Vol. 1 Chapter 4 – Ermia is a Worrywart

The time goes back a little, to Ortenatriss Castle.

At the very innermost part, the chamber of meetings.

Here is the place where the heads and heirs of the four great noble families of the Ortenos region face one another to discuss various agendas.

“As for the immediate issues, the number of exiles and refugees continues to increase without end, do we have any measures……??”

“On the outskirts of Ortenatriss, we are planning the construction of a new city. We will take them in there.”

“How extravagant. Refugees and the like should simply be killed…… More importantly, it seems various special products are being born in the Ortenos territory. What exactly are they……”

“More than that, regarding the northern kidnappers, I would like Ortenos to also take a resolute stance……”

“Is it really necessary to send two people to the Academy? If we just ignored the royal family’s wishes……”

Heated arguments back and forth.

Some wore indifferent expressions, some showed sly smiles, and some had no composure at all. Amidst the intertwining schemes, Marquess Radnark de Ortenos, as chairman and ruler of the Ortenos region, was managing the heads and heirs.

In the midst of this, one military officer hurriedly entered the meeting chamber.

The officer’s expression was grim, suggesting that some unforeseen incident had occurred.

“What is it?”

“…The eastern valve has come loose.”

“What! Which side has moved?”

“The Hoshiros Marquisate.”

“Hoshiros……?!”

Radnark frowned at the officer’s report.

The so-called eastern valve referred to the two houses of the Naia Kingdom that shared a border with Ortenos: the Hoshiros Marquisate and the Painley Marquisate.

Since Urgoll was stationed permanently at Ronchant Fortress on the Hoshiros front, it had been unexpected for Hoshiros to be the one to make a move.

Next, a military officer from Lanecki entered, whispering into the ear of Count Lanecki, a rugged middle-aged man with distinctive red hair.

Count Lanecki also frowned at the report from his officer.

From that reaction, Radnark inferred that some information had also reached the Lanecki side.

“Everyone, forgive me, but we must take our leave. It seems some fools in the west have taken advantage of our absence to stir up trouble.”

Count Lanecki, with a severe look, glared at Dinoren sitting alone at the far end of the table.

“My my, I would appreciate it if you refrained from such dangerous stares. I do not know what has happened, but if possible, I would prefer things to be settled peacefully.””

In contrast, Dinoren spread his hands to show he had no intention of resisting.

“Tch, what a shameless fellow…… Let’s go.”

Count Lanecki clicked his tongue resentfully and left the room with his two sons.

“Father, what in the world has happened?”

Ermia asked her father, Radnark, who was seated beside her.

“It is an emergency. There is a possibility that Naia has moved its army.”

“What!”

At the grim news delivered by her father, Ermia’s face stiffened.

“In any case, we must sort out the situation…… Everyone, forgive me, but I must bring this meeting to an end here.”

Radnark informed the gathered nobles that the meeting would be suspended.

◇◇◇◇

Ermia and Radnark, accompanied by several military officers, moved to the office.

They spread a large map out on the table, engaged in discussions over and over, and finally began to see the whole picture.

“So the target of Hoshiros is Father……”

“The former head, current head, and heir of Hoshiros have all gathered at Ronchant Fortress? That would mean……”

For the main lineage to be fully assembled was a rare occurrence.

A battle staking the very survival of the house brought back to Ermia memories of the all-out war six years ago.

“Ah, we must prepare to send reinforcements at once.”

“Can we not rely on the Nevilim?”

“In this situation it will be difficult.”

“……What about the Judiciary?”

“They have already withdrawn to Lanecki. Truly, they are nothing but a nuisance, never of any use.”

“……I see.”

Radnark spoke with irritation.

Until now, under the pretext of guarding the east, several Stellar-class had been stationed in Ortenatriss from the Lanecki family, but the moment trouble broke out in the west, they withdrew back to Texcola, the Lanecki domain capital.

“Most likely, the board has already shifted. Now that I think about it, Darbonnie’s movements in the west may have only been to draw Lanecki’s eyes.”

“Could it be, Hoshiros has even begun intrigue with the imperial nobles?”

“Yes, nine times out of ten it must be so. That Nevilim is unable to act due to some scheme is not surprising either.”

From within the Empire, Ortenos was once an enemy nation.

Therefore, any sense of comradeship toward Ortenos was thin and it was not impossible that Darbonnie had dealings with Naia.

While all wore grim faces, further news arrived.

The one who brought it was a military officer belonging to Shalka’s unit.

“Reporting! From Bangwall Fortress, twenty thousand Naia troops led by Balbat von Naia, a Stellar-class, have marched out. They are now facing off near Pekion Village against five thousand Ortenos troops led by Lord Shalka!”

Everyone in the office turned even paler.

Though Shalka did not know it, Balbat had participated in the all-out war six years ago and had struck down the Lanecki main line. He was feared as one of the fiercest warriors of the Naia house.

“Brother……!”

Ermia desperately held herself back from crying out.

Her mind, overwhelmed with urgency, raced desperately.

Her slightly hot-blooded half-brother, if provoked by Balbat, might lose his temper and charge into battle.

If that happened, the one with the upper hand would surely be Balbat, who was far more seasoned in combat.

―――Her brother, pierced by Balbat’s ruthless blade, dying in regret.

Such a worst-case image flashed across Ermia’s mind.

◇◇◇◇

Before any countermeasures could be decided, another officer came bearing further reports.

