The Scarlet Paladin
CH 121: Morning After

Claire woke up sore and hungry. Her body felt heavy, every joint stiff, and her stomach growled for food. As she stirred from her slumber, she tried her best to get up, only to feel resistance on her chest.

“Mmm… five more minutes…” Elsie mumbled.

Claire found both twins resting their heads on her chest. She let out a yawn and glanced around. Lily and Jasmine were close by, Jasmine lying on Lily’s chest. Ursa was curled up beside them. 

Claire smiled. Ursa was so close to the other two, but had not joined the cuddling. It was a bit jarring to see her act so confidently yesterday. Claire was used to her shyer personality like now. 

Claire shimmied her way out of the twins’ grip, ignoring the complaints from her aching body. She needed to get up. She needed to help. She felt guilty for passing out the moment they got to the village.

Stretching out, she felt her muscles resist. Then caught a flash on her status sheet. Seems she’d leveled up twice during yesterday’s battle.

A shiver went down her spine as she remembered the fight. The women she fought and killed. Their faces and screams. She staggered forward while her stomach churned. She found it hard to breathe as she leaned against the wall. Her mouth dried, and her vision blurred. 

She hadn’t even thought about that until now. She was so focused on Jasmine and the villagers. Her heart ached for having to take someone’s life, no matter who they were. 

Claire couldn’t tell who, but someone’s arms wrapped her in an embrace. She could feel her lover’s warmth on her back. It calmed her racing heart and allowed her to breathe easier.

Ursa had surprised her with a hug. The Ravian put aside her hesitations to help Claire, and Claire was grateful for that. She leaned into the embrace and allowed Ursa to calm her down. 

She took a long, labored breath before whispering. “Thank you… I-It just hit me what we did…”

Ursa pulled back and nodded awkwardly, avoiding Claire’s gaze. Her cheeks had a faint pink hue to them. “Yeah, I didn’t think it was that big of an issue… but your heart was racing so fast.”

Claire gave her a weak smile, patting her head. This deepened the warrior’s blush and caused her to squirm. Claire fought the urge to scratch behind Ursa’s ear, wondering if she’d like it. She stopped herself, though.

“How are the villagers?” Claire asked as she parted from Ursa. She stretched one more time as her stomach growled.

“They’re okay. Could be worse,” Ursa admitted. “I checked on them in the middle of the night. The adults created makeshift shelters from the rubble. Their fighters took over watch for us, so I let you gals sleep.

Claire opened the carriage window, letting warm sunlight flood in. Judging by the angle, it was already mid-morning. A pang of guilt hit her. They should be helping the villagers, not sleeping in.

Her train of thought was interrupted by her party members stirring. The twins were stirring, Ana and Elsie rubbing their eyes in perfect sync. Jasmine was already helping Lily sit up. Something was off with Lily.

Claire tilted her head. Lily seemed extremely pale and unresponsive.

“Is she okay?” Claire asked, quickly joining Jasmine’s side. “She looks sick…”

“I think so,” Jasmine said, wincing slightly. “Ana? Is she okay?”

Ana’s eyes were wide, and her jaw was slack. “Sh-she has divine fatigue…”’

Jasmine and Claire exchanged a look before Jasmine checked her status sheet. She ignored the level-up notification as she scanned the sheet.. Her eyes widened as her title had changed. Gone was the Bestowed Lover, her new title matched that of Claire’s.

Assassin of Virility

She could feel her connection to the Goddess flair up within her. A divine warmth radiated from her chest as she stared at the words. Her instincts told her that her own connection to the Goddess had deepened. And importantly, she was still considered a Bestowed Lover.

“Lily,” Claire asked gently, holding her hand.. “Did the Goddess visit you last night?” 

Lily weakly shook her head. Her eyes strained against the light as she shakily spoke. “N-no… I made an oath. Like h-how you do it.”

Claire blinked, then exchanged another look with Jasmine. Then with the twins, who had equally confused looks on their faces. Lily stirred as her hand glowed softly.

“My title changed too…” Lily whispered. Claire agreed to look at Lily’s status sheet, skimming the details.

“Mine’s still the same.” Ursa declared from the side. “Guessing it’s because of the bonds?”

“That’d make sense…” Elsie said, rubbing her chin. She turned her eyes to her sister’s noticing the same skill. “Oh… interesting. Did you two also get Caress of the Goddess?”

“No. Mine’s Seed of the Goddess.” Jasmine replied, trying not to squirm with excitement. Even just reading the skill made her shift in place.

“Lily has the Heart of the Goddess… I don’t have a new one like that.” Claire said, scanning over her new skills. “But my first one is Bestower of the Goddess, so that would be mine.”

Elsie smirked and glanced at Ursa with mischief in her eyes. “Can’t wait to see what yours is like. Think it’ll be Puppy or Pet of the Goddess?”

Ursa’s blush returned. She squirmed and struggled to respond. “N-no… probably something cooler.”

Claire chuckled. It was calming to know Elsie wasn’t affected by yesterday like she was earlier. She got up from Lily’s side as Ana replaced her. “We should check on the villagers… Ursa, come along.”

Ursa nodded, but Elsie watched them with mischievous eyes. “You forgot to call her a ‘Good Girl’ for following you.”

That caused both women to pause. Elsie’s words landed harder than they should’ve, but Claire pushed through. “True. She has been a good girl.”

Ursa shivered under Claire’s touch. She was petting Ursa’s head again before her urge took over. Claire scratched lightly behind Ursa’s ear, causing her to let out a soft moan. It was addictive.

Elsie chuckled from the side. “Ursa… might want to readjust before leaving.”

Ursa wasn’t listening. Her eyes were half closed as she leaned into Claire’s scratches. She was completely lost in Claire’s affection.

Claire bit her lip. This level of control over Ursa was too addictive. It took every ounce of her strength to stop. She pulled her hand away, causing Ursa to panic.

“Fuck.” Claire whimpered. Ursa’s puppy-dog eyes met hers as they pleaded for more. “Ursa, you’re too cute.”

Ursa blinked rapidly. Her pupils dilated as her consciousness returned. “Wh-what just happened?”

It felt like she’d just come out of her berserker’s trance. Except instead of rage, it was giddiness.

“Come on, Ursa,” Claire whispered. She beckoned to the bewildered warrior. “Let’s go check on the villagers.”

Elsie watched them leave the carriage before allowing her smile to fade. It took everything in her power to joke or even smile at the moment. All she could really think about was yesterday’s battle.

She had nightmares last night about the women she killed. It dominated her mind to the point that she could barely hear Ana’s soft voice.

‘Come here Elsie.’ Ana’s soothing voice called through the storm of emotions. Ana held her arms out for her sister.

Elsie crawled into her sister’s warm embrace. Her thoughts eased the moment Ana hugged her. Jasmine jumped in despite her pain, offering what she could in comfort.

“Don’t worry, Elsie…” Jasmine whispered. “I had nightmares for weeks after my first kill. It’s normal to feel this way.”

Elsie nodded, fighting back her tears. She took a deep breath, taking in the two’s aroma. It calmed her down and allowed her mind to ease slightly.

“Thank you,” Elsie whispered. “I-I didn’t want to worry Claire…”