The Lonely Wife in the City of Sweet Reunions

I squeezed my eyes shut against the sudden wave of dizziness, and when I opened them, the familiar sights of Hormia welcomed me back. There were bounty hunters clad in tattered rags, hunters who braved the depths of the jungle, and gatherers carrying bundles of herbs, looking as though they had finally made a decent haul after a long time.

"The time is..."

Looking up at the massive clock tower standing in the plaza, I saw the metallic pendulum pointing precisely to twelve o'clock. I retraced my memories and headed toward the branch office of Sierra's merchant group. Having spent the last fortnight intimately entangled with her, I had visited the place a few times, so finding it wasn't difficult.

Step, step, step.

After walking for a few dozen minutes, occasionally brushing shoulders with low-life mercenaries, I easily reached the district where the elegant wooden buildings stood. It was an upscale area where most of the prominent merchant groups had their branches, and the residents walking around wore notably luxurious clothing.

The one I needed to find was Sierra's merchant group. I think the name was Rofila... With the vague name in mind, I scanned the district map for something similar and spotted "Rofila Merchant Group" near the center. It was the block directly to the right of my current position. Having confirmed the location, I turned and headed straight for the Rofila Merchant Group branch.

Step, step.

Following the map, I soon came across a sign featuring an elegant white horse, with the words written in the language of this world.

After a quick check of my attire, I pushed open the door, which let out a light chime as I stepped inside.

Chime~

"Welcome. What brings you to the Rofila Merchant Group today?"

A young lady wearing a form-fitting brown uniform bowed politely as she greeted me. I returned her greeting with a brief nod and stated my business.

"I'm here to see Lady Sierra."

"Excuse me, but unless you have a scheduled appointment, you cannot meet with the guildmaster. Her Ladyship does not have any open slots today... Perhaps you would like to schedule one?"

I smiled, thinking her polite refusal and subsequent inquiry were exactly what I'd expect from an employee trained by Sierra. Shaking my head with a smile, I handed her a slip of paper and added,

"Just tell her Casanova is here and show her this note. We have an agreement, though we hadn't set a specific date."

"Hmm..."

The receptionist's eyes flickered with doubt for a brief moment before settling. She seemed suspicious of my intentions, but she soon bowed politely. "I will deliver this to the guildmaster." With that, she scurried up to the second floor.

Left alone in the empty lobby, I looked around and was surprised by how spacious the branch office was. I couldn't tell if this was due to Sierra's own business acumen or if she had inherited a massive legacy, but I believed Sierra deserved at least some of the credit.

Clack, clack.

While I was mentally organizing my schedule for the near future, the clicking of heels echoed through the lobby. The receptionist descended the stairs, wearing a bright smile as she addressed me.

"The guildmaster has asked you to come up. Please, have a pleasant meeting."

Appreciating her polite demeanor to the very end, I bowed slightly and made my way to the stairs. Stepping onto the solid wooden steps one by one, I pondered what to say to Sierra. Ultimately, I decided to just be myself. Tap, tap. I knocked on the polished wooden door.

"Come in~"

A pleasant, slightly nasal voice drifted from inside. Wearing a broad smile, I opened the door and stepped into the room.

"It's been quite a while. I hope you've prepared a proper compensation for keeping a lady waiting?"

"Of course."

Sierra greeted me with a playful, sly smile, leaning her arms against her desk and teasingly sticking out her tongue. Resting her chin on her interlaced fingers, her glossy brown hair swayed as she gestured for me to come closer. I walked over to her side without hesitation.

"I assume you bring good news?"

"Naturally."

As Sierra unclasped her hands and opened her arms, I pulled her into my embrace. Supporting her waist with one arm, I lifted her slightly from her chair, letting her lean against me, and planted a deep kiss on her neck.

"Hehe, what are you doing? That tickles. You failed, didn't you? You're just trying to distract me."

Her sharp, coy brown eyes scanned my face. I simply smiled, shook my head, and shared the news of the village with her.

"I ended up becoming the chief. I can handle the trade however I want now, so just prepare the paperwork."

"Really? Wow... A human becoming the chief of a beastman village? That's unbelievable."

With eyes shining like shooting stars, Sierra buried her face in my chest, smiling as she listened to the steady thumping of my heart. Seeing her act so affectionately, I decided to pitch the proposal I had been keeping in mind.

