Chapter 193: The Mermaid Princess and the Perverted Prince (1)
Chapter 193: The Mermaid Princess and the Perverted Prince (1)
I encountered the succubi in the area spanning Floors 11 to 20.
While there were plenty of other monsters besides succubi, no other demon race was better suited for establishing the "narrative necessity" of Ruji Fermaton.
So, what about Floors 21 to 30?
The terms for this place vary.
Some call it the "Nature Zone."
Others call it the "Riverside Zone."
I prefer to call it the "Coastal Zone."
The further down you go, the wider the ocean stretches out. A coast is, after all, a special kind of land simply because it meets the sea.
In other words, the core of Floors 21 to 30 is the "Ocean."
[It’s a beautiful sea. What do you think?]
"It’s strange. Seeing something like this inside the Infinite Labyrinth always feels... odd."
Laura pointed toward the vast horizon with a complicated expression.
"Just an hour ago, we were definitely in the County of Fermaton. But after passing through a few Transfer Gates, here we are at the ocean."
[It is pretty incredible.]
"Don't you think so, Horny Man? If there’s someone with the power to create a space like this—divine power—wouldn't it be better to use it for something more... productive?"
It felt like she was taking a jab at me.
Personally, I found this place quite charming, but I couldn't help being a total sucker for women.
[The Captain is right. If I had the power to create a space like this, I’d use it to build a villa for my family.]
"A family... villa?"
[Yeah. I’d build a castle for my wives. A place where they could enjoy everything they ever wanted.]
I took Laura’s side while subtly shifting the topic.
[What do you think, Captain?]
"Well, I suppose that would be more constructive than a place where beasts jump out and attack people...?"
Laura scratched her cheek and gave a faint smile.
[Still, isn't it nice? You can wear things here that you can't wear back at Castle Fermaton.]
"But I can wear them in the Sex Room, can't I?"
[This is the first time you've walked around in something like that outside of the Sex Room.]
Currently.
Laura was wearing a rather daring leotard-style swimsuit.
It was a black swimsuit similar in style to a bunny girl outfit, but with its high-leg cut and plunging neckline, it was bold beyond belief.
When we first entered the Infinite Labyrinth, she was wearing her usual black combat coat, but as soon as we reached the 21st floor and confirmed no one was around, she stripped it off.
"If you were here in your real body, Horny Man, would you have an erection right now?"
[I would’ve pushed that swimsuit aside and plowed you on the spot.]
"Then I’m glad. Today’s the kind of day where I want to finish the objective and head straight back to the Sex Room to get laid. Right, Serica?"
"......."
Serica said nothing.
She was wearing a combat coat that covered her entire body, following behind us with one hand gripping her unsheathed sword.
"What’s wrong?"
"Captain Laura. I have a question."
Serica asked in a voice full of sincerity.
"No matter how much this is the Infinite Labyrinth, don't you feel even a little embarrassed walking around in those clothes?"
"Not at all."
Ah.
Serica.
After everything you've been through with Laura, do you still not know her?
"Swimsuits are meant to be shown to others, after all."
"To the Horny Man?"
"Yes. And it was a success. Horny Man, how do you like my swimsuit?"
[I want to finish this raid right now, meet you at the entrance of the labyrinth, grab a room at a nearby inn, and fuck your brains out.]
"That’s what he says. Hehe."
Serica openly grimaced.
And for good reason—Serica, who was currently wearing an overcoat, was also wearing nothing but a swimsuit underneath.
[Serica, why are you so shy? You’ve already shown me your swimsuit plenty of times.]
"That and this are different. That was the Lord’s Castle; this is the Infinite Labyrinth."
[You walked around just fine in a swimsuit last time.]
"That was because the enemies then were weak enough that it didn't matter. But this Coastal Zone is different."
What Serica was wary of was an enemy attack.
"Wearing a swimsuit makes you vulnerable. I suggest Captain Laura put her coat back on immediately."
"Fufu. Don't worry about that."
Laura grinned and spread her arms wide.
"Mythstones have uses like this, too!"
Shimmer.
Something sparkled on Laura’s body, and soon, mana began to glitter on her skin like flowing starlight.
"Using a Mythstone makes things like this possible!"
[Did you wrap a barrier around your skin?]
"Yes! I made the mana flow right over my skin. I can't transform it into a weapon, but I can use it as armor instead. Hehe, what do you think?"
Armor, huh?
I had figured Mythstones could be used for defensive purposes—or at least for things other than weapons.
But I didn't expect to see it confirmed like this.
[So even in a swimsuit, you can achieve defense comparable to a mana shield using the Mythstone?]
"...Well, now."
Serica clicked her tongue in lament.
"I can't exactly test it with my sword on the Captain."