“Reporting! Balbat, who had been stationed near Pekion Village, suddenly took half of his troops and began marching north toward Ronchant Fortress.”

“What……?”

“Lord Shalka has departed to pursue Balbat. The operation’s name is……”

The officer’s report only made the situation more complicated.

And among them was one who could no longer sit still.

“Father, I will go to my brother’s aid.”

“No!”

“Brother is now heading to subjugate Balbat. If I do not rush to his aid now, then when!”

Ermia pressed her father Radnark with a desperate expression.

Incidentally, though Shalka had sent word that “no aid is needed,” Ermia had not believed even a single word of it.

“……Shalka must have some plan of his own. Appointment Operation? I do not understand what it means, but with Getrad accompanying him, he will not let Shalka act too recklessly.”

As one who knew at least part of Shalka’s strength, Radnark placed some measure of trust in him. But Ermia did not.

When she had heard of him releasing intimidation toward an enemy army running in the far distance, she had even thought her brother had gone mad.

“An operation? Brother has no such thing. Once his blood boils, Brother will do anything to protect Ortenos. Even if it means throwing away his life without a thought!”

What came to her mind was six years ago.

It was shortly after Ermia’s mother, Elena, had been murdered by someone.

One night, she encountered her brother trying to secretly slip out of the castle alone.

When she asked him where he was going, he only gave a vague smile and dodged the question, and even when Ermia cried and pleaded with him not to go, he left without stopping.

The next morning, when she saw her brother return with a carefree expression, carrying his beloved staff that was absurdly long for his body, she remembered well how she felt relief at the same time as anger welling up inside her.

There had been no noticeable external wounds, so it seemed he had gotten through unscathed, but she had a sense that her brother had done something improper.

For young Ermia, the sudden disappearance of the brother who had been her emotional support at the time cast a great shadow upon her heart.

“Calm yourself, Ermia. Even Shalka is not so foolish as that.”

“No, Brother will absolutely do something reckless. If we wait until after something happens, it will be too late!”

Her brother had always had a detached air about him, doing things that no one else could imagine, whether for good or for ill.

Even now, she could not help but fear he would act recklessly as he had six years ago.

If she could, she would never have wanted him to go on his first campaign.

Considering how he sometimes ran off on strange impulses, she even felt she wanted to keep him caged for life but with her current position that was impossible.

“……No, it cannot be. Ermia, who has deep ties with the Lanecki family, cannot be sent.”

It was from Radnark’s generation that marriage ties with the Lanecki family had been formally established.

In the previous generation relations had soured and Radnark had worked hard to mend them.

For that reason, he did not wish to expose Ermia, who was important to Lanecki, to danger.

“But……”

“If reinforcements must be sent, then I will go. Ermia, I entrust you with the protection of Ortenatriss.”

“……”

The risk of sending out the heir was far greater than the risk of holding her back.

At this rate, Ermia looked ready to rush out herself, so Radnark had no choice but to step forward first.

“The troops are assembled. We can depart for reinforcements at any time.”

“Understood. I will go now.”

Radnark prepared to lead the reinforcements to Shalka’s side.

But then Ermia called out to stop him.

“Father, let me go as well.”

“Enough, Ermia!”

“I am not merely a princess to be kept shut away in a cage, Father.”

“That…… Those are the words of Lady Ilmina……”

Princess Ilmina, the founder of the Ortenos Marquisate.

She had walked a fine line between the royal family and the Lanecki family, never letting herself be taken in by either, and established the House of Ortenos as a sovereign force.

For those words to come from Ermia, said to be the very image of Princess Ilmina, carried special meaning to the people of Ortenos.

“I am the heir of the Ortenos Marquisate. I do not wish to be a princess who trembles at Naia’s invasion and sits idly waiting.”

“Mm……”

Radnark faltered before the strong determination in Ermia’s eyes.

Then he realized that what lay behind it was an unyielding resolve, and he held his head in his hands.

“…Very well, I grant you leave to accompany us. But only until Shalka’s rescue. I will not permit any further risk.”

Radnark did not have the courage to refuse Ermia any further here.

He instantly calculated that to create a fatal rift between them would not serve Ortenos.

Thus the two of them prepared to head out for Shalka’s rescue.

What Radnark had not expected was Ermia’s intense insistence on coming to Shalka’s aid.

Though he could understand it as the natural worry of a sister for her brother, to oppose the will of the head of house so openly was indeed excessive.

Radnark’s chronic stomach pain warned him that this was a matter for grave concern.

For it was beginning to lend some truth to the countless unreasonable complaints he had long been receiving from Ermia’s fiancé, Jilga de Lanecki.

The issue of 『the obsessive loves of nobles』was something that always clung to Ermia, precisely because she bore the name of the main line.

This issue inevitably spread into family disputes, and for a noble house head like Radnark, it was among the most delicate of matters.

So much so that even the head himself would constantly pray for the safety of his household, muttering, “Please, let this never happen in my house…,” because it was a factor that could ruin an entire noble family.

For that reason, the fact that those two were far too compatible was extremely troublesome.

In the worst case, it could escalate into conflict with Lanecki, and just the thought made Radnark’s face twist with stomach pain so severe he nearly forgot he was Stellar-class.

◇◇◇◇

The departure of the two went smoothly.

Since it was an emergency sortie, the cavalry numbered only fifty.

With the mana envelopment of two people added, they were moving at considerable speed.

“We are almost at the area where Lord Balbat was stopped.”

The young messenger officer from Shalka’s unit guided Radnark and Ermia with a tense expression.

