Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Duke Edwin (5) - Punishment
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1.
Compared to the commotion, things wrapped up surprisingly quickly. The damage hadn't been as severe as expected.
"You taking out the monsters nearby made a big difference. And the Count rushing straight to rescue his daughter was huge too."
A lot of citizens had died, and the butler and maids had lost their lives as well. Zombies were starting to creep back into the streets that had been considered safe zones.
Even so, the Count called it minimal damage. Probably because his daughter Amelia and the knights were all unharmed.
'He even seemed a bit pleased amid the anger. Fewer mouths to feed now.'
I'd heard that Edwin had been thrown in prison, tortured endlessly, and finally executed. Fortunately, since he hadn't spouted any nonsense, Anne and I got off without punishment.
"He said he'll still provide the elixir as promised. He called it only natural for the man who saved his life. But the mana cultivation method? That's a no-go."
"Figured as much."
Of course, it wasn't like we faced zero consequences.
Because Edwin had been so brutally honest, it came out that I'd been captured. And that Anne, hearing about it, had egged Amelia on to launch the sortie.
Her actions had been out of pure loyalty, but with results like these, there was no helping it.
"Honestly, we're lucky that's all it was. We could've ended up tortured alongside Edwin if things went south."
"Yeah, dodged a bullet there."
"Saving the Count was key. You did great."
Anne and I clinked glasses. The cool grape wine sliding down my throat melted away the fatigue.
"This hits the spot. Better than any banquet, honestly."
"Couldn't agree more."
We were drinking alone in the room right now. The banquet hall had been too awkward to stick around in.
'Especially with Amelia ignoring Anne.'
Given the gravity of the situation, it couldn't be helped.
"Speaking of, you okay with this?"
"With what?"
"The mana cultivation method. The elixir was just bait—the real prize was the cultivation method, right?"
I nodded without a word.
"And now you can't have it. You sure you're fine?"
"Disappointing, yeah. But opportunity will come around eventually."
The shop sold cultivation methods anyway. I'd just been holding off for something better.
'Guess I'll have to buy one from the shop after all.'
Current Gold: 11,827G Thanks to all the kills this time, my gold had already broken past 10,000. At this rate, I could snag the Basic Mana Cultivation Method soon.
"...I'm really sorry. You could've had it if not for me."
Anne bowed her head, her voice small. She genuinely felt guilty.
"I said it's fine. A knight's cultivation method for someone who can't even handle mana properly? Like pearls around a pig's neck."
She slowly lifted her head and met my eyes.
Our gaze lingered, her unwavering eyes shaking for the first time.
Clink—
She held out her glass, so I clinked mine against it. We downed the wine in silence.
Gulp, gulp—
Her red lips, the pure white throat below. Skin so soft it was hard to believe it belonged to a knight.
"...Hoo."
The moment we finished, Anne snatched my glass and set it aside. Then she threw herself at me, landing us on the bed.
She straddled me and started tugging at my pants. Her cold hands on my skin raised goosebumps.
"...Whoa."
As my underwear came off, my pent-up erection sprang free.
"You sure?"
Anne knelt on the bed and slipped a hand under her dress. Black panties slid slowly down between her pale thighs.
"No reason not to. Unless you don't want to?"
"Of course I do."
"Then we're good."
She grinned and lowered her hips.
Squelch—
The tip brushed her slit, and she twitched. Her pale face flushed crimson.
Squelch, squelch—
She just rubbed at the entrance without going in. It was teasing, but after so long without, even this built my climax fast.
'Was gonna hold out, but...'
I reached out and grabbed her waist. Anne's eyes snapped open from her pleasure-dazed state. Our gazes locked.
Squelch—
"Hng...!?"
I pulled her down, thrusting in.
She was soft and warm inside. But soon her walls clenched hard, forcing me to ball my fists.
"Ahng... Hnng...!"
Her legs trembled. She bit her lip to endure, but her strength gave out.
Squelch— Squelch—
"Haht, unng...!"
Her legs spread wider, my shaft sinking deeper amid mounting pressure.
"Ah, haa...!"
I looked up—Anne's face twisted in ecstasy. A expression I'd never seen living together, except that one time she masturbated.
