## Chapter 601 – The Scent of Spring

“It’s more peaceful than I thought.”

Said Saintess Kadia, legs crossed, puffing away at a cigarette.

“No unusual reports have come in since winter. Seems the heretics and demons are tired too.”
“Hehe, is that so? Well, isn’t that a good thing?”

Looks like there’s nothing in particular for me to do. The dispatched paladins haven’t found anything special either, and overall, things are peaceful.

“After all that rush, I can’t figure out what this omen means. It’s so quiet, it’s almost unsettling. The Demon Gate phenomenon doesn’t seem to be happening anymore either. It would be great if things ended like this, but I can’t help but worry.”

It seems she’s more anxious about nothing happening.

At least when there’s no work, you should relax and rest.

“Even if something happens later, isn’t it good that it’s peaceful now?”

There’s no need to be scared on Sunday morning just because you have to go to work on Monday.

“After all, something’s bound to happen eventually. Isn’t peace just a period to prepare for what’s to come? If there’s nothing to do, you should rest now.”
“Heh, that’s right. As expected, the Paladin is good with words.”

Saintess Kadia chuckled at my words and nodded.

“Anyway, I’m glad there’s no work. Then I’ll go hunt some drakes.”
“Drakes, you say… I remember something about that. Come to think of it, the Paladin was an adventurer.”

I haven’t heard that the paladins are involved in this.

Well, it’s understandable.

The Bronze Celestial Society has a lower priority for monster-related disasters.

It’s more important to search for threats from demons and heretics, like now. They’ll help if it gets serious, but for now, they’re leaving it alone. That’s what the church cares about.

“If there are no demons or heretics, I have to make a living with this, right? Well, even if that weren’t the case, protecting people from monsters is also a paladin’s duty.”
“That’s true. Our Paladin is very diligent. I like that.”

Anyway, it was a relief that there were no activities from evil beings. With a lighter heart, I greeted Saintess Kadia and went outside.

Looks like there’s nothing to worry about for a while.

As soon as I came out, I quickly headed towards the Martial Artist Guild.

“What is it?”

But as I was entering naturally as usual, Mariel appeared out of nowhere and blocked my path. Her expression was a little bad, like she was unhappy with me.

“…Celestial Demon, you.”
“What, why?”
“What business do you have with our Guild Master that you come here so often?”

It seems she noticed because I’ve been visiting so often.

“What are you talking about? Business? I always say, I’m here to deliver our Guild Master’s message.”
“Don’t lie, Celestial Demon!!!”

Suddenly, Mariel shouted and pointed at me.

“What…! Lie! What are you talking about!!”
“Not only do you come here so often, but you two often talk together!!! What’s your relationship!!! Don’t tell me you’re… with our Guild Master!!”
“Hey, hey. Calm down, man. Whatever it is, it’s a misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding my ass!! Are you going to lie to me until the end!!!!”

In Mariel’s mind, Liztina and I were already in that kind of relationship.

That’s why she’s so angry.

“Why the hell would I lie to you!!”
“You only lie when you open your mouth, Celestial Demon!!!”

Looks like I have to solve this with my fists.

“You little shit! Do you want to taste the Chief’s Fist Technique!”
“N-No! Why are you suddenly saying that!”

As I shouted and took a stance, Mariel took a defensive posture. I can easily beat a trash martial artist like her in a second. That’s the difference between Mariel and me.

“C-Calm down, Celestial Demon! I just wanted to know the truth!”
“Hehehe, do you know the Asura Piercing Blood Fist of Truth?”
“I don’t want to know, and don’t tell me!”

As I shot my fist into the air and advanced towards Mariel, a voice came from the stairs.

“Mariel? What are you doing there?”
“G-Guild Master!”
“Don’t slack off and teach the kids. I’ve been listening, and you’re talking nonsense… Are you free right now? If you’re free, go teach the kids.”
“Ah, no, that’s…”

As Liztina came down gracefully, Mariel lowered her tail and trembled.

