Honey in the Mouth, Knife in the Stomach

<Side : Materi Ar Sirenniid>

『Martyr’s Moon – 11th (Morning)』

【Day 1 of Imperial Invasion】

“I will now begin the emergency meeting.”

It was early in the morning. A time when one should just be waking up and starting the day.

However, the faces of everyone gathered in the conference room, including myself, were filled with fatigue.

“The agenda for this meeting is…”

Before the meeting was even called, all the officials who had been sleeping were forcibly awakened and were now dealing with an incident triggered by the words of a single girl.

What was that… it was precisely.

“It concerns the Divine Revelation that was suddenly delivered this morning by the Divine Beast.”

Divine Revelation. The sacred Divine Beasts, who serve as the empire’s providence, often bestow Divine Revelations that specify calamities that will threaten the empire in the future or resources that will benefit the empire, from the perspective of a transcendent being.

It had been cut off during the reign of my Father, the Emperor, but it had started again after the current Sultan… a former imperial administrator, brought a girl who claimed to be a Shrine Maiden who served the Divine Beast.

And the resumption of that Divine Revelation became a major upheaval that shook the imperial authority… and with the support of other officials in the same position as me, the Sultan cut off my Father’s head and stole the throne.

I, who had been reduced to a mere dancer, didn’t even want to share a table with those dirty trash… but what could I do? Such was my situation…

The reason I was even able to participate here was none other than the Sultan’s order.

“Ahem… I know everyone is tired, but please focus on the meeting.”

Clearing his throat, the old official in charge of the meeting called for attention.

With a sulky expression, the Sultan, propping his chin up, was looking down from above, surveying those attending the meeting one by one.

“You, there.”

“Y-yes, Your Sultan… W-what is it?”

“I don’t need any unnecessary explanations. Get straight to the point. Time is precious.”

“Yes, yes, I understand!”

The Sultan urged the chairman to get straight to the point.

Because he was a Sultan who had usurped the Emperor’s throne through Divine Revelation, he had no choice but to be more sensitive to Divine Revelation than anyone else. That’s why he looked so anxious…

He even briefly forgot about violating me every morning, and hurriedly summoned all the officials to respond urgently to the Divine Revelation…

Well… thanks to that, yesterday, before I could be violated, Chris brought the Divine Revelation, so I was able to avoid being violated for the first time. I should be grateful to the Shrine Maiden for that.

“Then, let’s get straight to the main agenda. First of all, I will skip the explanation of the Divine Revelation, as everyone knows it. And since it happened so suddenly, we have already passed on temporary sanctions instructions to the Garrison Commander… but the main agenda of this meeting is to accurately interpret the Divine Revelation and create more detailed instructions.”

I remember the contents of the Divine Revelation clearly.

The first was to beware of fire, Lightning, wind, and iron, and the second was to strengthen the defenses of Jericho Fortress.

What on earth does it mean? Even I, who had often read Divine Revelations in the past, had never seen a Divine Revelation in this form before…

“Thinking carefully about the contents of the Divine Revelation, I hope you will come up with perfect instructions…”

As soon as the chairman finished speaking, the officials who had been waiting expressed their opinions all at once.

But perhaps because of fatigue, even the officials who would normally harshly rebuke the person next to them and express their opinions were being passive and vague.

More precisely, they were being careful not to express opinions that differed from the Sultan’s own interpretation, as the Sultan himself was sensitive to Divine Revelation…

If it was the greedy and cruel Sultan, he might secretly dispose of officials whose opinions did not match his own.

“That’s enough.”

After only a few minutes of exchanging such unhelpful stories, the Sultan’s command was issued.

“Materi.”

“……Yes. I’m here.”

The Sultan suddenly called my name.

“Give me your opinion. You must have read the Divine Revelation interpretations that only the imperial family could read when you were still a Princess.”

“Y-Your Sultan… The exchange with the Divine Beast was cut off during the reign of former Princess Materi, so she has no experience in receiving Divine Revelation. Therefore, the opinions of those of us who have directly experienced Divine Revelation in the era before that would be much more beneficial…”

“Shut up. You guys have been repeating the same trivial stories since earlier. And in the first place, it was my intention to call that girl here. Perhaps… are you refusing my orders?”

