Chapter 297
Chapter 297
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 297
Chapter Title: The Flower's Lingering Scent
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"Oh, ooh!! This is some fine leather!!"
The tavern on the first floor of the inn was packed with out-of-town merchants and their bodyguards. They looked like nothing more than common bandits, and they probably moonlighted as such during their travels.
Of course, this was smack in the middle of the city, so no worries there. The moment we walked in with the Owl Bear's hide, they jumped to their feet and greeted us warmly.
"Yes, fresh kill—hasn't even been half a day. We've also got the heart, gall bladder, claws, and beak. Interested?"
"Of course!"
A half-dozen merchants crowded around us, inspecting the butchered Owl Bear parts. They examined each piece carefully, then broke into big grins and started haggling prices.
Apparently, leather supplies had been spotty lately.
They bought the other materials as an afterthought, but I'd left the negotiating to Winia, so no need to sweat the money side.
After a few words between the merchants and Winia, we closed the deal at a whopping 30 silver—an outrageous sum.
We handed over the goods to the delighted merchants, pocketed the coin purse, and stepped outside. 30 silver... an insane amount of money. My head was spinning.
No wonder adventurer brats risk their necks for this. One big score like that, and you can turn your whole life around.
"What, did it fetch that much? Fucking pricey."
I was still dazed as I asked Winia.
"They said it'd go for even more in the capital. Who the hell knows what the trend is... Anyway, I settled for 30 silver as a compromise."
"Fuck, even higher in the capital?"
Noble fashion trends, huh? They must be throwing money around like crazy. The capital's far off, so yeah, transport costs jack up the price plenty.
Reminds me—back on Earth, pepper used to be worth more than gold by weight in the old days.
Rich folks blowing cash hand over fist? That's a universal constant, no matter the era, class, or even dimension.
Hey, we're the ones reaping the benefits, so count our lucky stars.
"Oh, and the gall bladder went for a premium. Was gonna feed it to you if it didn't sell."
"The gall bladder? Why?"
"Good for your dick, blackie."
Winia grinned wickedly as she stroked my crotch.
Damn, this temptress.
Guess gall bladders boosting virility is a thing here and there alike. Aphrodisiacs always sell like hotcakes.
But I don't need that shit.
I'm no limp-dick loser.
"Don't need that crap. I'm plenty fine without it."
"Heh heh. True enough. So, shall our blackie put in some work today too?"
Winia grabbed my hand, her voice dripping with seduction as she made her demand loud and clear. And of course, stallion Kim Katt was always ready to deliver.
"You like it a bit too much, don't you?"
"What, got a problem with that?"
"Nah, love it!"
With that, we headed back to our room.
After dipping into the warm inn for a bit, the cold wind hit us like a wall, chilling me to the bone. All I wanted was a quick wash and dive under the covers.
"Wonder what'd happen if we fed an aphrodisiac to blackie here."
Why's she so hellbent on drugging me?
"Hee hee. How much wilder could you get?"
"You and me together couldn't handle it. Even throwing that bitch in, we'd still come up short."
"Katt? Wanna try one next time?"
Cloudy whispered in my ear, eyes sparkling.
No matter how you slice it, that'd be overkill.
"I'd die."
"Drama queen."
Anyway, back at the room, we unpacked as usual, wrapped up the meat we'd brought, and stashed it on the snow-covered balcony. We could grill it outside the gates next time.
"Katt, I'm cold."
"Blackie, me too."
"Alright."
Even after a hot bath warmed by Winia's magic, they were still whining about the chill, so I hugged them close. I satisfied both girls to the brim, tucked them in, and finally crashed out myself.
Damn, this winter felt cozy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The long winter had finally ended.
The snow blanketing the mountains melted away as if it had never been, and the soaked earth began to green with fresh life.
That's right.
Spring had arrived.
"Spring's here."
Spring is the season of the true strong.
The brutal cold of death gives way to warm days brimming with vibrant life. Sure, it might just seem like a massive tease, but dig deeper: spring is what only those who've survived hellish trials get to enjoy.
The weak froze solid or got buried somewhere in those snowy peaks. Thus, spring belongs to the strong. A season overflowing with violence.
The time when humanity turns most savage.
"Overflowing power."
The thick scent of spring filled me with energy from head to toe.
Hunting had gone great over the winter, padding our savings nicely. On off days, I didn't slack—headed to the swordsman guild to hone my Murder Sword.
Stamina training? Never skipped that either.
New year, but I wasn't just getting older.
Unlike last year, when life force drained away, I'd spent this one rebuilding in luxury. Combat power had to be up.
The longer I lived in this world, the more lethally I adapted and evolved.
"Guess I'm pushing fifty now."
"Blackie at fifty?"
With warmer days, Winia was back to her diligent self. Up before Cloudy, she lounged in the morning sun, sipping tea and flipping through her magic tome.
"Yeah."
"Fucking ancient."
"Hey, you little shit?"
Honestly, I wasn't sure of my exact age. Twenty-five or twenty-six? Whatever—not the point.
"Hey, Winia. Come to think of it, aren't you just turning twenty-one?"
"Huh, yeah. So?"
"Think about it logically. You're younger than me, but talking to your 'hubby' like that? Makes no sense."
