Prologue: The Incognito Imperial Princess Nirvana
Opening the door to find a lewd maid!
It was just as I was about to drag my heavy, exhausted body—worn out thanks to Elise and Mao—out of my room to head to the Hero Academy for classes. The moment I opened the door, there stood Elise right in front of me.
My head spun, reminiscent of a catchy commercial jingle for microwave meals from my previous life. And why wouldn’t it? She was balancing a tray atop her bountiful assets.
Tapu tapu tapu, tapu tapu tapu♪
Her ample bosom danced on the tray with every breath she took.
Stop jiggling your underboobs like that. It’s stirring something in my loins…
This provocative maid Elise tucked the tray under her arm, sandwiching her assets with her hands as she inquired, “Good morning, Nord-sama. You haven’t suckled your morning oppai yet, have you…?”
“Stop making it sound like I do that every day. It’s misleading.”
“Meina-san said that Nord-sama suckles every day…”
M-Meina-san… I know she means no harm, but it’s troublesome when she chats about everything as if she were a chummy mother-in-law with her daughter-in-law. I’ll have to write a letter later to ensure she doesn’t spill everything Elise.
Dizzy from the situation, I countered Elise, not as if I were milking her but as if I were wringing out my resolve. “Meina is merely my wet nurse… You’re just a housemaid who takes care of my daily needs, so you don’t need to offer that kind of service.”
“I want to,” Elise replied, averting her eyes like a petulant child throwing a tantrum. Her sulky insistence on serving me was somehow adorably irresistible. If this weren’t about satisfying my carnal desires, I’d be all, Yes, please! But…
Why does Elise keep shaking my rationality like this?!
Tempted to indulge her feelings and gratefully suckle those OPI, I hesitated. Who knows how the correction force might twist things? With a bitter decision, I declared, “I said it’s unnecessary. I’ve long since weaned off milk.”
“I don’t want to wean off. After all, Nord-sama is my master…” Elise pressed the tray tightly against her chest, biting her lip. Her earnest demeanor nearly dulled my judgment when the worst possible person spotted us in the gentlemen’s dormitory hallway, where we were having this utterly futile conversation.
“Nordoooo────!!”
Kain, locking onto Elise and me, came charging like a runaway missile.
“What, the trash heap? Noisy first thing in the morning, aren’t you?” I remarked.
“As Nord-sama says, Kain, you’re a student at the Hero Academy, even if only nominally. You should learn some restraint,” Elise added.
At the word “restraint,” my gaze involuntarily drifted to Elise’s voluptuous breasts.
“Don’t look at me with those lecherous eyes!”
Slap! Sorry… Wait, Kain?!
Kain, tears in his eyes, stared at Elise after she smacked his cheek with the tray. I was about to apologize for my own wandering thoughts when I noticed Kain, snorting heavily, blatantly ogling Elise’s breasts. Sure, the cleavage peeking from her maid outfit was excessively alluring, but even from a guy’s perspective, Kain’s stare was downright creepy.
“No, Elise, it’s not like that! This is Nord’s trap to frame me!” Kain protested.
“Nord-sama has no need to bother framing you. Do you honestly think you’re worth the effort?” Elise retorted.
Ouch!
In [Unrivaled Hero], Elise used to criticize Nord, but now she’s tearing into Kain… Panicking, Kain flailed dramatically, like a party member facing expulsion, boasting about his achievements. “I defeated the Demon Lord! Why can’t you understand, Elise?!”
“You defeated the Demon Lord? The one who truly defeated the Demon Lord was…”
Elise’s gaze started to shift toward me.
Oh no! I’d gone to great lengths to spread the false rumor that Kain defeated the true Demon Lord. If Elise spilled the truth now, it’d all be for nothing. Cutting her off, I interjected, “Elise, if you have time to deal with trash, serve me instead. Let’s go.”
“Oh, Nord-sama! You’re finally going to suckle, aren’t you?” Elise exclaimed.
Every time, Elise misinterprets my intentions as something lewd. I just want her to help with normal cleaning or tidying, but… saying “clean for me” might make her think I mean cleaning sensitive areas, so I gave up.
As I moved to leave with Elise, Kain interrupted. “Elise! If Nord is forcing you to let him suck your… your… your oppai… you should quit being his maid immediately. I’ll report him to the headmistress and have him sacked as a professor and expelled from the Hero Academy!”
The moment Elise heard “expel,” her feet stopped dead. Then, like a tank executing a pivot turn, she spun around with ferocious intensity and snapped at Kain, “Excuse me, but could an outsider please stay quiet? This is between me and Nord-sama.”
“An outsider?! I’m saying this for your sake, Elise! You’re being sexually exploited by Nord! Why can’t you see how serious this is…?”
If anything, I’m the one being sexually exploited here, but saying that would be like pouring gasoline on Kain’s fiery temper.
“I serve Nord-sama of my own will! If you interfere with what I want, I won’t forgive you, even if we’re academy mates. I challenge you to a duel…”
What?!
Elise and Kain in a duel?! No, no, no, that’s a disaster! If that happens, it’s inevitable that I, as Elise’s master, would have to duel Kain in her place. And if it comes to that, some ridiculous correction force might kick in, and Elise could end up killing me.
As I slowly backed away, planning my escape, Kain wailed, “Ugh, uwaaaah────! My Elise, my Elise… She’s been completely poisoned by Nord!!” Clutching his silky blond hair, he suddenly bolted down the hallway and out of sight.
“Hey, Kain!” I called after him.
“Nord-sama, forget about Kain. Won’t you accept my service?” Elise, ignoring the fleeing Kain, pressed her body against mine with an upward glance, like a cat in heat.
“Elise, if you have time to cling to me, go attend your classes properly. If a saintess candidate skips class, they’ll call you a fallen saintess,” I scolded.
“I… want Nord-sama to make me fall…” Elise leaned into me, closing her eyes with a serene expression.
Healing Department Classroom
I half-forced Elise into the care of the Healing Department professor.
“Nord-sama… even if our bodies are apart, my heart is with you…” Elise said, shedding large tears as if we were parting for eternity. I could only respond with a blank, Tibetan sand fox-like expression.