"So, I'm thinking of bringing someone I know to the village to run an inn or a restaurant. Can you help me with that?"

"An inn? Ah... You're planning to turn the village into a distribution hub for the jungle, aren't you?"

I nodded.

Just as Sierra said, I intended to turn Hinera Village into a base camp for the jungle. There were many gatherers and hunters who explored the Forest of Illusion with Hormia as their starting point, but because there was no midway station, they always had to return all the way to Hormia.

"Since two villages have merged now, maintaining public order will be easy, and we have vacant buildings. What do you think?"

"Hmm... It's not a bad idea. After all, our merchant group plays a part in presenting jungle products and rare goods to the royal court and the imperial family."

"Your reach is that wide?"

The royal court was one thing, but the imperial family? Surprised by the sheer scale of her operations, Sierra giggled, covering her mouth as she shook her head.

"We aren't directly connected, but we have ties with people who are close to the imperial court. In fact, they were quite interested in the magic beast's fangs you brought back."

The magic beast's fangs must refer to the teeth of the Saber-toothed Tiger I had slain. If they were interested in those teeth—which had seemed relatively common to me—then the byproducts of beasts and monsters from the deepest parts of the jungle would undoubtedly be treated as priceless treasures.

"Then how about you establish a presence in our village, Sierra? We could start by gradually releasing the goods into Hormia first."

"Hmm... If so, shouldn't you pay me a deposit first?"

When I proposed the idea I had spent so much time pondering, she brought up a deposit with a serious face. In response, I leaned down and planted a firm kiss on her red lips. Her slightly smudged lipstick looked incredibly erotic, prompting me to steal several more quick kisses. Blushing furiously, Sierra pushed my face away and scolded me.

"What are you doing! How many times are you going to kiss me? Well... I suppose this is enough for a deposit."

Embarrassed by my kisses, Sierra twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and looked down, pouting. I cupped her plump cheeks, tilting her head up to meet her sparkling eyes.

"I'm counting on you. I'll help you as much as I can."

"Are you planning to wander off again?"

Perhaps reading the restless look in my eyes, Sierra asked a sensitive question. Considering the women waiting for me in the village, settling down would be the right choice, but now that I had some breathing room, staying still simply didn't suit my nature.

"I'll use the village as my base and only leave temporarily."

Besides, thanks to my conversation with Minerva, I had found a way to secure a supply of Teleportation Scrolls, so I wasn't too worried. My lips felt dry, so I wet them with my tongue, released Sierra's cheeks, and casually leaned against her desk.

"Ugh... Fine. I'll prepare the contract, so wait a moment."

Rubbing her cheeks, Sierra glared at me sharply before plumping back down into her chair. She began rummaging through the documents organized on her desk, flipping through the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠papers with a soft rustle as she examined them one by one.

"Haha."

Watching Sierra concentrate with her lips pouted as she glared at the documents made ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her look like a little duckling. Once the little duckling finished organizing the papers, she tapped the stack against the desk to align them, handed them to me, and pouted once more.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Because you're cute."

"Whatever... Honestly..."

Blushing, Sierra poked my hand with the documents. I skimmed through the papers she handed me, carefully checking only the key clauses, before taking the pen from her, signing my name, and handing them back.

"Is it really okay for you to look over it so carelessly?"

Feeling as though I was treating a crucial transaction too lightly, Sierra glared at me with narrowed eyes. I shrugged and looked straight into her eyes.

"I might not trust the merchant group, but I trust you, Sierra."

"Hmph. Don't blame me if you get scammed."

Biting her red lips, Sierra filed the documents away with a sullen expression. Still displeased with my attitude, she tapped her fingers on the desk while glaring at me. To appease her, I slid off the desk, stepped closer, and gently cupped her beautifully rounded breast.

Squeeze.

"Ah... What are you doing..."

I kneaded her breast, which was as soft as a cushion, before slowly slipping my hand inside her clothes to caress her bare skin. As I pinched and gently twisted her soft nipple with my fingernails, she let out a sweet, nasal moan, and her peak began to harden.

"Ah... Hngh!"

I licked Sierra's trembling, pale earlobe and blew a hot breath over it. Shivering as if struck by a sudden chill, she arched her back away from the chair before losing all strength, slumping limply against the seat.

"Shall we play a bit before I go?"

