The Operation to Repel Miss Boobs

Step by step, Miss Boobs—that Archdemon—was expanding her territory within the domain.

It wasn’t just the children who were orphans; even the hardened mercenaries had fallen under her spell with pathetic ease. I knew I had to be the one to do something about this. I had to take a stand.

I had made that firm resolution, but there was one glaring problem: I had made it while being held firmly against the chest of the Boob Monster, Alexia.

"Wait, why are you holding me as if it’s the most natural thing in the world!?" I demanded, struggling against her grip.

"We’re going to brainstorm a way to exterminate me, Alexia, together, aren't we?" she asked.

"We are not brainstorming together! Why on earth would you help me find a way to defeat you!?"

"Because it sounds fun… I mean, because I’m such a formidable foe."

"You definitely just started to say it sounded fun!"

I couldn't wrap my head around how she was playing me so completely. However, I knew that if I engaged her poorly, I would just be sucked into her pace. The only stable option was to ignore her antics.

"By the way," I said, trying to change the subject, "is it really alright for you to be playing around like this?"

"I’m not playing, though."

"Aren't you supposed to be teaching the children their lessons?"

"Oh, that’s fine. Everyone is being such good children; they’re all self-studying."

That can’t be right. They were not the kind of children who would ever study on their own. Had she used some kind of threat to cow them into submission?

"I see. In that case, I’ll go and see how they’re doing."

"Yes, I shall accompany you," Alexia replied.

I began racking my brain for a way to shake her off as she followed me, acting as though her presence by my side was an absolute law of nature.

We finished our immediate tasks and headed toward the communal housing. When I stepped into the room and saw the children actually studying seriously, a wave of disbelief washed over me.

Even Al—who usually did nothing but run wild, governed entirely by his own instincts—was hunched over a piece of paper, working with a desperate intensity. He looked like a completely different person.

"I’m gonna study a lot!" Al declared. "And this time, I'm definitely gonna make a field where Meat grows!"

Never mind. Al is still Al. No matter how much he studied, I was fairly certain that was impossible.

"That’s amazing, Al. Please do your best," Alexia chimed in.

"Yeah! Leave it to me!"

Boosted by Alexia’s praise, Al’s motivation surged to a whole new level. It wasn't just him, either; on the way here, I had noticed the mercenaries speaking to her with an unsettling amount of familiarity. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that most of the people in this territory had already fallen to her influence.

"I really have to do something about this..." I whispered.

"You're right," Alexia said, nodding. "First, we must selectively breed the seeds so that Meat can actually be produced."

"T-That’s not what I meant! Why are you actually trying to grow Meat!?"

"Because we must cherish their motivation, of course." Alexia gave me a bright, radiant smile.

"Yeah! I’ll do my best!" Al shouted.

He looked happy enough, but I noticed his gaze was fixed firmly on her two giant... no, it was nothing. I had to remind myself that it was physically impossible for a human to be equipped with two giant balls like those.

I directed a cold, judgmental stare at Al, but he didn't even notice. He just wore a slovenly, dazed expression.

"I... I’ll grow too, eventually," I muttered.

"I’m sure you will," Alexia replied. "It would be wonderful if they grew large—the Meat fields, I mean."

"I wasn't talking about the fields!"

"...Ah, I see. If you hold onto your dreams tightly enough, perhaps the Lord will take pity on you and grant a fleeting wish."

"W-What is that supposed to mean!?"

"There are simply some things that will never change, no matter how much effort you put in. However, dreaming is a freedom afforded to everyone."

"I-I’m still growing! Just you wait!"

"I was talking about the Meat fields, you know?"

"Eh?"

She had led me right into that. I could tell by the way she rested her hand against her cheek, a delighted smile playing on her lips.

"O-Of course I knew that! I knew perfectly well that no one was talking about chests!"

I have to subjugate this Boob Monster—this Archdemon—as soon as possible. I swore it to my very soul.

Just then, Totto burst into the room, looking frantic.

"This is bad, Missy. We’ve got Intel that the Eldest Daughter of Lousouth is heading straight for this town. We need to use Ren to contact Lord Yuri immediately—"

"B-But I just sent Ren-san to my big broth... to my brother’s location. I don't think they’ll be back for a while..."

"Tch, the timing couldn't be worse. If that’s the case, we won't be able to get word to him before she arrives. How do we handle this?"

At Totto’s words, every eye in the room turned toward me. However, I found myself wearing a surprisingly cheerful smile.

"It's fine. We’re part of the same family, so there’s no reason to turn her away. I think it would be best if we provided her with our very best hospitality."

Totto caught my drift and a slow grin spread across his face.

"I see. Hospitality, huh? Alright, I get it. I’ll make sure we’re prepared to give her everything we've got."