After parting with Elise, I turned my class into self-study and went after the runaway Kain.
Nord-sensei is too passionate!
Such a cold expression, yet such a warm heart.
We’ll never skip class, no way!
My students completely misunderstood my intentions. I’m only chasing Kain to prevent things from spiraling into the worst-case scenario…
Searching for Kain, I ended up in the red-light district on the outskirts of Ackersen’s capital. In [Unrivaled Hero], after Elise was stolen from him, Kain frequently visited this district.
While looking for him, I stumbled upon an unbelievable sight.
“Hey, sister! You’ve got one hell of a pretty face. How about working at my place? I’ll pay you handsomely!” a man said.
“Stop it…” came the reply.
Nirvana?!
There she was, a stunningly beautiful girl with proportions so provocative she’d been likened to a lewd statue in the wildly popular app Battleship Girls. Her striking emerald eyes and blonde twin-tails, neither too thick nor too slender… a divine masterpiece of perfect curves. Her supple, plump skin held my gaze captive.
The other main heroine of [Unrivaled Hero], the third imperial princess of the Oiraan Empire, hailed as its conscience. Nord, incorrigible as ever, steals Nirvana from Kain, leading to his oh-so-happy demise.
Not happy at all for me, reincarnated as Nord!
She wore a cat-ear cap low to hide her identity, but her innate elegance and beauty were impossible to conceal, drawing the attention of a sleazy, host-like thug who grabbed her hand, propositioning her to become a prostitute.
Damn it, where’s Kain when you need him?!
“How much for a breastfeeding session, miss?” I heard.
“Huh?”
Panicking over Nirvana’s crisis, I scanned the red-light district and found him—Kain, of all people, haggling with a sultry, long-breasted woman standing outside a brothel…
Ackersen Capital’s Red-Light District
The moment I saw Nirvana and Kain, a nightmarish memory flashed through my mind…
“Stop it…” Nirvana pleaded.
Fleeing her pursuers, she had escaped into the red-light district, only to be caught and solicited by a host-like thug.
Don’t touch my Nirvana with your filthy hands!
Her image on the screen made me scream internally. Nirvana’s adorable appearance had utterly captivated lonely boys’ hearts.
“Ugh!”
At that moment, Kain, heartbroken over losing Elise, barreled forward without looking, causing the host-like man to face-plant into a ditch.
“Ouch…” Kain rubbed his forehead.
Nirvana looked at him with concern. As Kain raised his eyes, their gazes met. He murmured, “S-so cute…”
“Huh?”
Having lost her mother, the empress, in an accident, Nirvana had rarely been complimented on her exceptional beauty. Surprised by Kain’s praise, her cheeks flushed as realization dawned.
“Oh, sorry. I’m Kain Soap, just a humble hero-in-training. And you are…?”
“I’m Fana. Fana Lunas. Um… thank you for saving me from danger…”
Nirvana gave the alias she used when sneaking into the city. Before she could finish, Kain blurted out, “Fana-chan, huh? Nice name.”
“Um, Kain, you’re a hero────?!”
Nirvana, intrigued by his hero-in-training status, started to ask more, but before they could finish introductions, trouble arose.
Where’d she go?!
Can’t find her!
This could get bad…
Men in Oiraan Empire military uniforms frantically searched the city for Nirvana. They were her attendant officers, and losing the imperial princess in a foreign kingdom could cost them dearly. Yet Nirvana, feeling guilty but prioritizing the freedom of being just a girl, not a princess, chose to breathe the air of the common folk.
“I’m being chased by dangerous people…” she confided.
“Those guys over there?” Kain asked, subtly glancing at them. Nirvana nodded.
“Yes…”
“Got it. I know a good spot. Let’s go.”
Kain took her hand, and they ran.
“You should be safe here. They won’t follow this far,” he assured her.
“Haa, haa… Thank you, Kain,” Nirvana panted.
Kain led her to an alley he’d learned about while helping with Elise’s charity work. As their breathing steadied, a growl sounded. Nirvana blushed.
“There’s a great diner nearby. Wanna check it out?” Kain offered.
“Yes, please,” she replied.
Their meeting might have been a chance, but in that short time, they bonded, transcending their difference in status…
A dark shadow watched them.
Frustrated by their failure to find Nirvana, her Oiraan Empire attendants, swallowing their pride, requested Ackersen Kingdom’s help in locating her. Nord was chosen for the task.
—
At the capital’s fountain plaza, now sparsely populated as evening fell, Kain and Nirvana sat on the edge of the fountain’s basin. Their hands, resting on the rim, brushed against each other.
“Fana…”
“Kain…”
Flap flap flap!
As Nirvana closed her eyes under the setting sun, Kain leaned in for a kiss, but a tactless pigeon flew between them, causing both to pull back in embarrassment.
“Sorry…” Nirvana apologized.
“No, my fault…” Kain said.
As Nirvana, parting from Kain, headed to the inn where she stayed incognito, a voice called out.
“Been a while, Nirvana. Or should I say, Fana? Kukuku…”
“Nord?! Why are you here?”
Nord had witnessed Kain and Nirvana’s almost-kiss and approached her the moment they separated.
“You remembered my face, huh? Must be pretty desperate for a man,” he sneered.
“What nonsense…”
Nirvana averted her eyes. In the imperial court, contact with men her age was strictly limited, so it wasn’t strange for her to develop feelings for Kain, with whom she’d grown close.
“Getting cozy with that trash heap, huh?” Nord taunted.
“That’s none of your business. Stay out of my life,” she retorted.
“Oh, really? Even if I tell the Oiraan and Ackersen authorities that you were getting naughty with some lowlife…?”
“Y-you saw?!”
“When I was tasked with finding you, I didn’t expect the imperial princess to be about to get it on with a random guy. King John would be so disappointed, kukuku…”
“What do you want?!”
“Now, now, Princess. That’s no way to ask for a favor. I won’t cause trouble between our kingdoms if you pay me to keep quiet,” Nord said, circling behind her and grabbing her breasts.
