Chapter 3: Consoling the Priestess

"I swear, I will bring them back!" Inarsha declared resolutely.

Standing before the assembled high-ranking officials of the Elon Religion, the newly appointed Priestess—the Female Pope Inarsha—proclaimed her vow with unwavering strength.

The grand hall erupted into a wave of enthusiastic applause, save for a small group of officials who clapped with a slow, mockingly lazy tempo. They were the remnants of the former Ellis faction—corrupt individuals who, under the old regime, had lined their pockets with bribes, committed unspeakable acts of harassment against young followers, and justified the brutal persecution of demons and beastmen.

Naturally, they had been charged with their crimes. However, due to Inarsha's generous amnesty, those who had not committed capital offenses had been allowed to return to their positions as religious leaders.

"Lady Inarsha, your speeches are always magnificent," Cardinal Walter sneered, stepping forward to voice his dissent. "But how exactly do you plan to rescue them? The Wandering Forest is vast, and merely locating their hideout is an monumental task. Your plan is fundamentally impossible."

Cardinal Walter himself was heavily suspected of deep-seated financial corruption, but Inarsha’s amnesty had swept his past offenses under the rug.

"Rather than wasting resources, wouldn't it be far more practical to assemble a Crusader force from the Allied Nations and wipe those wretched demons off the face of the earth once and for all?"

As Cardinal Walter finished his speech, the members of the former Ellis faction broke into wild applause. Looking thoroughly pleased with himself, Walter raised his hands, lightly waving his wrists to quiet the cheering crowd.

To be perfectly honest, while a rescue mission was incredibly difficult, the complete eradication of the demon race was on a whole other level of impossibility. After all, not all demons reproduced the way humans did.

Some species reproduced strictly through parthenogenesis (females only), while others engaged in entirely different, bizarre methods. When I first learned those details from the game's lore, I had been left staring blankly into the void. Since Cardinal Walter and his lackeys simply hated demons blindly, they probably didn't know the first thing about them.

As I was thinking this, my inner thoughts were instantly translated into Nord’s classic, arrogant villain speak, and I found myself speaking before I could stop myself.

"Heh... Hahaha! Eradicate the demons? Truly, you make me laugh. They say one should dream while asleep, but you lot are wide awake and still talking in your sleep."

I went way too far!!

The priests and lords of the Ellis faction immediately bristled, glaring at me with fury.

"What did you say?! An outsider dares speak so insolently in our presence?!"

"Oh? An outsider, you say?" I sneered, stepping forward with an icy grin. "Are you truly questioning me—a member of the Pope's personal guard, the Black Guardian Knights, 《Schwarz Ritter》?"

"Quiet, everyone," Inarsha commanded, her voice cutting through the rising tension. "Either way, the task ahead of us is exceptionally difficult... Launching an invasion into the Crimson Demon Lord's territory would require an astronomical amount of war funds, personnel, and preparation. I believe sending a small, elite squad is the best way to minimize casualties. What say you all?"

Hearing her proposal, a heavily armored knight stood up, slamming his fist onto the round table with a loud crash.

"I refuse to believe the demons have kept the hostages alive! They are beasts who do not view humans as people. They must be wiped from existence and purified for all eternity!"

Sigh... it's always the same. No matter what we say, they have some fanatical counterargument.

Both Elise and Inarsha were devout followers of the Elon Religion, but they possessed the rare capacity to treat demons and beastmen with genuine compassion. The rest of these fanatics, however, were entirely different.

The former Ellis faction, led by Cardinal Walter, nodded in fervent agreement with the armored knight.

"We can simply raise the necessary war funds from our believers!" Walter declared. "Fortunately, the lords have brought their armies to the holy land in response to this crisis. If we leave the demons be, there is no telling what tragedies they will inflict upon our innocent people next."

Just as human society had its extremists and moderates, the demon race was divided into various factions. To blindly label them all as pure evil and call for their systematic execution was the height of absurdity.

Inarsha pressed her hand to her forehead, sighing deeply as she looked up at the ceiling. Finally, she made her decision.

"Very well. Let us put it to a vote."

Inarsha had gone through the trouble of granting amnesty to the leaders of the former Ellis faction in order to bring unity to the Elon Religion. But if they held a vote now, a clean split between Inarsha and the Ellis faction would be completely unavoidable.

"Lady Inarsha, there is no need for that," Cardinal Walter spoke up, sensing his victory. "Won't you simply grant us your permission? Now, with the families of our people stolen and hatred for the demons at an all-time high, is the perfect opportunity! If we miss this chance, we may never get another to strike them down."

"...Very well. I grant my permission," Inarsha said, her voice heavy with regret.

Realizing that open conflict within the church was unavoidable if she refused, she had been forced to make a bitter compromise.

