Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: A Hero More Demonic Than Demons
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"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Gullik's parents kept expressing their gratitude over and over.
They bowed and straightened up repeatedly, looking for all the world like waving festival dolls.
"Goddamn it, enough already!"
Ashy exploded in anger.
It wasn't for any big reason.
She was just sick and tired of all the endless thanks.
Gullik's parents finally lifted their heads and stopped their thanks.
"Since we've met like this by chance, let's hold a festival. To celebrate Gullik surviving a black mage!"
The village chief of Maroon Village made the suggestion.
Gullik had come back from the brink of death, so they needed a proper welcome to match.
Ashy scowled at the sudden decision.
She clearly had zero interest in some festival.
"No need for a festival."
"Please don't refuse, Hero. Our village might look poor on the surface, but we mine silver ore, so we're richer than you think. We've been raising pigs just for times like this. We'll prepare some pork for you, Hero!"
"I said no, you crazy bastards."
The chief ignored Ashy and walked off.
The news of Gullik's revival had him floating on air.
As Ashy ground her teeth, the villagers started preparing the festival.
"Gullik, you rest at home."
"I wanna help out too. It's been forever since I got up and moved."
Gullik bounced around the cramped house.
He moved vigorously, showing off his energetic body like it was something to brag about.
Gullik's parents didn't try to stop him.
Instead, they clapped like they were proud of him.
Dust filled the house.
Ashy and I wrinkled our noses and headed outside.
"Since we're already here, let's just stay one night."
"Wasting time."
Calming grumpy Ashy down was my job.
The role I had to play as the sole companion in Ashy's party.
"While we're sitting around, we could head to the next village and catch that demon..."
Ashy wanted to move as fast as possible.
I understood why she craved quick resolutions.
To fulfill her duty as a hero and bring peace to the continent—that's how this story ends.
So she could build the big family she dreamed of.
"That demon isn't getting summoned right this second, right?"
I knew the original story.
Nothing like a demon summoning happened at this point.
'Even if something did pop up, the heroes would handle it.'
The protagonist Luke learns through newspapers that demons have been defeated.
It's how Drake's exploits get shown to the readers.
No major incidents derail the plot here.
This early part is all about Luke growing and making friends.
"We can enjoy the festival and still not be late. Sound good?"
I grabbed Ashy's hand tight and asked carefully.
Doing my best not to set off her temper.
If Ashy was a fierce dog that could kill demons with her bite, I was the handler who had to tame that beast.
"It's not summoning right away, sure."
"Then let's spend the night here. They're throwing a festival for us—can't just bail."
"I clearly said no need... Haa."
She grumbled, then sighed it off.
The moment her eyes met mine, Ashy smoothed her expression.
"I've never been to a festival like this. I wanna try it once."
I looked up at her with eyes full of anticipation.
I didn't think I was that handsome.
But with Ashy, this look worked like a charm.
See?
Ashy averted her gaze, hesitating with her words.
Her pouty lips screamed dissatisfaction, but she didn't flat-out refuse.
She reeked of reluctant surrender.
"Fine. One night of rest, then we go."
Ashy gave in.
Flames were already rising in the village square.
In the blink of an eye, they'd stacked firewood high, and the chief lit it up spectacularly.
"Back in my day, I could start a fire like nobody's business!"
"That's why you burned the house down, right?"
"What'd you say?"
The chief and a village youth chuckled together.
They were purely joyful.
In a world where even a fever could kill, a village kid had survived.
They'd overcome a crisis that nearly wiped them out thanks to a black mage's malice.
To commemorate Hero Ashy's visit, everyone gathered.
Despite grueling work in the silver mines, they showed no fatigue as they chattered away.
"We rest tomorrow! Then we work twice as hard the day after to make up for it!"
"Yeah!"
The villagers laughed warmly at the chief's declaration.
They shared dinner from home and enjoyed the modest festival.
"Kinda plain, huh."
"What, you thought a poor village festival would be some grand spectacle? This is their best. Pretty lavish for them."
Ashy plopped down anywhere and muttered.
Still looking bored.
A roaring campfire blazed.
Atop it, a whole pig started roasting.
No idea when they slaughtered it, but the applause came naturally.
The flames' warmth felt just right from this distance.
The gentle heat kissed our faces, slowly flushing them red.
The darkening night sky made the mood dangerous.
No alcohol yet, but under the stars, sentimentality crept in.
You end up lost in thought, eyes misty for no reason.
"Hero, try some of this. It's sweet and delicious."
A woman hurried over with a cup of wine.
It brimmed with grape wine.
Ashy eyed her sourly.
"Poison?"
"Huh? No? It's the chief's hidden stash of grape wine. He only breaks it out for special guests, and for the festival, he shared three bottles. One's for you, Hero!"
The woman was a natural charmer.
