DD 202 Ch 7 (Patreon)

Chapter 7

The village started before we got to the castle, which mostly consisted of small buildings made out of rough cut stone that were being propped up with a good amount of wishful thinking. Many of the homes looked like they’d be blown over with a harsh breeze.

Yet in the dungeon safe zone, there wasn’t even a breeze unless two high level adventurers were fighting.

“Most of us living here made our own homes.” Our guide explained.

“Sorry, I’m Ami.” The woman on my arm bubbled up like a fount of extrovertedness that had overflown.

“Henrich.” The man shook her hand. He had a touch of an accent, but not enough for me to have placed him as German. “A lot of people here call me Henry though.” He added. “It’s a close knit community.”

“They’ve built quite a lot.” Ami gushed. “Look, Ken. There’s an old-timey mill!”

“We grind up those plant monster drops.” Henry explained.

“You all must spend quite a bit of time diving the dungeon around this safe zone.” I tried to make conversation. “Do you have any tips on where to farm levels around here?”

“Ah. I don’t spend much time outside the safe zone.” Henry was quick to explain.

I frowned at him. “None? How’s that possible? You couldn’t live down here without venturing into the dungeon propper.”

“Mostly, I work as an administrator down here. King Sayer keeps me very busy.” Henry continued on. “But I think there’s an event the way you came from. It’s on the 28th floor; you really can’t miss the giant castle.

“Wow.” Ami stared at Henry with shining eyes. “There’s a king down here?”

“Someone has to keep everyone organized and keep away the rabble when they show up.” Henry spoke as if Brandon Sayer was doing them all a favor.

“Are we the rabble?” Ami looked at me with an adorable expression that made my heart skip a beat.

I cleared my throat. “No, we aren’t the rabble. How can someone as lovely as you be the rabble?” I pushed myself into my role even if Ami continued to throw me off.

She blushed all the way from the tips of her ears down to her chest. “Aww. You saw the sweetest things. Henry, is there a place we can rent out for the night? Preferably somewhere with solid walls.”

Our guide only chuckled. “I see you two are having fun in the dungeon.”

“Sometimes the full group can be a little stifling. Best to enjoy the safe zone while you have a chance.” I made up an excuse. “Never know what tomorrow will bring.”

“Right you are.” Henry glanced back to see Ami clinging even tighter to me. “We don’t have an inn, if that’s what you are asking, but King Sayer has some space in his castle for guests.”

“In the castle?” Ami gasped and pulled at my arm before she whispered quietly. “That’s on my bucket list.”

I pulled her waist tighter to me. “Then we must stay at the castle and get the full experience.” I said louder. It was getting easier to treat Ami like a girlfriend with how familiar she was acting. Her hands were all over me, and she kept looking at me with love in her eyes.

Henry waved at a few people as we moved through the village.

I couldn’t help but notice that very few people even had CIDs. And most of them didn’t have more than one piece of gear on them.

The gear could be stored in their homes, yet something was bothering me about seeing adventurers without gear.

Perhaps they weren’t really adventurers anymore.

If they were trying to live a life here in the safe zone, they had given up the mantle of being an adventurer and were something else entirely.

“These people are so friendly.” Ami continued to act as she smiled and waved at them.

The woman on my arm was unrecognizable in her tight bodysuit with a smile so wide that it was clear under her face mask and even reached her eyes.

“Yes, as I said before, we are close knit. You have to rely on each other to survive down here.” Henry said.

We approached the castle walls, and then I noticed that there were several other buildings besides the castle within them.

A woman on the wall leaned over, a quiver on her back and a bow resting next to her. She was the most equipped person I’d seen since we had arrived. “Halt. Henry, what do we have here?”

“Visitors. Part of an adventuring group wanted to wander off and take a break in the safe zone. I’m showing them around, Frances.” Henry said with a smile.

The woman on the wall tossed her hair. “Come on in then. They looking to stay at the castle?”

“We’d love that!” Ami spoke up. “This place is so cool, a castle in the safe zone.” She squirmed with excitement.

“Alright, head on in. The King’s not too busy today.” Frances hooked a thumb over her shoulder.

I had a feeling that The King wasn’t too busy any day of the week.

Sure there might be some effort in managing this place, but not that much. He was the king of maybe a few hundred people. If Henry was really an administrator, it wasn’t much work at all.

The question that also went through my mind was, why did he need a guard?

As we passed the castle walls to the inner part of this safe zone, I noticed a lot more people with gear.

These people looked like real adventurers, and many of them were rather unsavory ones at that.

