ยฉWebNovelPub
Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi-Chapter 19 โ Fallen Blue Blood Part 4
Chapter 19 โ Fallen Blue Blood Part 4
After sending Collette off at her hometown we went south in the direction of the North Telies.
The reason was simple, we canโt go any further than this. ๏ฝ๐๐ฆโฏ๐ฌ๐๐n๐จฮฝe๐ก.c๐๐บ
Though I did say I didnโt want to go along the river but see the cold northern winter, but even at Collette and Arisaโs hometowns in the center of the Federation, the ground was already frozen and the water in our pouches also froze, we canโt even drink unless we made a fire.
Most of all, if we went any further north the horses are going freeze to death.
Then once we lost our means of transport, we humans will meet the same fate.
Considering having experienced the Federationโs intense cold a good result, we went straight south for the river.
I planned to do something about Nonna along the way but it came unexpectedly early.
โSouth? Ah, if you wanted to catch a boat you go roughly 5-6 days south and youโll get to a port city. If I remember right, the nameโs ...โ
โElektraโ
That was not a slight action or a momentary response, Nonna jumped up like she was convulsing from a climax.
โWhatโs with you all of a suddenโ
Celia lashed at her, Nonna smiled but she canโt smile at all.
โAegir-sama?โ
โWhat?โ
โRather than the river, I like wide open spaces like this moreโ
โI seeโ
โSo can we keep going west just like this?โ
โNo we canโt, there are more towns down south and we can even get a boatโ
โAegir-samaโ
โWhat?โ
โI think Iโd like to Gordoniaโ
โYouโre saying this now?โ
โI had a sudden change of heartโ
โNo you canโt, weโll go to the Federation capital firstโ
โIf youโll listen to my selfishness Iโll let you have your way with my breastsโ
โShould I grope them by force right away?โ
Somehow she doesnโt want to go to Elektra at all costs.
Iโm growing tired of this cheap drama.
โWhy do you dislike Elektra?โ
โ........ It was the town where I livedโ
Well, I guessed it was something like that.
She might not want to meet with the family that sold her.
โWeโre going to Elektra. If you donโt want to be seen use a hat or somethingโ
โPleaseโ
Nonna dejectedly looked down.
Several days later.
โSo this is the North Teliesโ
โCool! I canโt see the other bank!โ
One of the two great rivers of the continent, the North Telies.
Stretching from the central plains and flowing to the western sea, it was a river of blessings whose flow supported logistics and agriculture.
The towns along its basin did lots of trade and grew large.
This Elektra too, despite being a provincial town, was a relatively large one with over thirty thousand people.
In this lively city there was a big-breasted woman covering her face with a hat.
โYou canโt see my face, right?โ
She asked worriedly, but no problem.
Would she be angry if I said the menโs gazes arenโt going to her face but her legendary-sized bust?
โAegir-sama! Look! That ship looks like a hill! And itโs got cloth attached?โ
A 40 meter long 5 meter tall barge was docked at the wharf.
There were countless oars protruding from its sides.
It seems to be loaded with a huge amount of goods.
โThat is a bireme. Probably going to transport grain to [White City], I think. It can even go upstream, and if the wind is good it can go at an amazing speedโ
Which reminds me, I heard that sea-going ships had cloth attached and no oars but it seems river ships do the same, too.
The โWhite Cityโ is the Olga Federation capital and because the official name changes with each successive king so it seems to be called with its nickname.
Celia seems to be seeing the river and boats for the first time and even talked to Nonna who she doesnโt usually get along with, how admirable.
Itโs my first time, too but Iโm not going to raise a fuss about it.
There were lots of shops lined up along the riverbank, and thereโs a wide variety of them, too.
From fruits Iโve never seen before to handicrafts, as expected from a foreign trade post.
Nonna picked up a small yellow fruit and said โthis is delicious you knowโ, so we bought a few.
Seems theyโre called โmandarinsโ.
I had her peel the rind with her slender fingers and put it in my mouth. It had a strange taste, sweet and yet sour.
