Chapter 124 - The Mysterious Woman

I’m pushing forward into the heart of Niosebuk. Well, maybe "forward" isn't the right word.

Truthfully, I wanted to stay in that refugee village and enjoy harem sex for eternity, but life isn't that simple. I have a clear mission in this country; the "reward sex" only counts once the job is done.

The residents of that village had their motherland destroyed by Niosebuk and are still forced to live in harsh conditions. Their primary wish is surely the annihilation of their mortal enemy, not just having my semen poured into their canals. (That’s probably second.) To keep from disillusioning them, I had to keep moving and destroy Niosebuk.

Fortunately, the information I got from them gave me a general idea of how to reach the capital. There’s a high probability that the Third Prince—the top candidate for the throne—is there.

"Alright, I’ll just pop in, kill him, and pop back out," I thought as I departed.

Wait, some might say. Didn't you visit the capital once before during the King's assassination? Why are you getting lost the second time? Shut up. Last time I infiltrated from the border with Reniosegra, accompanied by Princess Seeker as a master guide. This time I broke in from the Dwarven Kingdom. The route is entirely different. Get it?

I left Goblina and her crew near the border with orders to keep harassing the Niosebuk military. They seemed better suited for that anyway.

So, I find myself alone again, stealthily moving through the Niosebuk interior. A man is always alone in the end. That’s why we crave the warmth of another.

Over hills, over mountains, through valleys. I felt like I’d made good progress based on the village’s directions, yet I hadn't encountered a single Niosebuk soldier. I suppose that’s what happens when you follow a route taught by people who have spent years evading pursuit.

Still, the lack of any reaction started to breed anxiety. "Is this really the right way?"

I might have veered off in a completely wrong direction without knowing it. With nothing to mark the path, the uncertainty was gnawing at me. If there were a town or village, I could stop and check with the locals, but that would be a risk. Besides, I haven't seen a single town or village.

"Is this gonna be okay...?" I wondered as I pushed on.

One thing was for certain: the scenery was changing. Everything felt... dim and heavy.

"The air is stagnant...!"

The humidity was high, the air was murky, and every breath felt unpleasant. Was this the "Niosebuk air"? It certainly felt like a pollution befitting an evil kingdom, but I didn't remember this atmosphere when I broke in to kill the old King. Is it a regional difference? Either way, if I keep breathing this for three days, I’m going to get sick.

I wanted to reach the capital and assassinate the Prince just so I could get out of this place...

"Are you anxious? Wondering if the path you tread is the correct one?" 

"?!"

The sudden voice set my nerves on edge. A voice meant someone was there. I was taking a beast path specifically to avoid people; I was an infiltrator taking the long way around precisely so I wouldn't be seen.

"Who's there?" 

"Do not be afraid. I simply spoke because I could not bear to watch you lose your way."

The stranger appeared with surprising ease. They were completely covered in a hooded cloak. The hood was pulled low, hiding their face; the cloak was voluminous, hiding their build. I couldn't even tell if they were male or female.

However, the stature was small. And based on the light tone of the voice, I guessed it was a woman. A young one.

"Rest easy. If you seek the capital, this direction is correct. You must cross two more mountains. They are difficult passes, so the guards have grown lax, assuming no one would dare take them. In the end, it will be an easier infiltration than a head-on approach."

This person...?! They knew my objective? Or at least, they had read my intent to enter the capital while avoiding detection.

"Who the hell are you? I prefer not to fight women if I can help it." 

"If that is the case, then this won't turn into a development you dislike. After all, I am your ally."

People who say that are never actually allies.

I sharpened my guard, gripping the pole Septekifa had made for me.

"My, my, how unfortunate. To be feared by the one I am meant to serve with all my heart. I am here to help you, and to save this country." 

"Save this country?" 

"This land is on the verge of death. All because of the foolish and arrogant Gangastra."

Gangastra? Wait... that’s it. The name of the Third Prince of Niosebuk. My primary target.

"You've noticed, haven't you? The unnatural murkiness of this land... the stagnant, polluted air that makes you hesitate to even inhale. This is the crime committed by the Third Prince, Gangastra." 

"Polluting the air... is a crime?"

What kind of logic was that? Was she saying the stagnation of the environment was the responsibility of a single human? How absurd. This isn't my past life where people screamed about environmental pollution, exhaust fumes, and ozone depletion. Is the Third Prince burning a mountain of coal or something?

"That man wishes to transcend the human realm. He doesn't care what kind of fallout hits the land or its people. He believes any sacrifice is worth making in exchange for absolute power." 

"Hm...?"

I already knew the Third Prince was an unforgivable bastard, but I wasn't quite following her point.

"The stagnation, the pollution... a person can sense that immediately through their discomfort. But have you noticed this? The fact that in this country... the wind does not blow." 

"What?"

The wind... isn't blowing?

Now that she mentioned it, it was completely still. Not a blade of grass was swaying; there wasn't even a trace of a breeze on my face. Even the hem of the woman's cloak wasn't fluttering. But the strength of the wind is just a matter of daily weather, isn't it? Surely there are days of total "calm."

