"Al..."
Alicia stared in horror as Albel’s limp body collapsed into her arms. Her mind went blank. She clutched his bleeding abdomen, but crimson blood seeped relentlessly through her fingers.
"Al!"
Alusa had seen it too—Albel taking the tentacle strike meant for Alicia. She rushed to his side, face pale with panic.
"Alusa, what do we do? Al got hurt protecting me..." Tears streamed down Alicia’s face. Her hands were slick with Albel’s dark red blood, her entire body shaking with sobs.
"O Forest Goddess, grant your child your blessing!"
Ignoring Alicia, Alusa pressed her palms together. An elven chant slipped from her lips as emerald light bloomed between her fingers. She hovered her hands over Albel’s wound. The glow slowed the bleeding—but barely.
"Damn it... it has to work!" Sweat beaded on Alusa’s forehead. Her trembling limbs betrayed the spell’s exhausting toll.
"Al, please don’t die..." Alicia cradled Albel’s closed eyes, weeping uncontrollably. Bystanders watched silently as his blood pooled on the ground.
Then—black feathers drifted down from the sky. Verdandi materialized beside Albel.
"Move."
Verdandi shoved Alicia aside with a snarl. Her fingers checked Albel’s pulse. Her expression turned glacial.
"If my brother dies," she whispered, "I’ll bury this world with him."
In a flash of light, Verdandi vanished—taking Albel with her.
Alicia clawed at the empty air where he’d been. Her hands fell limp to the ground, tears still falling. *This is my fault. All my fault.*
She should’ve listened. Shouldn’t have charged ahead alone. Albel was untouchable—immune to physical attacks, magic, monster effects. He only fell because he shielded *her*.
*What if he’s gone?* In Alicia’s heart, Albel was invincible. Others might die—but never him. Yet this near-god lay broken for her sake.
A sob tore from her throat. She’d never let herself imagine a world without him. Now, she couldn’t breathe. *If he’s gone... I don’t want to live either.*
"Big sister... I’m sorry..." A small boy crept forward, trembling at the bloodstained scene. A relative yanked him back. No one dared approach the grieving girls.
"Damn it!" Alusa clenched her fists. *If I hadn’t hesitated checking that curse... I could’ve saved him.*
Just as Alicia’s despair peaked—Verdandi reappeared. She seized Alicia’s arm.
*Whoosh.*
They rematerialized in a dim room. Albel lay on a bed, bloodless but breathless.
"Al!" Alicia lunged forward—only to be blocked by Verdandi’s outstretched arm.
"Verdandi...?" Alicia blinked up at her, confused. Then she froze.
She’d never seen this girl’s face like this. Verdandi—usually bright-eyed and teasing about her brother—now looked like a demoness descended to earth.
"Brother is dead." Verdandi’s voice was ice. Each word cut deep.
"Al..." Alicia stared at his still form. Tears spilled over. One meter separated them—a chasm between life and death.
"Verdandi, I’m sorry! It’s all my fault! Kill me! If Al’s gone, I don’t want to live!" Alicia gripped Verdandi’s shoulders, begging for death.
"Kill you?" Verdandi scoffed. "If you’d truly killed him, I’d make sure you suffered far worse than death." A chilling smile spread. "But there’s one chance to save him. If you’re willing."
"Anything! Tell me!" Hope flared in Alicia’s eyes.
Verdandi waved her hand. Albel’s status screen flickered above him—now with a new line:
> **Upon destruction:** Sacrifice a maiden’s first night. Unit gains +1★, revives at full HP.
"B-but my Light Sanctuary contract! I can’t—" Alicia’s protest died. *For Al, I’d break any vow.* Yet the covenant bound her.
"Just the *night*," Verdandi chirped, her smile suddenly sweet. "No need for... *completion*. One night beside Brother is enough."
"O-okay. I’ll try." Alicia took a shaky breath. All hesitation vanished.
"If he doesn’t wake tomorrow?" Verdandi’s smile turned razor-sharp. "I’ll make you wish you’d died with him." She turned and left, slamming the door.
"*Sigh.* Brother... I’ve done all I can." Verdandi vanished into the hallway.
Alone, Alicia knelt by Albel’s bed. She traced his pale cheek. The cold skin confirmed his death.
"This time... I’ll save you." She lay beside him, wrapping her arms around his still form.
*Just hold him. Sleep.* But after minutes of stillness, she sat up. *This isn’t enough. If it’s his ‘first night’...*
Facing away, she peeled off her crimson coat. Unbuttoned her battle dress. Folded her white blouse neatly on the nightstand.
Down to her bra, she hesitated at her skirt’s zipper. *Should I...?* She’d been seen by him countless times—but this felt different.
*He died for you. Stop hesitating!*
As her fingers fumbled with her bra clasp—
*Peek.*
Albel’s eyes were slits, watching. *Take it off! Hurry up!* His mind screamed. *This Holy Maiden’s wasting time!*
Alicia unhooked her bra. Her breasts sprang free. She covered them with one arm, carefully placing the garment aside.
*Yes. Exactly like that.* Albel’s throat went dry. *Watching her undress herself... nothing beats it.*
*Now the panties?* Alicia bit her lip. *Might as well go all the way.* She slid her fingers under the waistband of her white panties—
Then froze.
Her eyes darted downward.
A small tent strained against Albel’s trousers.
*Oh.*
Alicia whipped around.
Albel’s eyes flew wide—too late to shut them.
"Heh. They’re... impressive." He grinned weakly at her bare chest.
"ALBEL, YOU IDIOT! I’LL KILL YOU!" Alicia shrieked, launching herself at him.
He braced for impact—but she crashed into his chest, arms locking around him in a fierce hug.
"Al... you’re alive. Thank gods."
"Foolish girl," he murmured, ruffling her hair. His status screen glowed above them:
> **Indestructible:** Upon lethal damage, unit gains +1★ and revives.
"Why’s this different from before?" Alicia blinked at the text.
"Different? What do you—" Albel’s smirk faltered as he finally processed her state of undress. His gaze dropped. "...Ah."
Alicia followed his stare. Down. To her bare legs. Her exposed chest. The white panties clutched in her hand.
Silence.
Then—
"ALBEL!!!" Her scream shook the windows.
Albel also looked confused, but then he immediately recalled what had just happened. Inwardly, he groaned, "This is bad."
"Oh, so you teamed up with your sister to bully me?"
Alicia, her face flushed with anger, straddled Albel and rubbed her hands together before continuing.
"Just as I thought—you might as well die!"
