Chapter 46: A Hardcore Masochist Isn’t Always Excited 2

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Maso, maso, maso—domasososo. Today again was clear skies, perfect weather for a fulfilling masochist day. And yet, Dawn did not head out on a quest. The reason was that Her Highness was in talks with Master. I did not really understand political maneuvering, so I left it all to the others.

Marianne went along as Her Highness’s attendant, so she was absent. She said it could not be helped since she was needed on the Church’s side, as a Saint. Astrea apparently went a little ways out of town with Alicia-san to pick up her younger sister, and Carla went to the gymnasium attached to the Adventurers’ Guild to spar with Aria.

“Gymnasium?”

Who knew? I did not. Judging by the characters, it was probably a place to train the body, right?

Training the body sounded a little too suggestive… Carla especially showed off her naked body without shame, so it felt very… vivid. Unlike Marianne and the others, I had gotten a full look before, so if I recreated it in my head, it became so sinful that it entered a territory even I could not touch right now.

Damn it…!

The fact that I had too much self-control to fully appreciate that magnificent body! Ahh! It was because I was a gentleman brimming with reason! Man, how troubling!

『I will cut it off, you fool.』

Eek!! H-how terrifying…! O-okay, I understand. I will not think anything disrespectful about Carla. But recalling the body already burned into my mind was beyond my control, right?

You idiot!! Carla is an important party member, you know!?

We had been together for five years. She was beautiful, her body was incredibly sexy, even her movements were sexy, and the way she acted toward me was sexy but she and I were not in a relationship where we clashed as man and woman driven by lust. The fact that nothing happened even when we bathed together naked proved there was nothing there. From her perspective, I was not attractive. She probably had a fellow disciple back home, maybe even a childhood friend who was a Sword Saint, and she did not think of me that way at all. To her, I was just a good companion.

Ugh, how sad… Tears came to my eyes…! Ugh…!! Uuuugh…♡ Heh, heh… it was sad and painful and it felt good…♡

“Excuse me, sir, may I have a moment?”

Hm. I tucked away my dark persona and returned to reality. Since I had nothing to do at home, I had wandered into town and had just ordered lunch at my favorite café.

It had been five years since I started living in the royal capital. For the first two years, I stayed in a stable and barely ate decent food. But within this past year, after becoming a Gold-rank adventurer party and even acquiring a mansion, my living environment had improved drastically.

My armor and weapons cost more than the other three’s, and I could not afford to cut corners, so I was not rich. But as a dog of the Adventurers’ Guild, I was sent all over the place earning extra money, so I had enough funds to enjoy daily life. This café had been introduced to me by Marianne. The atmosphere was nice, the staff were all beautiful, and the sweets were quite good, so I frequented it often.

“What is it?”

“It’s a bit crowded at the moment… would you mind sharing a table?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Thank you! I’ll give you a little discount today!”

The energetic girl who seemed to be the poster girl of the shop smiled shyly. Cute. I was already a regular here. I chatted with the staff now and then, and when they asked what I did for work and I replied, “Ah, I’m an adventurer…,” they would say “Wow, amazing! So cool! I admire you! Your muscles are incredible!”—and I had more than once puffed out both my nose and my “partner.”

I might not attract attention from important people, but when I went into town, I was reasonably popular. And yet, why was I still a virgin!? It would not be so bad to have that kind of relationship with a woman already. I was nineteen. It was pretty late for me to start thinking about relationships now! Back in my hometown, people had matchmaking meetings at around fourteen!

A pure and proper relationship? I’m ready for it.  So please, let me do it. I would not go to brothels. Please, I would love only one person, so tell me who would love me.

『Why not ask your own heart?』

You mean I have to find her myself? If I could do that, I would not be struggling!

If Dark Marianne existed in reality, I would not hesitate to propose to her, but she was just the dark persona living in my head. Unfortunately, I could not marry myself…

Just as I was savoring the pleasant ache of loneliness, the waitress returned with the person who would share my table.

“Right this way.”

“Thank you. Excuse me.”

The one who sat down was a beautiful woman I did not recognize. We exchanged bows. At times like this, I never knew what to talk about. I was a virgin, after all. What kind of conversation made women happy? Tell me, Marianne!

『The best thing is not speaking at all.』

Now you’re going too far…!

I was trying, in my own way, to be considerate and ease the atmosphere! Was that a complete rejection? Were women that superior? Was I that disgusting? …Well, I could not deny being disgusting, but you could not deny my spirit!!

『You do not show me such consideration.』

I’m sorry. You are probably the one I leaned on most in this world.

Dark Marianne always shouldered my masochistic urges. She started appearing in my head about three years ago, and before I knew it, we had quite the history. Come to think of it, she was the only woman who accepted my hardcore masochist tastes (even though she was the dark persona I had created myself).

Dark Marianne, won’t you marry me?

