Chapter 9: Comradeship Blossoms in the Labyrinth
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 9: Comradeship Blossoms in the Labyrinth
“By the way... what’s with your posture? Are you feeling alright?”
“Huh? What about it?”
“I mean, you’re all hunched over. Does it still hurt? Is it bruised? Should I take a look?”
“Oh, that’s...”
Crap.
The Young Lady asked in a worried tone, likely because my posture was indeed a bit strange.
Of course it was strange—I’d had a massive erection for a while now.
I couldn't exactly show that to her.
Even if we’d just wandered through the jaws of death together and formed a bond of comradeship, we weren't close enough to be sharing that kind of intimacy.
There was an insurmountable wall between a foreign laborer porter and the daughter of a Count.
Besides, was there even any room for romantic feelings to begin with?
Most importantly, the erection wasn't even because of her. It was just a side effect of the medicine.
That was why I didn't want to show her. It was embarrassing, humiliating, and shameful.
Above all, it wasn't something a noble lady should ever lay eyes on. What if she tried to have me executed for lese-majesty?
‘How am I supposed to explain this?’
No matter how I thought about it, telling her the truth—that I had a boner—felt wrong. I decided to make an excuse about my back. It was the only plausible lie I could come up with.
“Ah, yes. My back muscles are just a bit stiff. You really don't need to look.”
“No, let me check. It might be more serious than you think.”
“What? No, I’m really fine.”
“Just stay still! Let me see where you’re hurt!”
“Seriously, I’m fine!”
“Hey! You’re the one who told me to let you know immediately if I wasn't feeling well. We’re a team, so we need to check on each other. Don't make me worry and just show me. If the injury is bad, I’ll carry you and run, so just let me see!”
Party members need to keep a close eye on each other's condition.
Yes, it was a sound argument, but the problem was that this wasn't an injury.
‘It’s hard to say no when you look at me like that.’
I could see her eyes wavering; she was truly worried about me. Should I just tell her the truth?
“Hurry up and show me your back. If you collapse here, Porter, we’re both finished.”
“No, wait. I—I’ll show you, so don't come any closer!”
I tried to stop her, but the Young Lady lunged toward me regardless. She must have really thought I was severely injured. I appreciated the concern, but I really wanted to decline right now.
My plan was to push her back to create some distance and then just show her a glimpse of my back...
‘Wait, my arms have no strength...!’
I tried to push her away as she approached, but my strength hadn't fully returned yet.
In the end, she pushed me instead. Losing my balance, I fell backward.
And just like that, the Young Lady saw my bulging tent.
“...”
“......”
Both of us fell silent.
Ah, I should have just told her the truth. Trying to hide it only made it feel more awkward now that I’d been caught.
“Um, you see...”
“Wait, what is this? Why is it big there? If a man hurts his back... does his crotch get big?”
“No! That’s not it!”
I had no choice but to explain properly now. Staying silent would only make it weirder.
More importantly, if I just brushed it off, she might end up with some bizarre sexual knowledge—like the idea that men get erections when they injure their backs.
“It—it’s a side effect of the stamina recovery potion. It was cheap, so it came with this side effect. It’ll go down soon, so don't worry too much.”
“I—I mean, wow. What kind of side effect... Huh.”
The Young Lady stared blankly at my crotch, looking flustered. But for some reason, her expression was growing strange.
“My Lady, it’s a bit embarrassing and awkward if you stare so intently.”
“Oh, sorry. It’s just... I’ve never seen one before. That’s why.”
“Pardon?”
Never seen one? What was she talking about?
“I’ve never seen one... when it’s big. That’s all.”
“Aha. I suppose that’s possible.”
Gulp.
For some reason, the Young Lady swallowed hard.
“Hey, Porter.”
“Yes?”
“In this situation... asking a question like this... is actually quite shameful for me too.”
“What kind of question are you going to ask?”
If it’s shameful, then don't ask.
Of course, she didn't hold back. I suppose you could call it the stubbornness of a noble lady.
“Could I... take a look for a second?”
“Ex-excuse me?”
What on earth was this woman saying? What did she want to look at?
“The thing is... I’ve never actually seen one properly.”
“Wait, My Lady, how old are you that you’ve never seen one?”
“Hey! What does age have to do with it? A-and my family is very strict. My father and brother wouldn't even let me speak to men properly.”
“I mean, no matter how strict they are, that’s just...”
Wait, was this girl a virgin?
I knew nobles were usually more debauched than the neighborhood dogs. I couldn't believe a virgin lady who had never seen a dick until adulthood actually existed.
Given that they could order their subordinates around at will, I assumed most noble children were promiscuous.
What the hell? She really was a "Young Lady."
“I don't think I’ll ever get another chance to see a 'hard' object so safely.”
A chance to see it safely.
The only daughter of Count Lionel was currently asking me for sex education. She must have been certain that I wouldn't assault her.
She was right. I had no intention of doing that. It’s not like I had lives to spare. I wasn't brave enough to lay a hand on a noble lady. I wasn't so starved for women that I’d risk my life for it.
Above all, once we escaped, I was going to get my reward from her and buy some slaves. Why would I touch a ticking time bomb?
Right, she had made the same calculation. She calculated that I was "safe."
“I have to get married and have a wedding eventually. I can't go into a marriage knowing absolutely nothing, right? Help me out here.”
She continued to try and persuade me with somewhat plausible reasoning.
‘Maybe this is a reaction from someone who’s mentally pushed to the brink.’
The more mentally unstable someone is, the more they tend to seek out sexual things. There are several reasons for this.
