After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 11
Chapter 11: Childhood Friend
“What’s today’s business, Grete?”
“It’s a crucial mission. A new cake has been made at the cafe across from the church. You can’t avoid eating it; accompany me!”
“What’s so important about it for me…”
“Any complaints?”
“…None at all, milady.”
“Good.”
It seems this girl, who is like a childhood friend, has quite a peculiar personality. I wonder if the old Lutz used to get tired dealing with her… Well, the content looks adorable from the perspective of an old man like me.
The desired cafe is a luxurious establishment with a spacious terrace on a corner in the central district. The prices match the setting, attracting a clientele of nobles and wealthy commoners. The new cake is a heavyweight, resembling a Mont Blanc with plenty of chestnuts. Grete, who had a self-important expression until a while ago, now happily scoops up the brown cream. Sitting across from her, I go for a cheesecake. Cakes in this world are less sweet than those I had in modern Japan, emphasizing the taste of the ingredients, which suits my preferences. Perhaps it’s because sugar is expensive here.
While pouring milk into my second cup of strong black tea, Grete continues to chatter incessantly. I have to respond appropriately and look into her eyes, or she gets upset. Her topics change abruptly; one moment, she’s talking about the kittens born to the Earl’s family cat, and the next, she’s boasting about the monster subjugation practical training she was sent on last week. It seems pretty hectic.
“So, the adventurers accompanying us were irresponsible. Suddenly, ten orcs appeared behind the students. The guys in the rear were just carrying luggage with no combat skills. It was a mess… Are you listening?”
“Of course. But given your abilities, I assume you took the lead and single-handedly defeated all the orcs?”
Seemingly conveying my trust, Grete proudly moves her slightly upturned nose and deliberately puffs out her chest. She’s small, so it doesn’t make much of a difference whether she does that or not.
“Hmph… Were you thinking something wicked just now?”
“…I didn’t think anything bad.”
“Fine then. So, with my magic sword…”
Dangerous, dangerous. Even at thirteen, girls are sensitive to looks.
“You did well. You’re strong, after all. But what makes me happiest is that you returned safely. You’re strong, but don’t overexert yourself, okay?”
“Wha-… um, yeah. I’ll be careful.”
After the monster subjugation bragging settles down, I casually insert some words of support. However, Grete suddenly becomes fidgety and her cheeks turn crimson. After a silent moment, just as I was about to change the topic, she leans forward abruptly and looks straight at me, cutting in.
“Um, well… um, about… you know…”
Even though she started talking with momentum, Grete stumbles over her words. But after taking a deep breath, she gathers herself and blurts out the words as if she had resolved to do so.
“S-so, how was the ‘Baptism’? Did it go well?”
Ah, that’s what she wanted to know. She’s still in her adolescence, after all. I wonder what I should answer… If I say something like “It felt really good,” she might get angry and shoot offensive magic at me.
“Yeah, well… I think it went smoothly.”
“I-I see… So, how was the person you were paired with?”
From then on, I was forced to spill details about my “partner” relentlessly. I tried to choose my words carefully, as saying something strange might trigger her anger and magic. Of course, Grete is well aware of the common knowledge of the “Baptism” system as a high-ranking aristocrat. She also knows that I don’t have any “feelings” for my partner, but still, why is she so persistently curious about the details of my “partner”? Grete remained composed throughout, except when I mentioned Ayaka’s name. The surprise when I mentioned that she was my first experience was enough to make me recoil.
“Even if there’s a shortage of women with ‘Dark’ aptitude, isn’t that…?”
“Huh? I mean, I accepted it because the Association chose my partner. Is there something strange about it?”
“No, but…!”
She stammers, which is rare for her. There seems to be something difficult to explain about the opposite s3x. However, as I don’t know anything about the common sense of this world, I can’t fathom what it might be.
“That person must have known you, Lutz…”
“Huh? I don’t know. I don’t have memories from more than two months ago.”
It’s as if the momentum from earlier has vanished. According to her sporadic comments, she insists that there shouldn’t be any woman choosing a boy who underwent the “Baptism” as the partner to conceive her first child. Even with good lineage, it’s like drawing a gacha with no data when dealing with a stud without any information—a rather dry world of “breeding.” Choosing the first partner in this mating process requires determination. Reading the studbook thoroughly to select the optimal male, and if it’s the rare “Dark” attribute like Ayaka, she would undoubtedly have plenty of choices, with a likely significant discount on the mating fee. Grete asserts that applying for the “Baptism” means she probably has special feelings for me.
“Oh, really… Well, she was innocent, modest, and a cute older sister.”
The moment those words slipped out unintentionally, I realized my mistake. Gray eyes widened, and strawberry blonde hair, filled with magical power, swelled out in front of me.
“I see… So, she was that cute. Hmmm… I was planning to relax and enjoy tea with Lutz today, but I’ve changed my mind. We’re going to the training grounds. I’ll give you a good workout! Don’t run away; you’re free, aren’t you?”
Ah, it’s over.