Chapter 12

The trees seemed to close in around them as Naofumi stood frozen, covered in low-level orange balloons that were fruitlessly gnawing on his clothes. He looked at Maya, then at the exhausted, sneering Myne, clearly bracing himself for an attack or a barrage of insults.

Myne gripped her rapier, her knuckles white. "You disgusting—"

"Myne, stop," Maya interrupted, her voice gentle but firm.

She placed a heavy, iron-clad hand gently over Myne's trembling one, lowering the rapier. Maya looked at Naofumi with an expression of cold, detached pity, perfectly playing the role of the Kingdom's loyal servant.

"Do not waste your breath or your magic on him," Maya instructed Myne, her voice echoing slightly in the quiet woods. "Remember the King's decree. He is an outcast. We are not to interfere with him, neither to help nor to harm. Let the forest deal with him."

Naofumi blinked, catching the subtle, hidden meaning in Maya's words. We are not to interfere. She was giving him a free pass to leave without a fight. He gave a sharp, almost imperceptible nod, turned his back, and jogged deeper into the brush, the balloons still squeaking as they bounced after him.

Once he was out of sight, Maya immediately dropped the cold facade. She turned to Myne, her eyes swimming with deep, sudden concern.

"Besides, Myne… look at you," Maya cooed softly. "You are completely exhausted. You spent all your mana protecting me today. You are trembling."

"I am… quite alright, Maya-sama," Myne tried to boast, though she swayed slightly on her feet. "A little dirt is nothing to a noble adventurer."

"I won't hear of it," Maya declared fiercely.

Before Myne could protest, Maya stepped forward and scooped the red-haired woman into her arms. The heavy iron of her gauntlet supported Myne's back, while her left arm caught her beneath the knees. The 'princess carry' was effortless for Maya; thanks to her new level-ups and stat boosts, Myne felt as light as a feather.

Myne gasped, her face flushing a deep, sudden crimson. "M-Maya-sama! What are you doing? Put me down, someone will see!"

"Let them see," Maya smiled down at her, the perfect picture of a devoted, protective knight. "You carried me through the battles today. Let me carry you home."

Myne’s protests died in her throat. Her massive ego and vanity were completely short-circuited by the romantic, deeply protective gesture. She tentatively wrapped her arms around Maya's neck, resting her head against Maya's shoulder, completely surrendered to the pampering.

Hook, line, and sinker, Maya thought, her smile never wavering as she carried the spy all the way back to the capital.

By the time they reached the "Dragon’s Rest" inn, the sun had fully set. Maya marched straight to the innkeeper, ignoring the stares of the other patrons, and dropped a silver coin on the counter.

"Prepare your finest hot bath immediately," Maya ordered. "My companion requires rest."

Twenty minutes later, the two of them were in the inn's private bathing chamber. The room was filled with thick, fragrant steam.

Myne sank into the massive wooden tub, letting out a long, shuddering sigh as the hot water worked the deep ache out of her muscles. She closed her eyes, utterly relaxed.

The water rippled as Maya slipped into the tub beside her.

"Maya-sama?" Myne murmured, opening one eye lazily.

"Turn around," Maya said softly, picking up a soft cloth and a bar of floral-scented soap.

Myne hesitated for only a second before turning her back. Maya began to gently, methodically wash Myne's shoulders and back. She used firm, soothing strokes, massaging the tight, sore muscles that had been overworked by hours of spellcasting.

Myne let out a soft hum of absolute bliss. In her world of political backstabbing and manipulation, no one had ever simply taken care of her like this without immediately demanding a favor in return. The physical intimacy, the gentle touch, the sheer devotion—it was entirely intoxicating.

"You have beautiful skin, Myne," Maya whispered, pouring warm water over Myne's shoulders to rinse away the suds. "It would be a tragedy if it were scarred in battle because of my weakness. I promise, I will grow stronger. I will become a shield that truly protects you."

Myne leaned back against Maya, her eyes fluttering shut. "You are already so strong, Maya-sama. And so kind. I… I have never met anyone like you."

Maya’s hands continued their gentle, rhythmic washing, but her dark eyes, hidden in the steam, were entirely cold and calculating. She had successfully turned the kingdom's most dangerous viper into a purring kitten. Myne was no longer a threat; she was a deeply infatuated, fiercely loyal asset.

After the bath, they returned to Myne's room. Myne, clad in a silk nightgown, practically melted into the plush mattress.

"You should go to your room and rest too, Maya-sama," Myne mumbled, her eyes already half-closed.

"I will," Maya replied, pulling the thick blanket up to Myne's chin and tucking her in gently. "But I will stay right here until you fall asleep. I want to make sure you are safe."

Myne smiled, a genuine, unguarded expression that she rarely ever showed, and drifted off to sleep within seconds.

Maya sat in the chair by the window, listening to the rhythmic breathing of the sleeping spy. The day had been an absolute triumph. She had leveled up drastically, unlocked multiple weapon forms, safely navigated a run-in with Naofumi, and completely secured her cover.

But as she looked out the window at the moonlit capital, she knew the real work was just beginning. There were twenty-three days left until the Wave of Calamity.

Interactive Choice: The Shadow Play Begins

With Myne completely under her control, Maya now has the freedom to act without a spy reporting her every move. What is her long-term strategy for the next three weeks?