Chapter 498
Chapter 498
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 498
Chapter Title: Doctor Gam Deok-bae (34)
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When Masha caught us, I thought we were done for, but luckily, she had zero interest in anything lewd. Probably because she hadn't received a proper upbringing, her knowledge of sex was basically nonexistent. Masha didn't even bat an eye at Serphin's massive titjob. Instead, she offered to step in and handle the treatment herself.
Thanks to that, I got to enjoy some unintended shameful play with Serphin.
Serphin satisfying me by shaking her tits right in front of her subordinate. And the way she got a little excited doing it proved she was a total masochist. Plus, swallowing my cum without a second thought... Man, Serphin was a woman who was fun to train.
Separately from all that, I learned some unexpected info through Masha...
Hmm, looks like I need to get on good terms with her too.
With my limited range of movement, she was a prime source of intel. It seemed like she was caught up in some protagonist-level mess... Without Masha, where else would I get info on Chloe? From my position, where I ultimately had to conquer the protagonist too, Masha was someone I needed to befriend.
First, turn Serphin into my woman to build connections,
gain fame in the knight order to climb the ranks,
and befriend Masha to connect with Chloe...
Nice, I could see the NTR angle taking shape.
With my plan sorted in my head, I called out to Masha on the way back to the barracks.
"Lord Ruin."
"Lady Masha."
Surprisingly, Masha seemed interested in me too.
Masha looked at me with a somewhat complicated expression. Wondering what was up, I used Observation to peek into her turbulent inner thoughts. She was worried about my health while grappling with some dilemma of her own. The jumble of emotions suggested it was a pretty serious issue.
In that case, as an adult, I should give her some proper counseling. I'd been about to ask about the "confidential" info I'd just heard, but I switched gears and checked on her well-being.
"You eating properly?"
"Ah... Yes. I make sure to eat all three meals."
"Good to hear. You look healthy."
"Healthy, huh..."
"...Lady Masha?"
"Well... Truth is, even if it doesn't look it, I'm kind of wandering aimlessly right now."
"Wandering?"
"About that, there's something I'd like to ask you... It's late, though. Could we meet tomorrow? If it's okay with you, Lord Ruin, I have a favor to ask."
"Mm... I'm fine with it. Whenever suits you?"
I hadn't expected her to request counseling first... Was she really struggling that much? Observation wasn't omnipotent, so I made an appointment with Masha. Either way, it was a chance to get closer to her, so I had no reason to refuse.
"Hahk, haaah... Hah..."
I should've just said no if I knew it'd turn out like this.
I should've caught on when she suggested meeting at the training grounds.
Before any counseling, she insisted I needed exercise first and put me through training. After three laps around the field, my whole body was trembling. Sure, I was mostly recovered, but I was still a patient... Masha was a brutal instructor. They say shoulders... no, the body gets stronger the more you use it...
But I don't need to get stronger.
My already fatigued body hit its limit.
"Here's some cold water and a towel."
"Hahk, haah... Thanks..."
"Hmph! It's not like I did it because I like you or anything?!"
"......Lady Masha?"
"Yeah?"
"Huh?"
"I heard men like this kind of thing... Guess not, huh."
"......Did you hear that from Maria by any chance?"
"Yes. Was it that bad?"
"Not really... Ahem..."
Man, what the hell has that girl been up to?
Her tsundere lines brought some life back to me. Tsundere suits flat-chested girls best. Shame she wasn't blonde with twintails, but she still passed with flying colors. The averted gaze, the arm-crossing, the blushing face... She'd been taught properly. Maria was a quick study.
"Not to sound rude, but... that's old info."
Unfortunately, it wasn't up with the trends.
"Oh... I see."
"Lately, this style's more popular."
"Ho ho."
Tsundere went out of style ages ago.
These days, it's bratty little devils.
"Hee~ So a guy gets all huffing and puffing after a little run? What a loser!"
Once I finished my lesson, Masha narrowed her eyes. Then she pointed at me and giggled mockingly. A perfect little brat taunting me right to my face... Flat-chested girls make the best brats. Quite a satisfying performance.
"Mock me more."
