Ugh. I've finally switched to writing in Google Docs (rather than the FFN Doc Manager, which has lead to some lost words more than a few times over the years), and now I fully understand the frustration people have with the FFN upload process. Whenever I try to copy and paste it from Google Docs into a FFN doc, the formatting (Italics, Bold) gets lost. So in the end, I had to download the chapter as a docx file and upload it here. (A thing I've never done before, lol.) Hurray! The formatting has been preserved. Only too bad that those neat horizontal lines have been lost in the process. ajskfajksdöfajösdf I guess this is the universe telling me to stop using them. After all, they rarely work on other sites, Pātreon among them, nor do I ever see them in published books. So a scene break is now signaled by the story's name written in Bold. (And no, I'm too lazy and triggered now to put that as centered text.) I'd originally framed that with a few greater-than and smaller-than signs to make it stand out, but apparently, they're not permitted on FFN. Seriously, this senseless censoring...
Rant over.
IAmBitch
Wow, Malty thought, mind addled, when from one moment to the other, they weren't on the cliff and sharing the most intense and wonderful kiss anymore, but were seated on Marc, the rocky terrain bathed in a red hue around them.
In her surprise, she'd made to steady herself, and her hand had met her Master's. They hadn't let go of the other's yet. Her lips were tingling, and she had to resist the urge to touch them. Instead, she wetted them, tasting him on them, smiling. Her heart was close to bursting.
The kiss had been perfect. It had been many things, but it had not been driven by desire and lust, as she'd always envisioned. It had been much more. First gentle, then intense in a way she hadn't known kisses could be. She'd liked the tightness of his embrace. There was no place she felt safer and more loved than in his arms. She wanted to go back there. Stay there forever. Kiss some more.
Voices shook her out of her thoughts. Right, she thought and schooled her features. Wave first. Reward after.
Marc was strutting toward the sources of the voices: the other Heroes and their companions.
"Hey guys," Naofumi called. He was in a good mood—and after that kiss, how couldn't he?—a possessive arm slung around her waist.
Malty leaned back against him.
"Long time no see, Naofumi," the Bow Hero said with a nod, then looked to the figure beside him: Eclair Seaetto. It was her indeed, wearing a shiny armor, long orange-pink hair flowing downward. Malty refrained from glaring at the stuck-up girl.
Mald was nowhere to be seen among the other party members. The Bow Hero and Eclair discussed something quietly, the latter repeatedly gesturing to the forest to their right. Malty recognized the territory. Riyute was in that direction, apparently having the misfortune to be right in the center of the Wave. She could distantly see monsters descending from the ominous swirls in the sky.
The Sword Hero was already gone.
Motoyasu was... Malty wasn't sure what was going on with the idiot. He was seated on some fat white Filolial, among with what looked like three other figures, one in armor. Somehow, they didn't fall off.
Things changed when the Filolial noticed Marc, and the two monsters got into a little glaring contest, stomping their feet as if they couldn't wait to charge the other. Female voices squeaked as Motoyasu's party argued and tried not to lose balance. Malty wouldn't hesitate to strike the feathery abomination down if it came too close to her baby.
"Easy, Marc," she soothed. "The ugly thing is not worth it."
"No attacking, Filo!" Motoyasu commanded.
"But she said I'm ugly! I'm gonna—"
"We go defeat the Boss!" Itsuki insisted, voice increasing in volume. "That's the best way to help everyone."
"But what about the villagers?" Eclair demanded. "It's our duty to defend them."
"We'll defend them by defeating the Boss. Otherwise, the Wave won't end and more people will get hurt!"
"Master Itsuki! Please reconsider—"
"We'll go!" Malty called. She repeated her words another two times until the attention had shifted to her. Marc calmed. "We'll go to Riyute and help there. You go defeat the Boss."
Itsuki looked at Eclair, who was frowning in Malty's direction. "Are you sure?" Eclair called. "Shield Hero? Will you go?"
Malty bristled but pushed the irritation aside. She felt Naofumi nod behind her. Eclair nodded back, said something to Itsuki, and they left at a fast pace, the rest of their party falling into step.
Motoyasu had finally gotten control over his Filolial, and they raced off, quickly speeding past the Bow Hero.
"Go, Marc!" Naofumi said. "To Riyute!" He obeyed.
At breakneck speed, Marc maneuvered them through the forest, dodging around trees and jumping above roots and rocks.
Malty was still clutching Naofumi's hand, squeezing. She hoped he wasn't angry with her. She wetted her lips, thinking about the kiss. Her body shook against the saddle and Naofumi with each of Marc's movements. Unease coiled in her stomach when she looked past the trees' canopy at the blood-red sky.
"Bitch? Why did you want to go help the village?"
"Because I want us to live."
He squeezed her hand. "You think it'll be less dangerous there?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Some of the tension left her body. Somehow, she was more worried if Naofumi was upset with her than the Wave.
In the distance, screams were audible, weapons clashing. Wood splintering. They were nearing the forest edge.
"The other Heroes didn't look as if they wanted our help, anyway," Naofumi said, speaking louder so that his voice carried above the other sounds. "Probably are too stupid to realize that a tank is very helpful."
Malty hummed. "I don't like the thought of you facing off head-on against some unknown boss." Her lips formed into a smile when he squeezed her hand. "And it would provide those bastards from the Church with a perfect opportunity to backstab you. I bet they didn't think we'd go to the village instead."
"Very true. If they had any plans, we've thrown them off." Naofumi tried to press a kiss onto her cheek. It was a bit awkward and difficult at the pace they were going, but he didn't give up until he'd given her a big smooch. "Good Bitch."
"Master!" A spark of arousal flashed through her, only amplified by the position. "Don't distract me!"
"Sorry."
"Later!"
"You can count on it, Bitch!"
Grinning, they adopted a more serious position, just as they shot out of the forest, and the village came into view. Malty's expression turned grim. The destruction was evident. Numerous people had already been killed, and the peasant's efforts to ward off the monsters seemed futile. Most only had their farming equipment or sticks.
