"Uh?"
She had thought she had only brought a book about the human body, but there was a brief explanation of human sexual intercourse written there. Perhaps because it was an academic text, the explanation was written in stiff, uncommon words, so it seemed to be of a similar kind to the books from which she had acquired knowledge in the past. Erna stood and read the book.
Engaging in foreplay, such as caressing, before intercourse is one way to reduce pain during sex.
“...”
Erna's eyes narrowed as she read that sentence. After reading a little further, Erna soon closed the book and fell into thought.
So, are you saying that rather than just inserting it right away, it is less painful to sexually arouse your partner by touching various parts of their body beforehand?
In the past, she would have thought, "Who cares?" She would have thought, "It’s annoying enough just doing this, do I really have to take so long?" But after seeing the size of Callion, her mind changed a little. A successor is important. But she is more important.
She doesn't want to be in pain.
It is unfair enough that she has no choice but to do this, but she doesn't want to feel pain on top of that. It is not that Erna is seeking pleasure from it, either. That would be terrible in a different sense.
Erna crossed her arms as she recalled the last time she had seen Callion. She saw that his eyes, which had been hazy after being slapped, had returned to normal. At the same time, he was looking at her with a look of disbelief.
'If by any chance he did that with good intentions in his own way...'
If he did it to lessen her pain, it amounted to slapping Callion out of the blue, considering he had tried his best in his own way. Of course, it did hurt when he clutched her chest, though. It wasn't like her chest was bread dough; what was she supposed to do if he grabbed it so roughly?
Knock knock.
Just as Erna's mind was becoming increasingly muddled, someone knocked on the door of the archives where she was.
“Grand Duke, are you inside?”
It was the librarian's voice. Erna had told them not to disturb her until she left, but seeing them looking for her like this, it seemed something was wrong. Erna hurriedly opened the door and went outside.
“What’s going on?”
The librarian looked back with a troubled expression. People wearing the council uniforms were standing there.
“Your Highness, Council Chairwoman Vanessa urgently requests an audience with you.”
“Vanessa!”
Erna, who had practically run to the council meeting room, burst open the door.
“You’re here.”
When Erna arrived, not only Vanessa, who was sitting, but also the other council members, who were talking with her, quickly stood up and bowed to Erna.
“I heard on the way. Monsters in the Haldis region?”
Haldis was the name of a small town not far from the capital. It took about five hours by carriage. Nestled among a large lake and several smaller ones, it was also a beautiful place where people from the capital would go to enjoy their holidays.
That is correct. It is said to have appeared at Lake Haldis, but fortunately, the local security forces noticed the serious condition of the lake before it appeared and quickly evacuated the people. However...
Vanessa led Erna toward the map spread out on the table.
“The monsters appeared simultaneously from various locations, not just in one lake. I hear that is why the center of the city has become isolated. As you know, in Haldis, the lake water flows through the city. Since the monsters are constantly moving along those waterways, it seems it is not easy to get out of there.”
Upon hearing Vanessa's explanation, Erna's gaze actually became calmer.
“How many people are isolated?”
"It is currently estimated to be around 3,000 people."
“How many can be fought back from inside?”
"Some of the security forces remain inside. They say the number is roughly one hundred."
“That is woefully insufficient. Do you have no information on the characteristics of monsters?”
“Based on the information gathered so far, it appears they only appear where there is water. They say they do not come ashore. However, that could change at any time. Also, they are presumed to possess poison. It is said that since the monsters appeared, the fish in the lake have died in large numbers and floated to the surface.”
“That’s troublesome. Then there is a high probability that even the drinking water in the city has been contaminated.”
“It seems so. Fortunately, the security forces reportedly restricted the use to only the water already prepared and banned the use of the lake water after the monsters appeared. And... it is a mass outbreak. Although the monsters are small in size, their numbers are said to be continuously increasing over time.”
"I guess I'll have to hurry."
Erna bit her lip at the mention of a mass outbreak. The characteristic and problem of Hessengard is that monsters keep appearing in large numbers.
