kscans

Chapter 167 - The End of the Caravan Journey and the City of Miglutt

Inside the carriage, I was single-mindedly kneading my own chest. There wasn't much volume, but it had a firm, undeniable softness. The more I kneaded, the more an indescribable pleasure welled up inside me. Was it my hands feeling it, or my chest?

"...The hell are you doing, you idiot?"

The old man glaring at me was Mash-kun. His way of speaking was just creepy.

"I'm nurturing them. If I knead them carefully like this, they should grow up big and strong, and eventually become a source of great joy."

Hearing my words, Famu placed a hand on her own chest.

"Cecily-chan, the way you talk is disgusting, and your mannerisms are like some old pervert's!"

"And you, Mash-kun, sound like a creepy transvestite!"

""Hmph...""

We glared at each other.

"Besides, what are you going to do once they're bigger?! There are plenty of others with big chests, you know!"

"Aren't you frustrated? It's because of a chest like this that Aira steals all the men. I'm different from you. I'm going to become a woman who's irresistibly popular!"

I declared to Mash-kun.

"Are you that obsessed with boobs? What are you planning to do, collect a bunch of women like that?"

"Mmm... Now that you mention it... I do think these are wonderful just as they are, so I should probably leave them be, but I just couldn't help myself..."

I just can't stop kneading them. I wonder why. What is it about these small mounds that captivates me so?

"But are you sure about that? At this rate, it's only a matter of time before you lose to Famu."

"Sh-shut up! I'm fine just the way I am! They'd just get in the way if they were bigger. Famu, you stop kneading your chest, too. It's not going to make them any bigger!"

"...Is that speaking from experience, Cecily?"

Famu asked Mash-kun.

"Gnnnh..."

Mash-kun ground his teeth. It seemed that, deep down, she also longed for a larger chest.

"You didn't grope Mizuki-chan's that much back then. Why not?"

As I continued to knead, Mash-kun directed the question at me.

"...Because back then, you were relentlessly attacking Mizuki-chan like a madman. It was, shall we say, a satisfying release."

"Good grief..."

Mash-kun sighed.

We were guarding a caravan, traveling from the city of Heilon to Miglutt. I had thought this stretch, near the border with the Demon Kingdom, would be the most dangerous, but contrary to my expectations, the journey had been smooth and peaceful. We were scheduled to arrive in Miglutt by the end of the day. Cecily and I had swapped bodies thanks to Shizuka's special skill, Scales of Love. There were three cardinal rules we had to follow while swapped: '1. Address each other with -kun or -chan,' '2. Act and speak in a way that respects each other's original personality,' and '3. If something bad happens, it's Shizuka's fault.' The second rule, especially the manner of speech, was difficult to maintain. We were the rearguard escort. Right now, Mizuki and Myra were outside, keeping watch behind us. Inside the carriage were Mash-kun, Famu, Aira, and Cecily-chan. Aira was fast asleep, her face peaceful. Come to think of it, Aira had put up the biggest fight last night, demanding Mash-kun again and again. I found myself feeling a little hurt, wishing she'd be that forward with me. As a result, I was left with a considerable amount of pent-up frustration. Still, I was amazed she could sleep so soundly with this awful rattling. I never did get used to the swaying of this carriage. I stopped kneading my chest, and as soon as I let my mind go blank, I started to feel sick. I'd always thought motion sickness was a mental thing, but it seemed to be physical after all. My own body was fine, but this shaking was tough on Cecily's.

"I need some fresh air."

I poked my head out towards the driver's seat. My view was filled with a long line of carriages. Beyond them, a seemingly endless prairie stretched out, and in the distance, I could see a city skyline of stone buildings. The city's center was a small hill, and atop its highest point stood a massive domed building supported by numerous columns. A stone corridor was built to encircle the dome. It seemed to be made of white marble, giving it a religious solemnity rather than the feel of a castle wall.

"We're finally here. That's Miglutt..."

Mash-kun, who had poked his head out just like me, murmured.

"There are no city walls."

It lacked the kind of fortress walls I'd seen in other cities. There were low fences, to be sure, but only enough to keep out monsters and beasts.

"Apparently there used to be, but so many people gathered here that the city kept expanding, and they were eventually torn down,"

Mash-kun explained. Ever since removing the walls that encircled the city, they had defended it by strengthening their diplomacy and military might. It was something they could only achieve because the city's scale was second only to the Imperial Capital of Kulm, the former capital of the old Empire. But now, a new threat had emerged: the Demon Kingdom. Their military force was no match for the sheer numbers of the Demon Kingdom's army in open battle. The city spread out radially from the central hill, and the administrative districts were divided in the same radial fashion into four parts.

To the south was the dog-eared race's One-Land Family. To the east, the elven Star Union Family. To the north, the human Air-Ally Family. And to the west, the dwarven Sky-Lot Family.

From these Four Regent Families, two consuls were elected each year. Furthermore, the city was governed by a senate composed of the highest taxpayers. There was once a king, but his line had died out. In the time of the king, the order of power among the Four Regent Families, as indicated by the districts they controlled, was One-Land, Star Union, Sky-Lot, and Air-Ally. Now, the city was under the dominion of the Empire, and the human Air-Ally Family, having earned the Emperor's deep trust, surpassed the power of the other three regent families.

"Is that the Crystal Palace?"

Beyond the domed building on the hill, a colossal pyramid floated in the air like a mirage. Its surface was covered in highly transparent crystal, making it seem as though you could see inside. It was the largest dungeon in the city. Just like the Longhorn Trail dungeon in Heilon, the dungeon didn't physically exist in that location. It would disappear if you changed your viewing angle. The dungeon's entrance was in a district called Crystal Square, directly beneath the Crystal Palace.

