Sexy Appeal in the Arcadia Empire
The Arcadia Empire. It was the nation my hometown, the Brook territory—which included the Holy Land of Marleryung—belonged to. One of only two empires on the entire continent, it served as humanity's final bulwark, standing at the very forefront against the Demon King's army. And it's also the country that wiped out the beastmen.
Having designated the One God Church as the state religion, the Arcadia Empire had led the charge in the war against the beastmen more aggressively than anyone else. From what I'd heard, they were the ones who had smashed the beastmen's religious sites and killed their great chieftains. The imperial family in particular, as devout followers of the Church, faithfully observed and respected its doctrines. That was why they had even ceded Marleryung—which had originally been direct imperial territory—to the Church as a holy land, simply because the Church's scriptures mentioned a prophecy about it. In short, they were generous with the Church and ruthless toward the beastmen.
"Does it really require permission from the imperial family?"
"Most people wouldn't know since civilians rarely have any reason to visit the Goshura Great Forest. But the Arcadia imperial family is extremely sensitive about anything involving the beastmen and usually won't grant permission. If you absolutely must go to the Goshura Great Forest... this has become rather difficult."
"Haa..." A sigh escaped me involuntarily. It was because there were some formidable figures in the imperial family. Even if one of them happened to be the protagonist of this world.
Ah, I miss my favorite.
Today of all days, I felt the same longing for Soho's older sister—the one they called Daeho—that I felt for the second imperial princess of the Arcadia Empire and protagonist of this world, Nero Arcadia. She was quite the hedonist herself, though her tastes were extremely picky. Having long found her own life boring, she was utterly indifferent to anything except her one true hobby: magic. She tended to show a pessimistic attitude toward anything that didn't interest her. Which meant I would need to catch her interest and obtain her permission.
The only one who could freely manage that in the original novel was Daeho. Or perhaps someone as much of a hedonist and as twisted as Freya?
So that's what she meant by saying I'd need her help.
I finally understood why Freya had looked so relieved when I mentioned heading to Goshura after our interview was cut short. She had been certain I would come asking for help again. It looked like I'd need to schedule a second meeting with the Saintess.
"Still, there are people in the imperial family who are kind, so don't worry too much. Hahaha."
Soho offered comfort as my expression hardened. She probably thought my sigh was about having to seek imperial permission. The real reason was the Saintess Freya, but I didn't correct her.
"Then I'll need to head to the capital first. Thank you for letting me know, Lady Soho."
If not for Soho, I might have ignorantly headed straight for the Goshura Great Forest. And if I'd gone without imperial permission, I would have been arrested on the spot or branded a traitor to Arcadia. Especially since I'd be traveling with Akasha, a beastman. If I got caught then, there would be no way out.
"The positive side is that the timing is good. The martial arts tournament hosted by the Arcadia Empire will be held soon."
At the mention of a martial arts tournament, I thought of Emilia, whom I'd left at home. Since her goal was to become a Sword Master, she would probably participate. This particular tournament was a prestigious event hosted by the Arcadia imperial family to recruit talent from across the continent. It was a massive gathering where people from all over the empire were invited and martial artists converged in one place.
Wait. Didn't that mean the original story was about to begin?
"And I also have business in the capital this time, so it worked out well. Ah! Of course, I'm not saying I'm happy we'll be going to the same place or anything, so don't misunderstand!"
Just as I'd expected. If things were certain, then her sister Daeho would be there too. Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked.
"Then will the Baekya ducal family members be coming as well? For example, your older sister?"
"Huh? How did you know that?"
Soho's eyes widened in surprise. Come to think of it, Soho had never once mentioned her family or her sister. I'd grown too familiar with her and made a mistaken assumption.
"It's just... since you mentioned the martial arts tournament, I figured the Baekya ducal family would naturally be invited. And your sister is as famous as you are, Lady Soho, so I think I've heard about her somewhere."
"Well, that makes sense! Our Baekya ducal family is quite well-known, after all!"
Soho nodded in satisfaction. Thanks to her strong family pride, she seemed to accept it as perfectly reasonable.
"So if you're going to the capital this time... should we... go together? It would save on costs and be convenient. It wouldn't be bad, right?"
Soho asked indirectly, her face flushing as she gazed up at the sky. What was this? Was she suggesting we go together or not? I smiled silently and answered.
"Shall we? Since we're both going, it would be nice to travel with someone I know. Though I do have one companion. Is that okay?"
