Selling Drugs in the Dungeon should be a profitable business, no? Chapter 10 (Patreon)

“You want me to join the Expedition in the Dungeon?” I repeat Kirin’s request as I set the sweet buns before me before grabbing a knife.

The woman – who is wearing a kimono which is far too loose for my liking – nods with a sweet smile on her face as she leans against the counter, making her chest wobble quite a bit. Clearly on purpose.

I steal a glance at that wondrous cleavage, and her sweet smile swiftly turns into a predatory smirk. Damn vixen.

“Albeit we’d have the list you made, I’d be more comfortable with you around.” She shrugs, but this time I don’t glance at her cleavage, making her pout. “Plus, I don’t have to be worried about your safety seeing your impressive strength. Until we reach the very deep floors, that is.”

I still need to learn how this damn Dungeon works. I’m pretty sure Kirin already explained it to me, and told me about the Floors… But I just forgot.

I mean… can I be blamed? It’s just a lot of stuff to take in.

Still, I hum softly at her proposal, which isn’t a bad one.

If I go with them, I might discover more herbs and plants that I can make use off, which will also bring up more Pill ideas among the many I already have.

Tree roots can also be good ingredients, but that depends on the trees of course. The ones strewn around might be useful for some Pills, but I’d like to see how different the ones in the Dungeon are, and if they have any use.

An Alchemist can make use of even dust if they so wish to, as Pills is not the only thing we can ma-

Huh, I actually forgot about that bit…

Blinking myself out of my thoughts, I finish cutting the sweet bun in my hand. “I think I’ll take you up on that offer, as there might be something I’d like to test out.”

My answer brings Kirin to a pause, then she cutely tilts her head at me. “And what might that be?” I swat the hand trying to snatch one of the sweet buns without looking before answering.

“Weapons.” Slowly, Kirin’s eyes widen more and more. “I… might be capable of doing something with some good materials, but don’t trust me on that.” I know the general way it works, but not the profundities behind it.

By using a Furnace to smelt the ores and materials, the purest essence can be extracted from them, then fused together to form a weapon.

It’s similar to how Pills are done, just far more energy expensive and more… Attention needing, to say the least.

“Riley, I swear to the Gods…” Kirin just gives me a look that is a mix between intense sexual need and pure exasperation. “There’s a limit to how much a woman can take before she decides enough is enough, then beg to have you fuck her brains-”

“Alright, you thirsty vixen.” I palm her heavily panting face and push her away, as arousing as she is. “Can’t you see I’m cooking?”

“You can cook something else in my oven~!”

“Are you always this sexually witty?” I huff in amusement, then scoop some of the whipped cream I prepared and smear it over her nose and lips to stagger her.

It works, and Kirin blinks. Then, unfortunately, she smirks and purrs hotly; “Riley, I want another type of cream all over my face-Bwah!” The Vice-Captain is nearly toppled over by the smack over her head that is delivered straight from the blushing Alfia.

“Could you tone down your depravity? It’s shameful, and horrid to witness and listen to.” I snort, returning my attention to the many sweet buns I made for the whole Hera Familia.

Simple and quick ‘Maritozzi’, nice breakfast I used to make in the morning in my old life before work started to pick up.

Living with the Hera Familia helps me go back to my cooking roots, something I studied many years to learn and master, a passion that was unfortunately quelled and killed by work.

Now instead, said passion is coming back, because it’s not a must. It’s a choice.

“Shameful?!” Kirin swiftly recovers, an indignant edge to her voice. “You are just jealous that I am open with my feelings, you virgin!” I hold back a snort as Alfia takes in a sharp intake of air.

I don’t need to even turn around to know that her face is flushed red, and damn, that’s a strong Killing Intent right there.

Slowly, Alfia speaks with a seething voice, right through gritted teeth. “You damnable, foul mouthed tavern wench…” Oh boy, this is escalating.

Swiftly, I fill two buns with the whipped cream I prepared, then whirl around as Kirin comes out of her affronted gasp at Alfia’s words.

Finally, I stuff their mouths with the sweet buns. “No fighting in the kitchen, or I’ll spank you.” Alfia flushes and tries to pout at me, while Kirin just shudders and throws me a look filled with desire.

Then the taste of the sweet buns hit them, and Alfia’s knees nearly buckle as she goes cross-eyed.

