Did I, who can survive being stabbed through the heart by Lycanthrope claws, struck by Godspeed, and shot by lasers, possess enough luck to become a multi-millionaire if I bought a lottery ticket?
“It was… very good…”
Offered as Sophia’s sacrifice, I danced so wildly at the all-night festival that it shocked Christine when she entered the room midway. This was a bloody festival. Even though I avenged Sophia’s older sister, the gratitude I felt was painful… it truly hurt, and I felt like I could get addicted to it.
“Sophia… I’m cold.”
I’ve lost so much blood. I could have died from excessive bleeding, but thanks to the demon’s blood, I’m not dead. Still, I feel like I’m dying…
“I’ll warm you up…”
Don’t hug me while I’m naked! What I need is “healing,” not skin-to-skin warmth. Heal me quickly with your healing magic. Should I just die?!
“Just kidding. ■■■■, heal.”
Miraculous. Healing magic that instantly cures even those on the brink of death. Heal me already! And stop shooting lasers before that!
“Thank you, Sophia. I’m going to see Queen Anneliese to talk about what comes next. White Lily Corps, please conserve your strength. We’ll be busy from tomorrow.”
This might be the last time I see Queen Anneliese… I will take the Demon Lord’s head. If I succeed, I can see her again, but if I fail, I might not. If things get bad, I’ll run. Godspeed isn’t just for show, and my primary objective isn’t the Demon Lord’s head. It’s the true objective I’ve only told Orietta about. I haven’t told the others because I didn’t want to dampen their fighting spirit, but taking the Demon Lord’s head is secondary. I’ll treat it as a bonus, something I’d like to do if possible, and if it happens, fine. Getting too eager leads to failure.
“Please grant me strength…”
Of course, after replenishing my strength with Sophia, I had an audience with Queen Anneliese.
“Absolutely not!”
Being scolded by a beautiful woman feels like it could become a habit. So many things feel like they could become habits that I’m starting to wonder if I’m an “M.” I thought I was a normal person with a slight “S” tendency. Queen Anneliese was busy in her office. After a quick greeting, I brought Yuma Bashar back and informed her that I had reunited her with Lady Selina, whom she thought had died in Anaheim Offen. For this, she gave me thanks beyond a kiss, which was unsatisfactory for me, but seeing Queen Anneliese smile was enough. Then, to the main point. I told her that we would be invading Lauenstein with the White Lily Corps to take the Demon Lord’s head, and she got angry. She threw reasonable arguments at me, like it being reckless and my duty as a hero, so I countered.
“There are Thunder Dragons in the three northern cities. We are powerless against these dragons.”
“I heard that! It’s the first time I’ve heard of a monster using lightning as a weapon, but it’s not impossible to defeat them if we take our time.”
“We don’t have that time. Ashtal’s expeditionary force will arrive soon. Once they do, an assault will be inevitable. The massive Ashtal army and the Allied Forces cannot sustain their supply lines. It will be a short battle to reach Lauenstein.”
“Stopping that is the hero’s job! Let’s drag it into a prolonged battle and devise countermeasures for the Thunder Dragons!”
That’s precisely the problem! The supply lines are too long! The faction that deploys the most knights has the longest supply line! And that’s assuming the Demon Army doesn’t attack. What if they attack with the Thunder Dragons leading the charge, you fool! I explained this in anObscuring manner, trying not to undermine the Queen’s dignity, but my words still weren’t getting through. After all, I am a hero. It’s understandable that my words don’t get through. Unlike the heroes in fairy tales, I am the commander-in-chief of the Allied Forces, so she probably wouldn’t want me going off to the Demon Lord and dying. The troublesome chains of society bind me and make me groan. If I’m going to be bound, I’d rather it be Lady Anneliese, but I suppose Queens have their own chains. I’d love to try binding her once.
