (Sebastian) said, stopping with practiced precision. His tone carried the calm weight of a man who had watched her grow up- and who would report everything to Duke Owyn. "Did you manage to get those two in line?"
Olivia didn't flinch.
"Yes, I challenged them to a duel for good caution. Whatever the outcome, it would be fair and unbiased only a test through our blades." An easy duel it was and a satisfying one at that.
Now that she's shown her strength to all the people in the camp they are sure to fear and respect her after. NO ONE will be praying for their lives to be spared just because their current strategist is a young girl... who accidentally wore the wrong armor on the first day.
"Did you... kill them? Did you challenge them in a duel because of me?" Mariana's voice lowered, looking guilty as she felt as if the reason for the trouble was because of her. She knew that the people of the west have different standards and culture compared to the south, ignorant people don't know... how to respect and be kind to them.
"No, I did not. I merely punished them, they disrespected my family name so it was personal. I did not do this for you." A hint of steel entered her tone. "Don't look guilty, I did it because I had the right to. Anyone who dares smear on the Alarie name deserves to face my... wrath."
Sebastian nodded once, also noticing the blood from her clothes. He too understood what lies in the duties in being an Alarie even if she is young, starting early is no problem. "Well said. The punishment has been delivered, then. You have done your father proud. I'm sure to put in a good word for what you did today."
Olivia met his eyes for a fraction of a secondcold, and smiled.
"Good."
Olivia moves to the guards belonging to the Borbon family.
"How are all of you?" She asked, her voice steady and composed. "I trust they've been treating you well."
The guards scrambled to their feet, then dropped to one knee in unison, clearly overwhelmed by her presence.
"We thank you, Lady Alarie," One of them said, head bowed. "For protecting our lady, for saving our unit, and for granting us shelter within your camp."
Olivia regarded them calmly, hands clasped behind her back. "I am merely fulfilling my duty. You are on Alarie territory. That makes you my responsibility."
A few guards exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to respond to such direct assurance.
"We could not leave you after seeing that goblin attack," she continued. "Abandoning you would have been unacceptable."
"T-Thank you, milady," Another guard stammered, his ears reddening. "You are... too kind."
Olivia's gaze softened just slightly, the closest thing she allowed to warmth in public. "Kindness has little to do with it. I simply act where action is required."
Olivia inclined her head slightly to the guards, signaling they could rise. They stood, still flustered but grateful, hands pressed to their chests in respect.
With that duty completed, Olivia turned back toward the center of the tent. Mariana stood a few steps away, hands clasped together, watching her with that same uncertain softness.
Olivia's expression shifted instantly back into polished nobility- calm, distant, perfectly composed.
"Lady Mariana Borbón," she said, her tone formal enough to create space between them. "You have been returned to your guards. Your father has been informed and will arrive before sundown."
Mariana straightened at the title, the formality hitting her like a cold breeze.
"I-I see," She said quietly, her gaze drifting back to Olivia, worry soft in her eyes. "What should I do before Father arrives?"
The villainess genuinely believed she was doing the right thing. Leaving the heroine in the medical tent, surrounded by knights, guards, and healers, should have eased the tightness in her chest. Mariana would be safe here. She couldn't take her along the perimeter inspection no matter how much she wanted to.
She just had to protect her.
"You wait," (Olivia) said, her voice slipped back into that calm, composed tone she used whenever she needed to shut her emotions away. She kept her gaze forward. Looking at Mariana now felt dangerous. "I will continue my duties. If you face any problems, only then may you speak to me."
"But... what if..."
"The military camp is safe, Lady Mariana, you don't have to worry about milady for perimeter checks." (Sebastian) answered before Olivia could. He stepped forward with quiet authority, hands behind his back, posture perfectly straight. He had been watching everything.
Mariana shook her head. Her voice softened as she took a hesitant step closer to Olivia. "That's not what I meant. I just... I want to be with you."
Olivia went completely still.
Her breath caught. Her shoulders stiffened as if she'd been struck by something invisible. Sebastian's eyes shifted subtly toward her, observing the change in her expression. He noticed the way Olivia's fingers tightened slightly, the way her composure wavered.
"That's not..." Olivia's voice faltered, the mask slipping. "...I can't bring you."
A quiet tension settled over the medical tent. The healers and knights nearby froze, pretending not to listen, but the charged tone between the two young women was impossible to ignore.
They all chimed in whispers, gossiping.
"Do you think they're... you know..." A healer was pressing her friend, who raises an eyebrow knowing what these two are.
They're G-A-Y.
"I've seen two men do it... surely women do it too. I mean... she's an Alarie, they have a reputation for being you know." She wanted to say 'weird' but with the tent being packed and the drama still unfolding in front of them it was wise for her not to continue. "Goodness, we should shut our mouths before we get executed. But you're right, I say the adopted southern girl fancies our young Lady Alarie."
"I just can't," (Olivia) continued, softer now. "You're safer here. I'll be more at ease knowing you're protected."
Mariana's head lowered, the faintest shadow crossing her expression.
Olivia's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than she meant to. Then she straightened.
"Let's go, Sebastian."
"Yes, milady," He replied, stepping forward with measured calm.
Sebastian held the tent flap open. Olivia stepped toward it with long, purposeful strides. If she slowed even a fraction, she knew she might turn back.
Behind her, Mariana's voice rose- soft, trembling.
"Olivia..."
Olivia's steps faltered for the briefest instant, a barely noticeable hitch... but she didn't turn.
She didn't look back.
She couldn't.
She called her name.
Her spine straightened, and she pushed forward, slipping out of the tent without a word, without even a breath of hesitation. Sebastian followed her, letting the flap fall closed behind them. As the fabric settled, the muted sound of Mariana's footsteps shifting inside the tent lingered in the air.
Olivia kept moving, jaw set, eyes fixed ahead, refusing to acknowledge the pull she felt behind her.
She couldn't afford to. Not now. Not when one look would undo all her restraint.
Sebastian matched her pace in silence, though his eyes flicked to her with quiet understanding.
He had seen the way she paused. He had seen the way that single word almost broke her composure.
Sebastian said nothing, and Olivia pretended she hadn't heard Mariana call her at all.