Chapter 12
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Translator: Recker
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Curiosity
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Perhaps because I had gotten the hang of it, the second day of farm work went much smoother than the first.
The villagers also seemed content, as their only task was to gather the fallen stalks.
It was now lunchtime, and we were taking a break under the shade of a tree, sitting on a mat.
Violet had brought steamed potatoes, and the villagers shared the snacks they had brought from home. Everything tasted delicious, especially since we were hungry.
“Excuse me, I’ll go fetch some water.”
“Alright, take your time.”
Perhaps because of what had transpired the previous night, Violet was exceptionally attentive to me.
The villagers praised her diligence, but knowing the real reason behind her attentiveness, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Well, with only children and elderly men in the village, she must have been quite deprived.
And in a small village like this, gossip spread quickly, so she couldn't just take any man.
Considering that, I, a newcomer from the outside, was the perfect candidate to satisfy her pent-up desires after six months of solitude.
And I wasn’t about to complain about a readily available meal.
However, this created a small problem.
“…”
Camilla, seemingly still upset about my teasing that morning, continued to avoid my gaze.
I should have realized from the beginning, when I learned she was a virgin succubus. She seemed unusually innocent for a succubus, her face flushing crimson whenever I made a suggestive joke.
I had found her reactions amusing and continued teasing her, which had now led to her refusing to speak to me.
I addressed Camilla, who was sitting at a distance.
“Are you still mad at me?”
“…I’m not mad.”
Camilla’s tone was defensive.
But I wasn’t one to give up so easily.
I scooted closer and offered her a steamed potato.
“Here, have one. They’re fluffy and delicious.”
Camilla, sitting at the edge of the mat, stared at the potato I offered, then sighed softly and accepted it.
“…I’m not forgiving you. I’m accepting this out of respect for Violet, who made them.”
She took a bite of the potato.
“…”
Wag, wag
I had noticed while eating with her that Camilla expressed her enjoyment of food not through her face, but through her body.
Seemingly finding the potato to her liking, her devilish tail, peeking out from beneath her skirt, swayed back and forth.
She looked like a happy puppy, and it was quite endearing.
“…It’s delicious.”
“Right?”
I grinned, and Camilla, realizing she was still sulking, lowered her head and continued nibbling on the potato.
As I watched her eat, a question popped into my mind.
“By the way, Camilla, why do you eat so little?”
Camilla covered her puffed-out cheeks with her hands and replied,
“…Succubi don’t require sustenance from food. It’s not that we can’t taste, but eating is mostly a recreational activity. However, I have a unique constitution and need to consume a small amount of food for nutrients. That’s why I appear to be a light eater.”
Her answer was partly what I had expected.
But not entirely satisfying, so I pressed further.
“Camilla, may I ask you one more thing?”
“…Go ahead.”
“Why are you a virgin?”
Cough! Cough!
Camilla choked on her potato, turning her head and covering her mouth as she coughed repeatedly.
I waited patiently for her to recover.
Finally, her coughing subsided, and she looked at me with teary eyes, protesting,
“Who asks such a question in the middle of a meal?!”
While most people would have been intimidated by her outburst, I had come this far and decided to be bold.
“But it’s strange, isn’t it? A succubus, who supposedly feeds on male essence, still a virgin after reaching adulthood? Any demon who heard that would laugh.”
Camilla blushed and lowered her head, seemingly at a loss for words.
“B-But I don’t have time to meet men while working at the Demon Lord’s castle. Romance would only interfere with my work.”
“So you don’t masturbate either?”
“M-Masturbate…!”
Flustered by my blunt question, Camilla, usually so composed and stoic, blushed like a pubescent girl discovering her sexuality, fidgeting with her fingers.
“I-I’ve never… done that either. Although I know about it… theoretically.”
She was even more innocent than I had imagined.
For someone with her looks, and a succubus no less, to have remained untouched was practically a miracle.
Are there only eunuchs in the Demon Lord’s castle?
Genuinely intrigued, I decided to push a little further.
“So, what did you think when you saw what was happening in my room last night?”
“What? I-I didn’t see anything!”
“Don’t bother hiding it now. It’s written all over your face.”
“…”
Realizing she couldn't fool me, Camilla lowered her head, her face still red, and mumbled,
“I… I thought it was… incredible.”
“What part, specifically?”
Camilla’s gaze flickered down to my lower body before quickly darting away.
“H-How does… that… fit inside…? It was almost as big as my arm.”
“Pfft—”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her exaggeration.
“It’s… bigger than average, but not that big.”
“What? But…”
Camilla looked like she wanted to argue, but I placed a finger to my lips, silencing her as I heard footsteps approaching.
Camilla quickly closed her mouth, and I greeted Violet, who returned with a pitcher of water, as if nothing had happened.
She looked back and forth between Camilla and me, tilting her head.
“Did something happen while I was gone?”
“What? No, nothing at all.”
“You two seem a lot closer than before.”
I realized I had moved closer to Camilla to talk to her and said nonchalantly,
“I was just offering Camilla a potato, telling her how delicious they are.”
I subtly gestured to Camilla, and she, regaining her usual composure, thanked Violet politely.
“Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Violet smiled brightly and offered Camilla the pitcher of water.
“There’s plenty more, so have as much as you like. It makes me happy to see you enjoying my cooking, Camilla.”
I forced a smile and mouthed silently to Camilla, who was talking to Violet,
Come to my room later.
Camilla hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
***
The second day of harvesting ended, and we returned to the village elder’s house a little earlier than yesterday.
Having completed 50 acres today, we only had 25 acres left to harvest tomorrow.
While I was feeling drained from mana exhaustion, it had been a rewarding, and surprisingly enjoyable, experience.
I had never imagined using the magic I had developed for destruction in such a way.
It had given me a new perspective on my abilities.
Back at the house, I wiped myself down with a cool, wet towel and changed out of my sweat-soaked clothes.
I borrowed a set of clothes from Violet – her husband’s, to be precise.
Since it was still a bit early for dinner, I said I would rest in my room for a while.
Violet agreed, humming cheerfully as she headed to the kitchen, telling me to look forward to dinner.
…What was that supposed to mean?
Her words were so loaded with innuendo that I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread.
Anyway, I changed into the comfortable clothes and lay down on the bed to rest.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
“Come in!”
Camilla cautiously opened the door and entered.
She glanced nervously towards the living room, then closed the door and slowly approached me, sitting on the bed.
Then, in a serious tone, she said,
“I need to talk to you.”