CH 17

Before I knew it, the tentacles inside me were gone. Luca pulled a towel out of the magic bag and wiped my lower body. He then used his tentacles to prop up my body and to put on my underwear and pants.

That was it? He wasn't going to use his penis? N-No, it wasn't as if I wanted to sleep with him. I could feel enough of Luca's mana just from his tentacles, and (even though it was painful not being able to cum) it felt good. But having a proper physical connection would have been more satisfying or...ah well, nevermind.

Besides, I had only glanced at it for a moment, but I could see that Luca's penis wasn't even hard. Was it because he had focused both his attention and mana on moving the tentacles? It was hard to get an erection when you were using mana.

After they had helped me put on my pants, the tentacles were still wrapped around me. Maybe they were restraining me because he didn't want me to escape. But then, I didn't intend to run away.

Once again, I was sitting on his lap, facing him directly. As he gently hugged me, he asked a question.

“So, can you tell me what happened? ”

Well, how should I answer this? I couldn't spill all the beans. If I told him that I have memories from a previous life and that my current situation was very similar to a game scenario, he would be confused. It would take a considerable amount of time to make him understand everything. As such, I had no choice but to just tell him the facts of the matter.

“In the sixth dungeon, I got the star fragment,” I began, carefully. “But as soon as I got out of the dungeon, I was surrounded by dark attribute users. They threatened to kill all the people in the city, so I had no choice but to follow them, and there were over a hundred of them.”

“A hundred?” Luca exclaimed, eyes going wide. “A-Are you alright? They didn't do anything, did they!?”

“I'm fine. I was almost bound by tentacles but I cut them all down and rendered most of the people immobile with my blood lust.”

When I answered calmly, Luca let out a long sigh and pressed his forehead against my shoulder.

“...I see. I'm glad you're safe.”

Just how worried was he? Still, that made me happy.

“They asked me to join them.” I continued. “If they have the star fragments, they can easily bring down the royal palace. This time, they backed down after I intimidated them, but I'm sure they'll come prepared next time. To steal the star fragments from me. That's why I've been cooped up in the dungeon, trying to get as strong as I can. ...I'm sorry for making you worry.”

“Uh-huh, I see. Such a thing happened, huh? Thank you for telling me. It must have been scary to be surrounded by such a large group of people. I'm sorry I wasn’t there by your side.”

He hugged me tightly and patted my back and head with his warm hands.

It was scary, no doubt. The fear of dying wasn’t something that could be easily dispelled. No matter how hard I tried to cheer myself up, I still felt like everything would crumble at a moment's notice.

But after talking to Luca, I really felt like everything was going to be alright. I wonder if it was because Luca wrapped me up in his warmth every time and constantly told me that he loves me.

I see. I never knew that not being alone could be this reassuring.

“I'm fine, Luca. I'm not weak. I won't let them steal the star fragments. And besides, if they decide to bring down the royal castle, I will have to stop them as a fellow dark attribute user.”

“Zagan...You're truly strong. Your strength in battle is one thing, of course—but your heart, too, is extraordinarily strong. And that is really cool. You're so charismatic that I feel like I'm going to swoon.”

“Pft...I see.”

“Ah, Zagan smiled. Fufu, so cute.”

He smiled happily and kissed me on the cheek. I knew it was because I smiled right away, but you shouldn’t call me cute immediately after calling me cool. And you didn’t have to point it out every time. It made me embarrassed.

After I accepted a number of kisses, he looked into my eyes again, a satisfied glint in his crystal blue stare.

“Hey, Zagan. I'm going to practice more mana manipulation and get stronger. Then, when those people with the dark attribute come, I'll fight them together with you.”

“Indeed, your improvement is remarkable. But you never know when that lot will come. Perhaps they will aim for a time when I am completely alone, just like last time.”

The fact that they had the dark attribute was precisely the reason they didn’t attack me right in the middle of the city. If people with the dark attribute appeared, the crowds in the city would certainly be in chaos, but since there would also be a considerable number of people fighting back, it wouldn't be possible to steal the star fragments from me.

