Chapter 24: The Path of Trash (6)
Chapter 24: The Path of Trash (6)
The reason I went to the Adventurer's Guild was, of course, to find someone to conquer the Infinite Labyrinth in my stead.
That was where I got my hands on Laura.
It didn't necessarily have to be Laura, but she was undoubtedly the greatest catch.
If I simply needed a mage, I had Zenith, or I could have just hired one from among the adventurers.
So why did I go to the Magic Tower?
Because a simple mage wasn't enough.
"After much deliberation, I've decided that I must enter the Infinite Labyrinth myself."
"But… Young Lord, you cannot enter the Infinite Labyrinth. As you said, the people will stop you."
"That’s why I’ll enter as a summoned beast. Or perhaps… a Living Armor, the kind warlocks often use? That could be an option as well."
My physical body cannot enter the Infinite Labyrinth.
Physically, I could walk right in, but everyone living in Fermaton would stand in my way.
Why?
To put it simply… right.
You can smoke on the street.
You can even smoke in front of a gas station.
—Wait, is that crazy bastard trying to light a cigarette inside the gas station?!
…The Labyrinth is the gas station, and I’m the lunatic flicking a lighter to have a smoke inside.
If I actually tried to do it, even the kindest soul would naturally be horrified and try to knock some sense into me.
—Young Lord, let’s blow up the gas station!! I’ll distract them by getting naked!
…Unless it’s someone like Laura, who actually wants to blow the place up, it’s only natural for people to try and protect their only gas station from a madman like me.
But should I just send my knights into the Infinite Labyrinth alone?
No.
'I have to be part of the assault team myself.'
I have the strategy guide.
Even if I don't know the full story, I know the characteristics and weaknesses of every monster in the Infinite Labyrinth, as well as how to deal with the instant-death traps.
'But I can't exactly just tell someone else all that.'
Currently, the Infinite Labyrinth is open up to the 50th floor.
This is likely a historical reflection of how the level cap was 50 back when the game first launched.
—Wow, how did you know about the trap on the 48th floor?
—Because I am a Fermaton.
—...How did you know about the trap on the 66th floor? The 66th floor only opened today.
—Th-that’s…!
I can't afford to arouse suspicion.
—That looks dangerous. My 'intuition' is telling me so.
—As expected…! With the Young Lord providing such indirect support, the conquest couldn't be easier!
So, even if it requires some cheap acting, I need a way to communicate with the assault team in real-time.
It would be great if I had something like a smartphone, but this is a fantasy world.
"A communication device would suffice. Or even a familiar that can only relay my thoughts. It would be best if it could fight as well. That is the kind of magic I wish to learn."
Therefore, to learn magic that allows for at least that level of communication, I need a mage of exceptional skill.
Zenith, who is a one-trick pony with attack magic, won't do. It has to be someone like the Barbas Tower Master or Astarotte.
"What do you think? I'll make sure the compensation is more than generous."
"...I understand."
Astarotte stood up and bowed to me.
"I will teach you magic, Young Lord. And at the same time… I shall teach that Knight Captain as well. However, I have one request."
"What is it?"
"I wish to break my curse. I am willing to do anything to break it. And I… I need an Elixir."
"An Elixir, you say."
Just as I thought.
Astarotte desires the only potion capable of breaking the curse of the Infinite Labyrinth.
"If an Elixir can be found, could you give it to me?"
"Do you realize how high the value of an Elixir is?"
"Yes. When I inquired with the Empire… they asked for ten years' worth of the national budget. I assume it was a joke."
"......."
It wasn't a joke.
An Elixir is worth even more than that.
Even if someone's head is cut off, if you reattach it within a minute and pour an Elixir over it, they’ll come back to life.
To be honest, I’m the one who wants to churn those things out like crazy.
'The value of a resurrection item can't really be measured in money.'
It’s an item I’d want to keep three of for myself and give one to each of my women.
"An Elixir. That legendary item the Empire claims to be the sole possessor of. You're asking for something passed down only to the Emperor."
"Yes. It is shameless of me, and you might ask if I'm really demanding such a thing just to break a curse, but I need that Elixir."
"What if there was a way to break the curse without an Elixir?"
"Is—is there such a thing…?!"
Should I leak a little information?
"Ah, no. I'm just talking. It's not something to be said lightly."
"Wh-what is it?!"
"Hmm…."
This was the drawing room.
A place where the maids outside were likely pressing their ears against the door, eavesdropping.
In that case.
"...Well, who knows? An Elixir might turn up while conquering the Infinite Labyrinth. Truly 'anything' can come out of there."
I’d given her all the information I could in this setting.
If we were in the Secret Chamber, I could be more specific, but I hadn't built that level of relationship with Astarotte yet.
"Fine. If I obtain an Elixir, I'll give it to you. It would be best if we got it before the curse fully takes hold."
"I—I apologize for adding more, but… would an item of equivalent value to an Elixir be acceptable as well?"
"Hmm?"
"The Imperial Chancellor said that if I brought something more valuable than the Emperor's life, there's nothing saying it couldn't be exchanged for an Elixir."
