A Lone Crane Among Chickens (1) <Side: Francesca Wing>
『Martyr Moon - Day 1 (Lunch)』
The shocking proposal I'd heard from Anidia, and the spirit that had nearly crumbled because of it... I somehow pulled myself together with Elaine's fellatio, and we headed to the guard barracks.
The only change between us was that Elaine, who had been dragging me by the wrist by force before, was now gently but firmly holding my hand.
"Not dragging you like before... [I'm not as rough as you think. Unlike heartless beasts, it's common sense to comfort wounded kin.]"
It might just be restraint to keep me from running away, but the connection of our hands was incredibly reassuring. Just as Elaine said, was she comforting her kin? I had no idea why she was doing this...
--Creak...
As we opened the door to the barracks, numerous guards were gathered in the central entrance hall. Atop the central staircase stood a fake version of me.
It wasn't mealtime assembly right now, so... I figured the fake had arbitrarily summoned the guards.
Of course, the existing guards didn't look kindly on us new recruits, including me. It was only natural.
I didn't know how much they knew about the truth, but I'd come in as replacements for those subdued by Elaine. In other words, I was the rolling stone displacing the entrenched one.
At the same time, just the fact that I'd been selected by the elders would firmly plant the idea that I was their spy.
Expecting any kindness from the moment we walked in was a mistake to begin with.
"[Everyone, quiet. Seems like we're all here, so let's get to the point.]"
As the doll opened its mouth, the murmurs vanished instantly, and all eyes turned to it atop the stairs.
The doll continued speaking without changing expression amid the countless gazes, just like something mimicking a human.
"[First, sorry for pulling you all together so suddenly when you had your personal duties. Thank you for coming.]"
A light greeting of encouragement. Those words... they matched exactly—not a syllable off—what I'd said before during a surprise assembly when I'd called the guards.
I didn't know who it heard it from or whose mind it peeked into, but... it was a pretty sophisticated doll.
"[Second, as you all know, new recruits joined today, so get along with them without discrimination.]"
Right after the doll's second statement, the guards who'd been focused on it shot sharp glances our way.
The reason was obvious... the rolling stone and the displaced one I'd mentioned earlier.
Maybe my eyes were sharper now, but... anger seemed to burn in the guards' gazes.
"[Finally... starting today, I'll be living and eating here in the barracks too.]"
The doll's final words drew murmurs from the silent crowd. A few excited cheers or curious exclamations mixed in.
"Why...?"
The doll impersonating me, holding the title of 'Guard Captain Francis,' was moving into the barracks starting today—I'd heard that on the way back from the training grounds just now.
I'd had no time to think then, but now that things had calmed, speculating... I hadn't received the guard captain position right when I arrived here.
Originally, I'd come to this territory as Anidia's bodyguard and retainer, so I'd handled lodging at the lord's mansion.
Even after getting the captain title, that hadn't changed. Naturally, my living standards were high.
I could've taken a private house given my position as captain, but why move to the barracks now?
From one angle, it could be to manage and surveil the new recruits playing spy for the elders.
From another, it looked like being stripped of prior privileges and chased out by the veterans... effectively a demotion.
"Anidia... why make this decision...?"
The guards cheering excitedly had likely thought the former, while those with suspicious, muted cheers thought the latter.
I couldn't help but question Anidia's choice too. What had that doll done to make her do this...?
"[That's the announcement. Dismissed—remember what I said. No dinner assembly tonight. Those who want to eat, go freely. Those who don't, carry on with personal duties.]"
Oblivious to the impact of its words, the doll issued a dry dismissal and left.
As the doll departed, everyone chimed in with their opinions on the matters it raised, as if on cue.
Even just perking my ears briefly, no one strayed from the two possibilities I'd considered. If anything, the former held a slight edge.
[Let's head back, Ranché. We still have business between us, don't we♥?]
"Business...? What business...?"
[Didn't I say earlier? Once we're back at the barracks, I'd let you suck my cock. You weren't planning to settle for that quick alley suck-off, were you?]
"...Forget it."
I shook off Elaine's hand naturally resting on my shoulder.
The fact that her vulgar talk didn't repulse me like before... was that proof I was changing?
As I sorted through my complicated feelings and headed to my assigned room, gazes pierced me and Elaine walking toward the stairs.
Even the folks chatting moments ago and the new同期 recruits all stared our way.
[Feels like we've become the center of attention among the rookies, Ranché.]
