I Own a Brothel in Another World

Chapter 257 – Road Rage

As we ride through the town, I lead the short procession. The streets might be wide around these parts, but there’s no need to take up most of them, especially with all those wagons and caravans moving in each direction. Diana’s presence is already a tad disruptive, even though my incredible lupine friend is somehow masking her aura and ferocity. I bet she learned that just for me so she can carry me even more in many places.

I should have a chat with Lumina during a free moment, perhaps tonight, and ask how exactly monster evolutions work. Safi and Emi weren’t able to talk and picked that ability up during their advancement to communicate with me. I wonder if other entities can do the same or, at the very least, something similar. It would be so much easier to discuss our matching affinities if we could use something else than thoughts and intentions. I have a feeling she would be a great teacher for my Void element.

Soon enough, we reach the outer gate and slowly pass by the sentries. I give the guards a polite nod while Cecil doesn’t even spare them a look. I guess the clans don’t have much respect for the nation’s soldiers, most likely depending almost solely on their own forces, considering the garrison the Patriarch mentioned. Still, being nice to first-contact workers doesn’t cost anything and can potentially pay out in the long run.

Just imagine getting mugged one day, and the guard that witnesses it is the one you were rude to, deciding he’s not being paid enough to care.

As soon as we trot out of the city, quite a few minds reach out to me and connect deeper, their inquisitive probing evident. I explain to the ladies spending their time mostly outside of the walls that I’m just going on a brief trip. We exchange a few words, and I listen to what Ianthe’s girls have been up to besides the moments they assisted my ladies and their Den Mother. It’s a decent pastime while following the road.

Lilia and Lilie chime in, sad that one of them can’t accompany me, but they are bound to the same flower, in the end. Splitting up like that over great distances would be extremely uncomfortable or even painful if not straight up dangerous. But, they have their mission to protect our new place and new friends, assuring me that they are going to do their best, especially after receiving a tasty reward the previous night, being at the peak of their performance now.

I promise to take them during the next task, if there is one, and refocus on my companion, who has been riding in silence this entire time. Cecil’s horse has moved to Diana’s side by now, getting used to the giant wolf that didn’t show any dangerous mannerisms towards it. My steed is focused on our path and our surroundings, her ears flicking around from time to time. I make sure to scratch her neck now and then for the good job she’s doing.

“So, you travel lots?” I casually fling a question at the Dwarf girl.

“So, you are one of those Humans who keep yapping throughout the entire journey?” She scowls at me, not moving her face away from the front.

“I can do either.” Shrugging, I return my attention to the road too. “Just feels like a waste not to get to know each other a bit if we are to work together.”

“You are my escort. You protect me. There’s no need for us to share our deepest secrets to do that.” Cecil snorts to the side. “Just don’t get in my way and everything will be perfect, Human.”

“Fine by me.” Chuckling, I lean ahead to give Diana some ear scritches.

The fierce doggo lets out a sweet rumble from within her throat while pushing her head more into my hand.

However, the silence doesn’t last long.

“What rank is your company even?” my client asks. “I certainly hope it’s at least A-rank if not higher.”

“In Human lands, Utopia’s Mercenary Corps are currently at C, though the girls have been undertaking numerous missions back to back, so we might have already reached B,” I explain. “But, I literally just got here, so we need to establish a base of operations before getting officially recognized in the region. Do you know a good place, perhaps? Or some capable and loyal people?”

“C? Really?” Cecil decides to ignore my questions. “I have no idea what kind of scam you have pulled with Father to get this job at such a low level. He would never pick someone of this caliber for such sensitive matters associated with people of high standing. Mercenary Master my ass.”

“It’s the law.” I shake my head.

“The law?” She frowns at me.

“Can’t register a company with a higher rank, so we’ve been given C after the assessment,” I explain. “Even the King couldn’t change that if he wanted. The other companies would make a fuss about preferential treatment and whatnot.”

“That’s stupid.” Cecil sneers. “If the participants are good or even excel, just give them a joint mission with someone to see how they fare. No wonder there aren’t any high-level Human mercenary groups. They all must quit after getting drowned in shit requests while trying to crawl out of that swamp.”

She might not be wrong. As rough around the edges as she is, Cecil has some decent smarts and awareness of how the world works. It shows her experience out there. If we could somehow mend this already burning bridge between us, and the incident that sparked all of this was damn hot, she could be a great squad captain. The leader needs to be a bit harsh and hardened.