Hessengard was the most stable land on the continent as long as the previous Grand Duke was alive. It was a place where the frequency and number of monster appearances were significantly lower compared to other kingdoms, yet now it has become one of the leading monster hotspots on the continent.
However, since humans are adaptable creatures, they are strengthening their vigilance and somehow managing to block the attacks; but when such large-scale outbreaks occur, local security forces alone cannot handle them.
“Yes, please send the Grand Duke’s wizards.”
Vanessa pleaded with Erna in a desperate voice. Erna nodded.
"I will send it right away. And I will go with you."
"...Thank you."
Vanessa, who would normally have said there was no need for Erna to step forward, bowed her head even deeper. Seeing this, Erna realized that Haldis's situation was truly serious.
“Then I will get ready and leave immediately. Tell Haldis that the wizards are on their way!”
"Yes!"
The council members moved swiftly at Erna's command. As she hurriedly left the council room and headed toward the wizards' quarters, Erna thought about what she needed to prepare. And also, just in case there was anything she needed to finish before leaving.
Come to think of it, it'll take a few days to get to Haldis and clear out the monsters.
In that case, she doesn't have to see Callion tomorrow. Although she was told they must be together every day, she doesn't have to go if she has official duties.
Erna walked on with a slightly lighter heart. She could forget about the problem that had been constantly troubling her mind for the time being.
And eight hours later.
Why is that here!
Erna had to face Callion, who was looking down at Haldis from the hill.
Am I stupid?
Seeing Callion surveying the village, Erna briefly seriously wondered if her own intelligence had diminished. It was a mass outbreak of monsters. Furthermore, there were many people isolated, and they needed to be rescued quickly.
In such a situation, Vanessa would not have sought help solely from the wizards. No, she would have contacted the Knights first before asking them for help. After all, they had been protecting Hessengard for a very long time.
But she didn't expect him to come in person.
Erna had expected the Knights to be there, but the moment she saw Callion standing before them, her first thought was that she was doomed. And it seemed Callion felt the same way. Otherwise, there was no way his face would have stiffened like that the moment he saw her.
Callion was just as flustered as Erna was.
He thought they wouldn't have to meet if he came here.
Callion dreaded the approach of Monday. It was absurd, even to himself. He had never felt afraid, not even when facing monsters the size of houses. But to think that facing a human—not a monster, and just facing them face-to-face—would be such a worrying matter.
It is his fault, though.
Just as he was agonizing over how to excuse his actions if he met Erna again, Vanessa asked him for help, and he rushed to Haldis, leading three units of his knight order. It was nothing special to him. After all, it was something he had been doing for the past ten years.
However, the entire time he was rushing to Haldis, his mind was filled with thoughts other than monsters.
Given the scale, it might take a week, or maybe even two, so they can avoid meeting during that time.
He does not have to keep the promise he made to Erna under the legitimate reason of monster extermination.
Callion arrived at Haldis quickly, vowing to take his time and finish this subjugation perfectly, including the cleanup. However, not long after his arrival, the Knights' rear became noisy.
“What’s going on?”
“I hear that Grand Duke Erna has arrived. Leading the wizards herself.”
"What?"
As the surprised Callion looked back, Erna was indeed approaching on horseback. From the carriage that followed, a line of wizards disembarked, their faces turning pale from motion sickness. After regaining their senses slightly, they stood away from the Knights. The Knights also stood at a distance from the wizards, observing them.
In fact, the knights and the wizards were neither particularly on bad terms nor on good terms. It would be inaccurate to call their relationship bad, as they had rarely encountered each other. There had been some complaints among the knights not long ago that the wizards had stolen all the thank-you messages from the people during the recent mine raid. However, that single incident was not enough to cause them to harbor animosity.
As they faced each other awkwardly, a man in a guard's uniform came running quickly from below the hill. He looked genuinely glad to see the assembled Knights and Mages, and soon spotted Erna and Callion. He approached them. He looked at Erna, who was standing there, and gazed at her for a moment with eyes that seemed entranced. Callion clicked his tongue at the sight. It was an expression his knights often wore.
