♣♣♣

After finishing the act, Aine and I finally settle down to eat breakfast.

Lately, even after the act, there’s no longer an awkward atmosphere, but somehow Aine’s attitude is still a bit stiff.

“…Aine, are you angry?”

“I’m not angry. It’s just… day by day, Lunois, you’re getting more, um, sadistic or something…”

“Hmm? I can’t hear you well.”

“—It’s nothing!”

She mutters so quietly that I couldn’t hear the last part well. …When she says something about ‘S,’ is that about adventurers? I don’t think it’s very related to the current situation though.

“Anyway, I’m not angry. So, what are you doing today?”

“Today… I haven’t really decided on any plans.”

Several days since returning home—I haven’t taken on new work. There are a few jobs I’ve accepted, but nothing urgent.

Honestly, I want to increase the time I can spend with Aine.

“Aine, is there anything you want to do? Since it happened this morning, I think we can consider today a free day.”

“! Now that you mention it, yeah. Today we can do anything without worry…”

Aine starts thinking as if she’s realized something.

The fact that the ‘heat’ occurred in the morning means Aine at least won’t be affected by the collar’s effects today. The ‘Lust Collar’ only activates once a day.

In a sense, because that’s observed, if it happens in the morning, there’s no need to worry for the rest of that day.

Honestly, there were few occasions when the ‘heat’ occurred in the morning, so today would be good if Aine could do what she wants.

“…Well, even if I think about it, swinging a sword is about my only hobby.”

After a moment of silence, Aine says such things looking embarrassed.

I can’t help but chuckle.

“Ah, you laughed…!”

“No, sorry. I didn’t mean anything bad… it’s just, I don’t really have hobbies either. We’re similar in that way.”

“Both of us having swords as a hobby, that’s kind of funny.”

Honestly, my hobby was strongly influenced by Aine, but she too is a girl who lives by the sword. She said she hadn’t touched a sword for a while after becoming a slave, but lately she’s been devoting herself to sword practice too.

…But if we end today with just that, it’ll be the same as always.

That would be fine, but since we have a long free time, I also feel like doing something.

As I’m thinking such things, Aine claps her hands as if she’s thought of something—

“That’s right. Since we have the chance, let’s go do adventurer work!”

That’s what she proposed.

“Adventurer work? You mean the ones I’ve accepted?”

“Yeah, you still have several pending, right?”

“Well, yeah. There are things I can do around here.”

On the way back from the capital to this town, I’ve finished about two jobs. I also accepted a request to investigate monsters in the forest a bit away from town.

This one’s investigation, not subjugation. I’ll subjugate them if necessary at my discretion, but… at the investigation stage, only the monster’s name is known.

“Ah, but your eye is still in that state… I don’t intend to make you push yourself.”

“I’m not pushing myself. I showed you, Aine. I’m fine even if I can’t see.”

She seems worried about me still wearing an eyepatch over one eye, but it’s not particularly a hindrance.

If one eye can see, there’s no problem at all.

Aine showed a slightly hesitant look, but eventually showed an expression filled with determination.

“Then it’s decided. I’ll help with one of your jobs.”

“You don’t have to work on a free day.”

“What are you saying? Originally we talked about me helping with work, didn’t we? I might not be much help yet, but… I want to be useful to Lunois too.”

She seemed to still be concerned about not being able to cooperate much with work.

I don’t mind—but with Aine’s personality, she won’t allow that.

Today there’s no risk of Aine going into heat in the forest… certainly, it was a perfect day for work.

“Yeah, got it. Since we have the chance, I’ll have you help with work, Aine.”

“Yes, leave it to me. I intend to be really useful today!”

Aine declares with a smile. Just in terms of ability, she’s strong enough to match A-rank adventurers.

That’s my assessment, and without the collar’s influence, she could probably handle several of the jobs I’ve accepted on her own.

It’s not exactly rehabilitation for me, but if it leads to Aine’s training, that’s good too.

Our objective for today was decided—to complete adventurer work.

Ludro Town—probably, among the adventurers staying here, I’d be the highest rank. Though since I’m S-rank, there are no adventurers with a higher rank than me anyway.

Adventurers are divided into those who stay in one base and those who wander.

The staying type, for example, have families or have reasons to remain in that place.

The wandering type have no attachment to one place, or their work objectives require traveling to many places in the first place.

In my case, honestly either was fine. Work sometimes takes me a bit far away, but I always end up returning to this town—that’s the kind of life I’ve been repeating.

For better or worse, having a house is convenient and nice in various ways. More than anything, now I’m with Aine—I’m glad I have a house.

“Hey, how long does it take to get to the forest?”

“Mm, from here it’s about several dozen minutes on foot.”

“I see. Around here there probably aren’t many carriages either, right?”

“Do you want to ride a carriage?”

“I’m fine either way, but…”

Aine says such things meaningfully.

This town itself isn’t very large. The number of carriages passing through is small because unless it’s a wide place like the capital, it’s hard to make a profit.

In the forest direction, monsters also appear and become a risk—so basically, travel in this town is on foot.

It’s only been about a week since we started living in this town, but Aine seems to have gotten quite used to the town’s atmosphere. Like in the capital, she doesn’t particularly seem to mind the collar and walks beside me.

…When we first came here, there was apparently some talk about how I, an S-rank adventurer, brought a ‘slave.’

I explained to the adventurer’s guild here and got them to understand, but there are people with prejudices about owning slaves.

I don’t mind myself, but if Aine minded the collar, I was prepared to at least hide it somehow. Apparently, that’s not necessary though.

“By the way, what kind of monster are we hunting today?”

“Ah, it’s subjugating a monster called ‘D-Orc.'”

“…I haven’t heard of that much.”

“Well, it might be a fairly rare type of monster. It’s fairly large, and apparently was spotted once near the forest entrance. In terms of adventurer rank, normally it should be an opponent B-rank can handle.”

“Normally?”

“Rarely, abnormally strong individuals are born—that’s a characteristic of ‘D-Orcs.’ This time such an abnormal individual was confirmed. Three B-rank adventurers challenged it and were defeated—since there haven’t been casualties yet, the guild’s intention is probably to subjugate it now.”

More than anything, they probably don’t want to leave a vicious monster that appeared near the entrance, not deep in the forest.

Of course, just because it appeared there doesn’t mean the monster will come to town.

However, the location where the ‘D-Orc’ appeared is a place townspeople also visit. For gathering nuts and harvesting medicinal herbs—a place anyone can casually access.

Or perhaps, knowing that, the ‘D-Orc’ is stationed there.

Monsters with ‘Orc’ in their name aren’t smart enough to be called intelligent, but they’re not without intelligence either.

They have enough intelligence to use objects—that’s probably what this ‘forest’ situation is about. The abundant resources attract monsters that become their prey.

—This time, it has to be said that they settled in a bad location.

“Just so you know, in my assessment the ‘D-Orc’s’ strength is probably A-rank level or above.”

“So I’d be lacking in strength alone?”

“That’s not what I mean, but don’t push yourself.”

Aine’s current ability is around lower A-rank adventurer level.

Her sword skills show no signs of being rusty, but her body’s movements do seem somewhat deteriorated. Of course, that level of skill wouldn’t cause problems in living.

From my perspective, she’s the type who tends to push herself, so I wanted to caution her. Whether she knows it or not, Aine nods and answers.

“Of course I won’t push myself. If you’re saying that, you shouldn’t push yourself either, you know?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Even if you say you can fight without seeing… one of your eyes still can’t see, right?”

“It’s not that I can’t see. There’s just some discomfort—”

“That’s what pushing yourself means! Anyway, if you’re going to warn me, you be careful too! …I’ll cover the eye you can’t see with.”

Saying that, Aine disappears from my view, hidden behind the eyepatch’s shadow.