────Inarsha’s Office.

Inarsha sat slumped over her desk, her head buried in her hands.

Though she had been elevated to the position of Female Pope because of her sharp intellect and deep sense of justice, she was still just a young girl at heart. The endless political infighting of the divided religious nation had left her spirit utterly exhausted.

"Are you sure about letting those fools go?" I asked, leaning against the wall.

"They probably think I'm simply defending the demons..." Inarsha sighed, looking up. "I have every intention of tearing apart the monsters who kidnapped the village girls and the members of our 《Rosa Luminous》 squad. But I refuse to drag the moderate, peaceful demons into this senseless slaughter. That is all."

Slowly, Inarsha stood up from her desk and walked over to me.

"Nord-sama... let me borrow your chest for a moment," she whispered.

Before I could answer, she buried her face in my chest, clinging to my shirt.

"I wanted to find an answer that would satisfy everyone. But it's impossible... I didn't realize I was so powerless... sob... Everyone claims they want a world without conflict, so why are they so quick to raise their fists...? I don't understand, I don't understand... Tell me, Nord-sama."

Cradling her gently, I stroked her soft hair as she wept, offering her a calm, steady answer.

"It is because they are weak. When people are weak, they are constantly consumed by the fear that someone will attack them next. If they possessed true strength and preparation, they would be able to carry themselves with the same calm composure as you and I."

"I am not as strong as you, Nord-sama..." Inarsha murmured, looking up at me with her crystal-clear, tear-streaked blue eyes, begging like a vulnerable child. "So... please, let me rely on your kindness a little longer."

Looking down into those innocent, pleading eyes, there was absolutely no way I could turn her down.

"Very well," I sighed. "As long as you don't try any strange antics."

"Thank you, Nord-sama. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness," she snuffled.

...But the very next instant, Inarsha reached down and began tugging at my belt.

Hey! What did I just say about strange antics?!

A few days later, the vanguard of the Crusader force had completed their preparations, and Inarsha stood before them to deliver her official send-off speech.

However, Cardinal Walter and his faction had a completely different agenda.

"Normally, I would lead this campaign myself to encourage you all on the battlefield," Inarsha addressed the crowd, her voice echoing through the plaza. "But there are still many who yearn for the days of Lady Ellis and refuse to cooperate with our new administration, so I cannot leave the capital. I expect nothing less than your absolute devotion in this fight."

Inarsha’s supporters erupted into loud cheers, while the remnants of the Ellis faction clapped with distinct, lazy indifference. But Inarsha had expected as much.

"Before your departure, I must ask you all to sign a pledge, which will be distributed by Lord Nord of the Black Guardian Knights."

I was already fully aware of the conspiracy brewing among their leadership. They had seemed far too eager to launch this rescue mission, which raised my suspicions. Slipping away to spy on them beforehand had definitely been the right call.

My Spying Eye skill had already leaked the private thoughts of the key conspirators from the former Ellis faction:

"We will use the grand return from the crusade as a platform to publicly condemn her failures. Once her reputation is ruined, we will drag that little brat off the Pope's throne. If she offers even a shred of resistance, we will brand her as a fallen, corrupted Saintess and execute her in secret. The order of this world must be maintained by our hands, just as it was before Lady Ellis's passing."

"As expected of Cardinal Walter. A truly brilliant scheme. None of us would have ever thought of such a plan!"

"""""Hahaha!!"""""

If the demon subjugation succeeded, they planned to accuse Inarsha of opposing the crusade, drag her down from her position as Female Pope, and replace her with one of their own puppets.

As if I would ever let these corrupt hypocrites murder Inarsha—one of the main heroines of Rising Hero!

Their true goals were simple: expand their territories, secure rare resources from the Wandering Forest, and capture demon slaves. And if the campaign failed, they would simply dump all the blame onto Inarsha and force her to abdicate.

Well, I had no intention of letting their convenient little plans succeed!

"Lady Inarsha has graciously permitted the dispatch of the Crusader force solely because of your relentless, forceful demands," I declared, stepping forward and presenting the document. "Therefore, this campaign is entirely your own responsibility! You must sign this pledge, swearing that even if your operations fail completely, Lady Inarsha bears absolutely no responsibility for the outcome."

"""""What?!"""""

The conspirators who had been laughing so arrogantly in private suddenly turned pale. It was only natural—the moment they signed this pledge, they would lose any political leverage to overthrow her in the event of a failure.

"Hm? What seems to be the matter?" I asked, a mocking smirk playing on my lips. "Please, sign quickly. There is a long line of soldiers waiting behind you."

If they refused to sign and called off the crusade, their devotion to the Elon Religion would be immediately called into question.

