Bessy's Farewell and Street-Side Torment
It probably meant there was no need to inform an incompetent mage like me about the war with the monsters. Even the shallow sense of belonging I still had evaporated away.
"Airi, this is a secret, but... I think it's okay for you to know since you're a court mage too."
"Pardon? What is it..?"
"Actually, there's a massive magic circle beneath the kingdom. It protects humanity from monsters with an invisible transparent barrier. At each vertex of the pentagram magic circle... there's a mana stone with tremendous power. The five pillars that support the kingdom."
"Gasp..."
It matched exactly what Mahel had told me last night. So it wasn't a lie after all—it was real.
"Mana stones, huh..."
"Yeah."
For some reason, Bessy kept the existence of the Forbidden Books a secret. Was it a well-intentioned white lie to spare my timid personality? Guessing her intent, I nodded as if I knew nothing.
"You heard the explosions two days ago and yesterday, right? One of the mana stones suddenly vanished, creating a gap in the barrier."
"Yes..."
"Since monsters might invade through that gap in the barrier, the court mages have gathered to subjugate them and repair the barrier."
The veiled existence of the Forbidden Books and the traces of the parasitic tentacle Mahel, sealed away for thousands of years. I knew better than anyone.
"Anyway, think of this as a final farewell? It won't be easy to meet for a while. I won't return until we've subjugated the target monster."
"Ah... Yes, Bessy. I'll miss you..."
"I hope you grow quickly and become a splendid mage too."
Bessy gently closed her eyes, a pleased smile on her lips.
"Take care of yourself, okay."
With those final words, she turned her back. She was raising death flags like we'd never meet again, so of course I worried.
"Um, Bessy..!"
I couldn't help but meddle, even if it was presumptuous. Startled by my voice, she tilted her head.
"What? Something wrong?"
"Ah, by any chance... that target monster you're after... can you kill it?"
"Hmm... Embarrassing to admit, but subjugation might be tough. Sealing it at best."
"Then sealing is definitely possible?"
"Of course. More than feasible."
We were both hiding the truth, but the meaning came through clearly. It was the moment hope was born that they could reseal the tentacle monster parasitizing my body.
"Goodbye, big sis Bessy! I'll be waiting!"
"Heehee, sure."
Was it that the darkest place is under the lamp? No one would know that Mahel, the parasitic tentacle monster they'd been searching so desperately for, was inside me right now.
"Study hard, but take care of your health too?"
"Yes, Bessy..!"
Pointing out my dark circles, Bessy waved lightly and left. Left alone, I gazed at the distant mountains and let out a sigh.
"Am I the only one left out..?"
The palace felt unusually quiet today, and it seemed like everyone except me had answered the mobilization order. The thought of being ostracized like this brought a bitter swell of emotion.
"Whatever..."
A filthy world where everything was proven by ability. Well, I didn't have time to stress over human relationships anyway. My own situation was a disaster in itself.
I'd holed up in the Kingdom Library all night studying magic and got chased out onto the street. I hadn't noticed while sitting, but every step rubbed my thighs together, making my body twitch.
"Hngh... Ah...♥︎"
The cluster of tentacles, bundled tight, scraped my pussy with every movement, sending my mind into ecstasy. There was no refreshing climax—just endless aching pleasure all day that left my head foggy.
"Hoot... Haa...♥︎"
Even to my own ears, my voice sounded lewd as I repeated the erotic moans. Walking the dark forest path, I was hyper-aware of the empty surroundings. Each gust of cool wind made my spine shiver, my body convulsing.
"Hngh... Hnnngh..."
Beyond the forest lay the kingdom's city center. Red torchlight flickered, brightly illuminating the streets. It was late into the night, so shops and restaurants had their doors firmly shut.
"Eunghoot...♥"
Like a drunk, I staggered with a flushed face. Heading slowly toward the distant house, suddenly the tentacles covering my crotch went wild.
