...
"I'm back~"
"Ah~ This comforting smell of home~" The next day. After returning from a mission in the afternoon.
Cecilia, as if already used to it, stretched and walked into the Demon King's castle with me.
Although it was right in front of me, perhaps because I had just returned from an outing? Cecilia looked very satisfied.
A very good reaction. That's right, the place where I live together is the home of my beasts.
""You're back♡Master♡"
"Yes. Is everyone alright?" Four beasts, seemingly on duty, wearing only horseshoe collars around their necks, greeted the beasts' return at the door.
Pfft. Some beasts actually came to greet me respectfully, naked.
With beasts like these, I feel like a nobleman? Of course, it's a treatment even more pleasing to me than that of a nobleman. Pfft.
At first, it felt a little awkward, but now, without these adorable animals helping with errands, I feel really uncomfortable.
I need to find some time to mate with these lovely animals. Of course, with so many of them, it might be a bit difficult to enjoy myself.
"The battle preparations seem to be almost complete."
"Yeah, Liz. While dealing with a hero knight might be a challenge, handling an ordinary hero shouldn't be a problem."
"This is my first time partnering with a priestess... With Saintess Claire here, the efficiency is definitely different, right? Even against non-heroes, we can easily handle ordinary small to medium-sized guilds."
I don't quite understand why the three in charge of the back are discussing combat... but it's true.
While it's hard to believe this is just the level after some initial practice, Cecilia's addition has significantly improved the team's balance.
Tank, melee DPS, two mages, one priestess.
This lineup is practically perfect in terms of balance, isn't it?
Now all that's left is to level up smoothly.
Although the high experience points I need are a problem.
...Actually, the biggest problem right now is something else...
"So, the real issue is deciding on transportation."
Right!
Transportation!
Whether it's a carriage or something else, we need to prepare quickly!
It's only an hour's walk today!
Squeezing four people in makes the journey incredibly unstable!
Haa...I thought my riding assistance skill would ensure a comfortable ride.
Sure enough, skills aren't a panacea.
Hiss—I can maintain top speed with three people...but with four, the last row is precarious; it feels like it can't even reach half speed?
Long-distance travel like this is a bit...After all, we're going to fight monsters; we can't just have someone hanging out on the outside, making it inconvenient.
...Of course, I've thought about the fun of having them hang on my horse-drawn carriage...but since we're going to battle, that's a bit...what should I do?
My lewd beasts will continue to increase.
Surely, I still need to get a carriage or something.
But storing the carriage is also a problem. What if it breaks while I'm galloping across the exposed ground of Esendia? There'll be no way to fix it then.
More importantly, can we even build a carriage that can withstand my speed… Hah.
This is really a headache.
"Hmm~ Master. Don't worry too much."
"Just bear with the inconvenience for a moment, we'll find a solution soon."
"Huh? Liz. Claire. Do you have any ideas?"
"Well~♡"...What's going on?
My lewd beasts.
Why do they seem so relaxed?
At this rate, my greatest advantage—speed—won't be utilized, right?
There aren't even enough monsters worth grinding experience with near the city.
I can't just leave one of them behind and act alone, can I?
So I thought Ceres would immediately start preparing a carriage… Could there be another way besides a carriage?
...Completely unexpected. Although my females are trustworthy, what method are they plotting…? I'm really curious.
"Ah. Lady Celeste. There's something I need to report..."
"Oh dear, what could it be?" One of the beasts, still kneeling with its head bowed, suddenly looked up and spoke to Celeste.
Hmm. That beast was... one of the beasts from the restaurant? With so many beasts around now, even remembering faces has become difficult. I'm truly sorry about that.
But we've already had physical intimacy, and to not even remember faces... is that really alright?
"Among the noble ladies who sent the restaurant invitations, the viscountess mentioned yesterday replied that she will attend tomorrow's opening."
"Oh dear? Heh...♡ That's quite something..."
"Andalena earnestly requests that Master and the beast ladies grace us with their presence♡" The viscountess mentioned yesterday?
Hmm... if it's a viscountess, could it be that cunning-looking old man?
That old man's wife has been invited to the opening ceremony of the Demon King's Castle restaurant tomorrow?
Oh dear, Leon... there's actually such a joyous occasion.