“N-no…!! P-please do as you wish…”

The Sultan dismissed the official who opposed me giving my opinion and looked at me again.

“That Emperor cowardly made sure that no one could read the contents of past Divine Revelations except for his own bloodline. No matter how much direct experience you have, it will be inferior to books recorded over a long period of time. Now, speak quickly.”

Cowardly… The Divine Revelation contains a lot of dangerous information, such as the empire’s secrets and the weaknesses of enemies, so measures were taken to allow only the most important people to see it…

“Don’t lie at all, and tell me everything as it is. If you don’t… starting this afternoon, you and your Sister will be hung in the marketplace.”

Taking the lives of my family as collateral, the Sultan strongly threatened me.

I really can’t escape the thorny path for even a moment. Barkle… I miss you.

“Hoo… Yes. I will tell you everything I have seen and heard.”

I’ve long since given up on my pride or anything else. As long as I survive… I can do anything now.

Just telling you about what happened in the past is paying the price for my life cheaply.

“First of all, this Divine Revelation is quite different from the Divine Revelations that have been given so far.”

The moment I said this, the officials remained silent.

The truth that they didn’t want to say in the end. In other words, I was the first to say the truth that was offensive to the Sultan’s ears.

“This is the first time… I think. At least in the data I’ve read.”

“What does that mean?”

“To put it simply, this is the first time there has been a Divine Revelation that requires such vague or deep interpretation, such as ‘Beware of fire, Lightning, wind, and iron.’ Past Divine Revelations accurately told us where and what was happening. Even the names of the people involved.”

A completely different form of Divine Revelation from the past. There’s no way the old officials who had been assisting the Emperor Father’s predecessors wouldn’t know this.

But the fact that they are hiding it means that they are wary of the changed Divine Revelation, but also want to prevent any mishaps that may occur due to strange interpretations.

Cowardly bastards…

“Then what do you think about this Divine Revelation? No matter how different it is from the past, the ones who give us Divine Revelation are the Divine Beasts. They have been protecting this country since the empire was born. Even if the Divine Revelation has changed, their hearts for the empire have not changed.”

The Sultan raised his fat chin and ordered me to interpret it.

And the content added at the end… was a statement that negative interpretations would not be tolerated. The Divine Beast is just an excuse. In the end, he’s just going to listen to what he wants to hear.

If I were to say here that the Divine Beast was confused and unsure about what would happen in the future, and that’s why they gave such an incomplete Divine Revelation, my head would be cut off on the spot.

To say something that doubts the abilities of the Divine Beast to the Sultan, who believes in the Divine Beast more than anyone else, would be judged as threatening and questioning his absoluteness.

Let’s drop this.

“I just… think that the Divine Beast might have other intentions. Other than that, I don’t know…”

It’s best to gloss over things like this…

“Tsk… You’re such a useless girl. Even a snot-nosed kid could think that much. You’re utterly incompetent. Lowly dancer Materi.”

As expected… The Sultan was looking at me with a sulky expression, not at all satisfied.

“I deliberately kept you alive because you have the blood of the Emperor and a pretty face and body, but to think that you’re a half-wit who can’t even help in such an important matter. I regret not cutting off your head in advance.”

Ugh… Did I make a mistake?

The Sultan was expecting me to give him the answer that suited his taste. But if I said the wrong thing, it would be a matter of losing my head.

“Besides, you don’t even know how to control the Spirit of Smoke…”

The Spirit of Smoke… the empire’s most important strategic weapon that only the imperial family can control. The Sultan had been asking about it ever since he ascended the throne, but I really… I swear, I don’t know how to handle the Spirit of Smoke.

Father never told me, and in the first place, the control method was only passed down to the first heir. If anyone received it, it would have been my older brother. He didn’t teach it to me.

And after finishing his words, the Sultan fiddled with the sword he had placed next to him.

When the cold sound of metal was heard, the voices of the officials also subsided, and the atmosphere became quiet all at once.