The priests and lords leading the crusade awkwardly glanced at one another, sweating profusely.

"After you, please..."

"No, no, after you..."

"I... I get terribly nervous when people watch me write..."

"My stomach is feeling rather upset today... I shall sign later. Please, go ahead of me."

I had secretly placed a powerful curse on the pledge. Anyone whose magical capacity was lower than mine who signed the document would be physically unable to violate the oath. I had enlisted the help of Inarsha’s best friend, Elsinore of the Dark Rose faction (Rosa Nox), to craft the curse. The moment I told her it was to protect Inarsha, she had happily agreed to help.

Inarsha truly had wonderful friends. Well, except for Soulie, of course!

────Vermilia's Perspective

Captain Goyle of the Gargoyle squadron, who had been conducting aerial reconnaissance over the Crimson Demon Lord's territory, rushed into the throne room, his blue skin turning even paler with sheer panic.

"Vermilia-sama! It's an emergency! The settlements in the Wandering Forest along the border of the Elon Religion's territory are being attacked one after another by the humans!"

He knelt before me, delivering the news of the catastrophe we had feared most.

"I will head to the settlements to provide aid! Prepare immediately!" I ordered.

"Understood!"

As I raised my hand toward my sister's subjects, they returned salutes according to their respective racial customs.

"Vermilia-sama, we shall clear the way," Garuda-san, Silverback-san, and Cerberus-san—the Three Beast Musketeers—declared. They stood up in unison, placed their hands over their chests, and bowed to me.

"Please," I whispered.

They marched out onto the balcony of the Demon Lord's Castle. Garuda-san hovered in the air, his great wings flapping, while Silverback-san grabbed his legs. With a powerful leap, they soared into the sky. Cerberus-san leaped from the balcony immediately after, running to catch up with them from the ground.

"Vermilia-sama, please take this," Riel, the dark elf, said, handing me a mantle and a mask.

"Thank you, Riel-san."

When I expressed my gratitude, the small maid-dressed girl waved her hands in front of her, as if saying it was far too much honor for her. Donning the crimson mantle I inherited from my father made even a weakling like me feel a bit stronger, which is why I always wear it whenever I act as the proxy Demon Lord.

"Vermilia, moving out."

I whipped my mantle around and walked ahead. The demons and beastmen in the throne room knelt before me, and as I walked out the door, they followed behind. High-ranking demons and beastmen, represented by the Arch Satans and Bloody Leons.

Seeing them follow me always makes me think: I hold their lives in my hands.

If possible, I wanted to avoid conflict with humans. Since Crimsonia-onee-sama had been misled by a mysterious demon named Ron and had kidnapped young human women, it was not surprising that they had come to take them back.

The exact situation I had feared had come to pass...

Born as the second princess of the Crimson Demon Lord, I was appointed as the proxy Demon Lord by my older sister, Crimsonia-onee-sama, who had succeeded the throne. After fighting the Allied Nations of the Elon Religion, my sister had exhausted most of her magical power and had entered a life-support hibernation state, regressing into a young girl. In her child-like form, she could not maintain her dignity before the demons she led, nor to the outside world. That was the reason.

How awful...

The moment we arrived at the Wandering Forest, I stood frozen in shock at the sight before my eyes.

"────Violate them! Violate them! Ravish them all!"

"────Kill the males! Kill them all!"

"────Kill anyone who resists! Demons and beastmen alike!"

The humans' voices were filled with pure, unadulterated hatred...

The entire area of the settlements, which should have been living peacefully and modestly, had been reduced to a scorched wasteland, and the humans were laughing as they chased down my fleeing kin.

Looking down from above, I saw a father carrying his daughter, desperately fleeing from mounted humans.

I steeled my heart... and embraced the demon within.

"Hahaha! Run, run! You're nothing but beasts to be hunted!"

"Aim for their legs! The young ones are worth ravishing, so keep them alive!"

The knights on horseback shot arrows from their bows as if hunting rabbits.

Swoosh! An arrow cut through the wind.

"Ugh!"

The arrow pierced the father's leg, and he nearly tumbled forward, but at the very last second, he twisted his torso to shield his daughter.

"I'm finished. Run... save yourself..."

"Father! Father! Wake up, Father!"

The daughter shook her father's body, begging him to get up...

"Ah, even beasts have parental love! I'm so moved, I could cry!"

"Oops, my hand slipped because of the tears! Sorry, little girl!"

One of the knights who arrived kicked the father onto his back, and another knight pierced his heart with a sword.

"Father!!"

The father coughed up blood, his eyes rolling back. The daughter tried to rush to his side, but she was grabbed from behind.

"Ah!"

The knight who held her threw her violently to the ground, and the other knights pinned her limbs.

