Chapter 14: Sweet Trap
As the sun began to set, I ascended the gentle slope at the back of the town, making my way towards the lord's mansion.
Along the way, there was a wide grassy field resembling a training ground, where about ten soldiers and an equal number of men with various attire had gathered.
The men were armed with bows, swords, and other weapons, giving off an adventurous vibe similar to the adventurers who fought against orcs.
They all exuded a sense of tension, a stark contrast to the relaxed atmosphere of the town's gatekeepers.
I wondered if something was happening.
The lord's mansion was a three-story building, truly reminiscent of a European noble's mansion. Furthermore, the tall turrets protruding from it might serve as observation decks of sorts. Standing on the middle of the hill, it seemed like one could see not only the entire town but also far into the distance.
When I was questioned at the mansion's entrance and mentioned my name and that I had been called by Miss Kalena, their attitude became more respectful.
There was also a check of belongings, but perhaps because I had left my sword at the inn, it was done rather easily without much suspicion. When asked about the contents of the package I was holding, I said it was a gift, and they gave me a subtle look. Did I say something wrong?
However, perhaps because it drew attention, they didn't open the leather pouch inside my backpack. It was a leather pouch used as a water container, but its contents were Lena. I didn't intend to hide it seriously, but it felt somewhat embarrassing.
In the room at the inn, when I told Lena to get into the leather pouch, she said, "It's dark, cramped, and scary~" in a tone that made me feel like she was from the Showa era, so I flicked her on the forehead.
I think I heard a mysterious message like "Personalized learning system activated" when I named her. It feels like she's developing some strange personality.
Guided by a typical maid, I climbed the wide staircase. Along the way, I sensed a considerable number of people in the back of the first floor. It had a heavy atmosphere.
Proceeding down the second-floor corridor, I opened a door adorned with intricate designs, and there, I found a room smaller than I had expected. However, the walls were adorned with portraits and tapestries, indicating that it was used to receive formal guests and was quite luxurious.
I started feeling a little nervous.
A small round table was placed in the room, surrounded by four chairs. Knives and spoons were neatly arranged on the table.
Come to think of it, I heard that the custom of using forks for meals in the original world began around the middle of the Middle Ages.
In the inn at Ban, we only had wooden spoons for meals.
I was offered a seat, and while I was thinking about it, another door in the back opened, and an unfamiliar old man with white hair entered. He was dressed in an elaborate old-fashioned military uniform.
Cecily, of course, wasn't wearing armor either, but she was dressed in a masculine outfit, giving off an atmosphere reminiscent of a cross-dressing heroine from a popular classical girl manga set in the French Revolution. The only difference was her short red hair, but she looked more handsome than beautiful.
I stood up and bowed for the time being. A bow, the Japanese way.
"I hear you came to the princess's aid when she was in danger. Allow me to give you an example," the old man nodded gracefully.
"He is Sir Sebastian, who leads the household servants," Cecily introduced, slightly late. "Sir" indicates nobility or knighthood, so he must be important.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Shiro Tsuzuki," I introduced myself politely, and when I used the "appraisal" skill, it displayed "Knight LV10 (Old)". There's a job called a knight, and his level is high.
Is this old man strong despite his age? But then again, it says "(Old)". Perhaps as you grow older, your level doesn't decrease, but your abilities decrease with the addition of "(Old)"?
If that's the case, that merchant's grandmother has "(Old)" attached, so her abilities as a merchant have decreased, but the old man at the bookstore is still going strong, right?
It's the Shiro Hypothesis. I'll have to verify it someday.
"Please have a seat first. The princess will be here shortly," he said in an old-fashioned manner.
Suddenly, Sebastian the old man seemed to realize something and said:
"I heard you were a Level 1 adventurer, but you're Level 4?"
It caught me off guard. Was he also equipped with the appraisal skill?
"I have some confidence in my ability to judge people," he said, as if he had seen my surprise, but that's just a skill.
However, Cecily seemed more surprised than me.
"What? Sebastian-dono, is that true?"
At that moment, the back door opened again, and Karina, dressed in a noble princess-like dress, entered.
Her chest was open, proudly displaying a magnificent range of mountains and valleys. It was splendid.
Karina smiled sweetly.
"Shiro, I express my gratitude once again. You saved me this time."
Then, she gestured for everyone to take a seat and signaled to the maids. Karina sat at the seat with the portrait at the back of the round table, with Cecily and Sebastian on her left and right, and I sat in front of Karina.
Yes, the angle of looking down a bit from the front is nice.
"So, what were you surprised about?"
"I heard that Shiro's level has increased to 4."
Upon hearing Cecily's words, Carenna also expressed her surprise.
