Chapter 171
Chapter 171
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Sugar Lump
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Bubble bubble bubble.
A kettle boiled on a medieval fantasy-style induction stove enchanted with a heating spell. Glug glug glug. The sound of liquid pouring followed, then clink clack. A silver teaspoon clinked against a porcelain teacup.
Aroma molecules wafted gently in all directions, delivering the message to my brain. Soon, I'd be sipping sweet honey water.
I could already imagine the warm, sugary liquid sliding down my throat, warming my stomach. It would happen any moment now. Anticipation was turning into excitement.
Heart pounding, I huddled under the blanket, waiting for the moment.
And steeling myself. Today, I felt like being a little childish. Whether it was lingering alcohol or a sudden mood swing, I couldn't tell.
It didn't matter either way.
Tap tap.
Light footsteps approached.
Squish. Someone perched on the edge of the bed, and I felt the mattress dip slightly under the weight. This was how I sensed her presence indirectly.
Clink. She set the teacup down on the side table. Target disarmed, threat neutralized—it was safe to play now.
She patted the blanket like knocking, then asked kindly.
"What'd you drink so much of?"
"I'm not the Mad Sorcerer."
She let out a soft chuckle at my philosophical self-denial. A hint of laughter colored her voice. Holding back giggles like someone tickled, she asked,
"...Then who are you?"
"Blanket monster. Rawr—."
I burst up with the blanket draped over me, arms spread wide like a flying squirrel. Yuna's eyes went wide in surprise, and I pulled her into a tight hug. The blanket monster had devoured the Magic Tower Master.
"Eek."
Yuna deflated with a limp sound, going boneless. I dragged her under the blanket with me, and her soft warmth filled me up.
Sometimes, Yuna felt like a certain kind of flower. One that stayed tightly budded until a single poke made it bloom spectacularly.
A mere breath was enough.
I pressed my lips to the top of her head and smiled. Feeling the tremble, she realized it was a smile and giggled back.
Yuna wriggled in my arms, nuzzling the top of her head against my chin for a moment before tilting her face up to gaze at me quietly. Like she was asking what was wrong.
Nothing, I signaled with my eyes.
She looked suspicious. Both of us had a habit of clinging when feeling down or troubled. We'd usually stick together all day.
So she must have been convinced something was bumming me out.
Last time it was her. When I got ambushed by Roderus, after I woke up, I apparently whined and clung nonstop. My chest got soaked several times, from what she said.
Even when going to wash, she wouldn't let go, so we ended up washing each other's hair. Lathered up with shampoo and sculpted our hair into dragon shapes.
That day, Yuri Lancer acted weird too. Maybe three times more aggressive than usual. She nearly ran me over with a truck instead of just crossing the line.
But luckily, we were both cowards. No reckless speeding. It stopped at me jumping rope with my patience.
My Lust Suppression spell proficiency skyrocketed as a result.
Honestly, it felt good. Her worrying about me to the point of tears was satisfying, even if a bit gloomy.
I had a dream.
Last night, the alcohol dredged up a deeply buried memory. But I fumbled and let the fish called memory slip away. Now only echoes remained.
Past me had made a major decision. For something of immense value. Sacrificing much in the process. It was undoubtedly courageous.
But now, it just terrified me vaguely. Was the real me even capable of that?
I don't want to lose this happy routine. I want those two within arm's reach. I crave a story where no one sacrifices—no one dies unhappy.
Call it selfish.
Yuna thumped my chest.
"The honey water's getting cold...?"
"It's fine. Magic Tower Master's got enough heat."
"...You're up to mischief again."
"Yeah."
I slid my hand around her waist a little lower.
Tracing the dip along her spine downward, she hitched a sharp breath, her body visibly tensing and stiffening.
By the time my fingers brushed the top of her pelvic bone, her face burned beet red, flustered. I stopped there, one knuckle shy.
A precarious spot—just a twitch from entering the valley.
Yuna stopped breathing. I advised carefully.
"Breathe."
"........."
Thwack. She swatted me lightly with her loosely fisted hand. If I could, I would have, it said. I considered dipping lower but decided against it.
Long-term goal was tailbone and back up, but right now, she'd probably enter qi deviation.
Human heater complete.
If it were Pingbalrez, it'd flip to risky chicken in seconds, so I tread carefully. But Yuna had no fight in her—fun times.
Unilateral offense was usually a blast.