A short, chubby man dressed in black robes waddled over.

"Mufufu, I must pour the holy staff into this impure demon's vessel. Pin her down for me."

"Sheesh! The priest again? And they call themselves holy men."

"Mufu? Don't you know? Demons are not human. Copulating with a beast is no sin."

"Bah! Spouting his hypocritical nonsense again. Well, whatever. If we get parasites, we're done for."

"Mufu, you understand well. A good attitude."

The priest cast aside his trousers and yanked at the girl's undergarments to tear them away.

Calamitous Light Eraser!

At the same time, I fired a black laser at the head of the man called the priest. The black light pierced his skull, and his body froze.

"Hey, priest! What are you doing? Hurry up! I can't wait to violate this brat myself... wait... Eek?! He's dead?!"

Seeing the dead priest, the man wearing only half an armor set fell backward onto his rear.

"I am the Crimson Demon Lord! I will not tolerate any more of your barbaric atrocities! Prepare yourselves!"

With the Demon Spear Gusion in hand, I whipped my body around and swung the spearhead, decapitating the knights who were pinning the girl's limbs.

"The Demon Lord?! W-Wait! I-I was just following their orders... Yes, that's it! I heard the Crimson Demon Lord is merciful among the Demon Lords. If that's true, you'll spare me, right? Right?!"

The knight rubbed his forehead against the ground over and over, begging for forgiveness.

Ignoring the knight, I walked over to the girl who was staring blankly in front of her dead father.

"D-Demon Lord-sama... my father... my father..."

"Come here."

I knelt and spread my arms wide before the girl.

"The Demon Lord's head! Is mine!"

At that moment, the knight who had been rubbing his head against the ground drew his sword, trying to slice my neck.

"Gah!"

"Forgive me, my anger got the better of me, and I failed to control my strength."

Armor-Piercing Thorns!

Black thorns pierced his arms, legs, torso, and chest, pinning him to the ground and freezing his movements.

"You won't die right away. You will have plenty of time to repent for what you've done to the demons before you draw your final breath. Tremble before my mercy."

"H-Help..."

I cradled the girl in my arms and handed her to my sister's subjects.

Far ahead, the Three Beast Musketeers were holding back the cavalry and holy magic squad advancing from the front line...

Since combat is not my forte, I left the front lines to them and headed to other settlements.

There, I came across knights violating a demon woman.

The men of the settlement had been impaled with stakes from their rears, the sharp tips protruding from their mouths. Even so, those who still drew breath had countless knives stuck in them, likely used as human entertainment...

It was a sight that made me want to look away, but since I had marched onto the battlefield as the Demon Lord in my sister's stead, I had to witness everything and resolve it.

"P-Please stop... I'm... breaking..."

"Not yet! Don't think this is enough to satisfy me, you sow!"

The girl reached her limit, collapsing forward with her eyes rolled back as she lost consciousness.

"Shove a red-hot iron rod into this useless sow! It might make her tighten up and feel incredibly tight and exquisite."

"Gahahahaha! No doubt! Let's try it!"

The knight heated the iron rod in the bonfire, waiting for it to turn red.

Using my Succubus ability, I cast magic to secrete pheromones on one of the men violating the girl.

"Oh? Oh? What's this? Your rear is suddenly irresistible. I want to devour it..."

"What are you talking about? Cut the crap..."

"I'm getting tired of violating the females here anyway. Let me try your backside!"

From behind the knight who had been violating the girl, his companion, whose lower half had grown massive, approached.

"Eek?! Stop!"

A magic circle appeared around the demon girl who had been violated by the humans, forming a barrier.

"What is this?! We can't get out!"

The knights tried to flee, but their path was blocked by a transparent wall. She had likely used her remaining magical power to construct a barrier, locking the knights inside so they couldn't escape.

"S-Stop! Guys, what do you think you're... Urrrgh!!"

The knight screamed as if he were a maiden being defiled. Under the influence of the pheromones, the men engaged in a grotesque sexual banquet.

I touched the barrier, analyzing its composition. My hand slipped smoothly inside, and my body followed. Ignoring the knights letting out disgusting moans inside the barrier, I healed the girl and urged her to run.

"Demon Lord-sama..."

"Shh! The humans will hear you. Dark Recovery Doping."

"My body feels so light..."

"Go, run quickly."

The girl nodded, stood up, bowed deeply to me, and was taken into protection by my sister's subjects. After stepping outside the barrier, I altered its composition, turning it into a solid cage so the knights couldn't easily escape.

I inherited my skills strongly from my mother, a Witch Nurse who was a Succubus. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say I inherited and evolved them.

Normally, the healing magic used by a Succubus requires drawing energy from a male beforehand. But strangely, I realized I could use healing magic without drawing energy at all. My mother worries about me because I never draw energy, but...

