That Thing From the Prologue
The chirping of birds announced the morning. Warm sunlight streamed through the window of the inn room and wrapped around me, along with the two beautiful women still asleep, their arms embracing my upper body from either side — and the two objects that rubbed against my lower half with every breath they took...
"Mnngh..."
I couldn't remember whether I had slept or simply passed out. All I knew for certain was that somewhere past the middle of it all, I'd stopped being fully conscious.
Last night — no, technically until the early hours of this morning — if you asked the two of them, I had been thoroughly loved. At some point, my body had stopped absorbing semen and converting it into mana for the Holy Sword. Apparently I'd exceeded the maximum amount of mana I could store. Watching me get utterly coated in the stuff only excited the two of them more, and in the end they devoured me until they were the ones collapsing from exhaustion.
Control... I have to keep control...
If this keeps up... I'm seriously going to lose my mind...
With every breath, the residue of Valeri's semen smeared around my mouth slid into it.
I still...! While I can still hold onto my sanity, I have to get a grip...!
Otherwise I really might fall...
Have I... already fallen?
No! I haven't fallen yet!
I have NOT undergone bitchification!!
"Ah..."
All the semen that had been pumped into me last night came trickling out of my rear.
It was only when lunch arrived that we learned a staff member had already come knocking on our door once, back at breakfast time. We'd slept in so late that we scrubbed ourselves clean to hide the evidence of the previous night, aired out the room, tidied the bedding at least somewhat, and only then accepted our meal. Fresia didn't seem to feel the slightest bit of embarrassment, but under the pressure Valeri and I applied, she was half-forced into helping anyway.
That's how it was already afternoon by the time we finally stepped out of the room. We had no particular errand in mind, but we headed toward the commercial district all the same.
"We've already got our equipment, and our gear's all sorted too, so there's not really anything we need to buy."
"The inn is being paid for by the lord, but our cash reserves are limited. If anything, it may be a blessing that there's nothing we need."
"Oh, come on, you two, what are you even saying? How can there be nothing to buy?"
That was Fresia's response as the three of us strolled along, window-shopping.
"We have to go buy lace underwear, obviously."
"Ah, right. I did promise you that, didn't I?"
Fresia had stolen her older sister Histira's underwear and run off — and then, on top of that, gone and lost it. As penance, she'd promised to buy Histira a gift of new underwear once she reached the capital.
"Sooo, money. Hand it over."
"Why are you asking me for money?"
"Because you're the one who got money from Mom and Dad and the lord, Mr. Hero. I haven't gotten a single coin, okay~?"
So the woman who ravished me half to death last night was now demanding money the moment the sun came up... something about this picture was deeply wrong.
"Honestly... is it even right for me to pay for that with my own money..."
I fished my wallet out of my bag and held it out to Fresia.
"Buy it as cheap as possible, got it? Oh wait, we promised to get an orrery too, didn't we? Get one of those as well."
"Yep yep! Thanks, Mr. Hero~ Mwah!"
Taking the wallet, Fresia grabbed my hand and pressed her lips to the back of it.
"Wh- you!"
"I'll be right baaack~"
Leaving me flustered and sputtering, Fresia darted off with quick, light steps, weaving through the crowd until she vanished.
"Sh-shall we continue looking around, then? I'm sure Fresia won't squander the money."
"Hmm... remembering yesterday's... generous spending habits, though..."
"Ugh...! Now I'm starting to worry too."
With Fresia already gone, the two of us continued browsing the commercial district carrying a faint undercurrent of unease. This was one of the capital's shopping avenues, after all, and the variety of goods on display was staggering. Beyond quality equipment and tools, there were fruits and ornaments from overseas, every kind of food imaginable — more things to gawk at than we could ever take in.
We'd all but forgotten about Fresia when, at one corner of the street, people began murmuring and gathering into a crowd.
"Is something the matter?"
"It doesn't look like trouble — the mood seems pleasant, if anything."
Curiosity got the better of us, and we pushed our way into the crowd. To be precise, Valeri shoved through, and I, glued tightly to her side, followed in her wake.
And then, when the view finally opened up, we saw her: Liznet Boyal, guarded by soldiers of the Saintess Order, conversing with the residents of the commercial district.
"Hey, it's Liznet."
She couldn't possibly have heard my voice, but Liznet happened to turn her head, and our eyes met. Recognizing me and Valeri, she quietly whispered something to the guard beside her, and before long, they withdrew from the spot.
She was making the rounds of the commercial district... doesn't seem like everyday business... what was it for again?
Just as the onlookers began to disperse and we were about to move on ourselves, someone approached us.
"Excuse me, you two."
"Yes?" "Can we help you?"
Valeri subtly shifted her arm in front of me, moving to shield me.
"Oh, forgive me. I'm with the Saintess Order."