Celia happily stuffed her mouth with it too, but Nonna didnโt partake.
As a town with a trade port and a logistical base for the locality, there were many traders who set up shop at Elektra, their numbers rival Gordonia.
Then the reason we were now visiting a shop was to trade the wagon in.
The wagon had been useful to us up until now, but theyโll get in the way if we were to go on a ship, and as we go west we would draw near the capital so there would be transport facilities like stagecoaches there.
But most of all, unlike a single horse like Schwarz, a wagon that takes up a road lane would be restricted for entry to developed towns.
It wouldโve been fine if we only had to pay a fee, but Nonna said there were towns where they were only allowed for nobles and traders who own stores.
The wagon was convenient if we had to sleep outdoors but then we had to sleep outdoors with it, which would be putting the cart before the horse.
โTwo mares and a medium-sized wagon, right? The items were quite good but they were well used so I can only offer this much ...โ
I was going to say thatโs fine but Celia interjected.
โAegir-sama. If itโs just that much then that other store buys for moreโ
Though this is the first store we came to.
โPlease wait! In consideration for the lovely young lady...โ
In the end the two mares go for 5 gold and the wagon for another 5; they fetched quite the price.
Celia was worried that Schwarz who had seem to like the mares would sulk but he doesnโt seem to be interested.
โHeโs loyal to master, isnโt heโ
So Celia said, but I knew better.
He had already copulated with both the mares before we came here.ยน
Seems like heโs no longer interested in them once heโs banged them once.
Really, what a ridiculous horse.
ยน ยซTN: My headcanon says this happened while Egg was banging Arisa and Collette โ Like horse like masterยป
Now all we need to do is get on a boat due west, but both Nonna and Celia were tired from the long trip and itโd be better for Schwarz to get a change of horseshoes and rest as well.
Elektra was lively and had lots of people so there were proportionally many inns.
There stood inns ranging from low quality rowhouse-like ones to high class temple-like inns.
My creed is to not spare any expense for women, food, and lodging, so I thought to pick the best inn but Nonna tearfully shook her head.
Looks like high-class inns would be inconvenient for her.
In the end the three of us stayed in one that costs two silvers per person per night.
Celia was the one who said so but it seems that this was still incredibly high-class.
The first floor was a dining area and bar-room like the hard-boiled pavilion but the food there were higher-class.
But then again the food Andrei makes might have been better.
The roomsโ decor were also beautiful, the beds are large and clean.
But the best thing of all was that they have bathtubs in the inn.
It was of course a large bath where all the innโs guests bathe together but being able to enjoy dipping in warm water is the best.
โNow then, since weโve got the luggage out of the way, should we head for the baths?โ
I want to wash the journeyโs dirt away as soon as I can.
โIโll come withโ
โMy apologies. Iโm a bit reluctant to show my face in this town after allโ
โWe finally get a bath you know. Wonโt you be fine if just a little?โ
Letโs try pressuring her a bit.
โMy apologies. I will wipe myself clean so ...โ
โAegir-sama! Letโs hurry up and go!โ
Looks like she has some big reservations, well, sure, getting in the baths with tits that big are going to draw eyes.
The baths are of course mixed-gender, after all.
There were already several people in the bath but neither I nor Celia minded them and washed ourselves in warm water.
While Celia was scrubbing herself I took the chance to check her growth.
Her chest had swelled just a little bit and her rump was firm but theyโre still on the small side.
I tried using my finger to check the important spot too, but her small hole was tight even for one finger, and cutely tightened, kyuu-kyuu.
Well, this wonโt be able to fit my penis in.
ยซTN: before anybody gets in a tizzy, remember that sheโs only a couple years younger than himยป
โU, um!โ
Celia raised a voice to object.
Was it too much stimulation for a child?
โIโll wash you next!โ
Since she offered then Iโll have her wash.
First she clumsily washed me with her hands, but before long she used her whole body to wash me.
She was breathing roughly as she frantically moved to rub all over me.
I can feel hardened nipples rubbing on my back.