Marc made toward some skeletal, humanoid monster in armor and jumped it, biting. Armor and bones cracked beneath his teeth. The head severed, and the thing was dead immediately and collapsed.
They jumped off Marc's back. Malty drew her swords and attacked another of the skeletal monsters.
Interdimensional Soldier - LVL 28
Malty hacked at the thing with Entitlement. The silver sword cut through the rusty weapon of the Wave monster without losing any momentum, then continued through its armor and torso, shattering ribs like brittle twigs. It collapsed in a heap of bones and metal.
Well, this is easy, Malty thought, smirking.
"Bitch! Over there!"
Malty followed his gesturing further down the street. A group of villagers was being cornered by two-dozen monsters. "I got it!" She sprinted over there.
Bigger monsters were among the group, also armored. Like Mald, but almost twice his size.
Interdimensional Juggernaut - LVL 31
With a battlecry, Malty jumped one of them, slashing with both swords. She met a fraction more resistance but still slay the thing with a single strike. With quick movements, she attacked the next, then the next, until she'd decimated the whole group.
"We're saved!"
"Thank God!"
"It's the Princess!"
"Thank you!"
"God bless you, Your Highness!"
An odd feeling flooded her chest. She couldn't quite place it. The tearful gazes of the villagers bore into her. A woman was clutching at a dead body, wailing.
Malty turned away and attacked the next monster.
"Over here!" Naofumi yelled. "Everyone get over here." He was already joined by a dozen peasants, shielding them while they tried to kill the monsters with spears and other makeshift weapons. Marc did the most. He bodychecked a skeleton, and it shattered into a thousand bony pieces, then bit another in the shoulder and ripped it apart with a sharp jerk of his head.
Naofumi looked toward her, and they shared a brief, reassuring smile, then she jumped another monster. They were no challenge at all, collapsing after a single strike each. Was that the power of the Shields Naofumi had told her about? The ones he'd unlocked from absorbing the Slave Ink and her body? She saved more people and yelled at them to go to Naofumi. They were too scared to argue.
Shrill screaming and wailing came from inside a nearby house. The windows were splintered, the door closed, and there was a big hole in the roof. Malty straight-up tackled the door, bursting through with brute force. Childish screeching assaulted her hearing.
She charged the monsters. One was a skeletal soldier and got destroyed by a single swipe of Pride.
The other was one of the flying Wave monsters.
Interdimensional Locuste - LVL 29
It was in the process of ascending through the hole in the roof and had a small girl in its grasp. The girl was thrashing about, screeching, already at half Health.
Malty dropped Pride to free her hand and snapped, "Wind Blow!"
Her spell hit, and the insect-like monster got thrown against the wall, where it shattered with a noisy crunch. The girl fell, screeching even more. Malty dropped Pride as well and caught her. "I got you! It's fine. It's fi— Shut up!"
The girl finally stopped screeching, and Malty set her down. She picked up her weapons. "Come if you want to live!" She turned and left the house.
"Wait! Wait! I'm coming!" the girl yelled and sprinted after her.
An Interdimensional Juggernaut blocked the way. Malty thrust Entitlement into its big, undead head, and the monster collapsed. She picked up a few more people, keeping an eye out for Naofumi and Marc's Health the entire time, ready to come to their aid at a moment's notice. The survivors trailed her as she made her way through the city, among them the trader they'd sold their monster loot to in the very beginning. It was difficult to orient herself. Finally, she found her way back to Naofumi.
"Bitch! Bitch! There you are!"
Malty gritted her teeth. Naofumi was starting to get overwhelmed. He'd lost a tiny amount of Health in order to defend the peasants. Marc did his best to clear the monsters—and did so almost effortlessly—but there were just too many. He and Naofumi couldn't cover all the sides.
Yelling, Malty threw herself into the sea of monsters. She slashed with Pride and Entitlement. Spun around herself. Her blades cut through bones and metal alike. Monsters collapsed around her. She danced across their corpses, slaying more of them. And even more. She grinned. They were just so weak.
Eventually, she was clear of monsters. She stood there, weapons to her side, panting. She looked toward Naofumi and smirked when she saw his intense gaze on her. Master… Her lips moved without a sound escaping. She was getting horny again…
Naofumi turned away. "Air Strike Shield!" He jumped to shield a man with a spear from the axe of an Interdimensional Juggernaut. Malty was there a moment later, bisecting it.
"Go look for more survivors and bring them here!"
"Yes, Master!" Malty dashed off, energy buzzing in her veins. Naofumi had looked so pleased with her. I'm getting a nice reward later. Uhh… Focus! I need to focus...
She found a few more women that had barricaded themselves and their children in their houses. Called for them to come out as she traversed the desolated streets. Eventually, she thought everyone had gotten the message and delivered them back to Naofumi. She'd lost one or two women to one of the flying beasts in a moment of distraction, but it could have been worse. Naofumi was sure to be pleased. They joined the rest of the survivors.
"Bitch!" he yelled above the clash of battle as she cleared the monsters around them. "We need to evacuate. Lead them away from the monsters! Shield Prison! I'll stay here with Marc. You go escort them away!"
"What?" Malty screamed, destroying three Interdimensional Soldiers with a single sweep of Pride. Occasionally, she got hit but barely even felt it. "But I can't protect them like you! You and Marc can't stay behind alone! You—" She jumped to cleave a flying monster in half, then threw herself at a group of Juggernauts. "You should go with Marc. I'll stay and keep their attention on me!"
"No! You go!" His gaze was hard and intense when she caught it.
"You don't have to worry, Master!" She laughed. "Those weak monsters can't harm me at all!"
"What if more powerful ones show up?!"
Area clear, Malty dashed toward Naofumi, bones clacking beneath her metal boots. "Then I'll kill them too! I'll be fine. Don't—"
"I said no! Follow my orders, Bitch!" He grasped her by the shoulders.