So said the woman, who looked like an ordinary citizen but carried herself with a peculiar, quiet dignity.
"Liznet has asked that, should you two be willing, we bring you to her quietly."
At those words, Valeri and I glanced at each other for a moment. We each seemed to already know what the other was thinking.
We followed the Saintess Order's attendant to a building. Standing before the modest-looking church were the same Saintess Order soldiers we'd seen earlier, and we exchanged polite nods with them as we passed.
Inside, Liznet Boyal was seated in a chair, resting.
"Ah, we meet again. Thank you for walking all this way to see me."
Rising from her seat at the sight of us, Liznet bowed her waist in greeting, her composed expression perfectly intact.
"Not at all. We're happy to see you again too."
"I hadn't expected to see you so soon."
We sat in the chairs arranged before her at the attendant's guidance, and Liznet settled back into her own seat.
"When I saw you in the street, I wanted to greet you, but you draw far too much attention — so I had you brought here instead. Having the Hero's identity exposed would do no one any good."
"That's true... thank you for being so considerate."
Her calm expression remained as steady as ever, betraying not a flicker of emotion.
Looking at her like this, she's genuinely impressive, but... this woman has nipple piercings and an anal plug under those clothes, you know...
That disconnect left me feeling strangely off-balance.
"Were you holding some kind of event today?"
Meanwhile, Valeri carried the conversation forward.
"Ah, yes — this morning, when we arrived at the capital, the Saintess Order delivered its evaluation of me."
"Your evaluation?"
"Yes. Yesterday's incident was recognized as a great achievement, and I have been named a Final Saintess Candidate."
"Ohh!" "That's wonderful news!"
I honestly had no idea what a "Final Candidate" entailed, but it was clearly something to be happy about. So Valeri and I congratulated Liznet together.
"Fufu. How humble you both are. This is all thanks to the two of you, and to Fresia. It's something I never could have achieved alone."
"Not at all. Defeating Sukmehek was as much your doing as anyone's, Liznet."
"It was you, Mr. Hero, who exploited that woman's weakness — the greater achievement by far was yours."
We traded compliments back and forth, and the mood turned pleasantly warm. Even the corners of her calm mouth lifted slightly into a faint smile.
"The decision will likely be made... within the week, I believe. Among the final candidates, myself included, they will choose who becomes the next Saintess."
I see. So there were other Final Saintess Candidates besides Liznet. If Liznet is the companion that cursed Goddess told me to win over through revelation, then surely she'll become the next Saintess.
"It will definitely be you, Liznet! You'll be the Saintess!"
"That's right! You're a truly remarkable person!"
"Hearing you both say that makes me very happy. Ah — I still haven't answered your question, have I? I was out in the street today to introduce myself to the people of this kingdom as one of the final candidates."
"That's admirable. Will you be visiting other districts besides the commercial one?"
"Yes, there are quite a few places left to visit. I imagine... I'll be making the rounds until evening, at least."
"Until evening?" "That's quite a long time..."
Valeri and I were taken aback. And no wonder — if she'd only arrived at the capital this morning, it meant she'd been managing the return of the kidnapped victims until late into yesterday at the earliest. She hadn't rested for even a moment. She truly was working herself to the bone.
"Then, once your duties are finished... would you care to have a meal with us?"
Moved by admiration for Liznet — and by my desire to make her a true companion — I made the offer.
"We're staying at a rather fine inn, you see. If you're free, please come by for dinner. Think of it as a little celebration for making Final Candidate!"
"The food there is truly delicious!"
Liznet considered our invitation for a moment, then gave a small nod, that faint smile returning to her lips.
"Yes! I gratefully accept. Although... I can't say with any certainty when my duties will be finished."
"Come late if you have to."
"Our schedule has no conflicts whatsoever, so please don't worry!"
"Fufu. You really are generous souls, both of you."
On that pleasant note, we finished our conversation and left the building.
"With Liznet, I'm certain she'll become the Saintess."
"I think so too. She's probably the companion the Goddess spoke of."
"Th-then... what are we to do about our relationship with her? It would be a little embarrassing to show her, as comrades..."
"She's already seen far more than just the fact that you're futanari, you know..."
"Th- that is... true..."
After hesitating a moment, Valeri spoke again.
"Liznet seems to be an ordinary woman, not a futanari... do you... have interest in ordinary women as well, Mr. Hero?"
"Are you getting jealous again?"
"Th- that's not jealousy! It's just— that is!!"
Watching Valeri's face flush scarlet in her flustered panic, a laugh bubbled out of me before I could stop it. I just wanted to tease her a little.
"Hahaha! Well, who can say?"
"H- hiii! Stop teasing me and tell me! I- I'm at least your first, am I not?!"
"Who knows~ Hahaha~"