Isn't It Only Natural for the Strong to Do as They Please?

Undine was waiting in a corner of the plaza. The moment she spotted me approaching, she placed her hands on her hips, puffed out her cheeks, and glared. It was only natural for her to be upset, considering I had left her alone all night. Smiling, I wrapped my arms around her neck and waist, lifting her off the ground.

Lifted effortlessly, Undine glared at me from my arms for a moment before she finally gave in, rubbing her cheek against my neck and whining.

"I'm sorry. Let's stay together all day today, okay?"

Mwah.

When I planted a light kiss on her whining cheek, Undine's face instantly brightened. Grinning widely, she wrapped her arms around my neck and locked her legs around my waist, clinging to me like a koala as she squirmed with excitement.

Excited like a child going on a picnic, Undine grabbed my neck and shook me as she asked. Being shaken like this made me feel a bit like a defendant under interrogation.

"We're going to check on the Dalburmi flowers today—the ones I came here to find."

In truth, Undine didn't care what we saw. Just being with me was enough to make her happy, and she kept nuzzling her cheek against my neck like an affectionate puppy.

"But someone else is coming with us. Is that okay?"

"Eruka, the silver-haired beastkin we saw yesterday. She has to guide us."

Puffing her cheeks, Undine pouted and thrust her chin out. I gently stroked her chin to soothe her before heading toward the village gates. Floating along beside me, Undine still wore a grumpy expression, clearly displeased about Eruka joining us.

Squish.

I pinched Undine's cool cheeks, squeezing the air out of them. Her lips puckered as the air escaped, but then she suddenly pointed a finger ahead.

Just as Undine said, Eruka was standing tall near the wooden palisade. Carrying her massive greatsword on her back and clad in sleek black leather armor, she scanned her surroundings, her high ponytail swaying. The moment our eyes met, she abruptly lowered her head.

"You're early."

"Y-Yes, I am."

"You heard from Tsuruka, right? Do you know where the cultivation field is?"

"I-I heard."

"I don't know the way, so please guide me."

"U-Understood."

What was with these suffocatingly brief answers? She was clearly feeling awkward and embarrassed about what had happened last night, but her stiff attitude only made me want to tease her.

Grab.

I grabbed her by both cheeks, forcing her to look up at me, and lowered my voice to chide her.

"You can speak casually to me, but don't be so stiff. Okay?"

"I-I'm thorry... but while we're in the villathe... there are eyes watching..."

With her cheeks squished, Eruka's pronunciation slurred as her eyes darted around, nervously checking my reaction and the surroundings. Villagers and guards passing by were casting curious glances our way. From their angle, however, my body shielded her, so they couldn't quite see that I was pinching her cheeks.

Release.

I let go of her cheeks and gestured toward the exit. Eruka stole a glance at me, cleared her throat with a cough, and began walking out of the village.

"Then... I shall guide you. It is not far, so we will arrive shortly."

"Great. Let's make it quick."

We walked beneath the shade of the trees, shielded from the hot sun. Since it was still early in the day, a cool breeze brushed against our hair and faces, carrying the sweet scent of fresh grass. Delighted by the pleasant weather, Undine spun around in the air, giggling happily.

"Yeah. Yesterday started out like this too before it suddenly got scorching hot."

"Does the heat even affect you, Undine?"

Yesterday, when I was practically melting in the sweltering heat, Undine hadn't seemed bothered at all. At my question, she pressed a finger to her lips and tilted her head, sounding genuinely puzzled as to why I was asking something so obvious.

"That's because you're so cool and refreshing. Come here."

I opened my arms wide. At my invitation, Undine stole a quick glance at Eruka before flying over and diving into my chest. Supporting her bottom as she clung to me like a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠koala, I continued walking. Just then, Eruka, who was leading the way, gestured to get my attention.

"Um... there is something I wish to ask."

"What is it?"

When I replied with a blunt question, Eruka hesitated, her lips parting and closing before she finally managed to speak.

"You... seem to have been talking to someone for a while now. Is it... perhaps a hallucination?"

"What?"

"On the path leading to the Forest of Illusion, many travelers have been lured away by mysterious auditory hallucinations. Perhaps..."

Undine, who had been nestled in my arms, let out a gasp and flew straight toward Eruka. Her semi-translucent blue form grew remarkably distinct, indicating she had intentionally made herself visible.

"This is...!"

Eruka's eyes widened as she locked gaze with Undine. She scanned the spirit's form, clasping her hands together in awe.

"A spirit. Incredible... I had no idea you traveled with such a being."

"It is a compliment. Your mana is exceptionally pure. I did not even sense your presence until you revealed yourself."

