70

The boys mustered their courage and stepped forward to protect those they had to defend when a massive monster suddenly appeared.

But then, a pair of irregularly large breasts also appeared, drawing the gaze of every child—boys and girls alike—to one point.

Would Dame Oppai finally find her career path?

Next time on the Number Six Show—The Dream Collaboration: The Battle of the Young Warriors—Dream Big and Grow Strong, Children.

And with that, my escapist fantasy ended.

Dame Oppai clung to me, wailing pitifully in front of the children.

“You said I’d be safe! You said I wouldn’t be treated badly!”

Number Six regarded her with cold eyes.

The children, not understanding the situation, simply watched.

I sincerely hoped that the crying, sniveling Dame Oppai would serve as a “bad example of an adult.”

Of course, enjoying the feel of her breasts pressed against me wasn’t bad either, but half of this was intentional on my part.

From Number Six’s perspective as a member of the Nature Harmony Committee, Dame Oppai being “returned as wasted food” meant she had ruined a valuable opportunity.

As a monster currently being considered for possible coexistence, this move was my way of carefully rebalancing the distance between us.

With taboo powers like mind-control magic existing, confronting them without preparation would be suicidal.

Keeping too much distance was dangerous too—that was why I had “returned” Dame Oppai.

Number Six would no doubt want to know everything about how she had spent her days with me.

And the information she provided would surely exceed Number Six’s expectations.

(It doesn’t matter if some details leak. My combat ability is still hidden. Once Number Six confirms my intelligence again, she’ll certainly try to arrange negotiations! That will also mean suppressing the factions that want to hunt me. And I’ve already confirmed she holds considerable rank among the elves!)

Those who still wanted to push for my extermination were few, but anyone attempting it would be people seeking to gain something from such a risk.

In other words, factions hungry for greater influence—like the Zesato clan.

And now, the living proof of Zesato’s tyranny—Dame Oppai—was in Number Six’s custody.

(A flawless plan… if only its centerpiece weren’t that Dame Oppai!)

Her incompetence was something I had thoroughly experienced in just a few days.

That was why I didn’t want Number Six to be forced into a situation where she had to “treat Dame Oppai kindly.”

Because Dame Oppai would undoubtedly grow complacent and exploit it.

And if she was abandoned in disgust, who knew what would happen?

If she were sternly disciplined into shape, that would be fine.

But if her situation worsened, she might even defect to the Zesato’s side.

Still, if she faced strictness from the start, she’d probably put up with it—at least when her life was on the line.

That was my reasoning… but her pathetic display far exceeded my expectations. What had she been imagining?

No doubt she was thinking: “I’m such an important witness. They’ll pamper me, take care of everything, guarantee my safety, and I’ll get to eat and sleep all day from now on!” Damn fool!

Sure enough, when she heard Number Six say, “I have things to ask you. For now, we will protect you under the Forshuna name, but you will be returned once the Zesato matter is resolved,” her face fell into tears and she begged me for better treatment.

(I was naïve. Far too naïve.)

Regardless, nothing could begin until Number Six agreed to take her in.

Thinking it was unwise to linger in the river, I pointed to the riverbank and moved us there.

I hoisted the bawling Dame Oppai out, and when she kicked and thrashed annoyingly, I yanked off the coat tied around her waist, leaving her butt bare.

“Stop it—!”

She shrieked, struggling.

Climbing out first, I found what appeared to be Number Six’s clothing hanging on a tree.

Since her undergarments were soaked, I retrieved a drying cloth and the clothes and handed them to her.

She still showed no self-consciousness about being naked as she accepted them.

It was a sight for sore eyes, and I gave them as a token of gratitude.

She bowed slightly and said, “Thank you,” though her gaze carried an intensity that let me know she missed nothing of my movements.

She was clearly a strong-willed woman—and one with high standing among the elves.

Compared to her, Dame Oppai was pitiful.

There was no denying my judgment of her as “worthless except for her body.”

And yet I had to defend her, even a little. What misery.

Number Six dried herself off and put on a top, then sent the children away a little before turning back to me.

“First, I apologize for my kin’s discourtesy.”

She bowed her head, and I showed her a note reading “I don’t mind,” while giving Dame Oppai a smack on the rear.

“Hey, why do you always just—”

“You keep quiet.”

The sheer authority in Number Six’s voice silenced Dame Oppai instantly.

I showed another note: “I wasn’t bored,” as a subtle hint not to be too harsh.

I also explained my reason for returning her: “I don’t stay in one place long. She’s incapable of traveling with me. So I’m sending her back.”

I added a final note labeling Dame Oppai as “Special Classification,” completing her defense.

With this, she wouldn’t be immediately cast aside.

I set Dame Oppai down before Number Six.

“I will take her. But why not return her to her own village?”

As expected, she asked. Which only confirmed my assessment of her.

No doubt she wanted to draw more information from me by acting casual. So I did the same.

“Distance.”

A simple, convincing reason.

“Heading south.”

I added another note: “I’m moving south, so I’m returning her. Nothing special behind it.”

“South, you say…”

Her face clouded. I wrote another note: “Bad news there?”

She nodded slightly.

“This Great Forest—goblins infest the north, and orcs fill the south. Their numbers are so overwhelming that any large settlement nearby would be in danger.”

Well, it was nice to be worried about by a beauty, but doubting my strength was insulting.

Still, I didn’t want to give her too much information. So I wrote: “Thanks for the warning,” and left it at that.

My supply of paper was running low anyway—it was time to head back.

When I turned away, Number Six called after me:

“Until next time.”

“Gaggaao.”

I answered with a slightly silly sound and waded into the river without looking back.

I had done everything I could.

(Now all I can do is pray that Dame Oppai doesn’t screw things up. Still… those breasts will be missed.)

Without my “partner,” it had been torture, so I’d decided to part with her early. But even now, I felt regret.

If my partner ever returned, I’d want those breasts nearby.

(For now, seeing the nation founded by the Empire’s descendants takes priority. I’ll just consider those breasts fully enjoyed and seal away lust for a while.)

First, I needed to return to my base.

I had to hide my stash of erotic books in a more secure place.

Knowing Dame Oppai, she would definitely blab about the hideout, so it was best to either dispose of or hide the things I didn’t want discovered.

Back at the base, I ended up reading through erotic books in the underground.

It was like when you find an old manga while cleaning and get absorbed—I picked one up and that was the end of it.

“Dispose” completely slipped my mind, and instead I got carried away with the mission of finding a new hiding spot.

As a result, my departure was delayed by a full day, but I was satisfied with the new hiding place I had created.

In the end, I sacrificed three books as decoys, but since I could probably find replacements at a bookstore, I considered it a necessary expense.

Now, with no more worries, it was time to go meet the descendants of the Empire.