Episode 308 - Suspicious Eyes Peering at the Beast! (2)
"Yeah, exactly. In that atmosphere, something more sensual and passionate...! What do you think, Sema?"
"Anything our Lianna makes would be perfect. I'll back you up, so don't worry about material costs—go wild."
"Oh my...! Thank you, Sema!"
Lianna's face lit up with an expression I'd rarely seen before, her excitement bubbling over as she dove into sketching something furiously. It looked like her creative juices were flowing like never before—on par with the reaction she had when I first gawked at her sexy outfits in awe.
Puhuhu. Is it that good? She should be working, but her body's twitching with anticipation like that. Creators really are a different breed.
"Hehe. We can look forward to some fresh outfits for the livestock."
"Yeah, wonder what she'll come up with... Huh? Clea?"
I'd been smiling at Lianna, now scribbling away with the other yin-su like she was drafting blueprints, when something off about Clea's reaction caught my eye. She was glaring out the shop window, her face hardened like she was peering into the distance. Wondering what was up, I called her name, and the corner of her mouth curled into a sly smile—like she'd spotted prey.
"...Kukuku. Master, we've got some amusing little bugs lurking nearby."
"...Oh ho? Someone's caught our Clea's eye, huh?"
"Yes. It's a pretty intriguing vibe. Feels like they're watching us."
"...Hee~♡"
Unlike my half-baked demon eye, Clea's pierced right through everything like she could see it all. Her words—practically the eyes of Maou Castle itself—made my yin-su's gazes gleam with wicked delight.
Surveillance, huh... Yeah, I'd half-expected it. With my livestock numbers hitting triple digits now, some idiots were bound to get suspicious. I hadn't worried much since they couldn't do shit anyway... but if we spot them first, that changes the game.
"Hee... Clea, where are they?"
"Hiding in the alley across from Maou Castle, Liz. Peeking into the shop from there."
"Ahahat. Clea sis, male or female?"
"Hehe. One male, one female♡"
See? My yin-su are thrilled, like kids who just found a new toy.
"Oh? Then probably not some cuck whose girl got stolen—more like hired help."
"Right. No real hostility. Just scouting."
Someone hired them to check me out, huh. Puhuhu... no big deal then. If it was someone strong, they'd come themselves. More likely some noble male or average joe commissioned it. This is getting fun. First time anyone's put me under surveillance—my heart's actually racing! Whoever this cocky bastard is, how should I deal with him? Kukuku...
"They look tough?"
"Nah. Not civilians, but small fry. Mid-level adventurers at best—tens a bit over ten."
"And these punks thought they could spy on me and my bitches... What balls."
Some unknown asshole spying on me should feel gross, but why's my chest pounding like I just found a fun toy? I get why my yin-su love tormenting males now... Puhuhu. What's with me? Knowing someone's plotting against me feels thrilling. I wanna see their faces already—crush that enemy under my hoof!
"...Should we go? Chase 'em down now? At my speed, they won't get far..."
"Yeah! Let's go, bro! I wanna see what these fuckers look like!"
Cecilia and I fidgeted like we couldn't hold back, checking with the others, but Clea and the rest smiled calmly and shook their heads.
"Kukuku. Easy now, Master. Cecilia."
"Too many eyes around. If you rough up those bugs, you'll draw attention—no matter who sent 'em."
"No signs they're up to anything yet. Let's watch a bit longer, Master♡"
Kugh... Fair point. Radia's become my turf lately, but folks still fear me a little. If someone sees me grabbing spies and beating ass, it'll look like a monster bullying humans. Send the livestock or yin-su after them? ...Nah. Can't waste a fun event like this. They might recognize my girls and bolt... Above all, I need to catch them—make 'em tremble in fear. I wanna savor those terrified human faces.
"Ngh... Fine. No point drawing eyes... And we don't want the bitches scared off..."
"Aww~ I wanted to grab 'em and torture right now..."
Cecilia and I sighed in regret, earning giggles from the others.
Nothing for it. Guess I'll flirt with Lianna while she preps new uniforms for the shop girls—and keep watch. Prep to snag 'em without eyes on when I'm sure.
"...Oh. What if they're my fans?"
"...Hm... Doesn't feel like fans at all..."
Clea trailed off with a wry, apologetic smile. Yeah, figured... Monster fan? Even saying it brings tears. No helping it—I'll force the female spy to be my fan. Figure out who hired 'em too.
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"Sema'll handle it fine... but still, be careful? We don't know who they are."
"Puhuhu. Don't worry, Lianna. I'll snag 'em quick and be back."
Two nights after spotting the spies. Lianna eyed me worriedly as she dressed my centaur form—what I'd dubbed inma form, horse-body dominant.
Ma-in form: human-dominant. Inma form: horse-dominant. Puhuhu. Sloppy names? Whatever, beats full horse. Decent speed plus arms—perfect for grabbing humans. Plus, I can carry my yin-su like this. They can handle any surprises.
"Someone spying on Sema... Whoever it is, they're creepy."
"Jealousy 'cause I'm killing it? Be back soon. Cecilia, cover if anything pops."
"Got it, bro~♡ No worries!"
Cecilia, who'd wanted in on the hunt, waved goodbye from Lianna's side. Unlike my battle-ready yin-su, non-combat Lianna stayed back—my back seats four max anyway, and Cecilia's close-range muscle for backup. Not that there's much worry after two days' watch.
Playing dumb, we'd tailed them: no other buddies. They'd lurk near Maou Castle from morning, peek at the first floor over meals, then head to some inn on lodging street late night. If spying on me, why not pose as customers? Timid? Or mapping my routes? Whatever—beating answers outta 'em soon. Oh, and fuck the female first. Hope they're lovers. Puhuhu...
"...They're moving♡ Master♡"
"Yeah? Time to go?"
Clea, pretending to browse clothes, signaled me from the fitting room where I'd transformed—hidden in case they spotted my inma form through the glass and bolted. Lizbet, Clea, Ceres hopped on my lowered back naturally.
"Alright, Lianna, Cecilia. We're off."
"Be safe."
"Bring 'em alive, bro~♡ I'll play with the male♡"
One yin-su and one budding bitch waved us off at the door. Smiling back, my mounted yin-su and I dashed into the shadows after the vanished spies—into the alley across the street.