โIf youโre turned on why donโt you relieve yourself with your fingers?โ
โI, Iโm not!โ
She denied it in panic but she didnโt stop moving.
โOnii-san. Howโs your back?โ
But a single sentence marked the end of her gallant service.
A completely naked woman stood behind us, exposing her puffing breasts and neatly trimmed pubic hair without any effort spared to hide them.
โOnly two coppers to wash your back. You want to use my hole we can do it in that room over there for a silverโ
โW! Whaโ!โ
Now that I looked, seems like there were several women who were likewise calling on to the washing men.
Most of them were doing rather risque washing, raising the menโs desires, probably connected to prostitution.
โCanโt you see! Iโm hereโ
โYes yes, the little lady should go and wash herself clean in the bathโโ
โWhat are you ...!โ
โI prefer little girls like herโ
โArara, you have a little girl hobby, do you. Onii-sanโs tool is big so take care so you donโt break her ok?โ
Celia looked like she was going to start a fight so I chased the woman away, with regret.
Iโm getting a bad rep but beyond the border, anything goes.ยฒ
ยฒ ยซTN: i.e. what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegasยป
โDonโt get provoked so easily. You donโt look cool at all getting angry with your nipples hardโ
As Celia was making a sound that doesnโt sound like a voice I dragged her inside the bath ... Aaah a hot bath in the middle of winter is the best.
Celia was at her usual place, sitting between my legs and glancing up at me.
She felt my penis on her back but since it got big because of that woman earlier she couldnโt seem to stand for it.
Let it go, itโs the fate of men.
As we were leisurely enjoying the warm bath two middle-aged men with protruding bellies came sitting next to us.
โMay we sit next to you?โ
โThatโs a cute little missy thereโ
They didnโt have any ill will in particular so we exchanged greetings safely.
I moved Celia from between my legs to the other side from the men.
โIs this your first time in Elektra, big bro?โ
โYeah, I came from the Central Plainsโ
โHeeh, by boat?โ
โNo, we went overlandโ
The men raised a voice in admiration.
Well, itโs rare for someone to go overland in winter.
While weโre having leisurely chat I noticed Celia sticking close to me hiding behind my body.
Looks like she dislikes being exposed naked to unknown men.
The men noticed her too.
โYou donโt need to be so guarded, little missyโ
โYes yes, weโre not going to look at you lecherouslyโ
They drew close to me in a weird way.
โRather than that ... itโs big bro who weโre interested in, right?โ
โYeah, you have a robust body, and that thing is amazing, tooโ
These two seem to be staying in a single room with a twin bed.
I put Celia in between myself and the men.ยณ
She raised a voice in protest, but protecting the master is also a followerโs job.
ยณ ยซTN: Ladies and gentlemen: behold Egg fearing for his chastityยป
โItโs a beautiful city, isnโt it?โ
โYeah. Itโs the first time I saw a harbor, I was stunnedโ
โWell, Elektraโs been a prosperous city since 200 years ago, see. Then that just had to happen ...โ
โYou can say that againโ
The two men chatted, looking sour.
โWhat happened?โ
โWell you know. It seems the Federal Governmentโs changing the townโs nameโ
โThereโs an incident where the Count ruling here was charged for treason the other dayโ
I heard the Federation was politically stable, though.
โBut then the treason was found out before it became something big, huhโ
โThat countโs family has been ruling this town for generations, too, their house were named the same as the town, Elektraโ
โThen since they canโt have a town named after a traitor so they renamed it. Umm, what was it again? Rurirotsk? Rurulesk?โ
โElektra sounded many times better. Weโve been trading here since my fatherโs time so after all this time ...โ
Having the townโs name change is hard on the people living there.
Though itโs nothing too important for someone like me who never stay in one place.
They then made me listen to all kinds of complaints about the Count and the confusion afterwards, about the government offices lagging, and about tax collection.
The men said their names were โMohoโ and โGeydaโ, childhood friends and a pair of trader and artisan.
