Chapter 121: You’re Pent Up (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121: You’re Pent Up (1)
—Dong... Dong... Dong...
As we traveled along the highway, the Imperial Capital, Berlina, finally came into view.
It seemed we had been spotted as well, as the distant, echoing tolling of bells reached our ears from afar.
Upon hearing the sound, Natalia spurred her horse forward to ride alongside me.
"Hehe, it looks like they’ve prepared a welcoming ceremony."
"Hahaha."
I took a quick look around; everyone’s expression was bright.
Because of the Red Dragon’s corpse we were hauling behind us, we’d had to camp out for the entire journey here...
We also had to sweep aside monsters like Orcs, Goblins, and occasionally Ogres that attacked, drawn by the scent of blood...
Thanks to that, a few Ogre and Wyvern carcasses were now piled on top of the dragon’s remains.
Being able to transport such a mountain of corpses on a makeshift carriage was only possible through the power of magic.
As I was lost in these thoughts, Irene, who had been riding ahead, looked back at me.
"Lord Leon, what do you plan to do with those monster carcasses?"
"Hmm..."
The dragon’s corpse would be handled according to the method Valeria had devised to get the highest possible price.
If my guess was correct, Valeria and I were thinking exactly the same thing.
So that left the Ogre and Wyvern remains... Fine, since I’m being generous, I might as well go all out.
"I shall give those monsters to you, Lady Irene."
"Pardon?! I—I would be truly grateful, but... even if they aren't as valuable as a dragon, Ogre and Wyvern corpses are still worth a fortune..."
"A general from a certain country once said this: 'Look upon gold as if it were mere stone.' I didn't go to the Great Forest to chase riches, so please, Lady Irene, use those monster remains for a good cause."
"...I-If you put it that way, it would be rude of me to refuse. Thank you..."
"Haha, don't feel too burdened. I have a few favors to ask of you anyway, so consider this payment for those."
"Ah...! Hehe, yes! I am the Chief Court Mage, after all, so let's call it labor costs!"
"Hahaha."
In truth, I wouldn't have minded giving Irene the entire dragon corpse.
Why? Because eventually, everything belonging to that delectable Elf widow would be mine anyway.
Her body, her heart, and...
‘Even her daughter.’
‘Sigh... does the Great Demon of Lust have no concept of privacy?’
‘Fufufu, are you going to try and deny it then?’
I chuckled softly while stroking the Demon Sword Sitri at my waist.
Of course, even if she told me not to, I intended to do it.
In fact, I planned to make it so she wouldn't even be able to say those words.
After a few more steps, Helena approached my side.
"Young Master."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"...Forgive me, but your expression right now is far too wicked. It would be troublesome if Lady Irene noticed."
"Good heavens."
I quickly adjusted my face back to the relaxed, elegant expression of a nobleman.
By the way, whenever Helena is near, my hands instinctively start wandering over her body.
Is this some kind of homing instinct... searching for the place that feels the best...
Of course, Helena willingly offered her body to me, desperately covering her own mouth.
"Mmph...!"
"My, but why is Teacher already so wet?"
"That... that's... ngh... because the thoughts... hng... the thoughts you're having, Young Master... are being... transmitted to me..."
I withdrew my hand from beneath Helena's skirt.
My fingertips were drenched in love juice that glistened in the sunlight.
When I licked the fluid right in front of her, Helena’s eyes flared with the light of desire.
"Young Master... ❤️"
"Endure it just a little longer. I'm going to fuck you until you pass out."
"Haa...!"
Naturally, I also sent a wink to Natalia and Andrasta, who were watching the whole thing.
I signaled that I would make them just as happy as they had been waiting.
Natalia responded with a lewd expression, licking her lips as she looked at me...
"Ngh..."
Andrasta, on the other hand, showed a bashful face, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Goodness, she’s still trying to maintain her dignity in front of me.
‘Haha, it’s been a while since I’ve seen a reaction like that. It’s refreshing.’
If something like this happens again, I’ll have to prepare plenty of carriages.
Maybe I should just connect the Magic Mirror Ship and turn it into a caravan?
As I continued forward with those thoughts, the massive gates of the Imperial Capital, Berlina, finally appeared.
"There's no place like home~"
*
—Waaaaah! Long live the Sword Saint! Long live Lady Natalia!
—Lady Helena, you're so cool! Kyaaa~!
And so on.
As we entered the capital with the dragon's corpse, cheers and praise from the crowds lining both sides of the street poured over us.
Ah, of course, I had used magic to disguise Andrasta’s appearance.