“Back to the topic, though. I guess you haven’t heard much of what happened in the clan recently since it hasn’t been even a day before you were sent out again.” I steer the conversation back on its original track.

“Ah. That’s right.” She suddenly looks like she has figured out some grand mystery. “The lost girl that miraculously returned a genius, taking the Heir Showdown by storm with her creations, securing herself a spot next to the Patriarch.”

Cecil’s enlightened face turns to me.

“And the mercenary who’s glued to her side like a faithful dog,” the girl continues. “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Riding on a woman’s coattails so pitifully? Or are you perhaps secret lovers so she keeps feeding you good deals out of sympathy? I bet you haven’t worked for that rank a day of your life, simply abusing all the artefacts your sugar-momma rains upon you.”

So close, yet so far. It looks like the news about us being mates hasn’t had enough time to reach her ears.

“Those artefacts might save your life one day.” I snicker, playing along, not denying nor confirming anything.

“I can take care of myself.” She huffs indignantly. “Try not to get us killed with your toys, and the rest will be just fine.”

Taking her face directed ahead as the end to this pleasant exchange, I leave the proud Dwarf woman with her own thoughts. But, if we aren’t engaging in entertaining chats, there’s no need to take things slow. We wouldn’t want to be late and get an earful from the supposedly even worse Grand Patriarch’s granddaughter, would we?

Reaching into one of my rings, I pull out a pretty harmonica Sirgia made for me and give it a few taps. It’s one of the simpler instruments and on the list of my favourites. I have no doubts Natalie would show me who is boss with any musical tool considering her talents, but I played around with this one back on Earth enough not to make a fool of myself while borrowing one of her spells.

Symphony of Wind fills the air around us, and the flowing melody I have chosen for the ability permeates through our mounts. They feel the difference right away, both animals looking my way with curiosity shining in their intelligent eyes. After a few gentle beats, they speed up and reach the heights of their full gallop. Diana could go even faster, but she matches the horse’s limits.

As for Cecil, her saddle is a more common one, so she’s forced to lean forward greatly and hold onto the reins for her life. Mine is a bit more advanced, and I can barely feel inconvenienced by the pace, continuing to play. With the first enchantment underway, I switch to a more vigorous and lively melody that aims to energise our steeds and make it easier for them to keep up the tempo.

And thus, we charge through the forests like lightning, zipping around the other travellers who move at snail’s pace compared to us. There’s only one major path the inspector and her entourage can take between the capital and the hometown of the Forgegraver clan, so there’s no risk of us missing each other. Therefore, Diana can lead and the horse can follow.

We cover a lot of distance before it starts getting late. Cecil doesn’t want to stop for a snack or any other break when I ask, so we keep going until the sky goes dark. I’m not sure if she’s trying to act tougher than she looks, which would be an achievement because this lass is a fine badass, or if she doesn’t want to let it show that I can endure more than her as I look completely unbothered the entire way, juggling songs during the sprint.

Unfortunately for her, I could keep going for days at my current level.

Finding a comfortable spot a bit off the path, we hop off our mounts and look around. I let out a free moan while stretching, hearing my back crack the good way as it receives some love. My companion looks hella stiff and barely drags her limbs around.

“What the hell… was that…?” Cecil peers at me while catching her breath with her hands against her knees.

“What was what?” I feign ignorance. “Just a travelling melody I use to get around. Since we weren’t going to talk, why take longer when we can show up at the meeting point early and just wait for our allies there in comfort?”

She groans and turns around to unlatch a bundle of stuff from her horse. It provides a small challenge considering how small she is, but she’s done it enough times in the past to succeed fairly quickly. Pulling out what seems to be parts of a tent from the cloths, she eyes me intently.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t pack yours.” The spunky Dwarf misinterprets my staring. “I hope you enjoy spending a night under the stars, then.”

I briefly consider whipping out the suitcase since Sirgia has insisted I take it for the trip, but while Cecil is part of the lineage, she isn’t exactly a trustworthy friend yet. We haven’t introduced the reality-bending mansion, and she might run straight to the Patriarch with such a catch or simply spill everything out in her post-mission report.

Thus, I choose the pavilion for now.