To end this tragedy, I must cut off the source.

That is...?!

While the Three Beast Musketeers drew the enemy's attention, I blended into the night mist to scout from the air, discovering a group encamped on the border of the Demon Lord's territory. Beside the blazing torches, soldiers were holding a banquet, drinking as if they had already won... They underestimated us demons so much that their guard was virtually non-existent.

I found a particularly large campaign tent, and as I approached, I heard boisterous laughter. The sentries outside were swaying, drunk, and snoring lightly.

"Kuhahaha! The slave trade is so incredibly profitable, I can't stop smiling!"

"Beautiful demons and strong beastmen fetch high prices. It's a gold mine!"

Light leaked from a gap in the tent's entrance. Peering inside, I saw priests, high-ranking knights, and nobles sitting in a circle, gulping down wine.

To think they burned our villages for such a thing!

To think they slaughtered innocent demons and beastmen!

Driven by pure fury, my blood—the blood of an Ogre father and a Succubus mother—began to boil.

"Well, since we're here, why don't we go sample the flavor of some demon and beastman women?"

"Hey, don't indulge yourself too much... Huh?!"

Stopped by his companion, the noble stepped out of the tent and ran straight into me.

"W-Who are you?!"

"You are less than insects."

Thump, thump... My other heart, which had been resting—my Ogre heart—began to beat violently.

My subjects, who had been waiting in disguise as mist or bats, retreated like an ebbing tide.

"Everyone, evacuate!! Vermilia-sama is entering Berserker Mode! If you don't want to die, run away right now!!"

I felt a single horn growing from my forehead.

"Aaargh!!"

I impaled the noble who had run into me with the horn on my forehead. Tossing my head up like a minotaur, the noble's body was launched into the air. As his body fell back down, facing away from me, my horn pierced him again.

Grabbing his jaw and crotch, I pulled downward...

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts! Mother, help... I did nothing wrong..."

The noble let out a childish shriek.

"Do you have any last words?"

"I-I'm not... to blame... The one to blame... is the Cardinal..."

To think his last words would be deflecting blame onto others...

As I exerted my strength, a loud snap echoed from his body, like a stuffed sausage bursting. Casting aside the split halves of the noble's body, I stepped inside the tent.

"Was it you lot? The ones who decided to trample our demons and beastmen?"

The leaders inside pressed themselves flat against the tent fabric, desperately trying to escape from me.

"What is hap..."

"Cardinal Walter..."

Hearing the commotion, the guards rushed in, but they were immediately consumed by the black flames enveloping me. They were vaporized, not even allowed to turn to ash.

"Vermilia-sama! Vermilia-sama! Pull yourself together!!"

"Ah... what on earth...?"

When I regained consciousness, the humans who had invaded the Demon Lord's territory had vanished completely. The only things left behind were black shadows scorched onto the ground.

────Nord's Perspective

It was a few days after Cardinal Walter and his forces had entered the Wandering Forest inside the Crimson Demon Lord's territory.

"The forces that entered the Wandering Forest have been completely wiped out," the messenger reported, rushing to Inarsha.

It was an entirely expected result, and I couldn't even bring myself to feel surprised.

Inarsha let out a long, heavy sigh.

"They were the ones who went ahead with a reckless campaign despite how much you warned them it was too early. There's no reason to trouble your mind over it," I said.

"Yes... you're entirely right."

"They are great sinners who wasted precious personnel and resources of the Elon Religion's nations. If anything, it saved us the trouble of purging them ourselves."

This is a story from before I was born into this world.

Following the passing of the previous Crimson Demon Lord, Redra, Crimsonia succeeded the throne. To demonstrate her authority to those inside and outside her territory, she launched an invasion, but Inarsha's father, Marquis Clazit, and Elise's father, Count Magdalia, fought together to repel her.

While searching the Grand Library of the Pope's Palace for documents to resurrect Dalia, I managed to gather detailed information on these past events. Even the game's lore didn't go into this much detail. My taking up the post of Inarsha's guardian knight, the Black Guardian Knight, was precisely because I wanted free access to the Pope's facilities.

Because Marquis Clazit, who had achieved great renown during Crimsonia's invasion, did not participate in this crusade, the Inarsha faction—which consisted of many moderate believers—took a cautious stance. Thanks to that, the Inarsha faction was able to expand its influence virtually unscathed.

Following Cardinal Walter's failure, another committee was held to discuss the rescue of the hostages.

"Are there any objections?" Inarsha asked, scanning the room.

In a committee dominated by her supporters, there was hardly any dissenting opinion...

"Objection!"

There was one...

