***Arc 8 One Who Spread Death, Chapter 199 Witch and Moon Eclipse***

A/N: Note, There is a depiction equivalent to R-15 (sexual). Please be careful if you are not good at it.

The sky with the arcing moon rising.

Royal estate――a woman lies on her back with her eyes closed on the bed in the master's room.

Her long eyelashes fluttered and her big eyes opened slightly.

She was petite and slender, but on her feminine body she wore a light pink negligee

"……quiet"

Bery said as if sighing, placing her arm on her forehead.

She picked up her red hair in her hands and looked at it in the moonlight shining through her window.

Her hair had gotten a little longer.

She wondered idly if she should cut it off, and then gave up the idea as it was a bad omen.

Selene and Kreschenta were addressing the soldiers in the east.

Anne and Elvena were out with them.

The silence in the estate was quite chilly.

She thought that if Kreschenta appeared, she would be there too, but since Bery was a little unwell, Elvena took her place.

It was just a mild fever――not that it bothered her, but Selene and Kreschenta were adamant about it since they were going to a place close to the battlefield.

‘Stupid. It's not just a sightseeing trip, it's a trip to see what's going on in the military. In some cases, we will have to walk around in unsanitary places, but what if you get even worse?’

‘Yes, that's right. If you, the stupid one, were to make it worse and fall, just what would Onee-sama say? You really are a helpless servant who doesn't think enough huh.’

Bery smiles bitterly at the memory.

The fever subsided within a day and there were no other problems.

She understood that they were worried about her, but if the result was this, she should have followed even by force, she thought, and took a deep breath.

This place wasn't really a big estate, but it was still too spacious for her to spend time alone.

She woke her body up, stood up, and went to the table.

She poured the half-empty glass of leftover nightcap wine and emptied it.

Taking a sip of the wine.

The scent was a little faded. Thinking back, she hadn't even corked the bottle since she drank it earlier.

She drank it all in one gulp and breathed in the liquor that she felt.

Slowly, she traced her lips with her fingertips from the top.

"...Krische-sama"

She had no trouble sleeping alone, or spending time alone, for that matter.

She thought she was used to it, she thought she was strong in that aspect――but somehow she had become much, much weaker.

She felt even lonelier when I put it into words, so she kept her eyes down.

It had been less than a month, but she felt as if she had not seen her face for a very long time.

She had heard that Krische had defeated Gulshan.

She knew that she must be safe and sound.

But Krische would always push herself. She was worried about many things, including whether she had a fever, whether she was eating properly, and whether she was sleeping properly.

She drank to try not to think about it, but the more she drank, the more her thoughts swirled around.

When she hugged her knees on the chair, her breasts were squeezed and she frowned.

Her lips pouted, and forcefully hugged her knees and sighed.

A vague sense of drunkenness lingers in the air.

The air was somehow cool against her feverish body, and sleepiness never comes.

When she looked in the full-length mirror, she saw herself in a chair, in nightgown, behaving in a bad manner.

It's sloppy but there's nothing she could do about it.

Laughing at herself, she muttered, ‘what a bad drink'

Even though she was always so careful, this was what happened when she thought no one was watching.

On the desk, an empty wine bottle and glass gave off a nice taste.

This made her look like a good for nothing――no, in reality that was the truth.

She was just playing the role of a fine servant, but her true identity was like this.

Bery Argan was such a slovenly and pitiful woman.

Selene and Kreschenta were busy going around every day, holding meetings, and interacting with merchants and nobles.

Bery, on the other hand, was only doing a little housekeeping and chores as usual.

She was always looking out for the two of them so that they could rest a little, helping them in any way she could, but she might be the one who was being taken care of.

Both Selene and Kreschenta seemed to be concerned about Bery's condition in some way.

――Bad habit. Thinking only about dark things.

Her eyes narrowed as she remembered her sister's words.

‘I shouldn't have drunk alcohol’, she sighed again.

When she get drunk alone, I become even more gloomy than she already was

Trying to forget the bad things from childhood, she forced herself to drink wine, and the bad things just keep coming back.

