The night air was cool and clear. Bright moonlight spread across the land like a thin veil of mist, lending everything a hazy beauty. Along the forest path, branches arched overhead, and scattered patches of light fell across soft leaves and damp soil, quietly lighting the way forward.
Samael stretched lazily, his joints popping in comfortable relief. In a relaxed mood, he glanced toward the dense forest and the shimmering stream nearby, muttering to himself.
"Boudica wants to meet me by the river? At this hour? What could it be about? The next cleansing operation?"
The Ancient Serpent scratched his head, puzzled by the sudden invitation.
Earlier, after dealing with Nero, he had happened to run into Boudica's eldest daughter. The girl had passed along the Celtic queen's invitation to him.
Without realizing it, Samael had already reached the edge of the forest. The soft sound of flowing water snapped him out of his wandering thoughts. As his gaze drifted around, it was suddenly captured by a breathtaking sight.
The shallow stream ran clear, its banks scattered with smooth pebbles of every color, glistening like jade. Under the moonlight they reflected brilliant hues. In that hazy glow stood a figure in the water, her full, pale body like a sculpture carved from white jade, as if a goddess had descended into the stream.
The water splashed softly.
Crimson hair spilled over her shoulders like maple leaves touched by autumn, rich with mature charm. Her curves rose and fell in perfect proportion, irresistibly enticing, like ripe fruit hanging from a branch.
The woman scooped up a handful of water and poured it over her delicate collarbone. The stream flowed downward like a winding serpent, tracing the lines of her body. Her muscles were soft yet strong, glowing faintly under the moonlight. When she turned slightly, her abdomen came fully into view. Even after bearing two children, there was not the slightest excess flesh. Her body was sleek and powerful, like that of a mother leopard.
Damn it! Why is Boudica bathing?!
Samael froze on the spot, forcefully stopping his steps. One careless glance had already taken in the entire scene, and the familiar craving from past indulgence stirred again.
A certain pervert instantly found his thoughts drifting, the image of a purple-haired woman appearing in his mind—her restrained, ascetic expression paired with an equally devilish figure.
…And the first person he thought of wasn't even his legitimate wife. What a sin.
Samael felt instantly guilty, his eyes darting around nervously, half-afraid his wife ruling the Land of Shadows might somehow overhear his thoughts and freeze him into an ice sculpture.
But seriously, why did Boudica call him here?
Britain didn't have a tradition of mixed bathing, did it?
Were they supposed to discuss business in the river?
And even if they did… who exactly was soaking whom here?
The sudden encounter left Samael somewhat dazed. He rubbed his forehead, his thoughts in disarray.
"What took you so long?"
Just as his mind was spinning, the Celtic queen in the stream turned around and spoke casually.
"Did you bring the change of clothes…?"
But the moment their eyes met, Boudica froze.
Her voice caught. She quickly crossed her arms over her chest and sank slightly into the water, her body half-curled as the atmosphere instantly turned painfully awkward.
"Uh… your daughter told me to come here. She said you wanted to discuss something with me."
Realizing something was wrong, Samael reacted first, decisively tossing the blame toward the obvious suspect.
"Ah… I see… so that's what happened. That child is becoming more and more reckless."
Boudica quickly regained her composure. A trace of embarrassment and mild annoyance flickered in her eyes, though she also seemed somewhat amused.
Tonight she had simply come to bathe in the river on a whim and asked her eldest daughter to fetch a set of clean clothes.
She never expected the girl to take matters into her own hands and summon Samael to the riverside under false pretenses.
Such mischief was most likely meant to push her together with the man in front of her, hoping the Celts might gain a perfect king.
…If this man were willing to become the King of Britain, he would indeed be perfect.
Thinking this, Boudica looked up toward the figure standing on the shore under the moonlight. A faint blush rose on her cheeks. She lowered her head and coughed lightly, breaking the tense silence.
"Ahem. My apologies, sir. It seems to be a misunderstanding. My daughter was probably playing a joke. Sorry to trouble you for nothing. If it's not inconvenient, could you toss me the clothes?"
"Clothes? What clothes?
Wait… I do remember that girl bumping into me earlier with a bundle in her hands. But after delivering the invitation, she just took it back with her. She never gave it to me…"
Samael spread his hands, looking confused. Then he recalled the details of his encounter with the First Princess and frowned.
A moment later, the Ancient Serpent seemed to realize something. He glanced around, noticing the empty rocks nearby. Slowly, stiffly, he raised his head and met Boudica's eyes.
The two stared at each other.
"…"
"…"
Good daughter.
Good apprentice.
As the awkwardness deepened, the two elders exchanged a silent nod, their faces darkening. Both were already thinking about giving that "good child" a loving beating tomorrow.
"How about… I go to your room and bring some clothes here?"
After thinking for a moment, Samael cautiously suggested a solution.
After all, there were guards near the camp. Boudica couldn't exactly run back home naked. If someone saw her like that, she might as well stop being queen.
Boudica lowered her head and bit her lower lip. After a moment, she nodded reluctantly, her expression carrying both embarrassment and irritation.
With a solution found, Samael quietly let out a sigh of relief.
However, just as he turned and took a few steps away, the corner of his eye suddenly caught a massive shadow dropping from above.
His pupils shrank instantly.
In the blink of an eye, he spun back, rushed forward, and leapt into the shallow water, pressing the startled Boudica beneath him.
"ROAR!"
With a violent roar, dark bluish-green claws lunged toward the water where the two figures had just been.
The touch beneath his hands was smooth and soft, but in such a life-or-death moment Samael had no time to think about it. He grabbed Boudica, kicked off the riverbed, and swam forward to evade the wyvern's bite. At the same time, the Ether within his body surged awake.
With one hand, he hurled his cross-shaped spear.
The spear tore through the air and struck from a sharp angle, piercing the tough scales beneath the wyvern's neck that protected its heart. Ether detonated violently.
The wound burst open.
The dragon beast's terrified cry and struggle ended abruptly as chunks of organs and blood poured from the massive hole in its body.
Samael exhaled deeply.
"Good thing… just a false alarm. Only a wyvern."
But as he stretched his hand behind him, an oddly soft, delicate sensation suddenly brushed against his palm.
"You… ha… ha… good thing you're alright… good thing you're alright… This wyvern… showed up at just the right time… I simply helped out… no need to thank me…"
The Ancient Serpent stiffly turned around, forcing a dry laugh as he withdrew the hand that had been covering Boudica's chest.
Fortunately, the Celtic queen was no shy young girl. She pressed her lips together, gave a subtle nod, and chose to let the matter pass.
However, the stream had now been stained red with dragon blood. The scent might attract other dangerous creatures. Staying here was no longer safe.
With little choice, Samael removed his outer coat and draped it over Boudica's chest, temporarily covering the striking view.
Then the two of them climbed out of the water, one after the other, onto the riverbank.