## Chapter 715 – Paladin Kim Kat

We took breaks as we followed Ari up the mountain. It was practically mountain climbing, but everyone was strong enough that it wasn’t much of a problem.

Even Winia and Risha, burdened by their heavy breasts, followed without breaking a sweat, and Ari seemed to be recovering her stamina just from walking the mountain path. Mages weren’t as physically strong as knights, but they were still pretty fit.

Hilde was a succubus, so she seemed fine too.

The other sisters, with their extraordinary physical abilities, didn’t seem to notice any difference between the mountain path and flat ground. But that was true for me too.

Above all, the cool weather was refreshing.

As we climbed, a fork in the road appeared.

“It’s this way, up here.”

Ari chose a path as if it were the most natural thing in the world. No hesitation, full of confidence. Ari was using her abilities properly now.

“Ari, what exactly do you hear? In your ears? Or in your head? Do the plants just transmit their thoughts?”
“Um… it’s still a little hard to explain. It feels like I’m sensing their will…”

Ari stopped briefly at my question, squatted down, and touched a flower blooming on the path.

“It just feels like it’s coming from the whole forest. It’s like all the plants nearby are working together to answer my questions… I’m not used to it yet.”

Even she didn’t know exactly.

“Has this ever happened before?”

Ari shook her head at my question.

This was the first time she had ever felt the will of the forest. She could only grow weeds or potted flowers before, but she had never sensed their will.

I didn’t know much about it, but these weeds were probably different from this forest.

This mountain seemed to be full of energy.

“But…”

Ari stood up and touched a tree again.

“It feels like they’re worshipping me, but at the same time… they want me.”
“Want you?”

Were the plants getting horny?

“Explain exactly what you mean. Does the forest want your dominion?”

Risha stepped forward and asked.

“…I don’t know.”

Ari hesitated a little and shook her head.

“The will is transmitted vaguely… I can’t understand the exact meaning.”
“Hmph, it seems like you need more time. It would be good if you could fully develop this ability.”
“To do that, Father needs to put in more effort.”
“Hehehe, that’s true.”

Risha covered her mouth and laughed, then patted my thigh.

“Make sure to water her diligently.”
“Isn’t it enough to water her morning and night…”
“No… I want to do it more.”

The excess energy would just pass through Ari’s body and come out of her nipples anyway.

Ari’s sex drive was as strong as my other wives, but she could do it more often because of her constitution, which allowed her to absorb power from energy.

“You’re such a femme fatale, really.”
“Ah. Ahh. That tickles…”

Winia poked Ari’s side with her finger.

But the forest wanted Ari.

With Risha around, there wouldn’t be any problems even if Ari awakened some power. But I was still worried. It was a great ability, but it could make things difficult for Ari later. It was in the nature of an Alraune to rule the forest.

“Perhaps, as Ari says, this forest wants to be ruled by her.”

Risha came to my side and said.

“Ari is an Alraune, and Alraunes are beings who inherently rule plants. If that power is gradually being released, it wouldn’t be surprising. Of course, I don’t know for sure either… but doesn’t it seem plausible?”
“I think so too.”

If an Alraune entered, even the quiet forest would awaken and try to support their queen.

“Hehehe, Father. Don’t worry. I love Father more than any forest.”

As I was thinking that, Ari came up to me and kissed my neck.

“I’m Father’s flower, not their queen. The only reason I’m thinking about this ability is because I think it could be helpful to Father.”

Ah, she’s so kind.

“Hehehe, yes. Our Ari is so kind. You have such a beautiful heart.”
“That’s my favorite thing to hear in the world…”

That’s right, Ari wasn’t some queen of flowers.
She was just my flower.

“I’ll make sure to learn more about this power.”
“You’re so reliable.”

And so, we followed Ari up the mountain path.

“Speaking of power, Kat, I’ve been feeling some changes in my body recently.”
“Changes?”

Hilde touched her lips with her finger.

“Yes. I feel like I’m getting stronger little by little… I haven’t really tested my strength, but that’s the feeling I get. If Ari recovered her strength as Kat’s energy, then I’m a succubus. I might have gained strength from receiving Kat’s energy.”
“No way.”

