After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 171
### Chapter 171: The Priest’s Condition
“By the way, how’s that priest doing?”
At my question, Ayaka-san slightly lowered her eyebrows and wore a pained expression.
“Still the same. She engages in the minimum necessary conversation, but spends the entire day staring blankly at the northern sky.”
“That’s right, she said her family was being held hostage. Do you think they’ve been killed?”
“That’s the natural assumption, but after having someone investigate, it seems they are still alive, albeit imprisoned. If that’s the case…”
Ayaka-san appeared deep in thought. She seemed to have something on her mind. When I encouraged her to continue, she slowly began to speak.
“From what I can see, she still holds some evidence that could be detrimental to the high nobility. I’m almost certain of it.”
“What… but Beato…”
“Yes. Princess Beatrix’s ‘Spirit Eye’ can detect lies when someone answers her questions. However, it doesn’t have the power to uncover information that hasn’t been asked about.”
Now that she mentioned it, during the interrogation with Beato present, we did thoroughly question her about the nobles behind her. However, we didn’t ask if she had anything that could harm them. Damn, we were too lax.
“Then, let’s take her back to Beato and…”
“That would be quite… difficult. If we were to take her back to the capital, I’m not confident we could protect her from the nobles.”
That’s true. The village of the Dark Clan, where she is currently held, is highly secure as they can immediately detect intruders. But in the capital, it’s impossible to know who’s an enemy and who’s an ally. Trying to protect her in such an environment would likely lead to significant casualties among the clan. I can’t put them through that.
As I was feeling disheartened, Ayaka-san looked at me kindly… and then, in an unexpected bold move for her, made a daring proposal.
“Yes, it would be difficult to protect her from unforeseen enemy actions. Therefore… let’s go on the offensive. That way, we can predict the enemy’s movements.”
“Huh?”
No, wait a minute, what are you suggesting we attack?
Could she possibly be talking about attacking the Chancellor’s mansion… well, if Gretel got serious, she might be able to do it. But we don’t have any concrete evidence of the Chancellor committing any serious wrongdoing, so if we did that now, we’d be labeled as rebel terrorists. In that case…
“We’ll rescue the priest’s family. If we do, she will likely offer up her most valuable information to you, Lutz-sama.”
“But, the priest’s family…”
“They are being held in the remote territory of a noble loyal to the Chancellor’s faction. The mansion is well-guarded, but fortunately, it’s in a rural area. Even if we make a bit of a ruckus, it won’t be noticed. I’m in my stable period now, so I believe I can contribute to the mission.”
Ayaka-san, who is usually so cautious, was unusually assertive today.
“Why are you so eager?”
“I want to have Priestess Cecilia as an ally. And if possible, to have her by your side, Lutz-sama.”
So that priest is named Cecilia… no, that’s not the issue. Why do I have to take in a woman who once stabbed me as a mistress? I’ve never had trouble with women… well, except for right now, maybe.
“Why do I need to keep her by my side?”
“Cecilia-sama is a hard worker. Although her magical power is B-class, her control over it is exceptional. If she were to bear your seed, Lutz-sama, she could become one of the top five light magic users in the country, though perhaps not as strong as Margarete-sama.”
“No way, she almost killed me…”
“That’s because Cecilia-sama cherishes her family above all else. If you became her family, Lutz-sama, she would risk her life to serve and protect you.”
Wait a minute. Why is Ayaka-san so adamant about making that priestess a concubine, or rather, a lover? Until now, she has always smiled gently and said, ‘If that’s what you desire, Lutz-sama,’ and supported my decisions unconditionally…
“I understand why you might be confused, Lutz-sama. My feelings are the same as Margarete-sama’s… I alone cannot protect you, Lutz-sama. While I am strong in the darkness, I cannot fully utilize my skills in broad daylight. We need women with different abilities who will devote themselves to you, Lutz-sama.”
Ayaka-san’s argument was exactly the same as Gretel’s. In order to protect me, they want to surround me with strong women, even if it means increasing the number of mistresses… I appreciate the sentiment, but I really don’t want any more lovers.
“It’s okay. Cecilia-sama is an extremely devout priestess. That sense of sin in embracing her… Lutz-sama, you enjoy that kind of situation, don’t you?”
Guh, how does Ayaka-san know about my preferences…? It’s true that what I did with the priestess Daniela during her “baptism” was incredibly forbidden, and that made it… honestly, amazing. But still, the idea of getting involved with someone who almost killed me… As I hesitated, Ayaka-san firmly declared:
“We will depart in a week. Margarete-sama has already given her approval.”
With Ayaka-san’s uncharacteristic assertiveness blocking any escape routes, I had no choice but to nod.