Volume 3 Chapter 66: Was She a Gorilla Beastman…?【Assassination Organization Arc】

“Uuuuun…”

This bed is so uncomfortable… I was tossing and turning on it, writhing in my own discontent.

It was nighttime.
My long-missed, comforting bedroom—a rare safe haven.
And yet, I couldn’t feel sleep coming at all.
It’s not that I wasn’t tired. In fact, if I weren’t tired, that’d be odd given what I was doing. So I should be able to sleep soundly, but…

I kept my eyes shut, yet I didn’t feel my consciousness drifting off.
…This isn’t working.

The harder I forced myself to sleep, the less I could.
Oh well.

I decided to get up, grab some water, and then count the money I’d saved—with a devious “gufufu” as I did.
Counting my savings under the bright moonlight—yeah, that should be nice.
I figured that if I did that, I’d be able to sleep soundly. So, I opened my eyes to take action when suddenly…

“Ah, you’re awake, nya?”

“What are you doing?”

In the darkness, golden eyes gleamed. Lying next to me at close range was Artemis.

Being half-awake and in a bad mood, I ended up blurting out my true feelings. I mean, really, what the hell are you doing?
You’re in your sleepwear, but it’s your fault I haven’t been able to sleep.
When someone gets too close—unless you’re drunk—you just can’t sleep. I don’t trust that kind of proximity, geez.
I can’t afford to get beaten up again while I’m asleep. And still, what on earth is your aim, this woman?

“Isn’t there any reason to crawl into bed besides sleeping? Master, you’re such a dummy!” 

“Umm, well…” 

As Artemis giggled teasingly, blue veins seemed to form on my forehead. I was so irritated that if I had the strength, I’d just crush her on the spot.
She began tapping me with her tail—pesh pesh—making me wonder if I should just yank it away.

“Look, a lot happened, so Myah’s offering a bleeding service! I hereby grant you permission to sleep while you cuddle Myah!” she declared.

“That’s enough.”

Her immediate rejection left her stiff as if she hadn’t expected it.
What an unwanted favor… There’s no way I can get a good night’s sleep feeling someone else’s body heat, so cut it out already!
When someone stays that close, I get uncomfortably anxious. Besides, “cuddly”? If you’re going to be all cute, why don’t you go all hairy? Your only cuddly parts are your cat ears and tail.

“No way… To be granted the right to pet Myah’s cat ears and tail—and then to turn it down…⁉️” 

I shuddered, but I don’t really care. Ugh, I’m seriously sleepy—why the hell is she bothering me?
It’s only going to mess up my work tomorrow…
(Though whether I even had work to begin with is debatable, it’s all Artemis’s fault.)
I’m definitely going to snitch to Ashvin.

“Even so, you’re dressed so lightly. Aren’t you cold?”

I get that it’s just sleepwear, but your top is so loose. It shows a bit of cleavage—not very deep, though Ashvin’s and Izun’s are even more so.
Even so, it’s better than Nanashi’s. She’s completely flat, after all.

Still, a mere glimpse of cleavage isn’t enough to get me excited or pleased; it’s nothing more than a factual observation.
I wonder if that sweet scent wafting gently is uniquely Artemis’s?
Sniffing that might help me sleep peacefully, but that’s too perverted to ever admit aloud. As the perfect, handsome feudal lord Balor, I wouldn’t even dream of saying such a thing.

“Heh… You’re trying to stimulate your master’s man and have a disgustingly sticky night, aren’t you?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Wow… such a cold reaction…”

Artemis licked her lips seductively. Unfortunately, as someone who has complete control over his lust, her antics don’t work on me.
I can excuse mistakes made for the sake of eating, but making errors just to vent sexual desire is pure foolishness. I would never do that.

“Hmm, isn’t it funny, nya? Myah, aren’t you cute?”

“You’re cute.”

“Half-naked—it’s sexy, isn’t it?”

“Sexy indeed.”

I simply nodded in agreement without any denial.
It’s true, she’s cute, and she’s popular with the subjects.
It’s also true, she’s sexy. If the men infatuated with her saw her now, they’d be all over her.

Artemis grinned slyly and then asked an important question.

“So, you’re excited, right?”

“I’m not.”

“Why not, nya?”

Because you’re such an idiot… An idiot can’t run a domain—meaning you can’t support me.
In other words, there’s absolutely no benefit for me to get excited over you.
Proof complete.

“Tch. I was all set to take you in, my master—your survival instincts all fired up from getting beaten up—and yet…”

With fresh, pouty lips, Artemis flopped onto her back.
“Survival instincts?” I scoffed.
“Not even a bit.”

“Achoo!”

Perhaps due to my light clothing, I sneezed.
That’s what you get.
I’d love to say I’m unaffected, but if she catches a cold, my bodyguard…
Besides, if we keep chatting this close, I might catch it too.
Ah, I guess I can’t help it…

“Here, properly drape the blanket over yourself.”

“Ah, warm. As expected of you, Master. So kind, nya.”

I draped a soft blanket over her.
Artemis popped her head up and smiled.
I watched that, and then…

“Well then—”

“Wait a minute.”

As I turned my back to leave the room, she grabbed my arm forcefully.
Where did your cute, contrived ‘nya-nyan’ endings go?

“Huh? Eh… huh?”

“Wha—what is it?”

She kept going, “Huh?” repeatedly. Her golden eyes shone even more, which made her all the more intimidating.
What the hell is with her…?

“Normally, you’d have someone sleeping beside you to keep you warm, wouldn’t you?” 

Is your idea of normal really that extreme?
I almost said so aloud, but managed to hold back.
To think that cuddling is normal… what kind of woman are you?
This sleepover buddy—she’s totally wrapped up in me.

“There’s no way I’d sleep with a girl before her wedding.”

Of course, I don’t hold such stuffy views. It’s just a pretext to get out of this situation.
I don’t care if you spread your legs for anyone other than me.
But I won’t allow you to drop your duty as my bodyguard.

“Is it okay if it’s after you’re married?”

“Not a chance.”

Getting involved with a married woman would be a huge problem!
Don’t you understand I’m indirectly saying no, Artemis?!

“Myah’s reached a turning point—feeling both refreshed and a bit tired—so be my mental stability pillow.”

“Guh⁉️”

She clutched me tightly, tossing me onto the bed.
“Whoa, she’s strong⁉️”
Not a cat, but a gorilla beastman…?
Even if I try to shake her off, she won’t budge at all.
Her soft touch envelops me, yet all I get is cold sweat.

“From now on, Myah will protect you, Master.”

Smiling in a heartwarming way, Artemis murmured that as she began to fall asleep.
Heh, is that so? You’ll protect me, huh…
…I’m already on the verge of sleep deprivation. Can you help me out?