Kirin instead just outright let’s out a very slutty moan through the bun, pulling it out and gulping what was left in her mouth as she does so. “Riley, I swear to the fucking Gods…” I shall take that as a very good compliment.

First time I’ve done these in a long while, so I’m glad they turned out very good.

With a grin, I turn and give Kirin her tray filled with three more sweet buns. Two with chocolate filling and one with whipped cream. “There you go, breakfast for you and Brynhildr.” I don’t need to say anything further.

The tray is swiftly snatched out of my hands, and the happily humming woman struts away with a very wide and exaggerated sway of her wonderful hips.

Finally, free of the vixen that tempts me far too much. She’s like the devil on your shoulder, but tempts you with plenty of cleavage and skimpy clothing than with dark and twisted words.

Still, I’m glad to see her so happy and free. She looks far more honest than before too, and that’s the thing I like the most.

I… Honestly still cannot place what is it that is making her lifespan so short. She’s clearly part Divine, that much I can tell… But there’s something I am missing.

Something obvious that I know will fix everything for her if I can just grasp it.

Shaking away those thoughts, I turn my gaze and smile to the slightly flushed Alfia, nibbling at her stuffed sweet bun like a bunny.

And she just splattered some cream all over her own cleavage.

Her face instantly goes nuclear at my snort, though the suggestive sight is indeed quite… yeah.

“Too much stuffing, huh…” I muse and reach out to grab a handkerchief for her to use, but of course that’s when Hera decides to step into the kitchen.

She pauses and blinks at the sight, with my body actively covering the sight of Alfia’s hand holding the sweet bun, her cheeks puffed up and covered in white whipped cream. Together with her cleavage.

Hera blinks again as Alfia releases a sound akin to a boiling tea-kettle, then slowly smirks. “Heh… Good job, Alfia!” Pretty sure Alfia’s sobbing right now-

“Make sure to swallow and show your empty mouth after! Guys love that- Ayo!” A knife flies past Hera with a sonic-boom that rattles the windows, and the Goddess instantly cackles and skedaddles.

Alfia pants through her nostrils, her face so red that I fear she might explode.

She snatches the handkerchief out of my hands and swiftly cleans herself up, then takes a deep breath and turns back to me like nothing ever happened.

Her cheeks are still quite a bit flushed though, which is insanely cute.

“That…” She starts, then gulps softly after taking in a short breath. “Never happened.”

I chuckle softly at her, earning an adorable pout from the usually stoic woman.

Still, I better spare her some more suffering. For now. “So, how are they?” I ask instead, nodding towards the sweet buns I still need to stuff. Which are a lot.

“I prepared these with you and Meteria in mind, as I’ve been told you two have one hell of a sweet tooth.” Her gaze warms plenty at my words, an enchanting smile spreading across her lips soon after.

It’s easy to find stuff in the Hera Familia, as I just had to ask one of the girls and she instantly and happily told me everything I wanted to know. Which was just Alfia and Meteria’s food preferances.

Pretty sure she also had an orgasm when I smiled at her, but I did not mention it.

“I don’t remember ever having sweets this good.” Alfia praises softly as she collects a plate to rest her partly eaten sweet bun on. Once she does so, she pauses slightly. “Should I bring some to Meteria too?”

Slowly, I give her a very sly grin. “Actually, I kept hers for the picnic we are going to have.” Alfia’s eyes flicker with emotions I can’t quite place before she quickly recovers herself. “So you can tease her with the power I have now bestowed upon you.”

Basically, she can now tease Meteria about how good the sweet buns are, and that she won’t get any for a long while.

That makes Alfia’s lips twitch several times, and she clearly is trying her best to hold back a very large smile. “You are an evil man, Riley.”

I shrug, then stretch my hand out towards her plate. “I can always take it back if you want?” She sniffs and turns away, unable to hold back her smile anymore.

Breathing in, she throws a soft glance at me. “Thank you.” She whispers softly, motioning to her plate. “For this and for… making Meteria happy. She can’t stop smiling.” Her words bring a smile to my face.

But it also makes me feel a bit guilty.

I’m not dense. I can see that my honest actions have gained me the affection of Alfia, Meteria and Kirin… I just don’t know how to deal with Kirin and Alfia.

Meteria is honest and straight up with it, and her cheerful nature is a huge weakness of mine.