She was getting stronger from my energy.
I was an all-purpose cock.

“Is that so? You stud?”
“Ah, jeez.”

Karin said in a teasing tone, stroking the back of my head and touching my earlobe.

“Well, you can be proud of yourself. Honestly, you’re amazing every night.”

Liz also came up and stroked my cheek.

“There are too many sisters.”

* * *

After hiking for a while, we were able to find a village similar to a mountain village.

The forest was very devoted to helping Ari. It properly showed us where the humans were living.

“Kat. You’re going in, right?”
“I have to. It’s a little suspicious, but I need to go and ask.”

It wasn’t a big village, but we stopped in place from the moment we discovered it and watched it.

What did these guys live on? Slash-and-burn farming? Vegetable gardens? If not gathering, they were likely living off hunting. It didn’t look easy to farm because it wasn’t on flat ground, and there would be quite a few monsters around.

“Wait here for now. I’ll go check it out first.”
“Hey, Blackie? Do you really need to wait? Can’t we just go together?”
“It’s not good to have a bunch of women barging into a mountain village like this.”
“I guess so.”

First, reconnaissance.

“And if this is a suspicious place, I should go alone even more.”

It wouldn’t be good for beautiful women who looked like nobles and mages to go. I took off the breastplate of the Brass Celestial Angel Society. There was no point in showing the emblem. It was fine since I had quilted armor anyway.

“…Father. Just a moment.”
“Ari?”
“Right now… I don’t know, but it’s giving me a warning.”
“The forest?”
“Yes.”

…The forest was giving a warning.

That meant that there was something hiding in this forest that could threaten Ari. Even though Ari was an Alraune, she was weakened right now. Even a single troll could be dangerous.

“I also feel a strange energy that’s bothering me.”
“A strange energy?”
“The terrain is rough, so I can’t pinpoint it, but… it seems clear that there’s some kind of magical presence. Maybe a spirit or a strong monster.”

Was it the monster the paladin was chasing?

“But hey, if there’s a weirdo, we’ll just kick his ass.”
“Hehehe, of course.”

What was there to worry about?
My wives were so powerful.

“Then Kat. I’ll keep an eye on the village from here. But if we detect any suspicious movements, as Risha and Ari said…”
“Find out a little.”
“Okay. I will.”

Then should I go now?

Just as my wives were trying to find a place to rest,

ㅡRustle.

At Ari’s gesture, the plants nearby began to grow rapidly, extending their leaves. As that process continued for a while, a shelter was soon created that could fit about ten people.

“…I think I can do this too.”
“Oh my.”

It was a pretty decent-looking natural tent.

Large leaves were laid on the floor, forming the walls and roof. It was wide and tall. You could even go inside and play.

“I could take off my shoes and lie down in here.”
“I know, right?”

Karin and Liz were impressed.

“…Why does our Ari know how to do so many things?”

I was also impressed.

If I put a little more work into this, couldn’t I pitch a tent like a yurt anywhere, anytime? Even the camouflage was top-notch.

“I’m glad I could help.”

Ari smiled and went inside the tent. It looked really good once everyone was inside. This insane convenience…! It seemed like I wouldn’t have to worry about sleeping outdoors at all anymore.

“Then I’ll be back. Cloudy. Keep an eye on things.”
“Okay.”

As I was about to leave, Risha came to my side.

“Wait a moment.”
“Risha?”
“Since you’re going to investigate, it might be good for me to go with you… you know?”
“No, but still. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“You tend to cherish me too much. I’ve been traveling for a long time, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Risha touched my face as if to reassure me.

Certainly… she looked like a frail black mage, but she was originally strong.

“Above all, I want to find out about this disturbing energy. Let’s go together.”
“Then let’s do that.”

And so, I headed towards the village with Risha.

Risha was currently wearing an outer robe.
It was a highly mobile outfit with little exposure, so that was a relief.

