Chapter 107: Hidden Agendas
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 107: Hidden Agendas
A two-day rest.
However, the nerves of everyone in our party, myself included, were stretched incredibly thin.
As soon as Rune recovered from her motion sickness and heard about the incident with Resin, she screamed at them to hand over the entire party immediately.
Two women, claiming to be guides and administrators of the Magic Tower, came and pleaded for mercy.
According to them, Resin had been beaten so badly by Narupa that she was on the brink of death, barely clinging to life with no guarantee she’d survive.
“Then you should at least hand over that bitch of a party leader!”
“Subpar as they may be, they are guests of the Magic Tower. For the sake of our reputation, we ask for your understanding as long as they remain within the tower.”
“You expect me to just watch after she wagged her tail at my husband and tore open his old wounds?!”
“From the perspective of the Adventurer Guild headquarters, this is also extremely unpleasant,” Yarismal added, joining the pressure.
Despite the heat, the administrators remained bowed low, insisting they could not hand over Mirei. Eventually, Rune, exhausted from her rage, gestured for them to leave for now, bringing a temporary end to the confrontation.
Rune, seemingly parched from her anger, gulped down cold water and spoke bluntly.
“I’m not scolding you.”
“B-but…”
The target of her words was Diane.
I didn’t expect Rune to offer that kind of comfort, but Diane remained hunched over regardless. She knew all too well that she couldn’t be considered innocent in this matter.
In truth, whenever I thought back to those days, I couldn’t help but remember the Diane of that time as well.
As I watched her silently, Diane intentionally moved into the shadows. Seeing her fidget with the misanga I’d given her as a birthday present while walking on eggshells around everyone made me feel a paradoxical mix of pity and a sense that it still wasn’t enough.
“They said they couldn’t hand those two over while they’re inside the Magic Tower.”
Yarismal used a towel to wipe the sweat from the brow of the agitated Rune.
“That means once they step outside the tower, it’s no longer their business.”
That comment served as a hint.
Diane emerged from the shadows and looked at Rune, who pondered for a moment before giving a small nod.
Spat—
With a faint sound of space cracking, Diane vanished from the spot.
“She’s become quite accustomed to Barion’s ability.”
“She practices every single day. She’s so hardworking that I have no choice but to acknowledge it.”
To the point that even the eccentric Yarismal was impressed, Diane spent her days doing nothing but work or training.
Then, one day, Diane had suddenly held out a heavy bundle to me.
“What’s this?”
I had asked thoughtlessly while drinking water after a sparring session, but Diane just held it out silently.
When I took it, it felt heavy. I opened it to find it filled with coins.
Without realizing it, my voice turned sharp.
“I asked what this is.”
“It… it’s five million Dalk.”
Diane, who had been smiling quite brightly, quickly wiped the expression off her face and flustered when I reacted coldly.
“Why are you giving me money?”
“That… Gerend’s wallet… the debt…”
“I don’t need it.”
I tried to hand the bundle back, but since she wouldn’t take it, I just tied the knot and set it on the floor.
I turned around to leave the training hall, but Diane hurriedly followed me.
“Why? Is it not enough? I’m sorry. I tried my best to save, but I couldn’t take on many high-paying commissions. I’ll save up more and pay you back with interest. Please, just take it.”
“I’m not looking for this from you.”
“Then what… what should I do for you?”
“You don’t have to do anything.”
“Please, let me do something. I want to be of help.”
“I told you, you don’t have to. I’m going to have you participate as a Ranger when we raid the dungeon anyway.”
Diane was barely holding back her tears.
“I… I… still want to remain… as a woman… worth forgiving… to you…”
“…Whether you give it to me or not, it’s good that you’re saving money. Let’s talk again after you’ve saved forty million Dalk.”
“Really?”
“Just don’t save it by neglecting things you actually need to spend on.”
“It’s okay! I don’t spend much anyway, so I’ll save it in no time! Gyahahaha!”
At some point, Diane’s laughter had become a mask to hide her sadness and depression.
I often heard from Eris that Diane only laughed exaggeratedly in front of me and those related to me, but her eyes were hollow and empty when she was alone.
Shall we return to the present?
The reason Diane clung to atonement even after I had forgiven her was likely because she felt she hadn’t fully repaid her debt.
She wasn’t wrong.
In truth, my forgiveness was largely based on the fact that she had become quiet and stayed out of my sight, which I felt was enough.
“Alto, when do we start the dungeon raid?”
“I shall answer that, Big Sister Primary Wife.”
“Call me Sister Rune.”
“But I am older than you?”
“My rank is higher.”
Rune, having coolly and firmly defeated Yarismal’s minor challenge, stretched her legs out languidly.
Yarismal then began massaging her legs without a word of complaint. She didn’t do it roughly out of spite; she was actually quite good at it.
According to Yarismal, it felt as if her body was under a constraint, programmed to never harm Rune.