"It is difficult for you to realize, having only just entered this country... but in this land, it has been three months of total stillness." 

"Three months?!"

Three months?! That’s a whole season! Twelve months divided by four seasons equals three! For it to be completely windless for that long is... unnatural.

"The cause of that murkiness you feel is exactly that: the wind has not blown for so long. They say 'flowing water does not go stale,' don't they? The air is the same."

Air that doesn't flow eventually grows foul...? This wasn't some poetic "The wind is crying" nonsense. This was a glimpse into something far more terrifying.

"This stillness is gradually expanding over a wider area. Right now it is limited to the region around the capital, but eventually, it will cover the entire nation... and perhaps it will cross the borders to cover the entire world." 

"That sounds like a problem."

The wind stopping. Some might say "So what?" but it's a massive issue on the scale of human survival. The fact that sailing ships won't work is just the tip of the iceberg. Even in this world without gasoline engines or coal plants, as long as there are living things, they'll keep breathing out CO2 and polluting the air.

The wind is what stirs that air and purifies the world. If the wind stays still, the stagnant air will linger—it won't just be uncomfortable; humans and beasts will keep breathing in air that gets progressively filthier until they fall ill and die. Furthermore, it's the wind that carries water vapor high into the sky to create clouds. Without wind, there are no clouds; without clouds, there is no rain. Eventually, the rivers will dry up, and everyone will die of thirst.

It’s humid and stagnant, yet the sky above is clear without a single cloud. It feels dry yet murky. A world without wind is incredibly unpleasant. It felt like I’d wandered into a world where time had stopped. (Though 90% of "Time Stop" adult videos are lies.)

"Are you saying the cause of the stillness is the Third Prince?" 

"Yes. Unless Gangastra's ambitions are thwarted, this stillness will continue forever, perhaps leading to the end of the world. Even if the world survives, humanity will surely perish."

Fair enough. I’d just finished simulating the danger of a windless world myself.

"I ask this of you. Stop Gangastra as quickly as possible. He was born with the strongest and worst 'Divine Calling', one that rivals the late King, Imashinunda. There are not many who can stand against him." 

"And you're saying I'm one of them?" 

"Exactly. I shall guide you to the capital where Gangastra resides. I have already made preparations for you to enter the city safely, surely, and swiftly."

With that, the cloaked woman knelt before me, her face still hidden.

"To save the world, to subjugate the Great Evil that is Gangastra... I shall provide you with my utmost support. Sir Sao, please proceed according to my guidance."

Well, I didn't exactly mind killing the Third Prince. That was why I’d come to Niosebuk in the first place. It was already the plan.

Still, the stakes had suddenly skyrocketed. As expected of royalty from an evil nation, the scale of their villainy is massive. It's not like the enemy is a statue; it wouldn't be strange if they were plotting something while I’m making my move, but...

"There’s something I don't like." 

"What might it be? To ensure you fulfill your mission, I intend to remove any obstacle in your path." 

"Your existence."

Sorry for letting you talk so long, but who the hell are you?

You appear out of nowhere, don't introduce yourself, and start rattling off a massive amount of exposition. You hide your body and even your face under a cloak. Do you really think I can trust someone like that unconditionally?

"I have no choice but to think that information from a suspicious source is also suspicious. It’s true the air here is weird. It’s true there’s no wind. But I can't easily believe that the Third Prince is the cause of everything and that killing him makes everyone happy, just because you say so." 

"You have no choice... but to believe me." 

"Believe someone who won't give their name or show their face?"

In that case, we have nothing more to talk about. I already intended to kill the Prince. I don't need "favor-heavy" help from a stranger to see it through. If I don't trust you, the best move is probably to eliminate a suspicious element right here while I have the chance... but I can't do that to a woman. I’ll just have to hope she doesn't get in my way.

"My name is... Tamagushi." 

"Hm." 

"For certain reasons, I cannot reveal more than my name right now. But I am one who will offer everything to help Sir Sao. Please, believe in me, and let us strike down Gangastra together." 

"I'll kill the Prince. But I don't feel like I need your help."

If I keep someone with unknown motives by my side, I’ll be helpless if they stab me in the back during a crisis. So, no thanks.

"Then... how about this?" The cloaked woman—Tamagushi—lowered her voice. "I cannot reveal my identity yet. In exchange for the truth, can I not win your trust through my actions?" 

"Actions?" 

"I will do anything for your sake. I will face any danger and accept any disgrace. Even if I must offer my value as a woman...!"

The woman stood up from her kneeling position. Then, she pulled open the hem of her cloak.

I was speechless as I looked inside. The body hidden beneath that cloak... was stark naked?!

Her white skin, her breasts and nipples, and the shallow groove of her pussy were all laid bare. She was in a "flasher mode," wearing nothing under the cloak?! Of course, she wasn't wearing panties either, so the genitals a woman should keep most secret were fully exposed.

The woman in the cloak... had become the woman of the pussy.

"Please, take me here. Violate me. By providing you with sexual service, I wish to demonstrate that I am your faithful servant."

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