Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Arachne - 1
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"I'll explain everything to Senior Ally later."
"That works for me. I'd appreciate it."
I left the fainted Ally in Preta's care and headed to the Asgard market.
'Who knows when I'll get another chance to come back.'
I took the opportunity to buy everything I needed.
And as the most advanced city in this world, Asgard even had a few items that carried a whiff of modern nostalgia.
Like cola. Or, well, cola.
"There you are, Hero."
Camilla had been searching for me with her holy knights in tow.
"Oh, Camilla."
"Don't 'oh' me. Do you have to cause a scene everywhere you go?"
"Anyone hearing that would think I'm a walking disaster."
"You are. The apostles are in an uproar because of Valkyrie."
"Sorry about that. But it all worked out in the end, so forgive me?"
"Haa... Fine. But what are you buying right now?"
"Presents for my family."
"In that case, let us help. We'll show you the specialties of the Holy Kingdom."
"I'd appreciate that."
At my response, Camilla naturally hooked her arm through mine.
Her subordinates immediately made a fuss at the sight.
"C-Captain?"
"Rachel, what's going on?"
"Aren't romantic relationships forbidden for us holy knights?"
"They are."
"The way things look right now could easily lead to misunderstandings among the citizens..."
"The Hero is fine."
"Pardon?"
Rachel looked utterly perplexed, clearly not grasping Camilla's words.
'But why am I the exception?'
I was puzzled but didn't bother asking.
If Camilla said it was okay, then it was okay.
And so, we went on what wasn't quite a date—but felt like one—and bought all sorts of things.
"This shop is the second most popular bakery in Asgard."
"What's good here?"
"The cookies. Especially these ones with vanilla cream sandwiched between them."
"Wait, these are..."
We started with snacks the kids would love, then...
"A forge, you say?"
"Yeah, the one in the village is getting a bit worn. Figured I'd get a new one."
I picked up a nice mix of essentials for the village.
"I'd like to buy some clothes too. Know any good clothing stores?"
"What kind are you looking for?"
"Hmm, dresses and evening wear for starters."
I'd already stocked up on casual clothes back in Lugadrian.
Selnia was our village tailor, but the materials available there weren't great.
"Oh, and while we're at it, I'd like to check out some underwear too."
"Underwear?"
"Yeah, something pretty to give my wife as a gift."
The holy knights blushed at my words.
Yeah, it felt a bit awkward browsing women's lingerie surrounded by them.
"Then this place should be perfect."
"Here?"
"It's a clothing shop run by an Arachne."
"Arachne?"
"A demi-human race."
"Demi-humans? You mean those libertarian free spirits?"
"Exactly."
"The Holy Kingdom accepts demi-humans too?"
"Of course. No matter their race, we don't discriminate. It's our duty in the Holy Kingdom to care for the lost and wandering."
The more I heard about the Holy Kingdom, the more impressive it seemed.
From what I knew, demi-humans were monsters born from outer gods impregnating human women in ancient times.
"It's said that the clothes made by Arachne are so beautiful they rival the garments of the goddess herself."
"Must cost a fortune, then."
"Not really. They weave their own spider silk, so material costs are low."
"Ho, so they're basically spider people?"
"That's right. Is this your first time meeting a demi-human, Hero?"
"Pretty much."
Living out in some rural western backwater meant I never crossed paths with the demi-humans in the east.
'Though there are beastkin.'
Brimming with curiosity about my first demi-human encounter, I followed Camilla into the shop she recommended.
"Famous place, but it's pretty rundown."
"She's a stubborn one. Won't set foot outside her own workshop."
"Artisan pride, huh?"
The more I heard, the more I trusted her reputation.
A true craftsman had to have some eccentric quirks.
"Haaah~♥"
"Hm?"
I was browsing the Arachne-made clothes when a woman's moan echoed from inside the shop.
"Did we maybe interrupt something private?"
"No, she's single."
"Then what's that sound?"
"She's probably working."
"Working?"
Even if artisans were all eccentrics, this was too much.
"Don't think too strangely of her, Hero. It's just an Arachne trait."
"A trait?"
"From what I know, Arachne have to endure pain to extract their silk."
"Ah."
Camilla's explanation hit me with sudden enlightenment.
Just like how I feel gluttony at the sight of divinity, Arachne must have this quirk too.
'Almost judged her kind too harshly there.'
Grateful to Camilla inwardly, I headed into the workshop to find the Arachne.
And there she was...
"Haaaahhh~♥"
A woman masturbating right in front of the loom.
"Ehehe?! W-Wait, I'm in the middle of it right nooowww!!!"
Even after spotting us, she didn't stop.
"...Camilla?"
I asked, and Camilla answered matter-of-factly.
"She's working. See? Spider silk coming out down there."
It was absurd, but sure enough, silk was threading out from between her legs.
This was insane. For real.
...
"Ehehe, I-I'm Bienu... the Arachne."
I'd imagined an Arachne with a beauty's upper body and spider legs below, but Bienu was slender-legged all the way down.
Her eyes were the striking part, though.
Huge irises with six pupils inside.
"I'm Sian T. Atlas, Hero of Hestia."
"H-Hero? You mean the famous Titan?"
"That's me."
"I-It's an h-honor to meet you."
Bienu stuttered badly.
She was clearly embarrassed about us seeing her earlier.
'At least she feels shame.'
Her intense first impression had me thinking the whole Arachne race was perverts.
"Hero, don't you have a commission for her?"
"Oh, right. Bienu, sorry to intrude, but could you take a request from me?"
"A-A request? F-For someone like me?"
She jumped in shock at the word "request."
What was this? Zero confidence for a craftswoman.
"C-Can I even accept a r-request from the Hero?"
"It's up to you as the artisan, Bienu. If you don't want to, no pressure."
"I-I'm not an artisan."
"Huh?"
I glanced at Camilla, who shrugged and replied confidently.
"I never said she was a former artisan, Hero."
"Then why'd you bring me here?"
"Because Bienu makes the best women's underwear in Asgard."
What kind of reasoning was that?
"D-Did you come for u-underwear?"
"Yes."
Bienu spoke in an excited, higher-pitched voice, like she'd climaxed or something.
"F-For underwear, I'm the b-best in Asgard!"
She even showed off the pair she was wearing.
Even to my reincarnated eyes, it was stunning lingerie.
'But isn't this too bold, flashing it to a guy?'
Maybe I was the weird one, because neither Camilla nor Vice-Captain Rachel said a word.
Seemed like this was par for the course with Arachne.
"B-But I can't make any right now."
"Why not?"
"I c-can't extract silk freely at the moment."
"Huh?"
Camilla explained as Bienu suddenly burst into tears.
"Arachne not being able to produce silk is a big deal. For you, Hero, it's like erectile dysfunction."
"Comparing it to sexual function instead of your Titan trait?"
"Because I figured that's most important to you."
"Well... you're not wrong."
It hit too close to home, which made it annoying.
I got revenge by lightly nipping Camilla's nape.
Leaving a kiss mark that wouldn't fade easily.
"Pervert."
"Who's the one who made me act up?"
Camilla flushed a little, embarrassed, and Rachel and Bienu followed suit.
No, Bienu went full freakout.
"Ehehehe, a-are you two l-lovers?"
"Something like that. Anyway, could you put some proper clothes on first?"
I didn't think thrusting your chest out at a man warranted that much fuss.
"Ah, s-sorry. For showing you something unsightly."
"No, it was beautiful lingerie."
"Hehe, thank you."
She perked up immediately at the compliment, which made me a bit uneasy.
Camilla, this woman is really okay, right?