No! He is—
Three voices rang out simultaneously. Before Wood could even finish speaking, the once fierce and arrogant Jormungand Cat had already been grabbed by the scruff of his neck by Master, leaving his body in a state of paralysis.
“..”
Wood was dumbfounded.
Master looked at the Jormungand Cat, who was drooping his head and tense all over, with a smile: "Since you're still a child, don't always try to challenge things that only adults can do."
[I am not a child! I am—]
I don't care what you are.
Master threw the Jormungand Cat away with a flick of his hand.
“..”
Wood was shocked. "Boss, He.. He is.."
Of course I know He is Jormungand.
Master said with a smile, "Are you worried his weight will sink this ship?"
I..
He is smarter and more tactful than you imagine.
No, Boss.. I mean.. what I mean is—
Wood's voice grew increasingly faint.
Because Master was already standing before him, his figure completely shrouded Wood.
Wood looked up, staring blankly at the man: the luxurious crystal chandelier on the ceiling was swaying along with the glass cup in the Boss's hand, both the light from the chandelier and the liquid in the glass cup were a heady, pale gold.
.. What do you want to say to me?
I, I..
Wood's mind went blank, he could only tell the truth: "I forgot."
You forgot?
The Man gently lifted his chin.
“Mm.”
Wood nodded, feeling as though he might drown at any moment in those eyes, which were as deep and dark blue as the sea before a storm.
Completely forgotten?
Completely.. completely..
Then don't think about it.
The Man lowered his head, his burning lips pressing against his lips, as the fragrant golden liquid also slid into his mouth with the tip of his tongue, bringing a slight, intoxicating lightness.
(Boss.. I.. I..)
The kiss deepened, a fervent anticipation welled up within his body.
Wood's consciousness grew increasingly blurred as he instinctively grabbed the other's shoulders, savoring the embrace that surged like an overwhelming tide.
I.. I..
You have just finished a life-and-death battle, your body has been severely depleted in all aspects. You are in urgent need of the most thorough and deep replenishment..
Then, then I.. right now I..
Wood blinked his eyes in confusion, feeling faintly as if he had forgotten something very important.
Stop overthinking.
The Man spoke softly, forcing his attention back onto himself: "You know nothing of the danger you are facing.."
“.. The danger I'm facing?”
Yes, a massive danger.
Bony, powerful fingers slid down along the spine, providing just the right amount of pressure against the skin, accompanied by a voice as soft as a lover's whisper.
“What kind of..”
What do you think?
“..”
What happens when the body loses the energy it relies on for support?
It will..
It will require a vast amount of energy to replenish and sustain the body.
I.. I..
In a daze, Wood was completely intoxicated, having forgotten his original intention, as well as the Jormungand Cat that the Boss had thrown out of the room.
..
The process of filling was filled with sweetness and joy, Wood was completely immersed in a near-hallucinatory floating sensation, until his muscles began to ache intensely from overexertion—
.. Can I.. just.. just for a moment..
No.
The Man said in a soft yet absolutely commanding voice, "We are currently in the most critical moment."
That is also true..
Are you very tired?
.. Not.. not exhaustion, it's..
Wood did not know how to express his true thoughts at this moment; his mind was a chaotic mess, filled with the pleasure of lust, bone-deep exhaustion, a slight sense of unease stemming from his secrets, finally—
(—Jormungand!)
Wood, who was finally remembering the Jormungand Cat, endured the tingling numbness spreading through his nerves and grabbed the Man's shoulder, whispering, "The cat.. that cat is.."
That cat is very strong; it won't lose its life just because I throw it out.
No.. I mean.. ah.. I mean.. that cat.. it, it—ah!
Master's actions sent the already dim-witted Wood into a temporary mental blank. It took a long time before he could gasp and regain his shattered sanity: "I.. I.. I mean that cat.. that cat called itself Jormungand.. Jormungand.."
I know He is Jormungand; Jormungand is the Midgard Serpent of Norse Mythology.
The Man spoke elegantly, his tone so matter-of-fact as if the Jormungand Cat had nothing to do with him.
I.. I..
I hope you can completely empty your mind; at least for now, you must empty your mind.
“I..”
Or do you want me to forcibly empty your mind for you?
“..”
Wood quickly changed the subject: "Boss, I.. I still can't believe that I actually had the power to kill the White Dragon, who fought the Red Dragon for the lands of Wales in the Arthurian Legend.. It's too incredible, it's as if.. as if I am the True Arthur.."
You were always destined by fate.. Well, you seem to be completely intoxicated now, unable to listen to a word I say.. So, I have decided to save the rest for later..
The Man lowered his head, his tongue sweeping across the sweat-soaked skin.
The moist sensation caused his skin to tense up involuntarily once more, his body being drawn by a tremor originating from deep within his Soul, causing him to exude intense—
.. Mmm..
..
..
At dawn, the ships of Avalon had successfully returned to the harbor.
Wood, his entire body soaked in exhaustion and weakness, opened his eyes. Looking out the window through the swirling sea mist, he let out a dry, hoarse voice: "What.. what time is it now?"
The ship has docked; it is seven o'clock in the morning.
"Drink this," Master said leisurely, handing the liquid, which shimmered with a magnificent ruby-like luster, to Wood.
Mm,
Wood took the crystal cup and drained the low-alcohol beverage, which had a slightly bitter taste that turned sweet, which the man had handed to him.
—Not asking what it is?
Why ask?
Wood looked at Master in surprise: "Boss doesn't even need to use poison to kill me; everything I have belongs to Boss, including my life."
Is that truly what you think?
Master stepped forward, his bony palm stroking Wood's back: "Is your unconditional obedience to me born from an instinct for survival, or because—"
Because it's love!
Wood said without a second thought, "I like you, Boss. I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you. I know you have many secrets, I know even better that to you, I am just a Lily you brought home on a whim, a flower not worth remembering. But I still like you.. Up until now, everything I have done for you was because I love you.. I.. I.."
What do you want to do?
I.. I.. all this time, I have been.. at least in my view, in my relationship with Boss, I have been the passive one.. Boss holds complete control.. Between us, whether it is kissing or other intimate acts, it is always Boss who expresses the need first, then.. but I want..
Wood said cautiously, "At least for now.. I.. I want.. I want to kiss the Boss as a lover. I admit my thoughts are presumptuous, but I sincerely hope to have a more equal and active position in this relationship with the Boss."
Having said that, without waiting for Master to answer, Wood proactively leaned in, wrapped his arms around his neck, kissed his lips, which still tasted of last night's sweetness.
The sudden confession left Master stunned for a moment, but he quickly regained his senses and held the person who was kissing him passionately close, returning Wood's intensity with even greater passion.
I'm glad you've finally realized that you love me.
..
—Swish!
The intense kiss, so passionate it was enough to drive one to madness, was forced to a halt by the malicious intrusion of the Jormungand Cat.
Interrupted, Master looked at the ball of fur attempting to challenge his authority with extreme displeasure: "Jormungand?"