Surprisingly, they had families, seems they like to escape their families and stay at an inn.
Celia looks like sheโs getting dizzy so we ought to get out soon.
โWeโre still tired from the journey so please excuse us hereโ
โOoh! I see! Well, weโll be staying at room 205!โ
โ205, remember that!โ
Like hell Iโd come over, I thought as I got out.
Their eyes were focused on my nether regions but itโs gross to even hide it.
Celia frantically covered her chest and her important part with her hand and followed.
But the men did not even take a glance at her.
Back at the room, Nonna had already changed into some loose sleepwear.
Since we decided to rest at the inn for a while everyone bought some comfy indoor clothes.
Since there was some slack to her clothes her breasts shook violently.
She probably carefully wiped her body already, the scent of sweat and dust were already gone and her hair was also clean.
But as youโd expect, Celia who had washed from the head down and gone into the bath shined more.
Feeling my gaze, Celia deliberately flaunted some skin while making the bed, and Nonna smiled as she watched over her.
โSpeaking of which, Nonna came from this town, didnโt you?โ
โ.............โ
She didnโt say anything but I continuedโ
โI heard this at the bath earlier, but theyโre changing the townโs nameโ
Nonna dropped her cup to the floor.
Celia complained while cleaning it up but Nonnaโs eyes were fixed on me.
Whatโs the meaning of this? Her face says.
โWell they said itโs all sorts of inconvenient to have it carry the name of a traitorโ
*grit*, there was an incredible sound from her mouth.
Her smile was nowhere to be found, even her eyes were filled to the brim with anger.
โMy apologies. Iโm feeling tired so I shall retire nowโ
โTo go sleep while Aegir-sama is talking, whatโs the meaning of this!โ
Celia clamored but Nonna pulled her covers and didnโt move.
She canโt repress her emotions any more than this, it looks.
I hugged Celia and carried her to bed like that.
In under ten minutes there was a sound of snoring from between my arms.
Late at night
While Celia was snoring and I was pretending to sleep, Nonna slowly rose up from bed and looked outside from the veranda.
The town was of course pitch-dark but there were lamp-lights by the ships moored at the docks looking like stars.
โHyaaa!โ
I held up Nonna in my arms from behind and set her down on a sofa in the living room partitioned from the bedroom by a door.
โIf you want to embrace me then shouldnโt we use the bed? Or may it be that you have some other wish of me?โ
โIโm not going to sleep with you. No, I want to sleep with you but thatโs not the thing I want to talk to you about nowโ
Successfully fixing her expression, she smiled and said โWhat is it then?โ
Iโm bad at introductions and bargaining.
โNonna .... Elektra, right?โ
Her smile crumbled, she turned to face me like a broken waterwheel.
I can see from her expression but I still continued.
โLady Nonna of the House of Count Elektra, am I right?โ
โN, no! What are you saying!โ
โTimewise it was about a year ago, the Countโs house was disgraced on account of treason and you became a slave. The high-class inns and traders still remember your face. Which is why you donโt want to be seen around townโ
โNo. Iโm nothing like that! Donโt just go say something so conveniently!โ
โWe met traders who used to deal with the former Lord at the bath. Should we try asking them? Do you remember seeing this girl?โ
Though the werenโt such big shots, just a couple of man-lovers.
โ..........โ
Nonna fell silent with tears on her face.
โYou donโt like being seen as a traitorโs daughter? Or maybe you donโt want people to see you fall from your lofty position?โ
โHe wasnโt a traitor!โ
I finally heard the voice behind the mask.
โFather did nothing wrong! There were bandits, then he sent soldiers, then...!โ
One day, he was notified of a large-scale band of bandits doing repeat pillaging of the perimeter towns within his domain.
He then gathered soldiers and he himself lead the charge, but there was no sign of the bandits. The Lords of surrounding territories made a fuss saying that he was going to rebel against the Federal Government.
The messenger who shouldโve explained the circumstances never arrived at the capital, and the ambassador from the capital who was sent to ascertain the circumstances was assassinated within the domain.
