Little Devil and Wild Horse (2)
Little Devil and Wild Horse (2)
A faint pink hue was visible through the thin camisole.
Even though it was my own body, it was truly tactless.
For my nipples to harden in this situation of all times.
I almost wanted to give them a piece of my mind.
"...I'm ready. Please begin whenever you're prepared."
"Ahem. Of course."
Heinrich approached me with a measuring tape in hand.
He started with my upper body.
His slender fingers (for a man) traced along my waist.
True to the premise of taking measurements, his touch was careful and restrained.
The measurements progressed systematically from my navel line to below my chest.
The tape wrapped around my stomach, sides, and back, lightly pressing against the camisole.
Occasionally, the back of his hand would brush against the underside of my breasts.
I wasn't some naive virgin to react sensitively to every little touch.
Maintaining a blank expression, I deliberately looked off into the distance.
Yet I couldn't stop my cheeks from gradually warming.
If I acted too embarrassed here, the atmosphere would only grow more awkward.
Pursing my lips, I tried not to dwell on it.
"This should suffice for the waist measurements."
Surprisingly, he didn't drag it out.
After carefully recording the numbers, he stood before me again.
Now it was time to measure the circumference around my chest.
I raised my arms above my head to allow the tape to wrap around.
This position inevitably exposed my armpits.
When his face moved close to them, I suddenly grew concerned.
I hope I don't smell.
I hadn't used my Recovery ability since going out around noon.
It was possible sweat and bodily secretions had accumulated since then.
Body odor would be the absolute worst.
Especially from more intimate areas like armpits.
And having someone else smell it directly would be mortifying beyond words.
Using Recovery now might make things even more awkward.
I subtly observed Heinrich's expression as he wrapped the tape around my back.
He didn't seem to be wrinkling his nose or anything. Thank goodness.
As he moved the tape to the center of my chest, away from my armpits,
it came to rest where my nipples were.
The pink peaks were prominent enough to be easily located.
The thin leather measuring tape pressed against both nipples as it connected across them.
"Hmm."
He began adjusting the tape, pulling and twisting it slightly.
Each movement created friction that sent faint waves of pleasure through me.
To an observer, it might look like he was simply ensuring precise measurements.
But experiencing it firsthand, I knew this was absolutely intentional.
Of course this perverted bastard wouldn't pass up the chance to tease me.
"Let's see, the circumference is..."
He was no apprentice - as a master craftsman, taking measurements should be second nature.
Yet Heinrich kept fiddling with the tape with shameless persistence.
His persistent movements almost seemed to will my nipples to harden further.
The soft lining of the camisole brushed against the sensitive peaks, creating peculiar delight.
It felt like tickling, or perhaps a teasing form of foreplay.
To be honest, it was pleasant stimulation.
They were one of my most erogenous zones after all.
A woman's body naturally responds to such careful caresses.
But enjoying it could only go so far.
This cursed body could reach climax from nipple stimulation alone.
I had no intention of showing such disgrace here.
Glaring at Heinrich like a demon, I shot him a fierce look.
"Ghk...!"
Meeting my murderous gaze, he flinched and quickly averted his eyes.
The measuring tape was hastily withdrawn at the same time.
"U-up... upper body measurements are d-done."
Over recent weeks, I'd transformed into a bloodstained mercenary.
While my delicate beauty remained, I was no longer some fragile flower.
The aura of a warrior who'd felled even a dire wolf.
Such ferocious killing intent could reduce even a sturdy man like Heinrich to a nervous wreck.
"L-Lady Rene. We still need to measure your lower body... may I proceed?"
Seeing his cautious demeanor, I gave a slight nod.
Heinrich became the picture of professionalism while measuring my pelvis, buttocks, and thighs.
He didn't even glance toward my intimate areas, keeping his eyes firmly averted.
My earlier intimidation seemed effective.
Thank goodness. Had he been more observant, he might have noticed I was already wet.
The lower body measurements concluded surprisingly quickly compared to his earlier lingering.
Even the foot and hand measurements felt rushed in comparison.
After recording the numbers, Heinrich gave me a slight bow.
"We're finished. The armor should take about a month to complete. Thank you again for your cooperation, Lady Rene."
"Empty words of gratitude?"
My question carried pointed sarcasm.
My aggressive tone left him flustered and at a loss.
"W-well. I offer my sincere apologies. I'll hire female staff to prevent this from..."
"That's not necessary."
Cutting him off, I seized control of the conversation.
Had it just been measurements, I might have let it slide.
But after having my nipples molested, I couldn't just walk away.
"For an establishment run by the city's master craftsman, the service was disappointingly subpar."
"I... I can only offer my deepest apologies..."
"Hah!"
Still trying to smooth things over with words alone?
Even if female customers were rare at armor shops, he wouldn't dare such brazen behavior with ordinary clients.
He must have deliberately acted perverted knowing I worked nights.
There was no other explanation for what just happened.
Clearly he'd thought me an easy target as a prostitute.
"I should report this misconduct to the Mercenary Guild's manager. Tell him what a mess this was."
"W-wait!"
Heinrich panicked, shifting his weight anxiously.
His flustered reaction confirmed my suspicion.
Even the city's master craftsmen had to tread carefully around the guild manager.
"This is worth at least 50 Arshen worth of displeasure."
"...Pardon?"
"Discount the commission by that much. Then we'll pretend this never happened."
It bordered on extortion, but so be it.
As one of the few master craftsmen in the capital,
officially recognized by the royal family, he enjoyed noble-equivalent status.
A mere mercenary and prostitute like me normally couldn't make demands.
But with the guild behind me, things changed.
They were a massive organization influencing both our kingdom and the neighboring empire.