Kukuku… “Not resisting, huh? You’re a quick one. I don’t hate sharp women.”
—
Luxury Inn Room
Nord and Nirvana were in an opulent room styled like a noble’s bedroom, too expensive for commoners or even lesser nobles. Though dressed like a common town girl in a blouse and skirt, Nirvana’s innate elegance shone through, impossible to hide.
Kukuku… “Nice view,” Nord remarked.
He pushed her onto a canopied bed, straddling her. Despite being pinned, Nirvana glared at him with disdain.
“Think you’re resisting with that look? As expected of a sheltered princess. All you can do is look down on those beneath you!”
Nirvana was a caged bird, her fate in Nord’s hands, yet her noble radiance never dimmed.
“You’ll never know how to love another. And no one will ever truly love you,” she declared.
“Hahahahaha! That’s rich! Trying to make me laugh and lose my nerve? Quite the strategist, Princess. I’m impressed,” Nord mocked.
“What’s so funny?!”
“What’s funny? A virgin preaching about love is the height of comedy. It’s no different from that delusional virgin Kain scribbling his fantasies.”
Nord suddenly grabbed her ample chest, smirking. Nirvana furrowed her brow, resisting his aggressive desire. It should’ve been repulsive, yet her undergarments grew damp, her body flushed, and her thighs squirmed as if she’d just exercised vigorously.
“What’s this? My caresses feel that good, huh? I’ll make it even better,” Nord teased.
“Who would find this crude roughness pleasant?! Stop spouting nonsense,” Nirvana snapped, glaring at his vulgar grin.
“Oh, you’ve got some spirit! How about this, then?”
Nord’s demeanor shifted abruptly, now caressing the swell of her clothing with a feather-light touch. Like an abusive man who, after violence, acts gently out of some pang of conscience, he alternated between carrot and whip. The varying intensity made Nirvana stifle a moan with her hand, barely enduring the pleasure threatening to escape.
“It’s okay to admit it feels good…” Nord teased.
With her heart set on Kain, even if her body succumbed to pleasure, her heart refused to yield to another man so easily.
“You think this is enough to make me fall? It doesn’t feel good at all. Have some shame, Nord!” she declared, mustering all her bravado to resist his caresses, though her trembling body teetered on the edge of surrender.
Kukuku… Kukuku…
“What’s so funny?!” Nirvana demanded.
“It’s just hilarious how desperately you’re trying to hold out,” Nord sneered.
“What nonsense…”
Drawn by Nord’s gaze shifting to her lower half, Nirvana glanced down at herself.
“Then what’s that? Your crotch is soaking wet,” he pointed out.
“No, that’s just cold sweat from being scared of you,” she retorted.
Her words were a feeble attempt to cover up, but the overwhelming pleasure of Nord’s caresses had already caused her crotch to weep tears of joy.
If Nord were to caress her lower half like this, those tears of joy wouldn’t just flow—they’d gush like a fountain, Nirvana feared. But Nord surprised her with an unexpected move.
“I’ll let you off for today,” he said.
“Huh?”
“What, looking like you want more?”
“Who would want you to touch them?! Enough already!”
The Next Day
Nirvana had been summoned back to that luxury inn by Nord. Upon seeing her, he raised his index finger as if struck by a brilliant idea.
“Oh, I almost forgot. For a woman like you, with a fiancé, yet so eager to indulge in debauchery, I’ve prepared a fitting outfit,” Nord declared.
With a loud snap of his fingers, a servant appeared from nowhere, handed a suitcase to Nord at the door, and left.
“Huh?” Nirvana gasped.
“Put it on,” Nord ordered, tossing the outfit to her.
Catching it, she was shocked by how scant the fabric was.
“Th-this is…”
“Don’t know what a bunny girl is? You really are sheltered,” Nord mocked. “It’s the outfit worn by women serving as dealers or waitresses in gambling dens. I had it specially ordered from your homeland, Oiraan.”
Forced to change in another room, Nirvana hesitantly stepped out before Nord. She’d had a chance to escape while changing, but fleeing would endanger not only herself but also Kain, who might be silenced—perhaps even killed. Nirvana was too kind for her own good.
And Nord was fully exploiting that kindness.
Kukuku… “To think the imperial princess of Oiraan would stoop to such a lascivious outfit to seduce a man… I can’t stop laughing,” Nord sneered.
Fitted with bunny ears by Nord, Nirvana wore a pastel blue bunny suit, its chest and lower abdomen covered in a translucent, slime-like material. The outfit was outrageously provocative, barely concealing her nipples and crotch.
“Tch, you coward! You’re the one who made me wear this!” Nirvana snapped, covering her chest and lower body with her hands out of sheer embarrassment. Her face—and entire body—had already flushed a cherry-blossom pink. Knowing this, Nord refrained from touching her, instead leering at her with lascivious eyes, visually ravishing her.
Never before had a man seen her even in her underwear, yet here she was, exposed in this shameless state to the worst man imaginable—Nord. Her shame reached its peak.
As she rubbed her thighs together in embarrassment, her crotch grew wetter than mere sweat, the moisture trickling down to her pure white silk knee-high stockings.
Nord, quick to notice, slid his finger between her thighs, touched the wetness, and licked it.
Kukuku… “Funny, sweat doesn’t taste this sour,” he remarked.
Realizing she could no longer escape Nord’s clutches, Nirvana steeled herself.
“Promise me… do whatever you want with me, but don’t let any harm come to Kain… Please…” she begged, desperate to protect the one she loved.
“Hmm? That depends on your behavior. Seducing the fiancée of a kingdom’s ruler is a capital offense, no question. Or is Oiraan more lenient?” Nord taunted.
“You’re no different!” she shot back.
“Me? Kukuku… You’re hilarious. John is my bastard father’s puppet. He won’t care if I steal you,” Nord scoffed.
“Controlling a nation for your own desires… You and your father will surely burn in the flames of the fire god Igzos when your time comes,” Nirvana cursed.
“Hahaha! If Igzos dared show himself, I’d make him my servant. But don’t worry, I’m not some demonic beast. As long as you obey me, I have no use for that trash,” Nord assured her.