“Your Majesty, this is the only chance we have to defeat the Demon Lord. It’s the conclusion I reached after careful consideration. Please understand…”
If only we had cruise missiles, I’d launch them at Lauenstein, but unfortunately, not even Orietta can make them. I’d like to have special forces make an airborne drop, but that will likely be us. Queen Anneliese objected until the very end. It ended up being a quarrel, but it couldn’t be helped. Since it might be the last time, it’s sad that there wasn’t even a farewell kiss, so I’ll definitely come back alive. Warm my bed and wait for me… Leaving Klinshvelbach Castle, I savored the solitude I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
The town of Klinshberbach is slowly regaining its vitality. Knights and mercenaries are roaming the streets, and some people are starting to open businesses here and there. I decided to use my rare free time to go shopping. I wanted to buy a small gift for the White Lily Corps, who would be working hard from now on. Thinking about it again, I’ve never given a present to a girl. I have plenty of money, but I can’t think of a thoughtful gift. If I gave something that reflected my personal tastes, they’d definitely be put off. I guess it’s best to buy something that suits the recipient. I suddenly thought of a shop and decided to buy a “hand mirror,” a “comb,” and a “small glass bottle” to give to Sophia, Alana, and Rufina. Sophia would probably use them for grooming, Alana to smooth her fur, and Rufina would surely be delighted with them as a blood replenishment source. For Orietta, perhaps a “guillotine collar”? She’d probably use it. Though I’d prefer it if it wasn’t used on me. I bought Christine a “necklace” as a little splurge. She helped me activate Mode Seven, so she deserves at least this much. For Priscilla, I got her some “trinkets.” She’s mine now, so this is enough. I don’t need to feed the fish I’ve caught. When I returned to the White Lily Corps, Alma Rosenberg, the demoness I thought would be tied up, was chatting with everyone, and a strange woman was lying on the floor, tied up. …Kidnapping is bad.
“Who is this person?”
Instead of simply restraining her hands and feet, she was lying there in a Kaggobari-shibari, and her bust had far exceeded the acceptable line.
“Don’t you know just by looking?”
What I know is that Alma, who should have been tied up, is drinking ale with everyone, and an unknown woman is tied up. Could it be…? A gift for me!?
“I don’t know. Is she a bandit or something?”
“No way. She’s a Lycanthrope. You’re the one who let her live.”
That’s right. I only attacked her because I realized she was a woman and knocked her unconscious. I’d completely forgotten about it, I was dying. Nice one, Priscilla! This is a gift for me!
“…Orietta and I carried her here.”
You forgot too, Priscilla! No gift for you! I’ll give you something white later. …So, why did you bring her here? It seems you’ve extracted Jacob’s information, so what are you going to do with her tied up? Isn’t it better to release her? Is this really a gift for me?
“It’s great that you’ve done the hard work… but what are we going to do with her?”
“What do you think? You deal with it!”
What the heck, you’re just dumping it on me!? Are you some big general contractor!? Am I a subcontractor for a small business!? But if you tell me to handle it, I’ll handle it. My opponent is a Lycanthrope completely immobilized in a Kaggobari-shibari. The way her chest bulges is rather comforting.
“Did you get what you needed to ask?”
“Yes. The rest is up to you. —So, um,”
They all seem engrossed in conversation and their drinks… Don’t they care about what to do with this Lycanthrope? Is it okay to be alone with her? Should I try to meet their expectations? I approached the Lycanthrope, who was lying down tied up in her human form. She was tied up in a spectacular Kaggobari-shibari. It must have been bound by Orietta’s incredible strength. The rope marks, digging in even through her clothes, looked like they would leave scars, making her seem pitiful yet arousing. I heartlessly thrust my knife forward. Of course, into the rope that was binding her. The rope snapped, and her flesh bounced. Her chest size seemed to have increased by one cup. When I untied the ropes, the Lycanthrope embraced me. For a moment, I panicked, thinking she would fall on me and pin me down. As I moved to strike her face with my knife before she could transform… The eyes looking up at me seemed to hold affection, not hostility. Was it because I’m a handsome man? The grip of her embrace wasn’t one of pushing me down, but rather of holding me close. Could this be…?
“Um…”
“I’ll follow you for the rest of my life…”
A white gust of wind kicked the Lycanthrope’s face, and she was replaced by Sophia, who clung to me and squeezed me with teary eyes.
“Are you going to kill her?”
“No. Please relax a little, or I’ll die.”
Sometimes I think Sophia is the strongest and fastest member of the corps… She’s the type you definitely don’t want to anger. While waiting for her to loosen her grip, I might stop breathing or break my spine. To get her to loosen up quickly, I asked Priscilla, while rubbing Sophia’s behind, “What’s going on? Are they following me?”
“Yes, Lycanthropes have a “nature” of obeying the strong. After defeating Jacob, you are the top.”
I don’t mind being called strong, but I don’t want to break my spine for it. Sophia’s behind feels good, but I don’t have enough leeway in my spine to bet on whether it breaks before she breaks it. “Th-this person will be looked after by the White Lily Corps! Not by us, but by the new people!” My creaking back taught me the feelings of a lobster. In my case, it’s bending the other way… Sophia also seemed to agree, and my spine was saved. I bet I’m flexible enough to do a bridge right now.
That day turned into an impromptu holiday. I didn’t even have time to give the presents I bought and it became a holiday. When it’s a holiday, it means guard duty…