When I moved from city to city, there were so many routes that they wouldn't know where I was. But I had to pass through the outer gates when entering or exiting the cities so they could lie in wait for me...but that was impossible too. I too had the dark attribute and could easily blend into the darkness at night. Thus, it was meaningless for them to stand guard at the outer gates.

The only definite place would be right as I step outside after capturing the dungeon and obtaining the star fragment.

Even after I did exit the dungeon with the star fragment, there would be at least a 10 minute gap before the other challengers would come out as well. Besides, nothing was built around the dungeon—due to the danger of monsters flooding in—and only a few guards were posted. Those people would be killed if they were unlucky. Last time too, that must have been the case.

“You're probably couldn’t go into the dungeon with us, could you?”

“You're right. Certainly, fewer people know me here, in comparison to the first city. But the number is not absolutely zero. Besides, my presence would cause stress to your friends.”

“Yeah,” Luca admitted. “Especially Miranda. On the other hand, Noel would be overjoyed and would favour Zagan, so that could cause some strain in their relationship too.”

“Honestly, Luca...I'm used to fighting alone, so when the chances of others getting dragged in are high, it makes it difficult for me to battle. If our lack of proper cooperation delayed our capture of the dungeon, and the dark organization took the star fragments, it would be putting the cart before the horse. “...However, I can't stop the capture itself. Hmm...”

I couldn't think of a good excuse. I wasn’t like I could just say that the will of this world acted based on a game’s scenario. How to dodge the question?

“Zagan, do you perhaps want the reward?I wonder what it is you would wish for.”

“......Ah, ahh.”

Come to think of it, the one who collected the most star fragments would get a reward from the king. I totally forgot. Although I nodded unknowingly, Luca's words helped me from having to come up with an excuse.

“Would you want to meet your parents? Or do you perhaps wish to end the discrimination against the dark attribute?”

“You're... right,” I agreed. “I think it would be great if this were a nation with no discrimination.”

Of course, it would be extremely hard to eliminate discrimination that has taken root over hundreds of years. However, if the king gave the order not to persecute, the people would have no choice but to obey. If this were the result of fulfilling the wish of the one who collected the most star fragments, none will be able to argue against it.

Even if I didn't choose such a method, once we defeated the evil god, it would naturally disappear sooner or later. However, I was determined to definitely live past the end of chapter 9, and I had no intention of letting the evil god's seal be broken.

On the other hand, I didn’t think I needed to see my parents. Just knowing that they were alive and well was enough for me.

“That's why, uhm. I will try to obtain the star fragments with all my strength. In that case, I'll be all alone as soon as I leave the dungeon no matter what.”

“Then, can't you wait for a bit more?”

“Do you have any ideas?”

“It's just a guess, but I think I have one idea on how to make it possible for me to help you. I'll tell you tomorrow.”

“...?...I got it.”

Why couldn't he tell me right away? The question popped up in my mind, but since he was going to tell me tomorrow anyway, I brushed it off as trivial for the moment.

“Anyhow, I am glad I found out the reason why you were so distressed. Let's do our best from here on out. ...I'll definitely never let you die.”

He looked at me very seriously and gently stroked my cheek.

—I'll never let you die. Those words would surely become a great support for me going forward.

“...ahn, ngh... fua, ah...? ”

Squelch... schlop. It slowly stirred deep deep inside me. A feverish heat surged in my belly, and it felt extremely good. The familiar mana circulated through my whole body, making me feel all light and comfy. And I could feel a warmth enveloping me from behind. It was Luca, hugging me.

“Ah...ahn, ...Luca, mhn.”

“Ngh, ...Zagan, good morning.”

“...Mhn, ah...ahn.”

When I looked at Luca behind me, he smiled softly and kissed me on the cheek. When I stared at him in dissatisfaction, he chuckled and then kissed me on the lips too.

