Chapter 15: Preparing for the Audience

"Mmm."

I rubbed my eyes as I got up. A dark room. A swaying sensation. I was lying on a soft bed.

Looking around, I saw Sylvia sitting demurely in a chair beside the bed. She closed the book she was reading and spoke to me.

"You're awake."

"Ah, yes..."

My face flushed as I remembered getting massaged all over and having my chest touched earlier.

"The purification bath was completed successfully. Since you lost consciousness during the process, we brought you to your room to rest comfortably."

Come to think of it, I had passed out in the bath. But what's this about a purification bath? I don't feel any different.

"In your current state after the purification bath, you have transcended the limits of the human race."

"The limits of the race...?"

When I asked blankly, Sylvia continued her explanation.

"Indeed. Since you were the first to immerse yourself in His Majesty's power-infused bathwater, you could be considered half-demon now."

"D-demon?"

She meant the devil race that people generally talk about. While it sounded scary at first, it wasn't that shocking when I thought about how similar I might be to Sylvia and the other demon women.

"That's right. Of course, this doesn't mean you'll be harmed by holy magic or anything like that - it's more about your physical abilities and sensitivity. For example."

Swish-

Sylvia moved her hand in an instant. At the same time, with a stinging sensation, blood trickled lightly from my palm. It seemed I had been cut by something. However.

Whoosh-

The wound healed at a visible speed, until not even a trace remained. It was like watching a troll's regeneration.

"How was that?"

At Sylvia's question, I examined my hand and replied.

"...It doesn't feel like my body."

While Hunters naturally have stronger recovery than normal people, it's not to this extent. Suddenly gaining troll-like regeneration - while it's a good ability, it felt strange that it was now part of my body.

"You'll get used to it soon. After all, you now possess a superior body that transcends human limitations. And regarding sensitivity..."

"..."

"While you already have remarkable talent, this development has given you even greater potential."

Sylvia's eyes swept over my blanket-covered body as she continued.

"Perhaps... you might reach heights no one has achieved before..."

I could feel an inexplicable heat in her gaze. I pulled the blanket closer around myself. While pleasure is nice, too much of it becomes frightening. After swallowing my fear, I spoke up.

"So... what happens to me now?"

A purification bath is meant to cleanse the body and mind before important events. Now that it was complete, I felt like something significant was coming.

"From today onwards, you will reside in the Demon King's Castle and receive training to serve Her Majesty. You will become an elite member of the Demon King's Army. You will systematically undergo sexual education from Lady Helena, as well as etiquette, combat, and knowledge classes from other nobles to gradually develop the qualifications of a demon soldier. Of course, this includes your qualities as a male courtesan as well."

"..."

Male courtesan? I pretended not to hear the last part and asked what I was curious about first.

"If there's a Demon King's Army... are there opposing forces too?"

To my question, Sylvia kindly explained.

"Yes. The Holy Nation led by the Holy Emperor, along with various empires of the Middle World and dragons, are the main opposing forces to the Demon King's Army. Though none of them are a match for Lady Elizabeth."

Sylvia claimed no one could match the Demon King. Whether this was just her loyal sentiment or if the Demon King truly possessed such overwhelming power, I couldn't tell. But considering they were still standing despite facing such opposition, the Demon King's Army must be quite powerful.

Growl-

As I was talking with Sylvia, my stomach clock went off. Though I blushed in embarrassment, Sylvia spoke as if it were perfectly natural.

"You must be hungry. Let's go eat."

It made sense I'd be hungry, since I hadn't eaten anything since being kidnapped - I'd only been eaten myself.

I got up from bed, got dressed, and took Sylvia's hand as we headed to the dining hall.

**

Past elegant corridors lined with red carpet and across breezy colonnades swept by night wind, an enormous space greeted me.

It was like the great hall from that famous magic novel where students gathered to eat together.

Long tables were arranged throughout, laden with delicious-looking delicacies.

"Munch munch."

"Nom nom."

Others had already arrived before me and were eating. They were enjoying their meals with help from their assigned maids.

Growl-

Seeing the appetizing food and smelling the fragrant aromas, my stomach seemed to be crying out for food.

"Please eat as much as you'd like. Everything is nutritious, delicious, and good for virility too."

"..."

The last part seemed a bit strange, but whatever. Let's eat. I sat down in an empty seat and tore into the chicken in front of me. Given its size it was more like a turkey, but the glistening oil made it look absolutely delicious.

"Nom."

As I bit into the meat, the meaty flavor and crispy skin tickled my tongue. The ratio of fat to meat, the seasoning, and the texture were all perfect. I never knew such delicious food existed in the world. Maybe it seemed even better since I was hungry, and I usually couldn't eat many tasty things due to my diet.

"Try this as well."

Like the other maids, Sylvia stood beside me as I ate, serving various dishes onto my plate.

I felt utterly content as I accepted the food Sylvia fed me like a baby bird.

"Nom nom nom."

So delicious. Oh god, so delicious.

"Gulp."

The prepared drinks were sweet, refreshing and clean. They gave me a pleasant feeling when I drank them. Maybe they spiked it with something. As I continued picking up and eating the delicious food, I stared blankly at the ceiling.

'Maybe I should just settle down here...'

The constant dilemma. Even after realizing my situation and steeling my resolve, experiencing such luxury gradually melts away that firm determination.

Eating delicious food, getting massages, taking baths. And doing... pleasant things too. Being surrounded and nurtured by beautiful women doesn't seem so bad after all.

**

After the meal. We were led somewhere by the maids.

This was also a large room, with many doors that had mirrors on them.

Click-

Led by Sylvia's hand, I entered one of the mirrored doors. This seemed to be a changing room. Being alone with Sylvia in the narrow space felt a bit strange.

After closing the door, Sylvia bluntly told me.

"Raise your arms, please."

I raised both hands without resistance, and Sylvia swiftly removed the clothes I was wearing.

"Ah!"

I thought she was just removing my top, but using magic or something, my bottom half came off together. Having all my clothes suddenly stripped off, I quickly covered my front with my hands.

Looking at my hands covering my dick, Sylvia said.

"Please move your hands. We need to put on new underwear."

"...Okay."

I reluctantly moved my hands away to expose my dick, and Sylvia knelt down in front of it.

"..."

Looking at the limp dick before her eyes, Sylvia seemed to consider something briefly before giving it a quick kiss.

"Hnng-"

At her unexpected action, I let out a moan while pulling my hips back slightly. For some reason, I didn't get hard.

Sylvia patted my dick gently with her hand and said.

"It's behaving better now. Good. Please lift your leg."

Sylvia lifted my legs one at a time to put them through the panties, then pulled them up to dress me. Looking at the bulge visible through the underwear, Sylvia then took out pants and a top from somewhere.

It was the kind of silk clothing that nobles wear in movies. It looked very expensive, being so fancy and sparkly.

Sylvia skillfully dressed me like a doll. She adjusted the sleeves and easily tied the ribbon at the neck. The outfit was instantly neat and tidy. As expected of a maid, her handiwork was professional.

As I let her handle my body, I asked.

"Are we... going to see the Demon King now?"

Seeing how I was being dressed up, my guess was probably right. Sylvia nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. Now, please follow me."

Tap- Tap-

After giving my shoulders one final pat, Sylvia stood up.

Click-

When we opened the small changing room door, others dressed up like me were waiting outside, holding their maids' hands.

"Let's depart."

And so we followed behind the maids like ducklings following their mother duck.