Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: A Gift from Tilia and Diana's Scheme
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After finishing my classes, I stopped by the Eight-Colored Shell Castle for dinner,
and indulged in the luxury of devouring Elin's cooking to my heart's content.
"It's so delicious."
"Hehe..."
Elin beamed with a bright smile.
"How's our kitchen?"
"The ingredients are so varied and the space is spacious, so it's great for experimenting with all sorts of things."
"Even if the number of people increases from now, you could handle it?"
"Up to ten people would be fine!"
Elin puffed out her chest as she spoke.
As expected of a pro—her petite frame radiated a reliable aura.
"Can you do meat dishes too?"
"..."
Elin flinched and averted her eyes slyly.
"You can't?"
"I can eat meat, but when it comes to handling it myself... I just can't shake the aversion..."
"If the staff grows even more, it'd be better to have another cook who specializes in other areas, right?"
"Yes. That way, I could focus on my own cooking."
"Maybe next time I'll kidnap a meat dish specialist..."
"Yes?"
"No, just talking to myself."
Elin trembled.
It was a satisfying meal, even if the grass was plentiful.
It even changed the tastes of those eating it.
But a balanced diet was a serious issue.
Melbritt had plenty of candidate students skilled at hunting, so I'd keep an eye out.
I attended the night class.
The instructor wasn't Plenoa, and the content had been swapped to a boring indoor theory lecture.
Even the most important Diana wasn't there.
I came for nothing.
Diana didn't attend night classes.
It was a night where I had to settle for that small harvest.
On the way back.
In the dim corridor, I ran into an unexpected person today.
"Hello."
Carried on the cool night breeze, Tilia Vanguard appeared before me.
"..."
I tensed up upon seeing the sword at her waist.
This woman looked like the type to attack me with a smile on her face.
With my current skills, I couldn't beat Tilia.
"Don't be so tense.
I'm not here to take down Decal."
"The enforcers are watching. You okay with that?"
"It's fine.
We're not exactly the romantic type, are we?"
"..."
Tilia laughed refreshingly.
Yeah.
It felt like blades would fly at any moment.
Not like sisters with Diana for nothing—they looked identical, but their vibes were completely different.
Her naturally grown pink hair and free-spirited demeanor. The unbuttoned blazer coat fluttering open suited her perfectly. No trace of immaturity—a swordswoman thoroughly honed to perfection.
And beside her, the menacing red spirit floating ominously.
Damn...
Her intimidating presence hit me anew.
Back then, Esty and Noah were there, but not now.
Just me.
The silver lining in this misfortune was that she couldn't burn me to death.
Thanks to the goddess's blessing, I took no fire damage.
I clung to that fact, feigned composure, and asked,
"What's this about?"
"Hmm, came to give you a gift."
"A gift?"
It made even less sense.
Tilia seemed serious, pulling a box from inside her coat and handing it to me.
"A gift."
It was a real gift box.
Wrapped with the Vanguard crest embossed on it.
"What's with the sudden windfall?"
"I think it's only natural as an older sister.
I heard Decal got promoted and is now in classes with my little sister.
So I brought this... as a 'take good care of her' gesture."
"The Vanguard family to a lowly commoner?"
Tilia chuckled.
"Decal's no lowly commoner.
He's the only man who made me lose a duel... right?"
"I didn't fight you."
"Still, I remember that defeat vividly. My little sister had no choice but to bare her skin..."
"Your eyes say you want a rematch?"
"Exactly."
Tilia closed her eyes gently and took a deep breath.
"But now's not the time.
Decal, rise to Bear Rank where I am. Then we'll duel again. For our honor.
You won't chicken out disgracefully, will you?"
"This time you're saying fight directly? I'll pass."
"Heh. You won't be able to dodge forever. So if you're scared, stay satisfied in Wolf Rank."
Satisfied?
Me, who set foot in this world's divine realm craving the hero's pussy?
No way.
I'll turn it into my taste in duel pussy. I licked my lips imagining Tilia's insides.
"How'd you hear about me? Did your sister pass on my regards?"
I deliberately changed the subject awkwardly.