“Hmph… I definitely think there’s something here.”
“So there really is something. Well, don’t worry, I’m here no matter what happens.”
“Hehehe, I’m counting on you.”

Anyway, according to Risha, it didn’t seem like a demon. Then was it a monster that had mana? This kind of detection wasn’t Risha’s specialty, so she didn’t know much. In fact, if it was a demon, Hilde would have noticed.

As we approached the village, the residents inside discovered us and cautiously approached with spears in hand.

“Risha. Behind me.”
“Understood.”

They were all villagers.
They must be the village’s self-defense force.

“…Who are you?”
“Ah, we’re not suspicious people. We came because we thought there was a village here. Please put down your spears.”
“You don’t look like merchants… What are you?”
“We’re adventurers. We were crossing the mountains with a mage companion. Anyway, it looks like the sun will be setting soon, so can we enter the village? Of course, we’ll pay the price.”

The time was about an hour before sunset. The residents who heard my words looked at each other, discussed for a moment, and then nodded.

“Come in.”
“Hehehe, thank you.”

The villagers who had put down their spears then guided us.

“We held spears because we had to be cautious. I hope you don’t take it badly.”
“It would be weirder if you didn’t hold spears when someone came to a village like this.”
“Thank you for understanding. But… are you moving with just two people?”

He glanced at me and Risha.

“Yes, why? Is there something strange?”
“Just you and that mage?”
“Well, yes. But she’s not that great of a mage. But I’m a pretty confident adventurer.”
“A mage and a warrior… I see. Two people should be enough to stay. Of course, there’s a price.”
“Hehehe, thank you. Of course, I’ll pay the price.”

He led us to the house where the village chief was staying.

“Chief. We have two travelers.”
“Let them in. You can go now.”
“Yes.”

And so, we entered the chief’s house.
It wasn’t a small house. The chief was an old man.

He seemed used to receiving guests, as he made a place for us as soon as we entered.

“Welcome, travelers. A mage and a warrior, I see.”

I sat down next to Risha and greeted him.

“Thank you for the welcome. Is it okay if we stay here tonight?”
“Of course.”

Risha, who was wearing a hood, kept her mouth shut and only slightly bowed her head.
After greeting the chief, we had a brief chat.

“This is a pretty remote village. Do travelers like us come often?”
“…We do get them occasionally. We’ve made a road… so people who are crossing the mountain range sometimes stay here.”

The chief seemed to be wary of us.
Well, that was a typical reaction for people living in remote areas.

“Excuse me, but what are you doing here, adventurer?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I heard a monster appeared, so I was trying to catch it.”
“…A monster?”
“The rumors have spread a bit, didn’t you know? A mysterious monster has appeared down the mountain, and there’s a big bounty on it. I heard that even paladins from some church are chasing it. I heard a lot of people have died.”

The chief avoided eye contact for a moment after hearing those words.

“…Can you tell me more about it? We’re not very informed about rumors… I need to tell the villagers.”

He asked in a trembling voice, his eyes briefly averted.
Was he just afraid?

“Just as I said. Adventurers, mercenaries, armies, paladins. They’re all chasing that mysterious monster. I heard the rumors and came here.”

I tried to bullshit my way through it.

Judging by his reaction, he didn’t seem to know anything about paladins or anything, but… I’d have to see. It was possible that the monster was in this mountain right now.

“Thank you for telling me… Our villagers don’t often go down to other villages or cities, so we’re not very informed about rumors. Thanks to you, we can be careful.”
“Isn’t it about helping each other out? So, how much is the lodging fee?”
“One room with meals… is 20 coppers.”
“Hehehe, that’s quite expensive. Ah, of course, I’ll pay. But we don’t need the meals. Can you give us a discount if we skip the meals?”
“…I suppose so. Just give us 15 coppers.”
“Here, take it. So you occasionally go down to the village to buy things with the money you get from travelers?”
“Yes. We make a living from that too.”

After talking to him, it was just a common rural village.

“Show them to their room.”

The chief said, and a resident who had been waiting outside opened the door. I took my luggage and entered the room I was guided to with Risha.