"Why did you not send reinforcements to the Crusader force?! Cardinal Walter and his men fought for all of us followers of the Elon Religion! Isn't this far too heartless?!"

The one pleading through tears was a priest under Cardinal Walter's thumb. Just as I had predicted, they were nitpicking Inarsha's decisions at every turn.

"Even if we wanted to send reinforcements, the messenger only arrived once, and that was to report their complete annihilation," I sneered, stepping in to answer on Inarsha's behalf after she gave me a look.

"What? Or are you suggesting we should have sent a search party for survivors? Inarsha stopped them. The ones who pushed ahead anyway were those fools. They died fighting the demons just as they wished. Are you saying that is a problem?"

"Ugh..."

"Lady Inarsha is exceptionally merciful. If you wish, she would gladly grant you permission to go and perform funeral rites for them. Though, of course, your safety cannot be guaranteed."

"Grrr..."

I had already investigated and confirmed that this priest had also been enjoying the sweet benefits provided by Cardinal Walter. The slave trade of humans was starting to be outlawed across various nations. In its stead, the trafficking of sub-human slaves, such as demons and beastmen, had skyrocketed. Nobles and knights would capture sub-humans, priests would issue sub-human certificates, and slave traders would buy them.

And then, the slave traders would pay kickbacks to the priests. A complete, corrupt system had been established.

The priest slumped forward, defeated. He was a coward who had backed out of the crusade. Having seen the current state of affairs, he wouldn't dare do anything foolish at this point.

"As expected of the son of the Ackersen Kingdom's Chancellor."

"It seems he foresaw everything and drew up his plans accordingly."

"To completely silence that stubborn priest from the old Ellis faction..."

Huh? The truth was that I was simply too busy digging up documents to resurrect Dalia to focus entirely on the hostage rescue operation...

"I can't wait to see what kind of brilliant strategy he shows us next to rescue the hostages from the demons!"

"Let us see the hand of Lord Wald's son, the cleverest man in the Ackersen Kingdom!"

Cornered, I turned my gaze to Inarsha.

"He is the only man I have ever loved. As expected, my eyes did not deceive me. To think he would rescue me from my plight yet again... I only find myself falling deeper in love with him," Inarsha murmured, completely forgetting she was in the middle of official business, her cheeks flushing red.

Getting a confession at a time like this doesn't make me happy at all!

As I was about to board my carriage, Inarsha went out of her way to see me off in between her duties.

"I told you a send-off wasn't necessary," I sighed.

"You are a heartless man. To say such things when you know exactly how I feel..." she murmured, looking down with a shadow over her face.

I felt happy, but at the same time, I felt guilty for making the busy Inarsha walk all this way. But my thoughts were instantly translated into Nord's harsh speak.

"You should focus on carrying yourself with the dignity of the Female Pope."

"I understand. I'll do my best... so, could you... pat my head?" she asked, looking up at me as I rested my foot on the carriage step.

If anyone other than our close associates saw this, they would immediately start spreading annoying rumors about a romance between the Female Pope and her Guardian Knight. Knowing I had to make it quick, I reluctantly stroked Inarsha's ice-blue hair. Seeing her eyes narrow in delight, I couldn't help but wonder if a snow leopard would behave like a house cat under similar circumstances.

Though I wouldn't call myself a prince, Inarsha, who had been the ideal leader commanding the students of the Sankt Maiden Holy Academy, had become a complete baby in front of me.

"Farewell, Inarsha."

"I will be lonely once you are gone..."

"Hmph, I will return soon anyway. Don't slack on the preparations until then."

With a soft laugh, Inarsha bumped her fist against mine, and we parted ways.

Thanks to the opposing Ellis faction destroying themselves out of greed, the political state of the Elon Religion's nation had stabilized, and Inarsha's role as the Female Pope was fitting her perfectly.

Until the preparations for the hostage rescue operation led by Inarsha were complete, I decided to return to the Ackersen Kingdom. My father, Wald, who was missing an arm and a leg, was talking crazy about taking an early retirement and passing the dukedom to me, and I had to draw up a plan to stop him.

────The Ackersen Kingdom

Upon returning to the kingdom, I went straight to the Hero Academy. Not to Nirvana's room... but to the room right next to it. Since Nirvana wanted to be close to me, she had been making up excuses at every turn to visit Elise's room, which was right next to mine.

The two of them often engaged in pointless bickering, but whenever one of them was absent, they seemed a bit lonely. Being girls of the same age, despite their bickering, they actually got along quite well.

Watching the beautiful Nirvana and Elise engage in girl talk made my cheeks relax, and I wanted to gaze at that precious sight forever. What I truly wanted was a slow life where I could simply watch such beautiful moments. So why did things turn out like this?