I was planning to deal with the eyesore later. But he actually delivered his wife to my doorstep.
Heh heh… that Viscount. Looks like he's been trying every trick in the book to get me punished. How interesting. I should thank him properly.
"Master, what do you say? After the restaurant opening celebration tomorrow, would you like to try some of the females prepared by the restaurant?"
"Hehe. Our restaurant's livestock dishes are top-notch. Looking forward to it, aren't you?"
"Hehe♡Alright. Then I'll go down and prepare for your enjoyment, Master♡"
Perfect. Anyway, besides the club on the sixth floor, I was planning to inspect the openings of all the shops tomorrow.
I originally planned to hand Cecilia's clothes to Leona, who just started work, while I was inspecting the shops.
Unexpectedly, this has become an unexpected entertainment?
Actually, there was no need to come out like this to retaliate against my and my beasts' rudeness…heh heh.
Thank you, Viscount. Although you may have delivered her unintentionally, I will ensure your wife has a very pleasant time.
As a return gift for your congratulations on my restaurant opening.
...
"Thank you all so much for coming to congratulate me on the opening of my restaurant ♡"
As other shops closed and officially began business.
In the restaurant, the last to open at lunchtime, Andalena, acting as livestock, thanked the nobles who had come to offer their congratulations.
There weren't many attendees.
Only six ladies?
I heard that the number of nobles and their families and relatives in Radja was nearly 2,000.
This is much fewer than expected.
Although Celeste said it was just a small shop in the entertainment district, and that invitations were only sent to a few young noblewomen who were close to Andalena… it felt a bit deserted to have only six invited guests scattered throughout such a spacious restaurant.
But is this alright?
If there were too many people, turning them all into females at once would be a bit… Six is just right.
Besides, they are all young noble ladies; the meal should be quite interesting.
*Pfft…*
"This restaurant is sponsored by the local lord, Lady Celeste."
As Andalena pointed to Celeste towards the noblewomen, the ladies bowed respectfully to the slightly nodding Celeste.
Hmm…as expected of a lord. The power of me, female Celeste, is evident.
"Oh, Celeste…no, Lady Celeste…"
"…Although it's been a long time since I've seen Lady Celeste…am I the only one who feels so unfamiliar?"
"Hmm…I feel that Lady Celeste's attire is too…"
"And she has tattoos…and suddenly becoming a lord, what happened?"
"…Haven't you heard the rumors? Lady Celeste is over there…"
The ladies, heads bowed, expressed their questions in soft voices, while stealing glances at Celeste.
Hehe. Ladies. I heard everything. I heard it all clearly.
Even if you're not so curious, everyone will find out soon enough, so please be patient.
"...Heh. Thank you all for coming. Everyone." Ceres seemed to sense the ladies' atmosphere and gave them a meaningful smile.
"I've been on adventures with the Divine Beast Lord lately, trying to capture the Hero Devourer causing trouble in the kingdom♡"
She ignored the gazes directed at her, staring at the ladies with the same look one would give their prey.
"These ladies standing behind me are the Divine Beast Lord, my daughter Cecilia, and my companions♡ We've come today to celebrate the opening of Andalena's restaurant♡"
"...Wasn't today only for noble ladies?"
"Hmm...but that one looks like a saintess...Lady Cecilia is a noblewoman after all..."
"Why did you have to bring the Divine Beast Lord? He looks rather intimidating..."
"But I've heard his muscles are quite impressive."
Did she sense the gaze of our beast? The ladies in their gorgeous gowns seemed to subtly reveal fear in their expressions.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing Viscountess Evid. There's something I'd like to tell you in person♡"
"Ah? Lady Celeste wanted to see me?"
"Hehe♡ Yes. Even if it weren't today, I was planning to pay a special visit. This matter requires your assistance, Madam…♡"
"Good heavens…? Lady Celeste needs my help. What could it be?"
"…Before that, please…♡" Celeste pushed open the door to the VIP room reserved for us lecherous beasts, her gaze sweeping over the noble ladies.
"It's lunchtime now, please enjoy the delicacies in this restaurant♡"
The luxurious decor of the VIP room instantly captured the attention of the noble ladies.
And so, the unsuspecting noble ladies were led by Celeste into the trap of a beast.