“You can let that thing go.” I wave my hand in a shooing motion at her. “I’ll have something better from my sugar-momma.”

She doesn’t look convinced or willing, but I simply ignore her and dig out all the necessary parts out of Diana’s spatial bags. Standing in front of the IKEA-worthy arrangement, I hum to myself. This might take a moment alone, and I bet Cecil won’t be interested in giving me a hand.

“Oh, well.” I shrug and reach into myself. “Mind helping me out a little, ladies?”

The Dwarf girl blinks weirdly at me talking to myself, then flinches when multiple shapes emerge from the ground. A few very charming and very nude rock females form ahead, wearing enchanting smiles on their gorgeous lips.

“We are always happy to assist, Den Master.” They all incline their heads after one responds.

In a group, the construction takes no time and the impressive tent-house springs into existence in a flash amidst cute giggles and ensnaring songs. Thankfully, there are no other men besides me here, and I’m fairly resistant to their charms. Though they do try their best to use the physical ones to give me a show and capture the attention of my wandering eyes.

As soon as they are done, forcing me to stay aside and observe, the girls saunter up to me and make a fancy bow with a flourish that puts even more focus on their varying pairs of breasts as they hang off their chests firmly. Trotting up to me, each stone seductress presses a chaste peck to my cheek before melting back into the earth. I give the last one an appreciative smack on the butt, evoking a pleased gasp and a bite to her bottom lip as she shakes that ass while disappearing.

Cecil hauls herself closer in a slight daze. “Were those…”

“Oreads?” I raise a brow at her. “Yeah. I have a small agreement with their caretaker. She would be sulky if I didn’t ask them for help once in a while. You gotta be careful with those minxes, though. The moment they catch you with your pants down, those aren’t getting up anytime soon.”

My little joke seems to go over her head as I chuckle to myself.

“Anyway, get in.” I give her a light smack on the back. “I’ll put up a few safety measures and follow right after.”

“If you think I’m sleeping in the same tent as you, Human, then you are dreaming.” She glares at me.

Rolling my eyes, I push her forward. “See first, decide later. I’ll be further away from you there than I would be if I slept over by that rock back there.”

That confuses her but she stumbles into the pavilion while I quickly throw a few alarm and protective spells, ensuring our animal friends are comfortable too. When I finally slip into the tent too, I find Cecil standing in the middle of the main chamber and slowly spinning around with an open mouth.

Her attention snaps to me as soon as she finishes another turn. “How is this possible?”

“Magic.” I spread my arms nonchalantly. “Your room is on the right. Mine is on the left. Each has its own bathroom. You can take care of yourself first. I’ll prepare some food.”

Leaving her standing still out there for a while longer, I head to the kitchen complex and cook up a simple meal with lots of meat and tasty veggies. As I’m setting it all down on the table in the center, Cecil returns, wearing a simple linen t-shirt and pants, the former bending noticeably as its pushed forward by her considerable breasts, which poke into the material with hard nipples.

Watching myself not to ogle her, I smile at the feisty lady. “Dig in. Leave the dishes in the sink and I’ll take care of them in the morning. I already ate while cooking, so take your time. See you tomorrow.”

Figuring out she wouldn’t want to socialise with some low-rank Human, I retreat to my section and jump into the tub too. That’s when the Oreads show up again and insist on helping out. Quickly smacking a silencing rune on the material wall, I let them, because why not.

As it turns out, that isn’t their only goal, and they end up receiving rewards for their earlier assistance. By the end of me sharing my gratitude with them, we all need a good wash again. Bidding me goodnight with a lot of lovely kisses and brushes, they return where they feel the most comfortable to, the ground deep below.

At this point, it feels like I’m compensating my employees with sex instead of money, but I guess that’s pretty normal for who I am now. The most valuable currency of a Demigod of Lust is most likely his seed. And all the fun and pleasure they get from a good romp.

They are Nymphs, in the end.

As I’m sliding under the covers for the night, one of them reaches out to me mentally.

~Den Master, our Den Mother reports seeing a group bearing the Stockhawker insignia leaving the Dwarf city shortly after you. We apologise greatly for forgetting to mention it earlier. We’ve been… distracted… but that’s not an excuse for the failure to uphold our duties,~ she conveys with a trace of guilt and anxiety.

