550 - Marriage is a Community of Fate! #2

Did she hear the news that I had fainted?

Luna came running in a hurry to check on me.

When I was hurt.

When I had to be left alone in the realm of chaos.

In many moments of crisis, Luna was always the first to find me, a reliable supporter. As expected of my bride-to-be.

However, that reliability sometimes became a chill as cold as a crescent moon, sending shivers down the back of my neck. Now was exactly one of those times.

「...It seems you're doing fine...? In fact, I think the problem is that you're doing too fine...?」

In the dark mansion, Luna's emerald eyes, shining in the moonlight reflecting off the window, were slowly narrowing.

Her cheeks, which had been stained with worry, were now twitching with various emotions, including anger.

The kiss marks all over my body.

Luna must have noticed them.

「No, Luna-ya, this is-.」

「What do you mean 'no'-! I even quit my work and rushed here because I was so worried, and then thiiiiis-!」

Luna was furious.

Her hair, tied in two, stood on end. A powerful energy erupted from her body like an explosion, making the surroundings ring with a goooo- sound.

Presumably, Luna's full-body enhancement ultimate technique, Descent of God, had been activated.

I know that Luna, having activated Descent of God, is enhanced by the power of night and darkness, gaining power truly like that of a god.

「Gaaaaah-! Luna Dash-!」

Luna's transcendent fist aimed straight for my solar plexus.

I tried to dodge it, but Luna's agility stat is 14, reaching the realm of superhumans. If enhanced by Descent of God, it's 15. It might even exceed that.

If it were my usual self, maybe, but weakened as I am now for certain reasons, there's no way I could block or endure Luna.

There was a major problem with the current me trying to outmaneuver Luna, who had already moved a step ahead.

All I could do was scream like a villain getting hit by a combination technique and flying away.

「Guaaaah-! Luna-yaaaa-!」

「Luna Punchiiii-!」

With that, Luna became a pink flash and collided toward me. As her fist cut through the air, the wind pressure made me certain my solar plexus would burst and I'd die-.

Just as I was seeing that flash of my life before my eyes.

Utuk-.

Luna's fist stopped right in front of my abdomen.

Simultaneously, a massive gust of wind from the punch blew past my back with a hwaaaaa- sound, shaking the curtains and furniture. I don't know why, but it was a relief that Luna stopped her fist.

「Huuuum....」

Luna lowered her fist and tilted her head as if something was unsatisfactory. Then, she began to slowly stroke my body with her slender fingers.

「These aren't ordinary lip marks. Now that I look closer. It's a bit strange.」

It seemed Luna felt some doubt about the kiss marks that had appeared all over my body. Because they were damn suspicious lip marks, I was saved.

「Hassan, what on earth happened?」

「I don't know either. I want to know too.」

I decided to explain the whole story to Luna properly.

「You know I've been taking Gloria around with me lately, right?」

「I know. You took her around like a younger sister.」

「Yeah. I did. But while we were together, a bit of a problem arose....」

I wondered how much I should tell Luna.

Just as I hoped Luna wouldn't keep secrets from me, I decided to tell her the truth without any secrets as well.

Since Luna and I are going to get married. I can't let her go through something like what happened with Hippolyte twice.

Chatter chatter-.

「So that happened. Gloria suddenly kissed me and....」

「Grrrr....」

Listening to the story, Luna made a sound like a boiling kettle.

In fact, steam was even puffing from Luna's red-flushed face and the top of her head.

「Even Gloria, that girl? I was going to cherish her like a younger sister, like a sister-in-law. I feel betrayed...!」

Apparently so.

Anyway, I then explained everything, including how I felt my power being strangely sucked out, how I actually lost strength and consciousness, and the circumstances of how I woke up.

「So, you're saying you don't know about these kiss marks?」

「I don't. I think they appeared while I was unconscious.」

「Huuuung....」

Luna narrowed her eyes as if she wasn't quite satisfied.

「Since Hassan told the truth. I'll believe you.」

「Right.」

It feels like I've managed to get through it somehow.

Seuk seuk.

Luna continued to touch my upper body. She didn't forget to let out hums and hms, as if there was something bothering her about the red, swollen kiss marks.

「This feels like it has a ritualistic energy. They aren't normal marks. That's why I stopped my hand.」

At Luna's assessment, I asked.

「So there is a problem, right?」

Could it be related to how I lost my Karma points? If I'm lucky, I might find a way to get them back.

「Huuuung, it seems Hassan's fortune has... decreased a bit.... I'm not sure. Hippolyte-nim might know. Should we show them to Hippolyte-nim?」

「To Hippolyte-nim?」

For some reason, I felt a sudden surge of worry.

I was worried that showing my body covered in kiss marks to Hippolyte, who has a child in her womb, might cause something bad for both the child and the mother.

However, the reaction of Hippolyte, who was sitting languidly in a rocking chair in the bedroom reading a book, was surprisingly calm.