He made Nirvana stand on the table, eyeing her bunny-girl form with a predatory gaze.
Kukuku… “Rub your thighs together like that, and your pubic hair might show. Or what, haven’t you grown any yet?”
“Tch…!”
Glaring at Nord for his blatant mockery, Nirvana saw no hint of him faltering—only brazen confidence. He even pulled out a fan and playfully slapped her peach-like buttocks. Though she’d resolved to become Nord’s toy to protect Kain, the mere act of being watched by him should’ve been repulsive, yet her crotch overflowed with sweat that wouldn’t stop. A cloth panty might have absorbed it, but the bunny suit, crafted with Oiraan’s alchemical prowess, let the moisture drip freely down her thighs.
Kukuku… “What’s that smell?” Nord asked.
“It’s sweat,” Nirvana insisted.
“Shall we check?”
“Do whatever you want,” she replied, crossing her arms and snorting.
Seizing the opportunity, Nord let his desires run wild.
Slurp, slurp, slurp!
“No way! You’re actually sucking—ahh!”
Like a baby latching onto its mother’s breast, Nord devoured the drenched absolute territory of Nirvana’s thighs.
Kyu kyu kyu… “It tastes good, doesn’t it?” Nord asked, looking up at her while greedily lapping at her translucent white skin. The sensation of his tongue on her thighs made her chin tilt upward, nearly letting out a cry, but she desperately clapped both hands over her mouth to stifle it.
But…
“It can’t be anything but sweat… Hyah… Ahn!”
“You’re trembling with goosebumps, aren’t you?”
She couldn’t admit she felt pleasure from Nord’s tongue, so Nirvana denied it, but the more she did, the more it stoked his sadistic desires.
Slurp, slurp, slurp!
“No, I’m not feeling anything! Ah, ah, no, don’t lick there, please!”
Tears welled in her eyes as she pleaded, but Nord showed no mercy, sucking relentlessly at the unending flow of “sweat” like a baby at a breast.
Even as she tried to pry his head away with both hands, her strength was sapped, leaving her powerless.
She’d heard rumors that Nord had made countless women cry, but now she wondered if he was making them moan instead.
Finally reaching her limit, Nirvana collapsed onto the table. The juices spilling from her soaked the elegant carpet.
Kukuku… “It suits you. Like a rabbit in heat year-round, craving seed… Look at the lewd juices spilling from you. It’s like you’re desperate to be embraced by me!” Nord taunted.
His fingers invaded the bunny suit, and Nirvana had no means to stop him…
“No way! Me, wanting you… Hng! Don’t touch there, ah, no, stop…”
“Come on, relax and be honest with yourself. If you accept me, I might even be gentle. After all, you and I will be together for a long time,” Nord said.
“No, stop…”
Nord embraced her from behind. When he licked her neck, she jolted with a twitch.
“For a virgin, you’re quite sensitive. This’ll be fun,” he sneered.
“Who would ever—hyan!”
His tongue traced a line from her neck to her ear. As she trembled, Nord slid one hand to her chest and the other to her crotch. For a virgin like Nirvana, resisting Nord, who had ensnared countless women, was too much. He toyed with her body as if he knew it intimately, drowning her in pleasure.
“Haa… Haa… Please, I can’t take it anymore… Have mercy…”
Nirvana collapsed to her knees, pleading to be spared further pleasure, but Nord had no intention of stopping. He lifted her onto the table, laying her face down.
“What a view,” he remarked.
“Don’t look!”
Nord marveled at the contrast between the glossy bunny suit and Nirvana’s soft, white skin. She instinctively tried to cover her buttocks, but Nord lightly pushed her with his groin.
Panicked, she braced herself on the table. Seizing the moment, Nord grabbed the fabric, exposing her skin. He inhaled the honey-like scent of her sweat as if it were fine wine.
Kukuku… “Well-ripened, aren’t you? You keep saying ‘Kain, Kain,’ but your body craves me. What a lewd princess,” he mocked.
“No, I’d never—hng!”
Despite her resistance, something foreign invaded her… Trapped by Nord’s words, she was now trapped by his body.
Satisfied, Nord pulled away. Blood dripped onto the carpet.
“Ugh, ugh… Cruel…”
Along with the blood, pearl-like tears fell from Nirvana…
“You moaned so much under me, yet you cry? Oh, I get it—you’re upset you felt good,” Nord taunted.
Nirvana couldn’t believe herself. She’d heard deflowering was painful, yet her body had accepted Nord without resistance.
Not just accepted—she’d reveled in his lust…
As if reading her thoughts, Nord slipped a finger into her mouth, forcing her to face him.
“You begged me to stop, yet now you look like you want more…”
He turned her toward a mirror, where her reflected face bore a melted expression, but she could never accept his words.
“Don’t say such nonsense! You make me sick. If not for the blackmail, I’d never touch you again!”
“Fine, I’ll let it go for today,” Nord said.
“Huh?!”
The dangerous, addictive negotiation with Nord ended abruptly, leaving Nirvana unconsciously feeling a pang of loneliness.
The Day After
Despising Kain, a commoner who dared enter the prestigious Hero Academy, Nord took steps to utterly break his spirit.
Dear Kain,
Since you saved me from my pursuers, I’ve thought of you constantly.
I never imagined something as simple as buying apples from a stall and eating together by the fountain could be so delicious. It must be because I was with you.
Parting after such a joyful day is painful. It feels like a nail driven into my chest… I need you to go on living. I don’t think I can without you.
If you’re willing, I’ve taken a room on the second floor of the Angel’s Dew Inn on Recurrent Street. Please come.
From Fana
Reading Nirvana’s letter in his gentlemen’s dormitory room, Kain bolted from the Hero Academy to the inn where she was staying.
Having lost his beloved Elise to Nord, Nirvana was Kain’s hope. He skipped through the inn district, humming lightly.
The Angel’s Dew Inn was known to all in the capital as a place for lovers’ trysts. Standing before her designated room, Kain’s heart pounded like never before.