From a fusion-Confucian view, this was straight-up wrong. Winia's attitude toward me was blatantly unreasonable. Calling a younger guy 'blackie'?
New year means resetting bad habits.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Everything! I've let it slide, but no more. Call me 'oppa' right now!"
I had every right to hear 'oppa' from Winia. Time to ditch 'blackie' and ascend to true oppa status.
"You want me to call you oppa, blackie?"
"Hell yes! It's my dream!"
"Sigh."
She snapped her book shut and sauntered over.
"You're making a big fuss over that, huh."
"Just claiming my due."
Winia was in black panties and an oversized white tee—killer combo. Her massive tits kept the shirt from reaching her thighs, floating just right. Hot as hell.
"Blackie."
"Yeah."
"Call you oppa?"
"Please! God, please!"
I was straight-up begging. Just once—I yearned to hear 'oppa' from her lips. She'd called me nothing but blackie from day one.
I pressed my ear to her mouth to drive the point home. After a beat,
"Oppa."
She murmured softly.
Joy exploded through me.
"Gyaheheheheek!!!"
Just those two syllables felt like some inhuman elixir flooding my ear, unleashing massive pleasure. Hyper-aroused, I yanked her into a hug.
"Whoa, you love it that much."
She sounded exasperated, but I was over the moon.
"I love you!!! Winia!!!"
"Jeez. That happy over 'oppa'?"
"Insanely! Keep it up from now on!"
One word, and I was rock-hard. Lust boiled over. Was this spring's power? Titles matter in relationships, after all.
"Dick's hard already. Blackie's blackie forever. Heh heh."
Her response doused my fire cold.
"Fuck."
Winia shoved me off lazily and plopped back in her chair, opening her book. Damn, her ice magic training must be paying off.
She's got my heart on ice.
"Katt?"
"Huh. Cloudy."
Cloudy rubbed her eyes awake and called my name.
"Want me to call you oppa? Hehe, c'mere."
"N-no."
Getting 'oppa' from your big sis-figure? Nah.
Still, I crawled over to her on the bed.
As I sidled up, she said,
"Oppa?"
"Ah."
Bitter.
This had its charms too. Lust already raging, I rubbed her pussy to set the mood.
"But sis, how old are you? Still don't know."
Right as I leaned in for a kiss, Winia turned and piped up. Silence fell. Age mentioned, Cloudy froze, eyes wide.
"..."
"Sis? How old?"
Winia hopped onto the bed, tilting her head curiously. Cloudy's age... even I didn't know...!
"What, no answer?"
"Winia?"
Cloudy slowly turned to her. Sensing trouble, I bolted off the bed.
"Yeah? What, no way she's over a hundred as an elf? Nah, can't be."
Mage curiosity kicking in, Winia even guessed, digging for Cloudy's secret.
"Winia? Can we drop it?"
Cloudy's tone was terrifying, but Winia hadn't clocked the danger. She switched targets to me.
"What. Blackie, how old is sis acting like this?"
Cloudy's age.
A mystery even to me.
My guess? At least twice mine. But she never spills, so I'd stopped caring.
I'm fine with it; she won't say.
Probably embarrassed.
Whatever.
Elves are long-lived anyway. That's how they keep their beauty for centuries. Cloudy's age? No issue for me.
So what if she's older?
She's stunning and loving.
Hell, even a thousand wouldn't faze me.
"Dunno."
"Huh? You don't know?"
"She won't tell."
Hey, might as well team up with Winia to pry it out. But secrets demand sacrifice.
"Now I'm dying to know. Sis? Huh? Uh? S-sis, what?"
Cloudy rose from bed, reaching for Winia.
"Winia... didn't I say be quiet?"
"Uh, uhh? Kyaa, kyaAaah!!"
Screams erupted. Cloudy's gaze sharpened on me.
"Katt."
"Gah. Yes."
"You know what I'm gonna say, right?"
"Y-yeah, of course."
Beast-like aura pouring off her, she overwhelmed me while gearing up to ravage Winia.
"Hii, hiyaaaang!!!"
What the...
Winia, under assault, desperately called me.
"B-blackie! N-no, oppa!!! Stop sis!!!"
"Huuuh?!!"
Oppa!
That ignited my courage!
"Cloudy!! Stop!!"
I launched myself, grabbing her wrist as she went for Winia's throat, halting her. Must've been the age question that set her off!
"Katt! Don't stop me!"
"No way! I wanna know your age today too!"
I bellowed like an interrogator!
Good! Time to uncover it!
"Cloudy! I don't give a shit about your age! It means nothing! Because I love you!"
My love roared out, and Cloudy's face flushed crimson, ears flapping like wings.
Those earrings...! Gotta be the key!
"H-huh? K-Katt... th-that's..."
Winia tumbled away with a roll, ducking behind the bed.
"Cloudy! Spill it! Your age!!!!"
"Yeah! Tell us, sis! What's the big secret?!"
I yanked her toward me and yelled again.
Then.
"D-don't know! Katt! I don't wanna say! So stop asking!"
"Duuuh?!!"
—Bam!
She hurled me onto the bed, shrieked, and stormed into the shower.
Ah.
Spring, huh.