The latest information this officer knew was only up until just before the Appointment Operation had been activated.

Since then, he had not encountered any further couriers, so he did not know the situation between Shalka and Balbat.

“Wh-what in the world……?”

Before Ermia’s eyes spread a shocking scene.

――Heaps of corpses.

Lying on the ground were Naia soldiers.

Ortenos’s citizen militia were stripping them of weapons, armor, and valuables, and piling the corpses into several mounds.

The militiamen, perhaps already thinking of how the spoils would be distributed later, worked with satisfied smiles on their faces.

Ermia frowned at the cruel sight she had never before seen, but endured it with the pride of the heir.

“My lord! Princess! Why are you here in such a place?”

It seemed this was the officer overseeing the work here. In a great fluster, he came rushing toward them.

“What in the world is……”

“Shalka, is Shalka safe?!”

Ermia cut off Radnark’s words and pressed the officer.

“Yes! At present, Lord Shalka is leading five thousand Ortenos troops in an assault on Bangwall Fortress.”

“What?”

Radnark looked bewildered at the officer’s words, which went beyond all his expectations.

Ermia, on the other hand, felt relief wash over her chest at confirming her brother’s safety.

“By Sir Getrad’s proposal, the western region of the Elhoro River was……”

“No, wait. I don’t understand. Why did it suddenly turn into an assault on Bangwall Fortress? What of Balbat?”

Radnark interrupted the officer’s words and asked.

“Yes, the enemy commander Balbat was splendidly slain by Lord Shalka!”

“What, is that true?!”

Radnark raised his voice in shock.

【Ohh!】Cheers went up among the officers who had accompanied him.

For their own side’s Stellar-class to have defeated the enemy’s Stellar-class was the greatest honor imaginable to them.

“Yes! And, in this area, the presence of two Heroes of the Alliance has been confirmed.”

“What?! Two Heroes of the Alliance?! ……That is dangerous. Naturally, the battle was avoided, was it not?”

“No. Lord Shalka left word that he would surely finish them and began pursuit alone.”

“……Why. Why did he pursue them……”

From hope to despair.

Radnark had told him that should he encounter anything resembling Heroes, he was to eliminate them. But he had never told him to chase after them in delight.

Radnark buried his head in his hands once more, yet the officer’s face was beaming.

That smile gave Radnark a slightly ominous feeling in a different sense.

“Rest assured. Both Heroes were defeated by Lord Shalka! The one calling himself Lynx is missing, but the one calling himself Aquila was certainly slain by Lord Shalka!”

“Haa…… I see.”

A sigh of relief escaped.

Perhaps because he had anticipated it to some extent, he was not all that surprised. Somewhere in him was the thought,『If it is Shalka, he might very well do it』.

Radnark’s emotions had been shaken so much they were on the verge of collapse, but he just barely brought his thoughts back into order.

“What was their purpose?”

“The details are unclear, but it seems they came to monitor our movements.”

“……What?”

At the officer’s words, Radnark sank into a sea of thought.

In recent years, Heroes had begun to be sighted in this region. Their objective was unknown, but most likely it was related to the failed prophecy six years ago.

Since that incident, Ortenos had suddenly come under the gaze of the entire continent.

‘It may be reaching the limit of how long we can keep Shalka’s existence concealed……’

Radnark added the matter of the Heroes to his list of future considerations.

“And at present, at Bangwall Fortress, a siege is underway. If it is Lord Shalka, he may already have the fortress in his grasp!”

“……That cannot be. The reason we have yet to secure the western region of the Elhoro River is solely because Bangwall exists. To capture it requires breaking through the walls in short order and finishing the battle before reinforcements arrive from Leran City. Shalka must understand well just how difficult that is……”

As usual, he could not comprehend at all why a Bangwall assault was happening, but looking at the officer’s demeanor, he could not help but feel, “If it is Shalka, perhaps he can manage.”

From the officer’s attitude, it seemed Shalka had already won the trust of his men.

While Radnark felt reassured at his son’s growth, such large-scale exploits still made it feel as if holes would open in his stomach.

“So Brother is at Bangwall Fortress now?”

“Y-yes.”

Ermia suddenly cut into the conversation.

Radnark remembered then that here too was one who might cause trouble, and a new sense of foreboding filled him.

“Father, I am going to Bangwall Fortress now.”

“What?”

Ermia abruptly declared to Radnark.

And from horseback, no less.

She looked ready to gallop off at any moment.

“Ermia! Wait! Do not act on your own……!”

Without waiting for his attempt to stop her, she snapped the reins, set her course southeast, and spurred her horse forward.

Her beautiful white hair fluttered lightly in the wind.

With a staff in one hand and a robe embroidered with gold thread upon her, her figure was like that of a battle princess racing across the field.

Radnark’s voice calling her to stop rang in vain, as Ermia pulled farther and farther away.

Radnark, left all alone, was utterly at a loss.

◇◇◇◇

After riding for about an hour and a half.

At last, Bangwall Fortress came into view.

“What in the world have you done, Brother……”

Before her eyes stood the fortress, in a completely transformed state.

The western outer wall of the fortress had been utterly pulverized into fragments, leaving almost the entire interior exposed.

Men who appeared to be Ortenos officers were standing guard near the entrance.

From their demeanor, it seemed the fortress was already under control.

“P-Princess, what are you doing in a place like this!”

“My brother is inside, isn’t he?”

Ermia activated her mana perception and pinpointed Shalka’s position.