When he told the innkeeper his purpose, he was directed to Nirvana’s room. With trembling hands, Kain knocked.
“Fana? It’s Kain.”
『Kain! Don’t come in… Nnnh!』
Nirvana tried to warn him from beyond the door, but Nord covered her mouth, whispering, “You want him to face a death sentence?”
Reluctantly, Nirvana permitted Kain’s entry.
『Come in… Kain』
“Fana… Maybe we should get to know each other better first—”
Blushing, Kain entered, but upon seeing Nirvana and Nord, his flushed face turned pale as if drowned in a cold river. Nord had forced Nirvana to write the letter to lure Kain.
Nirvana, still in her bunny-girl outfit, straddled Nord on the bed’s edge. A cloth covered her waist, but her reactions made it clear something lascivious was happening, the bed trembling faintly.
“Ahh, ahh, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa───────!!”
Finally grasping the situation, Kain let out an agonized scream.
“Hm? What’s wrong? Jealous of getting it on with the princess?” Nord mocked.
“Princess? What’s that supposed to mean?!”
Kukuku… “Ignorance is terrifying. This is none other than Her Highness Nirvana, third imperial princess of Oiraan. A commoner like you has no business with her. Plus, she’s engaged to our King John… In other words, you were completely fooled by her. My condolences,” Nord sneered.
“Fana… Is that true? It’s a lie, right? Nord’s forcing you into this, isn’t he?”
Nord whispered into Nirvana’s ear. Like a ventriloquist’s puppet, she relayed his words to Kain.
“I never liked you at all. Just a game, and you fell for it like an idiot. I’m a princess; you’re a commoner. We live in different worlds. Get it? Don’t show me that stupid face again. You disgust me!”
“F-Fana…”
Though Nirvana hurled insults at Kain under Nord’s coercion, tears streamed down her cheeks.
She hoped Kain would leave. But he staggered toward her with unsteady steps.
“Oh, what a tragic tale! Kain! No matter how much you love Nirvana, she’s my bitch slave now. Let me prove it,” Nord declared.
“Stop it!”
“Nord, please, stop!”
Kukuku… “Kain, I’ll show you how she writhes. I’m not a complete monster—I’ll let you pleasure yourself over there,” Nord said.
He placed a hand on Nirvana’s abdomen, pulling her close. His other hand crept to her chest, roughly kneading it, turning her protests into moans.
“Nordooo───!!”
Kain lunged at Nord in rage, but…
“This level of stupidity makes you worse than a beast—lower than a maggot. «Needle Mat»”
Nord raised his right hand toward Kain, unleashing long, thick, nail-like needles. With cunning timing as Kain’s foot touched the floor, he had no chance to dodge, falling prey to Nord’s attack.
Several Hours Later
Zaaa…
After being forced to witness Nirvana’s breathless, writhing form, Kain was thrown out of the inn.
The rain poured outside, as if echoing Kain’s sorrow. He wandered the capital’s main street like a ghost. Normally bustling, the streets were empty as people sheltered from the downpour.
Amid the rain, a group in hooded cloaks ran down the street.
Thud!
Kain, stumbling, collided with them.
“Sorry… Wait, what?”
“I’m a hero… Yet I couldn’t protect a single girl…”
“A hero?! Are you from Ackersen Kingdom’s Hero Academy?”
“Uh, yeah… Who are you?”
“My apologies for the delay. I am Barbara, an attendant officer of the Oiraan Empire,” the figure said, removing her hood to reveal white hair, tanned skin, amethyst-like eyes, and long ears. Her refined features were marred by an eyepatch over her left eye…
Two Years Later
Barbara, Nirvana’s attendant officer, bowed deeply to Kain, despite being his mentor.
“We cannot touch the son of Duke Villance… Acting rashly could spark war between Oiraan and Ackersen. Hero Kain, you’re our only hope,” she pleaded.
“Barbara-sensei, please raise your head. I’ll use everything you’ve taught me to defeat Nord and take Fana back!”
Trained in imperial alchemy by Barbara, Kain’s face had transformed from that of a frail boy to a rugged young man. Barbara wept at his words, her tears befitting even a drill sergeant.
“Please, please save Nirvana-sama, who saved me from death…”
Kain took Barbara’s hand and nodded deeply.
Barbara, originally a dark elf living in the forest, had been captured by fanatical Eron cultists who stripped her of her magic. Barely escaping their clutches with her life, she drifted to the Oiraan Empire, eventually becoming one of its proud grenadiers.
Grenadiers were crazed soldiers who wielded magic grenade launchers, detonating them at point-blank range to instill terror, and Barbara led one such unit as their commander. It was she who had molded Kain into a man, body and soul.
At the Hero Academy’s arena, Kain and Nord faced each other. Behind Kain stood Barbara. Two years had dwindled Nirvana’s retinue of attendants, leaving only Barbara.
Kukuku… “Hahaha! This is surprising,” Nord sneered.
“What’s so funny?!” Kain demanded.
“No offense, no offense. When a nobody like you sent me a duel challenge, I thought it was some cheap prank. But since you’ve shown up, I suppose I owe you some respect,” Nord said, placing the fingertips of his left hand on his right palm, offering Kain a condescending, perfunctory clap.
“You won’t be so smug for long. Nord, today, right here, I’ll bring you to justice!” Kain declared.
“Pfft! Stop it, you’re gonna make me laugh to death before you can strike! Save the jokes for later────?!”
Before Nord could finish, Kain fired a magic grenade from the commander-exclusive launcher Barbara had given him. A red scratch marred Nord’s beautiful, almost feminine cheek.
Nord touched his cheek, his fingers coming away with fresh blood. Enraged, he roared, “A lowlife like you dares scar my face… You deserve a thousand deaths! I’ll burn your filthy body to ash, not a single bone left!”
«Extreme Flame Collapse…»
Nord raised his hand to unleash dark magic without chanting, but Kain was faster, firing another magic grenade that exploded in front of Nord, scattering blinding light.
“What’s this? Quite the trick for a bluff, but such childish antics won’t… «Extreme Flame Collapse», «Extreme Flame Collapse», «Extreme Flame Collapse»!”
