Chapter 5: The Fluffy Ordeal

Morning at the log house built on the Twilight Frontier was, at first glance, the very picture of peace.

Birds pecked at fruits brimming with golden mana, and the scent of fresh greenery drifted in through the window. But for the golden mascot—Prince Allen—it was the signal for the start of a day more grueling than a battlefield.

“Now then, Allen-sama. Today is your ‘grooming’ day.”

Misha approached the bed with an entranced expression, an enormous golden comb in hand.

Sensing instinctive danger, Allen tried to flee to the corner of the comforter with his short limbs, but his path was blocked by Sui the Slime, who appeared silently from behind with a soft squish.

(W-Wait! Misha, you just brushed me yesterday!)

“Whatever do you mean? Not a single moment of dullness can be permitted in your noble coat, Allen-sama. Now, just quietly submit yourself to me… Hehe, if you struggle, it will only take that much longer, you know?”

There was no escape. Entangled in Misha’s tail, Allen was escorted to the best seat in the living room—a pedestal built exclusively for fluffiness by Kuu.

First was the “Ceremony of Brushing.”

Every time Misha ran the golden comb through his golden coat, tiny sparks of mana scattered from Allen’s body. It was excess energy leaking from the chains of his curse, but for Misha, it was like the finest spice.

“Ahh… This response. This elasticity. Allen-sama, you’re perfectly ‘packed’ again today.”

“Allen-sama, shall I mix in my feathers to make you even fluffier?”

Pee the Harpy began decorating Allen’s neck with golden feathers that had just fallen from her own wings. In the blink of an eye, Allen was adorned, completely transformed into a “living, luxurious stuffed animal.”

(Ugh, it’s heavy, Pee… Besides, I said it tickles!)

Allen’s protests, squeaking out as cute kyu-kyu sounds, echoed like nothing but sweet nectar to the girls.

Next came the “Ceremony of Bathing,” led by Kuu the Orc.

“Allen-sama, how is the water temperature? It’s a special aroma bath made from boiling mana-vegetable peels and medicinal herbs.”

Placed in a large tub, Allen was meticulously massaged by Kuu’s thick fingertips. Her fingers were powerful, but only when touching Allen did she show the delicacy of handling feathers. That gap ironically gave Allen the oppressive feeling that he couldn’t escape.

(…Fw-ah…)

Between the warm water and Kuu’s exquisite fingerwork, Allen’s rationality slowly melted away.

The moment the nape of his neck was gently stroked, Allen unintentionally let out a soft kyuuuun, completely relaxing his entire body.

“…So cute. Ahh, how defenseless. Looking like this, I really feel like I could just eat you right up…”

In Kuu’s eyes, a predatory desire as a female took residence—something entirely separate from her inquisitive nature as a cook.

Allen gasped, returning to his senses, and resisted by splashing the water about with a splash, splash.

(N-No! Any more than this and I won’t be me anymore!)

But his ordeal wasn’t over.

Fresh out of the bath, what awaited the soaking wet Allen was “Absorbent Drying” courtesy of Sui.

Sui raised her own body temperature, enveloping Allen like steam. She absorbed only the moisture, and in its place, coated every single strand of Allen’s fur with the sweet-smelling secretions from her own “core.”

“Allen-sama, you smell so good. Be dyed in my scent…”

Inside Sui’s transparent body, Allen was spun round and round, subjected to a thorough “finishing touch.”

A few minutes later, what stood there was a literal “Spirit Beast,” swelled to about three times his normal size, radiating a golden glow while scattering an exquisite fragrance.

(…I’m exhausted… I can’t move anymore…)

Allen sank limply into the pedestal.

But the finishing touches being complete meant the start of “adoration time” for the girls.

“Now then, shall we decide who gets to put Allen-sama on their lap first?”

Misha smiled, her sharp claws gleaming.

“I helped the longest. Therefore, I get priority.”

“Allen-sama is the only one who can soothe my heart after it’s been exhausted from scouting!”

“As a reward for cooking, please let me take a nap with you!”

“…I won’t let go, either.”

The gazes of the four girls scattered fierce sparks in the air.

Watching them fight over “ownership” of him, Allen overlapped their figures with that tragedy at the royal castle—the clash between Elizabeth and Sylphi.

(…Talk about déjà vu… Even with a change of scenery, in the end, I’m just an ‘object to be fought over’…)

Allen sighed.

Suddenly, he felt the chain around his neck take on a faint heat, affected by their passion. The chain seemed to resonate and grow heavier not only when Allen channeled his mana, but also when the “love” of those around him deepened.

(…Hey, everyone. Stop fighting… If you take turns, a little bit at a time, it’s fine…)

The compromise offered by Allen’s telepathic words only ended up pouring oil on the fire.

“Is that true!?”

The following hours were a literal heaven—or hell.

He was stroked all over on Misha’s lap, enveloped in Pee’s wings for a walk in the sky—the high altitudes were terrifying—perched on Kuu’s shoulder while she showed off her strength, and made to bounce like a trampoline on top of Sui’s body.

He was finally released just as the sun began to set.

Completely worn out, Allen fled to the roof of the log house.

Gazing out at the frontier forest dyed in the sunset, he couldn’t help but realize the changes within himself.

(…This is strange. I should have hated being treated like that… But just a little bit, I thought it felt good.)

His instincts as a mascot were beginning to accept their service as the “correct answer.” His pride as a prince was being buried in his fluffy coat and wearing away.

(If I could just spend the rest of my life in this form, being spoiled by them—)

The moment such a sweet temptation crossed his mind, the chain around Allen’s neck tightened one degree harder with a clink.

“—Ngh, ah…”

A pressure bordering on physical pain. It was a heavy, warning-like sensation from his “original owners” far away in the royal castle.

“Little Allen, no cheating now… I am the only one holding your collar.”

“You look like you’re having fun, dear brother… But perhaps a punishment is in order later?”

Feeling as though he had heard voices like auditory hallucinations, Allen shuddered. His golden fur stood on end, a mascot figure that had regained its original adorableness. But inside, an unerasable curse and inescapable obsessions were piled up in layers.

“Allen-sama! It’s time for dinner!”

Kuu’s cheerful voice rang out from downstairs.

Allen stared into the forest, being swallowed by the evening dusk, and let out another small sigh.

(…I’m coming, Kuu.)

Allen jumped down from the roof.

A bottomless swamp called a “fluffy” everyday life. How much of it could his princely self endure? Allen did not yet have the courage to find the answer.