For a second, everything else seized to exist. There was only his eyes, sparkling emeralds with the red glint of the sky, as he stared at her with unbelievable intensity. Desperation, perhaps.
"Master," she said, barely getting the words out of her tight chest. "Let me stay here. I can do it."
Naofumi swallowed, then grasped her head and smashed their lips together. Just as intense as the first time. Master… She'd just let her eyes flutter shut when he pushed her away again.
"Don't die, Bitch! That was an order!"
"Yes, Master!"
Naofumi turned away, his tattered cloak flapping. "Everyone follow me! We're leaving! Go go go!"
He's so sexy like that, Malty thought, staring after him for a long moment. He and the villagers vanished behind the trees of the forest. She got shaken out of her lustful trance by a sword hitting her shoulder. It stung faintly but didn't pierce her skin.
Glaring, she spun around and beheaded the rude Wave monster. "Alright! Come at me, you weaklings!" Grinning, she dashed toward the nearest enemy. Now that she was the only one here, monsters were streaming at her from all sides—and from above.
Malty spun and hacked. A whirl of death and destruction. They couldn't touch her. She cut them down like a farmer his wheat. She was just that powerful and awesome. Occasionally, she laughed. Cried tears of happiness and relief. All that fear about the Wave… She'd greatly overestimated the danger of it. But her efforts hadn't been wasted nonetheless. She still felt immense pride in her chest, a sense of accomplishment.
Or was it because she'd saved all those people? Their tearful faces flashed before her eyes, their words of thanks and praise repeating in her mind. Truthfully, Malty couldn't care less whether they died or lived, especially after how appalled they'd looked the day after Naofumi had fucked her the first time. But it had felt good to be the one to save them. The adoration and wonder in their gazes. She'd liked that. Very much. Just another fruit of her hard labor these past weeks.
Is that this selflessness Naofumi was talking about? Malty thought. Partly, she'd saved the people because it made her feel good. But wasn't everyone else the same? When a "good" person helped someone, didn't they do that to feel good as well? Because not helping would make them feel bad? Wasn't that selfishness as well?
All selflessness is selfishness disguised as such, Malty thought. Whoever says differently is just lying to make themselves look better.
IAmBitch
"Shield Hero! Over there!"
"Air Strike Shield!" The spell appeared just in time, blocking the sword from an Interdimensional Soldier. "Don't stop! Keep going!" he ordered as he raced past people and trees to get to where the monster had appeared on the other side of the fleeing mob. The men had finally gotten a hang of it, mostly just keeping the wave monsters at a distance until Naofumi arrived. He blocked the rusty sword of the Interdimensional Soldier, barely even feeling the hit, then went and simply grasped its arms, holding it in place. The villagers hit it with spears and sticks, and, after a few seconds, the thing collapsed, dead.
Marc was guarding the rear of the procession, where most monster attacks happened.
"Shield Hero! You have to help him!"
Naofumi got guided to where a man was lying on the ground with a deep wound in his stomach. His Health was nearing 30%, falling rapidly.
"I am the Shield Hero, give me the power to protect those I care about. Heal my target. Second Heal!"
The man got enveloped in a green glow. His skin moved and shifted, and the wound closed itself. After a second, only the blood on his ripped clothes was giving away that he'd been injured at all. His Health was back at 100%. Those guys were, for the most part, not even level 10. They got hurt easily, and they healed just as easily.
"Thank you!"
"A miracle!"
"Praise the Shield Hero!"
A faint smile tugged at his lips. Naofumi dashed off to where he noticed fighting. The further he got away, the more he wanted to turn around, as if there was an invisible bungee rope connecting him to his Bitch, pulling him backward. Checking that she was still at nearly full Health, he ignored the feeling and cast a Fast Heal on a woman carrying a baby, who was limping, blood running down her left leg. She was able to move just fine afterward. Her words of thanks got lost in the noise as he moved onward.
The vanguard was led by a muscular man with black hair in a ponytail by the name of Gaston. He appeared to be one of the few who actually had some military training, swinging a heavy two-handed sword. He didn't quite kill the monsters as effortlessly as his Bitch, but it was much more than could be said for the rest of the people and their makeshift weapons. Naofumi blocked attacks wherever he could, casting skills, and healed the injured, earning himself more words of praise and applause.
Despite the death and destruction, he occasionally saw Gaston grinning faintly.
Someone's getting some pussy tonight—and knows it, Naofumi thought, chuckling despite himself. He exchanged a nod with the man, then made his way back to the rearguard to look after Marc, assisting and healing people as he passed.
The monster attacks became less and less as they distanced themselves from the epicenter of the Wave. Eventually, they arrived in a clearing, and he decided that that was far enough. He couldn't ignore the need to see his Bitch—unharmed, alive, and breathtaking—anymore. The villagers sent him frightened and pleading looks when he told them he'd head back to the village.
"Please don't go!" a female voice called from within the crowd, followed by more.
Naofumi, holding Marc by the rein and about to mount, halted. Maybe he could leave the dragon here? It would delay his return to the village, but it wasn't like Bitch was taking any damage and needed his assistance. The villagers on the other hand… Would Marc staying here save a few of them? Even if only one, that would be worth it, wouldn't it? The monsters could hardly harm him, so it wasn't like he needed Marc to escort him back.
Naofumi gritted his teeth, staring at their pleading expressions. The women and children hugging each other. "Marc," he said. "You go stay here and assist the villagers. Don't let any monsters come too close. I'll come to get you later."
The dragon snorted, as if voicing his affirmation, and stepped toward the group. The exclamations of relief brought a faint smile to Naofumi's lips. It felt good helping people for a change. Wasn't that why he'd been brought to this world? He turned and made his way back to Riyute, jogging.
It's fine, he thought, trying to fight the dread and worry he felt. She survived this long. She can do so for a minute or two longer. The forest seemed to stretch on forever. Repeatedly, he looked up at the sky, orienting himself with the blue-purple swirls and checking that he was on the right path. Bitch's Health was steady.
