Isn't It Natural for the Strong to Do as They Please?
[It's way bigger than I thought! Much better than the place we slept before!]
Compared to the inn we had stayed at in Hormia, this room was definitely superior. The spacious layout, clean bed, and calming decor and furniture provided a welcome sense of comfort.
[But Casano—the other villagers couldn't see me, but that person earlier kept glancing at me.]
"Priestess Tsuruka?"
[She kept smiling and glancing at me... I think she can see me.]
"Well, she's a priestess, so maybe she can see you using spells or magic? Like Spiritists do."
[The world really is a big place...]
"Are you disappointed that someone other than me can see you?"
[N-No! It's not like that, I just think it's neat!]
Undine pouted and glared at me. I chuckled softly and stroked her cheek. Remembering Tsuruka's request to meet her in the village square once I was settled, I unfastened the clasps of my armor and stripped it all off.
My sweat-soaked undergarments clung uncomfortably to my skin, radiating heat. I hadn't asked where the bath was when I was shown to the room, so taking a proper wash seemed out of the question for now. I peeled off the damp undergarments, tossed them into a corner, threw on a spare set, and slipped into a light tunic.
[But is it really okay for us to stay here?]
"Is something worrying you?"
[Yeah... that silver-haired woman we saw earlier seemed to really dislike you, Casano...]
The silver-haired wolf beastkin whom Tsuruka had called Eruka had indeed made her hostility glaringly obvious, just as Undine said. I couldn't tell if it was simply because I was an outsider, but I had no intention of putting up with her baseless attitude.
"As long as we don't get into a fight before I finish the job they asked of me, it should be fine."
[I don't like her. You're the one who helped them, so why is she acting like that?]
Seeing Undine get worked up on my behalf brought a natural smile to my face. I lightly pinched her nose and finished getting ready. Even as she protested with a "Stop pinching me!", she stuck close to my side as we headed out, making me want to tease her even more.
As I opened the door, I found Tsuruka waiting for us, her hands politely clasped together and a warm smile on her face.
"If you are ready, I shall escort you to the square..."
[How kind of her~]
"Fufu, thank you for the compliment..."
[Whoa, you really can hear me!]
"It is but a humble talent. I shall ensure you want for nothing during your stay in our village, Lady Undine..."
[Oh, you don't have to be so formal with me...!]
Watching them exchange polite pleasantries was quite heartwarming. Tsuruka bowed, then raised her head with a soft gasp, gesturing toward the corridor to lead the way.
"By the way, Priestess Tsuruka, there's something I'd like to ask..."
Tsuruka, who was leading the way, tilted her head slightly at my question but maintained her gentle smile.
"You may ask whatever you wish at any time."
"Well... are there no men in this village? I don't think I've seen a single one."
"...Ah..."
For a brief moment, Tsuruka's expression stiffened, but she quickly recovered her smile and offered an apology.
"That is... a somewhat difficult question for me to answer at this moment. I shall tell you when the opportunity arises. My deepest apologies."
Seeing Tsuruka bow ninety degrees in apology, I quickly waved my hands to reassure her.
"No, please don't worry. If it's a sensitive matter, it's only natural that you can't speak of it."
"How incredibly understanding of you..."
Peering at me through slightly narrowed, gentle eyes, Tsuruka covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. She then bowed slightly, pointing toward the bustling village square.
"We have arrived at the square. If you would wait just a moment, we shall finish the preparations for the festival shortly. Please, feel free to look around."
"Is there a festival today?"
Tsuruka chuckled again at my question and explained calmly.
"We decided to hold a modest festival to honor you, Lord Casano, for aiding our village."
"You didn't have to go to such trouble just for me..."
"Fufu, we usually hold a small gathering to drink after clearing out a pack of magic beasts anyway. Thanks to you, it has simply turned into a grander celebration, so please do not feel burdened at all."
Tsuruka glanced around, then stepped closer to me until our arms brushed. She leaned in and whispered softly near my ear.
"Even if my sister, Eruka, says something unpleasant, please forgive her. She has always been overly protective of me..."
"You've been so welcoming, I wouldn't dream of causing trouble. I'll do my best to keep things peaceful."
"How wonderfully considerate... Well then, I shall take my leave for now."
I returned Tsuruka's polite bow and watched her walk away. Her white dress clung tightly to her hips, outlining her voluptuous curves, and her tail swayed in rhythm with the seductive swing of her rear. It was quite a sight.
But she looks exactly like a fox. Can a fox and a wolf actually be sisters?
While I was pondering their genetic relationship, Undine, who was floating above my head, spoke to me in an excited voice.
[A festival! I want to look around!]
"Let's go together. Though, a village festival seems a bit different from the ones in the city."
Unlike city festivals, this one was on a much smaller scale. It was somewhat humble, resembling a rural five-day market rather than a grand event with proper stalls. People were just displaying various foods on makeshift tables, laughing and chatting.
[Still! Hmm... in that case, I'll go look around by myself!]
"We can go together, you know."
At my words, Undine shook her head and crossed her arms in an 'X'.
[You're the village savior! You should mingle and get close to the villagers. That way, you can harvest the flowers quickly and get along with everyone here!]
