Chapter 174

Chapter 174

Episode 174: Trick And Treat “….” After saying what I had been thinking, I watched Rutricia’s expression. I was the one who made the plan, but it was up to her to agree to it. If she refused, I had no intention of forcing her. After all, I was in a position to use her identity. And to my gaze, Rutricia nodded ambiguously. “…I don’t think it’s bad. But…” “But?” “Still, I want to learn the Yin Demon Art.” At her words, I glanced to the side. “….” As expected, Shellina was looking at us with shining eyes. “Yin Demon Art… so it’s a sex art. Replenishing Yin with Yang?” I thought from the name that it would amount to something, and even as a kid, she’s still interested in that kind of thing. Watching her mutter with interest, I sighed and nodded. “…That’s right.” “No wonder I felt you were strong. It was because of that.” That’s not the only reason, but I don’t bother to say it. When I neither affirmed nor denied, Shellina didn’t seem particularly surprised and wore a satisfied expression. Watching Shellina, El, who was sitting next to her, sighed. “…You finally found out the secret.” “It wasn’t really a secret in the first place. Replenishing Yin with Yang is the basis of sex arts. It’s not a bad way to build internal energy in this world.” “What, are you going to learn it too?” “That’s a stupid question. Why would I learn demonic arts?” “…Are you calling me stupid?” “…..” I left the two gender wanderers to their own devices and turned my gaze to the most certain woman in this place. Her words were still lingering in my head. “…Why do you want to learn it?” I asked quietly, and Rutricia answered with a bitter smile. “Because I don’t want to live helplessly anymore.” “….” What happened in Perzanta? The upper class, so-called nobles, have quite a dark side, unlike what they seem. If Rutricia, who used to be wary of me, is determined to do that, then what she experienced must have been no small matter. …Even so, bestowing martial arts is a slightly different matter. “…You’ll have to be prepared.” I advised her in a low voice. Did she understand my advice? Rutricia nodded with a determined expression. “It’s okay. I expected it to be difficult. But, I’m not going to live as a virgin for the rest of my life….” Again, did she not understand? At her words, I smiled faintly and shook my head. “Not that kind of resolve.” “Huh?” “Learning the Yin Demon Art isn’t difficult. Eventually, as you learn it to some extent, your body will naturally crave men. If that happens, you won’t be able to hate it.” Forced against your will doesn’t apply. You can’t hate it in the first place. It would be more accurate to say that you’re forcibly suppressing the surging lust. Perhaps, more than that…. I looked at the two Rutricias reflected in the mirror and continued to speak. “To be honest, it will be very enjoyable. To the point where you won’t want to get out of it.” “….” “…I just wanted to tell you to be prepared for that.” It’s not painful. Rather, it’s enjoyable, so it’s hard to escape. That is the side effect of demonic arts in this world. / After a brief chat, the conversation flowed into establishing the original plan. If I were to infiltrate Perzanta in Rutricia’s form, where would she be, and how far could I act in her form? It was roughly about that issue. There were several answers to that. “…Karaldin?” “Yeah, it’s a stronghold city in the east. The security isn’t that great, but I know a few people there.” As I spoke, recalling my memories, Shellina shook her head next to me. “You don’t even have to go that far. Even if you wander around the capital, most people won’t know.” “Then there’s no one to take care of her.” “…That’s true.” There were quite a few places where she could stay, but there was a reason for choosing Karaldin. Unlike us, Rutricia has knowledge of magic. I can’t know exactly about it, but perhaps magic is more suited to her than martial arts. Quirzejev and Josef might be able to give some answers in that field. That was a kind of favor I could bestow on her instead of learning magic in Perzanta. “Wherever it is, it’s better than being ostracized.” To our opinions, Rutricia nodded without any objection. Watching her answer somewhat self-deprecatingly, I asked a playful question to lighten the mood. “And about your body…” “….You’ll have to treat Lantain well. I need his family’s money.” If it’s Lantain, you’re talking about the viscount’s second son. Does that mean it’s okay to spend a night with him? But maybe we can find a better way if possible. “If you’re going to borrow money, wouldn’t other nobles be okay?” “…Can you do it?” “I don’t know, but I don’t think I can’t.” If you go to Perzanta, it doesn’t just end with studying diligently. The academy is one of the few spaces that has the justification for gathering the children of powerful nobles. If you behave well, it could be of great help to Shellina in establishing a position within the royal family. Even if the possibility is low, I can’t just miss that opportunity. “….As long as I can borrow money, I don’t care about anything else.” Rutricia, who said that, looked somehow pathetic. When I tried to make eye contact for a moment, she soon gave a bitter smile and offered an apology. “…Sorry, it was originally my job.” “Hey, did you already forget what I said earlier?” “What… ah.” The story about the Yin Demon Art. I tell her back that there’s no need to apologize. After