What Are You Doing Here?
I could guess roughly what Wendy had been thinking when she stripped completely naked.
After all, she was a dreadfully inflexible woman with zero tact or cunning.
She had probably figured that if she overtly seduced me—proving beyond doubt her unyielding determination to repay her debt—I would simply fold and take the bait.
Naturally, that only made me less inclined to play along... but there was zero reason to reject the breathtaking, porcelain curves laid bare right before my eyes. So, I took my sweet time drinking in the view from head to toe.
"Damn..."
It was a figure that practically ripped gasps of admiration right out of a man's throat.
She was about half a head shorter than Muriel, but her proportions were so absurdly god-tier that you could barely tell.
Flawless, milky-white skin nearly devoid of blemishes or scars. Firm, sculpted muscle that seemed to pull her entire frame tight. Breasts of staggering, overwhelming proportions. And a dramatic flare curving from a slender waist out to wide, voluptuous hips.
"...Guess you're the hairless type?"
"Ugh... N-No. That is not... I tended to it before coming here."
"Oho, yourself?"
"Yes."
"Quite the handy work."
"...Th-Thank you."
As I unabashedly stared at her glistening, silky-smooth cleft and the tightly closed bud beneath, her face flushed crimson, and her hands darted down to cover herself.
Seeing her bashful for the first time in my life was genuinely adorable.
And realizing this was a side of her not even Cecilia had ever witnessed gave it a deliciously illicit thrill.
Just then, my gaze snagged on her undulating bust, and a curious doubt crossed my mind.
"Wait, Wendy, were your tits always this huge? It completely changes your look."
Looking hypnotized at those twin snow-white mounds—each easily larger than a person's head—crowned with perky, pink tips that traced an intoxicating contour, I watched Wendy's face burn an even deeper red.
"...Normally, I bind them tightly with bandages to compress their size."
"Why waste something that good?"
"Because they hinder both daily life and combat."
"Aha... Yeah, I guess when they're that gigantic, they'd definitely get in the way."
I nodded, held a mouthful of liquor against my tongue, and swallowed it down in a single gulp.
The harsh alcohol tasted sweeter than usual.
And my body felt like it was heating up fast.
"Hmm... By the way, Wendy. I appreciate the gesture, but... why the sudden move?"
I was already half-certain of the answer, but I asked just in case.
"...To repay you. You appeared pleased with my face and physique, Lord Alzen..."
"Thought so... Then did you give up on treating me to a meal?"
"I have not abandoned it yet, but... at this rate, it felt as though the matter would simply fizzle out into nothing..."
"Would that be so bad? Honestly, I never planned on taking a reward anyway, so I don't care either way. Wouldn't that be easier for you, too?"
"No. I am not the sort of person who can take ease in that manner. Please understand."
"You really must live a grueling life with a personality like that."
"I hear that often."
Watching her give a self-deprecating smile, I lit a cigarette, drew a deep drag, and exhaled with a heavy puff.
As the drifting plumes of smoke veiled and unveiled her porcelain nude form, the sight looked all the more sensual.
"Does Cecilia know you're doing this?"
"She does not."
"Hah. You barged in here without a word to anyone and just stripped?"
"I have no obligation to report my personal life."
"Aha. So this is strictly personal business, then."
"Precisely."
"I doubt Cecilia would see it that way."
"And that is precisely what makes the Saintess so admirable."
Gulp.
Taking another swig of booze, I shook my head and patted the cushion beside me.
"Sit here for now."
"...Understood."
Evidently, she thought the real thing was starting now.
With conspicuously tense movements, she settled her rear onto the sofa, hesitated for a beat, and then tentatively pressed her body against mine.
"......"
A sweet scent of skin, radiating warmth, accompanied by an intoxicating blend of yielding softness and toned firmness.
Dopamine flooded my brain in real time, sending my mood soaring through the roof.
"Man, this really is... nothing short of torture."
It wasn't like I was some ascetic monk; human patience had its limits.
Suppressing it like this was only going to pile up stress, so I would have to find an outlet sooner or later.
Or maybe I could just play along and let myself succumb to Muriel's seductions.
...Then again, maybe not. Just imagining her smug gloating afterward was already pissing me off.
"Pour me a drink first."
"Yes."
Politely taking hold of the bottle, she leaned forward slightly to tip it. Gravity took hold, and the pair of heavy mounds swayed wildly like suspended teardrops, completely arresting my attention.
I gaped vacantly for a second before hurriedly shoving the brim-full glass to my lips.
"Khhh..."
Emptying the glass in one go, I sank into the cushions of the couch, surrendering to the buzz spiraling through my veins.
"Wendy. Listen to what I'm about to say, and don't take it the wrong way."
"...I am listening."
"I have no intention of belittling your resolve or determination. Your face and body are insanely gorgeous. Well, I'm sure my reactions have already given that away entirely."
"...Yes."
Seeing her lower her head in embarrassment was so cute that I patted her hair on impulse.
As she flinched and met my gaze, I offered a faint smile.
"However, unfortunately, I have no intention of taking things that far yet. It's hard to explain, but... let's just say I still have some lingering hesitation. Consider it my own personal baggage."
"...Is that so."
After a momentary silence, she leaned in slightly.
"Then how am I to repay you?"
"Do you really have to?"
"Yes."
"Then... let's do this. Muriel, you can come in."
"!?"
Flinching at my call, Wendy's eyes trembled in utter bewilderment.
"......"
Opening the door, Muriel stepped into the room. She glanced back and forth between the naked Wendy and me, letting out an impassive sigh.
"Lord Alzen. Humiliating a Knight of the Dawn carries a high probability of escalating into severe consequences."