"Well, I've never heard of someone gaining three levels in just one day... but considering he defeated the Orc Leader, it might not be surprising even at level 4."
Casually checking, Carenna and Cecily, who were level 5 yesterday, had also reached level 6.
If it's the result of yesterday's battle, it's confirmed that the levels increase while sleeping at night. I wonder how high-class women in this world sleep?
Oh no, I'm forgetting something important.
I took out the bouquet that Rida had made for me from the wrapper and knelt down dramatically.
"I am grateful for your invitation today, it's an honor." (Is that the right phrasing?)
"..."
The silence was heavy.
I'm sorry! Can I reset?
"Oh my! To me?"
"Yes, um..."
My voice is trembling.
"I'm happy!"
"..."
Ohhh! Ultra rare drop!
After 18 years and 11 months of being single, I successfully completed the high-difficulty mission of giving a present to a girl for the first time!
Great job, Rida!
"I love both Maronia and Furae, it's my favorite flower. How did you know my taste? It's incredible, could this be fate?"
No, no, it's an amazing response that goes beyond expectations. Miss Carenna's cheeks are blushing, her eyes shining.
Rida is the best!
It's like hitting a perfect quinella in horse racing, predicting Miss Carenna's preferences with two options. It's seriously divine.
After that, while Sebastian, the old man, and Cecily were trying to calm down Carenna, her excitement escalated, and we all sat down for dinner.
We were recommended an aperitif and then enjoyed soup and salad while listening to stories about this town and the long history of the Earl's family.
"So, where are you from? Your hair color, eye color, and the sound of your language are not commonly seen in this region."
No, no, it's because the language is automatically translated, Sebastian old man.
But what should I do?
To tell the truth, I always felt uncomfortable with the typical development in "reincarnation in another world" stories where the protagonist tries hard to hide the fact that they are a reincarnator.
For now, I think it's easier to just talk about it, and it might even make the future developments more enjoyable.
"Well, actually, I came from a different world than this."
All three of them stared at me, dumbfounded.
"Is it called reincarnation? After I thought I died in an accident in my original world, I met God and was told something like, 'Let me give you another chance to live in a different world'..."
Hmm, no response. I deeply wish I had better communication skills.
"Although I thought he looked strange and lacked common sense, I guess that's how it is. His mind must be disturbed, poor guy."
No, Cecily, I don't need that sympathetic look from you.
"Cecily, you shouldn't say such things. Shiro claims to have heard the words of God. Although I, being inexperienced, cannot comprehend God's will, Shiro must have gone through something very difficult. Escaping from reality might be God's salvation."
No, no, Karina, I think you have it worse.
However, Sebastian pondered while looking straight into my eyes.
"Hime... It's certainly an absurd story, but I have heard about these 'reincarnators' he mentioned in the past."
The attention of the three shifted to the old knight.
"As you may know, in this world, it is recorded that every few hundred years, a Demon Lord appears with the intention of bringing destruction to the human world, commanding the monsters."
Karina and Cecily nodded.
So, there really is a Demon Lord. It's a world of swords and magic, after all. But based on the tone, it seems everything is fine for now.
"And the only way to defeat that Demon Lord is when a savior, known as the Hero, appears and the country supporting the Hero unites the nations."
"I know that. It is a great history of our homeland, taught to every noble child, that during the Great War two hundred years ago, the Hero successfully sealed the Demon Lord, sacrificing their own life."
Hero! The Demon Lord and the Hero always come as a pair.
"So, where did this Hero come from? It's a complete mystery, but when I accompanied the late king in the capital city, I heard from a high-ranking military magician that there were rumors saying, 'The Hero is a reincarnator from another world.'"
"...Just rumors, I see," Karina said in a slightly hoarse voice.
Cecily swallowed hard.
Yes, indeed. However, according to the rumors, in addition to the Hero, reincarnators occasionally secretly appear in this world, possessing extraordinary talents bestowed by the gods.
Oh, they seem impressive, these reincarnators.
Well, if God truly gave them cheat-like skills, that would explain it. Except for me.
It's unexpectedly awkward.
"Lord Shiro"
Karena stared at me with sparkling eyes. With her hands clasped in front of her body, her ample bosom, squeezed between them, had an incredible impact.
"Please, lend us your strength!"
From that point on, it seemed like the expectations for me became excessively high. By the time the main dish was finished, they revealed important operations such as conquering the labyrinth and subduing thieves and monsters within the territory, as well as requesting my participation.
As I tried to make excuses, saying that I'm just an amateur who has only fought once yesterday and that I have no skills, Karena responded to such modesty.
"That's right! I promised to reward you for yesterday's efforts. But that will come later, right?"
Suddenly, Karena spoke up.