A flash of silver in the dark was his only warning before he was suddenly struck by a sword, hitting him against the chest plate. He actually felt the attack, abruptly halting his momentum and making him stumble. A figure stepped out of the shadow of a tree and immediately attack again.
Fuck, Naofumi thought. Fucking shit. He blocked with his Shield. Something struck him in the back: another attacker. He managed to dodge and dashed past the ambushers.
Voices shouted behind him, casting, calling back and forth in some code language. He stumbled and crashed onto the forest floor. "Air Strike Shield!" The skill guarding his back, Naofumi got to his feet and ran. This is what I get for trying to be selfless. Fucking shit. Never again.
He didn't get away, though. In front of him, two cloaked figures blocked the way. He tried to turn left, but the path was blocked there as well. He was surrounded on all sides. Fuck! Stupid useless Shield!
"Nowhere to run, Shield Hero?"
"Not so confident without your lap dog, are you?"
Someone chuckled.
Naofumi gritted his teeth. They attacked from all sides. "Shield Prison." The skill formed around himself. A second later, weapons clashed against it. Naofumi ignored the sounds and thought frantically about what to do. He browsed his collection of Shields, searching for something that would allow him to get away. But they were all so freaking useless! Fuck fuck fuck! Could he somehow call Bitch? Even if he somehow found a way, she was too far away to arrive in time. Damn it! It can't—
"Shadow!" The sharp scream cut through the noise and Naofumi's thoughts. The assault on the Shield Prison lessened, then stopped. Instead, he heard the sound of weapons clashing against weapons. People cursed and cried out. There was shouting. Orders. Spells. It was chaos.
Then silence. An eerie silence that sent chills down his spine. What had happened?
The Shield Prison fell apart, and Naofumi was presented with a bloodbath. Two dozen corpses were strewn about the ground, watering the forest with their blood. Only a single figure was left standing. He immediately recognized the cloak and the silver mask. She was holding a blood-coated dagger in her left hand, and the faint grin on her lips was mildly disturbing, shadowed eyes boring into him.
He noticed that her right arm was oddly tensionless. Blood was dripping from her fingertips. "Do you need help?" he found himself asking.
She chuckled, her grin forming into a smile. "I shall be fine. Better worry about someone else."
"Someone else?"
"Your duty."
Bitch! Right. He swallowed thickly and gathered himself, fighting the shock. Then he gave the Shadow a nod, turned around, and immediately broke into a sprint, not looking back.
IAmBitch
"Bitch!"
Malty smiled brightly at her Master. Oddly, he was running toward her—and at a speed as if Hell's fiercest nightmares were on his tail. He must have left Marc to guard the villagers. She cut down a few monsters with Entitlement, then ran toward him. With a little squeal, she jumped into his embrace, hugging him with weapons on his back.
"You're okay," he murmured, voice thick with emotions. His arms were tight around her. One hand settled on the back of her head, as if cradling it.
Malty grinned up at him. "I told you…" Their faces were close.
There was a faint clank as a weapon hit Naofumi's armor, but Malty barely even felt the force against their bodies. More monsters closed in on them, attacking. They got cast in shadows.
"They really are weak." He grinned.
Kiss me, she thought. Yes, yes, lean down! "Master!"
"What?"
"Look at the sky! Some spell!"
"What is it?" Naofumi wondered, a sword hitting his head without him blinking an eye.
"Must be the knights." Shitty timing as always.
Naofumi grunted. Fire rained from the sky. "Shield Prison!"
They got enveloped in metal. Two Interdimensional Soldiers got trapped with them inside. Malty destroyed one with a kick in its nonexistent balls. The other got backhanded, the ruby on her bracer at the height of her wrist shattering its head.
She grinned at her Master and relaxed into his embrace. The spell hit. Sadly, he didn't use the opportunity to kiss her. Occasionally, sparks slit in through the gaps of the Shield Prison. Orange light flashed as things got hit outside. Sizzled. Monsters cried as they burned and died. Bones cracked under the heat.
The spell ended. The Shield Prison burst and vanished. The village was aflame around them.
What? Why? Malty thought, and an all-too-familiar feeling settled into her. Like when Mother had taken away her dolls because she'd not been pleased with Malty's answers for how to handle political manners—even though she'd tried her very best. I worked so hard to defend all of this. Why…?
Armored footsteps sounded in the distance, closing in.
Malty stepped out of Naofumi's embrace and glared at the approaching knights. They seemed very pleased with their actions. Well, their leader did, grinning smugly as he took in the destruction.
"What do you think you're doing!" Malty pointed Entitlement at them. "We already evacuated the village! There was no need for that spell!"
The captain came to a halt before them. "Whatever do you mean, Princess? We eradicated the Wave spawn, as is our divine duty."
Malty took a step forward. "What did you just call me?"
"Ehm, Your Highness?"
"It's Bitch! That's my name! Say it!"
The knight captain's mustache twitched.
"Any insult to me is an insult to my Master! Go apologize to him! Now!"
The only reaction was a sneer toward Naofumi, and Malty's blood boiled. She took a step forward, almost in striking distance.
"Captain!" a knight called. Monsters had approached, engaging them, weapons clashing. How weak were they that they couldn't handle them? Naofumi was attacked too, though, opposite to the knights, he just stood there behind her, taking the Wave spawns' hits without even noticing.
"I'm waiting," Malty growled.
"Princess, I woul—"
"Silence! You're a disgrace. You took fucking forever to arrive, and then all you did was cause more harm. If I didn't know any better I'd say you did it on purpose." Malty glared. She knew she should stop, but she was just so unbelievably angry. And finally, she had a target. "On top of that, you insult me and my Master! Apologize this instant or I'll have no choice but to challenge you to a duel!"
"Captain!"
The captain gritted his teeth. "Is this really the right place?" he spat.
"Whatever do you mean?" Malty mocked. "Are you saying that your troops are having trouble against those pathetic monsters? Aren't you the best of Melromarc?"
An Interdimensional Locust chose this moment to dive on her, and Malty cleaved it in half with Entitlement, like a pesky fly she'd swatted away.