I whispered, continuing to knead her voluptuous breasts. Sierra's glare melted away, replaced by a wanton smile. She cast a sultry look at me as she began undoing her buttons one by one. "You really are an incorrigible pervert..."

The office of the Rofila Merchant Group's guildmaster, hosting an unscheduled guest, was soon filled with the sounds of passionate, ecstatic groans. Downstairs, the receptionist's face flushed bright red, but she kept her respected guildmaster's secret safe, rubbing her thighs together as she endured the long wait.

"Fuck! I told you we have to move it today, you little shit!"

"Why the hell are you throwing a fit when we can just make the kids do it?"

Chatter, chatter.

"Is it true you threw away two silver coins on Sophie yesterday?"

"That fucking bitch, she keeps her legs locked tighter than a vault. Why is she playing so hard to get when they say she spreads them wide for Thompson?"

"Well, Thompson has the face and the meat to back it up, but you, Pilon, don't have shit."

Thud!

"Pilon and Milo are fighting!"

"Fuck's sake, why are these pathetic flower-picking bastards starting a brawl in the middle of the street?"

Helmville, located near the capital of the kingdom. True to its reputation as a major distribution hub, the air was filled with the crude, vulgar banter of rough mercenaries even in broad daylight. A few of them glared at me as I materialized in a shower of light, but they quickly lost interest, turning away to go about their business.

"Whew..."

Shaking my head to clear the lingering daze, I looked around to orient myself. It didn't seem far from the plaza where I had parted ways with Rachel last time. Spotting an elderly man walking with a cane, I stopped him and asked, "Is this the central plaza?"

"Aye, it is."

The old man, whose teeth chattered slightly, nodded and smiled. Once he started talking, he began volunteering information I hadn't even asked for.

"You look like a mercenary. If you head over yonder, where all them streetlamps are lined up, you'll find some good entertainment. Just head that way."

"Thank you, elder."

I bowed politely. Seeing the old man squinting up at me expectantly, I chuckled dryly, pulled out fifty copper coins from my pocket, and handed them over. Grinning to reveal his missing teeth, the old man leaned back on his cane and went on his way.

Old man knows how to get his cut. Following his directions, I soon found the street lined with streetlamps. Seeing sword-bearing mercenaries spitting on the ground as they barged in and out of various establishments, it was clear that this was the most bustling street in the area.

"Hey."

Since I didn't know where Rachel was yet, I decided to find an inn first. I approached a group of mercenaries who were smoking and shooting the breeze, calling out to one of them.

"Huh? Me?"

Chewing on his cigarette, he swaggered over. He was smoking a Krafton cigarette, looking up at me with a cocky glare as he stood with his weight shifted to one leg.

"Is there a famous inn around here?"

An inn popular among mercenaries usually offered better accommodations than some mediocre joint. While a well-located and highly-rated place would naturally attract a crowd of rowdy mercenaries, nothing beat a comfortable bed, making it the best choice.

"There is, but shouldn't you offer something in return if you want to know?"

Giggle, giggle. "Don't do it, man~ He looks like a softie~"

Egged on by his companions' mocking laughter from behind, the man grinned even more obnoxiously and shoved his forehead against my chest. Seeing that he took me for an easy target, I glanced around to ensure no guards were nearby, then reached out.

Grab!

"Argh?!"

"You're smoking some high-quality stuff. Do I need to shatter your jaw to make this transaction fair? Hmm?"

Plop.

I gripped his jaw with crushing force. His mouth fell open, a trail of drool escaping as his cigarette dropped to the ground. Groaning miserably, the man thrashed around, grabbing my arm to pry it off. However, quickly realizing the overwhelming difference in strength, he frantically tapped my wrist in surrender.

"Le' go, le' go!"

"You bastard!"

"Take one step closer, and I'll crush his skull."

"Stay back! Stay back!!!"

Trembling with fear, the man warned his companions to stay away, then rubbed his hands together, begging for mercy. Snorting in amusement, I released his jaw. He gingerly touched his aching chin with shaking fingers and muttered in a hushed voice,

"I-If you keep walking straight, you'll see a sign with a black crow on it. T-That's the most popular place around here...!"

"Learn some humility. You want to keep enjoying that good tobacco, don't you?"

Tap.