For my part, I didn’t want her standing where I can’t see her. Reluctantly, I walk while looking slightly in Aine’s direction.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…! Look forward when you walk!”

—I was scolded like that right away.

♢♢♢

After walking for a while from leaving town, the forest entrance comes into view.

Before entering the forest, Aine and I decide to observe the situation from a nearby meadow. After all, the target monster this time was spotted near the forest entrance.

Rather than entering the forest, it’s better to confirm the current situation first.

In the meadow, several herbivorous monsters could be seen. Even though they’re broadly called monsters, there are many varieties—even gentle types of monsters that don’t attack humans exist.

Many such monsters exist in this meadow.

Conversely, seeing those monsters relaxing near the forest entrance, perhaps the ‘D-Orc’ isn’t nearby right now.

The meadow monsters are particularly timid by nature. The fact that these vigilant creatures are there means it’s probably safe for now at least.

“Probably not at the forest entrance. Should we go a bit into the forest?”

“Got it. I’ll go ahead.”

Saying that, Aine moves forward. …Perhaps because she knows the ‘Lust Collar’s’ effects won’t occur, I could tell Aine was eager today.

I don’t really want her to push herself too hard, but Aine has also stopped me saying “don’t push yourself.” We’re in a state of worrying about each other.

When I was attacked by the ‘Empire’s’ mages, I thought I’d proven there was no need to worry by winning even without being able to see, but apparently that doesn’t matter.

The forest entrance—entering from where the trees grow thick, Aine looks around while observing the situation.

“…There aren’t many monster presences.”

“There were quite a few in the meadow, but the moment we entered the forest it’s like this… maybe it really is making this area its dwelling. Aine, be careful.”

“I know. You be careful too, Lunois, don’t go in front of me.”

I’m warned again as if being reminded. …Recently, opportunities to practice swordsmanship together with Aine have increased. Considering her abilities, I think it’s fully possible for her to fight a ‘D-Orc’ properly.

But whether she can win is a completely different matter. Basically I intend to respect her will, but of course if there’s danger, I’ll fight.

At the very least, I want Aine to recognize that this is content requested of me.

I’m definitely not underestimating Aine’s sword skills. It’s just that dealing with monsters is a completely different problem.

Aine and I proceed while checking through the forest—but as expected, no monster presence can be felt in the forest either.

What’s strange is that I can’t feel the ‘D-Orc’s’ presence either.

There’s no doubt it’s making the area near this forest its dwelling. If it’s a monster with some ability, just being nearby I should be able to sense its presence… through my life as an adventurer, I’d become able to do at least that much.

“Aine, wait a moment.”

“…? What’s wrong?”

“No, something feels off about the atmosphere. Like there’s something different from the ‘D-Orc’…”

“Something… it’s true there are few monster presences, but…”

“Sorry, but could you fall back behind me?”

“! Wh-why!? The job just started!”

Aine voices her protest. I understand her feelings—but somehow I have a bad premonition.

Just like when those Empire mages came before… Could someone targeting Aine have come again in this short period?

At least, there are those targeting Aine for some reason.

To be precise, I should say they’re targeting Aine’s collar. I might be getting too cautious, but it’s better to be vigilant.

I speak while stroking Aine’s head.

“If there’s no problem, I’ll leave it to you again. So for now, please follow me.”

“…! If Lunois says so… fine.”

Though she had a dissatisfied expression, Aine nodded.

Like before, I go ahead with Aine following behind. While touching the sword at my waist, I proceed through the forest on guard.

This time we won’t set up camp in the forest—it’s good enough if we can confirm the monster. If there’s anything else… as I’m walking while thinking that, I catch sight of a human figure. I silently stop Aine behind me.

“—”

Crouching down, I stare at that person.

The figure appeared to be sitting on ‘something.’ Thrusting the sword they’re holding into that ‘something.’

(A ‘D-Orc’…?)

What’s fallen is a ‘D-Orc.’ —Before us is someone who defeated an A-rank level monster. Remembering what happened before, I grip my sword’s handle and enter combat readiness.

But when I confirm the person’s appearance closely, I inadvertently let out a sound.

“…Ralha-san?”

“Hmm, that voice is… Lunois?”

She—Ralha also notices my voice and turns around. I knew this woman who wields a greatsword taller than herself very well.

“…Someone you know, Lunois?”

To Aine asking with a suspicious expression, I nod and answer.

“Yeah, she’s someone who took care of me when I first started as an adventurer.”

—As an adventurer, I haven’t always done everything alone.

In the beginning, I sometimes teamed up with others. The person I partied with at that time was this woman, Ralha Reshure, who likely defeated the ‘D-Orc.’

Sweeping back her red hair, Ralha stands up with a pleased smile.

“Ooh, looks like you’ve grown quite a bit, Lunois—wait, what happened to that eye?”

Ralha looks at my eyepatch and says with a slightly surprised expression.

“Got injured a bit on a job. Well, it’ll heal soon enough.”

“Hmm, I see. Well, injuries are part of the adventurer’s job. Rather, if you were hurt in battle, you could say that’s a badge of honor as an adventurer. It means you’ve grown. …But you’re still a bit too early to take me on! Ahaha!”

“…!?”

It’s probably meant as a joke upon meeting, but the one who reacted most to those words was Aine behind me.

I explain to Ralha the circumstances of coming to subjugate the monster after accepting a request. Then she says:

“So it was your prey, huh? Well that’s too bad! Ahaha!”

Laughing loudly, she says without showing any guilt.

If it’s Ralha, it’s not strange at all that she defeated the ‘D-Orc’ alone. A little while ago, she was someone overwhelmingly more skilled than me. No, even now if we fought seriously… well, Ralha and I will never fight seriously though.

“I don’t mind if you defeated it. Originally, I came to defeat it because it appeared around here and was dangerous.”

“Ho, big words… even from my perspective, I’d say this one was pretty strong. And you say you’d ‘defeat’ it with certainty. At least, you seem considerably stronger than when you were with me. Impressive, impressive.”

Nodding while saying such things, Ralha speaks. Compared to when we partied together, I think I’ve grown considerably.

In fact, when I became an adventurer, Ralha was already an A-rank adventurer.

I’ve heard through the grapevine that she’s reached a level where she could become S-rank, but…

“So, who’s that girl?”

“Ah, she’s—”

“I’m Aine. Aine Krosinte. Lunois’s ‘childhood friend,’ and we’re living together now.”

For some reason emphasizing it with a stronger tone, and on top of that explaining that we’re living together. Was it really necessary to say that much?

At Aine’s self-introduction, Ralha shows a momentarily taken-aback expression, but—

“Ahaha, is that so! Lunois, so you’ve already settled down.”

Why does she reach such a conclusion? She says such things.

“! Se-settled down…!?”

“No, it’s not quite like that… there are various circumstances with Aine.”

Ignoring Aine who’s flustered by Ralha’s words for some reason, I answer.

“Various?” She shows a suspicious expression, but looking at Aine’s neck, shows an expression as if understanding something.

“Hoho, various indeed…”

“Just to be clear, I don’t think it’s what you’re thinking, Ralha-san.”

“Hey now, what kind of thing do you think I’m thinking? Just a naughty relationship where you put a ‘slave collar’ on your childhood friend and drag her around, right?”

“That’s completely wrong!”

It was Aine who strongly voiced the denial. Well, it’s impossible to expect Ralha, who doesn’t know the circumstances, to understand.

However, I had something on my mind.

“There are some circumstances regarding this collar… speaking of which, Ralha-san, you travel around various countries, right?”

“Hmm, that’s right. Coming back here is rare, really rare. What about it?”

“Yes, I was wondering if you’ve been to the ‘Empire’ as well.”

“The Empire? The neighboring country?”

“Yes, I was wondering if you’ve worked over there.”

“Wait, Lunois…”

“It’s okay.”

I answer Aine who speaks to me in a reproachful tone in a low voice.