Nord, laughing with smug confidence, faltered as no magic emerged from his raised hand, panic creeping into his expression.
“You can’t use magic anymore. That was «Magic Seal Bullet»,” Kain explained.
«Magic Seal Bullet» disrupted the convergence of magical elements, temporarily disabling magic.
“You dare, you lowlife! Fine, I was going to kill you easily with magic, but it seems you want to suffer. Regret your foolishness!” Nord snarled.
“I’m shocked, Nord, to think you had such a merciful heart! But I can tell—you’re scared of me,” Kain taunted.
“What?! Me, scared of you? Never! I’ll turn you into rust for my whip sword!”
Nord deployed his whip sword, its chain-like blades lunging at Kain’s launcher like a viper’s bite, coiling around the handle. With a pull, Nord snatched the launcher into his hand.
Kukuku… “The empire’s toys are nothing. Even a commander’s launcher is useless once taken,” Nord mocked.
“Is that so? Nord, you’re making a big mistake. The launcher’s use isn’t as simple as you think,” Kain retorted.
«Limit Break»
Kain focused his will on the launcher Nord had seized. The magic stone embedded in it suddenly glowed, emitting a blinding light that stole Nord’s vision.
“Guh?!”
BOOOOOM─────────!!
While Nord grimaced, the launcher detonated the enhanced explosive round hidden within. Kain ducked behind cover, dodging the powerful blast that nearly swept him away.
As a grenadier, Barbara’s specialty was close-quarters assault, but Kain had anticipated Nord’s tendency to seize items from those who provoked him, rigging the launcher to self-destruct.
“You little shit… To corner me like this, no amount of groveling will earn my forgiveness!” Nord raged.
Despite the explosion, Nord’s whip sword remained unscathed. But Kain had planned for that too.
“You thought I’d face you without a strategy? Behold this holy radiance!!” Kain shouted.
“Wha—?! Is that a holy sword?!”
Even Nord couldn’t hide his shock at the sight of Kain’s raised holy sword, instinctively stepping back.
“Nord! Release Elise and Fana, and I’ll forgive you. Face the sins you’ve committed,” Kain declared, pointing the holy sword’s tip at him.
Nord looked down, exhaling deeply, but he felt no remorse. His whip sword’s chain blades lunged at the holy sword, ensnaring it. Seizing it, Nord sneered at Kain.
Kukuku… “Too bad, rookie hero! Even a holy sword seems fed up with your stupidity,” he mocked.
“What are you talking about? Look closely at what you’re holding,” Kain retorted.
“A fake?! You dare mock me?! I won’t forgive you! I won’t! I’ll kill you!”
Outplayed by Kain, whom he’d always seen as beneath him, Nord lost his usual cunning, his attacks becoming predictable.
Handed the real holy sword by Barbara, Kain charged at Nord with fervor. Nord discarded the fake. When the holy sword clashed with the whip sword, a shrill metallic keen rang out, sparks flying like welding spatter.
“No… way…”
Nord stared at the ground in disbelief. The whip sword’s chain links were severed, its blade tips scattered.
“Your whip sword drew on your magic to enhance its hardness. To forget even that… how pathetic, Nord,” Kain said, looking at Nord, who now held the whip sword limply, not with mockery but with pity.
“Where’s Fana?! Tell me now, and I’ll spare your life!”
Ever the softhearted fool, Kain chose the worst person to show mercy to…
“Nirvana’s whereabouts…” Nord muttered.
Kain lowered his holy sword, stepping closer to hear. That was his mistake.
Nord smirked, aiming the whip sword’s remaining blades to ensnare Kain.
“If it’s come to this, I’ll take you down with me! There’s no such thing as defeat for Nord Villance!”
“Danger, Kain!”
Barbara shoved Kain aside. At that moment, Nord’s body glowed, and a deafening explosion engulfed the area. Kain, pushed to the ground, escaped the blast, but…
“Barbara-sensei!!”
“Kain… You’re safe… That’s what matters…”
“Don’t talk! I’ll get a potion!”
“Heh, it’s too late for me. Save Nirvana-sama… I’m counting on you… Kain…”
As Kain held Barbara’s battered body, the dying Nord mocked him.
Kukuku… “Hahaha! Kain, I failed to take you down thanks to that damned dark elf, but this fight… I win!”
“What’s so funny?! You’re done!” Kain shouted.
“Yes, I’m done. But I’ll leave you with even greater despair… If you’re a true hero, go to the brothel guild. The place is called Guilty Maiden…”
“Nord?!”
With that, Nord died with a triumphant sneer. Kain, though he’d fulfilled his vow to defeat Nord, couldn’t rejoice, consumed by worry for Nirvana.
High-Class Brothel Guilty Maiden
“A referral from Nord-sama… You have quite the taste, sir,” the receptionist said, stroking his goatee.
The entrance’s marble-like floors and walls, adorned with red-centric decor, and the sophisticated furnishings made the brothel’s reception feel like a luxury hotel.
Guilty Maiden was a place so exclusive that only high-ranking nobles or wealthy merchants could enter.
“With Nord-sama’s referral, you’re special. Please, come in,” the receptionist said.
How much did Nord pour into this place? Kain wondered suspiciously. But he clung to a faint hope that, even if Nirvana had been forced into prostitution, a high-class brothel would treat her better than the streetwalkers of the slums.
“Enjoy your night with Nirvana,” the receptionist said.
Guided by a young man in a black vest, Kain was handed a key before the room. Even after the guide left, Kain stood alone, gripping the key tightly.
What could he say to Nirvana?
Because of his own incompetence, Nord had taken everything from her, forcing her into prostitution.
He’d apologize, no matter what.
And he swore to redeem her and live together.
Steeling himself, he knocked and opened the door, calling out.
“Fana…?”
“Kain?!”
Nirvana’s shocked voice echoed in the room. Kain felt relief and joy that she remembered his voice and name.
“That’s right, Fana. It’s me,” he said.
Kain’s steps lightened, but Nirvana’s voice stopped him.
