Chapter 108
Chapter 108: Incarnation of Lust
You may have guessed, but this is an episode full of dirty jokes. Proceed with caution.
———
“Hey, are you actually a virgin?”
The prince of the demon race(?) straightforwardly grilled me.
“Wha—”
I couldn’t hide my surprise in time.
This is bad. The wall of pretense I had built up until now—a facade against the incomprehensible notion of “not feeling lust”—was about to crumble!
It’s dangerous if my countless forced actions, which were masked by being a ‘ladies’ man,’ are now under suspicion! If I haven’t done anything, what the hell have I been holed up in my room doing!?
And to make matters worse, Sophia is right beside me!! If this guy reports to Platy, who knows what kind of trouble it could cause…!!
What do I do?
What should I do?
No, if it’s come to this…
“What are you talking about?”
Secret technique! Acting clueless!!
“…Huh? You don’t even know what “to embrace” means?”
Dia’s eyebrows furrowed as if shocked.
“Do you know? The act of men and women coming together is when a man’s spear… enters a lady’s—”
“I know that! I know at least that much!!”
What are you trying to explain from the ground up!?!
“In other words, it’s mating, right?”
“Exactly! Mating. So, Zilbagias, have you ever mated?”
This was the first time, in my past life included, I had ever been asked such a thing.
And yet, this is humiliating…!
“I have.”
I was left with no choice but to answer like that…!
“Umm, I think that’s a lie. You don’t seem to feel any lust, do you? Right?”
Dia sought agreement from the neatly-dressed demon girl beside him. “Indeed♡,” the demon girl replied with a nod—wait, could this be—
“Oh, this is Libidine, my contracted demon of lust.”
“Hi there♡, nice to meet you, Your Highness♡. I’m Libidine♡.”
Ufu♡ She waved and smiled, a demon exuding a modest maid outfit vibe that was supposedly innocent, yet she was a demon of lust… huh…
“That’s usually how demons are, right?”
No, I know Ante isn’t exactly fitting the image of a forbidden demon god…
“Sophia-chan, it’s been a while♡.”
Ignoring my shock, my knowledge demon replied breezily, “Yes, it’s been a while.”
…If you knew, you should’ve told me earlier—!!!
By the way, I didn’t know about it!!
I didn’t expect anything from you. “What did you say!”
“It’s unnecessary to explain the abilities of a demon of lust at this point.”
With a toss of his hair, Dia stared at me with a sidelong glance.
“We can tell… from the scent. That type of scent.”
“Deep, clear, warm affection♡ Plus, a touch of faint sinful aroma as an accent♡ How rich in flavor it is♡ But despite having a high elf as a living doll and taking advantage of dragon girls, there seems to be a lack of gooeyness♡ If that were the case, the taste should be thicker and stickier…♡”
With her hand to her cheek, the lust demon started speaking as if she were a food critic.
“Therefore, lies won’t work in front of us. It’s like an amateur pretending to be experienced in front of a master.”
“Ufu♡ Dia, it’s not just like that, it is exactly that♡.”
“Ah, indeed.”
Dia and the personification of lust chuckled softly.
…This is hopeless.
Just like Dia said, deception doesn’t seem to work. However, I also can’t admit that I’ve been “lying.”
Lying is a trait frowned upon in the demon race. Slight fibs and flaunting might be acceptable but outright bold-faced lies are not.
Platy has allowed me a fair amount of freedom because I’ve honestly shared my intentions and actions in a manner that she could accept.
If she recognizes me as a liar now—Platy might get disappointed and place more restrictions on me than before.
After I’ve finally been granted more freedom of action, I can’t afford to go back to square one like this!!
Somehow—somehow, can I wiggle my way out of this—? Dammit, why am I stuck thinking about such matters?!
This is certainly not the dilemma for a five-year-old…
Now isn’t the time to be careless; this is pretty serious—
Wait, that’s it!!
I’m a five-year-old! I’m just a kid! Although bold-faced lies are out of bounds, pretenses are permissible…!
“…Ugh. I’m at a loss.”