—Ralha is someone who travels to various places as an adventurer. The fact that I met her and could form a party could be called miraculous.

It just so happened that Ralha stayed in this area and continued working, which is why I could learn as an adventurer.

And because we were together, I know her as a person—at least, the adventurer Ralha isn’t the type to do something just because she learned of our situation.

For example, she’s not the kind of person who would sell information to the Empire side.

Still, Aine might worry, so I’ll try asking in a roundabout way just in case.

“That’s right, I was working over there until recently. What about it?”

“Well, over there… for example, has there been an urgent request to search for someone?”

“Search for someone? What, did you do something bad in the Empire—well, if so, I’d already know. I haven’t heard such talk.”

To my question, Ralha answered immediately. Hearing that, I’m relieved for now.

“I see. Then, can I ask one more thing?”

“Mm, what?”

“Do you know a way to remove this collar?”

“!”

Aine looks at me with a surprised expression again. …I don’t intend to go into that much detail, but I judged it’s better to ask what I can.

After all, Ralha has seen various places.

She might have heard something somewhere about collars put on slaves like this.

“That’s a strange question… surely you’re not telling me the stupid story that you put it on for fun and can’t get it off?”

To Ralha’s question, I can’t help but smile wryly.

“Haha, that might have been better.”

“…So there are some circumstances. Well, I won’t pry deeply. Was it Aine? Come here for a bit.”

“…Y-yes.”

Aine showed a slightly anxious expression, but when I urged her, she stood before Ralha.

Ralha narrows her eyes and looks at Aine’s neck. Gently reaching out her hand to her neck, she strokes it.

“Nn.”

Aine lets out a slight sound and covers her mouth with her hand as if enduring.

After Ralha examines Aine’s collar for a while—

“I see, seems you’re wearing something quite rare, but… I don’t know how to remove it.”

She shrugs and answers.

“…I see.”

“Well, I know someone who might know how to remove it, but that person isn’t around here either.”

“! You know someone who might know?”

“Mmm, since that guy has a hobby of making these types of magic tools, it’s just a possibility though.”

It’s appreciated that she has an acquaintance like that. Though apparently they don’t live around here.

“U-um…! C-could you please stop stroking now…!?”

Only then does Aine finally voice her protest.

Even while talking with me, Ralha had been stroking Aine’s neck the whole time—I was slow to notice that fact.

“Oops, sorry. You had such cute reactions, I couldn’t help but keep stroking! Ahaha!”

Without showing any guilt, Ralha says while laughing loudly.

Aine was looking at Ralha somewhat glaring, but I can’t help but smile wryly seeing that.

Because there she was, unchanged from when we were in a party together before.

After that, Aine and I had returned to town together with Ralha. Today’s job was subjugating the ‘D-Orc’—but it was already finished, so it couldn’t be helped.

“Ooh, this town hasn’t changed.”

“The capital hasn’t changed that much either.”

“Really? I thought you don’t go to the capital in the first place?”

“I go if there’s work. I just went recently too.”

“Ho, is that so? Well, if you’re planning to defeat that… I guess you have considerable skill.”

Ralha smirks and looks at me. Even without seeing her fight, I can tell she’s become even stronger than before.

“I’ll transfer all the request for the ‘D-Orc’ to you, Ralha-san.”

“Ahh, it’s fine. That’s not an achievement or anything, and I’m not interested.”

“I can’t do that… it affects adventurer ranks.”

“Lunois is already S-rank, so it doesn’t matter.”

It was Aine who suddenly interjected here. Showing a slightly displeased expression, her gaze averted. She’s been like this since we returned to town.

“Hooh, Lunois. So you’re S-rank too?”

“! You too…?”

Aine said with a slightly surprised voice.

When I was partying with her, she was already A-rank, so it’s not a strange story.

“So Ralha-san is too.”

“We don’t hear each other’s names, huh—well, can’t be helped since our bases of activity are different.”

Even among adventurers, the world is vast.

For an adventurer with limited activity bases like me, whether my name reaches neighboring countries is doubtful.

The title ‘Second Generation Sword Saint’ is a name that’s spread precisely because it’s in this country. —The ‘First Generation Sword Saint’ is naturally more widely known compared to me.

“Well, I was promoted to S-rank recently. I think it’s a bit heavy of an evaluation for me though.”

“That’s not true. With your abilities, Ralha-san, S-rank makes sense.”

“Ahaha, I don’t need flattery. But well, there are many who don’t work properly. I’m earning as much as I can. Never mind about me, I didn’t think you’d grown this much!”

“Wait, that hurts.”

Whether intending to pat my head or not, she ruffles my head with her hand. Her strength is the same as always.

“…”

In the midst of that, Aine suddenly moves forward and begins heading toward home with quick steps.

Without thinking, I call out to her.

“Aine? The direction isn’t—”

“You two go. I’m a bit tired.”

Leaving just those words, Aine leaves without turning back. …I don’t think Aine would get tired from just this. Perhaps she wasn’t feeling well.

“Ahaha, maybe I teased her a bit too much.”

“? Ralha-san, did you do something to Aine?”

“You haven’t grown at all in that area. Well, you’ll understand eventually. Well then, I’ll leave the ‘D-Orc’ report to you. I’ll go ahead and intrude on your house.”

“! To my house?”

“Oops, I won’t go if it’s inconvenient.”

“No, it’s not that, but… Aine just now—”

“That’s why I’m going to play with that Aine. You quickly make the report and come back.”

Ralha waves her hand and follows after Aine who left.

…Well, I’m the homeowner, but I guess it’s fine.

I head toward the adventurer’s guild. There are few parts of the ‘D-Orc’ that can be bought, so this time I just brought back part of the body as proof of subjugation.

As soon as I arrive at the guild, I head to the reception.

“I’m here to report the subjugation of the ‘D-Orc.'”

“! As expected of S-rank adventurer Lunois Staler-san! Now the forest will be safe too.”

Being told that by the receptionist woman, I smile wryly. I’m not the one who defeated it—I should give at least the money from the request to Ralha.

I intended to defeat the ‘D-Orc’… or rather, maybe it was Aine who intended to defeat it.

When I thought that, I suddenly understood her attitude from earlier.

“…I see, so that’s why she’s in a bad mood.”

She intended to fight, but it was interrupted, so Aine’s mood might have soured. After all, she was quite fired up even before going to work.

…I should go on another request after a bit.

Vowing that in my heart, I decide to explore around town for a while to buy something that might improve Aine’s bad mood.

♣♣♣

Aine was returning to Lunois’s house alone with quick steps. But after walking for a while, she suddenly stops and sighs.

(Sigh… what am I doing?)

Very clearly, Aine had shown her attitude toward Lunois. Mainly about his relationship with Ralha.

It’s not like the two of them did anything wrong. Rather, Aine showing irritation over something so trivial is the one in the wrong… she knows that without being told.

(It’s pathetic, but somehow, I just don’t like it…)

What was there was a Lunois that Aine didn’t know. The Lunois she reunited with already showed swordsmanship far surpassing Aine’s abilities. Now he’s active as an ‘S-rank’ adventurer.

Aine was saved by such a Lunois and is here now.

—Originally, she liked him.

After reuniting and spending time together even for a short period, she reconfirmed those feelings.

That’s why, wanting to catch up to such a Lunois even a little, wanting to be useful… her feelings are a bit rushed.

So, with the job finished, and on top of that with the appearance of Ralha who knows a Lunois that Aine doesn’t know, Aine showed unavoidable irritation.

As much as possible, she tried not to be rude to her, but surely it got through.

(…I’m the worst, aren’t I—)

“What are you doing!”

“Uhyaa!?”

Suddenly called out from behind, a hand enters through a gap in her clothes all the way to her chest. When she turns around, Ralha is there.

“R-Ralha-san…!?”

