I Tamed the Black Duke as a Terminally-Ill Saint (3 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 14
‘He must be feeling quite smug by now.’
Hades wiped the sweat from his brow and slashed through another demon.
Though he hated to admit it, Angelica had been right.
He was simply outmatched against these foes.
Had he not been forewarned that these demons wielded fire, he would have exhausted all his energy conjuring that massive ice construct.
“Your Highness! Soren has fallen!”
“Your Highness! We’re pulling Michael to the rear!”
“Your Highness! Reinforcements are needed!”
All around him came nothing but grim reports.
“Your Highness! The right flank is retreating!”
Hades calmly assessed the situation.
Once the right collapsed, the entire formation would crumble in an instant.
Yet he couldn’t possibly order the already devastated right flank to hold their ground.
The decision was simple.
“Fall back—all of you.”
“Your Highness!”
“That’s an order.”
Being born as the sole legitimate heir to the dukedom and later becoming Grand Duke himself had one clear advantage: no one dared question his commands.
Even Sir William, who had initially shown reluctance, now shouted to nearby knights, rallying them to withdraw.
Hades picked up a sword abandoned by a retreating knight.
His own blade had shattered long ago and lay discarded somewhere on the battlefield.
He slashed at a demon charging from his side.
Flames sprayed as its neck was severed.
Then again—from the front.
Again—from behind.
Again—from the sky….
With the knights who had been shielding him now gone, demons surged in from every direction.
There was no time to complain about exhaustion or pain.
Only killing—and surviving.
Hades’ mind held but one obsession: cut down as many as possible.
He did so—over a hundred times.
His arms trembled, his legs began to cramp.
Yet he was not one to surrender in battle.
Kneeling on one knee, Hades swung his sword wildly, felling demons all around him.
‘…Huh?’
At that moment,
something cool touched his knee.
After enduring only searing heat and burning pain, the sudden sensation of moisture jolted him fully awake.
He looked around.
‘What’s this?’
The ground, parched by fire moments before, was clearly dampening.
No—it wasn’t merely damp.
Visible moisture now glistened across the earth.
And then…
‘Water!’
Though the sky held not a cloud, vast pools of water were appearing everywhere, as if a torrential downpour had just struck.
There was no time to wonder how or why.
All that mattered was recognizing the opportunity—and seizing it.
From Hades’ lips came the command he’d longed to utter all day.
[Nix Tempestas]
The blizzard would serve as a welcome remedy to the demon horde, now drenched like drowned mice.
“Congratulations, Your Highness!”
Hades gave a bitter smile.
Someone had suffered a severe leg injury; another was wrapped in thick bandages around the head.
Most bore minor or major burns.
Yet not a single soul showed resentment—only pure, unreserved joy.
“If not for Your Highness, we surely would have…”
“It wasn’t me.”
Hades cut off Sir William.
“Sir, do you know who filled the ground with water?”
“Water, Your Highness?”
William looked genuinely bewildered.
“Is such a thing even possible?”
“It seems it is. Could there be a mage secretly hidden within the castle?”
“There are no mages.”
Sir William’s tone suddenly grew curt.
“Only the Saintess.”
“…!”
Hades’ eyes widened.
Of course—the only person in this castle capable of orchestrating such an impossible feat was…
“Your Highness, where are you going?”
Hades didn’t answer.
If his suspicion was correct, every second counted.
…And his suspicion proved absolutely right.
“Saintess!”
Without hesitation, he leapt into the lake.
Just as he’d anticipated, the water level had dropped to about half.
There would be no major issue with the drinking water supply, though they’d need to conserve it for now.
And right in the center of the lake…
“Saintess.”
His heart sank.
Had it not been for her distinctive silver hair, he might not have spotted her at all.
Angelica was completely submerged.
Hades hurriedly pulled her out and checked her pulse.
But perhaps it was his own anxiety,
or perhaps Angelica’s pulse was simply too faint—
he felt nothing that could confirm she was still alive.
“…What on earth did you do?”
Hades muttered helplessly.
To sacrifice her own life just to corner the demons…
Angelica was someone who was meant to be protected—not someone who was supposed to protect others.
No one had ever burdened her with such a duty.
‘…I can’t let her go like this.’
Hades began compressing Angelica’s chest, which showed no sign of rising or falling.
The northern region had many deep lakes and mountains, and since childhood he’d swum with his retainers.
Naturally, he knew basic first aid.
This was purely about saving a life—nothing selfish entered his thoughts.