Psychologically, they want to release tension, relax their muscles, and reach a stable state through sexual acts. Or, biologically, there’s the instinct to preserve the species when one's life is in danger.
Regardless, there’s a reason why adventurers almost always head straight for the brothels after returning from the Labyrinth. After witnessing the death of a comrade or facing a life-threatening crisis, the mind inevitably develops small cracks.
The Young Lady had already survived several brushes with death on her very first trip into the Labyrinth. To be honest, I’d felt her mental state was a bit precarious for a while now.
‘Managing a comrade’s mental health is important too.’
In the Labyrinth, it becomes very difficult if a teammate starts acting erratically or showing strange behavior due to mental issues. As her senior adventurer, I felt I might need to make a small sacrifice for her sake.
After agonizing over it and falling into deep deliberation, I finally made a decision.
“My Lady.”
“Yes. Yes!?”
“Once we get out... you must never, ever speak of today’s events.”
“Uh-huh! Of course!”
If a rumor spread that I’d let a lady trapped in the Labyrinth hold my dick, there was no telling what kind of horrific torture and death I’d face for lese-majesty.
I could tell just by listening to her. Count Lionel was a severe "daughter-fool." If today’s events became known, he wouldn't leave me in one piece. This was a matter of survival.
“Man... this is the first time I’ve ever received a request like this.”
“I’m sorry. Is it a no?”
“Sigh... Just check the shape.”
“Got it!”
The moment I gave my permission, the Young Lady, who had been gulping nervously, cautiously approached and knelt in front of me.
This is crazy. She’s serious.
‘Sigh.’
Letting out a deep internal sigh, I lowered my pants in front of her. I couldn't say no when she was looking at me with such expectant eyes.
“W-wow...!”
Her eyes sparkled as she inspected my dick.
“Does it always get this big? Is everyone like this?”
“Uh, no. Not exactly. I’m... exceptionally large.”
I am very big. Not everyone is this size. I told her the truth so she wouldn't be disappointed by her future husband’s equipment.
The Young Lady nodded at my answer, her nostrils flaring slightly.
“Whoa. The veins.”
The veins were bulging, making it look a bit grotesque. Was she into that? Why did she keep swallowing her saliva?
“Um, Porter.”
“Yes?”
“I—I’m really sorry, but... can I touch it?”
“What? No, My Lady.”
“I—I mean, I’m just curious what it feels like. I’m just curious.”
“...”
I reluctantly nodded. I’ve lived long enough to see everything. To think the day would come when a noble lady would grab my dick.
And it wasn't like she was unattractive. She had cute short hair and noble-looking blonde locks. Large eyes, a sharp nose, and small lips. No matter how you looked at her, she had a pretty face that screamed "aristocrat." Even without a speck of makeup, she was incredibly striking.
To be honest, she was among the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. Having someone like that look at me with sparkling eyes, wanting to touch my dick... it really drove home the fact that this was the Labyrinth.
Strange and bizarre things really do happen in here.
“It’s hard. It looks soft, but it’s hard. Are there no bones?”
“Yes, there are no bones in this part. It’s just blood engorging the muscle.”
“Wow. No bones. But doesn't it feel uncomfortable when it gets this big?”
“Well, yeah. It’s a bit uncomfortable if it stays erect. It can even hurt.”
“Ooh. I see.”
“Yes. Huh? A-ah, My Lady! Wait a second!”
The Young Lady gave a playful smile and started moving her hand back and forth on the dick she was holding.
‘Crazy.’
Her movements were awkward, as if it really was her first time. It felt like she was playing with a toy. Her expression showed she was embarrassed but didn't seem to hate it.
She looked up at me and grinned.
“Your face looks stupid, Porter.”
“Ugh...”
This was getting dangerous. If I didn't tell her to stop, I felt like I might do something terrible to her. If I came on her face, I’d be finished.
“U-um, My Lady. You should probably stop now...”
“Huh? Stop touching it? Why...?”
“The—the thing is...”
I couldn't exactly say I was about to cum. How was I supposed to explain? No, wait, it’s mine—if I say stop, shouldn't she just stop?
“Lady Leah!”
But then, something happened. Just as I was about to tell her to stop.
Someone suddenly poked their head into the room.
It was a woman with purple hair. A familiar face.
Ah, it was Rien, the witch from our team who we’d been separated from during the Cataclysm.
Of all the times, Rien had to poke her head in at the absolute worst moment.
The only saving grace was that the entrance was narrow, so the rescue workers behind her couldn't see into the room.
“Gasp.”
“Uh-oh!”
“Wh-what? What are you two... H-heek!”
“H-hurry, put your pants on. Hurry!”
While the Young Lady grabbed Rien, I scrambled to pull my pants back up. The Young Lady covered Rien’s mouth with both hands as the witch tried to scream, shaking her head frantically to signal her to stay quiet.
Nothing good would come of this being known. This had to remain a secret between us. If it got out, I’d face a gruesome end at the Count’s hands, and the Young Lady would never be able to live as an adventurer in the Labyrinth City again.
“Mmph...! Mmph!”
“Rien. Never. You must never tell anyone what you just saw. If you do, I’ll die, and the Porter will die too. You can't. Okay?”
“N-nokay.”
“Phew.”
Once she was finally released, Rien glared at me as if she wanted to kill me. I didn't ask her to touch it! I was the one being touched!
It was unfair, but this wasn't the situation to be complaining about fairness. Moreover, the side effect of the medicine finally wore off at the perfect time. My dick returned to its original state...
Soon, the rescue team pulled us out of the room, and the Young Lady and I were guided back to the surface.
In the end, we never did get to raid the Homing Rabbit nest. We were rescued far sooner than expected.