I hastily send her reassuring thoughts. ~It’s okay. I’m the cause of your distractions. Thanks for the information. There’s no way they kept up with us, so we are fairly safe for now. Have a good rest, my dear.~

The Oread expresses her gratitude for my leniency and tunes out. I wonder why Ianthe hasn’t messaged me herself, but then realise that she might have intended the girls to approach me with it as an excuse, hoping something like this would happen. Seriously, I’m their Den Master, if she wants me to pamper our subjects a bit, she can just say so and I’ll gladly show them some love.

When the dreamland welcomes me, it draws the picture of an impressive throne room filled with rather naughty mosaics and motifs all over. It doesn’t take me long to figure out where I am, considering all those pink shades, and I will some clothes onto my nude form. A delicate chuckle tickles my ears, and my eyes move onto the white-haired divine beauty lounging atop the royal throne.

“So quick to cover yourself every time.” Lumina graces me with a heart-warming smile. “You know you can feel completely free and unrestrained here in the depths of your soul, right?”

“And so can you, but I don’t see you parading around in all your celestial glory.” I smirk, slowly walking closer.

The Goddess raises a soft brow at me, then her white toga shimmers and disappears.

I freeze in place.

This must be the first time I have directly laid my eyes on her sacred figure of true femininity.

And it looks positively delicious.

I swallow thickly at the sight of her smooth belly, full and tender breasts tipped with heavenly rosy nipples, and the perfect pouty slit nestled between her luscious thighs, currently crossed one over another and revealing only a peek into the core of her divinity. There’s a tuft of pale greatness adorning its entrance, looking like the finest silk one would be able to snuggle into.

With a snap of her fingers, more as a trigger to bring me back than to resummon her garments, Lumina fills the hall with her harmonious little laugh again. “See why I continue doing so? We wouldn’t get any talking done if I went around like that. But, I do admit, you take my divine charm much better than I expected. You are rock hard, but you haven’t released just from that brief peek.”

“Would it be too forward to say that I’ve been holding back so I could release somewhere more worthy than into the open air?” I offer her a slightly cheeky smile.

The rosy tinge adorning her elegant cheeks tells me that it isn’t.

“But, enough of that, I can tell I can’t withstand the might of your passion yet.” I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “So, if it’s not that, what makes you so happy?”

“Pardon?” The Goddess blinks at me in surprise, her brilliant smile continuing to shine. “I’m just happy to see you. That’s all.”

“No, that’s not it.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Each time, there’s always this kernel of worry within you, even if you are glad to meet again. This time, however, you are absolutely joyous, like something good happened. You aren’t anxious about my reaction to it, certain that it will be more than positive. Lumi, you are gushing with delight and satisfaction. I’m a Demigod now, I can sense some of this stuff.”

That brings a bit more of the blush onto her beautiful face.

“Maybe you are just unused to those new senses of yours yet, noticing things you previously haven’t,” Lumina tries to explain.

Rolling my eyes, I sigh cordially. “Sure. Let’s go with that. If it’s something you don’t wish to address, then I trust it’s not crucial. I’ll generously change the topic. You know my question already.”

“Diana.” She nods gracefully. “Slimes are a bit different since they can consume a lot of things from their victims, but she will grow more capable through the usual ways. And since I know from your memories that you aren’t of the same predispositions as the original Primordials who sired the currently known races, that leaves the simplest option. More fighting, battles, and absorbing the essence of fallen enemies.”

“Yeah, I might be quite open, and even more after getting summoned here, but that still feels like a bit too much,” I agree with her. “Thanks for sharing.”

“It’s of no problem, my Hero.” Lumina chuckles warmly. “The connection you two share already speeds up her progress, just at a lesser pace than with your physical Partners. Have her hunt a little more from time to time and she’ll be evolving again and again. I concur that leveling up your Void Affinity is a wise choice. It might turn out to be helpful in your grand quest.”

“Alright. Appreciate it again.” Reaching her spot, I lean in to place an affectionate kiss on her cheek. “Loved the lavish gift. You are a glorious woman. Gives me motivation to keep growing stronger.”

The Goddess smacks me on the chest lightly but doesn’t rebuke me. She truly deserves some honest love and attention and it pains me not being able to offer it to her. Especially since I’m currently the only person with such potential who isn’t her sister.

Waving at my patron deity cordially, I leave the cock palace.