Thus, Hades carefully avoided noticing how soft Angelica’s lips were, or how full her chest felt beneath his hands—so delicate that applying too much pressure might break her ribs.
“…Cough!”
How long had it been?
Angelica coughed violently and spat out water.
“Saintess!”
Hades quickly sat her upright and patted her back.
Only after vomiting several more times did Angelica finally regain consciousness.
“My… sword…”
For a moment, an indescribable emotion struck Hades.
Surviving death itself—and the first thing she asked for was her sword.
But he wasn’t the kind to ignore the wish of someone who’d nearly died for him, so he pointed to Angelica’s left.
“I brought it.”
“…Thank you.”
A faint smile appeared on Angelica’s face.
“You’re not hurt, are you?”
“No.”
“I’m glad.”
Hades clenched his jaw.
He had so many things he wanted to say.
Are you out of your mind? What if you’d died? Did you really think I’d be happy about this…?
But none of those words were appropriate for someone who looked as frail as she did now.
“…Let’s get you upstairs. You need to see a physician.”
He received no reply.
‘…I’m dizzy.’
I rubbed my eyes and turned over in bed.
Memories of how I ended up like this slowly returned—but offered no comfort.
My body felt so awful I wished I could just fall back asleep.
My stomach churned, and every inch of me throbbed in pain.
‘I haven’t felt this bad since the Gargoyle’s curse…’
I opened my eyes, but all I saw was blurry haze.
“You’re awake.”
“…?”
I must surely be hallucinating.
Otherwise, Hades Crohittner wouldn’t be standing by my bedside.
Hades continued calmly.
“The physician stressed you must remain absolutely at rest for now.”
“…That’s awful.”
Even worse was my own voice—hoarse and grating from disuse.
Hades showed no particular reaction to my remark.
Apparently satisfied just by confirming I’d regained consciousness, he turned to leave.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
Why, even now, I couldn’t explain—
some irresistible impulse made me reach out and grasp Hades’ sleeve.
Or at least, that’s what I’d intended.
What my hand actually caught was…
‘…His fingers?’
My fingertips had become completely entwined with Hades’ long, calloused fingers.
I swallowed hard.
My heart pounded wildly, as if demanding to be let loose.
But I didn’t want to let go.
The warmth flowing from his touch meant everything to me.
His warm hand silently assured me I wasn’t back in that dreadful water.
“Just… stay a little longer.”
I managed to speak, though it took every ounce of strength.
“After all, I’m Your Highness’s cherished consort.”
Though my vision was still too hazy to see Hades clearly, I was certain he wore that familiar mocking smirk.
Yet, perhaps out of pity,
he made no comment and simply sat back down beside the bed.
“Yes, you are my consort.”
He spoke matter-of-factly.
“In no kingdom do I recall a consort shielding her sovereign.”
“…”
I pressed my lips tightly shut.
My body already ached enough—I didn’t need to hear Hades scold me for foolishly stepping in.
“Don’t… ever do that again.”
Why?
From Hades, I sensed something desperate.
“I saw Your Highness fighting.”
I replied quietly.
Truth be told, my throat hurt too much to speak louder.
“I thought this castle might fall.”
“Even so, my knights would have evacuated you.”
“But what about you?”
My vision had now cleared completely.
Enough to look straight into Hades’ eyes.
“Only Your Highness can protect me to the very end.”
Hades looked more exhausted than I’d ever seen him.
His hair was singed, his body wrapped in bandages everywhere.
Yet none of that diminished the impression he made—he still appeared stronger than anyone I’d ever known.
“You wouldn’t have died.”
“Maybe not.”
I agreed.
Hades was the kind of man who’d rather fall into corruption than truly die.
“But you might have ended up worse than dead.”
One thing was certain.
Before meeting him, perhaps I wouldn’t have cared—but now…
‘I hope he never falls into darkness.’
I hoped that Hades—somewhat mischievous, somewhat cold—never changed.
The man who seemed to use me, yet begged me not to be used in return—I hoped he never became this world’s hidden mastermind.
Because I wanted to stay by his side.
“Worse than dead…”
Hades gave a soft, bitter laugh.
“Saintess, there’s nothing more precious than life. Treasure yours more.”
“That wasn’t about me.”
I grumbled, but utterly drained, my eyelids slowly closed on their own.
Was it my imagination?
Just before drifting off, I thought I heard Hades’ low murmur.
“Treasure it—for my sake, you… little mouse.”
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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