『Me!?』

Gyaaaah! Who would want to marry me, idiot!? Get lost! It might be me, but you were not invited! Bring out Dark Marianne! Come on, come out! Dark Marianne’s coming out!!

“Um… may I speak with you for a moment?”

Ah, yes.

The beautiful woman spoke to me, so I reset my brain. The hardcore masochist was put on break.

“What is it?”

“This is actually my first time here… I’m not sure what to order. If you don’t mind, could you recommend something?”

“Of course. Do you have a preference for drinks?”

“Tea is fine. Nothing with milk, please.”

“In that case, herbal tea… And for food?”

“If possible, something like a salad.”

“There are hot sandwiches and regular sandwiches…”

“Ah… then I’ll have this sandwich. I’m sorry, and thank you.”

“Not at all.”

Hmm. Avoiding milk and meat. Maybe she was a priest or a nun. Marianne used to be like that too, but I drilled it into her that adventurers relied on their bodies, so I made sure she ate properly. She did not grow much taller, but she did not end up underweight either.

Though, judging by her build, she had a pretty good body. For a nun to have such a figure and move about freely… It felt unnatural. Then perhaps she was a priest of some rank. She did not react in surprise when she saw my face, so she probably did not know me. Marianne did not talk much about internal Church matters, so I did not know if there were rival factions or anything like that.

I had heard the church was a pretty solid organization, though… 

…Is she really a priest?

Her clothes hid it, but she was well-built. Something felt off. If anything, she seemed like someone who relied on her body, like me.

“Do you come here often?”

“A few times a month. The lunch sets here are delicious.”

“I see…”

“If you’d like, would you care to try some? I’ll separate it onto a small plate, of course.”

“Oh, no, that’s too much trouble…”

“It’s fate that we’re sharing a table. I’m happy to gain another familiar face among the regulars.”

“…If you insist.”

A little later, when the food arrived, I asked for an extra plate.

“The menu changes daily. It looks like today is a fish plate. Is there anything you cannot eat?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you very much… I gratefully accept.”

She was not a priest. At least not the devout type. Those who truly believed only ate vegetables and such. Improving Marianne’s diet had been really difficult… So maybe she was an unrelated noblewoman? But would one really walk around alone?

Ah, I did not know. Well, it was probably fine. She did not seem to be carrying her usual weapon. Even if she launched a surprise attack, it would not be a problem. There had been a lot of political movement lately. It was better to stay somewhat cautious, but this level was no issue.

We continued eating in silence, and once I finished first, I stood up.

“Excuse me, I’ll be going.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you very much.”

“If there’s another opportunity, let’s share a table again.”

I offered the customary pleasantry and paid the bill. No one would send an assassin to a place like this. This was the royal capital. Not even monsters had attacked a Gold-rank adventurer here, right under the royal family’s nose.

Still, she was a distinctive beauty. There was a slight shadow about her, but her body did not match it. She seemed like someone accustomed to real combat. That was why I stayed wary.

In the end, I was wrong.

…But still. I felt like I had seen her somewhere before. Or maybe not…?

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She wiped the sweat slowly beading on her forehead.

That person was a Gold-rank adventurer. He was completely different from when he spoke with Seraphine-sama and Marianne-sama. Knowing his true nature, she would not be fooled, but to those who did not know, he treated them gently and politely like that. Because he knew it would lower their guard.

He lulled them into trust, and once enough was built… he struck. He created justification so no fault would fall on him and maneuvered the other party into being considerate toward him. He was as cunning as a carnivorous plant. And yet, he possessed strength of his own.

Facing him directly, she understood. She had no chance of winning. He was a true monster. As if violence had been packed into a human body… And overwhelmingly so.

“…What should I do?”

Her mission was to guard Seraphine-sama and to eliminate any threat that fell upon that person. The current threat was undoubtedly that man, Finn Debyura.

But there was no way to eliminate him. It was harsh, but telling the Cardinal would be meaningless. That person had entered the political core on the foundation of the two Saints, Marianne-sama and Seraphine-sama. He would not welcome a situation that severely worsened the relationship between the two.

If Finn Debyura were just an ordinary adventurer, the Cardinal could have removed him by force. But he was not. He was a Gold-rank adventurer, favored by a Saint, companion to a Sword Saint, and connected to a Platinum-rank adventurer. He was not someone a mere Holy Knight could handle.

“What should I do to protect her…?”

How could she change the current situation in which Seraphine-sama was being toyed with? Using force was impossible. Politically removing him was impossible. She could not make it a major incident, and seeking cooperation would be difficult. The problem was his relationship with Seraphine-sama.

If only that could be resolved…

…………

“…Do I have to do it?”

She clenched her fist against her chest. Horrifying memories resurfaced in her mind. Days trampled underfoot, stained with humiliation. The detestable truth of her past, when everything had been taken from her and she had been violated.

No. No, no, no—no.

And yet, if by doing so she could save that person. If she could prevent the royal capital from being plunged into a sea of flames. If she could stop a clash between the two Saints…

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