Heroine Netori

A letter arrived from Elaine.
It stated that a duchess from the capital wanted to secretly receive treatment.
It seemed the rumors I had spread were finally taking effect.
Naturally, I replied that I would be delighted to help.
From the start, I had caught a big fish.

After clearing my schedule and waiting a few days, the duchess arrived, wearing a mask.
Of course, she didn’t come alone. She was accompanied by a stern-looking knight.

"Indeed, you are Deokbae Asil..."

"It has been a while, Madam. Please, come inside; the weather is quite cold."

Her name was Marie Crozet, the first wife of one of the top five ducal houses in the kingdom.
Elegant and refined, she was admired by many noble ladies and held a high position in the social hierarchy.

"Do you truly live in such a small house...?"

"It is more than sufficient for the two of us."

"...Is 'that' child doing well?"

"She is living brighter and happier than anyone."

Given her status, she hadn’t openly rejected Cecilia, but the interactions we once had as academy peers had come to a complete stop.
It wasn’t a matter of concern for me. After all, I wasn’t the 'Deokbae Asil' from back then. The present mattered more.
The Crozet family was a major patron of the Academy. If I extended goodwill to her now, I might secure a recommendation letter for a school nurse position.

"This is herbal tea. It may not suit your taste, but please enjoy."

"You still remember my preferences. Thank you."

Though the tea was far too cheap for a duchess, she didn’t show it outwardly.
However, after taking a sip, she didn’t touch the cup again, clearly finding it subpar.

"Now... Shall we begin our discussion?"

"This is truly a matter of utmost secrecy. My honor is at stake. I trust you understand its significance."

"Of course."

"That’s why I couldn’t go to the church. If I did, they could use this as leverage against me. That’s why I came to you. Deokbae Asil, you’ve always been a trustworthy person."

"...I am honored."

"But such things require certainty. I’ll need your signature."

As she finished speaking, the knight beside her pulled out a glowing document and handed it to me.
A confidentiality agreement? It was a form of contract magic that bound both parties to the agreed terms.
Using something this expensive just for a medical consultation? What on earth was she here for?

"The price... is your life?! Are you serious?"

"If this secret were to be revealed, death would be preferable."

"...Understood."

If it was this important to her, it worked to my advantage. The higher the stakes, the more leverage I would have.

"But I’d like to propose a change. I don’t need this much money."

"Even while living in such a small house? Have you no pride, Deokbae Asil?"

"No, quite the opposite. This is to reclaim my pride, Madam. Instead of money, what I want is a recommendation letter for the Academy."

"...!!"

At the mention of the recommendation, her expression stiffened.
She forced down the cheap herbal tea.
That reaction... annoying.

"It’s not for Cecilia. Elaine has already agreed to write one for her."

"Elaine Dwen?! Has he lost his mind?"

"Madam, Cecilia is not a witch. She was simply born blessed with magic and now knows how to control it perfectly."

I spoke firmly, and she composed herself before taking another sip of the tea.
The knight beside her, however, couldn’t hide his displeasure, glaring at me.
He probably thought I was being disrespectful to the duchess.

"Is the recommendation for yourself?"

"Yes, I want the school nurse position at the Academy."

"So you intend to return to the capital. With that child."

"Eventually, we must return. The time is now."

"Very well... I can arrange that, provided your skills are sufficient, Deokbae Asil."

"'If the Madam deems me worthy, she will provide the recommendation.' That will suffice."

"Then it’s a deal."

She conjured a magical pen and revised the compensation section of the contract.
After checking it with 'Observation,' I saw no tricks or loopholes.
Of course, as a duchess, she wouldn’t stoop to petty schemes.
When I signed the agreement, the document split into two copies—one entered my chest, and the other entered hers.
It was something I’d only seen in stories, and witnessing real magic like this never ceased to amaze me.

"Now... can you finally tell me what the issue is?"

"Haah... Well..."

"...It’s a venereal disease."

What the hell. Seriously.