The knight captain swallowed thickly.
"Duel me, now! Or apologize to my Master! Get on your knees and kiss his feet! What are you waiting for? Grovel!"
For a second, the man looked as if he seriously considered it. Then his expression shifted into anger and haughty disgust. He spat on the ground. "I see the High Priest was right about you. Nothing but a wild dog. Just a rotten whore who has succumbed to the Devil—"
An enraged scream tore itself from her mouth, and Malty struck. The man squeaked and raised his arms above his head. Pride and Entitlement sliced through his forearms as if he wasn't wearing any armor at all, as if his limbs were made out of dough.
What? was all Malty thought as she watched her swords strike his helmet and continue, cleaving the man's head—his mustache—in three parts. The blades halted at the height of his collarbones, leaving behind a bloodied mess. How? What? Why didn't he dodge? How could I even harm him? Why didn't Naofumi stop me? What…?
Blood and brain oozed out of the split skull. She distantly heard a knight scream. Would she have to kill them too?
"Bitch…"
Naofumi's voice snapped her back to reality. She gathered herself. The knights were busy fighting the monsters, only a few having turned to look at their dead captain.
Malty kicked the bleeding corpse, making it slide off her swords and drop to the ground. "This is the price you pay for attacking a member of the royal family!" she exclaimed. "Remember that before casting a spell at us again! Is that clear?!"
"Y-yes!" the knights stuttered and yelled one by one.
Malty looked toward Naofumi, but his expression was hard and unreadable. At least he doesn't look too upset. She went to assist the knights in clearing the monsters. A few were holding their own, but the majority were struggling. Some were already dead. She didn't feel particularly guilty about it.
"Is this the best Castle Town has to offer?!" Malty snapped after having just cleaved two Juggernauts in half. "You're a disgrace for Melromarc!"
"We're sorry!" the knights cried. "Have mercy!" "Save us!"
Scowling all the while, Malty did. Naofumi joined her side and didn't leave it again, even if it couldn't have been the most effective thing to do. Slave Feeling warmed her chest and filled her with hope.
The sky cleared, and warm sunrays touched her face. They slay the last monsters.
The knights cheered and breathed sighs of relief. One or two fell to their knees and cried for their fallen companions. Malty cleaned her swords, then sheathed them.
A tall knight with a scar across his nose, the vice-captain, approached her and Naofumi. Helmet in his arm, he dropped to a knee in front of them, head lowered. "Shield Hero and...Bitch."—Malty grinned—"Please allow me to apologize for my troops. We only followed orders."
"It's fine," Naofumi said. "Go make yourselves useful elsewhere. Extinguish the fire if you can. We'll escort the villagers back."
"As you wish, Shield Hero."
Naofumi took Malty's hand and led her away with firm steps. They passed burning houses, making another wave of righteous anger sweep through her.
"I'm sorry, Master," she said when they were out of the knights' earshot. "I hadn't meant to kill him. It just...happened."
"It's fine, Bitch. I'm not angry."
"You're not?" Why was he so tense, then?
"Do you think we'll get in trouble for it?"
"No," she said. "No more trouble than usual. They did attack us first."
"Good." They entered the forest. "Perhaps this'll teach them a lesson, and they'll send some actually useful people the next time."
Malty snorted. "Yeah. Maybe…" A flicker of light among the trees caught her eye, and she stopped sharply. "Master, did you see that?"
"See what, Bitch?"
"Over there," she whispered, pointing and stepping closer to him, completely alert. "I think there's something."
Naofumi shifted next to her. His hand on her tightened. "It's nothing. Let's go elsewhere."
"Are you sure?"
He met her with a hard look. "Yes. Just some dead guys. Nothing you have to see."
"Oh." How silly that he would try to shield her from a bit of death after she'd just cleaved a man's skull into thirds. His protectiveness made Slave Feeling warm her chest nonetheless, a coy grin spreading across her face. "Okay, Master."
His lips twitched, and he pressed a kiss onto her forehead. Malty wished to step closer and perhaps kiss some more, like on the cliff, but he led her away, taking a wide arch around the dead villagers.
They didn't speak until the clearing where he'd led the survivors came into view. Marc was the first to greet them, and Malty took a moment to hug and pet him. Naofumi tossed him a big chunk of meat.
They approached the villagers.
"Are the monsters defeated?" an old man asked. "Can we return?"
"Yes, it should be safe now," Naofumi said. "Knights are there to clean up."
"Thank you."
"Bitch!" a high-pitched voice squealed. A small figure—a girl—burst forth from the crowd. "Biiiitch!"
Malty nearly drew her sword. The girl threw herself at Malty, hugging her around the legs. "Thank you for saving meee!"
"Uhm…" Malty didn't know what to do with the little brat. She looked to Naofumi for guidance, but he only grinned at her. Malty awkwardly placed a hand on the girl's head. Patted her. "It's all good. No need to thank me." She had this urge to shake her off, like an annoying Filolial chick that had bitten her leg.
Thankfully, the girl released her after a few more seconds. She looked up at Malty with big, tear-filled brown eyes. "You saved me! And everyone else! When I grow up, I'm gonna be just like you! Strong and...and awesome. And I'm gonna get cool scars and save lots of people!"
This got a few chuckles from the rest of the villagers. The girl turned to them and exclaimed, "I'm gonna be just like Bitch!"
More than a few cringed at that. Apparently, the girl was too young to understand what the word meant. To her, it was just a name.
Malty giggled. She placed a hand on the girl's head and ruffled her hair, making her squeal. "I'm sure you will."
"You hear that!" the girl yelled. "Bitch says I can do it. And if she says it, then that means it's true. Not like you negative old people!"
More cringes. Some guilty looks to the side.
Malty laughed, and the girl giggled along. Naofumi hugged Malty from behind and gave her a peck on the cheek. She had to blink back tears.
What's going on? Malty thought. She'd need some time to come up with names for whatever she was feeling right now.