She had a point. If I walked around with Undine, I would inevitably focus on talking to and taking care of her rather than interacting with the villagers. For a spirit, Undine could be surprisingly thoughtful.
"Hmm... are you sure you're not just trying to sneak off and do something mischievous?"
[I am not!]
"Alright, alright. Just make sure you find me before we head back to the room, okay?"
[Don't you worry~!]
With my permission granted, Undine slowly floated up and drifted off toward the far side of the square. I watched her bobbing figure recede before turning back to scan the crowd.
Just as I had noticed earlier, the square was filled entirely with women. I occasionally spotted a young boy, but they were so young that it was hard to even tell them apart.
"Well, well—if it isn't the village savior?"
Hearing a voice call out from behind, I turned around to see one of the trio I had met at the wooden barricade earlier. With her orange hair cascading down, she approached me wearing a skimpy leather outfit that barely covered her voluptuous cleavage.
"I thought you'd be with the Priestess, but you're all alone?"
She swayed her hips seductively, her ample breasts bouncing with every step. It was a highly provocative approach. Her tail flicked lazily from side to side like a pendulum, naturally drawing my gaze.
"That's how it turned out. But where are your companions...?"
"Don't call me 'you.' Call me Reika. Rei-ka."
Reika pronounced each syllable distinctly, as if tapping keys on a piano, before stretching her arms overhead and glancing at me. As she stretched, her massive breasts bounced heavily up and down.
"They fought so hard earlier today that they passed out the moment we got back. As for me, I came out to enjoy some free booze and food."
Lowering her arms, Reika lightly rested her hand on my shoulder and pressed her upper body against mine. Feeling the soft sensation of her breasts squishing against my arm, I stole a glance at her chest. The way her soft flesh yielded and flattened against me was incredibly alluring.
"If you've got nothing to do, why don't we grab a quick drink together?"
"Priestess Tsuruka said she would come find me once preparations are finished..."
When I gave a non-committal answer, Reika pouted slightly in frustration. She grabbed my arm and pulled it deep into her cleavage, clinging tightly.
"Come on, you can just hang out with me until she gets here. I'm lonely all by myself, please?"
Like a spoiled puppy, she clung to my arm, rested her chin on my shoulder, and rubbed against me. Then, she suddenly began to sniff the air.
"Sniff, sniff... Ah... mmh...♡ Oh..."
"Reika?"
"Hng...♡ Wh-what??"
Startled by the sound of her name, Reika, who had been sniffing with half-closed, dazed eyes, snapped her head up and began waving her hands frantically in excuse.
"A-Ah, well, haha! My mistake! You just smelled so good, I couldn't help myself~"
"You all seem very sensitive to scents. Ah, my name is Casanova."
"Ah, Casanova... Well, you see, you probably don't know, but..."
Hesitating to speak, Reika looked at my intense gaze and finally confessed shyly.
"We beastkin women are quite sensitive to the scent of men. Our sense of smell is already sharp, but it's especially true for that."
"But I'm a human male. Are you sensitive to that as well?"
At my question, Reika's eyes darted around nervously, and she abruptly changed the subject.
"More importantly...! Right, humans love beer, don't they? I've heard about it. I know a great place, let's go there!"
Watching Reika's swaying hips as she led the way, I suspected that the beastkin were hiding something, especially given Tsuruka's evasive answer earlier. Well, even if I was curious, I could figure it out over time while staying here. There was no need to pry right now.
I went along with her change of subject, chatting about this and that as I followed her to a secluded corner of the square where a small tent was pitched. Reika bent over to lift the tent flap and glanced back at me. Her bent posture stretched her leather outfit tight over her prominent, plump rear, showcasing its firm, round shape.
Wetting her lips with her long tongue, Reika urged me.
"Hurry up and come inside..."
Amused by her bold posture—with her upper body already inside the tent while her rear remained invitingly outside—I chuckled, gave her massive cheek a firm squeeze, and gently pushed her in.
"Ahnn..."
Enjoying the sponge-like yield of her flesh in my palm, I followed her inside. The "great place" she had promised turned out to be an empty, unattended tent. I realized I had been lured in by her trick, but Reika simply thrust her squeezed rear back toward me and licked her lips once more.
"I wanted to thank you again... for saving us."
"I'm pretty sure you could have said that outside."
"A boring thank-you to a male this strong? That's not my style."
I sat down heavily on a nearby chair, and Reika immediately slid her rear onto my lap. The sight of her large, soft buttocks flattening and shifting shape against my thighs was incredibly erotic.
"I lured you here because I decided you were worthy of receiving it, Casanova. Sorry for tricking you."
"And what is it you want to receive?"
Tickling my arm with her tail, Reika leaned her back against my chest, tilted her head back, and whispered softly into my ear.
"Your seed.♥"
I tightened my grip on her hips and blew a soft breath against her ear.
"Mmh... Tsuruka-sama will probably take two or three hours... Even just that long is fine."
Rising from my lap, Reika slid her hands down to her knees and slowly traced her fingers upward, showing off her legs. Her fingers slid past her knees and thighs, stopping at her plump rear, which she grabbed and parted slightly.
Her skimpy leather outfit clung so tightly to her crotch that it clearly outlined her prominent cameltoe.
"Would you like to try the most delicious item on the menu?"