She’s sweet, adorable and just lovely to be around, so of course I hold some attraction towards her myself and I’m willing to see if something sparks.

So how do I deal with Alfia and Kirin?

I’m no Young Master, so I don’t hoard women, nor do I even have thoughts about a Harem of sorts.

“Anything you’d like to do yourself one of these days?” I softly ask Alfia, turning around so to resume cutting the many sweet buns I’ve prepared for the entire Hera Familia.

I can feel Alfia’s gaze burn a hole through the back of my head as I keep cutting, and she remains quiet for a few seconds.

But when she does speak, she does so in a gentle and meek voice. “Could you teach me how to cook?” I pause at her request.

I actually didn’t expect that. “Of course.” So why disagree? The more time I spend in the kitchen, the more time I have to familiarize myself with my old cooking teachings. “Any reason why?”

Alfia beams at my agreement, but swiftly shies away at my probing. “I want to do something for you.” I pause yet again, then turn my head to look at her flushed face, her eyes not meeting mine.

“After everything you’ve done for me and Meteria, I’d love to do something nice for you at least once.” It was then that it struck me.

Alfia really is Meteria’s sister.

“W-Why are you laughing?” I breathe in to stop my chuckles, the flushed Alfia now pouting angrily at me in a way that just makes her oh so similar to Meteria.

“It’s just that, as much as you try to act all stoic and cool… In the end, you’re a sweetheart just like Meteria.” My words strike true, and Alfia’s flushed face once more goes nuclear.

Her eyes widen and her lips quiver slightly. A sniff leaves her before she turns away and hides her face with her long hair. “Excuse me, I have a sister to tease.” And with that, she swiftly takes her leave.

I blink and tilt my head in confusion. I feel like I struck a sensitive place there.

Did people tell her she isn’t similar to Meteria? Is that perhaps a soft spot for her?

Sighing, I return to my job of cutting these damn sweet buns. I’d use Sword Qi to quicken the job, but my control is so horrid that I’d very likely use too much force and split the Hera Mansion in half with a swing of the knife.

The whipped cream came out very good, as for the chocolate of this world, it tastes quite different, in a way that I can’t really place.

It’s still enjoyable to eat, so I’ve done half with whipped cream and half with chocolate stuffing.

I’d have done other types of stuffing, like marmalade or sour cream, but I decided to save them foranother time.

Cut the bun open, and the stuffing goes in. Rinse and repeat for all of them until done.

Working in the kitchen can be quite mentally taxing due to how repetitive it can get, especially in high-class restaurants where all orders have to come out quick, with no break in-between.

I miss those types of adrenaline rushes, the concentration it gives to do everything perfectly while as fast as possible, and the banter with my colleagues while preparing the plates.

Good times.

This really makes me want to open a restaurant too, but then I know that it’ll stop being a passion and become a duty yet again, so it’s better not to.

Cleaning my hands, I walk to the side of the kitchen where a window lay facing the back of the massive mansion.

I pop it open and peek out, watching as the hundreds of ladies trained and went through the motions, testing out their now cleaned and much lighter bodies.

Some sparred among themselves, others instead shadow-boxed or used dummies made out of wood and stone, while the majority instead just chatted and watched.

The biggest spar though is clearly between Calydonia and Atalanta, the two Demihumans girls exchanging blows faster than many could even blink.

Calydonia clearly holds far greater strength, each of her punches and attacks causing the earth below her feet and the air to shudder and quiver.

Atalanta instead has speed on her side, which she abuses to accumulate weak but multiple blows against the same spot over and over.

It’s honestly quite a beautiful dance. They clearly know each other’s fighting styles to the last bit, and they abuse that knowledge to find and correct each others open spots.

Still, Calydonia has one big open spot that can be fatal if grasped… “Sweep! Right ankle!” I call out sharply and loudly so to get over the sound of the chatting ladies.

Their voices quiet down, and Atalanta’s eyes clearly widen as her ears perk up and twitch.

Then, she spins around and lashes with her foot, striking at her sister’s right ankle.

The gray haired woman instantly loses her balance and topples over, leading to her sister pouncing forward and straddling her stomach, fist raised and primed to strike.

Two pairs of emerald green eyes blink at each other before snapping in my direction, together with the many gazes of the other Hera Familia girls.