“Ooh, I thought you were the type who looks slimmer in clothes, but this is a nice size chest.”

“Nn, wai… wh-what are you…!”

“Ahaha, just light skinship. I like cute girls like you too.”

“Wh-what are you say… nn.”

A sound inadvertently escapes.

Even her underwear slips aside smoothly, and Ralha’s hand directly touches Aine’s chest. When her slightly dry, cold hand touches Aine’s nipple, her body trembles slightly.

Passersby also glance at Aine and Ralha like that.

Aine feels her face heat up hotly, suppressing her voice as she lets out a protest.

“St-stop…! I’ll get angry…!?”

“Oops, sorry. I don’t mean to anger you. It’s really just light skinship.”

Saying that, Ralha smoothly withdraws her hand.

If it had continued just a bit longer, she might have collapsed right there. While shallowly catching her breath, Aine turns toward Ralha.

“Wh-why are you here…?”

“Mmm, I left the work report to Lunois. I thought I’d rest first.”

“Rest, you say… you’re coming to Lunois’s house?”

“I got permission from the homeowner. Though if you don’t like it, I won’t go.”

Of course, when Lunois said “it’s fine,” Aine couldn’t openly object.

Actually, she was a bit uncomfortable with Ralha, whose skinship had been excessive since earlier.

Aine herself didn’t have many female friends after becoming a knight.

Rather, she was the type who spent her days off devoted to sword training—she’s not used to dealing with this kind of person.

“If Lunois said it’s okay, then it’s fine. I’m heading there too, so please follow me.”

“Ooh, I’ll do that.”

Ignoring Ralha who shows a smiling expression, Aine sighs softly and heads toward Lunois’s house.

It’s not very far from here. As they start walking, Ralha falls in beside her.

Even though they’re both women, her height and chest size are bigger.

(I wonder if Lunois prefers this type of person…?)

Suddenly, she thinks such things. Come to think of it, she’s never heard what Lunois’s type in women is.

Lunois told Aine he “likes” her, but whether that’s romantic love—he said he doesn’t understand that himself.

Standing alongside Ralha, she ends up thinking she’s “losing” in various ways as a woman.

“Hey, Aine.”

Suddenly, Ralha calls Aine’s name. Though slightly surprised by the suddenness, Aine turns her gaze toward Ralha.

“…What?”

“You know, what do you like about Lunois?”

“What I like—whaat?”

“Ahaha, what’s with that reaction!”

At the too-sudden question, Aine lets out a rather ungirly sound, and Ralha bursts into laughter.

“Wh-what’s your intention with such a question!?”

“Now now, let’s talk about that after we get to the house. Come on, let’s go.”

“Ah, wait…!”

Prompted by Ralha, Aine returned to Lunois’s house. With that earlier ‘statement,’ there’s a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

“Hooh, so this is Lunois’s house. Well, it’s a normal house.”

—Or so it seems only to Aine.

Ralha is looking around as if exploring the inside of the house. Of course, there’s nothing particularly unusual. Perhaps getting bored quickly, Ralha sits in a chair.

Aine also sits down across from her. After a brief silence, it was Aine who brought up the conversation.

“Um, about that earlier conversation…”

“Mm, about you liking Lunois?”

Ralha doesn’t particularly hide it and declares it clearly.

Aine is the one who ends up flustered.

“Y-yes, but! Don’t say it so openly without hiding it!”

Aine turns back toward the entrance just in case. There’s no sign of Lunois coming home yet.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Ralha smiles amusedly.

“What? You two live together and haven’t done the deed?”

“…? The deed…?”

At Ralha’s question, Aine tilts her head. Seeing that, Ralha sighs softly.

“You know, kissing, sex, various things.”

“!? Th-that is…!”

Aine’s face turns red and she shows an even more confused appearance. She never expected to be asked such things by someone she’s essentially just met, caught off guard and flustered.

“Mm, what, you really haven’t done anything?”

“W-we have done—ah.”

Provoked by Ralha, she inadvertently declares it clearly. It’s not wrong that they’ve done it, but Aine and Lunois’s relationship is established solely because of the ‘Lust Collar.’

However, even with that relationship, embarrassing things are embarrassing. Blushing, Aine looks down.

Usually Aine might be angry, but perhaps because she’s Lunois’s acquaintance, she couldn’t push back that hard.

“Well now, quite an innocent reaction.”

“I-in the first place, Ralha-san, you’re the one who asked, right? What I like about Lunois…”

“You couldn’t answer right away earlier.”

“Wh-what’s the point of that question!”

Aine said in a somewhat angry tone.

She’s clearly being swept up in Ralha’s pace—even knowing that, when things about Lunois are pointed out, she gets flustered. She’s made to understand just how hopelessly much she likes Lunois.

As if seeing through that, Ralha smiles—

“There’s no particular meaning. Well, in short… if you like Lunois, that ends the conversation.”

“…?”

What Ralha said were words Aine never expected.

The fact that Ralha is asking ‘what do you like about Lunois’ means—at least in a corner of her heart, she was thinking that maybe Ralha has feelings for Lunois.

So there’s no doubt she felt a tiny bit of jealousy.

“What, you… weren’t you suspecting that Lunois and I had that kind of relationship?”

As if seeing through her heart, Ralha declared.

“—! N-no such thing…! Maybe a little, y-yes, but…”

Trying to deny it, Aine ends up nodding.

It’s something that’s been on her mind ever since meeting Ralha. If they’re going to talk frankly, now when Lunois isn’t here is the only timing.

Ralha looks at Aine and laughs enjoyably again.

“Ahaha, I thought so. But Lunois and I don’t have that relationship. If I had to say, we were originally like master and disciple. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Master and disciple…”

Those words apply to Aine too.

When her father wasn’t there, it was Aine who taught Lunois swordsmanship. Though from Lunois’s perspective, that relationship might feel more like a senior disciple than a master.

Being with Lunois all the time and coming to like him—that’s an undeniable fact.

So seeing Lunois and Ralha’s relationship, she had this unsettled feeling all along.

Being told that by Ralha, she notices herself feeling a bit relieved.

“So don’t worry that I’ll take him or anything. Feel free to get all lovey-dovey.”

Again, to Ralha speaking as if reading her heart, Aine answers in a flustered manner.

“L-lovey-dovey…!? We’re not that kind of relationship, Lunois and I.”

She denied Ralha’s words again.

Actually, she’s not with Lunois to be lovey-dovey.

“Living together and saying you’re not that kind of relationship, that’s a strange thing to say. Are you saying you’re together reluctantly?”

“It’s not reluctant! At least, on my part…”

There’s no way Aine would dislike being with Lunois.

But does Aine have the right to be with him—sometimes, she suddenly thinks about it.

Whether she has the right to walk shoulder to shoulder with him, who’s already climbed to S-rank adventurer.

Surely, if she told Lunois, he’d definitely affirm it. Aine wants to believe that’s Lunois’s true feelings too.

Ralha shows a puzzled expression.

“Hmm, I can’t quite grasp it? So are you saying Lunois dislikes it? Didn’t look that way to me though.”

“…Not that he dislikes it, but the reason we’re together is because of ‘this.'”

While saying that, Aine points to her own neck.

The ‘Lust Collar’—because of that collar that makes her go into heat once a day, she needs to be with Lunois, the owner.

It could be said to be the main reason Lunois stays with Aine.

“The collar? Lunois wanted to remove it.”

“Because of this, Lunois and I are together—for now, that’s our relationship.”

She doesn’t know what will happen after the collar is gone. That anxiety has been there from the start.

Because Lunois is kind, he’ll surely stay with her—she hated herself for thinking such things.

That’s why Aine wants to prove she’s useful to Lunois, and eventually hopes to stand equal with him in swordsmanship again. She thinks that’s when she’ll finally be equal with Lunois.