I knocked on Barbera's door, announcing myself as Nord, and heard a frantic rustling inside. The door flew open immediately, but the owner of the room, Barbera, knit her brows in displeasure the moment she saw me.

"Oh, it's just Nord. I'm busy with Lady Nirvana's affairs."

"Then I shall leave."

Despite her cold words, Barbera grabbed my wrist the moment I turned on my heel, refusing to let go.

"What is the meaning of this hand?"

"Don't worry about it."

Saying so, Barbera pulled me into her room—which felt more like an octopus trap than a room—as if she were an octopus dragging in its prey.

The moment I entered Barbera's room, I sat on the sofa and crossed my legs. I knew this wasn't the proper attitude for someone asking for a favor, but being Nord, my actions naturally turned arrogant. Despite my attitude, Barbera, who sat opposite me across the low table, rested her hands on the table and leaned forward. The sudden movement made her large, full breasts swing like a pendulum...

"You have a favor to ask of me?!"

"Yeah. You must know a skilled gearsmith."

Hearing the nature of my favor, Barbera looked thoroughly disappointed, pulling her body back and slumping onto the sofa.

"I suppose I might know one..." Barbera kept casting furtive glances at me.

Girls often say it's completely obvious when a guy is staring at their chest, but right now, it was completely obvious that Barbera was staring at my crotch... yes, completely obvious.

"You are remarkably easy to read. But I have no intention of complying."

"What?! D-Don't get the wrong idea! I have no such intentions!"

She crossed her arms, her breath coming in heavy huffs, but her dark skin was flushed a lovely shade of red, making her look quite adorable. Once I explained Wald's condition, she understood immediately.

"It is possible to add a 《Mechanical Staff》 function, but that would delay the delivery date..."

"No, don't bother. If we give him weapons, that old man will only go wild again."

Wald was a cold, heartless man who didn't view people as human, but when it came to Dalia, he would lose all restraint.

"This is a request from Nord, the savior of Lady Nirvana. I shall arrange it immediately."

"I'll pay you an introduction fee. Name your price..."

"Don't talk nonsense. I am the personal attendant of the Ottoline Empire's Princess. I receive more than enough salary from Lady Nirvana."

Laughing at my offer, Barbera suddenly began to fidget.

"I shall relieve your lust... Strip."

"Unfortunately, I am not in need."

"I am offering to do it for you. Or do you not want the prosthetic arm and leg for Lord Wald?" Barbera asked, standing up, crossing her arms, and looking down at me.

"Tch...! You filthy Dark Elof!"

If Wald remained unable to move freely, I would be forced to inherit the Villance Dukedom. Left with no choice, I had to accept Barbera's demands.

"The grudge of being neglected by you... I shall thoroughly settle it today! Prepare yourself!"

Standing tall before me as I sat on the sofa with my legs spread, Barbera's body was trembling, and her face was so clouded she looked as if she were about to cry. She dropped to her knees and reached for the fly of my trousers. Leaning close, she caressed my skin with her tongue, whispering:

"I know you favor Lady Nirvana."

To think she would suddenly say such a thing... She was clearly jealous.

A complete misunderstanding...

"But... No, never mind. Forget it."

With those words, she took everything into her mouth, swallowing her complex feelings.

I didn't answer. If I denied my feelings for Nirvana here and made Barbera throw a tantrum, it would only cause trouble... Placing her hands on the back of the sofa, Barbera thrust her hips out and spoke with rising heat:

"Violate me however you like! Like a beast..."

She swayed her hips from side to side, begging for me.

"You've turned me into a strange woman who only finds happiness when held by you. You must take responsibility."

"What are you saying? You were the one who approached me..."

As if to shatter my remaining reason, Barbera closed her lips over mine, silencing my protests. When our lips parted, a lingering thread of saliva stretched between us. Pulling her undergarments down to her thighs, Barbera begged in a weeping voice:

"Put it in quickly... I can't hold back anymore..."

Her undergarments were already soaked with moisture without even needing to touch them.

"You filthy Elof!"

The moment I granted the Dark Elof's wish, her ecstatic shrieks echoed through the entire room.

A dark-skinned peach resting on the bed. Though Barbera's body was well-toned, her rear wobbled with a soft bounce at the slightest touch. She thrust her hips out, her upper body collapsed forward onto the bed. Her face was completely slack with pleasure, her tongue sticking out, her eyes rolled back.

Having been pressed by Inarsha in the Elon Religion's territory and barely holding myself back, my own 《Mechanical Staff》 was on the verge of bursting, and it exploded spectacularly inside Barbera.

"That wasn't bad."

"Yes... please use me again..."

Despite how much she had provoked me beforehand, Barbera became incredibly submissive once we finished. She was nothing but a weak, easily defeated mob boss... but I couldn't help but find her incredibly adorable.