So I just grin; “Breakfast ready! Hurry up and come on in!” My ears are nearly deafened by the collective cheers of the girls, and I swiftly shut the window so to avoid hearing any perverted or slutty words thrown my way.

Some even go as far as hammering their faces against the window I just shut, looking at me with absolutely rabid eyes that absolutely terrify me.

How long has it been since these women last got laid!?

Either way, I’m glad that I was able to help the two sisters just a tiny bit. Monsters might not be smart enough to capitalize on those types of repetitive moves and openings, but humans certainly are.

And I fear humans more than whatever monster the Dungeon can cook up.

I stretch my back, then swiftly move to set the breakfast on the already prepared tables in the main hall just as the famished ladies poured in like ants pouring out of their destroyed nest.

Albeit they were all cute and beautiful before, right now they all look very stunning.

They are outright glowing, both due to their healthiness and their happiness. It’s a wonderful sight to see, and it makes me very happy to be the source of it.

I wish I could see the expression of the people in Orario once these ladies finally leave to wander around. I’m sure they’ll be priceless.

As I serve the tables and tune out the surrounding chatter and rather… lewd moans ringing out from the taste test, my eyes flick towards the door as someone steps in.

For a second, I mistook the woman that walks in as Agnodice due to the sheer similarity between them, but then instantly see the differences.

Unlike Agnodice, she’s a tad bit shorter and packs less in the… chest department. But packs more in the waists and butt department. And legs.

Plus, her hair are silver, nearing a pristine white, and her eyes are a darker shade of blue.

Again, my breath is stolen away by how breathtaking women here can be.

But why is their clothing so indecent sometimes?

I can’t even begin to describe the clothes the silver haired elf is wearing.

It’s like a white nightgown, that starts right below her chest and that barely even covers it. It honestly leaves little to the imagination seeing how it doesn’t even go down even a third of her legs.

Damn teenage hormones. Stop gawking, you damn horndog.

The woman looks around with clearly tired eyes, heavy bags beneath them, before she swiftly locks on and takes a very secluded seat, away from the other.

And I don’t miss the way she instantly shrinks in on herself, as if trying to hide or outright disappear, when Agnodice walks into the hall.

Said Milf yawns into her hand in a way that is alluring and adorable, then pauses and takes in the sight before her with wide and confused eyes.

“I’ve already taken care of breakfast.” I tell her as I set another plate down right near her, making her gaze snap towards me.

At first, she flushes and cups her face shyly while looking away for some damn reason, but swiftly regathers her wits to pout at me. What a dangerous weapon. “You shouldn’t be doing everything yourself, you know? You must’ve woken up so early to prepare all this…”

I just shrug off her worry and light admonishment with a smile, “I like cooking, so it’ not really a problem.” Her pout only grow bigger, and why did her tits just wobble?!“I forgot to ask, but did you get the Pill from Meteria?”

I remember that she stole it, and I’m sure she didn’t keep it to herself and brought it to Agnodice for some twisted purpose only she knows of.

My question makes Agnodice flush even harder. Meteria, what the fuck did you do? “A-Ah, well… Yes, I have taken it, and I feel wondrous, but…” Well, that’s good news…

“I’d like to know you more b-before I accept your a-advances!” The heavily blushing Agnodice squeaks out shyly while cupping her cheeks.

I blink.

Excuse me?

What advances- Meteria.

I am going to spank her, but I know that she’ll love it.

So no sweets for her.

“I…think there’s some misund-”

“S-So just give me some time!” Agnodice squeaks out, cutting me off, before pecking me on the cheek and rushing away while cupping her cheeks.

Why does this keep happening to me?

“Did Riley just seriously charm Agnodice too?”

“Pretty sure he didn’t even say anything.”

“Made the Milf cream herself with silence, goddamn…”

“I wished he creamed me instead…”

“So he’s got Meteria, Alfia, Kirin and Agnodice now?”

“Who’s next? Calydonia? Atalanta-Bleh!”

“No we fuckin’ won’t, you cunt!” I turn just in time to see Calydonia smash her plate on the head of a short girl, who made a startled sound from the sudden impact.

Said girl turns to give Calydonia a deadpan stare. “A Tsundere, huh?”

Calydonia twitches, veins rising from her neck all the way up to her temple as her fingers twitch.

“Someone’s gonna get murdered here…”

“No shit.”