Ah… I realized it. I was destined to die even if I gave my body and groveled on the floor.

Sensing my fate, the moment I closed my eyes tightly…

“May I say something for a moment? It’s about the Divine Revelation.”

“What are you suddenly saying, Doctor…”

What ended the silence that had enveloped the conference room was a man’s dry voice.

The man was the empire’s chief physician who attended the official meeting. I opened my eyes, which had been closed, at the intrusion of Doctor Patient, who confidently raised his hand and requested the right to speak, surpassing the officials who had been silent.

The reason why Doctor Patient can step forward so confidently is because of the special characteristics he possesses.

He is not from the empire, but an outsider who entered through a contract with Father. There are rumors that he is hiding his true skills because he is close to the dean of the academy, so it is difficult to handle the aftermath that would occur if he were touched carelessly.

For that reason, he is almost the only pro-Emperor faction that was not purged in the Sultan’s rebellion, and today he is carrying out his usual doctor activities under the Sultan.

“Haa… Okay, speak. I don’t know what you’re going to say, but since you’re interrupting me, it must be a pretty important matter, right?”

The Sultan reluctantly acknowledged Doctor Patient’s right to speak, and the doctor skillfully began to speak.

“Before I start, I would like to praise your agility in issuing orders immediately after hearing the Divine Revelation.”

“Hah, it’s only natural as the one who rules the empire. It’s not something to be praised.”

Doctor Patient flattered the Sultan, and the Sultan dismissed it as okay, but with just that one word, the Sultan’s lips, which had looked uncomfortable, twitched.

Seriously… Did he get that happy? He’s not a snot-nosed kid…?

“And the first Divine Revelation, which told us to be wary of the four elements, and even though it was an inaccurate content that did not describe in detail what it was, the Sultan recognized the intention of the Divine Revelation and the elements and strictly prohibited the entry of related ability users and Magic Tools. Even I, as a doctor, was impressed.”

“Hehehe… Yes. That’s right! I am a talented person chosen by the Divine Beast, so I can even fathom their thoughts! Wahahahaha!!”

Really… is it real?

No, the Sultan’s orders were clearly given in a hurry and recklessly as soon as he heard about the Divine Revelation…? I know it well because I was there.

More than that, the way he’s laughing is really… like a pig.

“Now, let’s get to the point and say what I think. First of all, as Miss Materi said just now, the Divine Revelation was to warn us in advance of the existence that would harm the empire, or to inform us of the parts that would benefit the empire. It didn’t leave out the exact coordinates and phenomena.”

Summarizing what I had said simply, Doctor Patient conveyed his opinion to the Sultan in a calm voice.

The officials were listening to his story without saying anything to Doctor Patient, who was like a clear stream.

“Therefore, I think this Divine Revelation should be interpreted with more caution. The Divine Beast’s intention is above all for the empire, so a lengthy interpretation may distort the Divine Beast’s intention. In other words, it would be better to interpret it as it is as much as possible.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s a simple story. Taking the first Divine Revelation as an example, in the content ‘Beware of fire, Lightning, wind, and iron,’ even if the first three are considered natural phenomena, only iron is out of place. This means that there is a clear artificial element included, not a natural disaster.”

Is it a warning that formidable Magic or Magic Tools will threaten the empire?

“Therefore, I can’t help but admire the Sultan’s insight in strongly blocking the entry of related ability users or items.”

“Hahaha! Yes. That’s right! I am the wise ruler of the empire chosen by the Divine Beast! I can even fathom their thoughts! Wahahahaha!!”

He doesn’t leave out praise for the Sultan… This person’s rhetoric is quite skillful.

But… why is he doing that?

The officials, including me, must be thinking the same thing. Doctor Patient is not the type to actively step forward like that, and especially not the type to flatter someone.

And to dare to interfere in such a murderous atmosphere where my life is at stake…

Thanks to that, the intention seems transparent, but there will be no officials who will step forward and refute it. Their lives are precious.