Slooow squelch—
"Haaaht♡ Haa, haa, haa..."
Finally buried to the hilt, she panted heavily.
"...Feels good?"
Regaining some composure, she asked. I nodded silently, and she smirked.
"When you spied on me masturbating, was this what you wanted?"
"Wh-what..."
Slap— Slap— Slap—
As I started to retort, she pinned my wrists and slammed her hips down sharply.
"Hng, haaht, ah...!"
Wave after wave of pleasure crashed over me. Looking up, I saw our joined bodies and her blissed-out face. Incredibly erotic.
Squelch... Squish... Squish...
She ground down fully, rocking back and forth, rubbing my tip against her cervix.
"Haaht— Hng... Hrng...!"
Squeeze... Squeeze...
The soft, sucking pull at my tip maxed out my climax.
"Nng, ht... Haaaaht...!"
Her whole body shuddered, walls clamping tighter. The spasming sensation broke me—I came.
Splurt! Splurt! Spluuurt...
Pent-up seed flooded her womb. Felt like dumping globs straight inside.
Spluuurt— Spuuuurt—
So much it filled her up and overflowed, soaking my groin.
"Haaaaahhh...♡"
Twitching, Anne collapsed onto me. Soft breasts pressed against my chest.
"Mng... Smack... Slurp... Mmm, hoo..."
We kissed, eyes locked. Her hand gripped my neck, thrusting harder.
"Smack... Mmm... Slurrrp..."
Squelch— Squish— Plap plap—
Her hips moved again, eyes curving into smooth arcs.
Slap slap! Slap slap!
Our night wasn't over. No—it was just beginning.
*
'Thought I was gonna die...'
Not a drop of strength left. I turned to the window—dawn was breaking.
"Can't we really go one more time?"
Her soft hand on my crotch felt good, but I shook my head.
"No more, I said."
"Shame."
Never underestimate a knight's libido. I'd gone over a month without release and thought I'd last, but not like this.
"Anyway, you knew?"
"Knew what?"
"That I spied on you."
"Sensing sharpens once you grasp mana. Couldn't miss it."
"Makes sense."
I nodded.
"Then why let it slide?"
"Kinda cute. I liked you anyway. And... exciting."
"Exciting?"
She blushed at my question.
"Not like that. After battles, my libido spikes. A guy I like watching me masturbate? Any woman would get turned on."
"I... guess? First time, so I wouldn't know."
"First time?"
Anne stared in surprise.
"Yeah, why?"
"Mercenaries live loose lives, or so I heard. Live for today since tomorrow's uncertain."
"Fair point."
"But your first? Wild. So we're each other's firsts?"
I turned to her. She smiled brightly, looking thrilled.
"You too?"
This shocked me.
"Yes."
"Someone like you? Why?"
"Guess I kept my chastity. Becoming a knight's brutal—no time for fun. After, duty kept me busy."
"Plenty must've shown interest."
"Tons. Soldiers, knights, nobles."
"Then why? Unless..."
She cut me off with a kiss. Short and sweet, then pulled back.
"Don't think I slept with you out of pity. I'm not that loose."
"Got it."
Pushing further would be rude.
"...I'll teach you the mana cultivation method I know."
"What? No need to go that far."
Tempting, but I hadn't expected this.
"Take it while you can. You'll need to get way stronger to roam outside."
She pressed closer, advising me.
"Hanson, you know you can't stay by the Count anymore. Even if he allows it, you'll be a thorn in his side."
"I know."
"Leave ASAP to stay safe. Who knows what he'll do. Learn the cultivation method quick."
"...And you?"
"I'll be fine. Knight's oath, and Amelia's blood contract—she can't touch me."
Anne sighed deeply.
"Though I won't have my old influence. Might even get cast aside."
"Then why not..."
Her finger sealed my lips. No more.
"I'm Amelia's knight. Always have been, always will be. Appreciate it, but drop it."
"Still..."
Her knightly honor was admirable, but frustratingly stubborn now. I wanted to tell her to be selfish, flexible.
"Fine."
I conceded.
"Good."
We stared out the window in silence.
The night's heat cooled in reality's chill. We pressed closer against the cold.