Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: The Hero Who Wants an Exchange
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Gertong Mansion had been cleaned up.
The Holy Knight Order searched the place, recovering and piling up anything of value.
Out of the mountain of wealth, a full thirty percent went to Ashy. An enormous sum.
"It's still not enough."
Ashy was gazing off into the distance.
"We're going to build our own kingdom. Then, in a space where no one can interfere, we'll just make babies. Not just one or two. Enough to form a full knight order."
"That's terrifying."
Knight orders in this world were pretty small-scale.
They had to be made up of swordsmen who could handle mana, so a single order topped out at around a dozen members.
Ashy had just declared she wanted two-digit numbers of kids.
As long as it wasn't aimed at some other guy, it was purely a declaration of war against me—
I forcibly shifted my attention and changed the subject.
Talking about pregnancy would never end.
"...Isn't that a rebellion?"
"Just a figure of speech. I hate the idea of running a kingdom."
Power and wealth.
And her own martial prowess.
With all those conditions met, she'd achieve total freedom.
That was Ashy's goal.
I wondered if I should be happy about it, imagining the lively household.
It didn't seem all bad.
"Hero, we've tallied Gertong's assets and brought the corresponding gold."
The Holy Knight Order captain arrived with a heavy leather pouch.
Inside were platinum coins laced with mithril, packed full.
"200 million sol."
"...200... 200 million...?!"
My eyes flew wide at the captain's deadpan announcement.
I stared at Ashy like Shim Cheong's blind father gaining sight through sacrifice.
200 million sol—200 million won in Korean currency.
An unimaginable fortune for a commoner.
The fact that a single noble had this much in physical assets stacked away was shocking enough.
That 200 million sol was just part of his immediately liquid assets? My mind was a mess.
"Thirty percent of Gertong's wealth. You put it in exactly, right?"
"We excluded assets that can't be recovered right away. The church will have to look into those slowly, so we couldn't do much."
"Forget those."
Ashy took the money nonchalantly.
She acted like 200 million sol was no big deal.
"Then we're good to go?"
"Yes, feel free to attend to your business."
The Holy Knight Order captain readily let Ashy leave.
A hero's time was precious; he couldn't hold her as a knight.
I trailed after Ashy like a shadow.
I marveled at how she didn't even smile after pocketing 200 million sol.
"We need to earn more. To raise kids later, we'll need a title of nobility at least, and matching wealth. 200 million is nowhere near enough."
"...Ashy, you're amazing."
Ashy had clear goals.
Totally unlike me, with no real thoughts of my own.
She had a solid plan and was putting it into action.
"Thanks to you, Puppy."
Ashy stroked my cheek wildly.
Her soft touch made my dick twitch in response.
No erection thanks to the chastity device, but plenty of blood rushed down there anyway.
"Kiss."
Ashy puckered her lips toward me.
Right there in the mansion lobby, surrounded by Holy Knights, she demanded a kiss.
"Trying to make me mad?"
She probably wasn't seriously angry.
Nor was it just teasing.
Just words to hurry me along.
Mmch.
I pressed my lips to hers as ordered.
Ashy smiled, satisfied.
"Let's go."
Ashy tugged my collar and led the way.
We left Gertong Mansion and headed for the Merchant Guild.
To rent a carriage and move to our next destination.
"Where to?"
"Yuteron first. Yuteron Barony is right west of Gertong Barony. Well, not Gertong anymore, I guess."
Yuteron Baron.
I didn't remember the character well.
I'd read the original novel, but couldn't recall every single one.
Ashy probably knew better than me.
The Merchant Guild.
Poston was the central city of Gertong Barony, so the guild was fairly grand.
Though the territory would soon be torn apart by other nobles.
For now, a peaceful atmosphere prevailed.
Ashy entered the Merchant Guild building.
Noisy chatter hit us from the door.
Ashy wove through the crowd effortlessly to the bulletin board, leading me along like water flowing.
"Here's one. A caravan heading to Yuteron."
Ashy reached out and peeled off a sheet of paper.
The caravan had posted multiples of the same notice, hoping for wide visibility.
Yuteron was just a pass-through city; their destination lay farther west.
In the guild's back courtyard, carriages were parked thick.
We headed to one of them.
The Yuteron-bound caravan, Gold Moon, was bigger than expected.
White Rose couldn't compare.
Ashy showed them the notice from the guild.
The Gold Moon Merchant Leader checked her destination and welcomed us aboard.
A hero's presence was the best escort imaginable.
Time came, and Gold Moon prepared to depart.
It played out much like with White Rose.
People were people everywhere; nothing special.
We boarded the carriage.
It felt more like a bus now than a simple cart.
Fortunately, Yuteron wasn't far.
Two days would do it.
'Lucky there's only one night camping.'