Several of the rough looking people looked up from where they were loitering. Many of them had beer in hand. Somehow I doubted they were brewing their own down here. Likely, someone was going to the surface or another safe zone for it.

They looked away quickly, going back to their drink and quietly talking about their day.

I couldn’t get a read. Some of them were entirely too casual about visitors, while others were interested. “These people seem well equipped. Are they diving the dungeons around this one?” I asked Henry to keep the flow of information primed.

“Ah. These are the nobles.” Henry said casually gesturing at a trio playing cards and a drinking game. “Stronger adventurers that do work for King Sayer.”

There was clearly a power imbalance, but I wasn’t going to jump to conclusions. In the end, most societies fell into an unequal structure. Egalitarian societies might as well be a myth.

It didn’t mean that he was necessarily mistreating people to the point that I should kill him. Though, it was very easy to already hate him for the imbalance.

“Oh. They don’t look too strong for this level in the dungeon.” Ami commented, casually ignoring the angry glare one of them gave her.

“They are. Don’t worry.” Henry was quick to correct her. “It’s just that gear is limited here.”

“Why? Wouldn’t there be plenty from the bosses next to the safe zone?” I asked, curious myself. People might not be able to make an entire set of gear from the limited number of bosses, but there should be some decent rare gear.

“Of course, it's just limited.” Henry said quickly and led us into the castle.

The halls were rather bare. Some simple ornaments were placed around, and a single maid turned around when she saw us.

Instead, we walked through the castle that I felt would be incredibly drafty if there was a breeze in the safe zone. There were points where I could see between the stones that had been stacked with minimal grout keeping them together.

“My King!” Henry shouted before entering the final room.

A big man with a gut that had begun to expand past his belt lounged on a throne with a woman on each arm rest. They were both feeding him as his hands rested on their hips. “Ah, visitors? Welcome.” He cleared his throat and one of the women got up so he could use his right arm. “We welcome visitors always.” He waved his hand at us.

I half wondered if he expected us to bow.

Ami spoke up first, continuing her act. “Wow! A king! Sir King.” She performed a curtsy. “Did I do that right?”

“Well enough.” Brandon Sayer said from his throne. “Yes, a modest king if you would. I mostly assist the nobles with the boss fights around here and help some of them train.”

“Ah.” I scratched the back of my head. “We came to this safe zone to get a little time together away from the rest of our party. I don’t know if I could barter for a stay in the castle?”

He waved away my concern. “We are happy to have you. No charge, but if you’d be interested in trading, I would have myself or one of my girls show you what we have.”

The one that had gotten off the arm of his throne sauntered her way over to us. “That would be me. I keep the books.”

Huh. He didn’t keep hold of everything himself. That was a notch in the right direction. She didn’t appear to be forced either.

The other woman took the moment alone with the king to run her hands along his shoulders.

“Ah. Then we’d be happy to trade. I’m sure you have some items in spades if you spend all your time in the safe zone. Our CIDs are pretty much stuffed from this dive.” I told them quickly, hoping to tempt them. If they made it easy for me to decide, then my task would be simpler.

“Wonderful, then I hope we can offer some items in return that you might appreciate.” Her eyes pinched tight as she gestured for me to follow her. “I’ll show you to a room before we get into any business.”

“Henry.” The king stopped him from following us. “Glad you came. We have matters to discuss.”

Our new guide swished her hips back and forth as she walked us down a path like it was her home. Which, technically it appeared to be. “The construction could use a little refinement.” She commented, seeing a gap. “Really, it’s a lack of resources. Stones? Those are easy for us, but something like mortar is much harder. Heck, Brandon would hate it, but if you had a can of foam crack filler I’d empty the coffers for it.”

“He wouldn’t punish you?” Ami asked, clinging to me this whole time.

“Would that guy next to you?”

“Absolutely not. Ken loves me.” Ami blinked, giving me pitiful eyes. “Right?”

“Of course, honey.” I plastered a giant smile on my face. “I didn’t even realize that was up for question.”

She curled against me like a cuddly kitten.

“You two are adorable. We don’t have any other guests, so this wing is pretty much empty. Don’t worry about the gaps. No one will hear you two.” She winked.

No one will hear us scream, in ecstasy or pain. I added to myself.

“We’ll be model guests.” Ami batted her lashes innocently.

“Think you two could be ready to have dinner with us in…” She checked her CID. I realized she was the first person I’d seen use theirs. “… four hours?”

Ami hesitated. “It’s been a little while… maybe five hours?”

I coughed into my hand as a blush spread over my cheeks.

“I’ll leave you two be then.” She winked and headed out before I even caught her name.

Ami pulled me into the room. It was basic, but it wasn’t like this place screamed riches.