"It's not what you're thinking. I only told her to sit beside me and pour drinks, alright?"
"That, too, seems more than enough to qualify as humiliation..."
"Is it?"
With a slick grin, I shrugged, threw an arm over Wendy's shoulder, and raised my glass.
Shivering slightly at the touch of my hand on her bare skin, she looked at me with an expression demanding an explanation.
"Drinking surrounded by beautiful women has always been a dream of mine. So, Wendy, I'll consider your debt settled with you pouring my drinks in the buff."
"That alone is insufficient."
"...Seriously?"
"Yes."
Her unwavering tone caught me a bit off guard.
I hadn't expected her to flatly state it wasn't enough.
"Uh, well... in that case, could you help train my subordinates while you're staying at the Duke's Castle?"
"Training... you say?"
"Yeah. Getting training from a Knight of the Dawn who serves directly as the Saintess's bodyguard would be more than generous as repayment. Deal?"
"...Whose training shall I oversee?"
"The three here: Muriel, Rebecca, and Cacciola."
"Understood."
Nodding, she poured another drink into my glass.
"...However, Lord Alzen. Please understand that having repaid my debt will not diminish my gratitude in the slightest."
"Oho, does that mean if I demand your body later, you'll offer it without hesitation?"
"Whenever you wish."
"...Man, you really give away too much."
"That is not true."
I shook my head at her deadpan earnestness.
"You really do live life on hard mode."
"I hear that often."
As I swallowed another draught while admiring the faint, lovely smile gracing Wendy's lips, Muriel took a seat on my other side.
"Right, Muriel. Why don't you pour one as we—wait, why are you naked?!"
My gaze instinctively swept over her from head to foot, leaving me slack-jawed.
"I was concerned Lady Wendy might feel self-conscious if she were the only one unclothed."
"No, I mean, uh... Ah, screw it. Do whatever you want."
I started to vent whatever was boiling up inside me, but resigned to defeat, I simply waved a hand dismissively and thrust forward my glass.
Muriel offered a serene smile and poured the liquor.
"......"
Seeing her like this, Muriel's bust was no joke either.
Her pelvis and hips were definitely wider than Wendy's... and her legs were longer.
Was her waist a tad thicker? Well, she was taller, after all...
Just then, my eyes locked with Muriel's faintly mocking smirk.
A flare of irritation spiked, but feeling rather sheepish, I casually turned my head away, tilted my glass, and stared up at the ceiling.
"...Let's make some small talk. Wendy. How's your revenge coming along? Any progress?"
"It is... difficult. While I have uncovered a few traces that appear to belong to the Intermediate Demon Harkal, as you mentioned, I have no means of discerning his current whereabouts."
"Can you even track him down just by searching? I told you before—the bastard can transform into the shape of whoever he devours."
"Yes. I am aware."
"Then you shouldn't be searching; you should be luring him in. Using bait."
"Bait?"
"Yeah. Harkal is a perverted freak who exclusively preys on handsome men and beautiful women. I mean, it's not like he has sacred principles; when he's desperate, he'll swallow anything... but regardless, if you stage a handsome man and a beautiful woman living as a happy family somewhere he might lurk, he'll come running drooling with delight."
"...I shall take note of that. Thank you. Though, it seems the debt I owe you has increased once more."
"Has it? Don't sweat it."
"My disposition will not allow me to overlook it."
"Hmm... Well, whatever. Just grant me a favor later on, then."
"A favor? Understood."
Smirking at her instant reply, I sat between the beauties flanking me, savoring their faces and figures while merrily indulging in liquor and tobacco.
Right up until I blacked out.
Several days passed since Cecilia and Wendy took up residence in the Duke's Castle.
For the first two days, Cecilia had been roped in by me to deal with unwanted visitors, but as she handled more and more of them, the poor girl grew increasingly venomous until she stopped showing up in my room altogether.
Wondering what she was up to, I looked into it and found she had struck up a friendship with Vivian and Leona, spending the entire day hanging out with them.
Watching them from afar, they seemed to click together well—or maybe they didn't... Either way, it was quite entertaining to watch.
Wendy, having unburdened her conscience through her nude drink service, helped oversee the training of Rebecca, Cacciola, and Muriel. Whenever she had free time, she would drop by my room to pour drinks or share a bottle, practically turning into my drinking buddy.
A peaceful, yet subtly bustling and lively daily life.
Into that quiet routine, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Duke's Castle.
Or rather, would it be more accurate to say he had returned?
In any case, this person's arrival sent shockwaves powerful enough to flip the Duke's Castle on its head.
Truly, to the point that Berga and Weller's jaws dropped in sheer disbelief, and Pitora burst into an uncontrollable flood of tears.
"It has been a long time, Alzen."
"...Hah."
Greeting me with black hair and narrow slit-eyes that barely revealed his pupils, the man prompted an incredulous, hollow laugh from my lips.
"...What the hell are you popping up here for, Brother?"
As anyone in the know was well aware, there were missing spots in the current ducal family tree.
Among the sons, there was the eldest son, Berga, and the third son, me—leaving the position of second son vacant.
Among the daughters, there was the second daughter, Weller, and the third daughter, Vivian—leaving the eldest daughter's seat empty.
The issue was that mentioning those two vacancies inside the ducal estate was practically taboo.
Which made sense, naturally.
One had gone missing with their fate unknown, while the other had outright betrayed House Stanasila.
And among them, the second son, Stanasila Berick, was the one who had gone missing.
Now, that very Berick had suddenly shown up without the slightest warning.
The Duke's Castle was instantly turned upside down in complete pandemonium.
And for the record, I was just as thoroughly flabbergasted.
Because in the original story, Berick was never, ever supposed to appear right now.