Chapter 73

Chapter 73

I grabbed onto Eriez and jumped away, and within a blink of an eye, the giant rock crashed into the spot where we were a moment ago. Before more rocks and mud slid down towards us, I stood up and ordered all the brothers to follow me. I ran and ran to where I was sure the ground was stable.

From afar, we watched the scene in awe. Instead of a few rocks falling, what we started turned into a full-blown landslide and mudslide. In fact, a new cliff was formed around the area from what we did. I suspected many of the barbarians died from it, which meant that we, those who live in Minurd, should be safe from them for a while.

“What the hell! What’s going to happen to that path?”

The brothers exclaimed in wonder, and I smirked. Obviously, these brothers will be deployed back to this spot to rebuild the path at a later date.

However, this didn’t concern me. Eriez came towards me, probably to say something, but I stood up and said to everyone, “Idiots. I’m off now, so when the rain stops, you guys can find your way to Minurd on your own.”

“Hey… Sir… Or… Umm… Juya… right?”

Was he trying to thank me? I hated things like that, so I replied coldly, “Don’t call me ‘Sir.’ I’m pretty sure you are older than me. Besides, I am not someone you want to get close to. I am a nobody with no rich or powerful family back in the capital… I am an outsider with no significant rank…”

This was the truth. I was clear on this topic to Eriez, but…

He never gave up on becoming my friend. He was such an idiot….

***

I used up all of the drugs again, so I grabbed the jar. I was leaving the selamlique, and Eriez spotted me. He was probably on his way to his training with the prince.

“Juya, where are you going?”

“… none of your business.”

Was he going to stop me?

“Juya, wherever you are going, I will go with you.”

He tried to grab my shoulder, but I pushed his hand away. Go with me? Well, he could try, but I knew he wouldn’t be successful.

“I’m going to the harem.”

“What?”

I had a perfect excuse I could give him. It wasn’t a complete lie either.

“I’m going to the harem, so don’t even think about following me. And stop nagging me. I still talk to one of the odalisques that were in Prince Camille’s quarters, and she told me that she only does what the Goddess would want.”

“…”

“That means I am going to the harem to do the Goddess’ work… So it’s none of your business.”

Just thinking about getting more drugs made me grin. Eriez looked at me silently, and I knew he had no idea what kind of filthy things I was planning to do once I got more.

Oh… I couldn’t wait for my body to be destroyed by the brothers again.

***

Fatima again didn’t say much to me as she handed me the refilled jar, but I became angry when I looked inside.

I asked, “Are you doing this on purpose, Fatima?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You filled up the jar to the top when you first gave me the drug, but every time I come to you for more, you give me less and less.”

It was a subtle difference, but I have been coming to her often enough to notice. Fatima widened her eyes and pretended ignorance.

“You probably imagine things. The more you use this drug, the more you want it. Your desire for the drug is confusing your mind.”

“No, that’s not it at all… Look here…!”

There was clearly a difference in the amount she was giving me. The clear jar was only filled about two thirds, but the first time she gave me, it was filled to the top. I glared at her angrily, but I knew I couldn’t make a scene. We were in the harem after all.

Fatima grinned and replied, “If you need more, you are welcome to come back. I guess you will have to come often. Hahaha…”

If something went wrong in the harem, and a man was found to be involved, the blame would be on the man no matter what. This worked the other way too. If something terrible happened outside the harem and a woman was found to be involved, she would be blamed for it even if it wasn’t her fault.

I was sure that Fatima was fooling me, but I couldn’t continue to argue with her. What was she trying to achieve? It wasn’t that she was trying to not give me any more of the drug… She told me to come more often, so could it be…

“…Do you… Do you like me, woman? Have you fallen for me?”

I murmured the questions quietly. I was embarrassed to ask it, but the more I thought about it, the more I became convinced. Fatima covered her mouth and looked away with a flinch. Either she was shocked, or she was trying to hide her laugh.

I insisted, “But it makes sense, right? You didn’t even know me, yet you helped me with my back injury without being asked. I have been asking you for a strange favor, and so far, you accommodated me without questioning my motive… And now… today… You are asking me to come more often?”

“So if I tell you that I have fallen in love with you, will you not come here anymore, My Innocent One?”

“That’s not the point…!”

Even if we ignored the fact that everyone in Minurd was supposed to remain chaste and pure, this woman was still acting very strangely. I mean, if she only saw me at my best, like spending quiet times in Prince Camille’s library reading, then I could understand that she might fall in love with me. The fact that I saved her also helped.

However, afterward, she saw me in the hideous leather strap around my member. She even made fun of me a few times. She must have guessed what I was using this drug for. Did she know how many men were enjoying my body?

Fatima replied, “I don’t care what you think. If you want to believe I have fallen in love with you, that’s fine.”

Nothing mattered to me either. If I died tomorrow, it wouldn’t surprise anyone. Watching her disappear, I stood quietly. I couldn’t help the bitterness that welled inside of me.

On my return, I saw it was getting dark. I jumped down the roof and didn’t land right. I wondered if my ankles would ever recover. I limped for a while, but feeling too tired, I sat down on the ground against a wall.

I was so weak and in so much pain. Where did my strength go?

There was at least one good thing that happened. I knew how to forget the pain, and I was in luck because I was holding the answer right in my hand. I opened the jar and scooped some of the jellies. Slowly, I rubbed it on my cheeks, lips, and neck.

Soon, I felt the familiar tingling that allowed me to forget the pain. I didn’t care anymore. I thought I heard someone calling me names. Sl*t… Traitor… Who*e…