She had been thinking of quitting heavy drinking since then, but what happened was this.

Was there even people with such weak wills as hers, she even felt she was pathetic.

“…I can’t let Krische-sama see me like this.”

She giggled and looked down.

‘Krische-sama’, she whispered.

Beautiful hair that looks like fine silver threads.

Beautiful purple eyes like jewels.

There's something about her that's modest and neat, with her childish smile and her snow-white skin, all of which are simply beautiful――a girl who just shows her innocence towards herself.

Recalling her figure, she muttered once again, ‘Krische-sama’.

Then, a breeze came rushing in from behind her.

"Ehehe, so Bery is awake."

"……Huh?"

She quickly turned around, but before she could, the silver hair came up to her and hugged her from behind.

“I’m home.”

A sweet voice like the ringing of a bell.

The silver hair swayed as she rubbed her cheeks against the stunned Bery――purple shone at the edge of her vision.

"...? Ah, did Krische surprise Bery...?"

"J-just a little bit...Welcome home."

"Sorry. Um, Krische was thinking that Berry might be resting, but Krische... Are Selene and the others not here? Ah..."

As if realizing something, Krische hurriedly distanced herself from Bery.

Bery tilted her head and stood, and Krische embarrassedly said.

"...Even though Bery was wearing nightgown, Krische hugged Bery with outside clothes."

"Ah...fufu, don't worry. I don't mind."

Smiling bitterly at Krische, Bery told her while pinching her cloak, and approached and patted her head.

Then she put her hand on Krische’s cheek and slowly pressed her lips to Krische’s.

It was the sensation she had desired for a long time.

Happily, Krische pressed her lips against hers, too, and after a moment, they separated.

Krische licked her own lips with her tongue and smiled, smelling and tasting wine.

"...My apologies. A little nightcap"

Bery's cheeks, stained with the spirit of alcohol, turned even redder.

Krische stared intently at Bery's face with her purple eyes.

Touching Bery’s cheek with her hand and caressing her lovingly.

Then, this time, Krische pressed her lips against Bery’s.

"Ehehe, don't worry about it. Krische doesn't mind."

She said somewhat happily, mimicking Berry's words.

Berry's eyes widened and she looked taken aback,

"...fufu, geez. That’s not good."

She smiled happily.

Having taken off her cloak, Krische removed her belt and put down her bag and sword.

As expected, it was late at night, and it wasn't time to take a bath.

While Bery was preparing warm water for her, Krische took off her clothes, leaving the pouch around her neck, sat on the bed, and took off her boots.

The moonlight shining through the window――The servant in her nightgown looked more beautiful than ever.

Her red hair glistened, her long eyelashes that surrounded the brown eyes seemed wet.

She seemed a little dazed, probably due to the alcohol, and her pale skin had a light pink tint to it.

Beautiful, she gazed at the figure as she changed.

Selene and the others were apparently in the east, in the direction of Nozan.

Normally, Bery would have gone with Kreschenta, but she was staying at home.

When Krische asked, Bery told her that it was just that kind of fortuitous meeting.

“I've been thinking about Krische-sama for a long time, so maybe my wish came true.”

Bery sometimes said difficult things like that, which didn’t seem like an answer.

Krische didn't really understand it, but when she thought about what would happen if Anne was the only one left in the estate instead of Bery, for Krische it was surely some kind of fortuitous meeting.

Bery also looked happy, and though Krische didn't really understand it, it was fine.

After taking off the underwear, Bery took Krische's hand as she tried to remove her garter belt.

"...There's a little scar."

Then she looked at the wrist.

“As expected, the back of my gauntlet is going to get a little scratchy no matter what…it doesn’t hurt, Krische is fine.”

Even when she threw spears or swung swords, the friction with the back of the gauntlet causes some wear and tear.

The inside was soft and made of cotton, so it wasn't that bad, and compared to wielding swords and spears without gauntlets, it was a minor issue.

But Bery lowered her eyebrows and carefully cleaned it with a wrung out towel.