In the morning, I wake up fairly early, but still get beaten to it by the Patriarch’s daughter, who reclines on one of the sofas with a cup of fragrant tea, wearing the same casual combo as in the evening. I stroll into the room in one of my purple button-up shirts, currently open loose, and comfortable pants. She takes a moment to note my physique, her sharp eyes lingering on my muscles, before returning to staring into the material wall.

“How was the night?” I ask, getting myself some hot tea too.

“Good.” Cecil grunts. “It’s a fine home. Your owner certainly pampers you.”

Oh, if only she knew who was who.

Walking up to the entrance, I peek outside, sipping on the tasty warm liquid.

“What are you doing?” The experienced girl notices that it’s not just idle gazing.

“We’ll be having company today, most likely.” I smack my lips. “Just debating if we should wait a little longer or meet them on the road.”

“Who?” Her brows furrow. “How do you even know?”

“I’m your escort, Lady Cecil.” I turn to her with a smile. “It’s my job to know.”

She scowls aside but brings her attention back to me with a shadow of curiosity in her eyes.

“I have my means of getting in touch with many of my allies,” I explain vaguely. “We expected something like that, so they’ve been on alert. As to who is going to greet us, it’s hard to say. After my talk with the bounty hunters, I would assume not many would dare to take up the job of messing with my clients the second time.”

The astute wandering warrior senses a story there, but most likely doesn’t want to show her intrigue too much after continuing to play hard to please.

“I have no idea if you are even correct, so let’s not delay.” She gets up, marching towards her apartment. “Be ready in ten minutes.”

Ten minutes later, she walks out of the tent, and I bring in the girls to help me collect it in a blink. They are very lively after last night, which doesn’t surprise me. We are soon packed up and leading our steeds back towards the road. Hopping in, we get moving.

But, we don’t get that far without an interruption. About an hour later, we spot a commotion ahead. It looks like someone fell off their horse and got stuck under its weight, the animal either unconscious or dead. Judging by the blood by its head, the latter.

Diana growls into the trees, and I borrow Sense Lifeforce from one sweet Vampire lady, seeing multiple red shapes all around us. Judging by their sizes, definitely Dwarves.

“Really?” I sigh openly as we reach the struggling man shouting for help. “One of the oldest tropes? The wound is literally on the wrong side of the horse’s head, idiot.”

He stills, not knowing what to do after being found out.

“We are in a hurry, so get over here while I’m being nice!” I shout loud enough for everyone to hear.

Cecil frowns at me, but her brows rise the other way when about ten rough-looking Dwarves come out of hiding. They all seem quite tired, and rightfully so if they have been riding the entire night to catch up with us. As they are, none should pose a threat to me or even my companion.

But, when she pulls off the weird shape off her back that I first assumed was some bizarre shield, the thing actually turning into a greataxe as it unfolds section by section, I hold my arm in front of her.

“What kind of an escort would I be if I let my client get their hands dirty.” I smirk, ignoring the glare she’s throwing at me. “Give us but a moment, My Lady.”

Sliding off Diana’s side, I make a headcount to check if no one else is getting sneaky, and pat my dependable companion on the head. 

“All yours, girl.” My fingers fluff her sharp ear. “Eat up and grow strong.”

A vicious growl spills out of the big and scary wolf’s muzzle, and the sudden tension in the air that gets drowned in her ominous aura makes the group ahead recoil. Shadows seep out of Diana’s fur, her eyes and insides of her mouth glowing even more purple. With one leap, she disappears into her own shade.

Before our opponents have a chance to think about where she has gone, the apex predator peeks her head out of another splotch of darkness underneath one of the Dwarves and her jaws snap shut around his entire leg, evoking an agonising scream from its owner. A blink later, he is yanked into the ground, the scream cutting off.

When Diana reemerges behind them, she has the man’s decapitated head in her fangs, continuing to growl like a merciless monster. Staring at her prey intently, she chomps on the skull like on a treat and swallows the delicious meal whole, turning to our attackers, thirsty for more.

I think she might have taken my words a bit too literally, but oh well, I’ll know for the future.

What ensues next can be described with one word.

Chaos.