"Embarrassingly, our household is currently facing financial difficulties, so it is difficult for us to provide you with the worthy rewards befitting a future hero. However, we will prepare a residence within the walls for you first. And we will assign someone to take care of you, whether it be an excellent servant or a well-behaved young girl. Please consider this place as your second home."
When Karena mentioned a young girl, I reacted instinctively, and in the corner of my vision, I saw Cecily narrowing her eyes. It seemed like she exchanged some meaningful glances with Sebastian.
Eventually, the elderly knight stood up, saying, "I have official duties, so I shall take my leave." Cecily then gave some instructions to the maid.
"Let's change the setting a bit and stop with the formal talk."
She proposed.
***
After a while, the maid guided me to what seemed to be another private room on the floor above, one level higher. The room had dim lighting, even more luxurious decorations than before.
The maid made me sit on a soft sofa and placed a bottle of high-proof alcohol and a glass on the table in front of me before leaving.
Shortly after, Karena and Cecily silently entered through the side door. They took a seat on either side of me. Karena seemed quite bashful, sitting at a distance where she could decide whether to touch me or not. She wore a slightly more casual and lovely lemon-colored dress that revealed even more of her chest than before.
And Cecily looked like a different person. The purple dress with a large opening in the back boldly showcased her tall, slender figure. The skirt had a deep slit, and her white thighs pressed against me intimately.
Moreover, the fabric of the dress was thin, stimulating me without reservation with the ample fruit wrapped in underwear.
The blood in my body seemed to gather.
"Oh my, just looking, won't you say something?"
A seductive alto whispered in my ear. Unconsciously, I drew back and assumed a posture to hide a part of my body.
Her lips emitted a wet brilliance, and her makeup was alluring.
After that, I don't remember what we talked about as we were relentlessly offered alcohol and given "good medicine for the body." Before I knew it, my consciousness had become hazy like never before.
Before I knew it, Cecily's lips were trailing along my neck, and my hands were exploring Cecily's chest.
On my back, there was a hesitating but warmly soft sensation pressed against me.
Karina's voice seemed faint.
"Hey, I can't go any further..."
"It's alright, because you belong to me now."
I hear a voice, but I can't understand the meaning.
"Let's move on to the finishing touch."
"Understood... Phew. I shall bear witness to the vows of you two in the name of God..."
I hear an incantation. My mind doesn't function.
"Shirou, you want to experience more pleasure, don't you? Then, make a promise."
I just nodded like a doll.
Cecily whispered in my ear, instructing me to repeat what she said.
"I shall follow your will as your servant."
I continue as I'm told.
"I vow to fulfill the subjugation within the domain, even if it means staking my life."
"It's not working! Why, I wonder..."
Karina said anxiously.
"Perhaps there is already another contract in effect."
In response to those words, Cecily explores my body. From within her tunic, she discovers a single metal plate.
"A Guild card? Did you become a Guild member all of a sudden?"
"If you registered with the Adventurer's Guild, then it won't be easy for slave magic that alters your status to work."
The two whisper quietly above me. Two soft sensations cover my face, sweetly suffocating.
"If he willingly desires to form a contract, we should be able to overwrite it..."
"What should we do?"
"First, can we establish the agreement in the True Language instead of the Common Tongue? It would be more effective for Holy Attribute spells."
"If he mimics my lines, I think it can be done."
"Also, to establish a strong contract, we need to offer him something he strongly desires. How on earth can we...?"
"A desired compensation, something he strongly desires... Hmph, is there no other way?"
Cecily suddenly begins to remove her dress.
"What are you planning to do!?"
"He's been desiring me all along. It was obvious from the start."
Suddenly, a warm, moist skin comes into contact with my body.
"That's why I'll give him the desired compensation."
"No, don't go that far!"
Lips press against mine, glide to my ear, and whisper.
"You want me, right? Then keep saying it."
On the floor lies my belt. A warm hand touches my body.
"No way, is this really happening?"
What am I witnessing?
I hear a melodic voice with a rhythm that I don't understand the meaning of.
"Sarufasunotune Cecily Istlefi."
I simply repeat what I am told.
"Sarufasunotune Cecily Istlefi?"
And then, driven by instinct, I embrace Cecily, subdue her, and hold her beneath me.
While tightly embracing me with her well-shaped chest, Cecily's voice continues.
"Sarmeste Enkurluios!"
I mechanically repeat while pushing the woman away.
"...Sarmeste Enkurluios!!"
A sharp spark ignites in my mind.
In that instant, I immerse myself in Cecily's consciousness, as if being swallowed up by her.
I never noticed the satisfied, cold smile on Cecily's face.
(TL Note: Sweet Trap Indeed.)