We were currently in the bedroom of the villa. On top of a large bed with silky bed covers. The soft, off-white colour felt fresh and summery, and it was very comfortable to sleep on. Apparently, the duke's maids had cleaned up the entire villa and made the beds for the prince's stay. The sunlight shining through the half-drawn curtains and the morning sea visible through the windows were a sight to behold.

After talking with Luca outside last night, I ate dinner in the villa and took a relaxing bath. We then joined our bodies on the bed till I fell asleep. However, I hadn't slept much lately, and all the fighting had worn me out both physically and mentally. I fell asleep right after he came inside me just one time. Even though I had taken an afternoon nap, perhaps being in Luca's arms had given me a sense of relief, and I didn't wake up at all.

“I'm sorry, Zagan. But seeing you sleeping so comfortably made me horny. Just let me stay inside you a little longer.”

“Ah, mhn...I don't mind. I haven't had a good night's sleep in a long time...fua.”

When I nodded, Luca immediately began thrusting his hips. He thrust inside me over and over, teasing my prostate, making lewd sounds, and the pleasure spread through my body.

“Ahh, ah...Luca, ahn, ah, ah, fu!”

“Ngh, Zagan, ...It feels amazing... hah, uhn, ngh...I'm cumming!”

“Ah, ah...nnnngh—♡”

As I listened to his sexy voice, I could feel  the hot spurts of cum he pumped out hitting deep inside me.

Ahh, Luca's mana felt warm. It felt like fireworks popping inside me and I could not get enough. I was bewitched by the pleasure I received from wrapping around his penis, from the very rim of my anus to deep inside my body; I couldn’t help but  twitch and squeeze my walls against his organ.

His penis moved slowly as if to coat my intestinal walls with the semen it had shot out.

“...Ah, ah...ahn...ah...♡”

“Ngh, Zagan. I love- I really love you.”

I nodded at his happy whispers.

After a while, he once again grew hard inside me and poked at my walls. Before I grabbed the sheets, Luca took my hand and grasped it tightly. Even in the throes of pleasure, I grasped his hand back as he called out my name lovingly.

After cumming inside of me another time, he finally pulled out his penis, satisfied. At that moment, his semen leaked out from inside me.

“Ha, ah, ngh...Luca...haa...”

Luca's juices had collected inside my stomach. Whenever I stirred a little, it made a squelch, and a little more leaked out of my anus. It felt like a large amount. Perhaps he had already cum inside while I was sleeping too.

“Thank you Zagan. That felt amazing.”

“Ngh...I felt really good too. Luca's mana feels very comfortable.”

“Fufu, that's good to hear. I am truly glad I could be here with you today from the moment you opened your eyes.” He smiled softly as he spoke. “Happy Birthday, Zagan.”

Birthday wishes, I see.

“...Oh, is it July 8? Ah, it is my birthday.”

“You were so desperate that you even forgot your birthday, huh.”

“You could...say that.”

I was so busy thinking about what I had to do before the end of September that I didn't care what day it was. Because of that, I ended up dungeon diving way too much though.

I see, I thought. So it’s my birthday. It had been a long time since anybody had celebrated my birthday. Luca got up from the bed naked and pulled something out of the bag he had left on the table. A box, neatly wrapped and tied up with a ribbon. He held it out to me.

“Here, it's your birthday present. Take it.”

“Th...Thank you,” I stammered. “Can I open it?”

“Of course. I really wanted Zagan to have it, no matter what, so I prepared it.

Luca climbed up on the bed again, hugged me, and I opened the gift box as he watched from over my shoulder. What lay inside was a magic device. There were two devices that resembled the transceiver technology from my past life.

“Is this...a magic communication device? ”

“Yeah, that's right. With these two, we can talk even if we’re physically located a certain distance apart. These ones are special, as they can connect us even if we are four cities apart.”

Luca’s gift was a pair of magic communication devices that required the use of light and wind magic stones (of the exact same size and mana) to be incorporated into a complex circuit. There was a lot of familiar technology involved, but in the end, the mana of the two users had to be channelled and synchronized in order for the devices to be connected.