「I was trying to sleep. Are these lip marks? Hassan, it seems you've had another intense bout of adultery with someone.」

「It wasn't adultery; if anything, I was subjected to forced exploitation....」

「Hmm-. According to Nyx-dot-ssi, there seems to be a ritualistic effect. I am not well-versed in such things. However, I can certainly tell that your strength, Hassan, is not what it used to be.」

「What should I do?」

「It would be best to find an expert in rituals or magic. But if the current Nyx-dot-ssi can't figure it out, an ordinary magician won't stand a chance.」

At that, Paranoy, who was listening from behind, spoke up.

「How about asking Anxious or Somnia for their opinion? They might know a lot about this kind of Karma Drain type of ritual-ssi...!」

「Oh.」

「Aaat-! Now that I think about it, I, Paranoy, sent them on a business trip to the Kalan region today-ssi...! It will take a week for them to return-ssi...!」

「Aie, dammit.」

If Friede were here, I could have asked her.

Just as I was feeling a bit gloomy because the absence of the magician Friede felt so large, Hippolyte snapped her book shut.

「So where is Gloria now?」

「I don't know either.」

「If Gloria has taken your power, Hassan, there's no telling what might happen. It's best to find her as quickly as possible. I wanted to take a night walk anyway. I'll help you out.」

As Hippolyte began to get dressed, Antiope, who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, asked cautiously.

「Unni, you have the baby, will you be okay?」

「It's fine. When we find her, if push comes to shove, the one facing her won't be me, but you, Antiope.」

「Ueeeek-, me!?」

「Paranoy, prioritize forming a pursuit team to find Gloria. Release Cerberus. He should know Gloria's scent-.」

Everyone nodded at Hippolyte's familiar and experienced instructions.

Then Luna clenched her fist as if she had thought of something.

「Should we go see Teacher? If it's Teacher, she might know something about this state...!」

「Teacher?」

Who was it that Luna would call Teacher?

The first one that came to mind was Circe, the elder of Ideope.

But Circe would be in the Ideope archipelago, which would take days of flying to reach, so that's a pass.

Then it suddenly occurred to me.

* * *

「Luna-ya, is this really a good idea?」

「When it comes to things like rituals or curses, you never know what the outcome will be if you delay! We have to handle it as quickly as possible-!」

Luna's judgment was correct.

Matters concerning rituals or curses should be resolved as quickly as possible. Regretting it later is just foolishness. However, whenever I come to this street, I find myself shrinking back.

The Street of Witches, famous even in the western district of Sodomora.

The reason this place came to be called the Street of Witches was because of a woman who had settled on this street since last spring. And she was, as the street's nickname suggested, a witch.

What's the point in hiding it?

This is the street where the witch Nemea lives.

Luna thought of Nemea, who had taught her various things including rituals, as a teacher.

In fact, Nemea, an astrologer and witch, was a woman with vast knowledge of rituals, curses, and forbidden magic.

One might think of her as a convenient person who gives answers to everything.

But she is a witch.

Questions and requests put to a witch always come with a corresponding ruinous price.

Because I knew that well, every time I walked this street, I felt like turning back, as if I had left the gas on at home.

I thought I'd never have a reason to come back here again.

They just keep coming up.

And so, finally, near midnight, Luna and I stood before the witch's house.

When Luna moved her hand to grab the lion-shaped door knocker and went tak-tak, there was a loud rustling sound of something moving inside.

Soon the door opened with a giiiiik-.

Suooooo-.

Strangely, the eerie wind blowing from the inside out was very chilly and cold.

「Hassan, let's go in quickly-.」

Luna strode into the old cabin like a hero who feared nothing.

As I followed her inside, I saw, just like before, bones, flesh, and organs-whether from beasts or monsters, I couldn't tell-shining inside a transparent, sticky liquid.

━Karrrk-.

Soon, with a strange cry from within, a four-legged beast with white fur appeared.

It was the magic beast Nemea kept, Whitey.

It was one of the monsters born between Typhon, the king of monsters, and Echidna, the queen. Which means it's on the same level as the leather I wear on my head, Regulus, or the spotted Cerberus.

━Karrrk-.

Of course, this fellow was just massive in size; its personality was gentle, and it welcomed Luna like an old friend. Luna stroked the head of the creature as it wagged its tail and asked.

「Hello, Whitey. Where is Nemea? Is she inside, in the kitchen?」

━Karrrk-.

Then there was the loud sound of high heels clicking on the floor.

Soon, the witch appeared, with a peaked hat reaching the ceiling, a bold outfit with open shoulders, and an impressive large chest and slender waist.

「Hello-. Friends-. Looking at the stars-. Late at night-. There was a divination that welcome friends would come-. I was preparing some tasty refreshments-.」

The witch Nemea, with her languid voice, appeared before us holding a tray.

「Sit on the sofa-.」

She proceeded with the conversation without any particular greeting. I was momentarily frozen in surprise at her slightly changed appearance.

Luna said.