The Dwarves lose it, throwing everything at her, from the usage of their normal weapons, through magical spells and techniques, to even some artefacts that seem dangerous. But, Diana dominates the battlefield like the beast she is, tearing off limbs and heads one after another. Her figure moves between them like black smoke, avoiding every incoming blow. Her own counter-attacks in the form of shadowy spikes or claw slashes that send out arcs of mana to mutilate the poor party.

It takes her maybe about two minutes to wipe out the poorly coordinated team. She could have done it quicker, but I feel like she put on a show for us, displaying her strength. And I don’t blame them for panicking. She is literal death on four legs that instills nightmares in those who get to live after meeting her.

Finished with her task and leaving a patch of bloody carnage behind her, Diana proudly parades back to us. I grin widely and welcome the fierce wolf into my arms, starting to fluff her muzzle and ears as she licks my face, staining it with a bit of leftover blood.

“That’s my girl!” I laugh lovingly at the giant wolf. “Who’s my good girl? Who is? You are!”

Contrary to her threatening exterior, Diana responds to my baby talk with those canine whines and groans they let out when they are happy, playing around with my silly praise. Her tail is wagging like crazy. She might be a brutal monster, but even the most savage beasts deserve love.

If they don’t aim to murder you, that is.

Finishing our cuddling session, I step back and glance at our friend. Cecil gapes at the murder scene with disbelief but also a somewhat haunted expression. I don’t think she expected my docile mount to pack this much power and ferocity in her tame frame. She has just massacred a troop of decently equipped Dwarves from a rich clan.

“Fuck!” My client swears under her breath. “You should have left one alive for interrogation!”

But, of course, Cecil doesn’t know that yet.

“They were sent by Stockhawkers,” I fill her in. “Most likely belonged to the clan or its subsidiary. If we search them enough, we should find the insignias somewhere on their bodies.”

“How are you so sure?” She blinks at me.

“Allies, remember?” I tap the side of my head. “Besides, we are currently at war with them after they stole our product and brand, showing them off as their invention. With the original creator coming out of the shadows, they are trying whatever they can to scare us off. Going after the Patriarch’s daughter is a clever move.”

“They were after me?” Cecil’s eyes widen.

“Yeah, sorry about that.” I incline my head apologetically. “Part of the reason why Sirgia insisted on my coming. I’ve already dealt with their kind before. Or rather, those they hired.”

Leaving the shocked girl alone for now, I work with the Oreads to bury the bodies and clean up the place. After we are done, there is barely any trace of what has transpired on this road. Wasting no more time, we continue with our journey.

Cecil keeps quiet the rest of the day. I can tell she’s still processing everything and racking her brain to make heads and tails of it. Mostly about me and my strength, most likely. Or the strength I borrow from so many people and entities who are happy to aid me. And I don’t mean the ability-based borrowing, just the wilful assistance everyone keeps showing to me out of the goodness of their hearts. It must look so suspicious to her.

We don’t talk much in the evening and over the night either, and I don’t mind. But, we are pretty much forced to regroup in the main section of the pavilion as my warning systems announce someone’s approach. Cecil sprints into the room in her casual wear, holding onto her greataxe, and I do the same, wearing only a pair of shorts, an empty draconic hilt in my hand. She gives it a confused look, but I wave her off.

“What is this?” A charming feminine voice with a pleasant undertone reaches us from the outside.

Soon after, a matching adorable head pops in through the slit. Our visitor has short curly rusty hair completely framing her sweet face. Her cheeks are adorned with a splash of freckles, further enhancing her lovable visage. A pair of round spectacles sits atop her button nose, finishing her bookish appearance. 

Her amber eyes roam over our bodies before that pretty nose scrunches. “Ugh, am I perhaps interrupting an… interracial… affair?” 

Cecil releases an angry growl. “Who the fuck are you to poke your nose into someone else’s tent, bitch?”

“Watch your words, vagabond.” The woman raises her face haughtily.

“I’m no vagabond, you skank!” My companion snarls. “I’m Cecil Forgegraver, First Daughter of the Forgegraver Patriarch, and I’ll have your head for intruding on my privacy!”

“Ah. So you are the representative sent to greet me.” The girl glances at us again. “Not the best first impression, I must say.”

Before Cecil can show her a much better second impression, I put myself between them. The newcomer’s gaze meets my pecs before moving up, forced to raise her head to look straight at my face.

