As I stood in front of the house, Lumina descended from the roof like a bolt of lightning and landed beside me.

So fast.

Even though we were both late-stage Runners, Lumina’s movements carried a threatening edge.

She smiled and twitched her ears. It was adorable.

"You didn’t get caught, did you?"

"Yeah, don’t worry! Should I just act like a normal traveler now?"

Saying that, Lumina struck a pose like a fitness model. It would have been better if she hadn’t done such random things.

"Whatever. This is my house. Aunt’s probably cooking."

"Oho, is your aunt strong?"

"Hmm, I’m not sure."

I opened the door and stepped inside. I just hoped Aunt would understand Lumina’s existence.

Sniff, exhale.

As soon as I entered, a delicious smell wafted through the air.

Gurgle..

My already hungry stomach growled even louder, rumbling with a heavy metallic sound.

Gathering my breath, I shouted energetically.

"I’m home!"

"Welcome home! Come quickly and eat... Oh my, who’s this next to you?"

Aunt, who always greeted me brightly, seemed surprised to see Lumina standing beside me.

"Uh... she’s my partner, my partner!"

I wasn’t lying. Lumina smiled brightly and waved her hand.

"Hehet, nice to meet you! You’re Lucian’s aunt, right?"

Lumina subtly stepped forward and began loosening her hands.

"How strong are you?"

Why was she so belligerent? Of course, beastfolk were inherently belligerent.

Their nature was to be proactive, whether in fighting or in sex.

Even so, this was too much!

Aunt looked awkward for a moment, then said with a smile.

"Hoho, your friend is very lively, isn’t she?"

"Hey, Lumina. Calm down a little!"

But Lumina had no intention of holding back. It was as if she would charge even if a dog barked.

"How about it? I’m going to own your nephew for life. You have no complaints, right?"

Even a provocation I hadn’t agreed to beforehand. Seriously, why was she doing this?!

"Stop ittttttt, I’m gonna die at this rate!"

On Aunt’s face, where a smile always bloomed, a shadow fell for the first time. Aunt, this was just a provocation. It was a lieeeeeee!

"Oh my, that remark just now. I can’t just let it slide, can I?"

"Why? Are you dissatisfied? If you’re dissatisfied... prove it!"

Tatatat, whoosh!

Lumina lunged forward.

Taking a fighting stance, she slightly lowered her upper body and threw a rear-hand straight punch.

The entire process happened in less than a second.

In front of that, Aunt seemed to be standing precariously.

"Oh, Aunt! Dodge!"

My heart pounded as if it would burst. In that fleeting moment, I saw it.

Swish.

Throwing the ladle she was holding upwards, Aunt watched Lumina with a smile in her eyes.

She lightly deflected and parried Lumina’s approaching straight punch.

With her left hand, which I didn’t even see extend, she landed a clean hook.

With a crisp sound, Lumina’s head snapped around and she stiffened.

Beastfolk didn’t fall with just one hit like this. Even if it was a counter!

But then.

The ladle barely missed the ceiling and began to fall.

In that brief interim, Aunt connected another left hook and a right straight, sending Lumina flying.

And holding the ladle once more, she sent a lovely smile.

"Huhu, Lucian is my son. Forever! Challenges are welcome♥"

With my mouth agape, I alternated glances between Aunt and the collapsed Lumina.

What just happened?

It was truly a fleeting moment. Lumina had just collapsed?

"Come on, everyone, let’s eat! I’ve made lots of delicious things!"

Aunt calmly returned to the kitchen. First, I checked Lumina’s condition.

She was touching her cheek, looking surprised. Her eyes were wide like a rabbit’s.

"Hey, did I lose? What the...!"

"Let’s just eat, please. Don’t do that anymore."

Sighing, I helped Lumina up. I barely managed to get her to the kitchen and seat her. There were many delicious dishes laid out today as well.

An awkward silence passed. I subtly asked Aunt what had just happened.

Then Aunt covered her mouth with her hand and blushed.

"Oh my, son. Did you forget? That Aunt was also a former adventurer!"

Only then did I understand. How she had skillfully trained the original Lucian until now. Even the awe the territory people showed whenever Aunt’s name was mentioned.

Still, I never imagined it would be this much.

Being a late-stage Runner was practically the stage before becoming a full-fledged Hero.

Of course, they might be among the lowest ranked full-fledged Heroes, but still, such a skilled person had been handled as if she were a child.

’As expected, older women are the best! Aunt is the best! Strong and dependable women are the bestttttt!’

Internally shouting with mad exclamations, I ate deliciously. Phew, I really got lucky with my aunt.

Seeing this, I was curious about Grandfather’s skills too. If he were alive, I would have suggested a sparring match.

The three of us ate cordially. Perhaps because she was sociable, Lumina quickly became friendly with Aunt. Of course, she still couldn’t quite meet her gaze.

"We’ve decided to stay together at home for a while."

At my words, Lumina seemed to get playful again and grinned.

"In Lucian’s room, that is. Kya!"

At that, Aunt, with her smiling face unchanged, clenched her fist.

"There’s an empty room, so rest there. You understand, right...?"

The killing intent was no joke. I could even feel it, so how much more would Lumina?

Lumina merely nodded her head.

I told you to provoke moderately. That idiot, seriously.

After finishing the meal, Aunt approached.

"You should wash up and rest, right? You worked hard today too, son!"

"No, I still need to report to the acting Territory Lord. About what I investigated today and the mission I completed."

"Then go ahead! And don’t stay out too late."

"Yes, I’ll be back! Lumina, behave yourself. Please."

I was worried about what kind of trouble she’d cause next.

Lumina, touching her drooping ears, nodded her head.