She foisted the wine on the grumbling Ashy and scampered off.
"It's a gift. Can't just toss it."
The mention of booze whetted my appetite.
"I hear you pair red wine with cheese or something."
I didn't know much about that stuff.
Ashy didn't seem to either.
We used meat from nearby folks as a chaser and gulped it down.
Somehow, Ashy and I ended up exchanging cups.
"Drink."
Ashy loosened up more and more.
Didn't know if it was the booze, but the mood definitely softened.
She fed me from her cup in a gentle voice.
I didn't refuse, drinking until a pleasant buzz hit.
Slurp, sip.
"This stuff's strong, Puppy."
At some point, our lips met.
Not in some private room—right by the campfire.
I felt eyes on us.
Villagers sneaking peeks.
Ashy didn't care about the crowd.
She straddled my thigh, clinging to me, arms wrapped tight.
We gazed into each other's eyes, bodies pressed, kissing.
"They're at that age. A hero deserves dozens of men. Heroes always had multiple wives and concubines..."
"Mom, the hero and the uncle are kissing!"
"Oh my, heroes these days..."
Chatter from around us.
Then they drifted away on their own.
Giving us space.
I focused on Ashy.
Her lips were moist and soft—seriously delicious.
As a heroine character, she exuded a sweet scent and nectar-like fluids.
Tears, saliva, love juices—all of it.
According to Luke's descriptions, you'd never tire of a heroine's juices, no matter how much you drank.
Sweeter than the wine.
Lips locked, no room for other thoughts—just pure bliss.
I never wanted to let Ashy go.
That's why I asked her to kill Drake.
Even knowing he had his own role, I begged out of selfish desire.
"Puppy, stick out your tongue."
Ashy stared straight at me and commanded.
Reading the affection in her firm tone, I obeyed.
I stuck out my tongue, and Ashy cupped my cheeks with both hands, covering my mouth with hers.
She kneaded my earlobes while sucking my tongue.
Smooch, smooch.
I hugged her lower back tight.
Like clinging to a rope at a cliff's edge.
My crotch throbbed, about to burst from the erection.
The chastity cage squeezed, Ashy's ass weighed down—my lower half spun.
Ashy ground her hips on top of me.
Rubbing her mound against my cock.
"Ashy, please..."
"It's a festival. I decided to enjoy it, so you should too."
"Can't with this chastity cage."
"Want me to unlock it?"
Ashy wrapped her arm around my neck and whispered in my ear.
I nodded to show I did.
"Guh..."
Ashy lifted and dropped her hips, crushing my cock.
"If you want the cage off, what do you do?"
"...Beg... beg you, Master..."
"Yeah? Let's hear it."
Ashy pulled back, locking eyes with me.
I met her gaze and forced out the words.
"Master, please unlock my cock cage."
"You're too good at it now. I like it, but it's a little disappointing."
"...Master?"
Ashy stroked her chin like something was missing.
Her face lit up with mischief, lips twitching wildly.
"Everyone's dancing."
Around the campfire, families danced in circles.
Not formal at all.
It felt free, like drifting on a lazy raft.
"Let's dance too."
"Suddenly?"
"Dance well, and I'll unlock the cage."
"...I can't dance like that."
Blues, maybe?
The kind middle-aged folks do, couples holding each other, grooving...
"It's fine. Dancing's about fun."
Ashy jumped up.
Dead serious about dancing there.
"We'll have fun, but there's a mission to unlock the cage."
"You said good dancing gets it off?"
"Yeah, if you dance well."
I stood with Ashy.
As I brushed dirt off my butt to stand beside her, it happened.
Ashy moved like lightning, yanking off my pants.
She ripped my underwear right off too.
"Huh?"
Cool air hit my lower half.
The pink chastity cage glistened with precum.
I gawked at Ashy.
What the hell? my eyes asked.
Ashy grinned.
"Dance well, and I'll unlock the cage."
"L-Like this? Dance... with you...?"
"Yep."
Ashy extended her hand elegantly, like a noble gentleman possessed her.
Palm up—she was playing the man.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
"No, wait... this is too much..."
"Ahem. Keeping the lady waiting?"
"You're really going too far..."
No one had noticed yet.
They were all caught up in their own fun, no eyes on me.
But starting to dance? Busted for sure.
Exposing everything down there—it'd be a sight no one wanted.
"Then just go inside."
Ashy yanked my collar and growled.
Her intent to punish if I disobeyed was blatant.
"Haa."
I sighed and took her hand.
'Whatever happens, happens.'
These were people I'd never see again anyway.
I squeezed my eyes shut and leaned into Ashy's arms.
Ashy grabbed one arm and extended it sideways.
The other naturally went to her waist, hugging her.
"Alright, let's go."
We stepped slowly in sync.
As we neared the flames, people's gazes began to land on us...