a moment of silence, Shellina takes up the topic again. “Then, we can move on to the next story.” The next story. It’s about Reiker’s Etheric Herb. And if you weigh the importance of the work, this is much more important. And the entangled interests are also quite significant. “To summarize, Count Lantain is the owner of Reiker and one of the nobles who follow the 1st Prince Jersian. But, he’s not really the core of the power.” “Who is the core of the power?” “Marquis Halfaid. He’s the de facto ruler of the eastern stronghold cities, and virtually the margrave of the east.” The east, with the Meshin Great Forest as its border, is a region that earns enormous profits along with the kingdom’s power due to countless adventurers. The by-products obtained from hunting monsters are essential materials for magic, so the eastern stronghold cities are supporting the magic that is the foundation of the kingdom’s civilization, and Marquis Halfaid, who can be said to be its owner, is a person with tremendous power. “Then, they’re not in the same faction?” “I don’t know that far. I wasn’t interested.” Kilkard’s succession to the throne is a bloodless war over enormous power. Even if they follow the same lord, it is natural for opinions to conflict within it, and for factions to split. “Anyway, if the herb is stolen, they’ll suffer enormous damage. The Etheric Herb is already a business in Jersian’s grasp. If he loses it, it will greatly damage his reputation.” Shellina smiles amusingly and adds an explanation. And El, who heard the added explanation, shakes her head and mutters. “If you succeed, there will be a bloodbath.” Her words were not wrong. At least Reiker will be greatly overturned, and Count Lantain will suffer enormous losses. Perhaps the influence will reach even the underworld of the eastern region. …But, what if we adjust the degree a little? If we steal the herb only to the extent that it leaves Count Lantain’s personal hands and can be resolved within Jersian’s line, the room for the kingdom to intervene will be reduced. The prince will not want to publicize his failure, and naturally, he will not try to make the matter bigger. Do I still need more information? As I pondered that point and looked at Shellina, she asked me first. “But, are you confident you can succeed?” “Well… it won’t be difficult.” “Unless you have a lot of helpers, it’ll be hard to steal that much.” “I don’t have many helpers, but I have useful items.” Sometimes things are more effective than people. Smiling, I stretched my hand into the air and concentrated, and a black crack appeared. Magic using the unique contract of magical tools. When I showed the Mimic’s subspace, Shellina momentarily closed her mouth. “….” Did I surprise her too much? Since there were no items that looked like subspace, it’s no wonder she’s flustered. “This is, could it be subspace?” “Yeah.” When I lightly affirmed, Shellina looked at the black crack with envious eyes. “…I’m jealous. I don’t have one.” That was a bit of an unexpected remark. I thought royals usually had one, but is she poor because she’s a princess without power? The Mimic is that precious, but… “But, how did you unfold it? I don’t see any magical tools.” This reaction is the same for her too. Thinking that, I answered in a subtle tone. “…It’s a woman’s secret.” “?” Shellina didn’t seem to understand, but there was no need to explain in detail. / After finishing the general discussion, we left the mansion together and strolled through the garden. Perhaps because it was only noon, the sunlight outside was quite warm. I threw away the appearance of imitating Rutricia and shook hands with her in the appearance I had when I arrived at the Lanche barony. “We have to go now.” It was a handshake announcing the end of a short meeting. “Already? You can stay longer….” “We’ve discussed everything we need to. And there’s no point in staying too long.” Shellina will stay a little longer, but we were different. We had to resolve the matter in Reiker, and we weren’t in a position to stay long. Unlike Shellina, who has a clear identity, El and I are outsiders and commoners. I’m okay because I can change my appearance freely, but El’s case is a little different. El’s face hasn’t been revealed yet, but if Shellina’s knights or soldiers remember her face, there’s no guarantee what will happen later. I wanted to avoid situations that might be suspicious as much as possible. “….I see.” When I explained the situation, Rutricia nodded quietly. “Thank you. It must have been a long way. For coming like this.” “No, it’s not that far.” “Honestly, it was far.” Did she have to say such a correct thing? When I glared at El, who was saying unnecessary things, Rutricia next to me smiled faintly. I threw a playful joke at her smiling face. “Next time we meet, you’ll have to be prepared.” “Prepared?” “Yeah, in many ways.” After the matter in Reiker is resolved, I will return to the Lanche barony again. At that time, both she and I will have to be prepared. Because we will be changing each other’s lives and living. Strictly speaking, Rutricia is not changing her life. But it is clear that she will be living a different kind of life than the one she has lived so far. “….Hehe. Okay. I’ll be well prepared.” Leaving Rutricia, whose complexion had brightened compared to the beginning, El and I moved our steps again. Now, it was time to return to Tritia again. /