"It's all because of you... Who wouldn't gawk at that monstrously huge body of yours?"
[Hmmm♥ Is that so? Those eyes don't seem aimed at me, though.]
Not at Elaine...? Probably just trying to confuse me again. As I stubbornly ignored it to keep walking—
"Hey, you, the Join tribesman!"
"What...?"
[Didn't I tell you? Join aren't like pigeon nests you find in trees. With two rare members of your captain's species here, attention's inevitable.]
Perking my ears at Elaine's words, I turned to find the voice's owner—a male guard yelling at me.
"Yeah, you! You think we don't know? Not just you, but all the new recruits this time. Sneaking in with impure motives...! And forcing our comrades into the poorhouse!"
A voice thick with rage. The shout, laced with fury and sorrow, targeted me squarely.
I understood. They didn't know I was the real 'Guard Captain Francis.'
But what was this ache in my chest...?
"Same species as the captain, and you're not ashamed? Say something!"
The male guard barked. Commotion stirred here and there in agreement.
The new recruits acting as elder spies seemed flustered too—this level of backlash was unexpected.
"Hah... Not worth responding? Or are you mute? Same species, yet your character and personality are worlds apart..."
[Enough, you lot.]
As the provocations intensified and my melancholy surged while listening silently, a beautiful voice rang from behind.
Contrasting it, a violent feminine form passed me, advancing on the shouting male guard.
"Wh-what...? You...!"
[Already forgotten what your revered captain just said? Get along without discrimination. It's laughable you can't even follow that, resorting to petty taunts over species.]
"Th-that's just formalit—!"
[Isn't upholding formal procedures part of safeguarding the territory—your duty? Nothing you say holds water.]
Elaine sneered down at the male guard. He wasn't short, yet Elaine loomed two heads taller, casting shadows under the light that amplified her overwhelming presence.
Before Elaine's point-by-point retorts, the blustering guard shrank pathetically.
[Even wild beasts bare no fangs against vastly superior foes. In that sense, you're worse than beasts.]
"Uh, yeah..."
[Tch... Pathetic. Can't even counter? Let's go, Ranché. More words with these fools, and I'll lose my temper.]
"W-wait a sec...!"
Could this really be the Elaine who'd raped me, taken my body by force, tormented me...? She looked so reliable now.
It even comforted me that we were on the same side.
Was suppressing the emboldened guards, who relied on their group's momentum to pick fights, just due to Elaine's strength and the superiority of her Apostle species...?
Following behind her, I unwittingly spoke up.
"Why... did you defend me? I figured you'd get hard watching me mocked and blamed, satisfied."
[Hah... What do you take me for? I'm not so callous as to ignore kin being pointed at. It's our Mistress's will too♥ For everyone's pleasure and equality♥]
"Eek...!"
As she praised her "Mistress," Elaine's crotch swelled fiercely. The cock, pointed downward in her pants, outlined veiny ridges along her thigh.
[Beasts abandon the weak. But we don't♥ Unlike that bitch you served as master...]
"........."
Anyone could tell it targeted Anidia... but no rebuttal came to mind.
Fine, being kicked from my old lodging aside... her image still lingered, urging contract renewal just because I was a newly discovered Join.
In the end, no words passed between Elaine and me on the way to the room. Except one thing...
The thick scent of her rigid erection, impossible to hide even in tight clothes, lingered in my nose.
Each whiff made my pussy wetten, my cock swelling gradually.
Ignoring the heat building below, I grabbed the sleeve of Elaine's clothes as she walked ahead.
"E-Elaine...?"
[Hm...? What?]
"That thing about sucking your cock once we're in the room... still valid?"
[Kukuku♥ Of course. I planned to force you anyway, even without your begging. But if you ask first... I might let you serve in other ways besides fellatio as thanks♥]
Service... That word from her sweet voice stoked desire in my heart♥ I shouldn't...
"R-really...? Hehe♥"
[Sometimes you gotta ditch restraint and give in to desire♥ Come on, let's go in. Your cock and mine are both at their limit♥]
"Got it......♥"
Elaine's the one who plunged me this low. Who turned me into this body. Who made a doll in my image to shatter my trust with Anidia.
But my body was honest. All revulsion and disgust from before bubbled away like foam...
Clinging to that one glimpse of her encouraging and protecting me, I craved pleasure.
This dual, unrestrained self... I...
Hehe♥ Not hating it♥