“Hmm…? Seems you’re thinking about troublesome things. But I see—you really are an innocent girl.”

“I-innocent?”

Receiving Ralha’s words, Aine showed a confused appearance again.

“Of course. If you’re with a man you like, you can’t be passive like that—you need to be more aggressive.”

“E-even if you say be aggressive, I don’t know… what to do.”

Aine answered without confidence.

Aine sometimes masturbates while hiding from Lunois. If the collar’s effect is active, she can be aggressive, but normally she can’t approach Lunois that way.

If she carelessly tells Lunois ‘I want to do naughty things,’ what kind of reaction would he show?

(W-would he be… put off, I wonder…)

She can’t imagine at all what kind of reaction would come back.

But even Aine—understood to some extent that she can’t stay passive.

As Aine is thinking such things, Ralha stands up and stands before Aine—

“If you don’t know, shall I teach you how to do it?”

She asked.

Aine furrows her brow and asks back.

“T-teach…?”

“Yeah, let’s do naughty things now.”

“…?”

For a moment, she couldn’t understand what Ralha was saying.

Ralha declares once more as if to emphasize.

“So, I’m saying let’s do naughty things.”

“…Huh!?”

At Ralha’s unexpected invitation, Aine’s eyes widen in surprise. She’s so flustered she nearly falls from the chair.

“Wh-what are you saying…!?”

Aine said with a slightly angry expression.

Even if she’s Lunois’s acquaintance, making such an invitation is crazy.

Ralha remains calm—

“Now now, is the bedroom this way? Excuse me.”

Suddenly pulling Aine’s hand, she starts walking.

“Ah, wait…!”

Aine is just swept along by Ralha’s momentum.

Ralha’s handling is smooth, and when she opens the bedroom door, she gently lays Aine down on the bed.

Sitting beside her, removing the accessories she was wearing, Ralha looks down at Aine.

“This looks like a comfortable bed.”

“Um… I don’t have that kind of hobby…”

Before she realizes it, having been brought into the bedroom and pushed down, Aine finally squeezes out such words.

Seeing Aine like that, Ralha, the one who pushed her down, smirks—

“Ahaha, I’m not trying to do something with you when you don’t want it.”

She said in a gentle atmosphere.

“Th-then what about the naughty things…?”

“It’s simulation, simulation. If you like Lunois, have you ever invited him yourself?”

Asked by Ralha, Aine thinks. Rather than inviting him herself, it’s been only because of the collar’s effect—reluctantly.

“I haven’t, but… a-anyway, even without doing that—”

“That won’t do. A man and woman living under one roof, do you think the man doesn’t want it?”

“!”

Pointed out by Ralha, Aine shows a startled expression.

Doing such acts with Lunois only happens when she goes into heat from the collar’s effect.

At those times of course, Aine ends up ‘asking’ Lunois, but other than that, she doesn’t do anything especially sexual with Lunois. At least, Aine has never brought it up.

“So, I’m saying let’s practice that.”

“Practice?”

“Right, practice inviting him. After all, Lunois is… as you well know, he doesn’t try to show such desires outwardly. But he’s a man too. If you invite him, I think he’ll be plenty interested.”

Aine could understand what Ralha was saying.

Lunois almost never asserts himself. From long ago, he’s had the stance of ‘if Aine does it, I’ll do it,’ and was a boy who lacked even more initiative than the current Aine.

Because of that, Aine was the one who kept inviting Lunois to train.

Parts of that apply to the current Lunois too.

However, Aine suddenly had a question.

“Wh-why would Ralha-san go that far…?”

“Mmm, well, I did party with him before, and from my perspective he’s like a disciple. If that guy is with a cute girl like you, isn’t it normal to want him to be happier?”

“C-cute…!?”

At Ralha’s words, Aine’s cheeks flush even more. Since earlier, she’s been swept along by her words.

“Oh, such an innocent reaction again. With that kind of feeling, try various things on me as if you’re trying to seduce Lunois. If I end up wanting to attack you, that’s a pass, I’d say.”

“Eh, eeh…?”

Receiving Ralha’s proposal, Aine is confused.

In other words, think of Ralha as Lunois and ‘invite her to do naughty things.’ From her words, she understands she’s trying to do this out of pure goodwill.

—Actually, it’s not that Aine hasn’t thought about it.

To be honest, she wants to do more various things with Lunois. But the thought of whether she’s in a position to make such demands always gets in the way.

Aine was excellent as a ‘knight,’ but as a single girl, she’s utterly immature.

Still, if it’s not toward Lunois but practice—she felt like trying it.

But Aine doesn’t know what to do or how.

“Um… when inviting, what kind of way should I talk?”

“What, you’ve never invited him even once?”

“I-it’s not like that… but when asked, I don’t know…”

When the collar’s effect is active, Aine is also desperate. Things naturally progress to doing the act with Lunois, but sober, she couldn’t quite grasp how to talk about it.

Ralha shows a gesture as if thinking.

“For example, can’t you think of words that would excite a man?”

“Words that would excite… ‘Let’s practice swordsmanship together,’ or something…?”

When Aine says that, for a moment, she feels an atmosphere like the air stopped.

Ralha, completely different from her atmosphere until now, directs a cold gaze at Aine.

“…If you’re seriously saying that, I’m seriously going to attack you, you know?”

“—! I-I’m joking! I’m joking! I’ll think properly!”

Ralha’s eyes were serious.

Aine hurriedly denies it, but those were the words that came to mind instantly, so it couldn’t be helped.

Actually, romantic affairs were something distant to Aine.

Of course, she had feelings of wanting to be with Lunois eventually, but her goal was to become a full-fledged swordsman first.

Desperately thinking, Aine squeezes out words.

“T-today I’m in the mood to do naughty things, maybe…”

She glances toward Ralha. Regarding Aine’s invitation, Ralha’s expression could be described in one word as ‘blank.’

“You know, you’re not a child.”

Ralha shows an exasperated look.

“…! E-even if you say that…”

As expected, even thinking about it, such words don’t come easily.

“The way to bring it up can be ‘pushing him down’ or anything. Try inviting him using your body more.”

“L-like this?”

As prompted, Aine takes a pose that exposes her chest a bit and lifts up her skirt. Though she blushes with embarrassment, seeing that appearance, Ralha nods—

“That’s the feeling! I’m starting to want to attack you a bit!”

She answers with a thumbs up.

To Ralha showing a happy expression, Aine shows a somewhat reluctant appearance.

“Your statements have been scary from the start!”

“Ahaha, if I really attacked you, Lunois would get angry, after all. But if I only feel ‘a bit,’ that’s not enough. You need to invite him more provocatively.”

Told by Ralha, Aine thinks while being swept along.

“Th-then, like this, maybe…?”

This time she gets on all fours and shows a pose pulling at her clothes’ neckline.

Ralha nods and shows a smile.

What am I doing—such a question comes to Aine’s mind, but only after a while had passed.

☆☆

(…Guess I’m a little late getting home.)

I’d been wandering the bustling streets of Rudro Town for far longer than I’d intended, weaving through the evening crowds and the flickering glow of lantern-lit stalls, before finally turning my steps toward home. On the way, I’d made a deliberate detour to that cozy little bakery tucked in a side alley—the one Aine had been raving about ever since she discovered it. The warm scent of freshly baked bread still lingered in the air as I stepped out with a paper bag clutched in my hand, stuffed with her favorites: a crusty rye loaf, a couple of sweet honey rolls, and that flaky cheese pastry she could never resist. She’ll light up like a kid when she sees these, I thought, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the guilt of being late.

When I finally reached our modest wooden house on the quiet outskirts, its familiar silhouette framed against the deepening twilight, I spotted Ralha emerging from the front door just as I approached the gate. Her tall, confident frame was unmistakable even in the dimming light, her traveler’s cloak swaying slightly with each relaxed step.

