Chapter 23: The Path of Trash (5)
Chapter 23: The Path of Trash (5)
She needed money. Astarotte needed money to break the Succubus transformation curse.
The Elixir.
A legendary panacea said to cure any ailment, even the curses of the Infinite Labyrinth.
There was no other way.
She had tried everything—receiving baptisms at the temple, performing folk rituals to break curses, and exhausting every method imaginable—but nothing could stop the progression of the Succubus transformation.
The Elixir was her only hope.
There was an old story of a woman who had been turned into a vampire by a curse within the Infinite Labyrinth, only to become a normal human again after drinking the Elixir.
To break her curse, she had to find it. The problem was that only one existed in the entire world.
—If you were to buy it from the Magic Tower, you would need at least this much. It is a price equivalent to ten years of the Empire’s total budget.
The Empire possessed the Elixir.
Specifically, it was held by the Emperor of the Imperial Family.
To buy the Elixir required an astronomical sum of money.
Conversely, it meant that if one had that kind of money, the Elixir could, theoretically, be bought.
—Sister… what do I do? Where could I ever find that much money?
—It doesn’t necessarily have to be money, Asti. If there is a research project or an object valuable enough for the Empire to trade the Elixir for, then we find that.
Something valuable enough to be exchanged for the Elixir.
Whether it was technology, an artifact, or a gate leading to another Infinite Labyrinth.
She had been working at the Magic Tower, assisting the Magic Tower Master while searching for a way to break the curse.
Perhaps.
The Fermaton bloodline might be the key.
Though many over the centuries had tried to exploit the Fermatons using every means possible, there might still be a method yet undiscovered.
This was an opportunity.
A chance to investigate the Fermaton family—those most deeply connected to the curse of the Infinite Labyrinth—from the closest possible distance.
She knew Ruji was trash.
However, Ruji was now her employer.
Surprisingly, when hiring Astarotte, Ruji intended to employ her only as the "Magic Consultant of the Knight Order" and his "Magic Teacher."
Not as a sex partner.
"...He said sex would be at my discretion."
Ruji Fermaton had granted Astarotte autonomy over sexual matters.
If Astarotte wanted to have sex with Ruji, they would; if she didn't, he wouldn't force her.
That Ruji.
"...What choice do I have but to trust him? Even if he tries to jump me… I’m stronger. I’ll at least be able to run away."
A person couldn't change in an instant, but Ruji had changed as if he had made a firm resolution.
If only she could break the curse.
And if the curse worsened and she had nowhere left to go—
—I don’t care if you’re cursed. I will protect you.
"...That’s ridiculous, honestly."
Absurd words.
Astarotte composed herself and followed the maid’s guidance toward the drawing room where the young lord was waiting.
"We are here, Mage."
"Thank you for showing me the way."
"Yes. However..."
"However?"
The polite maid’s face was somewhat flushed.
At the same time, she glanced inside with a deeply troubled expression.
"...You must not be surprised, no matter what is happening inside."
"What is happening? It’s fine."
Knock, knock, knock.
"Enter."
Ruji’s permission was granted.
Astarotte took a deep breath and stepped into the room.
"......!!"
A pungent scent hit her nose.
As if the windows hadn't been opened at all, the room was thick with the heavy scent of flesh.
"You’ve arrived."
Ruji Fermaton.
He was reclining sideways on the sofa.
With both legs stretched out, his ankles rested on the table—
"Ah, don't mind this."
No.
He had forced a naked woman to crouch like a dog, and he was resting his crossed feet upon her back.
"U-Um. That... the woman beneath your feet is...?"
"Ah, this."
Ruji nonchalantly picked up a wine glass, took a sip, and then pulled on a leash held in his other hand.
"She is the Knight Captain of the order you will be joining, and my pet."
"......."
Astarotte’s mind went blank.
* * *
'Did I fuck up?'
I think I ruined it.
The moment she walked in, her expression stiffened with panic, and now she was glaring at me with eyes full of disgust and horror. I definitely went overboard.
'That bitch Laura.'
It was Laura’s fault.
I was just going to wear a robe and emphasize my dick like I did with Zenith, but Laura egged me on.
—You want me to treat you like an object while you're naked?
—I believe it is the best way to show off your persona as a trashy young lord!
It was Laura’s suggestion.
She said I should talk to her while treating her like a pet and showing the world a "trash" who views women as mere objects.
—If you do that in front of others, your plan will become even more certain! No one will ever suspect me of being the Knight Captain or someone meant to conquer the Infinite Labyrinth!
She was right.
Who in the world would think a woman turned into a naked female rabbit wearing nothing but panties was actually a 5-star max-level character?
Her only "clothing" consisted of a bunny girl headband, black panties, and stockings that reached mid-thigh.
A woman like this is a 5-star max level?
In fantasy terms, she’s a Grand Swordmaster.
In Wuxia terms, she’s the Greatest Under Heaven or a Female Heavenly Demon.
In modern fantasy terms, she’s one of fewer than ten S-rank heroes in the entire country.
Eventually, she’ll even grow into a 6-star, Goddess-tier character.