I slumped my shoulders as if resigning myself.
“I… uh. Brother, the truth is…”
“So you are a virgin after all?”
Dia chuckled a little, seemingly amused—
“No, that’s not what I mean…”
Putting on a desperate face while enduring the humiliation, I unleashed my ultimate excuse.
“…I’m actually still in my prepubescence…”
Dia instantly froze.
“…Oh.”
He understood, realized, and looked awkward—his expression seemed to say, “Sorry about that.”
“Oh my…♡.”
Meanwhile, Libidine touched her cheek and licked her lips.
…A shiver ran down my spine. It felt as if I had been tied up and tossed in front of a ferocious carnivorous beast.
“I see; that’s how it is… you can’t release yet… So that’s why…”
Hearing that made me super embarrassed.
But at least I technically haven’t lied. I’ve embraced both Liliana and Leila. I have at least hugged them tightly in bed. That serves as a kind of alibi.
And on top of that, it might also be true that my body hasn’t “matured” yet.
It’s a weak argument, but it stays within the realm of pretenses…!!
“Sorry, Zilbagias. It must be tough having desires but being unable to release them…”
“Ufu♡ Your Highness, if you’d like, I could help you out♡.”
Disregarding the apologetic Dia, Libidine approached me, her arms excitedly flailing.
“It’s all right♡ I’m not scary at all♡ I can make it flow like a fountain… as much as you’d like…!♡”
Yikes.
Her eyes were bloodshot, and her breath was erratic… who was the fool who said she was the innocent type!!?
“That’s a no.”
But Dia tightly tugged at Libidine’s tail (which I noticed she had).
“Ohhh!♡.”
“You promised when you contracted with me that you wouldn’t love anyone but me…!”
Whoa… this is likely the first time I’ve seen Dia with such a serious expression.
“Oh no♡. To be denied in front of such a delicious prey, what a shame!♡.”
She just called me prey! She just called me her prey! This one is mine!!! Wait, Ante, what nonsense are you spouting too!?
“Dia is being selfish♡. You can eat as much as you want while you’re at it♡.”
“…In return, I intend to put in the utmost effort to satisfy you.”
Dia met Libidine’s sulking glare with fierce determination.
“Or… are you dissatisfied?”
“Ufu♡ Well, let’s see…♡.”
Libidine twisted her tail and grinned defiantly.
…It feels like sparks are flying between the two of them.
Like they were mighty swordsmen about to duel…!
……What am I even witnessing?
“Zilbagias.”
Then, Dia’s determined gaze shifted swiftly to me.
“It seems I have something urgent to attend to.”
“Huh…?”
“But I can’t invite you only to leave on my own accord; Allow me to help resolve your worries.”
Please don’t.
“I’ll give you this.”
Ignoring my silent pleas, a powerful magic swirled around Dia’s hand.
Like magic.
A single pink rose, made of magic energy, appeared.
“…What’s that?”
“Condensed magic of lust.”
…The ominous atmosphere radiating from it was practically palpable!!
“Contained within is Libidine’s super powerful charm. Just by smelling it, anyone—man or woman—will turn wild and crazy….”
What kind of thing is this!?—Wait, they just revealed the demon’s magic!?
In demon society, it’s customary not to disclose the nature of the demon one has contracted with or what magical abilities they possess. Well, given that it’s a demon of lust, most people can guess, but…!!
“So, if you use this, I assure you something will come of it,”
He was about to hand it over with a nonchalant tone, like it was candy.
…I was agonizing over this.
Learning the magic of the third prince could be made known, and I was even being given a chance to analyze an enchanted object.
But if I took this, I would be, by position, forced to use it to solve my problem.
…That would mean putting Liliana and Leila at risk.
That’s not okay.
This would be a good opportunity, wouldn’t it? Why not break a taboo~~? If I indulge in the magic of lust and devour them like beasts… surely I’d get a massive boost of power…?
Ante whispered.
…That’s true, though.
I completely understand your hesitation. That’s precisely why taboos remain taboos. Because of your hesitation, that now this forbidden fruit is nearly rotting with ripeness…?