“And you, Karin… You have something to talk about again, right?”
“Hehehe, that’s right. Shall we go up?”
“Yes. We should.”

Liztina, who naturally matched my rhythm, gestured for me to go up.

“Mariel? Are you still there?”
“A-Ah, yes! Guild Master!”
“I told you to go teach the kids.”
“I understand!”

Mariel answered energetically and disappeared down the hallway.

“…She’s starting to notice because you come here too often.”
“I don’t mind if you tell them. But if you care about your image, do whatever you want, Sis.”
“Hmm, thank you. For saying that.”

With a bright smile, Liztina and I went up to her office. As soon as I went up, I asked about the mysteries of the Extreme Weight Training Method and asked her to take a look.

“I just can’t get it right.”
“You can’t do it in a short period of time anyway. There’s no other way but to practice hard. And… I’d like to make time, but I’m a little busy today.”
“What’s going on?”

Is she busy today?

“I’m not just playing around in the guild. I have to teach Lisette and handle office work. That’s my job. You’ve made me neglect it too much lately.”

Then, unfortunately, I can’t ask her to do it.

“Sis…! I came all the way here!”
“Ah! Don’t get angry! I’ll watch you practice!”

When I shouted jokingly, Liztina was horrified and tried to hug me, shouting not to get angry.

“What? No, why would I get angry? I don’t get angry at my woman.”
“…I-Is that so? Then that’s good. Now, take a stance.”

Anyway, I took a stance and focused on training the Extreme Weight Training Method with Liztina for a while.

“Ugh, you scared me. I thought you were really angry.”
“…If I got angry at you, Sis, I feel like I’d just get my ass beat?”
“No, am I that kind of woman? I’m just saying.”

I don’t get angry at my women. In the first place, nothing happens that would make me angry, and getting angry is physically impossible.

As I practiced the Extreme Weight Training Method, I told her that I was going to work.

“I’m glad you’re going when things are getting a little busy. Come back safely. I’ll be waiting. Now, I’m busy, so that’s it for today. Practice well at home.”
“Yeah, yeah.”

I immediately left the Martial Artist Guild and headed home. Going to the guild and church after a long time makes the time fly by.

Anyway, I returned home and told my wives about the job.

“Drake hunting?”
“Yeah. I don’t think it’ll take that long.”
“Hmph…”

Winia touched her lips and stared into my eyes.

“It’s a good opportunity, Katt. Lady Isvant, if you catch her eye, you might get a bigger reward? You’ve been resting too much during the winter, so you need to move your body now.”
“I knew it, right?”

Claudia patted my shoulder and said.

“Hmm, I’m glad it won’t take too long. Then, Darkie, it doesn’t seem like a dangerous job, so go and come back. I want to go with you, but I’ve fallen a little behind in my studies.”
“Winia falling behind in her studies?”
“It’s all because of Darkie’s dick.”
“Ah.”
“I’m so distracted by it that I don’t have time… Anyway, you can do it alone, right?”

I’m good at doing things alone anyway.

* * *

So, it was decided that I would work alone for the first time in a while. It’s not a difficult job, so I’m going to earn as much as I can and return quickly.

I woke up early in the morning, finished preparing, went to the general store to buy all the necessary items, and naturally left the city gate.

It’s not a very far village, so there won’t be any problem finding it.

I didn’t really need a carriage either.

It’s convenient to go by carriage, but it’s slower than my feet. When I go out with Winia and Claudia, a carriage is essential, but when I’m alone, saving time is more important. So, I decided to run on foot. My stamina is more than enough right now.

The destination is Schled, the drake subjugation gathering place.

Anyway, I walked alone on the maintained road for about thirty minutes and entered a sparsely populated forest.

Since I’m alone for the first time in a while, there’s someone I can call.

“Come out! Hildegard!”

I immediately took out a pink crystal from my pocket, infused it with magic power, and called Hildegard.

ㅡRustle.