—Young Lord. Once she enters, just give my butt a little kick with your foot. I think that’ll make you look like even more of a piece of trash!
'This girl isn't normal, is she?'
...Laura was definitely a crazy bitch.
I tried to keep it reasonable, but Laura kept pushing me to take it to the extreme.
"What is it? Is something strange?"
"A-Ah, no. It’s awkward to say, but since it’s you, Young Lord..."
The problem was that it was definitely effective.
"...But, the Knight Captain?"
"Yes. She is my knight. Later, she’ll be the one retrieving gems from the Infinite Labyrinth, but for now, her most important duty is... this. Laura. Get up."
"Yes..."
Wow.
Look at her getting up with teary eyes.
To anyone watching, she looked like she was doing this against her will, sobbing like a woman who had been raped by force and had no choice but to submit.
Even though her nipples were standing rock hard.
Even though her panties were soaking wet.
She was acting perfectly passive and obedient, doing everything she could to highlight me as a cruel piece of trash.
—If she still wants to join the Knight Order even after seeing you do all sorts of perverted things to me, she might be a huge help to you in the future. It means she’s willing to join even knowing she might be treated the same way by a perverted piece of trash!
That was Laura’s tactic.
—What do you think? Isn't it a great idea?
—What if she’s a spy trying to get close to me by doing that?
—Then you can just eat her and throw her away...?
—What?
—You can fuck her until you're satisfied, then get rid of her to keep her quiet...?
Was she a genius?
Or was the player avatar’s personality originally like this?
Laura’s schemes, born of a completely inhuman way of thinking, were undeniably beneficial to me.
Swallow what is sweet, spit out what is bitter.
If she’s a virgin, fuck her; if she’s a traitor, discard her.
That was the logic behind Laura’s plan.
'I don't know how Astarotte will take it, though.'
She’s someone who’s going to see plenty of perverted acts in the future anyway.
If she can’t handle even this much, I’ll just have to find another comrade.
"Kneel beside me."
Laura followed my instruction perfectly.
She knelt in a proper posture, and I reached down to caress her buttocks.
"Ngh, ah...!"
"Don't make a sound. We have an important guest in front of us."
A piece of trash who gropes a woman’s ass in front of an important guest.
That’s me.
"So, Miss Astarotte. Have you made up your mind?"
"...C-Could you tell me exactly what my duties will be?"
Astarotte was clearly glancing at Laura.
I could tell at a glance she was worried if she’d have to do the same things Laura was doing.
"Your job is simple. One is to teach magic to Laura and me. The other is to cooperate when necessary during the conquest of the Infinite Labyrinth. Those two things."
"W-What about sex...?"
"Sex isn't something handled by a contract."
Sex was outside the scope of work.
"Sex is something a man and a woman do when their hearts align."
"Then... what you're doing with her right now is?"
"Do you call it a kiss when you give your pet dog a smooch?"
Slap.
I lightly squeezed Laura’s butt.
"I hear there are those who have sex with their pets, but I have no desire to do such a thing with a beast."
"Are you saying you think of people as beasts?"
"Only the women who enter my Knight Order."
I slid my hand between the crack of her buttocks and pushed my fingers deep inside.
"Ah, ngh...!!"
Squelch.
I thrust my fingers into her wet pussy.
Stirring the inside with my fingers hooked, I slowly leaned my body toward Laura’s side.
"If you want to formally join the Knight Order, I’ll give you special consideration. But for now, I’d like you to focus on your role as a consultant."
"......What kind of magic should I teach you?"
Oh.
As expected of a woman suffering from the Succubus transformation curse, she remained calm even while I was fingering Laura’s pussy right in front of her.
A woman who would say, 'S-Sexual harassment has its limits! I don't care if you're the Young Lord of Fermaton, this is crossing the line! I'm leaving!' had zero chance of becoming a comrade.
But to talk business while watching a woman being vulgarly toyed with before her eyes?
Astarotte.
This girl.
"For Laura, check her talent and teach her various spells. Magic that will allow her to handle any situation as the Knight Captain."
"Understood. Then, what magic for you, Young Lord...?"
"Summoning Magic or Possession Magic."
"...Pardon?"
"It’s simple. Teach me how to summon non-intelligent familiars and control them so they can be my eyes and ears. Or... magic that allows me to imbue my consciousness into an object so I can give 'orders' even from a distance."
The goal was one thing.
"I can't have my pet getting fucked by the monsters of the Infinite Labyrinth."
Squelch.
"I heard there are types of summons that carry the summoner’s consciousness entirely, right? The kind that stays linked to the summoner even from afar."
Laura’s pussy tightened even harder.
"My body cannot enter the Infinite Labyrinth, but my spirit, my clones, and my summons are a different story."
"Are you saying... you intend to go to the Infinite Labyrinth yourself?"
"I can't go personally. If I even go near the Infinite Labyrinth, people will freak out, and if I actually try to enter, they’ll risk their lives to stop me."
Because I was the one with Fermaton blood.
Because it was known that if I died, the Infinite Labyrinth would close.
"If this body cannot go, I will send my soul to support the Knight Order and give commands. So, help me. Teach me how to cultivate the power to protect my woman."
I protect my own woman.