Unlike the inns of Skills and Reitdarke, this small forest town inn had its accomodations level split up into tiny rooms.
Each was able to hold one bed, one counter, one lamp and nothing more.
In some sense, it was slightly better than those eight room dorms we had on Earth…this was probably a way of catering to the more practical needs of this country right now.
The wall separating each room didn't reach all the way to the ceiling but was instead connected to a mesh that was probably put in place for ventilation purposes.
In other words, there was nothing stopping a single pin drop from echoing across all the rooms.
Whether it was snoring, sniffling, toe-picking, burping or whatever unkempt sounds one could think of, they were available for our listening pleasure above our heads.
Moreover, at times, one could hear the rough panting of a man echoing along the rooms as one slept or perhaps the inexplicable sounds of someone getting whipped. There were even faint echoes of a rhythmic smacking sound if one listened carefully.
Even a virgin like me could guess what was going on based on those telltale clues: some helpless girl was gagged and bound somewhere and was being assaulted.
Was this what a war torn country was like? Such barbarity and savagery.
In the midst of all that…my thoughts drifted to a very modern, medical question.
"Depression-induced Erectile Dysfunction."
Even though I didn't want to admit it, that was basically what things were like for me right now…well whatever, that wasn't important at all.
Because we specifically stated that we wanted to spend the night in this inn, the boss said that he would personally bring our new female slave up to us as a service. Thus, our plan to dismiss her was pushed back once more.
Mostly likely, it was just an extra bit of service given that he had just fleeced a sum of cash from us…how hypocritical.
While waiting for that walking piece of trouble to be delivered to us, my mind continued to ponder a rather perplexing question.
—that woman who called for me out of the blue, was she that ugly in the eyes of others?
If I really had to choose a "rifle cleaning partner" from amongst the two of them, that first girl put up for auction and that screaming, long, black haired girl…ahem, what I meant to say was that I would choose the latter.
Yet, whether it was the attitude of those guards or the rating of Nine Heaven, they all seemed to indicate that the black haired girl was clearly inferior to the former.
Was there some kind of difference in our definition of beauty? That didn't make sense though, both of them were the same type.
Perhaps there was something other than desire management that affected their individual pricing?
Speaking of which, that black haired woman was wrapped in a bunch of rags from head to toe; was it because her figure wasn't great or maybe she had some kind of defect or scar?
That Nine Heaven must have really had some sharp eyes to notice such flaws even through her clothing.
*knock knock*—I knocked at the lower section of the separating wall in order to grab the attention of Nine Heaven.
Di Qi Ju: Hey, Nine Heaven?
Nine Heaven: zZz, zzZ, zzz.
Di Qi Ju: Huh? He's already asleep?
'Was it because he finally had the chance to have a full meal and a comfy bed to sleep in? Were the past few days that bad?'
'I guess he wasn't satisfied with wild beast meat, wild grass or dried rations we looted off bandits…'
*knock knock*—that was the sound of someone knocking on my room door.
Inn Owner: Sir, we've brought you the girl. Your boss seems to be asleep so we'll leave her with you for now.
Opening the door, the owner shoved the girl towards my bed with a lascivious grin on his face as if I had gotten myself a great deal.
Di Qi Ju: Ahh…er, alright then.
??:……
Inn Owner: I know she's the property of your master's close friend, but I think he wouldn't mind if you "borrowed" her for a second. Even if he finds out, I'm sure you can just claim it happened before you discovered her. It will be fine.
Inn Owner: Such accidents happen all the time around these parts. If your master faults you for this, you can always find me to be your witness.
Di Qi Ju: Ah ah, mmm mhm…got it.
'There's really no need to give me such an obvious hint, is there? There's a bunch of moaning from my neighbors already, isn't that enough?!'
In the face of his unending pleasantries, I did my best to casually accommodate him. Throughout all that, the black haired girl kept her head lowered though I could see that those eyes of hers had never once left my body.