Eventually, someone had the bright idea to suggest they now return to the village, and they disbanded, though not after another awkward leg-hug from the girl.
"Well that happened," Naofumi commented when it was just the three of them. "How are you feeling?"
I'm not sure, she thought. "That was one crazy brat."
He chuckled. "Yeah. Come. Let's go." He grasped her at the hips and helped her onto Marc's back, then took his place behind. They got moving.
"There'll be a feast in the evening," Malty found herself saying. Judging by the sun, it was early afternoon. They'd have a few more hours before they were expected at the castle.
"Got any wish for what we do until then?"
"No… Not really." Her mind was oddly blank. Now that the Wave was over, she felt...lost. Somehow.
"But I do," Naofumi said, and she could practically hear his grin. "You'll enjoy it, Bitch. Let's go, Marc!"
"Okay." She stayed silent, relaxing against him as they rode across the countryside.
After about half an hour, they arrived at a river and dismounted. Right, Malty thought. Washing seems like a smart idea. My armor is all filthy, and I'm not much better. With how sweaty things were beneath her armor, it was a wonder Naofumi hadn't complained yet.
Marc was the first at the water, drinking. Malty shot him a grin and approached too. It was a broad river, probably quite deep too. The water flowed past at a steady pace.
Malty was unprepared when she got suddenly shoved. She managed a panicked squeak, arms flailing helplessly, then splashed into the water. AHHH! Cold! Cold everywhere! She fruitlessly tried to right herself, having no feel for where was up and down. The only thing she managed was to swallow some water, then some more. Master! Save me!
As if summoned by the thoughts, hands grasped her and firmly hefted her up and above the surface. She coughed and wheeze for breath, a hand hitting her back. His other arm was slung around her waist, and a squeak escaped her when she looked down into two sets of glowing red eyes. But it was only his Shield. The one she'd helped him unlock from the Two-headed Black Dog.
"Sorry," Naofumi said, and he actually sounded apologetic. "Sorry, Bitch."
"It's fine, Master." Her breaths came out in frantic gasps. She slowly got used to the temperature, and her lungs stopped aching. The water only went up to her naval. She must be some special kind of idiot to nearly drown there…
"Here." Naofumi handed her a cloth.
She was momentarily confused what he wanted her to do. A second cloth appeared in a flash of green. Naofumi wiped some dirt stains off his breastplate.
Right. Of course. Together, they washed their armors, helping each other out here and there. Once a part was clean, he absorbed it into his Shield. Soon, they stood there in just underwear.
Grinning, he made that vanish as well.
Malty had only time to gasp as the cold water invaded even her most private spots, then he'd already grasped her, enveloping her in a tight hug, wonderful warm skin around her. Her arms went around his torso, and she smiled up at him. "Master…"
He leaned down, and her lips parted in anticipation. She held her breath. Their noses touched. She angled her head away, but he followed, brushing their noses together in an odd but pleasant caress. She giggled. Silly Master…
"Bitch," he said, breath brushing against her lips. "Do you want me to fuck you? Or would you like to have some fun before?"
It wasn't a difficult decision. Of course, she wanted to be fucked. And he wanted it too, judging by the hard erection she could feel against her hips. "What kind of fun, Master?"
He drew away to give her an evil—and very sexy—smirk.
Involuntarily, she held her breath. It came in handy when he abruptly pushed her away and into the water, blocking her feet when she tried to balance. She didn't inhale water this time. He held her down for a few seconds.
Malty burst forth from the water with a glare on her face. "Master…" She jumped him, and they splashed into the water together, laughing.
It had just been yesterday that they had their little water battle inside the bathhouse, but it was just as much fun. A lot more, even. Probably because there was no restricting pool today, and the coolness of the water made it better, somehow, not to mention the sun greeting them whenever they emerged after being dunked by the other.
They laughed and giggled and splashed each other. She couldn't remember laughing so much in forever. He too, from the looks of it. His eyes shone with happiness, and his laughter was so different than usual. Much more free and genuine. There was nothing sadistic about it, as she was used to. Just pure bliss. It warmed her racing heart.
At some point, they arrived at the riverbank and transitioned onto the grass, where they wrestled and tumbled. Tickled each other. Inserted the occasional kiss on the other's body. Thoughts of sex were far from her mind as they exercised and amused themselves to their hearts' content.
Eventually, the energy left them, and they collapsed, both gasping for breath. Malty was on top of him—she fancied that made her the winner. The odd burst of laughter disturbed their recovery. He put an arm around her.
Now would be a nice spot to kiss, but she was too exhausted to lift her head off his chest. It wasn't long after their breathing had calmed down that she drifted off to sleep.
IAmBitch
Malty got woken from her half-sleep by Naofumi pushing her off him. She made a dismayed sound as he placed her onto the grass. She then watched him, shamelessly ogling his naked body. He'd really gotten quite fit these past weeks...
He retrieved a few large towels from his Shield and spread them on the ground, then busied himself with getting more things from his Shield.
Malty sat up to see better. On a large quadratic space made out of multiple white towels, he was laying out their armor parts and clothes. Evidently, the water had transitioned in and out of the Shield.
She crawled over to where a beige and a blue towel lay, clearly intended for the two of them. She was mostly dry, but the towels' smoothness was very welcome. She stretched herself and settled onto her back, torso propped up with her arms so that she could watch her Master.
He was organizing their things in a way as if clothing two imaginary people lying there on the towels. It was a negligible thing, but it made a spark of Slave Feeling ignite within her.
When he was done and turned back to her, he halted, as if frozen, gaze locked onto her form. "Wow…"
Malty's smile widened, and the Slave Feeling intensified. She fancied that her breasts looked quite fetching like this. Muscles or not, scars or not, she was still beautiful. At least in his eyes. Droplets of water ran down her chest, the valley in-between her breasts, and across her abs, tickling her.
Naofumi swallowed and broke out of his trance with a small shake of his head. He crouched onto the blue towel next to her, but paused in lying down. He distanced himself a few paces from her, placed another towel in the grass there, and lied down on his back, head angled toward her. He looked so peaceful, completely relaxed, as he stared at her, admiring her.
