Chapter 168: Grayfia’s instincts

In the morning, I had breakfast with everyone talking about the party.

While I was wearing my adventurer shirt in my room, someone entered the room. Just a whiff of the strawberry scent told me it was Saya.

"Asahi."

I put on the shirt and turned around. Saya had her hands behind her back, a happy smile floating on her face.

"You know… thanks a lot for the party," she said. "Close your eyes, please."

I did as she asked. A thin, cold string touched my neck.

"You can open them now."

I held the pink pendant split into three pink hearts.

"I-It's a gift. Cherish it properly!"

I reached out to kiss her, but she dodged and dashed out of the room.

Three hearts, huh. It wasn't hard to understand that they symbolized me, her, and the… child.

I returned to the forest with Busujima Sisters, Grayfia, Leme, and my beloved Aimi, who didn't need to stay away for so long from me as she was still a yandere.

Nao wanted the sisters to have some fun, so she stayed back today. Rini was still sleeping after all the fun we had yesterday. This might have been her first birthday party, and we exploded it with joy.

(My love… I can handle the girls' teleportation if you want. You don't have to travel again and again. I also asked them to contact me if they want to come here.)

After her talk with everyone, she could boldly communicate with the girls.

'I appreciate the offer.'

Grayfia and Leme vanished.

"Now shall we—"

Saeko intertwined her hand with mine. Gazing at the cloudy sky, she gave a soft smile. "It's perfect weather."

Shiori clutched my hand and brought it up to her face with puppy eyes. "Asahi-kun, can we walk there?"

I couldn't resist and ended up nodding at their request.

"Yea!" Shiori pumped her fist and hugged my arm. "Off we go!"

"Good grief. You never lose this energy, do you?"

"Never."

Her cheeky grin made me smile. We walked through the vast lands.

Aimi kept her silence, following us.

About an hour later, we arrived at the eastern gate of Orario. The guard asked for our identity. I showed my guild documents.

He glanced at the three girls beside me. "You may enter."

That stunned me for a second. So the girls got a free permit here?

I shrugged and strode into the city. The walk to the inn was quite lengthy, but Shiori's reaction to everything on the street made it refreshing. Saeko, well, she was cultivating her kuudere powers to the next level, even though she was anything but kuudere during our private moments.

With both my hands busy, Aimi stepped forward to knock on the door.

The wooden door opened, so did my eyes.

"Welcome home, Master."

Leme was wearing an ecchi version of a maid outfit reserved for fanservice episodes in the anime. The type which revealed her full breasts, flashed a panty-shot every time she bent.

"That looks… sexy."

Leme squinted with a faint smile. "Rika-chan told Leme Master's fetish. Leme couldn't hold herself back…" she clasped her hands with a sheepish smile. "for what you know… be Leme's first time."

"Asahi-kun's luck with good women is immeasurable."

Shiori's comment might be true. If I had a Luck stat, it'd be above 999.

My other maid, Grayfia, bit her thumb as she sneaked glances at Leme. She still had a long way to go before becoming a 'true maid'—the standard she set for herself.

"Then I'll be off."

As much as Apollo's creepy mug creeped me out, I still had to decline him politely.

"Asahi-sama, can I go to the dungeon?"

She was eager as ever to farm XP. The truth was I needed it to get my avatar.

"Aimi-san, I will come with you."

"Can't leave me here, Saeko."

The Busujima twins also voiced their desires.

"Allowed, but prioritize your life above all, and don't use flashy powers that can cause massive destruction."

"Laying low—I know the deal," Shiori grinned. "My katana is enough to handle anything the dungeon throws at me."

I raised my hand and chopped her head. "Stupid, that's a death flag. I thought you knew how to avoid them."

"My bad, hubby."

Saeko's eyes gleamed in happiness. This sadist's favorite hobby was slaughtering. She might lose herself in killing.

I turned to Aimi, my last hope. "Protect everyone."

"I will. Klyscha-sama can mark and teleport Asahi-sama if anything happens."

Klsycha, the head waifu, watched over everyone from heaven. There was nothing she couldn't see on her laptop from her modest room.

(Never underestimate a housewife!)

'You're a goddess, though.'

(I'm a wife before a goddess.)

Her enthusiasm was unparalleled.

"My Lord, I can accompany them."

I shook my head. Leme can't fight, and leaving her alone made me uncomfortable.

Leme smiled. "Master, don't worry about Leme. Maya shared her cousin's stash with Leme. As for Leme's protection, Master can jump back here in one moment."

"Then Grayfia, don't go beyond the 30th floor. Use your stealth skill if you see another party."

"Noted, My Lord."

I kissed everyone on their cheeks. Grayfia raised her chin with eyes full of anticipation, thinking I'll go for her cheeks.

She couldn't be any more wrong.

Nailing the opportunity, I went for her lips. She flinched, pressing my shoulders, ready to push me.

I stroked her cheeks and nibbled on her lower lip. Refusing to push this too far, I ended it.

"My Lord…"

She breathed out, her wet eyes ready to blow away my reasoning. She rose on her toes, aiming for another kiss.

I tilted my head and nuzzled my cheeks against her. I stroked her hair to calm her instincts taking over. She eased into my embrace and wrapped her arms around my chest.

"My Lord… i-it wasn't my intention," she sulked. "It's my devil instincts acting. Us devils are creatures of sin, and they are very impulsive when it comes to... mating. It's rare to find an aristocrat devil without a harem. My mother was also mistress…"

It was rare for her to look this vulnerable during her duty. Did last night have her fall for me harder than ever?

"No need to explain yourself. I understand you."

She pushed me with a cold expression. It couldn't hide her flushed face. "My Lord, you are already late. Please make haste."

"Okay."

"No, you don't."

She dragged me all the way out to the inn. "Go please… you're making me embarrassed."

I tucked the daggers into my cheap adventurer pants and strolled toward Apollo's mansion.

Let's see how this meeting turns out.