"Loser! Trash!"
"More!"
"Loser..."
"A bit more!"
"......Sorry. I don't think I can do any more."
"Ah... N-no, I'm the one who's sorry."
Right, snap out of it.
Even brats are passé now.
After chugging the cold water and regaining my senses, I finally started the counseling. She was so innocent it was fun to tease her, but business was business. We sat under a tree in the shade and talked. The topic turned out to be the unexpected one of "bullying."
Masha had skipped meals to train relentlessly in hopes of earning the squad members' recognition.
But no one acknowledged her...
She was still training all alone, feeling isolated—that was her dilemma.
How could she befriend the squad members?
How could she become true comrades with her fellow knights?
Masha looked at me with a lonely expression, seeking answers.
But I had nothing to say. She was basically asking me how to make friends... Scary. If I knew that, I'd be popular myself. It was a question I couldn't answer—or more precisely, one I didn't know the answer to.
"...You want the squad to recognize you?"
"Yes, that's my issue."
But honestly... it was a question I couldn't wrap my head around.
All the knights here seemed like good people. Bullied by them? No way. As a fellow outcast, I could tell. At least the Third Squad weren't the type. There had to be a misunderstanding. I used Observation to check her inner thoughts.
And I read some seriously discriminatory ideas.
Maybe she's being bullied because she's a girl, because she's young—a dangerous line of thinking.
This... was classic gaslighting.
It hit me again that this was a romance novel aimed at women.
For some reason, all the bad stuff was pinned on men, while female villains always had their "reasons." Not every one was like that, but most of the ones I'd read were. Even I, a guy, found myself trash-talking the male characters until I saw comments like "All men are like that" and woke up. Masha was falling victim to that gaslighting too.
"Then let's go ask them directly."
"......Pardon?!"
When in doubt, face it head-on.
Snide remarks and backbiting weren't human behavior.
She wanted answers, not sympathy, so direct confrontation was the way.
"Lady Masha, have you ever gone to the squad members and said, 'Let's be friends'? Or asked them to accept you as a fellow knight now that you've made it?"
"N-no..."
"Then let's go ask them ourselves this time."
"But..."
"It's fine. I'll be right there with you. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding."
Even if she was anxious, having support beside her would give her courage. I took Masha around to the Third Squad knights. And sure enough, none of them harbored ill will toward her. They'd been worried about approaching her because she was so young and a girl—afraid it'd lead to weird misunderstandings. Still, they cared about her like a little sister...
"...But! We use separate changing rooms! Separate baths! Isn't that discrimination?!"
Wait, now I saw it—Serphin was the problem.
This happened because she skimped on sex ed.
"I heard you have to get naked together to bond! But you won't do it with me!"
"No, that's not..."
"I can at least scrub your backs!"
"Sigh... How do I even explain this?"
"......You've had it rough."
Should I call someone in for a lesson? I forcibly calmed the rampaging Masha and seriously debated summoning Maria. But no matter how I thought about it, Maria felt off-limits... In the end, I went to Serphin. She'd find someone suitable. What I'd thought was a grave counseling session ended on a somewhat anticlimactic note.
A few days later, the final night before heading back to the mansion.
Having left a solid impression on Serphin and gotten somewhat close to Masha, I dragged my exhausted body from training onto the bed. Things seemed to be progressing smoothly—I could relax. I'd gradually worm my way into Serphin's heart like this, then strike to conquer her all at once when the time was right. Everything was going according to plan.
-Drip
-Plop
But accidents always happen at times like these.
A faint patter of footsteps approached, then something—no, mana—engulfed my body. My eyes forced shut, my limbs immobilized. I was completely restrained. Had I been too cocky lately? Someone had come to kidnap me... But who? I couldn't imagine. I should've built my reputation more slowly...
Damn, my mistake for underestimating this.
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
Were dark forces targeting the hotshot doctor?
Or was the royal physician trying to take me out?
"Mmmph!"
As I fretted...
"......Huh?!"
Suddenly, my pants were yanked off.
Then something soft and squishy enveloped my dick.
-Riiiip
At the same time, some kind of membrane tore.