Grinning like a fool, Malty moved to show off her body. She ran a hand through her damp hair. Traced her body here and there. Her breasts. The Slave Crest. He seemed to especially like it when she touched her scars. The sun was heavenly warm against her naked skin, and his gaze was making Slave Feeling burn inside of her. A faint breeze made it perfect.
It was ridiculous how happy she felt. How beautiful, fulfilled, and carefree. For a moment, nothing else mattered. Just her and her Master. The way he looked and admired her as if she was the most beautiful thing in the world. She couldn't avert her eyes from his. Her chest started rising and falling in a faster rhythm. Excitement built between her legs.
A long sigh escaped her. Naofumi grinned, and she blushed when she realized just how lovesick that had sounded. She masked it easily, though.
Biting her lip, Malty briefly spread her legs, showing him her wanting and wet cunt, before pressing her thighs together again. She swallowed thickly when he licked his lips. His cock was gradually getting more excited.
She could practically taste the tension on her tongue. She yearned for a kiss. Any touch, really.
"Come here my beautiful Bitch," he said, voice thick with desire.
"Yes, Master." Giggling, Malty obeyed. She crawled toward him on all fours, liking how his gaze never left her body.
Naofumi grabbed her and pulled her against him. Sounds of content escaped them both as they embraced. He maneuvered her so that she was with her back to his chest, his arms tightly slung around her abdomen, and kissed her on the throat.
"Oh, Master," Malty sighed. She lost herself completely in the sensations, letting herself be consumed by arousal and Slave Feeling.
He placed one hand onto her abs and explored them with his fingertips, slowly circling lower and lower.
A wide smile was splitting her face. Every touch filled her with more warmth and happiness. His cock felt wonderful and hot, almost scorching, where it was pressed into her ass crack. She rubbed faintly against it.
His hand slid across her pussy, and Malty cried out a needy moan when he gave her a generous stroke.
"So wet, Bitch." He sounded almost awed. His fingers slid alongside her labia, caressing.
Malty nodded dumbly. Thankfully, he correctly understood that as, Don't stop, Master!
"Put it in," he commanded in a gentle voice.
"Yes, Master!" With his help, Malty pushed herself up a bit so that she could grasp his cock—wonderful, perfect—and bring it in front. With almost frantic movements, she pushed the glans into her pussy, then let herself slide onto it, releasing a long sigh of bliss and relief all the while.
"Fuck," he gasped when she was completely filled. Yet, he didn't move yet. "What a good Bitch."
"Hm-hmm." She preened.
He snorted suddenly, then chuckled. "Look over there."
"Where, Master?"
"At the other side of the river. Do you see it?"
"See what?"
"The bush to the right. Near the tree with the red leaves. Do you see it?"
Malty gasped. Now that she saw it, it was obvious. Someone, multiple someone's were hiding there, specks of color peeking out here and there among the green of the bushes. Her first instinct was to cover herself, but she didn't.
"Looks like we have an audience," Naofumi whispered. His voice spoke of amusement, perhaps excitement, and he was definitely smirking.
Slave Feeling intensified. "Yes…" A faint moan escaped her lips. "How…wonderful." Thousands of people had already heard her screaming out her orgasms. Being watched was simply the next logical step, wasn't it? It sent excitement racing through her.
"I thought you'd like that, you little Slut."
"Uhhh… Yes!"
Naofumi chuckled. He shifted his hands onto her breasts and grasped them, tightly, squeezing. She always loved his hard caresses. As if he was desperately trying to feel more.
"Master…"
"My wonderful Bitch," he said in-between kisses. "So gorgeous. Fuck. So perfect. And all mine."
"Yes," she gasped, eyes closed. "Yours."
A faint growl escaped him. His kisses became more insistent. His cock twitched inside of her.
"Master, oh, Master. Master," she moaned over and over. His hands were all over her body, grasping, tracing, squeezing. Leaving her skin and scars tingling. He stroked her clit and twisted her nipples. His lips felt so good on her skin, her scars. The way he brushed his tongue across—hard, as if trying to lick her into submission—robbed her of the last coherent thought. She squirmed helplessly in his embrace. Her pussy clenched with insatiable want. Her arousal was quelling, probably running down the base of his cock and balls. She tried to tell him just how good it was, but what exited her mouth was an ood jumble of words and moans.
She must have reached some new state of being. It was pure bliss. She wouldn't trade this for anything in the world.
"Bitch… My feisty Bitch…" She was only faintly aware of his voice.
"Yours," Malty moaned as pleasure burst through her body, hips rocking. "I'm yours! Always!" Only after retaining some control over her body did she realize what she'd just uttered, but the embarrassment remained absent. There was only pride—and a stupid smile on her face.
"Yes, you'll always be mine." Naofumi brushed some strands of hair out of her face and kissed her cheek. He broke the hug to let himself fall backward.
Malty spread her legs wide. The thought of baring herself completely, with all her scarred glory and without an ounce of shame, to whoever was watching, was very appealing. It filled her with a perverted kind of satisfaction and made her desire ramp up with explosive intensity.
Naofumi grasped her ass and helped push her up, then lowered her. Malty started moving. She wondered who else might be watching. It was so exciting. She slid up and down his cock, the sun warm and wonderful on her skin. The wind trousled her hair. She moaned her pleasure out for everyone to hear, loud and unfiltered. She felt so free and beautiful, bouncing on his dick.
She pouted when Naofumi stopped moving. He grasped her by the shoulders and pulled her until her back was on his chest. He maneuvered, grasping her legs and pulling them back, keeping them spread, then started fucking her. He kissed her shoulders and neck. Caressed her with teeth and tongue. Pleasured her with the sweet pain of the Slave Curse.
Malty writhed on top of him, shrieking in pleasure, moaning. She never wanted it to end. "Yes! Master! Master! Oh, yes! Fuck!"