「Nemea Unni, your hair.... On your head....」

「Ah-, this-. Don't mind it-. It's like a price for a contract-.」

Nemea spoke as if it were no big deal.

But it was impossible not to mind.

There were pointed animal ears on a human head; shibal, it would be stranger not to mind.

Is she a half-demon?

「Anyway-. I heard about you two-. I heard you're getting married soon-? A marriage of young gods-. It will surely be a festival that sets the whole city abuzz-. You'll invite me too, right-?」

Nemea treated us as if everything that had happened between us was a lie. At that attitude, I also sat at the table with half-doubt.

Of course, I didn't touch the food or tea Nemea offered.

「You're not going to drink-? It's delicious-. Well-. Fine-. Anyway-. It's truly deeply moving-. Friends who were adventurers struggling even with Goblins-. Before I knew it, you've become respectable-. And marriage-.」

「Unni, that's not what's important-! Something big has happened to Hassan's body-! Hassan, hurry up and show Unni-!」

At Luna's urging, I hesitantly pulled up my shirt.

「Oh my-, how bold-. Those are some nice abs-.」

At that, Nemea's eyes narrowed.

I remembered her eyes being red. Now, they were bright like a beast's, with vertically slit pupils that were quite eerie.

Hururuup-.

Nemea took a sip of the fluorescent, bubbling tea and spoke.

「It's Karma Drain-. And a quite high-level ritual formula-. A formula of this level-. It's impossible for a human-. This is the work of a god-.」

「Unni, what do we have to do to turn this back to normal?」

「More than that-. I'd like to hear what happened-. I have some personal interest too-.」

Tak-. Setting down the teacup, Nemea ran her fingertip around the rim of the glass.

Seureuk, seureuk, seureuk, seureuk-.

It might just be my imagination, but strangely, every action Nemea took felt like damn sexual harassment.

Of course, Luna, who didn't care about that, chattered away explaining the whole story, and Nemea, having heard it all, nodded as if she understood.

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「Aha-. So that's how it happened-. Juno's Holy Knight-. Gloria-. She was a famous child even to us-.」

By 'us', Nemea must mean the Gnostics, including herself. The mystics who had a huge influence on summoning me to this world.

「We were-, the guardians of the task-. Juno's Holy Knight was-, the executor of that task-. It should have been that way-. But the movement of the stars changed-. It got twisted-.」

「What does that mean?」

Luna asked as if she couldn't understand.

But Nemea's eyes, as she spun the teacup, were looking straight at me.

「Nemea-. Augeas-. Erymanthos-. We were originally destined to bestow the task upon Gloria-. But-. Here, this man appeared-. And everything changed-.」

「....」

I fell into deep thought. I feel like I can understand what Nemea is saying. The first thing that comes to mind is Moros, the God of Doom, who called Gloria a half-wit.

Moros said Gloria was an incomplete Holy Knight.

Even the old witch Esther, whom I met just a while ago, said that Gloria's task was interrupted and could not be perfected.

Finally, if I synthesize what Nemea said.

Could it be said that I took the power or Karma points that Gloria was originally supposed to receive?

To put it in terms easier for me to understand, I cleared the quest Gloria was supposed to complete first and snatched the reward.

「It seems our friend has an idea-. That girl named Gloria-. She merely took back what was originally hers-. However-. She took too much-.」

I asked.

「She took too much?」

「Yes-. She took too much, so-. The Karma of the two has mixed-. Hmm-. I can clearly see it-. That it's mixed-. If the two of you get close like this-. Both of you will eventually end up in danger-.」

In danger.

At those words, Luna suddenly shouted.

「In danger-! How will it be dangerous-!?」

「Things that are the same have a property of attracting each other-. Hassan, this friend-. He's gradually being sucked into that person Gloria-.」

「What happens if he's sucked in!?」

「I don't know-. On one hand-. I'm curious to see how it becomes dangerous-. Whoa-. Put your fist away, kid-. If I get hit by your fist now, I'll have to stay in bed for days-.」

As Luna clenched her fist and trembled, Nemea smiled slightly. Even Nemea would have to be tense around the current Luna.

「Unni, find a solution quickly-! Or else, you'll get hit by a Luna Punch-! I'm in a hurry right now-!」

「The solution is to find Gloria-. And get back what was jumbled-. Or completely become one-. But-. There might not be much time-. I can handle that, though-.」

「Really!? Then hurry up and handle it-!」

「Are you sure it's okay-? Then-, excuse me-.」

Nemea stood up from her seat.

And then, she pulled up my shirt and began to lick my belly with her tongue.

「As expected-. It's a sturdy body-.」

「Wh-what are you doing-!」

At that sight, Luna's hair stood on end as she swung her hand.

Jjak-!

「...You vixen-! From the start, you were full of thoughts about licking Hassan's body-!」

At that, Nemea wiped her split lip with her finger and muttered.

「No-. That's why-, I asked if it was okay-. I have to-. Lick our friend's body-.」

「...Grrrr! How can that be-! Don't lie-!」