372 – 372. Visiting the Sick (2)
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Even after the world faced a crisis and survived a major incident, the atmosphere in Campbell’s domain hadn’t changed much from before.
It was still as idyllic, peaceful, and almost boring beyond the tranquility of a rural town.
And the residents of such a place were all trembling with an unusual fear.
If steel giants never seen before in a place where the most excitement would be milking cows and shearing sheep kept coming down and making noises while continuously constructing something, it was only natural.
“…Astrid, the people of the territories are getting anxious.”
“Don’t worry. It will be over by today.”
And yet, the very person who created such a spectacle was calmly holding a teacup without a blink of an eye.
Armin Campbell scratched his head as he observed the terrifying construction process unfolding outside the lord’s mansion.
“…What on earth is that?”
When Armin Campbell asked in a bewildered tone, Astrid let out a deep sigh, almost as if explaining pained her, before answering.
“…It was a direct request from His Majesty and the Prime Minister.”
In reality, the maatap was under her control now, and for such a group to exist, decisive funds were needed.
And currently, the largest source of money was from the Empire’s top brass, making it inevitable for her to heed the pleas of the two figures shaping the currents of that place.
“No, so in the end, what is this all about-“
“It’s a deal made to monopolize our son.”
“What?”
“What should I say… It seems nearby entities are all pushing hard with taxes, so we have to spend that much to break through, or something like that…”
“…And just how much has our son been mingling with these women to the point where even as parents, we’re genuinely curious.”
What reasons do these women have to rush in and sell off their dignity and pride like that…
“…Is that what you think?”
From Noble mtl dot com
And as Armin pondered over such thoughts, a certain remark slipped out.
“That woman Bella, and others inside the territories, seem to have a keen interest in you to a suspicious extent, don’t you think?”
“…”
That’s true.
Even Graham, the exclusive butler of the Campbell family, sometimes felt like an intimidating figure in his splendid attire, so much so that he wondered if he himself was the owner of such awe-inspiring garments.
Perhaps such characteristics might be traits passed down through the bloodline of the Campbell family…
“…”
“…Astrid?”
And after uttering those words and staring at Armin with a displeased expression for a while, Astrid suddenly walked over without a word and grabbed Armin’s collar firmly.
“What, what are you doing?”
“Daud is Daud.”
Such words slowly flowed out of Astrid’s mouth.
“You, care to look at me for a moment?”
“Why?”
“What’s the big deal.”
Astrid chuckled softly.
“It means you have to prove that you love me the most.”
“…”
Well.
The certainty that it was going to be impossible to spend this day peacefully flashed through his mind.
Perhaps being tightly held by the most intimidating woman among them was also a tradition inherited from the family.
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“Huuuh…”
As soon as he got up, a deep sigh rose from the depths of his lungs and spread around.
Waking up half exhausted and not fully recovered was undoubtedly a result of not doing anything all day.
[…Am I in my 80s?]
Noisy.
Even after resting all day, if this was the outcome, it was hard to imagine how worn out he must have been.
“…I only managed to survive thanks to the Holy Lady.”
It was fortunate to be able to rest properly for at least a day thanks to her keeping away the intimidating people who had their eyes on me.
If not, who knows what kind of condition my body would be in.
However, the will of those trying to break through was undoubtedly as strong as those trying to block them.
“You’re up?”
“…”
As soon as I heard the woman’s voice, I flinched.
“…Was I not close enough to you to have such a reaction?”
Seeing me, Fenole brought up such words with a displeased expression.
No, in reality, it wasn’t like that.
Just having a woman around me now was enough to excite me.
“…Please.”
And, with a determined look on my face towards the bewildered Fenole.
Of course.
What followed was me desperately pleading, seeming to have abandoned all dignity and pride.
“I… I don’t want to do it anymore…”
“…”
“Save me…”
“…You are aware of how arrogant you sound, right?”
Paynol let out a deep sigh and brought up that sentence.
“Just look at those stunning beauties, practically begging to have your child, pleading for you to at least consider it. Isn’t that the case?”
Even taking responsibility for the consequences himself, why was he so averse to fulfilling the role of a pillar, just lounging around comfortably?
Although explanations were given, what stuck in my ears were the strikingly distinctive words among them.
“Don’t say ‘consequences’…!”
Do you know how many times I’ve said that in the past few days?!
“…”
It seemed like a scrutinizing gaze, questioning how a person had come this far, was directed at Paynol.
Then, with a sigh, he produced something.
“…What’s this, something that enhances virility, contains an aphrodisiac, or a substance used in hypnosis-“
“…Just eat it moderately as it’s a nourishing food.”
Upon hearing that, he skimmed the food on the plate once.
Indeed, there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary.
Compared to Eleanor who overtly administered aphrodisiacs or Liru who abundantly prepared foods for enhancing virility, what Paynol brought seemed quite normal.
Of course, one mustn’t let their guard down.
Taking a finely minced piece of food close to perfection, I put it into my mouth.
The taste was honestly delightful.
Being in my position, I had experienced all kinds of delicacies, and indeed, there had been quite a few cases, but the dish Paynol brought forth, while not extravagantly flavorful, was warm and fulfilling.
Liru and I must be the best at cooking. It seemed she handled all the household chores alone, and I had worked as a nurse before.
“…”
“Anyway, you need to regain your strength. If you really collapse, it will be a big problem.”
“…But I’ve already collapsed.”
“From your perspective, this isn’t considered collapsing, right?”
Not yet.
Paynol’s slightly smiling face as he spoke like that sent shivers down my spine.
“…And, on that note, there is something I must say.”
“…”
My anxiety heightened with his following words.
What is he about to say…?
“I might not be able to fulfill that request you made earlier.”
With a slow reach of his hand towards me, Paynol’s complexion made me pale at his words.
“What request?”
“You mentioned not wanting to do more. I don’t think I can help with that.”
“Hey, hey, look at my condition. What more do you expect me to do…!”
“No.”
With those words and a smile, the figure resembled a devil.
“It won’t hurt.”
My switch flipped off.
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So, to cut to the chase.
I was betrayed.
“Lady…!”
…”
Lucien turned her flushed face towards my pathetic voice.
“Yuria…!”
“…I-I couldn’t help it…”
The response from this side wasn’t much different.
As my heart felt like it was being torn apart by a poignant voice, faces turned away, blushing.
“What in the world…!”
“It’s nothing. It’s just a virtual world.”
Without a care for my state, Fenol gently brushed my face.
“If you’re worried about getting hurt, nothing that happens in here will have a significant impact, you know?”
…”
Once inside the virtual world, nothing that transpired there would affect the ‘real self’ in the material world. I had gained benefits from this setup numerous times.
Well, that’s how it is.
But, you see, people have a psychological threshold.
I have no clue why they would go to such lengths to drag me down, trying to take even more from me…!
“…There are quite a few people you need to deal with, right?”
“…”
“Also, seeking revenge. You did things to this guy in the virtual world as well.”
Fenol grabbed the wrist of the red demon, who hesitated and glanced back at me, pulling them towards me as they spoke.
“I heard your highest record was 4 so far…”
With that, Fenol chuckled once more.
“Shall we update it to 5?”
…”
Seeing no blood or tears.
It seems the women around me truly are devils.
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