Eruka continued to marvel as she observed Undine. Clearly pleased by the praise and attention, Undine puffed out her chest and looked back at me with a smug grin. What do you think? Pretty cool, right? her proud expression seemed to say.

"This is Undine, the spirit contracted to me. Undine, this is Eruka."

"...I'm just introducing you properly since it's your first time seeing each other face-to-face."

Undine formed an 'O' with her mouth as if she had just realized, then began circling Eruka, suddenly full of curiosity. As the two started chatting and exchanging questions, I shrugged and followed behind them.

"W-What?!"

I chuckled. Undine had readily ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠agreed to give us some space last night, yet here she was, teasing Eruka mercilessly. Flustered, Eruka stammered, unable to form a proper sentence, before abruptly apologizing to the spirit.

"I-I am sorry. I had no intention of... stealing your master from you."

Squish.

"H-Hah?!"

"S-Semen?!"

Hearing the word 'semen' come so casually from the innocent-looking spirit's mouth made Eruka react as if she had been shocked. Was it really that surprising?

"You... you do such things with a spirit as well?! You truly are shameless...!"

Though she had been walking on eggshells around me, Eruka couldn't hold back her indignation this time. Did the natives of this world really lack the imagination to couple with spirits? Feeling like a two-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind, I simply shrugged in response.

"I-I was not yelling at him. I apologize."

Undine, who had been looking down at Eruka with her hands on her hips, floated down to eye level and offered a bright smile.

"Thank you... though I do not know why you disliked me in the first place."

Eruka accepted Undine's praise with a slightly bewildered expression.

The two continued to chat about trivial things as we walked. I felt a bit left out, but seeing Undine so happy to have made a proper friend since arriving at the village brought a smile to my face as well.

After walking for several minutes under Eruka's guidance, a wooden fence guarded by a dark-haired beastkin warrior came into view. Holding her spear alertly, the guard spotted Eruka and raised her hand in a crisp salute.

"Captain! You've arrived!"

"Yes."

Acknowledging the salute, Eruka patted the guard's shoulder and opened the gate herself. Gesturing slightly toward me, she gave the guard her instructions.

"He is the savior of our village. He will be inspecting the Dalburmi and may harvest a few blossoms, so keep a sharp eye on the perimeter."

"Understood, Captain!"

Satisfied with the prompt reply, Eruka smiled faintly and gave the guard's shoulder one last pat. I gave the guard a brief nod of acknowledgment and followed Eruka as she stepped through the gate.

Eruka's tail wagged with a touch of pride, clearly buoyed by the guard's respectful attitude. Seizing the moment, I lunged from behind, wrapping my arm around her neck and pulling her close.

"H-Hah?!"

"You seem to be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in a good mood, hm?"

Squeeze, squeeze.

I slid my hand down from her neck, firmly grasping her breast through her leather armor. Enjoying the soft, yielding flesh beneath the smooth leather, I leaned in and licked her sensitive ear.

Pouting at the sight of me teasing Eruka, Undine huffed and floated up into the air to watch us. Unbothered, I exhaled a hot breath, continuing to torment Eruka's ear and breast.

"St-Stop..."

Gasping softly, Eruka stole a glance at Undine and pushed weakly against my chest. Yet, in contrast to her trembling, powerless hands, her head instinctively leaned into my neck, her nose twitching as she began to inhale my scent.

"Mnh... ah..."

As she closed her eyes and shivered, I suddenly released her and stepped back. Caught off guard mid-sniff, Eruka blinked rapidly, looking at me with a dazed, bewildered expression.

"You told me to stop."

Her lips parted and closed a few times, but she ultimately bit her lip and spun around.

"U-Understood..."

She was definitely pouting. I gestured for Undine to come down, then grabbed her pouting lips and gave them a playful wiggle.

Slap, slap.

After letting her head shake with my hand for a moment, Undine finally pulled away with a huff. Glaring at me, she flew ahead and clung to Eruka, who was already walking in front.

"Heheh."

Amused by their transparent reactions, I chuckled and quickened my pace to match Eruka's stride.

I kept teasing both Eruka and Undine alternately all the way to our destination, only stopping once we finally arrived in front of the Dalburmi flowers.

"This is the Dalburmi. It is what you were looking for, correct?"

"The description matches perfectly... but I can't be absolutely sure."

"Why are you searching for the Dalburmi anyway? Very few humans even know of its existence."

"Who knows... I'm just fulfilling a quest. I heard it's a luxury item used in medicine and cooking."

At my answer, Eruka's eyes widened slightly.

"Whoever commissioned you must know a fair bit about it. It has other uses, but those are indeed the most common."

"Are these the only ones in bloom right now?"

Inside the wooden enclosure, only two Dalburmi flowers were beautifully in bloom. The light-blue, crescent-shaped blossoms hung their heads low, their petals sparkling as they caught the sunlight.

