Beast's Paradise! (2)
Five days had passed since Klea broke things off with Baul. After wrapping up our business in the Royal Capital, we headed to Gate 13 to leave the city, fully prepared to return to Radia. We'd picked up some souvenirs, including high heels, and even gifts for Sera and Lianna, so there was nothing left to do here. No point sticking around longer—the church folks kept urging us to stay a bit more, but I brushed them off with a casual "Gotta get back to adventuring now, heh heh" and made our exit. I'd already said my goodbyes at the church and the Guild Management Office, and even notified some royal castle clerk via messenger that we'd be heading back today... I think that covers everyone.
With that checklist done, I shifted into my horse-drawn carriage form, loaded up my females, and arrived at the capital's walls. Even though the soldiers and priests said it was fine since I was a Divine Beast and saintess escort, they still came to see us off. Just as I was about to set out amid their farewells...
"Sema! Sema!"
"Divine Beast Uncle!"
I turned at the voices and spotted Marte in civilian clothes, carrying Marsie in his arms, sprinting toward us from afar.
"Hah... hah... Are you leaving already?"
Setting Marsie down, Marte panted heavily as he looked up at me in my horse-drawn carriage form. For such a strong hero knight, he was gasping like that—how far had he run?
"Business is done. Time to head back and resume adventuring life."
"I... I see. When I heard you were leaving today, I rushed over to say goodbye."
Clearing his throat, Marte bowed a perfect ninety degrees before me.
"I owe you a huge debt, Sema. I'm truly sorry... and deeply grateful."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Marsie, looking much more lively now, bowed alongside her brother.
Hmm... Marte had screwed me over before, but I'd played it off like I was just being generous. Still, receiving thanks like this felt oddly satisfying. It didn't erase everything, but seeing him own up to his debt softened my view of him a bit.
Damn kid...
"I'll never forget this debt. I'll repay it someday. If you return to the capital or need any help, please come find me."
He straightened up, flashing a confident smile. His long golden-blond hair framed his face, giving him a radiant, androgynous beauty. Slender like most Esser men, but it suited him, making him look like a flower boy straight out of a light novel or manga protagonist.
You.I'm a horse dick, you know.
"Puhuhu. Sure. See you around."
Truth be told, I wanted to avoid Hero Knights—they scared me a little. But if fate willed it, we'd cross paths again.
"Uncle, thank you for saving me. If you come back to the capital, visit our house! Mom and I will treat you to a delicious meal!"
"Sounds good. I'll drop by next time. But Marsie, I'm only 29. Calling me 'uncle' hurts my feelings..."
I'm still in my twenties! Uncle is for 30 and up! I grumbled at her poutily, and everyone—the soldiers, priests, and even my females riding on my back—burst out laughing.
That's too much. My own females too? You're breaking my heart here.
"Heehee. Okay, big bro! You have to come visit! Promise!"
"Puhuhu... Yeah, yeah. Stay healthy, Marte, Marsie. I'm off."
"Yes. Safe travels."
Waving to the siblings, I slowly clopped my hooves and left the capital behind. Once the soldiers and Marte siblings were out of sight, Lizbet wrapped her arms around my neck from my back, giggling.
"Heehee. Sema bro~♡ Were you dying to hear 'bro'?"
"I am a bro, right? Come to think of it, I'm the big bro to all my females too. Guess I should hear it more from now on."
"Ahaha. Sure. I'll call you bro anytime you want♡"
Laughing with my females, I pictured Marsie waving goodbye... and felt Klea licking her lips beside me.
"...Heehee... She was a pretty good girl...♡"
"Yeah. Seemed a bit young, but in two or three years, she'd be ripe. How old was she?"
"Around 16 from what I saw... She's probably had her coming-of-age already."
"Heh... Should've stuck around the capital longer and corrupted her too?"
"No need. The way she looked at Master was already full of curiosity. When the chance comes, we can take her anytime. For now, let's prepare safely in Radia."
"Yeah. Let's do that♡ Next up, who should it be..."
Their whispering felt oddly ominous... What were they plotting? Hmm... Well, they're my obedient females. They wouldn't scheme anything scary without me.
...Right?
Shaking off the weird vibe, I retraced our path and galloped toward Radia.
"Homeward~"
"Home sweet home~♡ It's been a while."
After camping overnight, we arrived in welcoming Radia the next morning. We'd only lived here half a year before heading to the capital, but seeing the walls filled me with surprising nostalgia. Weird feeling.
First stop: the Lord's Castle for a quick report on capital events. Then to Radia's church to inform them about Klea becoming the new saintess and branch leader. By the time we finished, it was evening. She had a ton on her plate—full handover, reassigning tasks now that Baul was out—but we decided to tackle the heavy stuff tomorrow and headed home.
The modest room where Lizbet and I had shacked up briefly, more like a studio apartment. Nothing fancy compared to the luxury church quarters in the capital, but coming back after so long felt right. Like home.
"This is where you and Master stayed... Ah, is this the place you first brought me?"
Klea followed us in naturally, glancing around curiously.
"Oh yeah, this is where I first targeted you. That was the room next door. Merged 'em when I made Liz my female."
"I see. Mind if I stay too?"
"What're you talking about? You're my female too. Go to the church for daytime work if needed, but nights are always together. Just tell them you got separate digs for adventuring."
"Heehee. Yes, Master♡"
No way I'd let her live apart after dragging her to Radia. We live together. This studio is our home now.
...That said...
"...It's kinda cramped for three. Might need to think about moving..."
Fine for two, but three? Coming from those big capital suites made it feel even smaller. Was it always this tiny? And the bed...
Hmm. Tight for just Lizbet and me... Three would be squished.
"Yeah. We've got money now—let's splurge on a massive new bed. Big enough for Master's horse form to breed us in♡"
Scanning for a book right away, Lizbet grabbed one and nodded, clearly on the same wavelength.
A bed that could handle my horse-drawn carriage form... Custom order only. Wonder if they can even make something that huge.
As I pondered, Lizbet muttered over the book. A breeze stirred the room, gathering dust into a pile that dropped neatly.
What the hell? I'd gotten used to Esser magic, but that?
...Still so much to learn.
"Cleaning done~. So... Master. House hunt tomorrow, rest up tonight♡"
"Heehee♡ I'll head to the church daytime, but call me anytime. You're priority over everything♡"
They stripped naturally, eyeing me seductively. After capital chaos and Lizbet's magic demo, I felt like I needed to study or train... but we'd just gotten back.
Rest tonight. House hunting. Esser studies. Skill training, leveling... Busy days ahead.
Details tomorrow. For now... time for ecstatic nights with my females?
Succumbing to their nude, choker-clad temptation, I stripped and pounced on them both.