But that’s when her murderous eyes flick towards me with a “You!” snarl.

I just give her a flat look, “If you direct your anger towards me, God help me, I will spank you until you wet yourself.” Calydonia takes in a sharp intake of air as her face flushes in either anger or embarrassment. Or both.

Then she gives me the finger. A very mature response. “Fuck you! You disgusting male!” Followed by another mature response.

Guess I need to be the adult here, so- “Fuck me yourself, you coward.” I sneer at her while turning my nose up.

All the women outright gape at me while Calydonia releases a strangled scream of anger, eyes looking outright manic.

Luckily, Atalanta grabs her from behind before her twin could lunge at me. All the while, Atalanta is barely keeping her laughter under control.

“Fuck you! I’ll skin you alive! I’ll rip your arms off and beat you with them, you piece of shit! I’ll-!”

“Yes, yes, I love you too honey-bun.” I sigh and nod sagely as I keep distributing the last of the sweet buns to the waiting ladies, my words just making the surrounding laughter much louder. “No need to be so active in professing your love and lust towards me, you know? You’re making me blush over here!”

Jesus Christ, she’s foaming at the mouth…

Heh, this is fun!

“Atalanta! Let me go! I must- I must- I-!” I sigh and approach the struggling woman with a look of disappointment.

And once close enough, she fucking tries to lunge and fucking bite me. Over and over.

“Kinky.” Another strangled scream flows out of her at my words. “Ya can bite me all you want later tonight, sugar.” And with that, I boop her on the nose then shove a sweet bun in her mouth.

And with that, she slumps, fully passed out.

Atalanta gapes at her now unconscious sister, then at my smug self.

“He knocked that bitch out with words and a boop…”

“And made her deep-throat that bun… That’s hot…”

“He is too powerful to remain single!”

“He ain’t single though?”

My job here, is done.

But before I leave, I do notice Agnodice try and approach the silver haired elf with two sweet buns in her hands.

Only for the silver haired elf to swiftly take her leave without eating.

The depressed look with teary eyes really doesn’t fit Agnodice one bit.

                                                                                  xxxXXXxxx

“Picnic! Picnic! Picnic! Picnic! Pic-!”

“Thanks for lending me a horse for this.” I tell Hera while ignoring the chanting Meteria in the background.

She’s doing some sort of Eldritch dance around the honestly scared shitless horse, and Alfia’s face and eyes are fully blank, like she can’t comprehend what she is witnessing.

Hence why I stopped watching.

Hera just waves me off while trying to hold back her wheezes. “It ain’t much. Plus I get to witness that.” She nods and flicks her eyebrows towards the still chanting Meteria. “I shit you not, I’m feeling Divine Power rising from that damn dance of hers…”

I’m just going to ignore that.

“You got everything?” I nod and fix the bag strapped to my back, then glance at the outright massive horse that Hera prepared for us.

That’s a damn beast right there. “We should be back a bit after the sun starts setting. Surely before darkness falls.” I assure to let both Alfia and Hera relax, because I know they’d be fidgety without the sugar-rush that is Meteria around.

Hera grunts softly at my words, then glances at me with a raised brow. “Right, I also wanted to hire your services for something else.” I blink and turn to fully face the Goddess before me. “That weapon crafting thing.”

Oh, that! “It’s just a stray thought. I don’t if I can actually do that.” After all, the materials are far too different.

It’s all about the essence, yes… But still, I’d rather not waste someone’s time.

“Let’s just take the gamble.” Hera sniffs without care. “What do you need?” I should have known that talking her out of it is useless. She is a stubborn Goddess, after all.

So what can I use that shouldn’t have that great of a value? “The materials from that giant screaming monster I killed.”

The Goddess raises a brow at me. “You want the Goliath Magic Crystal and Item Drop?” Well, a portion of it. I remember the Crystal being at least two dozen meter tall when I killed the screaming fuck.

“Yep, should be enough.” Hera gives me a look, but then swiftly shrugs nonetheless.

“Can’t wait what kind of bullshit you whip out this time.” Come on now, it’s hilarious for me.

I’m still surprised there are no damn Alchemists in this city- Or well, Pill Alchemists.

With how they are, they’d abuse such an area to make bank. Real masters can make an entire box of ingredients last them weeks, if not months.

