"Hey, Gevaudan, listen to this!"
A loud bang echoed, and Lydia, grabbing my hand, was fuming.
As usual, the door opened without a knock. But today, I was acting like a proper bodyguard, gazing out the window. Professionalism, you know. Meanwhile, Abigail was rolling around on the bed.
I finally understood that Felice, who came to this otherworld called Mifosis, had two purposes.
One was purification.
Apparently, the volcano behind this city is some kind of ceremonial mountain, and people cleanse themselves with the water that springs from its slopes. It's probably some magical thing. You know, that kind of thing.
Since I'm her bodyguard, I'm dragged up the mountain every time, so I figured out this purpose quickly.
The reason Lydia was so furious was the second purpose.
Every time Felice visits this city, she attends a matchmaking party.
It's not the heavy kind where marriage is on the table, but more like a gathering to find a guy Felice might like. Basically, it's a lighthearted "Wanna fall in love?" kind of vibe.
Every time she's come here, there's been a matchmaking event, but Felice has flatly refused them all. She's at that age where food is more important than flowers. So, the accompanying servants were laughing at Lydia, who was getting worked up about it.
But Lydia, being head over heels for Felice, was overjoyed when Felice actively sought her out recently. So, just when things were starting to get good, she's like, "What the hell is this? Don't ruin it, you jerks." That's how she feels—like someone's raining on her parade.
So, she came to vent to me. For the second day in a row. She seems a bit bored with nothing to do.
"Hey, hey, Abby, listen to this too!"
"What is it? Again?"
Lydia's hostility toward Abigail had vanished.
Deep down, she's a good kid. Abigail, too, seemed to find Lydia's love stories entertaining, and they reconciled in just a few days. Now, they're like this. Abby.
Of course, the one who broke down their psychological walls was my—son. Since the day after the carnal feast, Felice included, the three of them have been giggling and fooling around together.
"Let's just destroy the whole venue."
Lydia said something dangerous.
"You don't have to do that. Felice said nothing would happen, right?"
"But what if something does? Hey, Gevaudan, why don't you just eat all the matchmaking candidates?"
Lydia said something dangerous again.
"Sure."
If it's okay to eat them, I'll eat them.
"...Never mind. Ugh, forget it!"
Lydia covered her face with her hands.
She's starting to understand that this kind of joke doesn't fly with the Butcher.
"What kind of guys are Felice's matches?"
Abigail refers to Felice with a cute nickname.
Over the past few days, the way she's been doting on Felice has been something to behold. She'll pat her head at any chance, hug her from behind when she's free, and suck on the back of her ears. Mass-producing oxytocin. She'll sniff Felice's tail while she's napping, fwaa…
I was worried this might lead to a fight with Lydia, but that was unfounded.
Lydia is thrilled that Abigail understands Felice's charm. As long as it's admiration, it's totally fine. Go ahead, that's her stance.
Maybe Lydia's a bit of an otaku.
She's the type to share what she loves with like-minded people. But guys, you're out. That's her stance. She doesn't want Felice to get pregnant. Can't compete with kids. By the way, I'm the Butcher and Lydia's best bud, so I'm fine.
"They're probably stuck-up magic-reliant guys. Those types act all elite and high-handed. I hate them. If you're a man, fight with your fists."
"Yeah… I get that."
"Abby, you get it too?"
"Yeah. The guy I dated before was like that—"
I'm curious about Abigail's ex, but my gaze is fixed on the window.
The hotel's garden is vast, with intricate landscaping covered in grass.
At the top of the central fountain, a single butterfly is perched.
It's a large, impressive butterfly with silver wings.
Perfect.
"Then let's sneak a peek. The matchmaking is tonight, right?"
"Huh? … Yeah, yeah, that's right. Sounds good!"
Lydia gave a thumbs-up.
When I subtly gestured, Abigail nodded.
"I wanna see Felice's matchmaking too… Hey, Lydia, can I come too?"
"Hmm? Well, I guess… but…"
She seemed a bit hesitant. After all, she's a war captive.
"Abigail's been cooped up inside, and it's not good for her. Plus, she's got a collar, so she's safe. I'll keep an eye on her."
