Chapter 123
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Hospitalization - 7
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Leaving Pina in despair over what her kin had done, I headed to the Village Chief's house.
"Hello, Nabira."
"Hello, Sian. The Village Chief is out in the fields right now."
"Ah, actually, I came to see you today, Nabira."
"Me? What for?"
"I got a horse recently, but the darn thing's got a picky appetite—probably because it's a warhorse. I figured you'd have some advice."
"I'm not as impressive as you think."
Nabira looked troubled by my request but soon shared everything she knew.
"I've never handled fancy warhorses myself, but it might be because it's from a different habitat. Try tempting it with carrots and honey to whet its appetite."
"Habitat... Never crossed my mind. Thanks, Nabira. I'll make this up to you."
"No need. Just help me out if I ever need it."
"You got it. Say the word anytime."
"In that case, I hate to impose, but could I ask one favor?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Could I work as your stable keeper?"
"Stable keeper?"
"Yes. I can't rely on my father forever. At least until my son comes of age, I want to take responsibility."
"Fair enough. The Village Chief's not getting any younger."
The Village Chief was still hale and hearty, but at his age, retirement wouldn't surprise anyone.
That said, stable keeping was grueling work. It felt like a bit much for Nabira, a woman, to handle alone.
"I knew it—too much to ask?"
"No, it's fine. Just... there'll be tough jobs you'll need help with. I'll send someone over regularly."
"You don't have to go that far."
"Nonsense. You're the only one in the village who can actually ride, so this is the least I can do."
"Thank you, Sian."
And with that, Nabira became our household's stable keeper.
'When I'm away, I can leave Colin in her hands.'
Next, I visited Jace's place.
In the fields, I spotted Jace working alongside his son, leaning on his prosthetic leg.
"Hey, Sian."
"Hey. How's the prosthetic holding up?"
"Great. Tom did a fantastic job."
"Glad to hear it."
I admired Tom's improving skills as I eyed the blackwood prosthetic.
Someday, maybe I could commission something more advanced.
"What brings you here?"
"Ah, looking for Selnia. Got a job for her."
"She should be home."
"Thanks."
I headed straight into Jace's house.
For a moment, I wondered.
'Most guys would think twice about a stranger dropping by when their wife's alone. Does he trust me, or just her?'
"What do you want?"
"I'm a customer."
Selnia clearly wasn't thrilled to see me, but her expression flipped 180 degrees the moment I flashed a few gold coins.
Money really could move mountains.
"Let out the seams on this. Bought it big, but it doesn't fit."
"Hard to find clothes for your build. Nice fabric, though. Guess you've been rubbing elbows with nobility."
"Something like that."
"Elsia will love it."
"She does. How long if I leave it with you?"
"About two months."
"Two months?"
"Yeah. Tailoring isn't easy. Don't underestimate women's work."
"I know it's tough... Wait. You're not doing this all by hand, are you?"
"Of course I am. What, you think I know magic?"
"No, I mean—without tools?"
"I have tools. These."
Selnia showed me a small spindle for drawing thread.
Hey, that's a drop spindle.
"No spinning wheel?"
"Spinning wheel? What's that?"
"...Hold on."
I fetched the spinning wheel I'd made for the women at home and gave it to Selnia. It wasn't being used much anyway.
"This is a spinning wheel. Spin it like this, and it'll draw thread from the fibers."
"Whoa, cool!"
Selnia quickly mastered it, fiddling with it in fascination.
The village tailor doesn't even know about this?
Is this our village's level?
"You got a loom, right?"
"Obviously."
Selnia showed me her loom—a tiny, primitive thing.
She makes clothes with this? Barely better than knitting.
'What is this, a field trip?'
I rubbed my face.
"Haah... I'll make you a proper loom."
"Out of nowhere?"
Selnia was wary of the sudden gift at first, but once Tom and I whipped one up, she took a liking to it.
Our village is fine, right?
...
"If I actually become lord, things'll get busy."
It'd only been a year since I returned to the village, and there were already so many messes.
Once I started fixing things properly, there'd be no end to the changes.
"Eh, I knew what I was signing up for."
I activated Hestia's miracle in the large wooden bathtub for my bath.
"Hestia, hot water."
Lately, my prayers had gotten pretty casual.
Strong faith and focus were all it took for a miracle—no need for chants like spells.
Still, I worried about appearances.
A hero chosen by the gods, calling out their name like it's a dog's.
I didn't want to end up charged with blasphemy like my dad.
"Perfect."
Once the water was nicely warm, I stripped and slipped in.
"Kya, this is the life."
The hot soak melted away my fatigue like nothing else.
"My lord, may I enter?"
"Yeah, come in."
Vivian entered the bathroom, towel draped modestly over her privates, carrying booze and snacks.
She slid right into the tub.
"First time washing my whole body in water this hot."
"Guess that makes this our first bath together too?"
"Yeah—hot?!"
My wandering hand slid from her collarbone to grasp a full breast.
Caught off guard, Vivian looked up at me.
"You're as lustful as ever, my lord."
"And you hate it?"
"Not at all. A strong warrior being lustful is only natural."
Vivian straddled my leg, pressing her firm thighs against my manhood.
"It's natural for women to be drawn to such a warrior."
"Ooh."
I was impressed by Vivian's instinctive flair for kinky play—no one had taught her.
'Sylvia's the same. Northern tribesfolk are all perverts.'
One hand kneaded her breast while the other grabbed the booze.
Then I asked her,
"Vivian, you hold your liquor well?"
"All northerners do."
She declared it proudly, full of tribal pride.
For her, I took a swig and kissed her, letting the liquor flow.
The kiss, laced with booze, was tipsy and intense.
"The hottest kiss yet, my lord."
"Same."
"Make it hot down there too."
Vivian arched her hips, spreading herself with her fingers, tempting me.
Growing up in the harsh north had honed her instincts for driving men wild.
'Fuck, that's hot.'
I couldn't hold back. I thrust into the entrance she'd opened for me.
"Ha-ut!"
Vivian let out a sharp cry, then rocked her hips, greedily seeking my seed.
Unlike Chloe and Clara's loving eagerness, or Sylvia and Elsia's devoted service, sex with Vivian felt like pure mating.
Like beasts driven by primal instinct alone.
"Vivian! Get pregnant with my child!"
"Hng! Haaang! My lord! Fill me with your strong seed!"
"Ngh!"
As climax hit, I pulled her close and unleashed thick spurts deep inside.
Blessed by Hestia's divinity, Vivian shuddered in ecstasy, her hips trembling.
Savoring the afterglow, I kissed her again.
"Haa... I love you, Vivian."
"Hut... I love you too, my lord."
This time, it was just our saliva mingling between our lips.
Sticky, like a pair locked in deeper rut.
"You can go more, right, my lord?"
"Obviously."
"Then ravage me harder. Fill me up with your seed."
"Yeah. Let's take it to the bedroom."
And so, from dusk till dawn, I took her again and again until she conceived.