“Next is the second Divine Revelation, but this part is easy to understand. Checking the cannons and large bows installed on Jericho Fortress, or checking the decorations. Reviewing the repair of Jericho Fortress would be enough. I have already started this by having my daughter do it. As I said before, I thought it was better to interpret it as it is rather than over-interpret it, so I gave the order.”

“Ooh! As expected, Doctor. You are very capable!”

“You flatter me. I just did what I had to do.”

Giving a small bow, Doctor Patient ended the meeting, which seemed like it would be long, in just 20 minutes.

Without seeing anyone’s blood, and even matching the tyrant’s whims.

“But Doctor. There is one more thing I would like to add.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“When I was young, I read a fairy tale about Jericho Fortress, which our empire is proud of, collapsing. The ending was that such a thick and huge Jericho Fortress collapsed with just one trumpet sound. It was a very scary story.”

The Sultan suddenly looked up at the sky and began to talk about the fairy tale.

“So, I think that we should install Soundproofing Magic on Jericho Fortress in case of an emergency. If we are going to strengthen the defenses of Jericho Fortress, we shouldn’t miss even such trivial things. Doctor. Hey, you there! Tell the Garrison Commander to add Soundproofing Magic to Jericho Fortress immediately!”

So quickly that no one could stop him, and so quickly that it was hard to believe that he was the same Sultan as before, the order was given to install Soundproofing Magic on Jericho Fortress.

But at this point, everyone, including Doctor Patient, who had been expressionless, could only make dumbfounded expressions.

That’s because it was an act that completely ignored the words that the doctor had said so many times, that excessive interpretation could distort the original intention of the Divine Revelation.

No one could understand the Sultan’s intention to install Soundproofing Magic while mentioning the contents of the fairy tale.

My Father was killed by such an unintelligent human being… It’s really sad. It’s even sadder that I can’t shed tears even though I’m sad…

“T-that, Your Sultan. Please reconsider. In the first place, Jericho Fortress was built with Ancient magic, so it is very difficult to apply Soundproofing Magic with modern Magic…”

“No. That’s not true. My policy remains the same. You all know that all of the empire’s fairy tales have original texts. The existence of the Spirit of Smoke was also confirmed in an old fairy tale. Perhaps the fairy tale about Jericho Fortress also originated from an old Divine Revelation. This Divine Revelation is clearly meant to remind us of that!”

A conviction filled with madness. At this point, putting aside the fact that he is unintelligent… we need to investigate whether he is properly equipped with the thinking of an ordinary person…!

The color of panic was added to the doctor’s face, which had been colorless, and he tried to speak to the Sultan, stammering, but he quickly organized his expression.

The doctor is famous for cherishing his daughter, Arc, so he must be grinding his teeth and suppressing his anger because he was forced to assign a heavy and dangerous task to his daughter…

“Well, then let’s end today’s meeting here. For the time being, we will continue to adhere to the censorship and treatment in accordance with the contents of the Divine Revelation as we are now, so the officials should also be careful. Then everyone, get out!”

Censorship and treatment…?

It’s ridiculous… Even after hearing the Divine Revelation just this morning, he brought his own luxury goods into the warehouse as they were.

–Squeak… Clatter, clatter, clatter…

The Sultan’s order to dismiss everyone fell at once, and the officials, who had been blankly watching the conversation between the doctor and the Sultan, quickly left the conference hall.

Despite the Sultan’s decision, they left without whispering, returning to their offices or heading out to enjoy entertainment.

Because in the current empire, even a loyal subject would be purged in an instant if they dared to utter anything critical of the Sultan’s opinion.

Fortunately, during the conversation with the doctor, the Sultan seemed to have forgotten about my execution and didn’t say anything to me.

“Hoo…”

I take a sigh of relief, momentarily escaping the boundary of death.

What should I do now… Should I just go back to my room?

It was at that moment, as I was having such thoughts.

“Please wait a moment, Materi… Princess.”

“Doctor Patient… I am no longer a Princess. Aren’t you aware of that?”

“Of course, Miss Materi. It’s just that I’m so used to this side that it’s not easy to correct.”

Doctor Patient adjusted his attire and approached me, still wearing a colorless expression on his face.

“May I have a word?”