“Yo, Lunois,” she called out with that easy grin of hers, brushing a strand of dark hair from her face. “Finally dragged yourself back, huh?”

“Sorry,” I replied, rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly. “Got held up longer than planned. You’re heading out already?”

She shrugged, hands in her pockets. “Eh, just needed a breather. Got some rest, chatted a bit. Oh—and don’t worry, Aine’s mood’s fixed now.”

“!”

So Ralha had picked up on it—Aine’s earlier frustration, the tension that had been simmering all day. And from the way she said it, casual but knowing, Aine had been in a foul mood… but apparently, whatever they’d talked about had smoothed things over. The bread in my hand suddenly felt less like a peace offering and more like a bonus treat. Still—she’d love it either way.

“Well,” Ralha continued, stretching her arms above her head, “I’ll be sticking around town for a while. Might bump into you tomorrow.”

“About the D-Orc bounty—” I started, reaching for my coin pouch.

She waved me off with a laugh. “Told you—keep it. If I need anything, I’ll holler.”

With a firm, friendly clap on my shoulder—pon!—she turned and sauntered down the path, her boots crunching softly on the gravel. Classic Ralha. She’d shown up out of nowhere, helped with the orc subjugation, and now she was here for some mysterious reason—but she wasn’t the type to spill unless she wanted to. She’d said she was staying in town, though. Plenty of time to talk later.

Aine was waiting. I pushed open the door and stepped inside.

She was there immediately—standing in the entryway, arms loosely crossed, her golden hair catching the warm glow of the oil lamp on the wall.

“Welcome home, Lunois,” she said softly, her voice quieter than usual.

“Sorry, Aine,” I said, kicking off my boots. “Took longer than I thought. Ran into Ralha just now—she was leaving.”

“Yeah…”

Ralha had said her mood was better, but something still felt off. Her shoulders were slightly hunched, her gaze flickering to the side—not quite meeting mine. Maybe she’d opened up to Ralha, laughed it off, but with me? The wall was still there.

I lifted the bakery bag like a white flag.

“Brought your favorite bread,” I offered, trying to sound light. “You know—the rye, the honey rolls, that cheese thing you like. Thought it might—”

“Lunois.”

She cut me off, sharp but not angry. Stepped closer—slow, deliberate. The air shifted. Something was different.

“…Aine?”

“Thanks for the bread,” she murmured, taking the bag gently from my hand and setting it on the side table. “We’ll eat it later. But… come here for a sec?”

“Uh… sure…”

She grabbed my hand—her fingers warm, trembling just slightly—and pulled me down the short hallway to the bedroom. The sun hadn’t even fully set. The room was bathed in soft orange light filtering through the curtains. Too early for sleep. Way too early for… whatever this was.

I raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”

She let go of my hand, turned to face me, and touched the iron band around her neck—the Collar of Lust.

“So…” she began, voice low, “we only ever do that when the collar forces it, right?”

“Yeah,” I said slowly. “We did it this morning. You should be fine for the day.”

“That’s not what I mean…” She tugged at the collar of her blouse, pulling it down just enough to expose more skin—inviting. Her cheeks were burning. “Don’t you ever want to… do it… normally?”

My brain short-circuited.

“Huh?”

She couldn’t even look at me—eyes fixed on the floor, fingers twisting the fabric of her skirt.

“I mean… if you want to… I’m… I’m okay with it…”

Bold for a second—then shrinking, voice barely a whisper. Confidence gone. She dropped her gaze completely, shoulders curling in.

She was pushing herself hard. I could see it—the tension, the effort, the fear of rejection.

I took her hand gently and guided her to sit on the edge of the bed.

“Hey,” I said softly, “slow down. Why bring this up now?”

“Well…”

“Ralha say something?”

“N-no! Not because of her!” She flushed deeper, fists clenching in her lap. “I just… ugh! I practiced saying it and everything!”

Practiced?

I tilted my head. “…Practiced?”

“Yes!” she snapped, finally meeting my eyes—tears of frustration glistening. “We live together! We sleep in the same bed! But the only time we’re intimate is when this stupid collar makes me lose control! It feels like… like that’s the only reason we’re even together!”

“! Aine, I’ve never thought that—”

“You might not—but I do!” Her voice cracked. “I couldn’t even beat that monster today… I’m useless without the heat boosting me… and then we only touch when I’m a mess… it’s humiliating!”

So that’s what had been eating at her all day.

“That’s not—” I started.

“Forget that part!” she interrupted, face flaming. “Just answer me! Do you want to do it with me or not? Yes or no?!”

No mood. No romance. Just raw, desperate honesty.

I almost laughed—but her eyes were dead serious.

“There’s only one answer,” I said, voice steady. “Yes. I love you, Aine. Of course I want you.”

Her breath hitched. Face nuclear red. She looked away, mumbling:

“…F-fine then. That’s… that’s all I needed to hear.”

A beat.

“T-then…” she whispered, scooting back on the bed, voice barely audible, “we can… do whatever you want…”

Back to square one—but this time, she meant it.

The sun was still up. No candles. No music. Just us.

I leaned in, easing her down onto the pillows. She’d started this—but now? She couldn’t look at me. Eyes squeezed shut, lips pressed tight.

We’d never done this without the collar’s curse driving it. No heat. No urgency. Just want.

I lifted the hem of her blouse—slowly, reverently. Her skin was warm, soft, trembling under my fingertips. She flinched.

“Nnh…”

Bra exposed—simple, white, hugging her modest curves. I cupped her breasts over the fabric—perfect handfuls, firm and warm. She squirmed, a soft whimper escaping despite her clenched teeth.

I traced down her stomach—slow circles, feather-light. Her navel—jackpot. She jolted.

“Fuh… n-no, not there…!” Her voice cracked, half-protest, half-plea.

Grabbed my wrist—weak grip. Could’ve stopped me. Didn’t want to.

Slid behind her—unhooked the bra. Let it fall. Her bare breasts—small, perfect, nipples already stiff and pink.

“Just from rubbing through cloth?” I teased, voice low against her ear.

“D-don’t say it…!” she gasped, squirming. “I wasn’t waiting or anything—fwa?!”

No warning. Traced her areolas—light, teasing, never the tip.

She gripped the sheets like a lifeline. Shaking. Breaths coming faster.

I avoided the nipples on purpose. Watched her steal glances—aching for it.

She broke first.

“…You’re just… teasing the edges…” Her voice trembled, frustrated and needy. “Touch them already…”

“Can’t hear you,” I murmured, smirking.

She glared—tears of frustration pooling at the corners.

“Touch my nipples,” she demanded, voice shaking but determined. “Directly. Now.”

“You want it?”

“…You want to, don’t you?” she shot back, cheeks burning.

“I’m good watching you beg.”

“Nnh…! You—!” Fire in her eyes. Adorable. “You’re the worst…!”

I loved this side of her. Normally so guarded—collar or not, this was real.

Back to her navel—relentless. She arched.

“N-no sudden—!” she yelped, body jerking.

“Feel it here?” I asked, voice teasing.

“N-not…!” She couldn’t even finish.

“So I can keep going?”

“…Do whatever you want…” she whispered, defeated but wanting.

Challenge accepted.

I varied it—soft strokes, firm pressure, light scratches. She melted.

“Nnh… fuh… why just the navel…!” Her protest was weak, breathless.

“You said it was fine,” I reminded her innocently.

“B-but—nna!” Her voice hitched. “Same spot—hic! You keep—ah!”

Kept at it. She lifted her hips—trying to escape. Perfect.

Brushed a nipple—on purpose.

“Hiu?!” Sharp inhale. Body went rigid.

“What?” I asked, all innocence.

“…N-nothing…” she breathed, trembling harder now.

Caught off guard. Priceless.

I wanted more of her voice. Now.

