Chapter 33. Disappearance.
Upon hearing the news that I had to head separately to the western continent to investigate the disappearance case, the guild members began making their own plans.
Yael threw herself into her research, declaring she'd snag an honorary professorship while she was at it. Ludvine reenrolled in school, aiming for early graduation. Mahushu and Celly ramped up their training even harder after the Demon King subjugation—they'd felt their own shortcomings all too keenly. Thanks to that grueling effort, their skills improved noticeably. The buff sisters in particular started special training under Shasha, Ganesha's team's buffer. These days, they were pulling all-nighters learning how to cast buffs from long range.
Grace, too, must've sensed some inadequacy from the subjugation battle, because for once, she started honing her techniques. While getting her pussy whipped, she confessed it was for area-of-effect heals that could treat multiple allies at once. Anyway, whether from the training grind or whatever, her demands grew increasingly blatant. Her masochistic lust started spilling over into exhibitionism. Going fully naked with a dog collar was old hat now; she ventured out into the hallways, then expanded her territory to the garden. The thrill of possibly getting caught turned straight into pleasure, her crotch dripping love juices nonstop. Eventually, she brazenly lifted her legs and pissed right into the bushes. She seemed to relish showing off for the boss. After a couple safe garden strolls, her boldness grew; she started sucking my cock smack in the middle of the garden. Then she outright begged for it, ass up and pussy spread wide. Hard to believe this was the same woman who'd been moping over her dead lover just a year ago.
Of course, I didn't hold back and gave it to her. If it seemed like someone might spot us mid-fuck, I'd scoop her up with my dick still buried inside and dash to a dark corner. Cue another round of hushed sex.
Yael, battered by her thesis revisions, dropped by the mansion now and then. Those nights always turned into total orgies. She'd take just the tiniest dose of drugs—not enough to knock her out—and devour my cock all night. I'd have to pump her guts full of cum until my balls were drained dry.
Days blurred into a mix of guild work, training, and fucking. Soon enough, departure day loomed.
I finished prepping for the western continent and called in Gid, Grendal, and Mahushu. I entrusted them with running the guild in my absence. The next day, I left the mansion with just my holy sword and a single pack.
I'd arranged to meet Gunda and Elizabeth at the capital's west gate, so I took a carriage there. The early dawn streets bustled despite the hour. Window open, I gulped fresh morning air and watched the scenery whip by. Who knew when I'd next get to sightsee the capital.
The carriage soon reached the west gate. A massive caravan bound for the western continent was already forming. I sent the carriage back to the mansion and headed to the meetup spot. Gunda and Elizabeth were there already.
...Along with one extra person.
"Hey, Kang Ji-hyuk. Move your ass, you little shit. You got the balls to keep me waiting?"
"...Your Highness."
Ahem. The princess cleared her throat and snuck a glance at me.
"No, see... the more I thought about it, the more it made sense for me to go. This is a challenge to the imperial family, right? So I should be the one heading out. ...Ah, yeah, no—!"
"...You're right."
Gunda, who'd already traveled with Ganesha before, knew her temper well. He shot me a deadpan look. I gave him a knowing smile and a light nod of reassurance. Elizabeth stood rigid, her face tense as she exchanged a stiff glance with me. Sure, she was intimidated by the S-rank hero princess status, but her own noble pride kept her holding firm.
"You hate me tagging along? Speak up if you do. ...Ah, hurry up, punk."
Ganesha crossed her arms, leg cocked, urging my answer.
"If Your Highness lends her strength, it'd be an honor. I'm all for it."
"You two?"
The prickly princess whipped her head toward the pair. Gunda flashed an awkward grin.
"Me? Uh, yeah, sure, of course, haha."
"...I'm fine with it too."
"Good enough? Let's roll."
Ganesha strode toward the transport carriage, all smug satisfaction. Gunda sidled up to me, whining under his breath.
"...You sure this'll be okay?"
"What's not to like? She's solid backup."
"Solid, yeah, but..."
"I'll handle it. Don't sweat it."
I patted his back, and he eased up a bit. At least the princess seemed to listen to me.
Elizabeth, still looking sour, piped up.
"What the hell's going on here?"
"Beats me. It just happened. ...Don't worry, though. She's gruff, but good people."
"Her Highness? Hah."
Elizabeth had heard enough infamy about Princess Ganesha to make her ears bleed. Her own father, Duke Valkan, had warned her to steer clear of anything involving the woman. And now this absurd nose-ring situation.
"Figure it out yourself."
With a hmpf, Elizabeth turned on her heel and marched ahead.
...Truth be told, she was a bit cowed by the princess's stunning looks. She'd heard the rumors of the muscle monster turning into a dazzling beauty, but damn, not this level.
The four of us boarded the transport. It rattled through the west gate toward the plains. The sun crested the horizon, bathing the world in light.
