■ Unwelcome Visitor □
We were originally scheduled to depart today, but due to sudden weather deterioration, we ended up staying another day in this village.
Because of this, the innkeeper, who seemed resilient, had a beaming smile on her face.
It’s not an easy task to host a group of this size.
Especially since these guests are paying promptly and aren’t defaulting on their payments, it’s only natural that she is pleased.
Anyway, thanks to the sudden snowstorm, an atmosphere of restraint regarding outdoor activities developed, causing dozens of people to crowd together in the narrow indoor space.
And when idle people gather at an inn, the first thing they usually do is play card games, among which the most famous one is,
“Hey you, draw the sword named Card!”
“Ho! You’ve got guts! Alright! I, known as the Two-Headed Wyvern of Oz, will be your opponent!”
“Duel!”
“Duel!”
The Racial War—
Commonly known as Brood War, it is a folk game.
This ultimate trading card game, which can be played with just cards and people, found its main battleground in inns.
As a warrior myself, I wanted to join in their thrilling battle, but regrettably, I didn’t have the time today.
It was the day I had to make a regular report to the Demon King at the Demon King’s Castle.
After roughly eating hunter’s stew for breakfast, we gathered in a room to communicate with the Demon King’s Castle.
Long-distance communication magical devices are normally incredibly expensive.
They’re items owned on a national scale rather than by individuals. However, it seems that each of the Four Heavenly Kings directly under the Demon King is issued a personal crystal orb.
Dorothea took out a purple crystal orb, something you’d expect to see in an old fairy tale, from her backpack and placed it on the table.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a communication magical device.”
When I said this, looking at it curiously, Dorothea responded with a smug expression.
“With this, the Four Heavenly Kings can exchange information anytime and anywhere.”
“Yeah, yeah, impressive.”
While giving appropriate encouragement, I urged her to connect it quickly, and Dorothea nodded before infusing the crystal orb with magic.
Keeeeeeeeeeng—
The orb emitted a faint light as her magic synchronized with it.
Soon, like catching a signal, a human figure appeared on the surface of the crystal orb.
[Dorothea, I see you’ve been doing well.]
Through the orb, we could see the Demon King sitting in his office as usual, reviewing documents.
“Yes, my Lord Demon King. We are currently staying in a village called Widel.”
Upon hearing this, the Demon King nodded and said,
[Widel, so it seems you haven’t left the northern continent yet. Keep up the good work. When you reach the capital area, I’ll send reinforcements there.]
“Thank you very much!”
[Our current operation to invade the human kingdom is progressing smoothly. The other members of the Four Heavenly Kings have traveled around Doom Land and obtained the approval of all the tribal leaders. Now, we just need to wait for spring. Your role until then is crucial.]
“I understand.”
The Demon King kindly informed us of various pieces of information for some time and then ended the transmission with words of encouragement after about 10 minutes, which felt like an hour.
Once the connection was cut, Dorothea let out a sigh, looking quite drained.
“As always, this is the most nerve-wracking part.”
“It’s natural to feel nervous when reporting to your boss.”
Recalling my past life experiences, I spoke those words. Dorothea, however, tilted her head back in relief, saying she felt accomplished having finished the task, and made a motion to sip wine.
“Since we don’t really have anything planned for today, how about a drink?”
I pondered how to deal with this reckless alcoholic.
Even if she loves alcohol, drinking it at noon like this was something Eva would never approve of.
Barnett, who had been quietly listening to our conversation from the side, offered an alternative suggestion.
“Why don’t we go sightseeing around the village? Even if it’s small, there must be something worth seeing, right?”
“Sightseeing? There doesn’t seem to be much to see here.”
I looked out the window at the street below.
The view of the small village covered in white snow was picturesque, but that was all there was. Given the village’s modest size, it didn’t appear to offer much entertainment unless there was a festival happening.
However, Dorothea also seemed intrigued by human villages, as she agreed with Barnett’s idea.
“Good idea. Sightseeing. Since staying cooped up inside won’t give us much to do anyway, walking around outside and coming back to enjoy hot soup and a drink sounds pretty special.”
No, something feels off about this conclusion.