"Cecily-chan..."

Overcome with emotion at the end of our journey, Mash-kun wrapped an arm around my shoulders and drew his lips near. It felt disgusting, but I figured I'd get an earful if I refused, so I screwed my eyes shut and braced myself. Mash-kun's lips touched mine. The sensation was soft, a pleasure so divine it felt like my brain was melting. And then, in the middle of our kiss, the time for the swap ran out, and we returned to our own bodies.

"Thank you for everything up to now. Here is your payment."

In front of the Mateo Trading Company, Claire handed each of us our wages personally. The company was located in the district controlled by the One-Land Family. Famu also received her pay from Claire, but she handed it all to me, so I put it in my storage along with my own share.

"Alright, then."

Until now, the Mateo Trading Company had arranged everything for us, including our lodging, but from here on out, we had to think and act for ourselves. Besides our party, Levante, there was Shizuka, Reeni, Takamura, Komachi, Fang, Doris, and Beers. Fang and Beers planned to continue working as bodyguards for the Mateo Trading Company while exploring the dungeon as adventurers. Doris seemed to have been deliberating, but for the time being, she would team up with them and stay in this city. And to that group, Takamura and Komachi would also be joining. They wouldn't be working for the trading company, however, but would focus solely on dungeon diving. They were otherworlders, too. They had to break the ten-year curse that limited their time in this world. Until then, they've agreed to cooperate with us. The five of them would form a party under the name Takamura's group had been using, Nekono Konekoneko. They promptly headed off to the guild. The problem was Shizuka and Reeni. For the time being, they would both work at the Mateo Trading Company. Reeni's role would mainly be educational. Also, Avea had recognized her high physical potential and agreed to teach her swordsmanship in her spare time. I wanted Reeni to think about what she wants to become, but for now, I'd leave her be. And then there was Shizuka. She had mentioned wanting to work in the brothel district in Crystal Garden, but I wondered if she would behave herself and work at the trading company until her boyfriend, Ko-kun, was found. Reeni was attached to her, so I hoped she would continue to act as a mother figure. We had to protect these girls who had no combat abilities. It would probably be best to find an inn near the Mateo Trading Company and live with them.

"Shall I arrange for temporary lodging at the company?"

Claire offered, so I gratefully accepted. Claire's wings fluttered. In the past, Mercedes would have been the one to say such things to me, but recently, it was Claire who spoke to me. She had become brighter and more energetic than before. As for Hyakka and Kalpana, they hadn't arrived yet. I was worried they might have gotten caught up in the power struggle between the Empire and the Demon Kingdom, but so far, the cities within the Empire hadn't gone to war. The Earth Dragon race hadn't come either. Thinking about Yanan made me a little melancholic, but I was also looking forward to it. Were they still taking time to pacify the great plains they had reclaimed from the Earth Dragon King?

"I'm going to the church. I'll likely be staying the night. I'll ask them to remove Famu's curse tomorrow, if possible."

Myra said this and began to walk away.

"Myra."

I called out to her without thinking.

"Yes?"

She stopped and turned back. At the same time, her large breasts swayed.

"Uh, it's nothing. I'm counting on you for Famu."

"Don't worry. I have a letter from the bishop in Richel. You can leave it to me."

She smiled and waved.

"Ah, yeah..."

I waved back in response, watching until she disappeared from the street.

"What should we do now?"

Famu asked after we saw Myra off. I wanted to call it a day, grab some food, and rest from the journey, but her tail was wagging. For once, it seemed there was a place she desperately wanted to go.

"Where do you want to go?"

I asked Famu.

"Nowhere in particular... I'll follow you wherever you go, Master."

Was she playing dumb? What a handful.

"In that case, we'll just stand here blankly until Claire arranges our lodging."

"Eh..."

An expression of clear disappointment crossed her face.

"Where do you want to go? I'll go with you."

When I asked, she smiled shyly and scratched her head.

"I want to see Mo. I promised I would visit her when we arrived in the city."

Cecily and Aira were set to enroll in a magic academy. I had asked Mo to make the arrangements. Going to her place meant saying goodbye to them. Of course, Famu probably hadn't thought that far ahead. We headed to Mo's house, following the directions the Mateo Trading Company gave us. Naturally, she lived in the eastern district, controlled by the Star Union Family.

"Hey, are you sure this is okay?"

Mizuki asked anxiously, watching Famu who was walking at the head of our group. Usually, she was right beside me, but today she was leading the way. Did she want to see Mo that badly? The rest of the Levante members, minus Myra, followed behind her.

"What is?"

"Well, she's the daughter of one of the Four Regent Families, right? Can we really just go and meet her so easily? What if we get arrested as suspicious people..."

"True... I'd rather avoid trouble."

Mizuki had a point. It would be fine if we knew someone, but it was unlikely we'd be able to see Patricia or Wake right away.

"It would be great if Mizuki could act as a decoy and cause a ruckus while we sneak in..."

"No way! I'm definitely not playing that role!"

While we were talking, we arrived in front of a mansion surrounded by an iron-barred fence. The grounds were so vast that the chairman's mansion on Longhorn Street couldn't even compare. The tips of the iron bars were sharpened like anti-climb spikes, and to be extra thorough, they even had barbs to prevent anyone from pulling back out if they got impaled. A stone gate stood there, perhaps twice the height of a person. The gate was open, but of course, there were guards standing watch. The sheer intimidation factor made even approaching feel daunting.

"I'll go ask them to call for Mo,"

Famu said.

"Huh? Hey, wait! If you're going to call for someone, make it Patricia or Wake, not Mo!"

My voice didn't seem to reach her. She ambled towards the guards, completely unguarded. Mizuki and I could only watch her retreating back, as if praying for her safety.