“Don’t come! Stay back!”
“Huh?!”
Too late—Kain was speechless at the sight of her.
Nirvana’s limbs were gone.
Seeing her tiny, incongruous form on the canopied bed, Kain broke into sobs.
“Why… Why did this have to happen to you…?”
After a heavy silence, Nirvana spoke.
“…I… betrayed you, Kain… I wanted to tell you properly… but Nord threatened me… and my weak self gave in…”
“Stop, it doesn’t matter anymore,” Kain said.
“For hurting you so deeply… please forgive me… I’m sorry… I… love you, Kain…”
Looking at her body, Nirvana faltered. She believed someone like her, reduced to a spectacle or prostitute, could never be loved by Kain.
Having reunited with Nirvana, Kain immediately negotiated with the brothel’s owner. He was determined to confront the depraved owner who’d mutilated Nirvana for clients, but seeing the owner, he was taken aback.
The owner didn’t look like a slave trader. He had the refined yet rugged air of a noble’s son turned adventurer.
Inviting Kain to sit on a sofa, the owner sat opposite, crossing his legs.
“What’s this about, sir?”
“I want to redeem Nirvana,” Kain stated.
“As expected of Nord-sama’s referral. You have refined taste. But Nirvana isn’t cheap…”
“This should suffice,” Kain said, placing the holy sword on the table.
“Oh?”
With practiced ease, the owner drew the sword, an action unbefitting a brothel keeper.
“I’ve seen many clients leave belongings for unpaid fees, but never an item like this. It’d make a fine display,” he said.
Though he called it a display, he ignored the ornate handle, scrutinizing the blade like an appraiser. Satisfied, he sheathed it and addressed Kain.
“Very well. Nirvana is yours.”
“Really?!”
“Yes… but… never mind.”
Kain promptly strapped Nirvana to his back with a carrier and left the brothel. Her body was as light as a baby’s…
Hero Academy Gentlemen’s Dormitory
Kain returned to the Hero Academy, where he still barely held a place. He’d already brought Barbara to the dormitory, searching for Elise, who could heal her, but she was nowhere to be found.
Even though she should’ve been freed from Nord’s control…
“Barbara?!”
“Nirvana-sama?!”
Reuniting in Kain’s room, the two were shocked by each other’s altered states.
Barbara, lying on Kain’s bed, was wrapped in layers of bandages, yet blood seeped through the blanket covering her.
“Kain… My life’s fading. If you’re resolved, use me. Make Nirvana-sama whole again,” Barbara urged.
“What are you saying, Barbara?! I won’t allow it. I’d rather stay like this than let you sacrifice yourself,” Nirvana protested.
Kain looked between them, caught in the middle, utterly conflicted.
“I owe my life to Nirvana-sama! Let me repay that debt. Please, let me save you… Otherwise, I can’t die fulfilled…” Barbara pleaded.
Nirvana resisted, but when Barbara revealed the abdominal wound from Nord’s explosion, she hung her head. It was a miracle Barbara could still speak.
“Kain, put me next to Barbara…” Nirvana requested.
Kain nodded, preparing in another room to give them privacy.
Once ready, Nirvana and Barbara were laid side by side on a magic circle drawn for imperial alchemy.
“I don’t know what’ll happen, honestly. But see it through, Kain. You can do it,” Barbara said.
“Yes, I’ll fulfill Barbara-sensei’s wish!”
Kain placed both hands before the magic circle and chanted.
«Body Reconstruction»
In the Oiraan Empire, alchemy involving human transmutation was a forbidden curse, but Kain, born in Ackersen, had no such reservations and acted without hesitation.
Flash!
A blinding light enveloped Kain’s room. He shielded his eyes, but as the light from the magic circle dimmed, he lowered his hands. As his vision cleared, he saw Nirvana.
“Fana!”
Tears streamed from Kain’s eyes at the sight.
Thank goodness… Her missing limbs had been fully restored.
But…
“Barbara!”
“Barbara-sensei!”
As Nirvana, awakened by Kain’s voice, turned to the side, Barbara’s body was translucent.
“Thank you, Kain. Because of you, my lifelong wish is fulfilled. Even in the afterlife, I’ll pray for Nirvana-sama’s happiness…”
“Don’t go, Barbara!”
“Serving Nirvana-sama was truly wonderful. I wanted to stay longer, but it seems I’m not allowed…”
Barbara’s body turned to mist, blending into the air.
“Barbara-sensei───────────!!”
“Barbara…”
Kain and Nirvana stared at the spot where Barbara had been, but Nirvana suddenly noticed something.
“Kain! Your arm…”
“Oh, yeah… Barbara-sensei was missing her arm from the elbow down, so… I trained with her a lot, thought maybe I’d get lucky,” Kain said, joking to ease Nirvana’s worry, but the law of equivalent exchange couldn’t be overturned, even by a hero…
Having lost his arm from the elbow down, Kain had to leave the Hero Academy and returned to his hometown, living with Nirvana through hardships but happily ever after.
No salvation here…
Nord, with all the evil he’s done, wouldn’t have a single decibel of ground to complain if Kain killed him…
I absolutely have to avoid earning Kain’s hatred and ensure Nirvana remains a princess without stealing her…
Otherwise, my fate is… death alone…
No way!
I barely escaped being killed by Elise, and now Kain’s going to kill me?!
To live a peaceful, slow life, I must avoid stealing Nirvana, keep Barbara alive, and build a friendly relationship with Kain…
That’s the only way.
Lost in these flashbacks after spotting Nirvana and Kain in the red-light district, I saw Kain, in the midst of Nirvana’s crisis, asking a busty prostitute about service fees.
Ugh, what a hopeless guy!
«Thunder Strike»
I unleashed a maximally weakened electric shock at Kain.
Zap!
The bolt from my finger crackled at Kain’s temple.
“Ouch!”
“Creep!”
Kain’s sudden yelp startled the prostitute, who fled in disgust.
“Hey! Wait, miss!”
Tch! He still hasn’t noticed me?!