This was something that only upper class nobles could afford. And most only worked within the range of the same city. But four cities?

“How did you get such a high performance device? No, I thought communication devices could only be bought in the royal capital in the first place.”

There were only a handful of engineers who could create communication devices. That was just how difficult it was—or so I had heard.

“I said that I’d sent a letter to my brother in the Sixth City last month, right? I also requested Zagan's birthday present at that time. I said that someone important to me was celebrating their birthday on July 8 and asked him to get these to me in time for my arrival in the 7th City. The Adventurer's Guild is very convenient, because they can take care of your luggage too. Ahh, of course, the money for it came out of my own pocket. I also asked for this villa in the letter. I have a lot to thank my brother for.”

“...Your brother sure indulges you.”

“I wonder. If that's the case, it's probably because he feels guilty that I've been ordained to collect the star fragments. This journey is also a training for me to protect my brother who will eventually become the king.”

“...Is that so?”

It was a setting that hadn't appeared in the game. In the first place, not much was said about the protagonist's family or past in the game.

“Well, in reality we get along well, and he's indulgent with all his siblings. I wonder if it's because we're seven years apart. My younger sister is nine years younger than him, and my younger brother is 11 years younger.”

Seven years, I see. Luca was now 21 years old, with a birthday on January 1, which was often used as the default date in games. The crown prince was 28. He was four years older than me, who’d turned 24 today.

Four years before my birth—in other words, the year the evil god resurrected. The seven year gap was because Luca's parents (the then Crown Prince and Crown Princess) were busy rebuilding the capital. By the way, they ascended to the throne only two years ago.

“More importantly, with this, I'll be able to contact you even when we're far away. I can hear your voice no matter where you are. And, even if Zagan is taken along by those with the dark attribute as soon as you step out of the dungeon, you can tell me that at the flick of a switch.”

“Oh, so this gift is what you were talking about last night? With this, I will no doubt be able to tell you immediately if something happens to me.”

“Yeah. That's why you don't have to force yourself to do everything alone. You have to tell me. I'll do my best to become strong. I just don't want to be waiting apart from you, like a month ago.”

“...I know. I'll be counting on you.”

Whether or not I tell him everything would depend on Luca's growth. But with this guy, there was no doubt he was going to grow strong in the blink of an eye. With such high mana manipulation abilities, the power of his magic must have also increased considerably. Perhaps I should challenge him to a fight sometime.

“Then, shall we pour our mana into them?”

I nodded, and we both touched one of the devices first. Slowly and carefully, we poured in our mana until the gauge was full. Next, we did the same with the other one.

Once we had poured in our mana, I tried flipping the switch. When I did that, the indicator lamp turned bright, and the other communicator started to buzz too, with its indicator blinking on and off. When I flipped the switch again, the light went out, and the one in Luca's hand also stopped blinking and buzzing. They seemed to be working as intended.

I even tried to make a call while I was in close range. I was impressed to hear Luca's voice coming through the communicator properly.

“...Uhm. I'm really grateful. I'm so happy to receive such a wonderful magic device.”

“Fufu, you're welcome. It makes me happy too, seeing you this happy.”

It was the same in the game, where the birthday present was related to a hobby. But I got something special, something much more expensive and valuable than what he would have given to the heroines.

Besides, I didn't think the heroines came to this villa either. Because he said that he had asked his brother in the letter for it...and he hadn't sent a letter in the game.

A place that no one else could intrude, protected by the magic barrier, where the bridge too had a magic circuit inbuilt. The place that made my heart pound with excitement.

...Ahh, that's right. Right.

The moment the idea popped into my head, I grabbed Luca's hand in great spirits.

“Thank you, Luca. With this, I can definitely do something.”

“Huh? Uhm. What are you talking about? Can you tell me? ”

I nodded to Luca, who asked me as a faint blush crept up his cheeks.