*****

I led her to the examination room.
There, I had her sit on the medical chair, reclined it back, and placed her legs into the stirrups on either side, forcibly spreading them apart.
This was a piece of equipment you'd typically see in a gynecologist's office, but for me, it was something I'd only ever seen in certain videos. I had it custom-made to "enjoy" the process during consultations.

Removing the towel that had been placed over her abdomen, the duchess's private area was exposed in full view.
It twitched slightly, as if she were embarrassed.
A curtain was drawn in the middle of the chair, so I couldn’t see her face from my side, but I could imagine. After all, this wasn’t the first time I’d had a woman forcibly exposed like this.
Still, this situation was unique. The knight who had accompanied her remained at her side, holding her hand.
...What a blatant affair.

The venereal disease she mentioned referred to injuries inside her vagina.
From what she explained, they were caused by being pierced with a magic-infused penis.
Hiding my surprise, I casually commented on how rough Duke Liam was rumored to be, only to learn that the "roughness" was courtesy of the knight holding her hand.
Now that I think about it, Duke Liam was said to be off subjugating barbarians. It seems they took the opportunity to go at it like rabbits.

"Then... I'll open you up to examine."

"..."

She didn’t respond, perhaps too embarrassed.
Regardless, I forcibly spread her open with my fingers.

"Hmph..."

Of course, I had Sexual Stimulation activated.
A duchess moaning while spread open before another man, with her lover standing right there? This was too arousing to resist.

Using Observation, I confirmed several small cuts inside her vagina.
She must have been in pain with every step, yet she showed no outward signs of it.
Still, no matter how extreme their tastes were, magic-infused sex? What kind of twisted confidence in manhood is that? Or maybe they were just a hardcore couple?
Whatever the case, it was shocking.

"The injuries aren’t visible to the naked eye. I’ll have to use my fingers to check."

"...Hmph! Mmh... Hngh..."

Despite already knowing everything, I inserted my fingers into her vagina.
She tried to suppress her voice, but as I pressed the G-spot revealed by Observation,

"...Ahhh! Ahh! Haa..."

She couldn’t hold back and let out an ecstatic cry.

At the same time, her vagina tightened, and when her wounds pressed against my fingers, she let out a pained moan.

"Ugh! Ngh...!"

That wasn’t intentional... It made me feel a little guilty.

"Hey! Are you treating her properly?"

Oh, the overly righteous knight was angry now.
For a guy having an affair, he sure acts high and mighty. Though, to be fair, I wasn’t much better.

"My apologies. I’ve completed the examination. The injuries are minor but sensitive. Even small movements can cause significant pain."

"Will she be treated today?"

"Of course. These injuries won’t take long to heal, though the process may cause some discomfort."

"...It’s fine. Please, proceed with the treatment immediately."

"Understood. Sir Knight, please help the lady stay calm."

"Hmph! Very well."

Oh, she won’t feel discomfort—quite the opposite. She’ll enjoy it more than she does with you.
So go ahead and watch as your beloved gasps and moans under my touch.

Activating Healing, I inserted my fingers back into her vagina.
This time, I moved slowly, ensuring she could feel every sensation from her entrance to the depths.

"...Haa... Ah... Nngh..."

She began panting in response, and soon, her fluids started to flow.
As my fingers delved deeper, wet sounds grew louder, and her moans became more intense.

"Ahh... Nngh... Ahhh..."

I avoided stimulating her G-spot or any sensitive areas, focusing solely on healing the wounds.
She subtly moved her hips, trying to press her G-spot against my fingers.
Each time, I moved my fingers to deny her.

"Ah... No... Please..."

Her body heated up, and she openly raised her hips, seeking my fingers.
Finally, when I touched her G-spot, she climaxed immediately.

"Hah, hahhh! Nooo!"

"M-Madam? What is this?"

"You bastard of a doctor!"

-Bang!

As she finished, the knight, red-faced with anger, lunged at me and punched me squarely in the face.
Damn, that hurt. I might be a D-rank Hunter, but this guy was leagues stronger.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

"You dare use treatment as an excuse to violate the lady?!"