"Hoohk... Hic...♥︎"
My hypersensitive spot, teased all day, was mercilessly ground and rubbed. Unable to walk, my body did a pathetic pigeon-toed dance before collapsing in place.
"Kk... Hnghik... Ugh...♥︎"
The slimy tentacles grazed the outer lips of my pussy, stimulating my clit. They deliberately pressed into the slit without mercy. Yet they refused penetration, endlessly heightening my awareness of the sensitive flesh.
"Hoohk..! Nooo...! Kkuuugh..!"
I huddled on the dirt ground, panting desperately. The tentacles rampaged without respite.
"Kkuugh...♥︎"
At an unpredictable moment, my body jerked upward. My whole body stiffened, pupils dilating, breath ragged. I couldn't move a finger, but the stimulation in my pussy grew ever clearer.
"Haa... Nooo...♥︎"
I could sense it instinctively. My body was racing toward climax.
"Kk..! Urghk..!"
My mind went white, all nerves focusing on my lower belly. My invisible womb contracted, my pussy clenching painfully.
"Hnnng...♥︎"
Just... a little more... really just a bit more stimulation and I'd cum...
"Hik..!"
I jumped in shock at Mahel's sudden voice. No idea when it had woken up.
"N-Nooo..."
"Ugh..."
I wanted to deny it, but it was true. My body and mind were being manipulated exactly as Mahel desired.
"Nooo..."
I bit my lip lightly, tears welling up. No matter how tormented and desperate, I didn't want to offer my virginity to this otherworldly tentacle.
"Uuugh..."
I barely managed to stand on my trembling legs. Just pressing my thighs together caused friction that spread delightful pleasure.
"Uht...♥"
My body really felt... utterly broken... ♥
Wouldn't any woman end up like this after a full day of that aching pussy teasing?
"A-Ah, got it..."
I brushed off the dirt roughly and started walking. In this otherworld where women's rights were at rock bottom, I had to be careful or I'd end up just as Mahel said—victimized by some creep.
I'm hungry. I'm tired. I wanna masturbate so bad...
Unfulfilled desires piled up, leaving my mind blank like an idiot's. Finally reaching home, I opened the front door. Bright light seeped through the gap.
"Ah, Uncle..."
I spotted Barhen at the dining table, drinking. The man who always emphasized refined dignity was chugging beer straight from the bottle, belching loudly. The stench of alcohol wafted from afar.
"I-I don't know..."
This was a first, and it scared me. Was something so tough weighing on him that he resorted to booze? His disheveled state was unpleasant to look at, but as his adopted ward, I couldn't ignore it.
"U-Uncle... Did something happen..?"
Approaching cautiously, I fidgeted with my hands as I spoke. Empty beer bottles littered the table—no snacks in sight.
"Hoo..."
Barhen downed another swig without answering, then stared at me intently. His hazy, reason-lost eyes were frightening.
"Airi, didn't we have a promise?"
"Ah..."
Today, I'd come home early without fail and rest. I'd said it offhand out of worry—a meddlesome remark. I'd forgotten all about the promise I never intended to keep anyway.
"I'm sorry, Uncle. I lost track of time studying magic at the library and came back late..."
"No excuses needed. I know exactly what you think of me."
Barhen slammed the beer bottle onto the table hard.
Thud—
"Hic..!"
The loud noise and vibration startled me into a hiccup.
"Airi, I have no idea what you do every night. Ever since you, who always holed up at home, started coming back late, strange things keep happening. Is there really nothing you're hiding from me?"
"Ah... That's..."
With nothing to say, I fell silent and averted my gaze. As I smiled awkwardly and fidgeted, Barhen finally snapped.
"Airi! Before I'm your uncle, I'm your magic teacher. I can't just sit idly by while my disciple strays down the wrong path."
"S-Sorry..."
His probing words, as if he knew everything, left me only able to apologize. I could never tell him—even on pain of death—about the parasitic tentacle inside me or the dangerous contract with my life as collateral.