Seeing her like that, she did look pitiful.

"Oh, right, son!"

"Yes?"

As I was about to leave, Aunt stopped me. With a flushed face, she whispered.

"Come to Aunt room later when you have time. Because Aunt has... a present ready." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Yes, I will."

"Thank you for coming back safely, my son♥"

A present, huh? I was getting unnecessarily excited?!

I went outside. Alright, then, shall I go for today’s real main dish?

I headed towards the Territory Lord’s manor.

As I walked, I unnecessarily tidied my hair.

’Today, it’s finally time for the decisive battle. Talk well, stay calm, and nail it. Okay, let’s go!’

As I was about to enter the Ravenscoft Manor, the guards were dozing off. That was even better.

I went inside the Ravenscoft Manor and headed towards the office.

I looked around, but there was truly no one.

It seemed to be because of the late hour. I still had to report, so I continued straight ahead.

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

There was no answer, and no sign of anyone.

At least the butler should be here. They had to receive the report, didn’t they?

Sighing, I entered the office where Fiora would be.

Just in case, I checked, and I did hear a presence inside.

I slightly opened the door and knocked.

"Ah, acting Territory Lord. Were you here?"

"Who is it?"

A voice that sounded sunken and sad. Just hearing her voice, I could keenly feel how she was feeling right now.

"It’s Lucian Vane."

"...What is it? At this hour."

"I came to report on the information I obtained today and on solving the Black Ghost incident."

Fiora let out a long sigh. As if trying to shake off everything accumulated in her heart.

But it didn’t seem easy, as a heavy voice was heard.

I subtly observed her face.

’Looking at her expression, she must have drunk a hell of a lot. It must be hard, he was a husband she loved so much.’

Even that bastard got married. Ugh, never mind.

Fiora, who had been shaking her head while looking down at her glass. As if she had made up her mind, she gestured for me to come in.

"Come in."

"Huh?"

"Just drink with me. You’re an adult anyway, aren’t you?"

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

I ended up joining her. I naturally sat down next to her.

Fiora subtly looked at me, then poured me a drink.

I took it and drank. As soon as I drank it, I was honestly surprised.

’Oh, whiskey! If I were to drink this at a club, it would cost a lot, but here, I’m drinking it for free?’

It truly had an insane depth. I could understand why people raved about whiskey.

I took another sip. A moderate buzz set in, and my body grew warm.

’Kyaa, long live medieval fantasy!’

Laughter naturally escaped me. When I deliberately stayed still, Fiora brought up various topics.

"It’s really hard these days. I shouldn’t show you my weak side...."

She mainly talked about how difficult things usually were, and even how hard it was to endure after losing the Territory Lord.

’She’s saying she’s too tired and lonely, right? It’s going according to plan.’

It was exactly as I expected. I laughed silently, then thought of the aphrodisiac.

’If I mix this in now...?’

I was about to take out the aphrodisiac from my ring, but then I changed my mind.

No, this was too easy. It was no fun. It went against my aesthetics.

I had built up to this well so far, and I had shown a good side.

If I were going to use an aphrodisiac, there would have been no need for all this.

’The stage, props, audience’s reaction, lighting. Everything is perfect, but what if the protagonist ruins it alone? That’s no good, I can’t stand that.’

I gave up on the idea. The aphrodisiac would come in handy sometime, so I decided to keep it.

’Let’s approach her with sincerity. Conveying sincerity to someone is always a one-time thing. Let’s not ruin this opportunity ourselves, but use it.’

Nodding my head, I comforted Fiora. I told her what she needed to hear, not what she wanted to hear.

"I understand your feelings, but doing this isn’t good for your health. The Lord will sigh watching from heaven. Please cut back a little."

"Haa... I want to die."

"If God had a will, it’s because the Lord was needed in heaven, which is why he was taken early."

"Even that God is hateful."

Lightly wetting my lips, I said.

"The Lord will be doing well. Rather, if my Lady lives so hard like this, how would the Lord feel? His heart might burn like the bottom of hell."

"Now... I don’t know anymore. All I wanted was to be loved as a woman. Haa."

It was time to introduce some skinship. I carefully patted Fiora’s shoulder.

"You’ve done well until now. You’ve always maintained your dignity, and with your beautiful appearance, you’ve been an example to everyone, haven’t you?"

"Me...?"

"Even among us aspiring Heroes, you’re known as a truly wonderful person. Please have confidence."

"Is that so...."

"I like such a Lady!"

I finished speaking and smiled. At my smile, Fiora’s face turned red, then she slowly nodded her head.

And she leaned her head on my shoulder. A mature yet fragrant scent wafted from her.

It was a good body scent, so good that I wanted to smell it all day long.

Pretending to support Fiora, I touched her chest.

A chest that was always confined within clothes, making me wonder if it wasn’t suffering.

The firmness unique to an adult woman, and a softness coexisting as if reflecting her weakened heart, it was the ultimate voluptuousness.

Her ample chest and plump thighs, and I wondered what that forbidden place would be like. I wanted to open it quickly.

"Lucian, you’re truly manly. Just like the Lord."

To compare me to such human trash. Still, I smiled. Because I knew her intention.

"If you’re having a hard time, please lean on me anytime. Anytime, because I am yours."

"Really? Then... would this be okay?"

Ssuuk!

Suddenly, Fiora put her hand into my pants and massaged my dick.

She was quite drunk. But because I had led her on, she was able to do this.

Still, I was surprised. That Fiora would make the first move.

’She’s bolder than I thought? I can’t hold back!’

I naturally brought my mouth to hers. I opened my mouth and covered hers.

A soft yet sweet sensation greeted my tongue.