"Well, if it's your companion, Sieg-nim, I don't mind whoever it is. Hahaha."
Soho scratched her head and agreed. That settled it. I'd been flustered when I first heard about it from Soho, but I'd decided to look at it positively. I had to get imperial permission anyway, and thanks to this, I might even get to meet Daeho—Soho's sister and my favorite character. I comforted myself with that thought and calmed my mind. Specifically, my worries about having to meet Freya again.
This is all to meet Daeho...
Suppressing my emotions, I spoke to Soho.
"Let's go together."
"G-good!"
After that, we shared a bit more food before parting ways.
*
Gulp.
Akasha, who had been waiting for Sieg, swallowed hard. Her lips kept pursing and her mouth felt endlessly dry. The time Sieg had promised to return was approaching. The closer it got, the more her heart refused to stop racing.
"This should be enough to satisfy God, right?"
Akasha had prepared a small event for Sieg. It was to celebrate him, since he'd gone out that morning to check the final results. She hadn't heard the outcome directly yet, but Akasha was certain he had passed. After all, Sieg had spoken with such confidence after finishing the test last time, saying he'd done well. She had no doubts.
"Is it too small?"
What Akasha had prepared to commemorate the occasion was a massive demonic beast. Specifically, a wild boar she had hunted and caught herself. To be precise, it was a pig-like demonic beast that people enjoyed eating as much as regular pork. Since she'd caught it while Sieg was out this morning, it would be nice and fresh.
"Hehehe, this will show him how strong I am."
These were the seven secret techniques of seduction that her mother had taught Akasha. The first was to appeal to one's femininity. It was only natural for strong women to attract exceptional men. Among beastmen, offering up a huge catch like this was also a way to show off one's strength.
Though the circumstances made it impossible to bring an even larger beast back to their lodging, Akasha had thought hard and chosen the best option available. If Sieg thought it was too small, she could at least make an excuse and he would understand.
"N-next time I'll prepare an even bigger one..."
Even as she thought this, Akasha couldn't help worrying that it might still be too small.
Clip-clop—
The sound of approaching footsteps. At the familiar gait, Akasha's ears perked up. Sieg had arrived.
*
"Akasha, I'm back!"
"Y-you're back?"
When I opened the door to our lodging and stepped inside, Akasha greeted me shyly. She was stuttering slightly and her expression looked stiff—she seemed nervous for some reason.
Did she do something wrong?
For a moment I worried she might have secretly gone to a dungeon again and overworked herself like last time.
"U-um, what about the results? You passed, right?"
"Of course. I passed with flying colors."
"Congratulations!"
Akasha cheered, throwing her hands up in joy. I'd thought she was nervous, but it seemed she'd been anxiously waiting for my results. I felt silly for worrying. Letting out a sigh of relief, I showed Akasha the snacks I'd brought in my hand.
"Want some of these?"
"Oh! Y-yes, please! But today I prepared something!!!"
"You prepared something, Akasha?"
My curiosity was piqued. What kind of food had Akasha prepared? Would it be traditional beastmen cuisine? Or Arcadia Empire style? It might even be from the Seolha Empire. I'd never seen Akasha cook before, so my anticipation grew.
"Ta-da! Look at this, Sieg-nim! It's impressive, right?"
But it wasn't food. What Akasha showed me was a giant whole boar...? Or rather, a demonic beast that resembled one. It was so enormous that it seemed less like a pig and more like an entire cow.
"Is it... too small?"
"No, no, I'm just impressed because it's so big."
And I was wondering how something this huge had even fit through the lodging door.
"Right? I caught it myself! It's really big, isn't it?"
"Yeah, yeah. It's so big it'll probably take a whole month to eat."
"Hehehe, such praise makes me embarrassed."
Was that praise? But seeing how happily satisfied Akasha looked, I nodded. I decided to praise her even more.
"That's right! You're amazing, Akasha."
"Ah, but that's not all yet!"
There was more? As I tilted my head in confusion, Akasha took off her top. She was left in just her underwear, with only a chest covering hiding her modest breasts.
What is she trying to do?
Before my question could be answered, Akasha climbed on top of the boar demonic beast she'd caught. Then she raised both arms, flexing her forearms with all her might, and asked me.
"How do I look, Sieg-nim?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't I look strong?"
Akasha showed off her slender, delicate body while striking various poses in quick succession. Was this what they called posing?
"Don't I look sexy?"
At her question, I found myself lost in thought for a long time, unsure how to respond.