At the same time, a signal went out, and Hildegard opened the gate and came out.

“Aah~ng! Katt-niim~!”
“Ah-nit!!”

Hildegard, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, tried to hug me in her unchanged succubus form. Of course, I naturally avoid her.

“Katt-nim! It’s been a while! I missed you!”

Hilde, knowing that I would avoid her, naturally took a stance and greeted me in a bright tone. She’s always been very polite.

“Yeah, it’s been a long time.”
“Really, I missed you so much, but you didn’t call me! Do you know how much I suffered?”

Hilde said in a sticky voice and clung to me.

“I’ve been working with the paladins. So, I couldn’t call you. Sorry.”
“Hmph, is that so? Then I can’t help it.”
“This bitch is understanding.”
“Only for Katt-nim.”

Looking at her bright smile, I was reminded of our Ari at home. Hilde flapped her wings and shook her unique demonic tail, hugging my arm.

“Anyway, I’m so happy to see Katt-nim’s face after a long time! I feel like my womb is already tingling, I think I’m going to go into heat…!”
“This bitch is still the same. Hey, hey. Get off, get off.”

Nothing’s changed even after winter.
I shook my arm to shake her off.

“Hoo, but Katt-nim. Have you been having a hard time lately? You seem to be overflowing with lust right now.”
“You seem to know as soon as you see me?”
“Of course. I’m a succubus. I can easily figure that out?”

It seems she knows very well that I’m full of lust right now. Well, she’s a succubus, so of course she would know.

Hilde stared at me for a moment, touched her lips, and said.

“Katt-nim. I’m not saying this with any strange intentions, I’m just saying it because I’m worried about you, so please don’t misunderstand.”
“What?”
“I can accept all of Katt-nim’s lust.”

Hildegard puffed out her chest and said triumphantly.

“You goddamn whore. I called you to say hello, why are you talking nonsense?”
“No, no. I really mean it.”

Her face was serious.

What is she talking about?

“If you can’t properly release such lust and live like that, something bad will happen someday. I just want to prevent such a situation! If you don’t want to do it directly, you can do it in your dreams!”

In the end, it’s nonsense.

“It’s okay, bitch. There’s no problem. I’m a celibate man.”
“The fact that you can live with such lust without any problems is proof that Katt-nim is celibate.”
“Yeah, that’s it.”
“I’m still saying this because I’m worried. It’ll be too late to regret it later if you don’t listen to me?”

No, even though my lust is severe, I don’t think it’s to the point where a succubus would worry about it.

I don’t think I’ll regret it.

“Of course, I, Hildegard, am always ready to follow Katt-nim’s orders, so please rest assured.”
“Well… that’s reassuring.”
“Right?”
“Anyway, nothing happened?”

Since I hadn’t seen her in a while, I asked how she was doing. Instantly, Hilde’s face became very serious, and she answered heavily.

“A lot… a lot happened.”
“If it’s related to me, you’re dead.”
“Hehe, you caught me.”

Oh no.

“Actually, nothing happened. I just spent time thinking about Katt-nim. I feel like I’ve only been masturbating all winter without sleeping, but I’m overflowing with energy?”
“This bitch. Hey, hey. Get lost. Go back.”
“Aah! Just kidding! I’m kidding! I didn’t do it that much! Only about 20 hours a day!”
“You fucking did it a lot, you crazy bitch!!!”

A crazy masturbator…!

“But Katt-nim. Did you call me just to say hello today?”
“Uh… well, pretty much. Actually, I came out to work alone. So, I just called you.”
“What’s going on?”

I explained the job to Hilde as well. There’s nothing I can get help with today. Hilde is a demon raider, not a monster raider.

“Hmm… then there’s nothing I can help you with today. That’s a shame! But since you called me, I’ll be your companion! Let’s talk as we go, okay?”

Hilde, who had been listening to me, shone her eyes and shouted brightly.

She seems to be in the same category as Ari.

So, I started jogging with Hildegard, who had transformed into a human.