Chapter 257
Chapter 257
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 257
Chapter Title: ◎Non-Stop Even on Horseback
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Meals were distributed in the small cafeteria attached to the barracks.
As expected, the menu was pretty meager.
A white lump that was just mashed potatoes and crumbly chunks of bread.
Having grown accustomed to lavish feasts lately, I couldn't help but sigh.
"My lord. Is this all right?"
Neris approached with her rations in hand.
"Yeah."
We ate in silence.
It felt like we'd finish without exchanging a single word, so I spoke up first.
"Where's Herka?"
"No idea.
She said she had preparations to make and not to look for her."
"Hmm."
"……."
Silence again.
She hadn't been on my mind unusually up until now, but even trying to make small talk with Neris, I couldn't think of anything to say.
It wasn't uncomfortable, but I was curious what she thought of me.
"Aren't you thrown off?
You suddenly became a knight sworn to me."
"It's a path I chose myself."
"I'm just wondering if I'm lacking as a lord or something."
"……."
Neris gazed at me quietly.
"Is that something the guy who grabbed my flailing self, told me to degenerate, and shook his hips should say?"
"Of course I'm thrilled. No regrets."
"You're a pervert who does filthy things to women left and right, but you're the one I chose. Hold your head high with pride."
"……."
"If this sentiment of mine
isn't the result of your manipulation……."
Neris's words cut deep.
"You think something like that is possible?"
"I think it just might be."
"It is."
Neris's hand froze.
"But I didn't do it.
Believe me or not, that's up to you, but it's not my style."
"……Does it have something to do with not taking down the hero in one go?"
"Yeah. It does. Making you follow me through hypnosis is one thing, but hypnotizing you into sex and having you follow me that way is way more fun."
"……."
"The idea of being a knight who follows me was yours, right?"
"So, to you, this is just a game?"
"Yeah."
"Can you defeat the Demon King with games?"
I chewed my bread and looked at Neris.
It wasn't an interrogation. Her final question seemed born of pure curiosity.
"I'll let you know when the time comes."
A shadow fell over Neris's eyes.
I knew it. In her heart, as important as serving me was defeating the Demon King.
It was natural for it to weigh on her mind constantly.
The very fact that she thought that way proved how utterly rational she was.
Which, in turn, was why I could trust her.
"My lord.
Shall we visit the stables and check on the horses after we eat?"
"Horses? Why?"
"Have you already picked one out?"
"……I don't even know how to ride."
"……."
Neris looked a little flustered.
"Is that a problem?"
"……Anyone can learn to ride.
Were you planning to go on foot?"
"Riding was a basic class?!"
What about Herka?
Oh, right, that one has a flying mount.
Should I ask for a ride?
Neris sighed and said,
"If you'd like, I can carry you."
"For real? I can ride with you, Neris?"
"Yes. My horse doesn't tire or die."
I wasn't worried about the horse.
Neris didn't seem to grasp what it meant for her to carry me on long-distance travel.
Well, she was an innocent virgin not long ago.
Or maybe I'm the pervert for immediately thinking lewd thoughts the moment I imagine riding together?
"Please do. Neris."
After finishing our meal, the guerrilla squad gathered in front of the barracks.
Four rear support members, including Medic Oia.
They always moved as a unit.
"Decal! Wanna ride together?"
Herka came running up and asked cutely.
"Neris is giving me a ride."
"Tch…… When did you make your move?"
"I have no idea what you mean, Herka.
You think that rickety board can compare to my horse?"
Neris smirked and brushed off Herka's sharp glare.
"It's not rickety? It's safe?
Obviously, Geomka that can fly through the skies is better."
"Good for you, getting to ride something nice all by yourself. Herka."
"……F-Fine, I'll admit defeat this time, but next time, I'm winning."
What a silly rivalry.
But watching the two of them, I'd never be bored.
Neris smiling like that made them seem like close sisters.
Having even one familiar face in unfamiliar territory was a huge relief, so honestly, didn't Neris feel glad to have a reliable classmate along?
"Attention. I'll check attendance before the hero arrives."
It was Blam.
She'd been calling her Lisa up until the strategy meeting, but suddenly the way she addressed her had changed.
Because of what just happened?
No, that didn't seem right.
Blam's expression was deadly serious, and so were the squad members'.
"Everyone, check your gear and belongings.
Once we leave here, there's no coming back."
Herka and I just opened our personal storage and were done with our checks relatively easily.
The rear support team doubled as porters; except for the one medic, they all shouldered large backpacks and were huddled together, pulling out items one by one to make sure nothing was missing.
With nothing to do, I glanced at what the others were up to.
Angel was fiddling with his gauntlets that covered up to his elbows, checking their condition.
Tonius was picking up each vial of assorted potions, murmuring their names as he verified them.
The Marker and Abet brothers had finished their checks early and were lightly bumping into each other to test their physical condition.
Lisa was late.
I clenched and unclenched my fist idly.
Had demanding she show off her breast size in front of everyone been too hasty?
Standing before the group might be tough for her.
"Blam. Everyone here?"
"All present."
As the hero appeared, Blam bowed deeply and stepped back respectfully.
The moment I saw her, I knew my worries were pointless.
Embarrassed to stand before others? So what.
It was nothing to the hero.
Lisa stood before us in full plate armor, majestic and imposing.
Seeing the noticeable swell of her breasts compared to usual filled me with satisfaction.
It felt like a secret only I knew.
Sure, someone might notice, but it wasn't worth making a fuss over.
No one so unhinged would turn Lisa's chest into a topic in this situation anyway.
Lisa wore a plate helmet that covered her entire face.
Just like when I first saw her.
"The thirteen of us gathered here will take down the Demon King.