I picked up the fallen cigarette from the dirt and shoved it back into his mouth. He tried to turn his head to avoid the dirty cigarette, but under my cold glare, he forced a weak smile, opened his mouth, and accepted it.

"Y-Yeah, thanks...!"

"My pleasure."

Patting his shoulder, I turned around and walked toward the inn he had mentioned. I could hear his companions shouting curses behind my back, but I didn't bother turning around.

Thinking back to the cigarette, I found myself wanting to meet this supposed genius engineer from Crafton. It seemed there were more transmigrators from other worlds in this place than I had initially thought. Otherwise, there was no way a native of this world could have manufactured such modern cigarettes.

Lost in my thoughts about this world, I soon arrived at the inn. The sign featured a black crow with its beak open, holding the name of the inn.

Does it have something to do with crows? Leaving the question aside, I pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside.

Creak~

"Spin it! Spin it! Go, go, go!"

Rattle, rattle, rattle. Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Whoo-hoo!"

"Fuck off, don't touch it—it's my turn! Landlady! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Say a prayer for me!"

The moment I pushed the door open, the smell of stale beer and a rowdy atmosphere washed over me, evoking a wave of nostalgia from my old mercenary days. Smiling, I ignored the curious glances of the mercenaries and walked over to the counter.

"Welcome! Are you here for a meal, or a room?"

A young lady with her brown hair tied back greeted me with a bright smile. I wondered if... but I guess such coincidences ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠don't happen so easily. Swallowing my disappointment, I pulled out a silver coin, placed it on the counter, and said,

"A room. Is dinner separate?"

"One meal is included with the room. Just staying for one night?"

"Yes."

"Alright, got it! Here is the key to Room 502! Oh, sister!"

The girl, who had been smiling warmly as she handed me the key, suddenly widened her eyes and called out.

"Sophie, I told you to call me 'Madame' while we're working."

Hearing that sweet, gentle voice from behind, I couldn't stop my lips from curling upward. Wearing a deep smile, I slowly turned around.

"But if I call you Madame, those trashy bastards over there will tease me."

"Who are you calling trash! You're the loose one here!"

"A dandelion seed on a windy hill is heavier than your hips, you bitch!"

"Shut up, you bastards, and just drink your beer!"

A comical squabble broke out in the background, but my eyes were fixed solely on the woman standing before me.

Clatter!

The beer mug she was holding slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor and splashing foam and shards everywhere. The girl named Sophie cried out, "Oh, goodness!" and rushed over to pick up the pieces, muttering complaints, but the landlady simply covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes welling with tears as she stared at me.

"It's been a while, Madame."

Her bright blonde hair was neatly braided and draped over her shoulder. Even as tears streamed down her fingers, she kept her mouth covered, letting out soft, trembling sobs as she gazed at me.

"I'm late, aren't I? I told you to forget about me and move on if I didn't return."

"Ugh... Waaah!"

Rachel began to wail like a child. She let her hands fall, clutching her apron tightly as she turned her body away. Her hands and wrists, which had once been covered in bruises, were now smooth and fair, with only a few faint scars remaining.

Grab.

I caught Rachel as she turned to weep, pulling her flush against my chest from behind. Feeling the warmth of her back, I held her tight, unwilling to let her go. Rachel shook her head, weakly trying to squirm out of my embrace. As my hands playfully squeezed and caressed her soft waist and warm, voluptuous body, she didn't truly resist, though she spoke in a sorrowful, trembling voice.

"Right now... sob, I must look so ugly, don't I? Sniff... I look dreadful..."

"You're even more beautiful than when I first saw you. You look wonderful."

"Hmph... Are you saying I wasn't pretty back then...?"

"Then lift your head so I can take a proper look. Hmm? Let me see your face."

"Ugh..."

Spin.

Wiping her face with the back of her hand, Rachel turned around. Her blue eyes looked up at me, and despite her face being slightly puffy from crying, she forced a radiant, tearful smile.

"This feels like a dream. It's really... it's really you, Master, right?"

Perhaps running the inn had been exhausting, as there were faint dark circles under her eyes. Even so, seeing her welcome me with such a bright, devoted smile warmed my heart. I gently caressed her cheek and nodded.

"Did you wait long?"

"No."

Shaking her head, her tears finally subsiding, Rachel looked up at me fully. Her pink lips parted as she whispered sweetly,

"I missed you, Master."