She had thought she had only brought a book about the human body, but there was a brief explanation of human sexual intercourse written there. Perhaps because it was an academic text, the explanation was written in stiff, uncommon words, so it seemed to be of a similar kind to the books from which she had acquired knowledge in the past. Erna stood and read the book.
Engaging in foreplay, such as caressing, before intercourse is one way to reduce pain during sex.
“...”
Erna's eyes narrowed as she read that sentence. After reading a little further, Erna soon closed the book and fell into thought.
So, are you saying that rather than just inserting it right away, it is less painful to sexually arouse your partner by touching various parts of their body beforehand?
In the past, she would have thought, "Who cares?" She would have thought, "It’s annoying enough just doing this, do I really have to take so long?" But after seeing the size of Callion, her mind changed a little. A successor is important. But she is more important.
She doesn't want to be in pain.
It is unfair enough that she has no choice but to do this, but she doesn't want to feel pain on top of that. It is not that Erna is seeking pleasure from it, either. That would be terrible in a different sense.
Erna crossed her arms as she recalled the last time she had seen Callion. She saw that his eyes, which had been hazy after being slapped, had returned to normal. At the same time, he was looking at her with a look of disbelief.
'If by any chance he did that with good intentions in his own way...'
If he did it to lessen her pain, it amounted to slapping Callion out of the blue, considering he had tried his best in his own way. Of course, it did hurt when he clutched her chest, though. It wasn't like her chest was bread dough; what was she supposed to do if he grabbed it so roughly?
Knock knock.
Just as Erna's mind was becoming increasingly muddled, someone knocked on the door of the archives where she was.
“Grand Duke, are you inside?”
It was the librarian's voice. Erna had told them not to disturb her until she left, but seeing them looking for her like this, it seemed something was wrong. Erna hurriedly opened the door and went outside.
“What’s going on?”
The librarian looked back with a troubled expression. People wearing the council uniforms were standing there.
“Your Highness, Council Chairwoman Vanessa urgently requests an audience with you.”
***
“Vanessa!”
Erna, who had practically run to the council meeting room, burst open the door.
“You’re here.”
When Erna arrived, not only Vanessa, who was sitting, but also the other council members, who were talking with her, quickly stood up and bowed to Erna.
“I heard on the way. Monsters in the Haldis region?”
Haldis was the name of a small town not far from the capital. It took about five hours by carriage. Nestled among a large lake and several smaller ones, it was also a beautiful place where people from the capital would go to enjoy their holidays.
That is correct. It is said to have appeared at Lake Haldis, but fortunately, the local security forces noticed the serious condition of the lake before it appeared and quickly evacuated the people. However...
Vanessa led Erna toward the map spread out on the table.
“The monsters appeared simultaneously from various locations, not just in one lake. I hear that is why the center of the city has become isolated. As you know, in Haldis, the lake water flows through the city. Since the monsters are constantly moving along those waterways, it seems it is not easy to get out of there.”
Upon hearing Vanessa's explanation, Erna's gaze actually became calmer.
“How many people are isolated?”
"It is currently estimated to be around 3,000 people."
“How many can be fought back from inside?”
"Some of the security forces remain inside. They say the number is roughly one hundred."
“That is woefully insufficient. Do you have no information on the characteristics of monsters?”
“Based on the information gathered so far, it appears they only appear where there is water. They say they do not come ashore. However, that could change at any time. Also, they are presumed to possess poison. It is said that since the monsters appeared, the fish in the lake have died in large numbers and floated to the surface.”
“That’s troublesome. Then there is a high probability that even the drinking water in the city has been contaminated.”
“It seems so. Fortunately, the security forces reportedly restricted the use to only the water already prepared and banned the use of the lake water after the monsters appeared. And... it is a mass outbreak. Although the monsters are small in size, their numbers are said to be continuously increasing over time.”
"I guess I'll have to hurry."
Erna bit her lip at the mention of a mass outbreak. The characteristic and problem of Hessengard is that monsters keep appearing in large numbers.