“Yes, but Lord Shalka is presently resting…”

Brushing past the officer who faltered in his words, Ermia pushed her way forward.

Bit by bit, her brother’s presence grew closer.

“It seems Brother is here, doesn’t it?”

She stopped before a plain door inside the fortress.

From beyond this door, her brother’s presence was radiating strongly.

Before the door stood a lone officer, like a gatekeeper.

“P-Princess, why are you in a place like this……!”

“Will you let me through?”

Every single one of them responded like poorly made automatons.

To have stationed an officer before the door—just what was happening inside?

“B-but, Lord Shalka is presently resting……”

The officer’s halting reply made her feel irritated.

Along the way here, every time she had asked about her brother’s whereabouts, people had worn oddly strained expressions.

“I give my permission, so there should be no problem.”

“B-but……”

“Shalka, I’m coming in.”

“Ah……”

Ignoring the officer’s attempt to stop her, Ermia turned the handle and opened the door.

“Brother!”

The bath chamber was filled with steamy vapor.

Apart from that, an oddly raw smell clung to the air.

Strangely enough, it did not provoke disgust.

More than that, she wanted to confirm her brother’s safety at once.

From what she had heard, he had achieved considerable feats of arms. He must have pushed himself recklessly, and there were many things she wanted to say to him.

Even so, for now, she would praise his service as a superior.

But what she saw was her brother, completely naked, being wiped down with a towel by a maid.

The maid was a woman Ermia did not know.

Startled by Ermia’s sudden entry, the maid dropped the towel she had been using to cover his lower parts.

Just what had the two of them been doing—disgust welled up inside Ermia.

“Hyah”

Her brother let out a small scream like that of a girl and covered his crotch with his hand.

Ermia stared coldly at her brother’s pitiful state.

“Disgusting……”

Spitting out only that one word, Ermia slammed the door shut and left.

◇◇◇◇

A little before my shocking reunion with Ermia―――I was standing on the high ground of Bangwall Fortress, letting the wind blow against me as I looked down upon the land below.

“Even so, this view is truly overwhelming.”

“Yes. This Ortenos Plain was formed by several great rivers flowing into Shario Bay, and now it is one of the continent’s leading granary regions. With few obstructions, the view is excellent.”

In response to my words, the expressionless female officer gave a perfect explanation.

Before my eyes spread a grand panorama, like a landscape painting from the Edo period.

To the east flowed the majestic Elhoro River, and beyond it stretched endless fields of wheat, already beginning to show ears of grain. In some places, clusters of princess lilies could be seen blooming.

I looked westward, where the setting sun shone toward Ortenatriss, but at this distance I could not see it.

“So princess lilies bloom around here, do they.”

“Do you like them?”

“……I suppose so. In any case, just being able to see this scenery makes capturing Bangwall worthwhile.”

“Yes, truly.”

Perhaps the warlords of old felt the same. From the castle keep, gazing out upon the majestic natural world, maybe they basked in the thought,『Gahaha, I am the great general of this land』.

When there are such visible results of victory, one cannot help but feel one’s spirit grow large.

“Shall we return?”

“Yes, this way, please.”

Once I had my fill of the view, I descended the stone steps of the high ground together with the female officer.

The place she led me to was a room that could be called a private chamber for nobles.

No doubt it had been where nobles like Balbat resided, but from now on, I would make use of it.

“Come to think of it, I never asked your name.”

“Yes, I am called Nicoletta.”

Hmm…… though her name means『smile』, she never smiles at all.

She looked to be in her early twenties, giving off the impression of a university student aiming to become a librarian.

A single flower blooming among a group of rough men. The competition for her attention must be fierce.

“Nicoletta, is it. A fine name.”

“……Thank you.”

“By the way, what is with that outfit?”

At some point, Nicoletta had donned a maid’s uniform.

In this world, the maid uniform was the orthodox kind: a black dress with a white apron.

That she could serve as both an officer and a maid impressed me.

“Sir Getrad commanded me to attend upon Lord Shalka from now on, and so I was given this attire. Do you dislike it?”

“No, it suits you quite well.”

“Thank you.”

Nicoletta gave a modest bow.

An attendant――huh.

Since my unit was strangely lacking in women, Nicoletta must have been chosen by necessity.

“Hey, doesn’t my unit seem to have too many male officers, or is it just my imagination?”

Normally, the ratio of men to women among officers was about seven to three, but here the men were clearly in the majority. The only woman I saw was Nicoletta before me.

I was genuinely curious as to why.

“Um, it’s not your imagination.”

“Hm, what do you mean by that?”

“Most of the female officers wished to serve under Lord Urgoll, so they are likely all stationed at Ronchant Fortress now.”

What……?

So that’s why it felt so suffocatingly full of men.

“Could it be, my unit is unpopular with women?”

“No, it is simply that Lord Urgoll’s popularity is overwhelming. His powerful body and strong arms that defy his age, and the allure that naturally seeps from him, that overwhelming masculinity captivates the female officers.”

Nicoletta, though not changing her expression, spoke fluently, her voice carrying the lilt of a fan talking about her favorite idol.

“Wait, Nicoletta, were you hoping to be assigned to Grandfather’s unit as well?”

“……Well…”

“……No, forget it.”

Nicoletta faltered awkwardly, so I decided not to press further.

She had probably lost out in the selection and ended up being sent to the junior instead.

It made me want to go sulk and sleep.

“I-I think it is good that I am in Lord Shalka’s unit.”

“Nicoletta?”