Less than a week after our night together, Barbera called me.

"This is...!" Wald was astonished as he fitted the completed prosthetic arm and leg.

"This gear represents the pinnacle of the Ottoline Empire's technology. Does it please you?" Barbera asked.

"Please me? It feels exactly like my own flesh and blood! My thanks. With this, I can dedicate myself once more to finding a way to resurrect my wife."

While I admired his unwavering devotion, I also worried that he would get tricked by someone using Dalia's name... not that I cared about him at all, of course!

A few days after Wald returned to public affairs, a beautiful maid-dressed girl visited my room and bowed politely. It was Lei, the son of Meina and my milk brother.

"Nord-sama, Lord Wald is calling for you."

"Me?"

"Yes."

Accompanied by Rei, I visited Wald's office in the palace.

"Welcome."

Though he used to treat me with cold indifference, Wald's lips curved into a soft smile the moment he saw me.

"If the gear is acting up, tell Barbera directly. Don't call me out for every little thing."

"Don't misunderstand. The prosthetic arm and leg from the gearsmith Barbera-dono introduced are working flawlessly."

"Then why..."

Wald clenched and opened his prosthetic hand, showing it off. He seemed to have no trouble walking and was already using them perfectly. I almost wanted to show him off to the Wald who had been weeping and saying "I'm finished" earlier.

"An offer of marriage has arrived for you. They wish to betroth you to First Princess Ottoline of the Delihera Kingdom."

"A betrothal?! I refuse!"

What a miscalculation... To think my renown had spread even to the great northern nation...

A few days later, while I was pondering how to turn down the marriage proposal, a voice rang out across the schoolyard.

"Where is Lord Nord Villance!"

Hearing the familiar voice echoing in the courtyard of the Hero Academy, the horse reared, and the rider pulled the reins to bring it under control.

Telling the students in my lecture that I would step out for a moment, I opened the window and leaped down into the courtyard.

"Isn't that Roxane? What's the matter? Why do you look so panicked?"

"Lord Nord! Thank goodness I found you immediately. You are always so reliable in a crisis... I can see why Inarsha-san... I mean, Lady Inarsha, trusts you so deeply," Roxane murmured to herself.

Being treated like a cheap, 24/7 plumbing service was a bit troublesome...

"This isn't the place to talk. Follow me, I know a suitable spot."

"Ah, yes."

Roxane handed over her horse and followed me into the school building.

"Why must I brew tea for you lot?!" Lillian complained.

"Heh. Right now, you're the only idle person with free hands. This is an important guest. Don't be rude," I sneered.

"Nord! Don't you forget that you're the one being rude to me!" Lillian barked.

"Um... Nord-sama. Who is that...?" Roxane asked.

"She's basically my lackey. Don't mind her. More importantly, why did you come all the way to Ackersen?"

Lillian muttered about slipping poison into my tea, but the poisons available at the Hero Academy couldn't kill me.

Roxane was shocked to hear me treat the principal of the academy like a lackey, but she soon realized who Lillian was.

"Right. Something completely unexpected has happened. We received a proposal for a hostage exchange from the Crimson Demon Lord, Crimsonia."

"Oho."

"As expected of Nord-sama. You remain so calm. In the Elon Religion's territory, those who heard this news were shocked, and opinions are so deeply divided it has split the nation in two."

I already knew about the hostage exchange event since it occurred in Rising Hero, but it was natural for Roxane—and indeed the entire Elon Religion's nation—to be shaken.

While pouring tea into the cups, Lillian suddenly shrieked, "Hot!" It seemed she had spilled some.

"Roxane, is it? May I hear the details as well?" Lillian asked, wiping the spilled tea quickly and handing us our cups before sitting next to me.

"Yes, of course. While there is no doubt everyone supports Lady Inarsha, they have split into two arguing factions: one claiming it is a demon trap, and the other suggesting we should at least hear them out. Knowing how deeply Lady Inarsha trusts you, Nord-sama, we hoped you could help resolve the situation..."

To be honest, I didn't have much confidence in convincing them... though I could easily beat them into submission if I wanted to...

"Lillian, I am taking a leave of absence from the academy starting now. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Wait, wait! We have scheduled lectures! What about them?!"

"What are you talking about? Isn't that your job as the principal? Do your best, Lillian. Let's go, Roxane."

"Yes, Nord-sama!"

"Nord! The moment you get back, I'm revoking your teaching license!" Lillian shrieked, stamping her feet in frustration.

"Ah, that would be a great help. I only spend my limited time educating these brats as a favor. If you save me the trouble, I can live a life of complete leisure."

Lillian let out a frustrated growl, snapping her folding fan in half.