Once was fine, like camping.
Any more, and it'd be tough.
I've gotten used to good beds.
"Hero, it's an honor!"
The mercenaries and adventurers on the carriage greeted us.
Ashy gave them a cursory response, then clung to me.
A silent signal she was done talking.
The mercenaries and adventurers chuckled awkwardly and turned away.
The carriage set off.
"Puppy."
Ashy whispered to me.
I knew what she wanted without her saying.
I straightened my back a bit and stuck out my hips.
Adjusted for easy access.
Ashy stroked the front of my pants, then shook her head.
"Open your pants too."
"......"
She wouldn't even reach in herself anymore.
Her brazen attitude was ridiculous; a chuckle escaped me.
"Hurry up."
Ashy rubbed her head against my chest.
Not quite aegyo, but it stirred my dick anyway.
The chastity cage kept it from fully rising.
No other choice anyway.
I quietly grabbed my waistband and pulled down.
My steaming groin emerged like a treasure chest opening.
"Hngh."
Ashy caressed my lower abdomen, her hand sliding naturally downward.
She gripped my dick and fondled my balls.
The mercenaries and adventurers sneaked glances our way.
Their eyes went round like they'd seen something shocking.
They couldn't look away.
Shame surged up, flushing my face red.
My cheeks burned, eyes stinging.
I envied Ashy, who kept groping away without a care.
I wanted skin thick as hers.
Gold Moon's journey proceeded smoothly.
No ambushes or anything.
After a major rest, we set up camp.
No mercenaries picking fights with Ashy, so the day passed quietly.
Morning came.
We packed up camp amid birds chirping in the mountains.
"My body's so stiff, I'm exhausted..."
"We'll rest up in Yuteron."
Ashy stroked my cheek.
Her eyes, checking my complexion, brimmed with worry.
A bit exaggerated, but more devoted than a mother.
Living by her side, I'd felt this blatant affection nonstop.
Even in small ways, she took care of me—it hit home.
That was why the collar and chastity device didn't breed resentment.
Gold Moon Merchant Group passed through Yuteron Barony and arrived in Yuteron City.
The family name as city name painted a clear picture of the Yuteron Baron's pride.
"Safe travels, Hero!"
"It was an honor!"
The mercenaries and adventurers said goodbye.
No special memories forged, so Ashy sent them off indifferently.
"Straight to the Yuteron Baron?"
"Was thinking that, but since we're out... maybe handle some business first."
"Business?"
She apparently had errands in Yuteron City.
Ashy walked the streets of Yuteron.
Gripping my leash tight so I wouldn't stray, leading me along.
I stuck close by her side, following obediently.
We headed into dingy back alleys.
I wondered what business could take us down paths like this.
"Kukuku, what a pretty lady. Ho, Holy Sword...?!"
"Hiiik! Run for it!"
A hero—Ashy at that—I wasn't worried.
I trusted she'd handle it.
The alley thugs trembled before the hero and scattered on their own.
The occasional fool who charged got effortlessly dealt with by Ashy.
"Here."
Ashy pointed to a shop tucked in an alley corner.
A shabby sign with pink motifs.
A male spear piercing a female mirror, bursting a heart...
It evoked a brothel vibe.
"Here?"
"Yeah. Something I want to buy."
Ashy flung the door open.
Stepped in boldly.
The lobby was dim and eerie.
A woman at the counter smiled brightly at us.
"Welcome, customer."
"I know you're succubi, so straight to business."
"...Pardon?"
Ashy strode to the counter.
Slammed down the leather pouch full of sol and barked like she was yelling.
"Listen the first time. Or I'll kill you."
"H-H-Hero...? W-We run an honest business... Our succubus blood is just a distant ancestor mix... N-No sin at all... Hiiik...!"
Kwachik!
Ashy swung her Holy Sword, cleaving the wooden counter in half.
"Help me buy my stuff and go, okay?"
"Y-Yes, sir! Got it!"
"You have Clean Slime, right?"
"...Clean Slime... Yes, we do. Downstairs."
"Lead the way."
Ashy sheathed her Holy Sword and jerked her chin.
I felt unexpected pity for the trembling shop clerk.
The clerk barely composed herself and guided us.
—Aang, haang! Oppa, it feels good!
—You pervert bastard, who actually likes this? Huh?!
Descending to the basement, moans leaked from various rooms on the first floor.
Chilling whip cracks too.
This place was definitely a brothel.
We went down.
The basement felt even more enclosed.
Like a gray cellar.
The clerk entered one basement room and brought out the merchandise.
A jiggling slime—the Clean Slime Ashy mentioned.
'...What does she plan to use that for?'
I couldn't fathom its purpose.
Ashy examined the Clean Slime this way and that, then looked at me.
"Puppy, take off your pants."
"...Yeah...?"