To me, shoulders slumped, Nicoletta spoke with her face faintly reddened.

“The way Lord Shalka stood at the front and encouraged everyone was the image of the ideal general that all admire. At first, it was just a matter of assignment, but now everyone feels strongly that we wish to follow Lord Shalka from here on.”

“I see.”

I had simply been desperate at the time, but it seemed I had managed to fulfill the minimum role of a commander, which gave me some relief.

“So please, continue to guide us.”

Nicoletta said this while taking my hand, her eyes moist with emotion.

Though we had only met today, it seemed I had already grasped the hearts of my subordinates.

Or perhaps, grasped too much. Nicoletta looked as though she were utterly devoted.

‘At this rate, it wouldn’t be strange if she pushed me down, would it?’

For that matter, my own feelings had been on edge since earlier.

Most likely, fighting to the death with two Stellar-class opponents had awakened my survival instincts.

Though I had tried not to think about it, Nicoletta had awakened the beast of lust within me.

Still, I didn’t want to shatter the image I had managed to cultivate until now.

For now, I would hold back and take care of it on my own later.

“Aah…… anyway, could you show me to the bath?”

“Of course, but has something happened?”

What should I say…… I couldn’t possibly admit that I was aroused.

“…I worked up a sweat and want to change clothes, that’s all.”

I tugged at my clothes to make my point.

“In that case, how about a bath? If you do not mind, I, Nicoletta, shall attend to Lord Shalka personally.”

“Attend……! Mm, and just what exactly would that entail……?”

Like a lecherous old man eyeing a menu of options, I snorted in excitement.

“Yes, you may leave everything to me.”

“Everything?”

“Yes, everything.”

Nicoletta’s voice carried a note of expectation.

Full service…… so that’s how it is. I take back what I said earlier.

This seemingly modest, librarian-like officer was in truth a lewd one.

“I see. Then, Nicoletta, I’ll be counting on you.”

“Leave it to me.”

A noble must act when the time calls for it.

――That time was now.

◇◇◇◇

Bangwall Fortress was so vast, it could practically be called a fortress-city in itself.

It looked large enough to house tens of thousands, roughly about the size of two Tokyo Domes.

Because of that, its facilities were also well developed, and a proper bathhouse for nobles had been prepared.

For Naia to provide such a facility almost free of charge was quite generous of them.

……Ah, though there was the damage I had caused.

It seemed the repairs would take quite some time, as the foreman of the engineering corps wore a difficult expression.

Well, what’s done is done. For now, it was time for a bath.

Arriving at the changing room of the bathhouse, I left everything to her.

Nicoletta pulled out my belt, then removed my black jacket, my inner shirt, and one by one undressed me until at last I was stark naked.

I had little resistance to being fully exposed before others.

Back at the castle, I had always been scrubbed thoroughly with soap and towel by middle-aged maids.

A nobleman must carry himself with dignity.

By no means should he ever scream and cover himself timidly.

“What is it, Nicoletta?”

“Um, well, you are… impressive.”

“O-oh.”

Just what exactly, I wondered.

Nicoletta’s expression did not change, but her face had flushed red.

Hmmm.

The privilege of nobles was that they could indulge in what might be considered harassment without issue, but at this point I could not tell if I was the lecherous old man here, or if Nicoletta was simply a closeted pervert.

I watched to see what she would do next.

“Might I have a moment to change?”

With that said, Nicoletta briskly began to undress herself.

Of course, if she went into the bath in her maid uniform, it would be soaked, so taking it off was only natural.

She removed her white apron, unbuttoned the front of her dress, and let it fall away.

Her body, supple like that of a sporty young woman, was revealed—fitting of someone at Satellite-class.

Beneath she wore a thin camisole and white stockings with garter belts.

Contrary to her serious face, her underwear was daring, clearly chosen for battle.

Made of one hundred percent Ortenos cotton, it radiated a splendid sense of local pride.

“Hmm.”

“Aah?!”

A groan of admiration slipped from my lips before I realized it.

It wasn’t that I disliked the older maids, but indeed, a young woman was a delight.

“Um, if you stare so much, it’s…”

“Ah, don’t mind me.”

“Uh……”

She looked as if she wanted to say, I am the one who minds…

Too bad for her, I was the sort who looked carefully and committed such things firmly to memory.

Photographs were unnecessary—an inferior substitute.

“My body must be boring for you to look at anyway.”

“What are you saying. I could never tire of looking at your body, Nicoletta.”

“Y-you jest.”

Though her curves were not so pronounced, her legs were like those of a gazelle.

Of course, not the short, stocky kind from Japan, but the tall and slender kind from abroad.

And naturally, what drew the eye most was…

‘Mmm, a fine ass.’

The perfectly taut, round curves seemed to embody her own serious and earnest character, something unique to her alone.

As I observed for a while, it was soon covered by a thin bathing garment, like a translucent robe.

Apparently, she would not be completely nude.

Her bare skin showed faintly through, which in its own way was also pleasing.

“Then, shall we begin?”

“Yes.”

The bath was a genuine one, made of marble.

Magical lamps glowed and incense filled the air heavily; the preparations were thorough.

I sat down on a wooden bath chair, turning my back toward Nicoletta.

“Well then, I leave it to you.”

“Yes.”

Nicoletta drew hot water into a wooden bucket and soaked a towel.

She lathered it with soap and began to scrub my back.

To have a beautiful subordinate wash away the day’s grime was true paradise.

“How does it feel?”

“Ahhh, good, very good indeed.”