"Huh? Diana doesn't tell me stuff like that.
Heard it from someone else.
Decal, you're popular. The female candidates are buzzing about the handsome young adventurer who's hit Wolf Rank."
"..."
I hadn't expected to hear that from Tilia's mouth, so it felt awkward.
"Our little sister hard to handle?"
"Ahh."
I recalled the fun from today and smiled.
"Her mouth is no joke."
"She's not the type to use such crude language normally..."
Tilia sighed.
"But damn, she sucks cock like a pro."
"Sucks? What, did you get some praise? Weird way to put it."
"She taught me barrier magic."
"Ah. She's good with magic."
"Weak to praise too."
"Yeah. How'd you know? She loves Father's praise, that's why she kept learning magic after that."
I wanted to tell her what happened today.
Hiding my dark intentions, talking about how great Diana's mouth-pussy was, our chat flowed smoothly.
"Ah. This isn't the time...
Don't forget to check the gift, Decal."
"Got it."
Tilia brushed past me.
Back at the male dorm, I unwrapped the gift box.
Hoping it wasn't some spell to turn the recipient into a frog...
"What's that?"
Aba came over and asked.
"...A gift from the Vanguard lady."
"For real? Whoa! That's the real Vanguard crest!"
"Aba, you open it."
"Me? Whoa!"
I tossed him the gift box.
Aba caught it like it was a boiling kettle, fumbling from left hand to right before gripping it with both.
"I can open it?"
"I'm too nervous. Please."
I bullshitted appropriately.
"Alright then..."
Aba opened the box.
Luckily, no cursed item.
I knew Tilia wasn't the type, but with my guilty conscience, it felt close to home.
I'd done plenty sketchy shit.
"It's kellip."
Aba peered in curiously.
Inside the box, slightly smaller than a shoebox, were ten individually wrapped red fruits.
I chuckled at the sight.
This fruit was what tied us in bad fate.
A 'take good care' gift?
That girl's boldly lying.
To me, it just looked like a duel arena from a woman itching for a fight.
"Rare fruit. Good raw too."
I peeled one kellip and handed it to Aba.
"Want one?"
"M-Me? I can take it?"
"Why not. Isn't this the kind of gift you share with close friends?"
"...Thanks."
I set the box on the small table and popped a kellip into my mouth.
The sweet aroma from back then filled my senses.
Just as Tilia couldn't forget, neither could I forget that day—Diana going from seeing me as a bug to naked on all fours, begging.
Fun.
The sisters entertaining me together.
Big sis is a battle maniac swordswoman. No reason to clash honestly like before.
Promotion brings another chance.
I stripped off my uniform and prepped for bed.
"Hm...?"
What?
Dark night. I woke up without warning.
Out of nowhere, a knock at the door.
No one should visit my room at this hour.
Careful not to wake the soundly sleeping Aba, I quietly opened the door.
"Sorry to disturb your sleep, Decal-nim."
The black-haired nun with the eyepatch... no, my bitch, the first-rank enforcer.
Veil Noah bowed politely before me.
"What's up?"
Beside Noah were two men with swollen, beaten faces,
clearly not enforcers despite the black robes—suspiciously clutching long ropes and restraints sized perfectly for humans.
They looked straight-up like kidnappers.
"I caught the scent of those plotting harm against you in the dead of night, Decal-nim. I planned to quietly kill and dispose of them rather than wake you, but..."
The men paled at her words, trembling.
Seems they'd suffered greatly after Noah nabbed them without my knowledge.
"During interrogation, I learned the Vanguard family's influence was involved."
"You came because it's a serious matter?"
"Yes."
Noah's handling was impeccable as always.
But why would Vanguard target me?
"They after me specifically? Give me a sec to get dressed."
I shut the door, threw on my uniform, and stepped out.
The two men knelt and slammed their heads to the ground the moment I appeared.
"W-We committed a grave sin."
"We just followed orders."
"What orders?"
"We were ordered to bring Decal-nim to the Vanguard estate. That's all we know, truly."
I glanced at Noah.
"Yes. His words are true."