“With all due respect, but you have yourself to blame for that, My Lady. If you announced yourself properly and requested permission to enter, we would have had time to equip ourselves after our rest.” I meet her eyes firmly. “Now, excuse us as we put our gear on and get ready to depart. I’m no use to anyone as an escort parading in just my underwear, and my client’s safety as much as comfort is my utmost priority. Your arrival unfortunately disrupted that. Please, wait outside.”

By the end of my spiel, one of my hand gestures leads her to glance aside, and she finally registers that something is not right with this place. Her eyes glimmer with wonder as she figures out that the outside doesn’t match the inside. Considering her looks, I dare not risk her being the relentless researcher type, so I gently push her outside with my body before she rains questions upon us.

Slapping a silencing seal on the zipped-up entrance, I turn to Cecil. “She can’t hear us anymore. Quite a piece of work that one is, huh?”

The black-haired girl eyes my figure for a moment before catching herself and looking up. “I knew this was going to be a pain in the ass when I heard we are bringing her back.”

“That famous?” I snicker.

“Pompous know-it-all who thinks theory trumps practice every single time.” Cecil scoffs, crossing her arms under her chest, which does wonders to her unrestrained breasts covered only by the loose t-shirt. “Wise Lady Daisy Forgegraver, the Ancient Magitech Research Extraordinaire. She’s the Grand Patriarch’s most prized and prided jewel.”

“Sounds fun.” I sigh heavily. “Come on. We better not make the princess wait or it will be off with our heads. And I’m quite attached to both of mine.”

A faint curl touches her fierce lips at my joke, her gaze briefly jumping to that other head bulging my shorts before she spins around and marches into her bedroom. I follow suit, and we meet three minutes later, ready to head out.

We find our target waiting amongst four Dwarf men clad in pieces of leather and metal armor marked with the Forgegraver symbols. Those must be her personal guards or something. They are throwing wary looks in the direction of my eerie wolf still napping without a worry next to Cecil’s horse. Daisy stares daggers into Diana, but it feels more intrigued than malicious. Same with the glances she directs at the pavilion. Now that I note her full figure, she is fairly slim like Sirgia and wears high-quality scholar vestments.

Those innocent amber eyes of hers almost pop out of their sockets when a group of Oreads shows up and helps me disassemble the giant tent. Her escorts ogle the gorgeous females with leery gazes, but the girls pay them no attention. Well, maybe save for the bits where their flirting with me gets a bit more pronounced, their bodies brushing against mine more often, or their dazzling lips sneaking a peck or two to my cheeks.

The Nymphs retreat as soon as we finish, waving their fingers at me seductively. I bring the parts into Diana’s bags and hop onto my noble steed. So does Cecil with hers and we trot up to the other five.

“Just you two?” The haughty princess gapes at us incredulously. “Is the outer branch doing so bad they can’t even hire a proper escort?”

Cecil growls at her again. “He is more capable than all of you combined.”

I’m not sure she believes that, but anything goes when you are getting back at someone who is openly offending your family.

Daisy snorts cutely, which isn’t as adorable as it could be with her arrogance. “Sure, sure. Just hide behind us or something.”

My companion grinds her teeth but decides that it’s not worth it right now. However, it becomes worth it enough soon after we move out, after just one more insult. The two start cursing at each other, their families, and so on, engaged in a pussy measuring contest or something, I don’t know the female equivalent. 

Do they compare depth, grip strength, texture, or what? I gotta ask Shino next time.

The trip continues in either anxious silence as they glare at each other or with jabs flying from one side to another. There’s no in between. The only silver lining to all that is the fact that they seem to have forgotten about me. I ride a bit ahead, enjoying my time with Diana, playing some mental games with the clever wolf like who spots a rabbit first or such.

Current score is nine to one.

Guess the loser.

Our peace is disrupted a few hours later, however, as I pull us to a stop, signaling at the guards with a universal mercenary gesture of danger ahead. The four bring their horses to me, and they pale a bit.

We’ve reached the spot of my and Cecil’s previous scuffle. As much as I was meticulous about cleaning it up, it seems not to have been enough. A small gaggle of beasts is having a field day digging for the buried body parts, somehow able to sense them deep underground. And judging by the soldiers’ reactions, those aren’t some simple animals.

After catching a good look at the moving shapes, I recognize the chonky bastards.