In this bound-up moment, with her wrists secured above her head and her body laid bare on the soft sheets of our bedroom bed, Aine suddenly blurted out those words—“Don’t do anything weird!” She’d accepted the bandages without protest, even nodded when I asked if they were too tight, yet now she was throwing out this vague warning. What exactly did “weird” mean to her in this context? Was it the teasing? The restraint? Or something deeper, some hidden line she didn’t want crossed? The thought sent a thrill through me—her defiance, even now, was so her.

“If there’s anything you really don’t want,” I said softly, leaning close enough that my breath brushed her ear, “tell me. I’ll stop immediately. Anything off-limits?”

“I-I mean…”

Her eyes darted away, cheeks flushing deeper, words catching in her throat. She hadn’t planned this protest—it just slipped out, a reflex, like a knight parrying a blow she hadn’t seen coming. That tsun edge, even when tied up and trembling? God, it turned me on.

I’d always seen Aine as the strongest person I knew—unbreakable, the prodigy knight who could fell monsters twice her size with a single swing. But I knew better now. That image? My fantasy. The real Aine—the one beneath me—was fragile too. Proud. Vulnerable. Human. And right now, she was mine to cherish… and tease.

I wanted to be gentle. Always. But in moments like this—when she begged with her body while her mouth said no—something darker stirred. A hunger to push, to see how far her pride would bend before it snapped into surrender.

“If it’s too much,” I murmured, voice low and steady, “say it. I’ll stop. Promise.”

She didn’t answer—just bit her lip, eyes flickering with defiance and desire.

I started with her ear. A place I rarely touched. My fingertip traced the delicate shell—slow, feather-light. She shrank, shoulders hunching, a tiny gasp escaping.

“…Nnh…”

No protest. Just acceptance. I slid my middle finger into the warm hollow of her ear, circling gently, while my ring finger stroked behind it, pinky gliding up her neck. She clamped her lips, trembling, fighting the shiver.

I was being mean. She’d mustered all her courage to seduce me—“Do whatever you want”—and here I was, toying with her. But I’d promised to stop if she said no. And she wouldn’t. Because I’d given her the power to end it… and she trusted me not to break her.

That trust? It ignited something primal. A sadistic spark I didn’t know I had—she awakened it.

I pulled back from her ear, both hands now sliding to her upper arms. Her skin was silky, goosebumps rising under my palms. She clenched her fists, knuckles white against the bandages.

“Nfuh… ha…”

“Here?” I asked, voice teasing. “Too much?”

“N-no…”

I dragged my fingers up the soft inside of her arm, from the tense curve of her biceps straight into the damp hollow of her armpit, slow, deliberate, like I was claiming every inch.

She exhaled a broken, trembling “fuuu…” that shook in her throat.

“You hate being touched on bare skin, don’t you, Aine?”

“N-n… not… true…” Her voice cracked on the lie, tiny and fragile.

Liar. I let the smirk crawl across my face and gave her the tiniest nod, like I was praising her for trying.

“Want me to do it again?”

“Do what you—hiaaa?!”

I didn’t wait. Nails lighter this time, faster, raking upward. She yelped, sharp and startled, head whipping to the side so hard her hair stuck to her wet cheeks. Her face burned crimson.

I cupped that burning cheek and turned her back to me, gentle but unyielding.

“Keep looking away from me?” I whispered, lips brushing the shell of her ear. “Don’t wanna see me anymore?”

“N-no! That’s not—! It’s just… it’s embarrassing, Lunois… I can’t… look at you when you’re staring like that…”

Her voice was barely a breath, trembling, honest for once. Pure. Shy. Doing her absolute best to endure this for me. My chest twisted; my cock throbbed harder.

“Then look at me,” I said, low and steady. “I want to see all of you. Every second.”

“D-don’t… say cute things like that…”

“But you are cute.”

“Sto—p it…!” She tried to glare, brows scrunched, lips pushed into the most adorable pout I’d ever seen. A helpless kitten hissing.

I chuckled, dark and fond.

“You can’t even fight back properly like this, can you?”

“I-I know that…! I wouldn’t even if I could…! You told me… ‘do whatever you want with me,’ remember…? So just… just do it already…!”

Her voice cracked on the last word, half plea, half sob.

“Yeah,” I breathed, letting the word drip heat against her neck. “Then… Aine. Can I go harder?”

She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her eyes, huge, glassy, shimmering with tears and raw, desperate want, screamed yes louder than any word could.

I slid lower. No more games. My fingers found her soaked folds, gliding through the slick that was already dripping down her thighs.

“Nnaa… uh… aa…!”

She writhed, biting down on every cry, wrists twisting uselessly in the bandages.

“…You were expecting this, weren’t you?” I murmured, tracing the seam of her entrance.

“N-no I wasn’t—fwaaah! D-don’t say embarrassing things like that…!”

She shook her head frantically, tears clinging to her lashes. So cute when she lies.

Her hips jerked upward, trying to escape my hand. Bound tight, she had nowhere to go.

I used to rush, always, get her off fast so the heat would calm down. Tonight I wanted her ruined. I wanted her begging until her pride shattered.

Slow circles. Feather-light taps. Never quite enough.

“Nnh… fuu…! E-enough already…! Just… just do it…!”

“Do what, Aine?”

“W-what do you think—nnaaah!”

I kept teasing. The wet, obscene schlick-schlick of her pussy filled the whole room, every stroke making her jolt like I’d shocked her.

I was drunk on it. On her.

“N-nnh… f-fuu…! Stop just… stroking the outside…!”

“Tell me what you want.”

“Inside… put it inside me… please…!”

“Beg. Properly.”

“Nnh… yes… please, Lunois… please put your fingers inside me, I can’t take it anymore…”

She went limp in the restraints, surrender in every line of her body.

But I still didn’t give it to her.

“Uwaaa! Why…! I said yes, I begged…!”

“Aine.”

“!? W-what now…?”

“You’re tied up. You can’t move an inch. I decide when you get anything. Understand?”

“T-that’s… that’s not fair…!”

“Not yet.” I leaned in until my lips brushed hers. “I want to watch this cute face fall apart a little longer.”

“I-I’m not cute…! Stop saying that, it’s so embarrassing I’m gonna die…!”

Her cheeks were scarlet, shame and arousal fighting a war she was losing hard. And her pussy? Flooding. She was rocking toward my fingers now, chasing friction like a needy little animal.

I traced her entrance, dipped just the tip in, pulled out again. Schlick. Schlick.

She whimpered, high and broken.

“You said harder,” she suddenly snapped, voice cracking with frustration and tears. “So do it already, you bastard!”

I smiled, slow and wicked.

“Just a little, then.”

One finger, slow, deliberate push inside.

Her walls clamped down instantly, hot, velvet, greedy.

She convulsed.

“NNGUUUUU…!”

Eyes screwed shut, spine arching off the bed like I’d stabbed her with pleasure.

I curled it, stroked once, nice and deep.

“HAAAA… UHAAAA…!”

Every time was different. Every time she came alive under my fingers like it was the first.

What if I went faster?

I did.

“AH! NNH! NAAHH! LUNOIS—!”

Schlick-schlick-schlick, her pussy sang for me, loud and filthy. She gripped the bandages so hard her knuckles went white, hips bucking wildly against my hand.

Adorable. Helpless. Mine.

“You’re so fucking cute, Aine.”

“!? N-nnh… s-stop saying that while you’re—!”

“Only I get to see you like this. Only me.”

“Sh’naa—!?”

I twisted my finger hard. Her voice slurred into a sob, speech collapsing.

She tried to glare through the tears streaming down her face, bit her lip, moaned anyway.

How much further could I push her?

“NNYUU! N-not so har—d…!”

“Want me to slow down?”

I eased into gentle, massaging strokes, petting her fluttering walls.

She clenched her teeth so hard I heard them creak.

“—! N-no… that’s worse…! Don’t be gentle now, you idiot…!”