"There's no way it doesn't hurt. Even if it 's true, it would be terrible if it left scars on Krische-sama’s beautiful body.”

"……yes"

"Be honest about this kind of thing. Krische-sama should just honestly said it, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to tools so――"

Bery said that as she looked at the garter belt and noticed Krische’s appearance.

Her face became even redder as she looked flustered, looking away and said, ‘For tomorrow’.

Krische smiled blankly, but nodded silently.

Krische didn’t like the fact that she was worrying Bery a little, but she was also a little happy that she was worrying about her.

There was a feeling in Krische that she didn't quite understand.

“Um, Bery.”

She played with the bag of candy hanging around her neck and stared at Bery.

Berry looked at the bag and smiled bitterly.

"...Ah, fufu, don't worry about my tongue."

She brought her face close to Krische’s and narrowed her eyes gently.

“Can I have it?…That’s the charm right.”

"Yes, um, about that..."

"...?"

"Uh, Krische thinks Bery will probably like it..."

Krische took out a piece of candy.

She poured her magic power and stimulated it and presses the candy to Bery's wondering lips.

Bery rolled it around in her mouth――and suddenly froze, holding her mouth.

“Loo, just like when the hands tingle with Poison Piririn, or how one can feel the texture of things using magic, Krische was wondering if it would be possible to recreate the taste using the sensation of magic....Krische tried it on quite a few people but...”

If you can't treat the sense of taste itself, then you can just use magic to recreate the taste instead of using sense of taste.

Find the factor that stimulates the taste, and manifest magic that responds to it――it temporarily changes the reaction of the sixth sense of magical power, not the five senses of the body, and reproduces it as a taste.

When Krische picked up the candy engraved with magic, there was a sweetness of honey on her fingertips.

Although there are many aspects of the human body and its principles that are poorly researched, Krische had a deeper understanding than anyone else of the magical power that overlaps with the human body, and the spiritual body that it forms.

Changing the senses conveyed to the overlapping spiritual bodies――souls was not that difficult for Krische, as long as the idea came to her.

She tried it on Mia, Kalua, and some of the Black Flag Special Force members in advance.

Although there are some differences in taste depending on the individual, it was generally fine.

However, Bery remained frozen and unresponsive.

She started to stand up, wondering if maybe it was no good.

"..., it tasted like honey."

"Ha...Ehehe, that was good."

Relieved, Krische sat down.

Then, she took out a magic crystal from the bag that was placed beside her.

"First, Krische tried it with a magic crystal, and this time Krische tried it with candy. It's only sweet and sour that Krische can still sense and reproduce, but as soon as the war is over and things calm down, Krische'll be able to do it. But in the end...ah”

While she was excitedly explaining, Bery suddenly kneeled down on her.

Krische stopped her words and froze.

In front of such a Krische, Bery covered her face with both hands and her shoulders gently shook.

“Ah, uh, Bery...?”

Bery shook her head from side to side, scattering her red hair.

She let out a small sound as if she was trying to hold back a hiccup, and sniffled.

Krische was dumbfounded, got off the bed, and kneel.

Holding the redhead gently, she pressed Bery’s head against her chest.

It was a semi-conscious action.

She somehow understood that Bery was not crying because she was sad.

She just gently stroked Bery’s beautiful red hair with her hand.

Berry's hand weakly wrapped around Krische's back, as her face was pressed into Krische’s chest.

Her skin felt wet with Bery’s tears, and she didn't know what to say.

In the end, without saying anything, she pressed her cheek against Bery’s red hair.

A quiet estate on a quiet night.

Two breathing sounds. Two heartbeats.

The sound of sobs leaking out quietly, and one could even hear the sound of the red hair swaying as Krische stroked it――the two of them just hugged each other.

It's a little too cold to spend most of their time naked.

It was a little cold to spend the time being almost naked, but the warmth of their bodies was transmitted to each other from where they touch, warm and comforting.

Krische continued to stroke Bery’s head, feeling fulfilled.

After a while, Bery calmed down.

She relaxed her trembling shoulders and quietly took deep breaths.

She sniffed several times, and her loud sighs became heated and tickled Krische modest breasts.