"I treated her without an ounce of shame!"

"Still trying to argue?!"

"Enough!!"@@novelbin@@

As I growled back, the knight raised his fist again.
Not one to take it lying down, I reached into my inventory for a glowing green dagger.
Before things escalated further, the duchess screamed.

"Lance! Stand down! The treatment was successful, just as he said."

"R-Really?"

"Yes! I was just... a bit sensitive. You know how I am."

"...That’s true..."

What a ridiculous pair.

"My apologies, Asil... Are you alright?"

Still half-naked, she approached me, worried.
Now my arousal was becoming a problem.
Suppressing it, I used Healing and Purification on the spot where I’d been punched.

My loosened teeth reset, the bruise on my cheek vanished, and the blood around my mouth disappeared. Even my wrinkled clothes became neat.

"Incredible! Truly, a blessing from the gods!"

"No... More like the gods’ guilt... for taking her away."

"Oh, Asil..."

After losing Elise, I fell into despair, only to suddenly gain the ability to heal others.
It wasn’t the same as the healing used by priests; it was something unique.
Deokbae Asil called it the gods’ guilt and referred to himself as a doctor rather than a healer.
This was the story I had Elaine spread.

It was a strategy to showcase my unique ability without drawing the church’s ire.
Of course, touching the patients directly was for netori, but it also served to differentiate myself.

*****

After the treatment, I returned to the reception room with the duchess, and her gaze toward me had completely changed.
The skepticism from before had vanished, replaced by trust after witnessing my use of healing magic.
The knight beside her, evidently ashamed, kept his head bowed low.
I had planned to reprimand him harshly, but with his immediate apology, bowing deeply, I found myself at a loss for words.

"Once again, I sincerely apologize, Asil. Not only did I show such an embarrassing side during treatment, but I also failed to control Lance as his superior."

"It’s fine, Madam. It could happen to anyone. There’s no need to feel ashamed. In fact, I was moved by Sir Lance’s loyalty. Acting without hesitation for his master is truly the mark of an exemplary knight."

"Asil… you truly haven’t changed."

The duchess, seemingly touched, looked at me with tearful eyes. The knight beside her was outright crying.
It was the least like myself I had ever responded, but apparently, it was the right answer.

"Is there anything I can do for you? As the Duchess of the Crozet family, I can’t leave without repaying this favor. Please, just ask."

"If that’s the case… when we return to the capital, could you become Cecilia’s patron?"

"That..."

"I plan to debut Cecilia into society. Please help clear the misunderstandings surrounding her… I ask this of you."

"You’re being genuine… Very well. Asil, I’ll trust you. Then, allow me some time to speak with the child."

"Thank you! I’m sure you’ll love her. Cecilia is truly a pure and kind child!"

"Kyaaaah!"

A woman screamed as she hung in the air.
Both of her arms were twisted backward, completely broken.

"Hehe! What a cute sound. So, when a person’s arms break, this is the kind of noise they make?"

Cecilia smiled as she looked at the woman.
It was an angelic, innocent smile.

"Please... stop... I don’t want to die. Please..."

"If only you had stopped when I told you to, this wouldn’t have happened."

"AAAAH! UAAAAH!"

This time, the woman’s ankles began to twist slowly.
She screamed through her tears, but the sound of cracking bones echoed as her ankles snapped.

"You dared to mock me, calling me a little brat? Laughing at me while knowing nothing about Father? You filthy wench! Seducing my father even though you have a husband?!"

"AAAAH! I’m sorry, I was wrong! Uuugh... AAAAAH!"

Her ankles, which had continued twisting even after breaking, eventually rotated fully and returned to their original position.
Cecilia continued smiling as she watched.

"I told you not to meet with Father again. Since you can’t do it alone, let me help you."

"Hehe! I’m such a kind person, aren’t I?"

To the woman, Cecilia’s smile
was nothing less than the smile of a witch.