“Yes…? A word?”

The doctor quickly approached me and whispered softly.

“Would you like to escape the empire with me?”

“……!!?”

I couldn’t speak. Doctor Patient, who prioritizes the safety of himself and his daughter… is making such a proposal to me, who has been branded a criminal in the empire…?

“If you agree, squeeze and release your left hand twice. Of course… we will get you, including your Sister, out of this empire.”

A proposal that could be a trap in some ways. Yet, a sweet proposal from someone who would never do such a thing.

“I have a way. To do so, I need your help. I also need to talk to the Spirit of Smoke. What do you say?”

Will there be no other chance if not now?

Could it be that the doctor is a spy of the Sultan, asking questions to trap me?

In the few seconds after Doctor Patient whispered, countless thoughts raced through my mind.

But there may be no more chances. If those words are true, even if I refuse, the doctor will somehow figure out a way to escape the empire.

“I, I…”

“Shh… The Sultan’s eyes and ears are starting to move again. Show me with actions, not words.”

I don’t have to suffer any more humiliation. If I can only escape this hellish place… I don’t have to risk my life.

Sister won’t be in danger anymore either. I… I…

“Very well. I’ll be on my way now.”

I squeezed and released my left hand twice… tightly.

“Is that so? I understand. I’ll be on my way now. I have to go meet the Spirit of Smoke today.”

Doctor Patient’s lips curled up ever so slightly, and he turned around and walked away from me.

Did I really… make the right choice?

Will I be able to survive…

–

–

–

<Side : ALL>

『Martyr’s Moon – Day 11 (Morning)』

【Day 1 of the Empire’s Invasion】

A few minutes before the meeting began.

A haggard man enters a dark warehouse, and a light turns on.

“Annoying. I need to quit this job.”

The grumbling man sighs deeply amidst the various treasures and valuables piled up in the warehouse.

This man is a low-ranking employee who manages the Sultan’s warehouse. Among the servants of the empire, who were in an uproar due to the sudden Divine Revelation, he was having particularly busy days.

“Haa… Even in times like these, luxury goods keep coming in.”

It was the empire’s treasure vault, the epitome of the Sultan’s greed. Expensive and rare relics and jewels brought in from all regions were lined up.

The funds to collect these were naturally from the taxes of the empire’s people, and it was already well known that the Sultan would raise taxes in a few days to enjoy even more pleasure.

Of course, with the Sultan’s eyes and ears everywhere, even high-ranking officials were careful with their words, as they didn’t know when their heads would be cut off if they recklessly spoke out against the Sultan’s reign of terror.

“Let’s see. What came in this morning… is it that?”

His job was to record the number and condition of the treasures located in the treasure vault. Perhaps fearing that someone might steal them, this task was repeated by ten people, including him, and if an error occurred, they would conduct a cross-examination and imprison the culprit in the dungeon for torture.

Because of the fear of the dungeon and the possibility of being reported, he silently inspected the Sultan’s luxury goods that came in at dawn, like a Doll.

“Wow. That’s it. The Magic Tool made by processing the remains of the destroyed academy building. They say you can deflect most Magic with just that…”

He couldn’t help but admire the luxury goods, which were so expensive that he couldn’t even get permission to touch them, let alone buy them, even if he spent all the assets he had accumulated in his life.

But his admiration was short-lived, and he questioned the unidentified liquid on the Magic Tool he had seen.

“Huh…? There’s something on it. Something white and sticky… Ugh…! What is this? Why does it smell like this!? A foul yet sweet… unpleasant smell!”

He tried to smell it, but quickly grabbed his nose and stepped back.

Because from the moment he recognized it, he felt that the viscous white liquid on the Magic Tool was contaminating his nose at a chillingly fast pace.

So he was about to report the defect on this Magic Tool and leave when…

[Oh my. You were in a place like this♥ It smelled so good that I couldn’t help but come looking for you♥]

From behind him, he heard the voice of a girl who was familiar yet unfamiliar.

“Ett… S, Shrine Maiden…? How did you get here… I mean! W, why are you here…! I heard a report that you went to the Garrison Commander’s office to read fairy tales a little while ago!?”