"...Guess I showed Krische-sama a shameful sight. How embarrassing."

The tone of her voice was a little more tearful than usual.

Krische shook her head.

"...Bery isn't ugly at all. She's been putting up with the pain for a long time, so it's natural. Krische, when Bery woke Krische up, Krische's face was even more shameful."

‘So it's okay’, Krische nodded over and over again.

Her shoulder shook gently and a little laugh could be heard.

“A-and Krische didn’t see Bery crying, so Bery doesn’t have to worry about showing something embarrassing. Krische, didn’t see anything, and Krische won’t tell people things she didn’t see."

"...Fufu, Krische-sama is so kind."

Bery hugged Krische tightly.

“I love you”, Bery said, and Krische hugged her back.

"Ehehe...Krische also loves Bery."

she said as she smiled and let the red hair flow.

It seemed to sparkle in the moonlight, giving off a beautiful red glow.

"If you give Krische a little more time, it'll probably be perfect... but there's just a little problem."

"……problem"

"Yes. Regardless of the technique itself, Krische still needs a medium like a magic crystal so..."

Krische said, troubled.

“After all, it’s a matter of taste, so Krische think the tongue would be appropriate, but if that’s the case, Krische’ll need to carve the formula into Bery’s tongue…”

"...on the tongue"

"Yes. Since it transforms the magic crystal and engraves it on the tongue, it might be a little painful... Bery's body will be damaged so...?"

Bery shoulders shook, lifted her face and wiped her tears.

Then Krische’s lips

Unlike usual, Bery tongue slipped inside her lips.

When their tongues touched, Krische's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Bery pulled away after a moment and smiled.

"……It is sweet"

“It’s probably Taste Piririn…”

"Hehe. I'm sure... It's Krische-sama."

“Guess Krische-sama can’t be a bride anymore”, Bery laughed and continue

"...I have to take responsibility."

“R-responsibility...?”

“Yes”

She lifted Krische’s hips up on the bed.

She placed her hands on top of hers, pressing down on both of her wrists, and covering Krische and her scattered silver hair from above.

"...It’s Krische-sama’s fault."

"Umm……"

"Always just trying to please me like that. Always worrying about things you shouldn't have to worry about, and always, always... only about me"

Krische looked up at Bery dazedly.

Bery’s eyes were warm and moist, leaving traces of tears.

Her beautiful brown eyes seemed to suck her in.

“Also, right now, I'm no longer Krische-sama's beloved servant, but...a good for nothing drunk. My judgment has become clouded by alcohol, and I can't tell between right and wrong. ...Usually I can hold back, but today I can't.”

"...Is Bery always holding back?"

“Yes.…I love Krische-sama, much much more than Krische-sama thinks.”

Bery's hands squeezed her wrists so hard it hurt.

Bery's eyes were completely serious, and she was just staring at Krische.

Her heart was beating alarmingly.

As if scared, as if happy, it's a feeling that she didn’t really understand.

“Krische, is Bery’s so..., ah”

Bery's lips brushed against her collarbone, then down her neck.

It was ticklish and she squirmed slightly, and both lips.

She realized what she was looking for, and when she stuck out her tongue, they intertwined with each other.

"...That part of you Krische-sama. Krische-sama is a bad girl."

"Uhh... yes."

“Usually, I would put up with such a bad girl Krische-sama, but today I’m drunk, so I won’t hold it back. Krische-sama is the one who is at fault.”

"……yes"

Feverish brown eyes――she felt like she could get burned by the gaze.

Not scolding, not angry.

She was surprised to see Bery's appearance different from usual when making excuses, but somehow she felt happy and smiled.

"...Ehehe, Krische is the bad one."

"...saying that, I really don't care what will happen, you know."

“Yes.…What Bery wants to do is what Krische wants to do.”

The woman who covered her up opened her light brown eyes wide and smiled.

‘What a bad girl’, she said, and brought her face close to hers.

The moonlight shining into the room was eaten by shadows.

The red hair, as if to cover up silver hair, lies on top of it.