"Okay, I guess that's fine then."
With my insistence, she agreed.
"Hehe… sneaking around is kind of exciting."
Lydia said something carefree.
◇◆◇
The matchmaking venue was held in a garden-like area a short distance from the hotel. It was a stunning garden filled with flowers I'd never seen before.
I wonder if it's decorated for Felice, who loves flowers?
The Fox Clan is ridiculously wealthy.
It seemed to be a multi-partner party format. In the central square, elaborately dressed alien men and women were chatting at a standing buffet.
There was Felice. Wearing an A-line colored dress, surrounded by several men. She looked like a princess all dressed up.
"Those perverts…"
Lydia, ignoring her own behavior, was grinding her teeth. By the way, Lydia and Felice are both 18. Shocking. How underdeveloped Felice is. And calling those guys perverts is a bit unfair.
Chatting like that, the three of us hid in the bushes a short distance from the venue.
Lydia and Abigail were both perched on my shoulders, holding up branches in a quaint way to hide themselves. But since I was standing there plainly below, it was mostly pointless. Though, I was grateful for the feeling of their butts on my shoulders.
"What kind of guys are they?"
Since I was the one holding them up, I couldn't see the venue. Curious, I glanced up at Abigail and asked. She crossed her legs, rested her elbow on my shoulder, and leaned gracefully on her hand.
"Hmm… they all seem like jerks."
"Right?!"
"The guy she's talking to now would probably leave for six months without saying a word."
"Exactly! I'd dote on her morning and night!"
"The guy she was talking to earlier would probably act all lovey-dovey in public, but then take Felice to the basement at home and torture her with hardcore SM."
"See?! What a jerk! I'd do public humiliation SM!"
What kind of guys are they? I'm really curious.
Felice wasn't focusing on any one person, just chatting evenly with everyone. From Abigail's commentary, it seemed like she was in full social mode.
Even Lydia, a super beautiful girl, couldn't make much progress with her because Felice is so shy. With an average guy, she probably wouldn't even turn her head. If we wait for her sexual awakening, who knows when that'll be.
—No, Felice's sexual awakening is close.
At the end of the feast the other day, Felice was incredibly proactive.
She kept sucking for a long time. Even when I thought it was enough and gently pushed her shoulder, she resisted like a dog or cat stretching its neck toward food, refusing to let go. In the end, she was sucking so hard it made a "chu-pon!" sound.
That's the true nature of the Fox Clan. Felice has inherited the same perverted blood as the fox woman Phenicia. I should present her with a Butcher-certified stamp.
Lydia wasn't there during that scene, so she probably doesn't know yet. Good for you, Lydia. My prediction is that in a few years, you'll be the one getting trained.
The party proceeded smoothly, and it was time for dancing.
"Grrrrr…"
Lydia clenched her teeth and furrowed her brow. A murky killing intent was even leaking from her head. I couldn't see, but apparently, some guy accidentally touched Felice's tail in a lucky pervert moment. I did hear a high-pitched "hyaan!" That's the sound she makes when her tail is unexpectedly touched. I know it well. I've played with it many times.
"That was definitely on purpose. So fake."
"Alright, Gevaudan. Let's eat that guy. We can make it look like an accident. Getting eaten by a monster in these woods is common. I'll lure him into the forest, and it'll be easy."
Right after Lydia said something dangerous, I felt a slight vibration in the ground.
Realizing what it was, I set the two of them down.
Lydia looked confused.
"What's wrong, all of a sudden?"
"Lydia, take Abigail and get away."
I said, pulling out my Butcher Knife from my back.
Lydia's face tensed.
"A monster so close…?"
"No."
I turned and slashed through the forest's darkness with my Butcher Knife.
Several trees were cut down at once, and in the darkness of the forest, a round, black-gleaming mass appeared.
With a loud click, two red fangs snapped together as a gigantic centipede emerged, glaring at me.
It was enormous. Big enough to bite my large frame in half with one snap. It had a rare single horn on its head.
"◇○, ●□§〒△◎‼"
Glancing back, I saw Lydia pulling Abigail toward the party venue.
Man… it's gotten so big.
Sighing, I faced the monster centipede as it raised its head.