The boxes I already have in the cellar of my shop might last me more than a year, and will be enough to make tens of thousands of Pills, if not more once I grow more skilled and used with my new Furnace.

Not to talk about when I’ll probably upgrade it again.

“I’ll have it ready for you for when you come back.” Her eyes flick towards the still chanting Meteria. “Now go, before the fuckin’ horse sprouts a third eye and tentacles out of it’s ass.” Aaand I did not want that mental image. Thank you very much, Hera.

With an amused sigh, I stop by Alfia and give her a smile. “I’ll bring her back well fed and probably very talkative.” That actually brings a snort out of Alfia.

“I shall be prepared to have my ears talked off.” She sighs deeply, almost mournfully. “The things I do to be the best big sister in the world.”

Well, at least she is confident in her standing. Probably Meteria’s doing.

I give her a wink and smile before turning around to approach the stillchanting Meteria. Her dance is so damn weird too… “Meteria.” I call out, and she stills.

She turns to me with a cutely scrunched up face, then clicks her tongue. “Look who it is, the sweet bun traitor.” I blink, then throw a glance back at Alfia.

The sister turns away with innocent whistles and a flush on her face.

How badly did you bully your damn sister?!

I turn back to Meteria and give her a flat stare. “Keep that up, and no food for you.” And now she’s all big loving smiles.

I couldn’t help it. I started pinching one of those adorable cheeks. “You damn cutiepie.” I chuckle out as she giggles and leans into my touch before moving to the side so to let me gain access to the horses saddle.

The poor fucker is trembling in place.

With a soft grunt, I leap on the horse and settle myself comfortably on the large saddle before offering Meteria a hand.

Her soft and smaller hand grasps it gently, and Alfia helps her up from behind before I move her to settle down before me.

She instantly leans and burrows back against me with a satisfied little hum that makes me smile softly.

“Be careful, alright?” Alfia says softly before turning a flat stare to her twin. “And try not to make Riley go crazy.”

Meteria harrumphs at her sister. “No promises.” Should I be worried?

I do expect payback due to the sweet bun torture I helped Alfia commit on her, so…

“Pray for me.” I sigh out before grabbing the reins of the horse and giving them a flap.

I’m so thankful that I learned to ride one back in my village, else this would have been hard and embarrassing.

“You comfortable?” I ask Meteria as she nestles herself against my chest, leaning her head back against my shoulder and closing her eyes comfortably with a big smile on her face.

She hums softly as we exit the open gates of the Hera Familia mansion, then turn down the street to reach the closest exit of Orario.

“I’m comfortable, and very happy.” She whispers out, her hands reaching forward to rest on the back of my own as I hold the reins. “After all, I get to have you all for myself for quite a while now.”

Being desired and wanted so much by a woman just drives me insane. It feels amazing, and it fills me with a warmth I’ve long forgotten.

It’s addicting.

Or is it just what Meteria does to me?

I chuckle softly and lean down to place a gentle kiss against her cheek. “You can just tell me when you want me all for yourself, you know?” She shudders against me at my whisper, her whole face and ears growing a dark red within a few seconds.

“I know.” She finally answers after a few quiet seconds, “But I just… Don’t want to keep you all for myself.” Her huff is adorable, but this does give me an opportunity.

“Now that you bring that up,” I start, pausing only to steer the horse around a corner, “Why are you insistent on this… Harem thing?” My question is met with a bout of silence aside from the clopping of the horses hooves on the ground.

Her hands remain on mine, her thumbs lightly tracing mine as I flick my gaze around.

She’s clearly drawing a lot of eyes now that we are in a populated street, and it’s not the nice type of staring. Jealousy, lust- That kind of stuff.

“Because you deserve it.” Meteria finally speaks up, and I give her a confused look.

Her head turns so that she can stare at me, her eyes full of warmth and love. “Riley, you’re depressed. I know the signs, I’ve been there myself.” My hands clench slightly around the reins, but I remain quiet.

“And the worst part of it, you give me the impression of someone who is about to commit suicide.” Her words make me take a sharp intake of air. “I know those signs all too well. I’ve seen them on the girls of the Hera Familia many times.”

“That sudden burst of happiness and activity, all that energy that suddenly came out of nowhere… And the last cheerful talk with me before I am told the horrid news.”