Nicoletta’s touch was exquisite, and with the scent of the incense, I felt greatly relaxed.

Most likely, she was using some kind of special technique with magic.

It felt as though I were experiencing a spa treatment directly.

This was essentially the same as what I had named 『Esthetic Magic』, refined magic designed to soothe.

But Nicoletta’s version seemed focused entirely on pleasure.

Combined with her skilled hands, it had become nothing less than the finest sensual massage.

“Do all female officers serve as maids as well?”

“Yes. At the Ortenatriss Knight Academy, maid training is included as part of general education.”

“And this treatment, you learned it there?”

“No, this is from general practical training.”

“Practical training?”

“Yes. We form male–female pairs and practice the treatments on each other to hone our skills.”

“Male–female pairs, you say?”

“Yes… well, it is the custom.”

I see, so it was like clinical training for nurses.

Still, male and female training together had an indecent air about it.

“So then, Nicoletta, you’ve performed treatments on other male officers?”

“Yes… I suppose I have.”

Nicoletta answered a little hesitantly.

Hmph, disgraceful.

For one of my sworn subordinates to have done something so shameful.

This called for discipline.

“Next, I would like you to tend to the front.”

“Eh?”

I suddenly stood and turned around.

Before Nicoletta, who was kneeling on the floor, my manhood was now at eye level.

I grinned as I watched her reaction.

“Th-this is… Lord Shalka’s… magnificent form…”

“……”

Nicoletta muttered in embarrassment, her face red.

She had to be doing this on purpose.

“Th-then, excuse me.”

“…Ooooh.”

A low groan escaped from deep in my throat.

Nicoletta’s one hand massaged my sack, while the other stroked my shaft up and down.

“How does it feel?”

“G-good, that’s the way.”

Her movements were like those of a seasoned courtesan.

It was my first time receiving such treatment there, but combined with the esthetic magic, the relaxing effect was overwhelming.

Of course, it was impossible to remain calm while being stroked by a maid.

“A-amazing, Lord Shalka. In such a short time, you’ve grown so large.”

Nicoletta, unusually, let out a delighted voice.

To have one’s manhood praised was not unpleasant.

“Is that so?”

“With most male nobles, it takes more than one treatment to elicit a reaction, but why is it that with you…”

Nicoletta gazed at my manhood with a puzzled look.

It was said that male nobles often did not become aroused easily, and so in most cases, they required support through treatments like this.

“With a fine woman like you in front of me, Nicoletta, it’s only natural that I would end up like this.”

“P-please… you need not say such things.”

At my words of persuasion, Nicoletta grew flustered and modest.

She was likely unaccustomed to being complimented.

Staring at this thinly dressed maid, perfect for harassment, my arousal reached its peak.

“Nicoletta……”

I leaned my face closer to hers.

At that, she seemed to realize what I was seeking.

“Y-you mustn’t. I am only a mere attendant. If I were to be taken by Lord Shalka, it would be unthinkable toward your lord father or your future fiancée…… mmyuuh…”

Whatever she was saying was silenced as I forced my lips upon hers.

She did not resist, though I could sense her confusion.

Her lips were moist and womanly.

“Nmm… do not worry, I won’t tell Father.”

While kissing her, I exhaled those base words.

This was the same woman who had just been fondling my cock in such indecent ways—there was no reason to hold back.

“Mmmchu… nn… th-that’s…”

Even now, Nicoletta seemed reserved, as if calculating Ortenos’s gains and losses.

For a closeted pervert, she was quite the earnest woman.

“Nicoletta, earlier you were trying to tempt me, were you not?”

“I-I wasn’t… tempting you.”

“Then what of those indecent undergarments? They were the newest kind, only available at exclusive shops in Ortenos, were they not?”

“Th-that… that’s…”

Nicoletta stammered, her guilt plain to see.

“And when you undressed, you turned to show me your backside, with your underwear biting into your ass. You were tempting me, weren’t you?”

“Uuh… th-that is…”

“Come now, Nicoletta. Speak honestly. That is an order.”

“…F-forgive me. I… I was trying to tempt Lord Shalka.”

Pressed as her master, Nicoletta confessed shamefully.

But this shamefulness was good.

Her straightforward nature made her unable to lie smoothly.

“I see. But I do not dislike forward women.”

Before I realized it, my hands were reaching for Nicoletta’s ass.

Standing face to face, our bodies pressed together.

The thin fabric clung damply from the steam, becoming nearly transparent, and I could clearly see Nicoletta’s breasts pressing and deforming against my chest.

It seemed she had more there than I had expected.

“So close… ah, th-that ass…”

So close our breaths touched.

While I kneaded her ass, Nicoletta let out a weak voice.

Despite her librarian-like air, her bottom had the supple firmness of a woman who trained at the gym.

“Ahh, what a fine ass you have.”

“…!”

Nicoletta turned her face away in embarrassment.

‘That innocent reaction is good too.’

I changed the way I kneaded her, spreading her cheeks apart like fruit, then letting them close, over and over.

Wet, obscene sounds rang out.

“Is this the first time your ass has been groped?”

“Y-yes.”

Though her expression did not change much, her eyes began to grow glazed.

Those moist eyes seemed to hunger for something.

Picha… picha picha…

“Something can be heard.”

Picha.

“…!”

In the silence of the bath, the sound of wet fluids echoed lewdly.

I deliberately commented on the obscene sound.

Coincidentally, the noises matched the rhythm of me opening and closing her ass cheeks.