Kain reached out desperately toward the retreating woman’s backside. Even if she’s a prostitute, he’s acting like a total pervert…
What a handful!
«Thunder Strike»«Thunder Strike»«Thunder Strike»«Thunder Strike»«Thunder Strike»«Thunder Strike»«Thunder Strike»«Thunder Strike»
“Guh! Ugh! Uuuugh!!”
The barrage of electric shocks I unleashed crackled as they struck Kain, his body convulsing with spasms of rigidity and release.
“Who’s there?!”
Finally realizing he was under attack, Kain scanned his surroundings.
“No worries if it’s your first time. I’ll guide you step by step. I’m good at this stuff, y’know? You won’t find a high-paying gig like this anywhere else!”
“I’m not short on cash. Let me go!”
No matter how much money you could earn—on par with a top-tier hostess—the risks were too high. The host-like man, probably thinking a cute prostitute like Nirvana would draw endless clients, clung to her relentlessly, refusing to let go.
“Nah, you never know when you’ll be strapped for cash. Better save up for retirement now!”
What?
I couldn’t help but laugh at the host-like man’s words. He didn’t look like someone saving for retirement. Clearly, he was blowing it all on women, booze, and gambling…
“So cute! Hey, where you from? I know I don’t look it, but I’m a hero. Wanna chat with me?”
Kain, who’d been nervously looking around, spotted Nirvana and started hitting on her.
“Huh? Listen, pal, hero or sage or whatever, I’m talkin’ to her. Mind not butting in?”
“What? Who cares who talks to her? She’s not your girlfriend, is she?”
Whoa! Kain’s actually stepping up to help a girl—nice! He’s growing up, huh?
As I crossed my arms and squinted from the sidelines, the host-like man grabbed Kain’s collar, glaring menacingly.
“What was that, kid? Keep acting cocky, and I’ll beat you down!”
“Oh yeah? Try it. Just so you know, I’m Kain, the hero who defeated the demon king!”
Ugh, so cringe!
Sure, Kain had grown strong enough to defeat Orgus, one of Demon King Azrael’s four heavenly kings. But bragging about it himself? Super lame. Cowering before the strong and lording over the weak… Where did he go so wrong?
As I sighed at Kain’s antics, a cheerful voice, bright enough to rival a VTuber, rang out.
“Thank you. You’re the one who sent a retainer to save me, right… Wait, haven’t I seen you before?”
Uwah?!
I nearly yelped but quickly clamped my mouth shut. Nirvana, who’d been standing between Kain and the host-like man, was now right beside me.
A retainer… She couldn’t mean Kain, could she?
I was about to correct her misunderstanding when Nirvana studied my face, as if pulling at the threads of memory.
“Oh! You’re Nord Villance, the duke’s son!”
“You’ve got the wrong person. Why would Duke Villance’s son be in a place like this?”
“Yeah, yeah, little Nord used to talk just like that!”
Whoa, she’s latching on hard! I didn’t sign up for this!
This is bad—she’s clearly trying to recall meeting Nord as a child!
I hesitated to attack someone just holding a collar, but I had no choice.
«Thunder Strike»
Careful not to alert Nirvana, I subtly aimed my finger at the host-like man and fired a shock. He groaned, his grip on Kain’s collar slipping as he collapsed to his knees.
“Hahaha! See that? He’s bowing to my greatness. Should’ve picked your fights better!”
Kain put his hands on his hips, mocking the fallen man.
“I’ll leave the rest to my retainer, Kain. Follow his lead. I’ve got business to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait!”
As I turned to leave, my cloak billowing, Nirvana called out.
“There you are! Been looking for you. I took care of that creep, so how ‘bout a date with me? Sounds good, right?”
“No, stop…”
Kain! You’re turning into the creepy pickup artist now?!
But if I interfere too much, Nirvana might fall into prostitution, and Kain might kill me…
Knowing their in-game fates, I felt frustrated but tried to accept it was just that.
“Nirvana-sama, we’ve found you!”
As I slipped into an alley, a voice called out, and Kain and Nirvana were suddenly surrounded by men in military uniforms.
Phew… Finally, Nirvana’s attendants came to—wait, something’s off!
“Who are you guys?” I asked.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the famous Hero Kain-sama!”
“You know me?!”
“Of course! Your name’s known even in the Oiraan Empire!”
“Really? Haha, I’m kinda embarrassed. Guess I’m famous now!”
Kain shot me a smug look, and I realized ignorance is bliss. I felt rewarded knowing the false info I’d spread had reached Oiraan. As Kain got cocky from the praise, I observed the men surrounding them.
“Where’s Barbara?” I asked.
All the men turned to me. It was odd that Barbara, Nirvana’s attendant officer, wasn’t there. The men claiming to be her retainers exchanged glances, their behavior turning suspicious.
“Hm? You don’t know Barbara?”
“There’s no one here by that name,” one replied.
“Oh? You don’t know Nirvana’s head attendant officer, Barbara? I can’t imagine her leaving Nirvana’s side.”
The apparent leader stepped forward from the circle.
“What are you implying?”
His words were polite, but his hostility was clear.
“You're a commoner faction, aren’t you? For nobodies who need Nirvana to prop you up to question me… you’re twelve thousand years too early!”
“Keep talking!”
My taunt in Nord-speak made the uniformed men glare, their hands reaching for the hilts of their daggers.
“Hold it. This isn’t Oiraan. Don’t cause trouble,” the leader ordered.
“But, Chairman!”
“Besides, we can’t guarantee victory here. Our task is done. Withdraw.”
The man called Chairman signaled his group. One of them pulled a finger-length tube from his bandolier and threw it to the ground. With a single word, thick smoke engulfed the area.
Worried Nirvana might be abducted in the chaos, I grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the smoke.
I planned to let go once we were clear, but…
“It really was you, Nord. Thank you… for protecting me.”
“Huh?”
Nirvana held my hand with both of hers, gazing at me with beautiful, jewel-like eyes that I could stare into forever.
Hyuu~♪
What?! A weird sound made me glance sideways, where Kain looked like he’d turned to white ash, ready to crumble into the earth.
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