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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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At the same time,
Somewhere in the vast desert.
As the temperature dropped rapidly after moonrise, Nefer set up the tent and began circling it, reciting her prayers to the sun.
I watched, crouched low to the ground. Just like before, a faint, white shimmer emanated from her daggers.
“So…”
I waited until the shimmering light formed a small dome around the tent before speaking.
“What are we doing tomorrow?”
“Please speak freely. There is no need for such formality. We are companions now, are we not?”
“Ah, um… right. So, what’s happening tomorrow?”
Nefer closed the tent flap and coiled her tail around me.
“You will undergo a trial to prove the prophecy. We priestesses call it the Ascension Ritual. A ritual for those chosen as tributes…”
Having created a secure, enclosed space, her body close to mine, Nefer began explaining the [tribute] and the [Ascension Ritual].
“Unfortunately, no one has ever returned. Ah! According to the records, one man escaped about 60 years ago…”
But her words only fueled my anxiety.
“And?”
“…He crawled out, missing his lower body, and died as soon as he crossed the threshold.”
“Oh, fuck.”
I grimaced, scratching the back of my head. Something wasn’t right.
“Do we have to do this tomorrow? I was hoping to… rest a bit longer…”
“That is not possible. The Ascension Ritual can only be performed at the Dendorum Temple, and its entrance opens for only one day each year. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity.”
While the word “tribute” hadn’t sounded particularly appealing, the fact that it involved risking my life made my head throb.
“Why do you worry, Elder? You are destined for greatness.”
Nefer smiled, her gaze soft and reassuring.
But there was a hint of something else in her eyes, a subtle sensuality that made me blush.
“…While I appreciate your encouragement, do you really have to… touch me like that?”
Her fingers traced the lines of my body, her touch light, almost teasing, even as her eyes held a warmth that made my heart race.
We were so close, our breaths mingling, and her touch, in this confined space, made me uncomfortable.
“Why do you ask? We have already shared intimacy, have we not?”
I understood her perspective. Having shared such an intimate act, it was natural for her to feel a certain closeness, a connection.
But I had already been with three other women before Nefer. Well, two, if I excluded Alraune, considering our merger.
Aria and Arachne were waiting for me in the forest and the lake.
Even with just those two, I felt like I was juggling two relationships, and I couldn’t add Nefer to the mix.
“Elder, do not fear the Ascension Ritual. I will offer myself to you, to ease your anxieties-”
“No, no! Wait! W-we’ve… we’ve been intimate, but I’m not… interested in having sex right now.”
“Oh- I apologize for my presumption.”
Fortunately, Nefer seemed to understand, clearing her throat and removing her hand. She was definitely easier to communicate with than the others.
“Yes, you must rest… we have already… shared so much today…”
But she didn’t move away. Her gaze lingered, her body warm against mine, and even when I turned away, trying to create some distance,
Squish-
I felt the soft, supple pressure of her breasts against my back. I could have tolerated that, but her breath, hot and ragged against the back of my neck, was incredibly distracting.
“…L-look, I’m really sorry. I truly am… but I can’t… continue this… inappropriate relationship.”
I had to end this.
While my relationships with Aria and Arachne had been unavoidable, adding Nefer to the mix felt wrong, indecent.
Even though our initial encounter had been a consequence of Aaptukemen’s strange customs,
This…
“Why do you say such things?”
“I-I already have… other women waiting for me! I appreciate you taking Homunculus’s place, but… that was a favor, a kindness. I didn’t intend for this to…”
I tried to be honest,
But Nefer simply held me tighter, her tail coiling around me, our hearts beating against each other.
“Other women…? You speak of…?”
“Yes, other women. I’ve… gotten them pregnant. In other words, I’m already married!”
I thought I was doing a good job of persuading her, but she just held me tighter, her coils constricting.
“Does that matter? A male as exceptional as yourself should have multiple partners, produce as many offspring as possible.”
“No…! That’s not it. Sigh-, look…”
Her embrace was warm, loving, and I couldn’t escape it.
Her hand caressed my chest, her tongue darting out, licking my skin. It was surprisingly long, like a snake’s.
…If this continued, I would cross a point of no return, so I racked my brain, searching for a way to let her down gently.
“I can’t… give you the love and attention you deserve! Do you understand? I’m already overwhelmed. If I add you to the mix, I’ll need two bodies and two minds just to keep up…”
Good. A perfect excuse. It wouldn’t hurt her feelings too much, and it would effectively end our relationship.
Nefer’s arms loosened their grip, as if she understood.
“…”
A heavy silence filled the tent.
My heart ached.
But it couldn’t be helped.
If I went any further, there would be no turning back-
“Oh, how… noble of you…”
-Back…?
Nefer’s tail suddenly tightened around me. Uncoiling hadn’t been a positive sign, it seemed.
“Th-then, Elder? Perhaps… if you were to take me as your… partner… as a proper wife…”
She had misinterpreted my words.
Or rather, she had focused on a specific part of my statement, twisting its meaning.
“Wouldn’t that mean you would give me the love and attention I deserve…?”
“What?”
The air within the tent suddenly felt thick and heavy, the small space suffocating.
Nefer’s tail was wrapped tightly around my legs, leaving no room for escape. There wasn’t even a sliver of space between us.
“No, wait! That’s not what I meant… listen to me! I know you sacrificed yourself for me. And I’ll repay you! Once I’m recognized as the savior, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of…!”
“No, Elder, you are mistaken!”
Nefer, having already shared intimacy with me, had only one goal.
“If you truly appreciate my sacrifice… Elder, p-please forgive my boldness…”
She moved closer, her veil lifted, her lips approaching mine,
But I turned my head, avoiding her kiss, and yelled,
“Wait! You’re… you’re my ally! The fingers sent you to help me! You can’t just… do this…!”
But my rejection seemed to have angered her. Her eyes widened, and she raised her voice.
“You were the one who seduced me, Elder! You’ve been toying with my affections, and now you’re trying to deny it? Do you even know how much I’ve suffered these past few days?!”
Her accusations left me speechless. I had no idea what she was talking about.
“You approached me, your body exuding a sweet, intoxicating fragrance, your lips so soft and inviting…! And then you spent the entire night, with your magnificent manhood… kiss-…”
Nefer was genuinely aroused, her words a jumbled mess, saliva dripping from her lips. I had never seen her so unrestrained, so careless with her precious bodily fluids.
“I-I am no longer a priestess. I am simply your guide. Are you going to abandon me after showing me what it means to be with a male?”
But I couldn’t argue with her logic. My own definition of a [proper relationship] had been completely shattered by her words.
On this planet, it was perfectly acceptable for a male to have multiple female partners. Only humans viewed monogamy as the ideal.
And if I weighed the severity of our transgressions,
Wasn’t it far worse to abandon Nefer, who had sacrificed so much for me, after a single night?
“…So do not resist. I have reached my limit. As your servant, I will take care of everything. Allow me to ease your burdens, your fatigue…”
Our lips met, and we kissed, a deep, passionate kiss.
But unlike our earlier, more public display on the altar, this kiss was different, Nefer’s passion surprising me, her eagerness almost overwhelming.
Perhaps she had been suppressing her desires all this time, for my sake.
It was an intense,
Intoxicating,
Consuming kiss, our mouths exploring each other, our breaths mingling,
And Nefer’s expression, as she savored my taste, was pure ecstasy.
Her tail tightened around me,
But it wasn’t painful.
…Not yet.
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