“That’s the impression you give me, and I hate that.” Her hands squeeze mine tightly. “I want to see you truly happy, and I want to hear you laugh heartily for real.”

“I know it hasn’t been that long, but I love you,Riley. I cannot fathom even losing you.”

I remain quiet as her face burrows into my neck and we finally reach the gates to the outskirts of the city.

So this is how I appear on the outside, huh…

I guess that’s to be fair. I want to atone for what I have done, but I also never asked for this second chance at life. I don’t deserve it.

Nor did I want it in the first place.

But whatever, no depressive thoughts now.

I reach up and poke Meteria’s squishy cheek to gain her attention. “That still doesn’t explain why you want me to have a Harem.” I still need to punish her for what she did with Agnodice.

She’s a wonderful woman, but don’t flirt with her for me!

Meteria perks up with a big grin. “Because then I’d feel bad for snatching you away from everyone else!” Quite assured of her victory, huh?

That’s when her finger reaches up to pinch my cheek, a cute pout on her face. “All because you are so damn handsome and nice. My Big Sis, Kirin, very likely Bryn too! You are too dangerous!”

I’m not even doing anything, woman! I’m just being nice!

“And then Miss Agnodice, but that’s my doing. Heh…” This damn little gremlin.

Still, as the horse walks forward, now out of Orario… My gaze strays downward, towards a very captivating sight.

Meteria is wearing a sky-blue sundress, because I’ve noticed those are clearly her favorite type of clothes.

And this sundress, like the others, has a large boob window.

One that is allowing me to watch as her massive chest bounces up and down wildly, stimulating my teenage hormones quite a lot.

The sight is basically throwing a lot of fuel on the fire I am trying to cool down.

“Hehehe~!” My gaze flicks to Meteria, her cheeks and ears red while her lips are spread in a big proud smug smile. “Like what you see?”

In retaliation, I pinch her cheeks.

She can only whine and wiggle in place as protest, and I relish in that.

Still, this all brings a big smile on my face. This is really nice and relaxing.

I never liked cities, so being able to get away from Orario for a bit is… Well, nice.

“So, what did my Hero cook!?” My adorable companion asks.

Thus, giving me a chance to bully her a bit. “Hm? I was supposed to cook something?” She flinches, as if struck by a physical blow.

“Eh!?” Her alarmed voice and eyes are deliciously adorable, “R-Riley!” And the alarm and fear in her voice are palpable. “It’s a picnic! You can’t have a picnic without food!” She’s on the verge of tears, hah!

Now, for the final blow- “But I thought I was going to eat you.”

Meteria freezes and gapes at me.

Then, very slowly, she turns away, her face flushing a dark red. “Hehehe~!”

This perverted little gremlin.

“But to answer your previous question; I really didn’t cook anything. I brought the ingredients and what I plan to cook, then cook it once we find a good place.” Those words make her beam, so much so she puts the Sun itself.

A gentle and comfortable quiet falls, and I just hold and hug her close as she leans back against me.

Her presence is nice, comfortable, and all around something I love and am starting to crave.

She relaxes me in ways that I cannot do in other ways, and it makes her irresistible.

It’s very likely due to how open, cheerful and optimistic she is. Her sheer brightness and her beautiful smiles are impossible to resist.

Finally, after quite a while, I break the quiet myself. “Have you thought about what you’d like to do now that you are healed?” I ask softly, and her cute little hum makes me smile.

“Not really.” I chuckle at her honest answer. “Now that I have everything before me, I can’t really pick something. The choices are many.”

“But there are things I want.” This time I myself hum softly and lower my gaze to focus on her.

“Then let’s hear it.” I encourage her, my hand falling to rest on her belly, her own resting on it’s back.

I know that I have changed her whole life, but now I want to see what she’ll do with the chance she’s got.

Not to judge her. I’m just… curious. And I want to support her, of course.

“I want…” She starts before pausing to breathe in and wet her lips, “..To enjoy my life. I want my big sister to be super happy. I want lots of friends, a massive family, and just… Just see everyone achieve their dreams, so that Lady Hera can finally put down the burden she is carrying.”

You are indeed far too sweet and good for this world, Meteria. For any world.

I’m sure the ladies back at the Hera Mansion will bawl if I share this with them.

They’ll bawl and then cuddle Meteria for years to come.

“And I know that you can help with this. I can feel it.” She sweetly says while laying against me.