Hessengard was the most stable land on the continent as long as the previous Grand Duke was alive. It was a place where the frequency and number of monster appearances were significantly lower compared to other kingdoms, yet now it has become one of the leading monster hotspots on the continent.
However, since humans are adaptable creatures, they are strengthening their vigilance and somehow managing to block the attacks; but when such large-scale outbreaks occur, local security forces alone cannot handle them.
“Yes, please send the Grand Duke’s wizards.”
Vanessa pleaded with Erna in a desperate voice. Erna nodded.
"I will send it right away. And I will go with you."
"...Thank you."
Vanessa, who would normally have said there was no need for Erna to step forward, bowed her head even deeper. Seeing this, Erna realized that Haldis's situation was truly serious.
“Then I will get ready and leave immediately. Tell Haldis that the wizards are on their way!”
"Yes!"
The council members moved swiftly at Erna's command. As she hurriedly left the council room and headed toward the wizards' quarters, Erna thought about what she needed to prepare. And also, just in case there was anything she needed to finish before leaving.
Come to think of it, it'll take a few days to get to Haldis and clear out the monsters.
In that case, she doesn't have to see Callion tomorrow. Although she was told they must be together every day, she doesn't have to go if she has official duties.
Erna walked on with a slightly lighter heart. She could forget about the problem that had been constantly troubling her mind for the time being.
And eight hours later.
Why is that here!
Erna had to face Callion, who was looking down at Haldis from the hill.
Am I stupid?
Seeing Callion surveying the village, Erna briefly seriously wondered if her own intelligence had diminished. It was a mass outbreak of monsters. Furthermore, there were many people isolated, and they needed to be rescued quickly.
In such a situation, Vanessa would not have sought help solely from the wizards. No, she would have contacted the Knights first before asking them for help. After all, they had been protecting Hessengard for a very long time.
But she didn't expect him to come in person.
Erna had expected the Knights to be there, but the moment she saw Callion standing before them, her first thought was that she was doomed. And it seemed Callion felt the same way. Otherwise, there was no way his face would have stiffened like that the moment he saw her.
Callion was just as flustered as Erna was.
He thought they wouldn't have to meet if he came here.
Callion dreaded the approach of Monday. It was absurd, even to himself. He had never felt afraid, not even when facing monsters the size of houses. But to think that facing a human—not a monster, and just facing them face-to-face—would be such a worrying matter.
It is his fault, though.
Just as he was agonizing over how to excuse his actions if he met Erna again, Vanessa asked him for help, and he rushed to Haldis, leading three units of his knight order. It was nothing special to him. After all, it was something he had been doing for the past ten years.
However, the entire time he was rushing to Haldis, his mind was filled with thoughts other than monsters.
Given the scale, it might take a week, or maybe even two, so they can avoid meeting during that time.
He does not have to keep the promise he made to Erna under the legitimate reason of monster extermination.
Callion arrived at Haldis quickly, vowing to take his time and finish this subjugation perfectly, including the cleanup. However, not long after his arrival, the Knights' rear became noisy.
“What’s going on?”
“I hear that Grand Duke Erna has arrived. Leading the wizards herself.”
"What?"
As the surprised Callion looked back, Erna was indeed approaching on horseback. From the carriage that followed, a line of wizards disembarked, their faces turning pale from motion sickness. After regaining their senses slightly, they stood away from the Knights. The Knights also stood at a distance from the wizards, observing them.
In fact, the knights and the wizards were neither particularly on bad terms nor on good terms. It would be inaccurate to call their relationship bad, as they had rarely encountered each other. There had been some complaints among the knights not long ago that the wizards had stolen all the thank-you messages from the people during the recent mine raid. However, that single incident was not enough to cause them to harbor animosity.
As they faced each other awkwardly, a man in a guard's uniform came running quickly from below the hill. He looked genuinely glad to see the assembled Knights and Mages, and soon spotted Erna and Callion. He approached them. He looked at Erna, who was standing there, and gazed at her for a moment with eyes that seemed entranced. Callion clicked his tongue at the sight. It was an expression his knights often wore.
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