Nichu… nichuchu…

“What’s the matter, Nicoletta?”

“Haa… haa… it’s… embarrassing, please, stop…”

Nicoletta clung to my right shoulder as if to hide her face.

Her rough breathing struck my skin.

“Do you dislike having your ass groped?”

“Haa… haa… no, it’s just… when you open and close it like that, another place… opens up as well…”

Nicoletta confessed her secret in shame.

I realized that the bathhouse was now filled with the scent of arousal.

It was a rich fragrance, like a flower luring a butterfly.

“Another place, you say… just where would that be?”

I slipped my cock between Nicoletta’s thighs.

Lubricant had already soaked through her underwear and thin robe, making it slide smoothly.

“Hyan!”

“Oh my, what a cute sound you made.”

Nicoletta and I were about the same height, around one hundred and sixty centimeters, so my hard cock rubbed perfectly against her groin.

“…F-forgive me… haaahn…”

Nicoletta tried to apologize in a vanishingly small voice, but when I moved back and forth, she could not help but cry out.

“Ohh, it’s so tight…”

“Ahhn… Lord Shalka’s manhood is growing… even bigger…”

Nicoletta was highly sensitive, and when she pressed her thighs together, my cock was squeezed tightly.

So this was SUMATA. SUMATA

The cock being stroked, the pussy being rubbed—this was the very definition of a wholesome win-win relationship.

“So wet between your thighs like this… were you actually aroused by me?”

“……!”

Nicoletta reacted with such a start, it was as if a sound effect had gone off.

Even if her expression didn’t change, I was beginning to understand what she was thinking.

“I like you when you’re honest, Nicoletta. Say it properly in your own words.”

“I… I became aroused…”

Once again, Nicoletta shamefully confessed.

In the bath, it seemed, she had become lustful—an awful pun crossed my mind.

Well, who could blame her? After all, what woman officer would not be stirred by a Stellar-class master who had just accomplished so much?

If she had gotten her crotch soaking wet, no one could fault her.

“Well said, Nicoletta.”

“Hahi… ahn… hyuu…”

I stroked Nicoletta’s head like a manipulative boyfriend would.

It seemed that rubbing herself against me while confessing such embarrassing secrets fostered a sense of trust.

Nicoletta wrapped her arms around my body as if in relief, and then began to move her hips on her own.

“Hmm, thin garments are troublesome. Careless as it is, your underwear may end up slipping aside.”

“Yes… ahn… carelessly… haa… haa… it might… slip aside…”

A bathing garment was truly a fine thing.

Even without taking it off, the skin showed through, and below, it was practically open—making it easy to prod.

And since from our eye level neither of us could see exactly what was happening below, it added an element of surprise.

Therefore, if I let it『slip in』through the gap of her underwear as if by accident, I could touch her directly with my cock.

“Oops.”

“Ah…”

I『carelessly』slid my cock beneath her underwear.

Since Nicoletta’s daring underwear had only the smallest strip of cloth at the crotch, reaching her was easy.

Slchhh… nyurrrn… schlchchhh…

The space inside her panties was filled with even stickier fluids.

“Ahn… Lord Shalka…! Y-you’re touching me…”

Nicoletta spoke in a daze, her mouth half open and her face entranced.

If there were such a thing as a cock sensor, it was clear that her secret place was signaling it.

Unlike with the thin garment, the glide here was smoother and more direct.

It seemed the cloth was digging into her slit, rubbing along between her outer and inner lips.

“Hm, it looks like it’s cutting in painfully. Let me fix it for you… oops.”

“Yahn… th-that place…!”

Pretending to adjust her underwear, I slid the swollen head of my cock between her crotch and her folds.

I could feel my glans tracing directly along her slit.

“…Ahhn! …Directly… you’re touching me.”

“Ohhh, incredible… it clings so tight.”

Nicoletta’s body trembled violently, and her grip on me tightened.

Though we had not even fully joined, I could feel our sexes connected bare to bare.

Holding the base of my cock, I stirred it against her.

Schlp… schlp…

The glans rubbed directly against Nicoletta’s womanhood, making even lewder sounds.

SUMATA was a form of communication.

There were many positions, but the essence of rubbing sex together was to savor the sensation of『will it go in, or will it not』.

Standing face to face like this, there was no real risk of it going in, so it felt almost playful—like couples splashing in shallow water at the beach.

“Aah… ahn… it’s going in… it’s going in…!”

Nicoletta began muttering strangely, as if delirious.

Though in this position it could not actually enter.

Even so, the dignified composure she had before was beginning to collapse.

“Hm?”

“Ahh… n-no, nooo…”

When I looked down, my cock had grown to an unnatural size.

Comparable to the huge cocks of foreigners in my previous life.

Because of that, I felt a tight, squeezing pressure at the tip.

‘Wait… could it be I’m actually a little inside?’

What I thought was shallow splashing had, it seemed, turned into swimming around the tetrapods.

Schlp… schlp…

Harsh breathing and sweat poured from us.

Her insides contracted in rhythm with her breathing, squeezing tightly around the head of my cock.

“Ohhh, it grips so tight…!”

“Hyaa…! Lord Shalka’s cock… ahhn… rubbing me feels so good… wait, is it in? Is it inside?”

Nicoletta seemed half-conscious, unable to even judge whether it had entered or not.

My male instincts urged me: if that’s the case, all the better—just finish inside without care.

“Nicoletta, I’m about to come…!”

Her body, athletic like a sporty girl’s, gripped me with incredible tightness.