Amidst the countless cheers and the rain of flower petals, Andrasta—now transformed into a beauty with red hair and tanned skin—approached my side.
"Hahaha, as expected, your name is the loudest. People everywhere are shouting 'Black Lion'."
"Really? I wasn't listening at all, so I didn't know."
"Hehe, I don't think it's such an embarrassing title. Isn't it cool?"
"...It just makes my face feel a bit itchy for some reason."
Anyway, as we headed toward the Imperial Palace visible in the distance.
On the lounge of a high-end restaurant to the left, a beauty with a very unique yet familiar hair color caught my eye.
Naturally, a telepathic message immediately echoed in my head.
‘Hehe, you look even cooler after not seeing you for a while, don't you? My darling. Do you like the welcoming ceremony I prepared?’
‘Yeah. It’s amazing. Have you been waiting long?’
‘Hmph... well... using the big bed all by myself wasn't too bad, but...’
‘Right, right. I’ll make sure to dote on you first, my darling. Until you beg me to stop.’
As soon as those words were out, the things Valeria wanted to do with me flooded into my mind like a deluge.
There were things like shopping, dates, and meals, but...
‘I’m going to be eaten all night long no I’m going to eat you up ahhh I can’t take it anymore hurry up and finish so you can ram me until I pass out!!!!’
Wow, she’s really pent up. She really hasn't masturbated even once.
‘By the way, have you thought about how to handle that dragon corpse?’
As soon as I asked, Valeria gave me the exact answer I had in mind.
‘How about giving the whole thing to the Emperor? A mediocre noble might just keep their mouth shut, but the Emperor can never do that because of his reputation.’
‘That’s my girl. I was thinking the exact same thing.’
‘Ahaha, really~? We really are a perfect match ❤️’
One way or another, she certainly has the perspective of a Chancellor’s daughter.
Before I knew it, we arrived at the widest plaza closest to the Imperial Palace.
Sure enough, the Imperial Guards and Imperial Knights were lined up in formation.
And in the center, the Emperor and Empress stood together.
With the exception of Andrasta, who had slipped away midway, we all knelt on one knee before the Emperor.
"Your subject, Leon von Konstanz, has returned after completing the subjugation of the Red Dragon as Your Majesty commanded."
As soon as I finished speaking, the Emperor immediately stepped toward me.
He graciously grasped my shoulders and pulled me to my feet, then took my hand and beamed a wide smile.
"I never imagined I would see such a sight in my lifetime, so I find myself at a loss for words. Sir Leon, magnificent. I have nothing to say but that it is magnificent."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty. However, the subjugation of the dragon was not achieved by me alone."
"Oh, indeed. We must also offer rightful praise to the heroes who fought alongside you."
The Emperor also took the hands of Irene, Helena, and Natalia, bestowing smiles and praise upon them.
Hmm... even if it's the Emperor, it feels unpleasant to see him holding the hands of my woman and the woman who will soon be mine.
Just as my expression stiffened slightly.
A fragrance full of elegance and dignity wafted to my nose, and a sultry, slightly low-toned voice tickled my ear.
"Are you Sir Leon von Konstanz, the one who slew the dragon?"
"...Yes, Your Empress."
I found myself kneeling again without even realizing it.
The Empress's face had only passed by for a brief moment, but it was as vivid in my mind as if a photograph had been taken.
Brilliant blonde hair that shone more dazzlingly than the sunlight in the sky.
Jet-black eyes whose depth could not be measured.
Breasts that took one's breath away just by looking, and the lines of her waist and hips that made my lower half ache...
The entire world seemed to turn black, leaving only the Empress illuminated.
Kneeling was partly out of etiquette, but it was also a defense to hide how flustered I was.
However, Empress Alexandra insisted on raising me up again.
"Since His Majesty the Emperor has raised you, there is no need to kneel again. Stand up."
"...Yes, Your Empress."
I took a deep breath, calming my wildly racing heart.
I could hear Sitri’s cackling laughter in my head... but well... thanks to that, I felt a bit more at ease.
After finally regaining my composure, I looked at the Empress standing before me.
Gulp...
This is crazy. She’s a woman who stimulates the desire for conquest so much that just looking at her makes my legs want to twist together.
Unaware of my inner thoughts, the Empress wore an elegant smile befitting the Mother of the Nation.
"I heard from His Majesty. You are an errant knight who fights for the names of His Majesty and myself?"
"Yes, Your Empress. That is correct."
"Hehe, so it was true. I never imagined a man as strong as you would truly do such a thing."