Stopping the half-gods is part of our mission too, but our greatest goal is defeating the Demon King and bringing peace to the kingdom. Exclude everything else from your minds—anything unrelated to the mission."
"Yes~!"
Oia replied energetically.
"Just got a letter from the main force's operations officer.
Proceeding as planned, clear to move out.
Mount up and travel swiftly, but hide in the darkness and advance stealthily."
As Lisa finished speaking, the whinny of horses echoed from somewhere.
Soldiers were leading our mounts over, holding the reins.
"My lord."
A strong surge of mana flared near Neris.
A black horse wreathed in black flames appeared, circling the three of us energetically before rearing up on its hind legs and neighing fiercely.
"U-Uwah!"
A few soldiers startled and fell over, scrambling back to their feet in a panic.
Tonius's eyes went wide.
"Amazing!
A phantom steed bound to an artifact?"
"Yes."
"Must be hard to control on your own. Impressive."
Neris stepped into the stirrup and mounted lightly, extending her hand to me.
"Hold my hand, my lord."
"……."
I could fall for her right there.
The princess on her black steed. No—a knight.
I took Neris's hand and mounted behind her, careful not to block her view.
Who would've thought I'd end up riding with Neris at the reins.
I pressed close, admiring her noble profile as she gripped the reins and controlled the black horse.
One by one, they mounted.
Only Angel went "hmph," staring down his horse in a battle of wills.
"Some problem……?"
A soldier asked cautiously.
"I'd like the riding gear removed."
"Pardon? Without that……."
He probably wanted to say it'd be hard to ride.
Even I, with no riding experience, knew a horse without saddle or stirrups was tough.
But Angel stood firm, unyielding.
The soldiers removed the saddle and stirrups from Angel's horse.
Even the glossy black-lacquered horse armor.
Only once it looked no different from a wild stallion did Angel nod in satisfaction and swing up onto it.
"After we depart,
raise alert levels to maximum and prepare for enemy raids."
"Yes, sir! Understood!"
The soldiers saluted Lisa's orders and withdrew.
"Let's go."
Lisa nudged her horse's flanks with her heels and set off first.
Slower than I'd expected, probably to conserve the horses' stamina.
Not quite a gallop, not quite a walk.
Far faster than on foot, of course.
Leading were Lisa and Blam.
Blam, huh. Thought he'd pester Lisa with flirty nonsense, but he knew when to draw the line.
Well, probably only I wouldn't in a situation like this.
But with Neris right in front of me, her ass exposed and skin on display, doing nothing would be an insult to manhood.
I admired Neris's rear view before pressing tight against her and wrapping my arms around her waist.
"My lord?"
"Don't wanna fall."
Neris smiled softly.
"You're quite the scaredy-cat.
I was the same my first time riding. Just relax……."
I groped Neris's breasts.
"……!"
Neris flinched and tensed up.
Finally getting my intent, she turned to glare at me, lips pursed.
Pretend to be mad all you want~.
"Neris……
Mind slowing down a bit and dropping back?"
"……."
Neris tugged lightly on the reins.
Good horse, listens well.
I sucked on the nape of Neris's neck with wet smacks.
Nothing too obvious, but the night darkness hid us embracing just fine.
If anything, me—who couldn't ride—clinging to Neris was the most natural thing.
So no one paid any mind to what I was doing.
"Three hours at this pace."
Lisa's voice carried from the lead.
Three hours. My ass is gonna hurt.
But it wouldn't be boring.
I avoided the hard armor plates, kneading the undersides of Neris's breasts with my hands.
"……."
Neris's ears flushed red in no time.
I stroked her thigh skin and whispered,
"Neris. I said you could have pussy sex anytime, right?"
"……."
Neris's face clouded with distress.
A pang of guilt hit me for a second, but my hands didn't stop.
From behind, I grabbed her ample tits with both hands.
"Ngh."
Even the patient Neris let out a squeezed whimper.
"My lord, not now……."
"Couldn't hold back against the hero."
"Suddenly, what?"
I unzipped, pulled out my fully erect cock, and rubbed it directly against Neris's ass.
"Don't you wanna taste it?
The cock that teased you while you sucked the hero's tits. Bet I could creampie you with insane vigor."
"……."
I kneaded her tits while grinding my cock against her ass.
A quick peek at her profile.
She looked torn, deep in conflict.
I rubbed my hard dick against her soft ass cheeks like I was showing it off.
"Wearing that pervert armor that leaves your ass bare.
Wasn't it designed for exactly this—fucking on the spot?"
"……No."
"Flip your panties aside and it's ready for sex……."
"……."
"I'll give your pussy the half-day creampie it's been holding back for. How's that?"
I couldn't help but enjoy how these words shook her.
Neris gulped.
Probably imagining getting pounded by my cock.
Maybe reliving the feel of hot cum battering her womb.
Either way……
She didn't seem like she'd refuse.
"Couldn't do it with Lisa around, got super backed up. Right now……."
I whispered in her ear, nipping the lobe with my lips and flicking it with my tongue.
Neris calmly guided the horse while silently enduring my sexual harassment.
I gripped her tits tight, kneading away.
They might overflow and spill out any second.
That precarious thrill had her body tense.
"Neris.
Might cum outside at this rate. You okay with that?"
"Ngh……."
Neris steeled herself.
She twisted her hips, fully exposing her plump ass.
I rubbed my cock against the moist mound of her pussy.
With just her panties in between.
……Panties?
It was inner armor, practically lingerie.
"Neris. This armor makes you look like a total whore."
"……."
Honest impression.
But to her, it was outright insult.
Yet Neris didn't pull away, staying still.
"Perfect. Suits a pussy knight to a tee."
Insult became praise.
Though it could turn to worse insult.
Neris bowed her head and murmured quietly,
"Thank you for the praise…… I'm glad."