The squeezing grew stronger, and I was reaching my limit.

“Ahhn… ahn… I-I’m too… I’m going to… please, come! Come inside me, Lord Shalka!”

I rubbed my cock furiously against her crotch, the feeling of climax reaching its peak.

Just as the glans settled perfectly into place, I could no longer resist and――

“Ohh, I’m cumming!”

“I-I’m cumming too!”

――I ejaculated.

At exactly the same time.

Nicoletta’s eyes rolled back, her tongue lolled out as she convulsed.

My cock throbbed and pulsed endlessly.

“…Ooooh… that’s incredible.”

“…It’s… so amazing… Lord Shalka’s seed… it’s so hot. It feels hot inside… wait? Inside?”

Nicoletta touched her lower belly in confusion.

I may have released a little inside, but since I had not gone all the way in, it should be fine… probably.

“You were wonderful, Nicoletta.”

“Eh? Ah… I-I was too.”

From the gaps in her thin garment, I saw semen trickling down Nicoletta’s thighs.

“Ahh, forgive me. Lord Shalka’s seed is spilling out so much…”

Nicoletta looked down at it with an apologetic expression.

No doubt she was thinking unnecessary things like precious noble seed…

“Don’t worry. I’ll pour it into you as many times as you need.”

“That… that is far too great an honor…! To be granted your favor even once today is more than I deserve.”

Nicoletta spoke humbly, semen dripping down her thighs.

Normally, officers and nobles would never share intimacy like this, so she must have hesitated.

Of course, I was not about to let Nicoletta go now.

“Nicoletta, I want you.”

“…!”

“Of course, as a noble, I cannot take you as my wife. …But you are already more than just a subordinate to me. Do you understand?”

“…Y-yes.”

When I placed my hand against Nicoletta’s cheek, she answered meekly, though with a faint trace of joy showing.

“So please, remain by my side and support me. I need you, Nicoletta.”

“Y-yes! As you command.”

Nicoletta, answering proudly, looked like a dog wagging its tail before its master.

Drawing out a subordinate’s motivation was also the duty of a superior.

From now on, as one I would associate with both in public and in private, I would have to take proper care of her.

“…Forgive me for asking so soon, but it’s a mess down here. I’d be grateful if you could clean me.”

I smiled playfully as I showed her my limp cock, dangling after having spent itself.

Nicoletta seemed to understand my intent.

With tenderness, she took me at the base and slipped me into her mouth.

Glchh… schlchhh…

She moved her tongue skillfully inside her mouth, carefully licking away the seed from my cock.

‘Mm, I truly have a fine subordinate.’

Perhaps the greatest reward of today’s first campaign was gaining a subordinate who also became my lover.

Two years of anxiety about my sex life—finally, I felt light breaking through.

Now that I was an adult, I would live more openly.

‘…One day, I want to truly impregnate Nicoletta.’

Even if I were to release inside her irresponsibly now, it would hardly be a problem. On the contrary, the house might hold a grand celebration.

That wouldn’t be bad, but I did not want to lose this new attendant so quickly.

Nicoletta’s excellence had already been proven today.

‘Until the time is right, I must keep her working.’

While I thought these things, Nicoletta finished the fellatio and began to wipe away the saliva gently with a towel.

Her touch as she tended to my cock was soft, full of maternal affection.

Seeing her fuss over me so devotedly made me stir and rise again.

“…A-amazing. Even after finishing once, you’ve grown this big again…”

“Heh, it’s because you’re too alluring, Nicoletta.”

“…!”

Nicoletta’s face turned crimson.

Truly, she had the most adorable reactions.

I wanted to keep praising her, to praise her until she drowned in it.

“…Then, shall we go another round?”

“…Yes.”

Nicoletta did not seem displeased.

It was a day worth celebrating, after all—spending the whole night in each other’s arms would be no crime.

――But thinking back, I must have gotten carried away at that time.

Even within the fortress, I had neglected to use mana perception.

Because of that, I failed to notice someone suddenly entering the bath.

“――Brother!”

The bathhouse door suddenly swung open.

Standing there was… my beloved younger sister, Ermia.

My thoughts froze instantly.

‘Eh? Huh?’

Why was Ermia here?

No, more importantly, wasn’t this situation bad?

Nicoletta, too, was startled and dropped the towel she was holding.

And lo and behold, before Ermia’s eyes was the sight of her naked brother being serviced by a scantily clad maid.

This was bad! I had to hide my dignity!

I reflexively covered it with both hands.

“Hya!”

A girlish squeak escaped from me.

It seemed that in moments of extreme confusion, a completely different self could surface.

The image of the nobleman who had just boldly taken his subordinate had vanished without a trace.

“Disgusting…”

“N-no, that’s not… this isn’t what it looks like, Ermia-tan!”

But before my excuses could even reach her, Ermia spat out her words and left the bathhouse.

“There was nothing indecent…! Well… only a little…”

There had been no penetration… strictly speaking, maybe there had been, but since Nicoletta herself had not claimed it, it should count as nothing more than SUMATA.

Therefore, nothing indecent had happened… or so I told myself.

‘…No, better stop there.’

Otherwise I sounded no different from some pathetic adulterer making excuses.

No matter how I armed myself with logic, in Ermia’s eyes the image of her pitiful naked brother had been burned in completely.

No words could ever erase that.

My knees gave out and I collapsed to the floor.

All the dignity I had built up as her elder brother crumbled away like a castle built on sand.