I chuckle softly and hug her even closer. “There is a limit to what I can do, you know? I’m just one man.”

“No, there isn’t. My Hero can do anything.”

Her saying those words with such a sweet voice and with such strong belief really makes me believe it too.

Maybe, just maybe… If it’s for her, I can at least try.

Damnable adorable gremlin.

I’m gonna prepare her a feast just for this.

                                                                                 xxxXXXxxx

“Is Meteria still sleeping in?”

“Yep. Heard she’s snoring loud enough that the windows are shaking.”

“My God… What did you cook that knocked her out and put her in a food coma?”

“Real question would be what did I not cook.” I even literally started fishing at a nearby lake just to add more food to the table because Meteria just kept devouring everything.

It was terrifying. And sexy.

Kirin just rubs her face in shock, flabbergasted at… Well, Meteria. That’s the general reaction to anything she does, aside from the ‘Nyoooms’.

“Either way…” She sighs out and recovers herself. “The preparations for the Expedition are done, mostly thanks to you, so we can depart as soon as tomorrow morning.” I hum as she waves at the few large carts beings covered by large tarps at the back of the Hera Familia mansion.

Two of them are food provisions, as I still haven’t made the Fasting Pills, while one is just full of boxes with my Pills in them.

I doubt they’ll need that many, but it’s better to be prepared.

“Oh, right.” I blink and snap out of my staring, then remove the object covered by a cloak off my back. “Hera requested a weapon, and well… I tried.” Kirin’s eyes widen as I offer her the object.

Her hands swiftly take it and remove the cloak, revealing a large spear with a pitch black flag attached near the long blade.

The whole spear is pitch black, so it kinda looks bland to me.

“Huh… It’s heavy.” Kirin muses, giving the spear a few spins for practice, the air around it ‘whooshing’ from the speed she was spinning the weapon. “What does it do?”

I raise a finger, pause, then lower it. “Hell if I know. Didn’t even want to create a spear.” Making weapons is so different, and I didn’t really have much control over anything.

I started the process, and one minute later I had this damn spear. No excitement, no shock, no epic effects. Just… I can’t even say disappointment since I don’t know what it can even do.

It’s kinda like a banner, and I remember banner weapons in some Cultivation Novels I’ve read… What exactly did they do?

“I guess we can try it out.” Kirin shrugs in clear amusement before raising her voice. “Everyone, back up and clear the field, please!”

“Oh I gotta watch this…” I hear Hera whisper from behind me, and for some reason I instantly feel like some crazy shit is about to happen.

I glare at the cloudy sky up above, but then relax when I realize I am still a hundred Qi Strands away from another Heavenly Tribulation.

“Do I just… Pour magic into it?” Kirin asks, and I shrug, making her deadpan at me.

“Hey, it just came out like that. I didn’t even think it could work!” Hera nearly cackles at my words, but someone else does.

“Hah! As expected from a man!” Calydonia cackles with glee, abusing the chance to take a snipe at me.

I just blow a kiss towards her. “I’ll take care of you later, Meow Meow.” Her right eye starts twitching severely, and veins once again appear from her neck all the way up to her temples.

Atalanta just palms her face with a deep sigh as Kirin steps in the middle of the training field, a bit away from the carriages.

Then she… just stands there, seemingly concentrating.

After many quiet seconds, her gaze finally flicks towards me, a bit apologetic. “I’m pouring my magic into it, but nothing is happening!” As she says that, she jabs the butt of the flag-bearing spear into the ground.

And that’s when it happens.

A dark ripple flows forth, and a large cloud of dark gray mist pours out of the spear and into the air.

Kirin jumps back, having let go of the spear from the shock, then we all watch as the dark mist slowly gather together.

“You gotta be shittin’ me…” Hera whispers from behind me as a very familiar spectral giant takes shape before all of us.

“Huh…” I rub my chin in surprise as I stare at the Goliath, if I remember it’s name right. “I can’t believe that worked…”

The Goliath screams at the top of it’s lungs.

The girls of the Hera Familia scream right back.

Meanwhile, I cackle like a madman.

Cultivation bullshit, go!

A.N. Sorry for the wait on the chapter, yet again. Still hope y’all enjoyed it!

Next chapter, finally the damn Dungeon part! And some lewds are approaching. I wonder who is the lucky girl!