Chapter 8: Clairvoyance

Whenever she blinked, Scama could still envision that sight: the twin-bladed undead swinging relentlessly at Sitri, sparks erupting from his gauntlet as he deflected every slash – and that moment where the string of combos was repelled by a perfect parry.

She had pushed beyond her limits with each strike of her tomahawk. Thanks to her companions, the guards, mages and the monk who'd flawlessly endured the endless slashes without taking so much as a hit in return, the defenders of E-Naeurl had vanquished the undead threat. Cleaning up the remaining zombies was an effortless task in comparison.

Behind the rim of her mug, Scama observed the celebrations from a lone corner of the inn. Lilynette sat beside her, drink in hand. Her own companions surrounded the monk with the silver gauntlet, recounting the battle to a wide-eyed Count Naüa.

"And so…! He jumps in front of Scama and says: It's time to let the demon loose!"

"That's not what I said! I said: Let's give these guys a demon's hell." Sitri scolded the thief, his lap made into Fadila's personal seat, but the man was too drunk to bother correcting himself.

"Nah, nah, nah. That's not what you said. Anyway, I'm there ready to throw another bottle of glue – when this guy stands RIGHT in front of the shield undead! Now remember, that thing is as big as a house. So it DROPS its shield on top of him, and this guy – this dumb ultra defensive monk bastard – he just counters it right back!" He mimicked the blowback, spilling beer on the floor – much to the amusement of all those who stood nearby.

"Just like that? Was it a spell or a martial arts skill?" Count Naüa asked, stroking his beard in wonder.

"No clue, but the thing just bounced off of him!"

Count Naüa stayed silent for a moment, before turning to Sitri and asking, "Say, kid, as a reward, why not take the hand of one of my d—"

"Shut up! Don't you finish that sentence! I'm not even going to consider that one!"

The inn filled with the crowd's amusement.

Count Naüa held both of Four Armament's men in his muscular bronzed arms.

"To our heroes!"

"Cheers!"

"As promised, your rewards await you tomorrow, brave defenders! For now, eat, drink and enjoy yourselves as you please! Tonight we celebrate humanity's victory!"

And the inn shook from the roars of the triumphant.

Sipping on her sweet drink, Lilynette gently nudged Scama with her knee. "That whole battle must've aged me at least 10 years. I'll have to find myself the right boytoy to compensate."

She had every other day of her life to be displeased at Lilynette's words, but tonight was a special occasion. Rather than sermon her, Scama asked, "And your new husband? Are you planning to leave Four Armaments after this?"

"Well… I am but his concubine, not his wife. I'm certain my husband won't mind me traveling for a little longer before settling down."

Scama crossed her arms, a smile on her lips. "I see. In that case, I look forward to overcoming more challenges at your side."

"Mhm! Let's just… never face off against the Sorcerer King again, deal?"

"Agreed."

Giddy, Lilynette gave Scama a light hip-bump. After another gulp of her drink, she appeared to light up.

"Oh, that reminds me! What are you going to do about him?"

Him in this case could only mean—

The man currently arm-wrestling with Count Naüa as the crowd cheered them on.

"Sitri? What about him?"

Lilynette perked her brow, "What do you mean? Obviously he's going to ask you about that dumb bet you two made!"

"Ah. Given the outcome of the battle and his performance, I suppose I could consider him as a potential partner someday."

"Haa…" The pinkette sighed, shaking her head. "Listen, Scama. That's not what he's after. A man like that – he only has one thing on his mind. He's going to want to bed you. Nothing else will satisfy him."

Scama looked back at Lilynette, ready to ask her how she could know that fact so confidently. But then she remembered what kind of mirroring personalities she was dealing with here.

"I cannot afford to be impregnated before I've reached my goal. After today, after seeing that man fight – I've made up my mind." Scama tightened her fist under the table. "I will lead Four Armaments to Adamantite-rank and allow each of you to reap whatever rewards should please you. Land, titles – so long as it ensures you great and peaceful lives."

"Ahaha… How noble of you… You know that there are other things men and women can do in bed that doesn't involve child conception, right? If that's such a concern for you anyway, I could easily use a blessing to solve that."