As soon as I closed the door, Ami threw herself against it with a thud. “Ken, she’s probably not even down the ha~!~” Ami started moaning loudly.

My butler was rather attractive in the bodysuit she was wearing, and the movement had caused her mask to fall off one of her ears so that her beautiful face was exposed. She was going all out with the acting.

Her eyes went hazy and she opened her mouth wide with her tongue flopping about. “Ken! You beast. Uh! Yes.” She cried out and slammed her hips against the door. “Give it to me, you beast. Hard and FAST. So fast. Yes, more. Faster!”

I was dumbfounded. Standing there, I didn’t know what to do.

I tried to decide if I should just let her do her own thing or participate?

Clearing my throat softly, I raised my voice. “Hold still, that’s it.” I walked up and thumped my fist against the door. “Take the whole thing.”

“It’s so big~! Un! I’m going to be split in half.” Ami cried out, her hot breath washed over my face, and for a second my mind shifted and demanded I end the farce and do it for real.

Something twitched in my pants.

Ami grabbed onto my shoulders pulling me close. “Yes. Fuck me, oh. We’re doing it in a castle, my bucket list!” She cried out, her legs wrapping around my waist like two serpents before she threw herself back slamming her back against the door.

My resolve nearly cracked.

I had to keep reminding myself that she was my employee! This was just an act. Nothing more.

“You feel so good, Honey. Take it. Oh, I’m going to explode.” I let out a series of grunts and cried out.

Ami cooed. “More. I need more. Take me to the bed.” She didn’t get off me, so I walked us over to the bed. Then I slammed her down before starting to use her to shake it, bumping the walls a little as she moaned under me.

At this point, I was hard enough to bend steel.

Everything about the current moment was making my skin prickle and my heart to hammer in my chest. Each moment felt less like an act.

Ami made loud kissing noises and kept swaying so that we rocked the bed. “Yes, more. I have pills if you get tired. I need it faster.”

We shook the bed harder.

This was an act.

I had to remind myself, instead focusing on what was happening. The noises we were producing was part of the act. And the room might not be safe.

Scanning the room while keeping up the act, I found it was so simple they couldn’t hide anything here. The space had two small windows without glass to let light in. I would check the curtains in a minute and then a desk as well as the bed. Both were made out of rough cut stone. The mattress was an actual mattress, and surprisingly clean.

It was almost like someone had set this room up and then never used it.

“Oh!” Ami let out another loud wail and waved her hand. “Give me a moment to rest and then we can continue. Cuddle me.” She freed me from her powerful thighs and pulled me close.

All of the acting fell from her face back to the serious mask she normally wore as my butler.

I felt whiplash from the sudden change. “I think she’s gone.” My voice was low, the cuddling if someone was around us would make for a good excuse to whisper.

Ami nodded sharply. “Good job acting.”

Acting, right. That’s all that was. I tried to get my body under control and on the same page with several deep breaths. “You were a different person.”

“Un.” Ami grunted. “Being able to alter one’s own self is required for an expert ninja. Disguises are a cornerstone of stealth. What are your thoughts about Brandon Sayer?”

“He’s a self made king. Though, I didn’t see anyone being severely abused here. He’s the king of nothing in a corner that affects no one. At least, that’s my first impression. We’ll see what they do when they think we have valuables. Trading might be an excuse to get a look at my CID and what’s inside.” I was already thinking ahead.

“Good.” Ami nodded, her face only an inch from mine. “We’ll rest up, make some noise, and repeat. This place is too easy to spy on. While we’re here, we’ll have to keep up the act unless we are sleeping or like this.”

I smiled after reminding myself that it was indeed an act. “Sure, whatever you want, Honey. We’ll stay for dinner and some time tomorrow before heading back.”

“Can’t leave our party alone for too long.” Ami nodded in agreement. “Until then, keep your eyes open. I’m going to get a little rest.” She closed her eyes and seemed to instantly fall asleep.

I had to pause, wondering if this was another act, but she started to breathe deeply in a way that was impossible to fake.

What the heck was with this woman? I rolled away and onto my back. She was just too damn convincing. I even felt like she was my girlfriend.

Taking a peek at her sleeping face, I wondered if that was the real her. Ami’s acting skills had made me question nearly everything.

Yet for this trip, I’d have to pretend to be her significant other. Putting up too many walls between myself and her would ruin the acting.

Damnit. I pushed down on my pants. My lower extremity needed an off switch, because it wasn’t keeping up with my head when I told it that everything we had just done was all an act. Instead, I ended up laying there, staring at the ceiling while I waited for the discomfort to subside.