"Bitch. My Bitch!" Naofumi's groans became louder and more desperate. He fucked her harder and faster. With a burst of wonderful pain flashing across her chest, Malty came. Her body curved, her back arching, as she screamed out her ecstasy up in the cloudless sky and into the heavens beyond.
Or perhaps she already was in heaven.
IAmBitch
Lying naked on his stomach on a soft towel, Naofumi shot his sleeping Bitch a smile before focusing back on his Healing Magic book. With everything happening, they'd rarely gotten time to extensively study the material, and after he'd learned the most essential spells, there hadn't been much reason to, either.
He still could only understand the occasional word but nonetheless contented himself with leafing through the books, studying the diagrams and illustrations. He wasn't learning much, but it was calming.
Now that they'd survived the Wave, a little peace and relaxation was in order. The surrounding nature—water rushing past, the wind rustling the leaves, birds chirping, Marc snoring faintly—almost gave him the feeling as if he was on vacation. He wondered whether the Shadow was nearby. Had she always been? Watching over them?
Next to him, Bitch stirred. She yawned cutely, then stretched her sinful body. He could still hear the beautiful moan with which she'd climaxed.
"Welcome back, my feisty Bitch." Naofumi forced his attention back on the book.
She hummed. A hand found its way onto his back, and she felt and patted around, as if orienting herself blindly. She mumbled something, making Naofumi grin. Sometimes, she was really adorable.
At last, she got up from her lying position and dragged herself onto his back, then lied down there.
He was very aware of her big, wonderful breasts pressing into the skin beneath his shoulder blades. "Bitch?"
"You're comfortable," she said, snuggling against him. "What are you doing?"
"Reading."
"But you can't read our language."
"I can look at the pictures, though."
She giggled. "Do you want me to read it to you, Master?"
"No, it's fine."
"Something else I can do for you?"
"Nothing. Just relax."
"Your wish is my command." With a faint giggle, she obeyed. He very much liked the feeling of her warm, smooth, naked body on top of his. And she liked it too, judging by her sounds of contentment. How she rubbed her head against him.
Like a cat, he thought, smiling at the image. Now feisty gets a whole new meaning. He turned a page but could hardly concentrate on what was on it. His cock was faintly erect.
Marc was dozing further along the meadow in the shadow of a tree, tail curled around himself. Naofumi wondered what the dragon made of their owners' odd behavior. With how effortlessly and efficiently he always obeyed Naofumi's commands, you could almost think that he harbored some intelligence above the typical monster.
His Bitch shifted. She slid one hand across his right upper arm. "Beautiful," she said, making an appreciative sound as she traced his muscles with her fingertips.
A warm feeling of satisfaction spread through his body. Her praise meant more to him than he would have liked to admit.
She pressed a kiss in-between his shoulder blades, then higher. She didn't stop, kissing his shoulders and neck, as if she had to make up for all the times he'd tasted her skin. "Master…" She explored his body, kneading, massaging. Her hair faintly tickled him as she moved.
Was that how she felt when he spoiled her? So...loved and appreciated? Admired? The gentleness of her caresses sent shivers down his spine and excitement to his groin. Everything felt so sincere and natural. He didn't wish it to end. And it wouldn't. Because she was his. Forever.
He snorted faintly. "Who would have thought that things would become like this when we left the castle on that day."
"Yeah…" She pressed a kiss onto the side of his neck, then paused. "I never saw us moving past hating each other." She placed a hand on his head and gently played with his hair. "Or how happy you make me."
Naofumi swallowed thickly, and his cock was suddenly rock-hard, pulsing where it was pressed against the towel. "Yeah." Her admission filled him with an intense happiness.
She snuggled against him, hugging as much as that was possible in the position, then traced his right arm upward until she met his hand. They grasped the other and entwined their fingers. He knew she was smiling just like him. Could practically feel her heart beating along with his. She brushed her thumb across the back of his hand, and he returned the favor.
After a long while of complete contentment, she broke the idyllic atmosphere. "I've been thinking..."
"Yeah?"
"We should leave. Melromarc. Just tell them all to fuck off and leave."
He chuckled. "And where to? Won't you miss your home?"
"No." She squeezed his hand. "My home is here now."
"Here?"
"Here," she said and pressed a kiss onto his neck. "I'll be at home wherever you go."
His breath hitched. "Oh. You're right, of course. You're mine."
"Hm-hmm."
"And where would you like to go, Bitch?"
"Shieldfreeden should be good. But we could also take a little break on Cal Mira. They're tropical islands north of Melromarc. We should be tough enough for the monsters there."
"Sounds lovely." He grinned. "As long as there are no laws against public sex on the beach."
Bitch burst out laughing. She shook atop him, releasing resounding peals of laughter. It was a sound so beautiful it could rival her heady moans at the heights of pleasure. He was almost sad when she calmed.
"There might be," she said. "But we hardly care, do we?"
"Not in the slightest."
She made herself comfortable again. "But I don't believe they got a Dragon Hourglass there. That's why Shieldfreeden would be ideal. To get my class upgrade."
"Sounds good. Maybe we can get your class upgrade and then continue to Cal Mira."
"Whatever you think is best, Master."
"When do we go?" he asked.
"You sound as if you'd like to hit the road immediately."
"Might be better," he said, thinking of his encounter with the Shadow. Clearly, the Shadow, and by extension, the Queen, was playing some game, and he'd rather not partake.
She hummed. "Nonetheless, we should attend the feast, at least, and collect our reward for the Wave. I wanna pack some things from my rooms. If… if that's okay, Master?"
"Of course, Bitch. We can go raid the castle before we go. And then I'll fuck you in your bed."
She gave an excited squeal.
How ironic, that something so simple—and normal—would elicit that kind of response. "I bet it's gigantic," he said.
"It is."
"With crimson bed sheets."
She giggled. "That too."
I wonder if she has plushies, he thought, smirking. Perhaps a unicorn or a dragon. He'd tease her endlessly about it, though he would pack them for her, of course. Well, only one way to find out.
IAmBitch
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