Just like when she dealt with me, her body would freeze up, and she would find herself serving Rune the massages and sweet tea she desired.
“The Dean of the Magic Tower offered a negotiation to Sister Narupa.”
“There’s no such thing as negotiation in a dungeon. There’s only clearing it.”
“Because if we clear it, the dungeon will be purified, and the supply of magic stones—the core material for Sister Narupa’s business—will be cut off.”
“You still don’t know Narupa very well, do you?”
As Rune opened her mouth, Yarismal naturally popped a grape into it.
This is practically a lady and her maid.
“If it’s Narupa, she’s definitely already set up a backup plan. Her gloomy strength is that she never acts unless she’s certain.”
“If that’s true, then perhaps she accepted the negotiation because there are certain things she can squeeze out of them during this opportunity?”
“Oh, what a shift in perspective. You’re smart, Yarismal.”
“Hehe, the Adventurer Guild headquarters is a wilderness, after all.”
Aside from the occasional bickering, they’re like perfectly close sisters. They certainly show many different sides of themselves.
“Whatever the case, Narupa will only do what benefits her business or us, so there’s no need to worry.”
“What if she only negotiates for things that are good for her business?”
“Didn’t you get an allowance from Narupa last time? I heard you bought a lot of expensive underwear with it. From Masquerada.”
“I only asked because I always wish for her success.”
No wonder she was trying to seduce me with those incredibly flashy yet tiny panties the other day.
By the way, that Masquerada fellow is doing quite well in the Kingdom. After putting down the bow and picking up a needle and thread, he’s making a lot of money. I heard he pays a lot in taxes.
Well, he has to contribute to the Kingdom like that if he wants to survive. He’s gay, and he used to lead a messy life far from devoted, so he fell out of favor long ago. To see him resurrected like this… he’s like a phoenix.
“I’m back~.”
“Narupa, good work.”
“Mmmmmm~. Oppa’s scent.”
The door to the lodging opened, and Narupa walked in. She looked exhausted, so I gave her a hug.
Burying her nose in the crook of my neck, Narupa stealthily tried to suck—
“How dare you try to leave a hickey while the primary wife is watching.”
She failed, as Rune grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and lifted her.
“I worked really hard today, you know? I crushed that loose-thighed bitch, Resin or Rajin or whatever, and I had to face that shifty Dean twice.”
“Good job. But no leaving marks.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just licking is fine.”
“Ah, okay.”
Hey, Narupa, if you lick me that lewdly, I’m going to have a reaction…?
“Oh my, our Oppa is standing tall.”
“You look gallant as always, my lord husband.”
“Looks delicious.”
Rune doesn’t even hesitate anymore. The image of the girl who seemed like a refined young lady has vanished, replaced by someone who overtly lusts after my body.
“Ahem, hem! I have a suggestion for you sisters.”
Yarismal cleared her throat and made a proposal.
“It’s a shame Eris isn’t here, but to strengthen the bond between the wives and our affection for our husband, I suggest we engage in some group intimacy starting now.”
“Oh my, Yarismal, it was worth giving you that allowance. Is it not enough? Should I give you more?”
“Ah… ah… Even so, I don’t sell my heart for money!”
Regardless of her embarrassment, three pairs of eyes filled with lust turned toward me.
“I’m the primary wife, so I’m going first.”
It was a declaration from Rune that was practically a tyranny. Even if they were dissatisfied, no one protested.
“Now, Alto.”
Rune pulled the hem of her skirt aside while simultaneously—
“Hurry and come inside me.”
—parting her legs and licking her lips with her tongue.
* * *
“Ho ho, this is quite a pitiful sight.”
“Dean…”
After removing the magic stone crystals with Narupa’s help, the Dean immediately sought out the comatose Resin.
Seeing her body with only a left arm remaining, the Dean clicked his tongue, but it was something that couldn’t be undone.
“We are sorry. We should have monitored them better…”
“It is fine. Did we not already assume that her temper would eventually lead to this?”
“But…”
“Silone, all of life is made of variables and possibilities. Nothing ever goes exactly according to plan.”
The Dean squeezed Silone’s breast.
“Just as our meeting was made possible by slim variables and possibilities.”
Just as the gaze between the two was turning deep, a complaining voice popped up from behind.
“Ah! Administrator! You’re alone with the Dean again! Let me join too!”
“Mwahahaha! Come here, Adrian.”
“I love you, Dean!”
“I love you, Dean.”
What was it that Liras of Greed desired?
From the perspective of a Demon King, it wasn’t much.
But he couldn’t give it up.
That was why he had risked everything, using his wits to survive the Final War and meet the women he loved.
Looking at the two women who had fallen asleep after a bout of passion, Liras quietly steeled his resolve.
“Alto Bertrand… he surely isn’t just a hunting dog. I must hope that we can come to an understanding. Mwahaha…”