There was that meme image back home with a ridiculously round bear, pretty much a sphere. Well, that guy has nothing on these homies. They are literal balls with legs and muzzles. Their size is about that of a van in terms of mature individuals. And we have two in this family of four.

From what I remember, they might look comical, but their hide is almost impervious to your usual physical attacks and can even deflect some magic while they roll at you.

Yeah, they tend to do that.

And one has just spotted us.

I jump off Diana as she gets ready to lunge forward, sensing the impending threat. “Leave some to me this time, girl. I need to earn my keep too.”

As the group turns to us, she melts into her shadow, leaving my side, which shocks the four guys a lot. Drawing my empty hilt, I start walking forward. The leader of the pack senses my intentions and snarls my way before pressing its head and limbs completely flush into its mass, somehow being able to manipulate its surface.

Then, I see him rolling.

And I’m not hating.

Shaping up a shiny katana of seductive violet with the mesmerising mist, I stop and sheathe the blade in an invisible sheath on my other side, symbolised by the ring made by my thumb and index finger. Taking the drawing stance, I close my eyes, focusing on my hearing. Everything seems to fade away, save for the rumbling of the approaching enemy, its representation visible through my mind’s eye.

I ignore the worried feminine shouts reaching my ears and swing upwards just before the impact. A dark purple arc of energy rushes forward, zipping past the Rollo and drawing a deep trench in the road. The monster makes one more rotation before splitting right in the middle, both halves tilting to their respective side and missing our party completely as they tumble away.

Opening my eyes, I cast a glance at the remaining beasts, out of which one is already gone too. The youngest is missing its head, replaced by a deep hole peering into its thick insides. The remaining parent and child are under Diana’s assault, her sharpened claws mutilating their round forms. They keep rolling in circles in hopes of repelling her assaults until she makes a mistake.

But, I’m not gonna wait for that.

Borrowing Earth Magic from another of my Partners, I raise my foot, which gains a sandrock layer, and slam it back down, kicking into the earth down to my shin. A powerful tremor shakes the place, and two stone pillars launch the Rollos like oversized pinballs, sending them flying straight up. The columns then quickly sharpen into deadly spikes, and I look up.

Diana senses my intentions and nimbly bounces from one pillar to another, pushing herself higher and higher. Reaching their ends, she tenses her muscles and leaps after the still rising monsters. She doesn’t reach them, but that isn’t her goal.

Stealing Shino’s Shadow Step, I can somehow lock onto the wolf’s body. Not daring to question how she herself is considered a usable shadow, I disappear into the darkness and reappear on her back in a crouch. Using Astrea’s Nightwalker’s Five Relentless Steps, I shoot myself off her and make five kicks in mid-air that send me slightly above the halting Rollos.

Then, switching to another of her techniques, I pick one out of Twelve Palms of the White Tiger, using both hands to slap the spinning spheres of fat and muscle with enough force to send ripples through their bodies. There’s a resounding thwack, and both beasts are flung downwards. One blink later, they crash right into the prepared spikes and burst like fingered grapes, splattering all over the nearby ground. 

Physical Resistance doesn’t mean Physical Invulnerability. You just need enough force to pierce through.

Before faceplanting into the ground too, I aim for one of the shadows cast by my party’s horses and pop up right beside it, spooking the animal a tad. Moving forward, I scan the battlefield in search of any further threats. Finding none, I Shadow Step to Diana and stare at the even worse bloodbath than before.

Someone gotta put one of those road signs here that mark frequent accidents or something.

But that’s not my job. My job is cleaning this shit up better than the last time. So, I pick the most surefire way to do that.

Fire.

With another copied spell, I release powerful flames from my palms and completely burn every single hint of what happened here. No bodies, no grave digging. Sure, the road and the nearby grass might end up a bit charred, but that’s better than becoming a hotspot for monster attacks.

Satisfied with my work, I nuzzle Diana’s muzzle and take my seat in her saddle. When we arrive back at the group, everyone gapes at me with wide eyes. No one seems willing to say anything in their stupor, so I just turn my trusty steed around and begin leading us forward.

No longer than thirty seconds later, Diana is surrounded from both sides by horses, one carrying a fierce black-haired warrior and the other a bookish rusty-haired scholar. They are both peering up at me with gazes intent on undressing me completely to learn every juicy secret my body might be hiding, fascination apparent in their intrigued expressions.

There goes my peaceful ride back home.