"...Serica?"
"Captain. Are you absolutely sure it’s as effective as a shield spell? Are you sure I don't need to verify it?"
"Of course. If you’re that suspicious..."
Laura watched Serica tighten her grip on her sword, then turned her gaze toward me.
"Horny Man. Why don't you try hitting me in the stomach?"
[What?]
"Since Serica doesn't seem to believe it, use Paladin Sonata to give me a good punch in the gut. To see if the Mythstone really protects my body!"
[Why the stomach, of all places?]
I brushed Laura’s bangs aside and lightly placed a finger on her forehead.
[This should be enough.]
"Wait, wha—?"
Thwack!
Laura’s head snapped back.
It looked like it was mostly from the momentum, and she quickly snapped her head forward again.
"......."
Thump, thud, whack.
[Gah! What are you doing?!]
"Who checks like that?!"
[Your forehead isn't even red, so the check is complete!]
"Have you heard of phantom pain? I got terrified just thinking about how you usually hit me with that thing!"
[I only do that when you deserve it! Hey, hey! Don't kick my armor with your sandy shoes!]
Laura began smearing sand all over my Living Armor with her sandaled feet.
"Hmph!"
Laura was sulking.
I was sulking, too.
Cleaning it is one thing, but it felt exactly like someone tracking thick mud all over the side steps and seats of a car.
"...What are the two of you doing?"
[She’s acting out after asking for it.]
"I did what?"
[How could you ask me to hit the woman I love?]
Oops.
It just slipped out.
"......Ah, um, hmmm..."
"Ha."
Laura covered her face with her hands and gave a bashful smile, while Serica let out a hollow laugh as if she couldn't believe her ears.
"The other knights should have seen this pathetic display."
[Serica. Isn't your language getting a bit rough?]
"I was going to call it 'fucking nonsense,' but I held back. Horny Man."
[What?]
I stood my ground.
[Is it really that weird for me to say I love you at this point?]
"It is weird!"
Laura shouted, raising her hand.
"Now that I think about it, I think this is the first time I've heard a confession of love with so little mood!"
[Is that so? I’m pretty sure I tell you I love you every time I’m balls-deep in you during sex.]
"You—you most certainly do not!"
[That’s because I whisper it in your ear after you’ve passed out from my cock.]
"Liar!"
[Why don't we find out if it's true tonight? Why? Serica, do you want to watch from the side?]
"......."
Serica gave me a look of pure, unadulterated contempt.
[Hmm, not enough. That expression doesn't suit you. That’s more for Nero or Charlotte.]
"Then what kind of expression suits me?"
[You look best when you’re sleeping.]
"And what do you plan to do while I’m sleeping?"
[Whatever I want. As much as I love and cherish you, I’ll do everything I can for you.]
Serica turned her head away.
The way her lips moved, it looked like she was muttering, "You mean you're going to fuck me while I'm asleep."
[Is it just my imagination, or do you two treat me more recklessly when I’m in this form compared to when I’m actually with you?]
"It’s because you’re the Horny Man."
"In Fermaton, you are our superior, but in the Infinite Labyrinth, you feel more like a 'comrade' or a 'companion.' And the Captain is just Laura."
"You heard her, right? So listen to your Captain. No more violence from now on. Beep."
[.......]
To put it in gaming terms...
If the "me" above ground feels like the Player...
Does the "me" down here feel like a "Fellow Character"?
'This is interesting in its own way.'
It was nice to see new sides of them that I couldn't see on the surface. It felt fresh, and I was actually looking forward to how they’d treat me once we went back up.
[Well, fine. I don't mind being treated casually.]
Specifically.
[But I’m a man who holds a grudge. I won't settle it with words. I’m the kind of man who settles things with his dick.]
"Uh, um..."
[Watch out, Captain. My dick is already on standby because of that swimsuit.]
"Well, I don't really mind—"
[And you, get your ass ready.]
"......."
Serica furrowed her brows.
"...Captain Laura. It’s, uh, not that I wanted to do it."
"I know?"
"What?"
"I know you had anal sex with Yurdias and him."
Laura smiled as if it were no big deal.
"Next time, invite me too!"
An anal 4P, huh?
That sounded both great and exhausting. Why bother with the ass when there’s a pussy right there?
[I’ll think about it.]
"Look at you, acting like a 4P is a given."
[Eventually, I’m going to have all my women lie face down on the bed and play a game.]
Ruji’s favorite: Random Pussy.
Starting with Laura, everyone would line up on all fours, and I’d just go down the line, picking a pussy or an ass to plow at random.
To do that, first—
[...Hm?]
Something.
I felt a gaze from behind.
When I turned around, something was peeking out from just beneath the surface of the water, watching us.
"...A mermaid!!"