Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Ulstro Kingdom - The Innocent Princess and the Vicious Knight (5)
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"Hngh... haa."
"You okay?"
"...I feel like I'm dying... No, I think I'm already dead."
"Haha..."
Valdes was carrying Mercedes on his back as they headed back to camp. The reason the princess couldn't walk on her own was obvious.
If this had been a bed instead of out in the open, they could've just slept like that without a care. But they had to get back to camp.
She ached not just in her waist from how intense it had been, but in her back and legs too. Meanwhile, Valdes looked perfectly fine, as if nothing had happened, which left Mercedes puzzled.
'Is everyday stamina different from sex stamina?'
It was strange to think that she, who was stronger and had better endurance than this boy, was now a trembling mess. Of course, it wasn't that important to her right now, so she brushed it off as just a difference between men and women.
'His back... it's so broad.'
He was smaller than her, but maybe a man was a man after all. Valdes's back was wide enough for her to ride comfortably. Sure, compared to bulkier guys, it was just right, but that alone was enough to make her feel his masculinity.
'No, come to think of it, I feel like a man every day. ...Or more like a stud?'
No other man could match this boy as a stud. She had no experience with others, nor any intention of trying in the future, but she was certain of that much.
Just recalling the raw, animalistic sex from moments ago made her heart flutter and her womb throb with a sweet ache.
"Seriously, Vald, you..."
"But you were just too cute, Sis."
"...Y-yeah."
She buried her flushed face in his shoulder. Her golden hair spilled over messily, tickling him.
Mercedes was the type who could forgive anything with a single casual compliment. At least when it came to Valdes—she was an easy woman for him.
"Lucky there's a stream nearby."
"You scouted it all out before pouncing, didn't you?"
"I did scout, but I didn't pounce... I just kissed you, and then Mercis Sis..."
"...Shut up."
She buried her face even deeper. Their cheeks were now pressed right up against each other. His body heat felt warm against her skin.
"But isn't it risky cumming inside every time? Cleanup's a pain too."
"You're on birth control magic anyway, right? As for cleanup... I'll just clean you up nice and good myself."
"Eep, true..."
The birth control was via a magic tool. A princess known as a virgin couldn't just ask someone else to cast it without starting rumors.
But she didn't know that Lewd Tattoo Magic could bypass or control birth control spells through her lewd gate. Telling her now might be thrilling in all sorts of ways, but he had no plans to mention it.
"...Vald, you don't do this—cum inside other girls too, do you?"
"......"
He couldn't answer. It was true, after all.
"Sigh, but you're always careful with the birth control, right? No kids from you popping up out of nowhere later?"
"...It, it'll be fine."
Probably.
That unspoken word hung in the air. He honestly couldn't guarantee it.
'Or does it not matter to Valdes?'
Thinking about it, as Valdes, the women he'd been with numbered five: the Demon King, Irina, Elza, Glet, and Mercedes. Pedro aside.
Back as Pedro, he'd lived wild from his mercenary days, bedding plenty of women. Whores, fellow female mercenaries, soldiers, village girls, mages, knights' squires, you name it. He'd pulled out sometimes, but inside more often.
'Any of them get pregnant...?'
The curiosity hit him suddenly.
He hadn't dwelled on it before. They were all one-night flings anyway; they'd use post-sex birth control magic, tools, or potions. He'd even given them money or meds for it.
He'd just been a hotshot mercenary back then, not the Hero. Who'd want a kid from some guy they didn't love?
No one had come forward pregnant after he became the Hero. Same now—no one claiming to have his kid as Pedro Valdes. Maybe there weren't any.
"Vald? Why so quiet all of a sudden? You're making me nervous."
"Nah, just thinking. Body still hurting?"
"Mm... Being this close to you makes it feel a bit better."
"Haha... I love you, Sis."
"Hehe, me too."
Maybe because her Lewd Tattoo had leveled up to stage 4, Mercedes was spoiling him more and expressing her love openly compared to before. Her personality hadn't changed completely, though.
It felt oddly wondrous seeing the shy princess transform like this.
'Well, I made her that way.'
"Oh yeah, what'd you talk about in the carriage?"
Camp was still a ways off, so he figured he'd fish for info.
"...Already interested in Marie?"
Surprisingly, Mercedes got sharp, wary of him because of her little sister.
"Nah, just curious. Don't wanna say? No biggie."
"We just chatted about stuff. What we'd been up to while apart."
She decided not to mention how much Marie had gushed about Valdes. Unless he asked directly. She couldn't stop Marie from falling for him eventually, but she wanted to delay it as long as possible—to keep him to herself longer.