With her confirmation, I pondered.
Was Tilia's kindness a smokescreen for some scheme?
Nah.
Not her style.
Sending kellip instead of a duel challenge fit her, but rushing a duel with this method? No.
Kidnapping a Melbritt hero candidate.
Ordering something that'd bring backlash they couldn't handle.
Only two in Vanguard could pull that off.
The family head and... his daughter.
"Diana ordered it?"
"Y-Yes."
"Hmm..."
Well now.
Would've been better to get kidnapped quietly?
I figured why they wanted me.
Diana.
To keep our secret rendezvous, her scheme.
Eager for full-throttle sex, but she utterly despises me anyway.
Hence kidnapping the guy she plans to fuck.
No thought to whether I'd be scared or hurt.
What a selfish miss...
"Haa..."
I let out a long sigh.
The men bowed deeper, shaking.
"Sorry, Decal-nim."
Noah seemed to catch on.
"Did I perhaps
ruin an event you prepared, Decal-nim...?"
...
An event's an event.
Not a real threat to my life. My fault for underestimating Diana's boldness.
Never dreamed she'd order goons to kidnap me for sex.
"No, Noah. You did great.
Letting them run wild would've pissed me off."
"..."
Noah sighed deeply in relief.
"I'll head to the Vanguard estate with these guys. Come with?"
"Yes. Gladly."
"That's your reward for a job well done."
I pulled Noah into a hug.
"Mmph. Hnng. Haa...!"
"Just for a bit."
She pressed fully against me, burying her face in my chest.
"Snuuuurf. Haaah. Nnng... Hoo... Hnngh..."
I stroked her head until her legs started quivering, then let go.
"Ah..."
Her body leaned forward, chasing me.
Noah barely held back her urges, swallowing hard and deep-breathing.
"Close call?"
"...Yes."
"Seems Diana misses me. You two, up."
The men shot to their feet.
"Escort me and Noah to the Vanguard estate as ordered.
Do that, and you're free, no strings."
"Thank you for your mercy!"
"We won't forget this grace."
"Shh. Voices down. Everyone's asleep."
"Yes, sir."
I took Noah and followed the shady men out of Melbritt.
We passed enforcers midway, but no hassle for the suspects.
No surprise. Escort was first-rank enforcer Veil Noah.
The Vanguard estate was nearby Melbritt.
Among upscale mansions, it stood out with its grand garden and eerily towering iron fences.
Only minimal lights flickered in the beautiful building.
"Alright then..."
I turned to the two men and snapped my fingers.
"Answer my questions.
Anyone else get the orders?"
"No."
"No."
They parroted identically.
"Forget everything from tonight. Who ordered you, what the order was.
Even who I am."
"..."
"When you wake, head straight to your quarters without a thought. Got it?"
"Yes..."
I undid the hypnosis after their reply.
Snap.
As suggested, they woke oblivious to us, shuffling away like ghosts from the estate.
"Noah. Anyone else around?"
"None."
"Hm. Let's go in."
I stood with Noah at the Vanguard mansion's front gate.
A maid approached holding a dimly lit kerosene lantern.
She startled slightly seeing me unharmed with an enforcer but quickly bowed deeply.
"Diana-nim awaits."
Guess the story's set.
"This is Veil Noah. My person.
See she rests comfortably in a guest room while I meet Diana."
"Understood."
No way they imagined I'd walk in with an enforcer, but the maid's quick on her feet.
Working here probably takes more than the average person can handle.
The mansion interior was deathly quiet. Like no one lived there.
Another maid approached silently—walking without a sound was impressive.
They exchanged brief words,
"Enforcer-nim, this way please."
Noah lifted her head slightly.
"Rest easy."
I kissed Noah.
She straightened her back, tilting her head naturally to accept.
"Chuuup. Hnng. Mmm. Smooch..."
Deep tongue kiss in front of the maid, then parted.
"Got business with another bitch tonight.
You can wait nicely, right?"
"Yes."
Noah gave a faint smile.
After seeing her off to the guest room,
I followed the black-haired maid from the gate to Diana's room.