I clearly could feel the intention behind them; I was now her only lifeline.
Inn Owner: …I have to say though, you southerners sure have weird tastes, even a girl like that—ah, I apologize, just take it as I never said a thing.
Inn Owner: Please enjoy her tonight, haha.
Di Qi Ju:……
'I knew it. The people here had horrible tastes.'
'Looking at it from another point of view, perhaps the problem laid with me. Perhaps my eye for women had become twisted after that shock I received.'
'But if this girl was that same flower girl from before, then there shouldn't be any mistake…'
'—forget it, I'm going to send her away anyway.'
Di Qi Ju:…
??:…
Di Qi Ju: You, what's your name?
??:…Lotus
Di Qi Ju: Alright Lotus, what's your age?
??: …19.
Di Qi Ju: So you're old enough to be independent then.
??: Yes…
I sat down on the bed and retrieved all the gold I had on my person.
Di Qi Ju: There's roughly 1000 wish here, take it and leave.
??: …eh?
Di Qi Ju: Even if we've met before, all you're seeking is salvation right?
Di Qi Ju: Take this money and go home, or someplace you deem safe, just don't get caught by the people of Molten Steel again.
Di Qi Ju: We have our own matters to take care of so we can't bring you along. At very most, we can escort you out of this town, the rest of the road you'll have to walk yourself.
Di Qi Ju: That's it then.
??:……
Having said that, I lowered my head and refused any eye contact with her as a way of expressing my resolute stance.
Bringing her along with us had no merits at all. If Nine Heaven wanted to vent his sexual frustrations, he could find a better partner.
Being a flower girl, I doubt there was anyone below her in the social ladder of society. She should be used to taking care of herself and facing the harshness of life alone.
Having done my good deed, my conscience was clear.
Right now, all she had to do was reach out and take the money then everything would be settled.
That was the moment I was waiting for.
However…
The gold was still lying there in my periphery, instead there was a faint scratching noise in my ears.
'Hmm? She hasn't given up and yet she isn't begging me to let her stay either? Exactly what is she looking for?'
Ever so slowly, I raised my head in confusion…
Di Qi Ju:…
What greeted me was a canvas of milky whiteness.
It was as if it was made out of the purest of jades. Within those curves, was just the right amount of fat and creaminess. Even the slightest of touch would probably sully the perfect whiteness of that skin.
Completely devoid of impurity, it was a priceless treasure.
Her face was like a fallen cherry blossom, subtly hinting at the sadness within. Her fine brows depicted the sorrow within her as an exquisite painting that seemed to draw you in.
Such a girl, had it been any ordinary man, what would they have done?
Barring an abnormal person like me, they would have probably acted upon on their desires already.
This flower girl…Lotus…even though she was just a flower girl, her bearing seemed to suggest the opposite.
This…
Lotus: Master…please don't abandon me.
Lotus: In this life, only Master recognizes my value, so please keep me by your side…
Lotus: Even if I'm not alluring enough, I can perform other duties as well!
Lotus: I'll listen to everything you say, I follow whatever you say, just don't abandon me…
Lotus: I'll devote my life to you…forever…
'How strange.'
Truly, she stumped me.
As she gingerly leaned onto me, I was struck by an enticing scent.
The warmth of a woman, her presence and…
…those memories.
Even when Naysis Ferne leaned so close to me, I was never reminded of those memories.
Lotus however…
As a woman, contact like this constantly reminded me of and challenged the details of those memories.
Her appearance, her charm, her approachability, the warmth of her skin on mine, those gentle words…
The more womanly Lotus was, the more I was reminded of the tiny bits and pieces of that memory…
…of that chestnut red, long hair, of those minutes and seconds I spent with her.
This was no longer a matter of the doubts I had of her. She had already…touched my bottomline.
Lotus:…Master?
Di Qi Ju:…
The moment her hands tried to wrap around me, my hands wrapped around her neck instead.
And then, I applied force.