Chapter 92: The Guard and the Inn (11)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 92: The Guard and the Inn (11)
I ended up having dinner at the inn because I’d fainted from stamina depletion while going at it with Iruna, the final survivor. I guess this means I’ve spent a full twenty-four hours at the inn.
I’m starting to feel a bit guilty, like some hunter who just loafs around eating and playing until they run out of money and have to crawl back into a dungeon.
Margherita, who had slept in a different room, had slipped away to go home without a word. Yuna had also left, saying she needed to brew potions for tomorrow’s sales. That left only Iruna and the members of the Guard at the inn.
“This Dungeon Freezing period is quite lively; I like it. During the last quarterly week, it was just me and Mehya.”
“Really? How long have you two been that close?”
Iruna cast a curious, cat-like gaze toward them. Serika’s hand twitched before she answered, sounding almost entranced.
“It was about half a year ago. Hmm? That’s strange. Mehya became a guard last year, so why can’t I remember anything before that?”
“Ha... ha ha. Maybe it’s just because that’s when we really hit it off?”
Mehya broke into a cold sweat. So, it’s been six months since she crossed over from the gender-reversed world. Judging by how confused she seemed when we first met, I thought it hadn't been that long, but it’s been longer than I expected.
“I’ve been a guard for almost a month now, too!”
“About the same as Sma. Come to think of it, Junior, you’re quite lucky. It took a year for me to get a subordinate, but a special recruitment opened up for you almost immediately. If only it had been that easy for me.”
“Then my own junior won’t arrive until next year! I wanted to be a cool senior like you, Captain. What a shame!”
“You seem a bit too fired up for someone who thinks it’s a shame.”
Mehya and Rena started poking and teasing each other playfully. Serika glanced back and forth at Iruna, her hand hovering as if she were debating whether or not to pet her.
My women really do get along well. Part of me wants to take them all back to the room and give them a good, friendly plowing... but my dick just won't cooperate.
I pushed myself too hard trying to satisfy five of them. I’m all out of stamina potions, too. I need to rest today.
“Here is our inn’s special set meal. Please, enjoy!”
Tiarushi brought out the steaming food, and the women’s eyes lit up. I, on the other hand, felt a sense of dread.
“Hey, Tiarushi. What’s this stew with the shells in it? And why am I the only one getting it?”
“That’s soft-shell turtle soup! It’s exceptionally good for recovery and virility! There’s a fisherman who usually supplies us with meat, and when he heard about you, Guard Sma, he gave it to us as a thank-you!”
What would that guy have to thank me for? I’d understand if I were a hunter, but I’ve never even heard of this fisherman.
“Did you help the fisherman too, Oppa?”
Iruna’s affectionate gaze was terrifying. I feel like even if I went on a random killing spree in the streets, she’d just nod and say, “I’m sure those people were criminals.”
“Ah, actually, he’s an acquaintance of my father. He was moved to tears seeing how much my father’s condition has improved.”
“I see.”
Well, that’s worth a turtle, I suppose.
“Tell him thank you for me.”
“I will!!”
Tiarushi scurried away. I noticed the male hunters at the other tables following her with their eyes as she left.
She’s pretty and has a great body, so it’s hard not to look.
“Your father’s condition? What’s this about?”
“I’m curious too. What have you been up to, Junior?”
“You’ve been performing good deeds in places we didn't even know about, Senior...”
The gazes of the three guards were warm. When I explained that the reason I grew mint and mint-choco-pineapple herbs was for this inn, their expressions grew even warmer.
Then, a tall beauty appeared behind Rena and voiced her admiration.
“Ho. You’re a good man, just as I heard.”
“Aaah!”
Serika let out a startled cry.
“Is she an acquaintance of yours, Captain?”
“No, her character archetype overlaps with mine...”
“What? What a strange person.”
Serika was sunk by the beauty’s single strike. The Captain really is terrible at verbal sparring. She’s like the living embodiment of the saying that if your body is good, your brain doesn't have to work hard.
But is she really that much of an idiot? In the eroge... she just spent the whole time shrieking while getting fucked, so I couldn't really tell. Still, she is the Guard Captain, so she probably acts cool in places I can't see.
“Master? What brings you here?”
“I came looking for you. You skipped your training today.”
Aha. She wasn't Serika’s acquaintance; she was Rena’s master. I didn't recognize her because she wasn't a character from the eroge.
An extra, so to speak. But among all the extras I’ve met, she possessed exceptional beauty. If Izumi, a fellow extra, had the seductive charm of a married woman, Rena’s master had a more knightly aura than even Erwi, despite being in civilian clothes.
“Aren't you going to introduce me to everyone?”
“Oh! Right! Master! This is Iruna! She’s a friend I really, really like! She’s a great cook, too! And this is Senior Mehya! You can tell she’s strong just by looking, right? And Captain Serika is... well, I don't know her that well yet... but she’s very cute!”
“You’ve been influenced by them, I see. Don't get too close to Sma or Mehya.”
It’s a bit late to try and act dignified after your character archetype was already trashed. Rena’s master seemed considerate, though; she just smiled and didn't press the issue.
“Isn't there someone else you haven't introduced?”
“Yes! Finally, this is my wonderful senior! He’s truly amazing! He’s handsome! He has a great body! He’s kind, and also...”
