The wind whipped across Bell's back as she galloped at an impressive speed. Normally, the breeze would have felt refreshing, but right now, my back felt searingly hot.
It was as if every nerve in my body had migrated to my spine; I could feel Fia-sensei clinging to me with agonizing clarity.
I couldn't settle down, and on top of a happily running Bell, there was nowhere to hide. I suppose I should have expected nothing less from a Former Demon King—it was a cunning strategy that left me with zero escape routes. Honestly, the moment I fell victim to a rear-attack by a Demon King, I was already at a massive disadvantage... No, calm down. What was I even thinking?
Seeing how shaken I was, Fia-sensei didn't hesitate to follow up. Her hands, which had been wrapped around my waist, gradually slid upward, stroking the area around my solar plexus.
In sync with the motion, Fia-sensei shifted her weight, rubbing and pressing her body against mine.
"Your back is so broad... and very, very reassuring," she whispered. "Miyama-kun, you really are a man after all."
I really wished she would stop whispering those kinds of lines directly into my ear. I was starting to feel light-headed. What species was she, anyway? Could she actually be a succubus? She was simply too alluring.
I felt like a young man being toyed with by a voluptuous, mature woman... My heart was pounding so hard it was bad for my health. I needed to find a way to change the subject, and fast.
Then, I remembered something. Fia-sensei and I weren't the only ones on Bell's back. Rin should have been tucked inside my clothes.
If I could get Rin involved in the conversation, I might regain some peace of mind... Wait, what? Fia-sensei's hands had been wandering near my chest just now. Rin should have been right there.
"Wait... Rin? Where's Rin?"
"Oh, you know, it would be dangerous if she fell off," Fia-sensei replied smoothly. "So, I 'left her with Noin' for a bit."
"Wh-what...?"
When? When had she done that? She’d managed to extract Rin without me even noticing and handed her over to Noin-san? That was impossible... It meant Fia-sensei had predicted exactly how I’d try to use Rin as a shield.
What a terrifying woman. To think she had mapped out this entire scenario in a matter of seconds... She had systematically blocked every single one of my escape routes.
"Miyama-kun... this ranch is quite large, isn't it? Bell-chan is fast, but it’ll take quite a while to make a full lap, don't you think?"
"Y-ye-ye-yes... I suppose so."
"You're so cute when you're like this, Miyama-kun."
"Wh-!?"
Wait a minute. Were her hands sliding downward now? Wait! Please, just wait a second! What are you trying to do?!
"Miyama-kun... tell me. How do I look to you... as a woman?"
"Eh? Wh-what do you mean by that...?"
"Do I... make you feel excited?"
"That... well, um... yes."
"Fufu, I see. I'm so happy... mwah."
"!? W-wait! Fia-sensei, what are you—!?"
As I answered with my heart thundering in my chest, I felt a faint, damp sensation against my skin. Had she just kissed my neck? Wait, what was she actually doing?!
"Miyama-kun... you look like you're suffering."
"Wh-wh-what... what do you mean?"
"Hmm? Do you want me to say it out loud? I can't do that... it's too embarrassing... right?"
"Where are you touching?! Fia-sensei!!"
"It's fine. I've already cast recognition inhibition magic."
"That's not the problem!"
"Fufufu, you're adorable when you're flustered, Miyama-kun. Since we're all alone up here, why don't you just leave everything to your big sister?"
"L-leave it?! No! Wait, please, just calm down—!"
Her voice was meltingly sweet as it poured into my ear, and her hands moved even lower. This was bad. This was more dangerous than anything I’d ever faced. At this rate... Someone, please, help me!
『...What do you think you are doing?』
Just as I reached the brink of despair, a voice boomed from the heavens. At the same moment, a massive shadow swallowed us whole. That voice... Magnawell-san!
He was a true savior, a literal godsend. At the sight of Magnawell-san—who had addressed us while completely ignoring Fia-sensei's recognition inhibition magic—her hands finally retreated from the danger zone.
"M-Magnawell-sama... and just when we were getting to the good part..."
『No, Fia... have you no sense of moderation? You have gone entirely too far. You are as restless as ever, but I will not have you doing such scandalous things at a festival I am hosting.』
"Ugh... b-but this was the perfect chance to make my move..."
『If you do not cease this at once... perhaps I shall report your behavior to "Zwei"?』
"PLEASE DON'T! SHE'LL KILL ME!"
It was a name I’d never heard before, but the mention of "Zwei" was incredibly effective. Fia-sensei was visibly shaken—no, she was paralyzed with terror.
Her hands were trembling violently, and I suspected her face had gone completely pale. Just how terrifying was this person?
『...If you wish to avoid that, then learn some restraint.』
"Y-yes... I'll be careful."
『Good. Then, farewell.』
With the scolding finished, Magnawell-san retracted his neck from the direction of the city. He was as incomprehensibly massive as ever; just by speaking to us, he had plunged the entire surrounding area into darkness.
Regardless, it seemed the crisis of the century had passed. That was a close one.
Dear Mother, Father—Fia-sensei launched an all-out offensive of mature allure, and I was pushed closer to the edge than I’ve ever been. I shudder to think what would have happened if Magnawell-san hadn't intervened. That being said, considering how much Fia-sensei feared her, I have to wonder... is Zwei-san really that terrifying?
The Top 5 Strongest Members of Kuro's Family (Excluding Kuro and the Six Kings): 1st: Ein (Duke-class High-ranking Demon) 2nd: Zwei (Magic Doll) *Unseen 3rd: Fia (Former Demon King) 4th: Razulia (Former Fairy King) 5th: Noin (Former Hero)