She tried to sit up, forgot she was bound, flopped back down with a frustrated cry, crucified by her own restraints.

I slid deeper, crooking my finger just right.

“FUUUU… n-no more… I can’t… I really can’t…”

Real tears now. She was at her absolute limit.

“Got it,” I whispered, kissing the corner of her eye, tasting salt. “Sorry. Went too far.”

“Y-you get it… then—huh—?!”

I spread her thighs wider. Dropped my pants. Lined my cock up with her dripping entrance.

I’d been holding back for fucking ever.

“Let’s finish this.”

“W-wait! We can do it, just… give me a second to—!”

“Rest after.”

Her eyes flew open, pure panic.

I thrust in, one long, deep stroke, burying myself to the hilt.

“HUUU?! N-NO—SUDDEN—LUNOIS—!”

She screamed, voice splintering. I cupped her face and kissed her slow, swallowing the cry.

Then I moved.

“N-no! D-don’t move yet—! I just—!”

She shook her head wildly, but the bandages held her exactly where I wanted her. Bound. Trapped. Completely overstimulated.

Drool slipped from the corner of her mouth. She moaned with every thrust, high, broken, helpless.

“NNH! MMH! LUNOIS—! TOO DEEP—!”

“Aine… Aine… fuck…”

I groaned her name like a prayer. She stared up at me with wet, pleading eyes. I crushed my mouth to hers, tongues tangling, hips pounding harder.

She shattered first, whole body seizing around me. I followed right after, hot, thick, flooding her until it leaked out around my cock.

We broke the kiss with a wet sound, a silver string of saliva connecting our lips. She collapsed against the sheets, panting, eyes squeezed shut, refusing to look at me.

“…Lunois is… the meanest…” she mumbled, voice hoarse and tiny.

I smiled, brushing damp hair from her forehead.

That’s my girl.

Part of me still wanted to keep tormenting her just a little longer… but I’ll stop here. For today.

♡♡♡

Night — Outskirts of Rudro Town, moonlit grasslands

Ralha Leschuer stood alone under the silver glow of the moon, the only light she needed. Her massive greatsword—taller than she was—stood plunged deep into the earth beside her like a silent sentinel. She waited.

After a while, a lone figure emerged from the darkness on the horizon.

“…You sure kept me waiting,” Ralha said, voice low and edged with dry amusement. “Thought you’d stood me up.”

“The appointed time is now,” the man replied coolly, stepping into the moonlight. A deep hood and traveling cloak hid his face completely. “And this was only meant to be a report. So—did you find Aine Krosinte?”

That was the job. Back when Ralha had passed through the Rabeira Empire, this very man had hired her: Find the woman named Aine Krosinte. Discreetly. High-rank adventurers rarely took missing-person cases… unless the pay was obscene and the client wanted it kept off the books. To Ralha, it had just been extra pocket money on the side.

The problem? The girl she was supposed to hunt was living happily under the same roof as Lunois.

(If it were anyone else, I’d have sold the location and walked away with the gold…)

But adventurers who betray clients don’t last long—unless the client is scum. And this man? Something stank.

“She’s not in this town,” Ralha said with a lazy shrug. “I searched high and low. Nothing. You sure your intel said she came this way?”

“I heard a woman matching her description was sighted here.”

“Then it must’ve been someone else. If I can’t find her, she ain’t here.”

“…I see. Then we move to the next location.”

The man turned to leave, voice flat.

Now or never.

“Hey, hold up.” Ralha’s tone shifted, sharp as her blade. “Mind telling me why you’re so desperate to get your hands on Aine Krosinte?”

The man paused, not turning. “Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. Can’t a girl wonder why some hooded creep is paying top coin to track down one specific woman?”

“…Mind your own business. That’s why I hired you quietly.”

“Sure, sure. Still makes a girl wonder.”

Ralha wasn’t on this guy’s side—not anymore. After seeing Lunois and Aine together, the way they looked at each other, the way they fit… No way in hell was she handing Aine over to someone who’d tear that apart.

She wasn’t some bleeding-heart hero, but if she could protect two good people without breaking her own code? She’d do it.

“We want Aine Krosinte,” the man said coldly. “That’s all you need to know. We bear her no harm. Satisfied?”

“Oh, totally,” Ralha snorted, voice dripping sarcasm. “If you and your buddies were the type to gang up on one girl, I’d have cut you down already.”

A flash of killing intent—so thick the air itself seemed to freeze.

The man finally turned. Even beneath the hood, his glare was razor-sharp.

“Cut me down? An adventurer playing hero?”

“Not a hero. Just hate creeps.” She grinned, all teeth. “Besides, you said you wouldn’t hurt her, right? Then we’re cool. Let’s head to the next town together♪”

She took a casual step forward.

The man didn’t move.

“…From the start, you’ve been probing me,” he said quietly. “Trying to pry information out. And—correct me if I’m wrong—when you said ‘she’s not in this town’… You lied.”

Ralha’s smile didn’t waver, but her grip tightened on the hilt.

(Shit. He saw through me that fast?)

“Wow, paranoid much?” she laughed. “Accusing me of lying now?”

“I don’t accuse. I know.” His voice was ice. “When you said she wasn’t here—your eyes flickered. Guilt. Everyone has it when they lie. I’m very good at reading it.”

Ralha clicked her tongue inwardly.

He’d seen through her bluff in seconds.

“…So you knew the whole time?” she asked, voice low.

“Of course. I was going to let you leave, then retrieve her myself while you were gone. Simple.”

“And now you’re telling me that…” Ralha’s grin turned feral. “…means you’ve decided I’m an enemy, right?”

In an instant—

She ripped her greatsword from the earth and swung it down with terrifying force.

No hesitation. A single step in—blade screaming toward the man’s skull.

CLANG!

Metal screamed against metal.

He’d drawn a slender longsword and blocked her strike—perfectly.

The shockwave rippled through the grass, the ground trembling beneath them.

(He blocked a full-power surprise attack… clean?)

Ralha was a monster with that greatsword. Her swings were faster than physics allowed—raw power and speed fused into something unholy.

Yet this man had reacted. Not just reacted—held.

She poured more strength in, boots digging trenches in the dirt.

He didn’t budge.

“…Tch.”

She clicked her tongue. No breaking through. Push harder and he’d parry—then counter.

He smirked beneath the hood.

“Thought one swing would end me? How insulting.”

“Yeah, well,” Ralha laughed breathlessly, “didn’t expect the guy hiring me to track a girl to be this damn strong.”

“High-rank adventurers get arrogant,” he sneered. “Think your little letters—S, A, whatever—make you untouchable.”

CLANG!

He shoved her blade back—with force.

Ralha leaped away just in time.

A burning line across her chest— Blood. Not deep, but enough.

(He grazed me… even when I dodged?)

She grinned, wiping blood from her cheek.

“Not bad. Guess we’re going all out now.”

Magic surged through her body—crackling in the air. She dropped low, greatsword raised behind her like a coiled dragon, the ground beneath her feet crumbling from sheer pressure.

She was ready to launch—

But the man stepped back.

“…Killing you would take too long,” he said calmly. “I’ll withdraw—for now.”

He vanished into the darkness as suddenly as he’d appeared.

Ralha didn’t chase. Chasing now would be suicide.

She slammed her sword back into the earth and exhaled hard.

“…Phew.”

Sat down in the grass, catching her breath.

Been a while since she’d gone full battle mode.

Next time they crossed blades… it wouldn’t end in a draw.

She glanced back toward the softly glowing town in the distance.

“Who would’ve thought… the girl I was hired to hunt… is your lover, Lunois.”

If she’d known from the start—she never would’ve taken the job.

She looked up at the moon and sighed.

“…Well, too late for regrets. Now… what the hell do I do next?”

The night wind carried her quiet murmur away into the dark.