Watching the two of them, already set on exploring the village, I sighed deeply.
“Do as you please. I’ll stay here at the inn.”
Until they return, I might as well mingle with the crowd and play some card games.
But my intentions were thoroughly crushed by the two women.
“What? Isn’t it obvious you should come with us?”
“Wha! There was no such talk!”
“A party acts as one. Lone actions are not forgiven.”
Though they often seemed to bicker, the two of them grabbed each of my arms as if perfectly in sync.
An outsider might call it “two flowers on either hand,” but for the person being dragged along, it was nothing short of being haunted.
Moreover, both women possessed brute strength capable of easily twisting the wrist of a frail mage like me, leaving no chance for escape.
After checking their resolute expressions alternately, I resigned myself early.
“…Let’s go.”
It’s going to be boring, surely.[[#]]Surprisingly,
Exploring the village with the two of them turned out to be a blast.
I’m not sure why it was so fun, but we casually wandered through the village, joined the local kids in making snowmen, sledding, and even had a snowball fight.
Although it slightly brought on feelings of self-loathing since I’m at an age where having two or three children wouldn’t be unusual, it was a refreshing return to childhood innocence. We only returned to the inn when it was time for dinner.
Clunk!
“Ughhhhhh! There’s nothing better than beer after a good sweat!”
Dorothea exclaimed like a middle-aged man, holding a beer mug larger than her own face.
In front of her, while shelling peanuts served as snacks, I gave a warning.
“Don’t overdrink. We need to get up early tomorrow morning.”
“I know, I know. You worry too much.”
Perhaps because she had her hair tied in a ponytail as she did yesterday, Dorothea’s red hair swayed like a puppy’s tail.
In contrast, Barnett, who was elegantly cutting her steak, shook her brown ponytail and asked me,
“So, how many more days until we reach the capital?”
Hearing her question, I roughly sketched a mental map.
“Probably about 4 to 5 days if we don’t stop midway like we did today.”
“Is that so? Then we’ll arrive around New Year’s.”
“Already? Time flies.”
Considering we started our adventure last summer, it meant we were returning to the capital in about a year and a half.
Afterward, we chatted over drinks and decided to wash up and sleep before it got too late, as our journey would resume early the next morning.[[#]]Creak—
It was quite late.
Suddenly, the sound of a window opening startled me awake.
“Who’s there?”
But the unexpected intruder remained silent.
As I extended my right hand, ready to cast a spell in a defensive stance, the woman slowly emerged from the darkness, placing a finger to her lips.
“Shh—”
Only then did I realize who the intruder was.
It was Camilla, appearing in the form of a succubus.
She wasn’t wearing her usual maid outfit but instead dressed in the revealing clothing typical of succubi, standing near the window.
“Camilla? How did you get—”
Then Camilla, in her succubus form, smiled enigmatically and said,
“This is within Lord Caldlasth’s dream.”
“My dream?”
At that moment, I finally understood this abnormal situation.
Succubi are inherently dream manipulators.
And as residents of dreams, they possess the ability to move freely between dreams and reality.
Until now, she had always been with me daily, so there was no need for her to use this ability. But since she was left alone at the Demon King’s Castle, this appears to be her first time crossing over into my dream.
Seeing Camilla’s voluptuous body stirred my lust.
Despite feeling exhausted from playing outside all day, it seems s*xual desire operates independently.
Camilla slowly climbed onto the bed and approached me on her knees. She then gently grasped the bulge in my blanket with both hands.
“Looks like someone’s already ready.”
“Guh!”
I involuntarily flinched at the sudden stimulation.
What is this? I haven’t done anything, yet my body feels unusually sensitive compared to usual.
Seeing my reaction, Camilla chuckled softly and whispered in my ear,
“You’re cute.”
Then she nibbled on my neck with her sharp canine teeth and hugged me lightly.
Just this simple act sent waves of climax rushing through me.
In the midst of my dazed state, I realized something was off.
This isn’t the Camilla I know.
Wasn’t she usually more reserved and subtly cheerful?
Just as I instinctively tried to initiate Vision Breathing to resist the succubus’ charm—
[Caldlasth!]
A familiar voice echoed in my ears.