"That sounds about right."
If you don't have the money to buy an Elixir, you can barter for it.
If such an item existed… it would probably be something like a 'Mythstone of known value.'
"Very well. Then let us draw up a contract. However…."
Ah.
"...I'll have to wash my hands before I can sign anything."
Without thinking, I had been digging into Laura's pussy with the hand I’d use to hold a pen.
And Laura…
"......."
She was agonizing with a furrowed brow, looking as if something had gone terribly wrong.
"......."
In that moment.
One thought flashed through my mind.
—Do you really think she’d want to join as an ally after seeing a man sexually harass a woman right in front of her?
It was a bit different from what I’d said before, but what if that was actually what she wanted?
"......."
I felt the need to remind Laura exactly who the 'master' was.
"Astarotte. I'm sorry, but could you come back once more tomorrow morning?"
"Pardon?"
"It seems I need to 'punish' this lewd rabbit who dared to leak all over her master's hand."
"Hi—hiieek…!"
Laura turned her head in horror, but I thrust my hand even deeper inside her.
"I intend to get serious from here on out. If you're uncomfortable leaving the Lord's Castle at night, I'll have a guest room prepared for you."
"Are—are you really… going to do it?"
"Yes. Well, it's not exactly sex. I'm just feeding this slutty rabbit a carrot."
It’s different from sex. Totally different.
"U-um. Young Lord."
"What is it?"
"...May I watch?"
"......What?"
In an instant.
The pussy muscles inside Laura tightened around my fingers as if they were trying to crush them.
"Haah, haah. Young Lord…."
Laura was trying to convey something.
By rapidly squeezing and releasing my fingers while glancing at Astarotte, she was trying to tell me something.
Watching is a bit much, isn't it?
No.
If I actually showed her the act, maybe she’d get scared and back out of the contract.
'Is this bitch at it again?'
A Knight Captain who tries to exclude a potential ally just so she can hog my cock a little more.
She was cunning and lewd beyond belief.
…Or was she?
Maybe she was fine with the harassment, but having someone else watch the main event was a bit too much?
Since I had to judge based on intuition alone, I couldn't quite tell what Laura was thinking.
But one thing was certain: her pussy was absolutely soaking wet right now.
"I don't mind if you want to watch my punishment, but if you stay in this room, I will take it as your consent to become my magic teacher. Is that acceptable?"
"......I understand, Young Lord."
Astarotte clasped her hands to her chest and swallowed hard.
"I shall… quietly observe how the Young Lord handles women."
Holy shit.
But how should I handle the punishment?
'To hell with it.'
Squeltch.
I pulled my fingers out.
I thrust my fingers in front of Laura's face, then immediately stood up.
"Walk backward to the bed. Now."
"N-now…?"
"Ahem. Who told you to answer like that?"
"N-now…!!"
Squish, squish.
Laura's legs trembled as she stepped backward, eventually collapsing onto the bed.
"Young—Young Lord…."
"Who told you to lie down so neatly?"
"Ye—yes…?"
"I suppose I'll have to set the position myself."
I glanced sideways at Astarotte.
'Should I take the gamble?'
Fucking another woman roughly right in front of the woman I’m trying to recruit?
It was insane.
A total piece-of-trash move.
But a memory surfaced in my mind.
Astarotte, watching the romance between the protagonist and the Barbas Tower Master.
The younger sister who used to blush while peeking at her older sister and the protagonist sharing an adult kiss.
I think I saw a post like that on a forum.
It was fan art created by many different artists, but the fact that it came to mind at this exact moment must be my 'intuition' at work.
—Do you think Astarotte is a Succubus for nothing? She’s staying here because she’s curious about sex!
—If she hated sex in the first place, she wouldn't have come here! Who would want to get close to a Young Lord who takes the virginity of every woman getting married!
—You were digging around in Laura's pussy while talking to her, and she kept the conversation going. Your fingers are just going to be replaced by a cock. Even if you talk while fucking, she'll probably just accept it!
…I didn't know if the voyeurism trait was canon or not.
It might just be secondary fan creations, or perhaps just my own wishful thinking.
Therefore.
"Get on all fours, Laura. And Astarotte."
I untied the belt of my robe.
My already rock-hard cock was revealed, and Astarotte's eyes fixed onto it.
"I don't mind you watching, but keep in mind that this is strictly my punishment. Laura."
"Ye-yes…!"
"Who told you to let your pussy juices leak everywhere while your master was having a serious conversation with a guest?"
"Th-that’s…!"
I knew I was being unreasonable.
I knew it was because I had been fingering her.
But if I didn't act that unreasonable, could I really call myself the trash Ruji?
"Don't say a single word from now on."
So.
From this moment on, I become the trash.
"The only sound you're allowed to make is the squelching of your own juices."
In front of Astarotte, I began to plow Laura from behind.
…If she could watch this and not run away, then she was more than qualified to be an ally.
"Astarotte."
I thrust my cock deep into Laura.
"It's a bit late, but would you like a cup of tea?"