I returned my hand to neutral. Regaining control, Yuna punched with a pout.
"Jerk...!"
"Ow."
It was a cotton fist, painless, but I hammed up the reaction. We played like that for a while. Holding hands, foreheads together.
Pulling out ways to share body heat one by one, testing them out. Yuna started shy but got bold later.
Like grabbing my hand to press to her cheek.
In the end, the honey water went cold.
Hangover cleared.
"........."
"........."
"........."
Silence's trio filled my lab. Awkward haze everywhere—I had no clue how to fix it. What happened? Glance at the Magic Tower Master.
"...Dust on the table. Gotta clean it. Yeah, clean it."
Unnatural cleaning mode engaged. Glance at Pingbalrez.
"...Magic Tower Master, that spot looks unclean."
Into unsolicited cleaning critique mode. Common thread: dodging my eyes. Tower Master vaguely remembered my antics, fine. But Pingbalrez, why...? Did I do something rude in a blackout? Lust suppression fail and sexual harassment? No. She wouldn't dodge eyes over that. She'd tease me all day.
"Hey, Pingbalrez. Last night, did I...?"
"Urgent call—heading out on field duty."
Pingbalrez evasion-maneuvered out the door. I blinked, muttering.
"The communication orb didn't even glow..."
"Oh, uh! Gotta check in with Loreia regularly—don't look for me!"
"........."
Even Tower Master bolted. Christmas gift stolen, I sat dazed like a kid before standing. They needed alone time. Fine, I'd enjoy mine. Threw on a robe casually and left the lab. Blazing sun. Good day for a stroll. Stock materials too—wandered academy grounds aimlessly. Idle time like this was necessary occasionally. Glanced up at the academy's giant king dragon statue, eyed the central forbidden zone from afar, drifted to the commercial district. Trading hub, so lively bustle as expected. But today felt off. Murmurs from somewhere.
"Who's that...? Never seen 'em at the academy."
"Not human—disguised monster? How's that even a person...?"
Curious, I followed the buzz source leisurely. And at the end. A suit lady elegantly devouring a mountain of Mont Blancs. Didn't know the name... but recognized her. Bustling with papers beside Irid. Defense Bureau agent, I recalled. Fishy. If for me, Pingbalrez would've relayed. Vacation? Not in flashy suit. Maybe Pingbalrez-related.
"...?"
She'd pop a Mont Blanc and it'd vanish. Not gorging—restrained motions, yet fast. Human or hamster? My curious stare caught her eye. She bowed politely.
"Codename Mad Sorcerer, sir. Second meeting. Second Prince's executive secretary, C."
Chat incoming, I nicknamed for smooth comms.
"Ah, nice to meet you, 'Kirby'."
"Pardon? Ah, the disability mention. That's my codename, then. Meaning?"
"Secret."
"Secret, huh... Sit first. This dessert shop's Mont Blancs are top-notch."
Defense Bureau, Prince's aide. Academy incident? I took the invite, sat opposite Kirby. ...Mont Blanc pile hid her face. Had to lean left to talk.
"What's bringing you to the academy?"
"Business... Classified, but seems tied to you, Mad Sorcerer. Might need to join after hearing. Interested?"
"No."
Flat refusal.
"Involves Yuri Lancer agent too."
"...Spill details. Every word."
Name: Unknown Codename:『Pleasure-Drinking Virgin』Threat Level:Grade 1Activity Period: Lion Calendar ??? ~ 453 (Ongoing)
※ This report relies entirely on testimony from sole witness 『Witness C21』. Critical review and cross-verification required.
She is the leader of a succubus with potent魅惑 abilities, residing in an unidentified sub-space (henceforth 『Nest』) undetected by the Defense Bureau. Most intel remains concealed.
She has white hair and an innocent, saintly appearance. Merely viewing her seems to induce mental seduction. Most succubi obey her. Not voluntary loyalty, but brainwashing via potent pheromones—like ants before a sugar lump. Thus, rival succubus factions exist in conflict, but the power gap is clear. Hereafter denoted as 『Queen』. The Queen and her succubi are overtly hostile to the Empire. They harvest human essence and souls to bolster the Queen's power. Her influence taints black-market narcotics. Three paragon-grade succubi under her command. Queen's combat prowess unknown; conservatively, apotheosis-grade. Seduction countermeasures essential. Succubi racial traits make tracking and elimination exceedingly difficult. Extreme caution advised.