"Ah. Princess Marie was off at some noble event, right?"
"Yeah. Local nobles have been acting off lately."
"Why's that?"
"Not sure exactly... but something feels suspicious."
She let out a deep sigh. It worried her as a knight and as a princess.
Ulstro had stabilized a lot, but not fully. No way the scars of that massive war could heal in just 18 years.
If the nobles stirred up trouble now, the Desaque Empire might show its greed.
But Valdes had a different take.
'Irina and Bilma, huh.'
He knew exactly what the suspicious vibes were. He'd orchestrated it, after all.
Instead, he was puzzled.
'Hmm, last contact said things were going well... but this fast? Or some snag?'
It'd been less than two months since they started. Signs already? Irina was capable, but shortening the timeline this much seemed unlikely. Unless things had been festering beforehand.
'Gotta chat with them later.'
They chatted idly and soon reached camp.
Everyone freaked out seeing the princess carried in—assuming training mishaps or monster attacks.
Mercedes calmed them, saying it was just muscle soreness. Not wrong. Some sighed in relief; others still fretted.
Valdes dropped her at her tent, then moved his sleeping bag. Time for him to wash up and crash too.
"Hold on."
Then Etilene approached, face stiff as a board.
'Etilene, as expected. Quick on the draw.'
"Something wrong, Lady Etilene?"
He smirked inwardly, playing innocent. It soured her expression further. Probably thought he was revolting.
"Could we... talk somewhere private?"
"Can't we talk here?"
"Not here."
She shut it down flat. Too many people around, princess tents nearby. Even whispers could carry.
"Talk alone? Planning a confession or something?"
"...?!"
Her brown eyes widened. Outrage from sheer absurdity left her speechless.
"Haha, kidding. Your reaction's priceless."
"......"
"Whew, training wore me out, but sure. Lead on."
'Training my ass...!'
She wanted to yell it was sex, but bottled her rage. No getting dragged into his pace. Stay calm.
"Thanks. This way."
"Nah, pond's better. No one's there now; I can wash up after."
"...Fine."
She bit back a jab about using the princess's bath spot.
Irritated, but she played along for now. Didn't know his true feelings yet. Had to brace for fake love with Mercedes leading to weird demands.
Luckily, no interruptions en route or at the pond. Just what they both wanted.
At the pond, Valdes stripped off his top without warning.
"Kyaa! W-what are you doing?!"
Etilene yelped, louder than ever.
"Hot, so I took off my shirt. That's all."
"Even so, in front of a woman...!"
"You're a knight, aren't you? You've seen male torsos—and full nudes."
"That's true, but...!"
"And lower your voice. Thought you wanted privacy."
On purpose. Totally deliberate. No other way he'd wear that scheming look and rile her up.
Her fists clenched hard, knuckles whitening.
Mercenary-honed provocation skills, alright.
"...Grk."
"Grinding teeth's a bad habit. Seen plenty of mercenaries ruin theirs."
"Hoo... Calm down, Etilene."
She ignored his banter. This wasn't about petty talk—it was the princess's future.
"Straight to it. ...What do you think of Mercedes?"
"Hmm... Guess you saw, huh. Even though Mercis Sis told you not to follow."
"...Sis?"
Calling the princess "Sis." A mere commoner. Absurd. Though "Mercis" and the deed were more outrageous. Layers like an onion—all bad.
"What's wrong with that? She told me to."
"Not that, but..."
"No, you're the problem, Lady Etilene. Spying on the princess's training."
"Eek!"
Couldn't deny it. And from him—that stung extra.
If it'd really been training, less embarrassing. But she'd only witnessed their lustful tryst.
"...I'll apologize to Mercedes separately and take my punishment. Now answer: what do you think of her?"
"Quit dancing around. Spit out your point."
"Ha! Fine. Break up with Mercedes."
"Nah."
Crack.
A vein throbbed on her forehead. No questions, no hesitation—just blunt refusal. Her suspicions clicked into place.
She hypnotized herself: Endure for now. Her hand still ghosted toward a nonexistent sword hilt at her waist.
"You wouldn't get it as a commoner... but dating you harms Mercedes. Throne succession, royal authority, whatever."
"But Mercis Sis loves me. And I give her mental and physical comfort."
"That sounds like... you don't love her?"
"Think whatever floats your boat."
Infuriating to the end. But it sealed it—her puzzle complete.
She was sure. This half-demon commoner didn't love Mercedes. He wanted something else. No other explanation for his attitude.
"What is it... you want?"