Wait, is it just my imagination... or am I just hoping for it...
Did it look like the Empress was licking her lips while looking at me...?
So, I shifted my gaze, which I had briefly averted, back up, and there stood the Empress, overflowing with grace and dignity.
"It is the knight's calling I have been granted to devote myself and serve under the names of His Majesty the Emperor and Your Empress. Furthermore, I believe it is a way to repay the noble privileges I have enjoyed until now."
The word 'repayment' to the people worked well on the Emperor.
I wondered how the Empress would react... and then.
"Hmm, is that so. With you here, the millions of subjects of the Empire can live in peace. As the mother of those millions, it brings me great joy to know such a knight exists."
"I am unworthy of such praise, Your Empress."
Hmm... her reaction is somewhat flat.
It’s not that she’s uninterested in me, but rather... it feels like a chess player looking for an opening in their opponent...
As I looked into those jet-black eyes that resembled the night sky, staring intently at me, a thought naturally occurred.
‘...I didn't think she’d be an easy woman, but this is going to be much harder than expected.’
I felt I should strike up a few more words to get to know her better, but...
Unfortunately, the Emperor returned to the Empress's side, so I couldn't fulfill that wish.
"Sir Leon, I say it again, you have worked truly hard. Furthermore, I am even more pleased that no one was injured or killed."
"To have Your Majesty worry for this humble subject is an honor beyond my station."
"Haha, a knight who slew a dragon calling himself humble. By the way, I only see one dragon wing. There seem to be other missing parts as well. Were they lost in battle?"
"In the hope of contributing even a little to the reconstruction of the Great Forest, seventy percent of which was destroyed, and the Elves who suffered great damage, I shared one wing, some scales, and a bit of the blood and flesh."
"Oh, is that so? Sir Leon, even after achieving an incomparable feat, you do not forget devotion and service. You are a paragon for all nobles and knights."
"You are too kind, Your Majesty."
This situation was a play starring the Emperor, performed before all the people.
Of course, I had no intention of letting the Emperor hog the spotlight forever.
Since I had already secured the useful parts, I offered the remaining dragon corpse entirely to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty. Forgive my presumption, but I have one request to ask of you."
"Oh, yes. Speak anything."
"Yes, Your Majesty. If it pleases you, pray grant us the honor of offering this entire dragon corpse to Your Majesty."
"Ho..."
Catching a glimpse of their reactions, even the Empress seemed slightly surprised.
A dragon the size of a house was said to be worth more than its weight in gold.
From the head to the tip of the tail, not a single drop of blood or piece of flesh was to be wasted; that was a dragon.
Soon, the Emperor's voice, filled with surprise, reached me.
"That dragon was slain at the risk of your lives by you, the Archmage Marshal, and the descendants of the Sword Saint. I cannot simply accept it. What would the people think?"
"Your Majesty, I slew that dragon under your command, so it is only natural to offer it to you. Furthermore, the Archmage Marshal and everyone else have also agreed to this."
So stop pretending to refuse and just take it.
That way, I can get a proper kickback and be done with it.
Eventually, after confirming the facts with Helena, Natalia, and Irene, the Emperor called me again.
"Even so, that dragon is a symbol of your martial prowess and merit. How can I accept such a precious thing?"
"I am overwhelmed, Your Majesty. We are satisfied simply by the fact that we can show our loyalty to you. Please, allow us the honor of presenting this dragon to you."
"Mmm... if that is truly your wish, then it cannot be helped. I shall accept your loyalty and the dragon with a joyful heart."
As soon as those words were spoken, thunderous cheers erupted from the crowds filling the plaza.
Surely this situation wasn't planned at all... did they release a bunch of shills in the meantime?
‘As expected, he’s not the Chancellor for nothing.’
Anyway.
In front of all the people like this, even the Emperor couldn't just wipe his mouth and move on.
The Emperor spoke to me one last time.
"A sovereign must show gratitude and reward the loyalty of his subjects. However, a dragon is a tribute so precious its value is hard to measure, so I intend to grant a fitting reward after fully assessing your merit without the slightest omission."
"Your Majesty's grace is immeasurable."
"Mmm. You may withdraw now. The loyalty and devotion shown today by Sir Leon, the Archmage Marshal, and the descendants of the Sword Saint shall never be forgotten by the entire Empire."
And so, the meeting with the Empress in the plaza came to an end.
I’ll skip the part about how this plaza later came to be called the Dragon Square.
‘Now, it’s time to start the real hunt...’