"Thank you, but I am confident in my decision. Besides, he could not have seriously believed that a single battle would be enough to win over my heart."

Lilynette averter her gaze. Even if she had wanted to answer, their conversation was cut short by the demon himself making his way towards their table. His body glistening from the tavern's heat, Sitri stood on the opposite side of Scama. With both palms flat on the table, emphasizing the outline of his bulky arms, he locked eyes with the silver-haired woman.

"Scama. I've compiled a list of things I want to do with you. Here goes. I want to hug Scama's muscular body against my chest! I want to rub Scama's back with my cheek! I want to grope Scama's breasts from behind! I want to lick the sweat between Scama's—"

"Follow me, loudmouth. I would like to discuss something with you."

"Wait wait wait! I wasn't done yet. I want to—"

"Hush. Come now." The silver maiden grabbed Sitri's wrist and dragged him away. She led him upstairs to a secluded area.

"…"

Lilynette watched the pair depart. The width of that man was intimidating alone, but after what she'd seen today, he'd become more than just a buffoon. The man was a threat. A threat to her pure-hearted captain especially, and she'd gathered more than enough evidence to that fact.

Sorry leader, but I can't leave you alone with that idiot. You didn't hear all the things that demi-human told me.

[Clairvoyance.]

After inhaling through her nose and channeling mana into her staff, Lilynette placed an invisible magic sensor at the upper-right corner of Sitri's bedroom, just as she'd done before. It behaved like an extension of herself – allowing her to see as though she lurked in that very corner. The sensor could also rotate, should she need to readjust her line of sight.

To her unsurprise, both of them entered the bedroom, with Scama closing the door behind her. She continued to lead the man by his wrist and the pair sat side by side on his bed. Before Scama could talk, Sitri placed his hands on her shoulders. He looked happy as could be, gently shaking Scama back and forth. He slid his hand down her forearm, cupping her palm in his.

Touching her all over… Is that how you expect to charm someone?

Despite his forwardness, Scama placed her finger atop his lips and silenced him. She held his hand back, softly. Her lips moved and she spoke for almost a minute.

Haa… Here it comes.

The longer she spoke, the wider Sitri's eyes became. By the end, she patted his hand and shook her head.

Take that. Now let me see your real side. Do something you'll regret for the rest of your life.

Lilynette spied the man's lips curling up in his usual lecherous grin. He looked like a wolf about to lunge at its prey. Lilynette was ready to jump out of her seat at a moment's notice.

Instead, Sitri talked as well. Whatever he was saying to Scama was completely indecipherable and yet, despite that, Lilynette chose not to use [Clairaudience] as well. It was the least she could do to respect her leader's wishes.

He was gesturing to himself, flexing his bicep at her, mimicking… the swing of her tomahawk? Then he tapped Scama's back with his finger and—

"—Gahahahaha!"

Lilynette overheard his laughter from downstairs.

Somehow, someway, that idiot made Scama smile.

She reached for his face, cupped his cheeks and interrupted his words with her lips.

Lilynette focused her senses. Holding onto this third tier spell was no easy feat, but she still had several more minutes in her.

Sitri held up a finger at Scama, which she initially rebuked, but after Sitri mumbled something and pointed at her lips, her traits softened and she acquiesced. The priestess saw her unshakable leader lean again for another kiss on the lips. This time, Sitri's arms wrapped around her body. He held her tight, prompting Lilynette to rise from her seat.

That bastard…!

But moments later, Scama tapped him on the waist, and he let go.

Then Sitri raised his finger anew, but this time Scama shook her head.

She stood up from the bed, shared some parting words and left.

What? Is that it…?

Lilynette was the only one to see it. The moment Scama left Sitri's bedroom, he… well… She had no words for what happened next, except…

He's throwing… a tantrum…

Somewhere along the lines of Sitri collapsing to the ground on his hands and knees, then tossing his pillow all over the room made Lilynette embarrassed to keep spying on him. Once he started rolling around in bed, clutching the sides of his blanket to enwrap himself in the sheets, Lilynette figured she had seen enough.