The federal government took this as a sure sign of mutiny and assembled a punitive force.
The Count who sent himself as a messenger to the capital was executed, and so were his son who carried his line and his wife.
His girls were deprived of their positions and sold as slaves.
This was the whole story of the Count Elektra rebellion.
The County was divvied up between the surrounding Lords. Thinking that when the assets were seized by Central the plot would be uncovered, but that has nothing to do with Nonna.
That day, she lost everything, her family, her status, and her home.
And now, the last proof that the House of Count Elektra existed had vanished.
โOniisama and the others were hanged in front of the house. Sister refused to become a slave and killed herself. Iโm the only one leftโ
โI see, so thatโs the reason behind those dead eyes of yoursโ
Nonna shakily raised her face.
The look on her face was seething anger โ at me who forced her to be reminded of her past.
โSo, what do you want with me!? You want to rape me while laughing at my past? You want to sell me at a brothel as a former noblegirl?โ
โNeither. I want you to live in the future, not your pastโ
Nonna turned her face down without saying anythingโ
โI want you to fall for me from the bottom of your heart. Leave your past behind and be mine, wonโt you?โ
I put my hands on her shoulders and whispered.
The girlโs shaking stopped and she slowly stepped away.
Next I felt a shock on my cheek, Nonna slapped me ... no, hit me with all she had.
โGet off me you brute!! Stop saying nonsense!โ
Her angry roar resounded in the room, I heard Celia waking up and running over in a hurry.
โIf you want my body you can have it. If you want my heart you can try courting me. But I will never ever hand over my soul!!โ
She put my knife to her own neck, she mustโve been hiding it somewhere.
โIf you tell me to forget the late Elektraโs glory and past pride then I, as Nonna Elektra, last of the line of the House of Count Elektra, will end it here with pride!โ
I seem to have brought imperial wrath on myself.
Celia jumped in with her sword, but was startled to see Nonna.
As I motioned Celia to stand back with one hand, I continued.
โDo you miss your past family? Do you want this town?โ
โOf course! But itโs all go...โ
โI asked if you wanted it or not!โ
Nonna hesitated for a moment but she wasnโt afraid of my anger.
โThis town is Elektraโs pride! The town built by our ancestors. Wanting to take it back is obvious!โ
Nonnaโs voice was raised in anger, but tears flowed endlessly from her eyes.
She couldnโt control her emotions anymore.
โThen I will get this town back in your hands. Will you give me even your soul to be my woman if I promised that?โ
There was a moment of silence, Nonnaโs expression was still tense.
โStop saying foolish things!โ
I held the knife she was pointing at her own throat with my bare hands.
Blood flowed and Celia made a pitiful sound.
โI will certainly, definitely take back this town for youโ
โA mere mercenary like you can do something like that?!โ
โIf you think so then you wouldnโt be able to, right? At most you can only cut your own neckโ
Nonna widened her eyes and lost strength.
โI will do it. Be it in ten years or twenty or more, but I will definitely do it!โ
I brushed the knife off Nonnaโs hand.
โWhat a mere fallen noble like like you canโt do, I will do in your stead. So, leave everything to meโ
Nonna fell to her knees on the floor.
โMay I .... believe in you?โ
โYou can leave anything and everything to me. Thereโs nothing you have to do anymore. Fall into my arms, if you do that Iโll do everything elseโ
Nonna fell on her backside on the floor and made a sob.
Ah, itโs coming.
I hid the bloodstained knife and told Celia to put her sword down.
Then the dam burst.
โHIIEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNN!!!โ
The late night clamor ended in her crying out loud like a baby.
All the pent-up feelings she had were now let out.
The descendant of a Count family was now a mere girl.
โNow letโs clean this upโ
Celiaโs sleepwear were ruffled and I was totally naked myself.
Right then the innโs employees and guests who heard the ruckus came knocking.
When they opened the door they saw a worn-out little girl, a naked man, and a crying woman.
Everything was peacefully settled with me being a bastard who was toying two girls around.