“That’s enough.”
Her voice was so loud that everyone in the inn could hear. This isn't a public humiliation session; what is she doing? Realizing she’d gotten too excited, Rena’s cheeks turned bright red.
“...”
“I’ve heard a lot about you. I hear you’ve taken... very. good. care. of our Rena.”
There was a hint of bloodlust in there. It was weak compared to Sir Erwi’s genuine pressure, so I was able to shrug it off.
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Rena as well. She respects her master so much. Even though it’s our first time meeting, I feel a sense of familiarity, as if we’ve met many times before.”
“Fufu. Rena does like me quite a bit. Though I’m a bit sad lately, feeling like I’ve been pushed aside for someone else.”
So this is what they mean by 'thorns hidden in words.' She’s definitely smiling, but it’s somehow chilling.
“Ah, we haven't exchanged names. I am Rainie, the one teaching Rena. I look forward to working with you.”
“I look forward to working with you as well.”
“I was asked to teach you swordsmanship; when would be a good time? Since it’s Dungeon Freezing week, why don't you come to our mansion?”
“Is your schedule alright?”
“Hmm... today and tomorrow are a bit difficult, so please come by the day after tomorrow. Oh, and I’m taking Rena with me.”
“Heeing...”
Rena was led away by Rainie. Suddenly, one person was gone. I guess I’ll have to finish the meat Rena was eating.
Hehe. Meat. Delicious. Honestly, the turtle stew is a bit much. I guess even with Izumi’s skills, making turtle taste good is a tall order.
With Rena, who had acted as the mood maker with her natural energy, gone, Mehya took over the role. As we were chatting, a familiar human entered the inn.
“Is this the inn the seniors recommended? As expected, even the air here tastes delicious!”
Why is Geum Taeyang here? The hunters following him were just as eccentric as he was. A man covered in scars, a one-eyed man, and even a giant nearly two meters tall.
They entered with high spirits, but as soon as they saw Mehya and Serika, their shoulders began to tremble.
“Junior, what are you looking at?”
As Mehya started to turn her gaze toward the entrance, Geum Taeyang’s group tried to sneak back out. Could these be the members of that 'Monster Fucker' guild he mentioned before?
“You there, Geum Taeyang. Stop.”
Geum Taeyang, who was being pushed out by his companions, froze in place. He looked relieved to see me, but his face turned pale the moment he saw Mehya.
“Lord Sma. A-and Lady Mehya... it’s been a long time.”
“I wondered who it was, and it’s Geum Taeyang. You idiots behind him, stop right there too.”
“Yes, ma’am!!”
“Guard Mehya! It is an honor to see you in a place like this!!”
They snapped to attention like gangsters in a movie. Just what did Mehya do to them?
“Senior, do you know those people?”
“Just some bastards I threw in a cell for bribery. I keep trying to catch them in something else to increase their sentences, but they dodge the dungeons I’m assigned to like ghosts. You punks. Are you living honest lives these days?”
“We are!”
“You have absolutely nothing to worry about! We are true hunters dedicated to the peace of the Hugo Kingdom!”
The way they were dripping with sweat didn't exactly inspire confidence. If they acted like that around me, I’d want to arrest them too.
The other hunters who had been peacefully enjoying their dinner started glancing around awkwardly. A few even looked ready to leave despite not finishing their food. Ah, Tiarushi looks like she’s about to cry.
For the sake of the inn’s sales, I should stop Mehya.
“Senior. It’s a rare day off, so let’s just let them go. They haven't actually done anything wrong.”
“Well, if you say so. You lot, live honestly. The food here is good, so enjoy your dinner.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“Thank you!”
The Monster Fuckers took their seats, still looking wary. Tiarushi, having successfully taken their orders, winked at me.
“What a cute waitress.”
“You’re right. She looks like she’d be a perfect fit for our cartel.”
“Mhm, mhm.”
“Cartel? What are you talking about?”
“Ah, Lady Serika, you’re still so pure. How cute.”
“Even you, Iruna...”
Serika says the most unnecessarily tragic things. I finished my dinner while Iruna and Mehya were 'educating' her.
Now what? I’m already scared to go up to the room. I can't really use a walk as an excuse to go hunting for Virility Enhancers. There are no hidden pieces in the area around the inn.
“Are you finished with your meal? I’ll bring out some tea.”
“Is that alright?”
“It’s only because Guard Sma provided the tea leaves that we can serve it. Besides, Lord Sma is a VVIP lifetime preferred customer of our inn. Providing tea is nothing.”
I provided the mint so I could eventually eat Tiarushi, but receiving such lavish treatment feels strange. I didn't refuse, of course. You have to accept kindness when it’s offered.
By the time we finished tea, almost everyone else who had been eating dinner was gone. Is it finally time for me to go get milked? Can I even survive this?
“Did you enjoy your tea time?”
“Ah, Ms. Izumi. Yes, thank you.”
“I’m glad it was to your liking. Then, before you go, could I ask a favor?”
“Of course.”
I’ll welcome anything that delays the milking for as long as possible. The glares from the three women are stinging, but I endure. I am a possessor and a Sex Master. I don't care about the opinions of my cum-dumpsters.
“Then, please take a look at my husband.”