I met Dita as I was about to leave Headquarters.
Judging by the faint scent of beasts, she seemed to have come from the back, near the stables.
She was likely tending to her close friend and mount, the dragon Vijalv, who had probably fought alongside her in the recent battle.
So that’s why she wasn’t near us earlier.
“…….. (stare)”
As I was thinking about such things, Dita stared at me intently.
“…Abel, your face is a little red.”
“Um, it’s for magic power replenishment…”
I found myself faltering, feeling as if she could see right through me.
“…Magic replenishment sex ritual? Do you have sex with various women?”
Dita gazed at me.
Could she possibly be jealous?
“…Abel, you just need to do what’s necessary.”
There was no hidden meaning; Dita’s words were utterly nonchalant.
“…Dita will also do what’s necessary.”
“What’s necessary…”
“…Dita’s mission.”
“Is it a mission for the Third Squad?”
“…….. (shake shake)”
Dita shook her head in response to my question.
Then what was she talking about…?
“Magical communication, channel open.”
As Dita muttered the incantation, light gathered in her right hand.
It was a slender bundle of light, small enough to fit in her palm.
It had a shape that vaguely reminded me of a mobile phone.
“…Data verification. Magic pattern blue… Directive, this time to the northeastern part of the Royal Capital…”
Dita mumbled something to the bundle of light.
I think this is what they call magical communication.
“…The mission orders just arrived.”
I wondered what kind of mission it was, if not for the Third Squad.
Come to think of it, Dita is quite mysterious.
I know almost nothing about her.
Not her background, not even her age.
“…Dita is leaving now.”
“Ah, ah.”
I nodded.
She seemed busy, so I decided not to ask for details.
“…Abel, you too, replenish your magic power through plenty of sex. All of them are beauties. Abel’s face is grinning.”
Giving me one last intense look, Dita departed.
…Was she perhaps a little jealous after all, Dita?
“Are we going to have sex here again today?”
I looked up at the pure white palace towering before me.
…Apparently, among the citizens, this building is commonly known as Abel Palace, the hero’s harem.
The palace also has a small refectory and serves as a sort of hotel or villa for me, not just for sex.
It even comes equipped with a magic training room.
And staff are constantly stationed here, maintaining the facilities like hotel employees, handling all the chores.
I wonder what kind of beauties await me today──.
As I entered the palace through the gate, my lower abdomen throbbed sweetly with anticipation and nervousness.
“Good evening, Lord Abel.”
“Welcome, Lord Abel.”
I passed by two women wearing what looked like staff uniforms.
One had bright features, with her blonde hair neatly curled.
The other had a gentle expression, with her dark hair styled in a chignon.
Both were undeniably beautiful.
They usually maintain this facility, but they also offered to be my companions if I wished.
It made sense they were beauties.
Even through their uniforms, their figures were exceptional.
Their breasts were prominent, like rockets.
Their waists were beautifully slender.
And I could discern a beautiful, alluring hip line through their tight skirts.
I gulped involuntarily.
I already have someone chosen for today, but I hope to have them as companions on another occasion.
──Such carnal desires welled up within me.
At the same time, there was one thing that concerned me.
Upon entering the ritual chamber, the silver-haired Priestess awaited me, just as she had last time.
Mariel, a high-ranking priestess from Almelis, a beautiful woman of prime age who possessed both pure beauty and alluring sensuality.
Behind her, four more beauties stood ready.
Their faces were different from the last time.
However, they were all exceptionally beautiful, just like before.
“Congratulations on your triumphant return, Lord Abel.”
As soon as I entered, Mariel knelt at my feet.
“We hear you were valiant in the recent battle. We are all honored to serve as your companions.”
“We are honored.”
The beauties who chimed in unison knelt before me, just like Mariel.
“…I’ll be relying on you again today.”
I said it with confidence, with great confidence──.
I muttered to myself, feigning composure.
However, I couldn’t completely suppress my rising tension, and my voice wavered slightly.
Moreover, above all, I was bursting with excitement in front of these prime beauties.
“As there are many who wish to, it has been decided that Lord Abel’s companions will rotate each time. We thought this would provide you with fresh excitement,”
said Mariel.
So, I’ll be able to have intimate relations with beauties of this caliber, one after another, every time.
But there’s something I need to ask before that.
“Mariel, before the ritual, there’s one thing… is that okay?”
I brought up the matter that had been on my mind.
“Do the women here truly engage in this with me of their own free will? Perhaps──”
Are they being used as tools in a power struggle?
“You asked the same question before, Lord Abel.”
Mariel smiled.
“Are you asking this question considering your own position?”
“No, well…”
I felt like she could see right through me.
“Thank you for your concern.”
Mariel bowed politely.
Her smile was softer than her usual brilliant one.
It was a smile that seemed to convey a slight sense of, “I understand you.”
“Indeed, there are various machinations within the court. There are those who dedicate themselves to the Queen, the so-called pro-Queen faction── Eliza is one of them. Conversely, there are those who disagree with the Queen── centered around influential ministers like Lord Irvin.”
Mariel explained.
“To them, you, Lord Abel, the hero, are a perfect symbol to capture the hearts of the populace. Therefore, many would want to bring you into their faction.”
In short, am I just a sacrificial lamb for popularity?
“However, we are those who are drawn to you and wish to serve you. We have no intention of participating in power struggles.”
Mariel stated firmly, with the demeanor of a priestess set apart from worldly affairs.
“This country is currently threatened by the Empire. People close to us might suffer terribly or be killed in war. To prevent that and to protect them, we want to offer our support in our own way to those like you, Lord Abel, who are fighting.”
The beauties behind her nodded deeply.
As if to say their thoughts were united.
“When I saw the recruitment for companions, I realized I could do something to protect the country. And by actually sharing a bed with you, Lord Abel, and helping replenish your magic power, there is no greater joy for us.”
Mariel spoke eloquently.
“Because we were able to contribute to protecting the country and its people.”
──Of course, there was no proof to support her words.
Her statement might have been mere acting to win me over.
But I decided to believe Mariel and the women who would be my companions.
Looking into their eyes, I couldn’t help but believe them.
“Fufu, that became a bit of a serious conversation. Perhaps it’s not very fitting for a discussion between a man and a woman in bed.”
Mariel chuckled with a mischievous smile.
“Well then, as a palate cleanser── we shall all entertain you.”
And so── another night of debauchery began.