"You explicitly mentioned earlier that the manager personally arranged this commission. Is your connection with our guild not that significant after all?"
"N-no! Perhaps 20 Arshen would be..."
"Fifty."
Faced with my firm demand, Heinrich finally relented.
The fact that Daygan himself had arranged this must have struck a nerve.
"*Cough* Your promise not to inform the manager... you'll keep it?"
Only after getting his signature confirming the 50 Arshen discount did I leave.
A hefty price to pay for some groping and breast play.
Served him right.
Had he not been greedy, I might have let it go.
His mistake was assuming I'd just take it passively.
That concluded today's schedule.
The afternoon wasn't too early or late.
I considered patrolling outside the city but decided against it.
I'd already spent several days wandering aimlessly.
Today I wanted something different.
Changing direction, I headed for the Mercenary Guild.
Past the main entrance lay the grand guild hall.
I walked straight to my destination.
Not the administrative counters I usually visited.
But the opposite side with tables and a bar.
Where mercenaries drank and relaxed.
Entering the space, the boisterous noise quieted slightly.
All eyes turned toward me momentarily.
Ignoring the stares, I scanned the area.
As expected, several men appeared eager to approach.
Those looking for any opening to strike up conversation.
Minorities always drew attention in unbalanced gender ratios.
Though I wasn't the guild's only female, being a rare beauty posed its own problems.
Idle mercenaries constantly pestered me.
Remember my name, let's drink sometime, want to team up on a job, etc.
One or two would be manageable, but the sheer number made it exhausting.
If they'd been insulting, I could have responded harshly. But most were polite.
Whether due to my Silver Badge reputation or simply wanting to bed me, I wasn't sure.
Surprisingly few in the guild treated me disrespectfully.
Though not none at all.
Plenty still openly scorned me as a whore.
Of course, I'd beaten sense into them whenever they crossed lines, so such open confrontations had decreased.
And after proving my skills by slaying a dire wolf, those types would disappear completely.
Anyway, I hadn't come for male attention.
Spotting a familiar face nearby, I approached.
"Hi. Fancy seeing you again."
"...Huh? Oh, hey."
He seemed startled that I initiated conversation.
The man whose shoulder I'd dislocated during the carriage retrieval job.
"If you're free, want to spar in the courtyard?"
"...Spar?"
"Yeah. Just for fun."
Gaining points wasn't the only way to grow stronger.
Sparring would naturally improve my swordsmanship.
Such intangible skills mattered as much as stat numbers.
"I'd like to fight all of you at least once. No worries if you refuse. Sorry for interrupting your drinks."
The four men at the table exchanged glances.
Shoulder Guy looked conflicted, but the other three seemed eager.
Under their urging, he eventually nodded.
"Well, why not?"
"Great. Let's head to the courtyard."
All four were Bronze Badge mercenaries, I learned.
I'd have preferred sparring with fellow Silvers, but this would do.
"I'll go easy, so don't worry."
"You sure? This isn't just an excuse to hit me, right?"
Shoulder Guy studied me warily.
After our night at the Rose's Grace, he still acted this way.
His shoulder must have hurt quite a bit.
"We shared a good time together - why would I do that?"
"Uh... w-well, that's..."
His face reddened at the memory of that night.
Even rough mercenaries could become bashful youths sometimes.
After swinging my wooden sword a few times, I pointed it at him.
"I'll let you strike first."
The gap between us was vast.
I could overpower them barehanded if I wished.
Without handicaps, sparring would be impossible.
"Then, hyah!"
Shoulder Guy went first.
Gripping his practice sword, he charged with surprising vigor.
Bronze Badge or not, mercenaries lived by the sword. He had decent fundamentals.
But I was several levels above.
His next moves were predictable just from his arm and shoulder motions.
A textbook overhead slash.
I sidestepped effortlessly.
The follow-up horizontal swing was similarly dodged with a backward step.
Too slow.
My wooden sword tapped his thigh.
Just a light disciplinary strike.
Yet he grimaced in pain.
"Yowch!"
"Stop exaggerating. I barely hit you."
"Barely my ass!"
Though called a practice sword, it was essentially a blunt weapon.
No broken bones, but bruises were inevitable.
I'd control my strength, but had no intention of holding back completely.
Continuing to swing, I pressed the attack.
After blocking several strikes, his stance gradually faltered from exhaustion.
Seizing the opening, I thrust at his stomach and simultaneously swept his calf.
"Hah, I yield!"
"Good. Next."
The pale-faced man clutched his stomach as he exited the ring.
The thigh and calf strikes were one thing, but maybe the stomach hit was excessive.
"...You totally just wanted to hit me."
I pretended not to hear his grumbling.
His limping did look somewhat pitiful, even to me.
"The rumors didn't do you justice. But I'll be different."
"Hope so."
The next opponent seemed confident.
His attitude raised my hopes, but the spar proved equally unchallenging.
He yielded after just a few exchanges when I struck his arm.
One-on-one matches ended too quickly.
I decided to fight the remaining two simultaneously.
Dodging and blocking their alternating strikes, I engaged them both.
Having fought together before, they coordinated well.
Though briefly challenged, I eventually forced their surrender without taking a single hit.
"Damn. Couldn't even touch you. That's a Silver for you."
"What made this guy think he could pick a fight with Rene anyway?"
"...Shut up. Didn't know back then."
Approaching the dejected group,
their faces brightened upon seeing me.
"Good match."
"Hey, since we're acquainted now, how about drinks?"
"Hmm. I'll pass on joining, but I'll cover the tab."
"Aw, don't be like that."
I shook my head at their transparent attempts.
Fresh from being beaten, yet still trying to hit on me.
Maybe I should have held back less.
"How about a match with me?"
The unexpected voice made me turn.
Standing there was someone I never anticipated.