Her identity was the Shrine Maiden, Christopher Faces.

From the perspective of the empire’s servants, she was considered the most important person after the Sultan… no, even more important than the Sultan. It was said that if you spoke ill of her, who served the Divine Beast, you could not escape the Sultan’s wrath, and her actions were always shared among the servants.

He had just heard a report that the Shrine Maiden had gone to the Garrison Commander’s office with a fairy tale book.

And now, she was standing right in front of him, smiling grotesquely with the corners of her mouth torn.

[Ah, you are… I’m sorry. I don’t remember♥ I don’t have memory space to allocate to useless, impotent male dogs who haven’t even had intercourse♥]

“W, what did you say…?”

The Shrine Maiden, who had suddenly appeared, was smiling and spewing insults at him.

In that situation, he felt not anger, but an unknown sense of unease.

Even though he had only seen the Shrine Maiden a few times, the servants had a strong impression of her as a ‘kind-hearted girl,’ so weak and timid that they said so.

She had never uttered a curse word, and she would internalize even unfair things that happened to her.

The Shrine Maiden who served the Divine Beast was confronting him with a completely different attitude.

[More than that… it was here♥ The traces of my precious Sister… Thanks to them, I was able to come this far♥]

And without even looking at him, she picked up the Magic Tool that smelled strange and smelled it.

The girl’s face, which he had glimpsed, was… a look of ecstasy that could never be seen on that delicate face.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyelids were trembling… He was momentarily thrilled by her expression, as if she had reached her climax, but more than that, his survival instincts rang the alarm.

Purple smoke swirling around the Shrine Maiden. The smoke, which was getting thicker and more intense, enveloped her in an instant, and as soon as he saw the sight, he ran towards the exit.

“What…! What is it…!!”

Abnormal situation. The four letters swirled in his head, and he ran as fast as he could, but he couldn’t hide his Dick, which was erect due to the sweet smell that lingered in his nose.

Without even knowing that there was a dark stain on his pants.

“Haa… I need to get out quickly……… Ugh…!!”

But his escape failed with the doorknob in front of him.

The moment he tried to grab the doorknob, what was in its place instead was a bizarre monster with a voluptuous body and a Phallus larger than his.

 

Ash-gray hair and eyes that shone with different colors. Huge black horns and long, torn ears.

[You can’t escape♥ As Goddess’s Judge… I must purify everyone who is still contaminated with the disease called humanity♥]

His Dick, which was stiffly erect above his navel, and his Balls, which were writhing as if they were about to burst.

He blinked his eyes, wondering if all of this was an illusion, but he couldn’t deny that she was an alluring being, even though she had a bizarre body, and his gaze was fixed on her body.

[Kyahahaha♥ Even though you’re so scared, you’re still faithful to your lust♥ You want my breasts, don’t you? And your Tiny Dick is all hard too♥]

The girl spread her legs and slightly raised her armpits, and the purple Scent infused with Magical power permeated every corner of the treasure vault.

“A, ah…”

At that moment, his weak reason as a man was shattered into dust.

He simply became a meat Doll who was faithful to his lust and followed the girl’s words…

[I’ll give you my body♥ Hurry up and throw away that male body and let’s be happy together♥ And… let’s destroy the empire♥♥]

The girl’s sweet voice, like Chains, bound his body and made him slowly walk towards her.

[Squeeze out all that trashy Cock juice♥ I’ll fill you up with more wonderful and pleasant semen♥]

The sharply extended tail wrapped around his Phallus and still had room to spare, pointing the end towards his urethra…

[Repeat after me♥ Everything is… for our most lewd and greatest Goddess♥]

“E, everything is… f, for our most lewd, and greatest, God, dess……… Uwaa, Hwaaa…!!!]

Even his last scream was buried in the girl’s huge breasts and disappeared quietly, and soon, only the sounds of bodies mixing together, squelching and splattering, were heard inside the treasure vault.

And…

What came out of the treasure vault was ‘him’ as usual.

(No abnormalities in the items that came in early this morning)

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