…Then, if I hesitate just a bit longer, it’ll ripen further, right?
Eh? Ah. Well, yes, that’s correct.
Then, there’s no rush. I should keep it a while longer. Thanks to all the taboo-breaking with necromancy, my magic should be significantly developed now…
If this emotion yields more power, I’d keep it until things got really out of hand.
For now, I’m not in dire need of strength.
…Ugh, I can’t believe how spoiled I sound.
“Your feelings are appreciated, Brother.”
Now, how do I decline without causing offense?
After contemplating for a moment—
“I feel like if I give it a little more effort, I could very well reach my goal!”
With great fervor, I gripped my hands tightly and declared with a determined look, face-to-face with Dia.
“It’s been a challenge thus far, but I have this feeling!! Like… I feel it bubbling up! So, I’d like to reach my goal without relying on a magic spell from you!”
What am I even saying right now…?
“I see.”
However, Dia solemnly nodded and accepted this.
“After all, this was originally our suggestion. I’ll respect your wishes. As a man, I fully understand the desire to climb to the top by one’s own strength—my little brother… No.”
He smiled widely.
“—My comrade.”
Looks like I’ve gained his acknowledgment…!
“I eagerly await the day you become independent. If you have any concerns, feel free to consult me. I’ll always be at your service.”
…Huh? Did I hear that incorrectly? Not “I’ll help you,” but…?
“By interfering in the affairs of others, you can also gain power♡! We can do this together♡.”
Ufu…♡ Libidine smiled.
“Of course, I’d help you gain that power too♡.”
Why has she casually been sharing information this whole time!? What’s the intent behind this!?
It’s presumably to make you aware. If you plan to gain power by dragging your allies in, it’s easier when you have a recognized bond of some sort.
Has she got a legitimate intent behind it!?
Completely bewildered, I watched as Dia stood up, bringing the lusty rose to his nose—
Suuuu— and took a big whiff.
…Wait, he’s doing it to himself!?
Then with a sudden pulse of magic energy, Dia’s eyes widened dramatically.
“Libidine, come here.”
The commanding tone was unmistakable.
“Yes♡.”
With eyes sparkling, Libidine leaned into Dia.
Like some sort of dancer, Dia held the magical rose in his mouth, sweeping Libidine into an unmistakable princess carry.
Libidine wrapped her arms around Dia’s neck and intertwined her tail around his legs—
“Well then.”
With the rose still in his mouth, Dia spoke shortly and then vanished.
Like a flash of lightning.
He moved at such blinding speed; sparks flew in the gloomy corridors of the Demon Lord’s Castle, following in his wake…
Whoa, that was fast. So that’s body enhancement through lightning magic…
I think I finally understand why he doesn’t get injured much in battle.
With such powerful charms of lust swirling around him and attacking with that speed, who wouldn’t get thoroughly outclassed?
Damn it, even if the trick’s revealed, there’s no real counter. The best I can do is try to hold my breath and not inhale their scent? In the end, it’s still a contest of brute force… and it seems like he’s powered up by the scent as well…
“…………”
The storm left, leaving an unsettling calm in its place.
Sophia and I were left behind on the balcony. …How on earth am I supposed to talk to her after all this…?
Summoning my courage, I turned to her, and Sophia had a rather lukewarm expression.
“…I hope Zilbagias-sama can release it too! I’m cheering you on!”
She said this whilst tightening her grip tight.
If she’s feeling that way, then I’ve got a plan of my own…!
“…I, um… I feel like I want to try drinking that thing called alcohol.”
As I looked away and said this, Sophia let out a “Gufuh.”
You’re aware that you’ve just shown some disgraceful behavior, aren’t you!?
“…………”
A different silence enveloped us than earlier.
“…Let’s end this topic here, shall we?”
“Let’s do that…”
Sophia nodded with a distant look.
“…Shall we head back?”
“Yes.”
With that, we both stood up from the bench.
I felt overwhelmingly exhausted… I’m so done with lust.