Gunda gazed at it, heart fired up. He had a habit of vowing each morning to be a righteous hero worthy of the south. Today was no different.
Ganesha, across from me, eyed me up and down, smacking her lips. We hadn't met properly since parting in that meeting room. She'd desperately wanted to seek me out daily but held back. Didn't want to look like some lovesick girl, and worried she'd spill her plans if we met too often.
Fuck, I'm such an idiot. Dumb bitch. Psycho slut.
Gunda and Elizabeth's wary stares made her own ass-kissing ass look pathetic.
Yeah, all because I lost my head over a guy. What can you do. It's all his fault.
Just try ignoring me, asshole. Fuck, I'll wreck everything—!
Then she spotted my sly grin, and flowers bloomed in her chest.
You bastard, filthy prick.
"I'll serve you well, Your Highness."
You ass-kissing bastard...
· · ·
I started fucking up from day one.
...More accurately, I had no choice but to.
To calm the princess's nightly heats, my cock was the miracle cure. What began in villages escalated to campsites. We'd sneak out at night when everyone was deep asleep and head into the bushes.
The more I fucked her, the bolder and sluttier she got. Eventually, she started sucking my cock. Just days ago she'd thrown a fit about a noble princess putting a lowly dick in her mouth—now she begged for it whenever she could.
"Fuck, smells like piss..."
"You don't have to suck it."
"No way. I'm sucking."
Whining about the musk, yet once she grabbed it, she wouldn't let go. Watching that plump, pretty royal mouth swallow my ugly cock gave me a visual and tactile feast. I'd lean against a tree; she'd squat below and slurp away. The height difference added a weird thrill—a sense of conquest, dominating a noble princess with my dick.
...As a guy with a cock, I couldn't fight that primal instinct welling up inside.
"Hurry. Before the others wake."
She glared like don't rush me, nipping my shaft with her teeth. Grumbling, but she sucked harder, faster. Waking the others would screw her too.
Still, her skills were basic—head bobbing, tongue sloppy licks. Getting impatient, I asked permission and grabbed her head, thrusting deep. Otherwise, we'd be at it all day without me cumming.
"Glrk, glrk, mmph, glrk, glrk."
I held back from full deepthroat out of consideration. She outranked me in status; didn't want to overdo it. Even if I had the edge in bed, I wasn't the type to lord it over her shamelessly.
After blasting a load down her throat, I pulled out and hiked up my pants. She gulped it down, rinsed at the stream—face and mouth—erasing the evidence. Sure, proof lingered in her guts, but no one's checking that.
We slipped out of the predawn woods separately. Camp was still quiet. She glanced at me meditating eyes-closed, then curled up on her mat.
Dawn broke. I roused the hero comrades.
Ugh—. Gunda and Elizabeth wriggled on their mats. Once Elizabeth was up, I dragged her to a clearing. Fresh from sleep, the noblewoman smoothed her messy hair, hating to look sloppy.
For days now, I'd been sparring Elizabeth in mock battles. Starting straight with swordplay might bruise her pride, so I eased in with basics. Once she spotted her flaws, she'd beg for more lessons. She wanted to grow stronger; I trusted that.
"Remember last night's spar?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Elizabeth took it seriously. She'd heard I was a once-in-history genius till her ears blistered. She'd declared she'd learn by watching—now she was determined to absorb it all.
Training under him has to help.
Pride needed equals; too big a gap, and it vanished. In spars, she saw me as swordmaster, easing the pressure.
The bout began. Fellow heroes, but skies apart in skill. She was decent, but I toyed with her. Facing me choked her breath.
She pressed hard, but attacks whiffed or parried. No openings.
"Even if they seem invincible, keep attacking steady. Gaps will form."
"...Yes."
"That's why basics matter. Finesse comes with battle sense."
Now I attacked. Ngh, urgh—. Each strike sharp, lethal. She barely blocked in frenzy.
"Your stance is a mess! You gonna catch a demon like that, let alone a Demon King?!"
She bit her lip. Pride stung, but true. Her challenge burned hotter.
After a few exchanges, we returned. Gunda had breakfast ready amid his bustle. Ganesha lounged arms folded, nagging like a mother-in-law.
"Good work, Gunda."
"No biggie."
Grueling under her thumb, but how to vent? At least no explosive curses—count blessings.
We ate, packed, and boarded again. Two weeks from the capital. Inch by inch, the western continent neared.
Ganesha popped a candy from a recent city, rolling it around. Sweetness flooded her mouth.
...Truth was, she'd never craved candy before—blame kisses with me. Hoped I'd taste sweeter.
Fuck, does that bastard appreciate this?
Savoring sweetness, she gazed outside. Burp—up came my cum taste.
Haaaah, fuuuuuuck. I want sex noooooow—.