"There should be more in the other cultivation fields. For today, we can harvest these two."

"If we go a bit deeper, there are other fields we can check."

"Alright, then..."

Hooooooong—

As I was talking to Eruka, a low, resonant hum like a beating drum echoed through the wind. Why would a sound like that echo in the middle of the forest? Puzzled, I looked at Eruka, but she merely twitched her ears and stared back, wondering why I was looking at her.

"Eruka."

Just as I was about to ask if she couldn't hear it, Undine, who was floating in the air, cried out.

After letting out a cry that practically rang in my ears, Undine closed her eyes and began nodding repeatedly. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Okay. She kept nodding like a cultist receiving a divine transmission while Eruka and I watched in silence. The bizarre spectacle only ended when Undine finally snapped her eyes open.

Hooooooong—

"You mean that sound?"

"What sound are you talking about?"

"I only hear a low humming noise."

Our three-way conversation was like gears failing to mesh, completely out of sync, until Undine made a sudden declaration.

"What is this? Has this ever happened before?"

"No, never. Neither the other villagers nor my sister have ever experienced this..."

Hooooooooooong—

Spitting out her words in a rapid-fire burst, Undine shot up into the sky at the final resonant hum, flying away at incredible speed. Left behind in a sudden silence, like a sandcastle washed clean by a wave, I scratched my head awkwardly. Eruka cleared her throat and looked around, equally bewildered.

"S-Should we harvest the Dalburmi and head back then? My sister must be waiting..."

"Sure."

I stepped over the low fence and examined the Dalburmi. Before Eruka could say a word, I reached out, pinched the stem with my fingernails, and snapped it off. It felt just like picking dandelions when I was a kid.

"N-No! You mustn't do that!"

The moment I turned back to Eruka with the plucked flower in hand, she reached out to stop me, shouting in alarm. Did I do something wrong?

"The Dalburmi must be harvested by the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠roots! If you crush it like that, it c-cannot be used properly."

Flustered, Eruka explained as she slowly backed away from me.

"Why can't it be used? And why are you backing away?"

"T-That is... anyway, it cannot be used correctly that way! Let us harvest another one properly and check the other fields...!"

Watching Eruka back away with her hands raised like a tamer trying to soothe a wild lion, it was glaringly obvious she was terrified of the crushed Dalburmi in my hand. I lowered my voice, glaring at her coldly.

"Spit it out."

"Ugh...!"

Cowering at my stern tone, Eruka tucked her tail and slowly lowered her hands. Shuffling closer, she finally confessed.

"W-When crushed, the Dalburmi secretes a mild toxin. If ingested, it causes a tingling sensation and temporary paralysis. If applied topically, it makes the area extremely sensitive..."

Now I knew why she had kept quiet. As I approached her with a glint in my eyes, Eruka pressed her hands flat against her thighs in resignation, her voice trembling.

"I know what you are thinking. B-But doing it here is... inappropriate. Let us quickly—"

"Strip."

Gulp.

The sound of Eruka swallowing hard echoed clearly in the quiet forest. I could feel my eyes curving into crescent moons. Undine was gone, and we had more than enough time for a little delightful deviance.

"Haaah..."

With her tail tucked tightly, Eruka trembled as she slowly placed her hands on her leather armor. Despite her shaking pupils and the red tongue darting out to wet her dry lips, her flushed face betrayed a faint glimmer of anticipation beneath her fearful facade.

"I said, take it off."

Rustle.

Unfastening her sleek black leather top, Eruka let it slide slowly to the forest floor. Beneath the armor, the glossy black undergarments I had seen last night came into view. Her hands then moved down to slide off her tight leather trousers. With a soft rustle of folding leather, the pants fell all the way to her ankles, discarded in a heap on the ground.

The skin-tight black undergarments perfectly accentuated her toned, athletic physique. Even as her hands shook violently, Eruka grabbed the hem of her top and pulled it over her head. In stark contrast to the dark clothing, pure white lingerie held her voluptuous breasts in a firm embrace.

"Haaah..."

Leting out a shaky, breathless sigh, Eruka finally placed her hands on her lower undergarments. With trembling fingers, she slid them down, agonizingly slow. Once they reached her ankles, only her white panties remained, stretched tight over her firm, shapely hips like a bomb primed to explode at any moment.

"Haaah..."

Exhaling a hot, ragged breath, Eruka finally hooked her fingers under the waistband of her panties. Her slender, trembling fingers tugged at the fabric, pulling it taut like a fish caught on a hook. In this highly charged, breathless moment, Eruka's face was flushed a deep crimson, yet a brilliant, helpless smile was spreading across her lips.