I Reincarnated as a Noble Bastard, So I'm Seducing All the Villainess-Chapter 104: Someone Hasn’t Forgotten A Hot Night.

Okay, I had some time to talk to Elizia, and she better explained the situation.

Basically, "Dor'gha nuu sh'tar" is a phrase that would be equivalent to offering a duel for honor against another Orc, but it has various connotations within the culture. Since Orcs are a species extremely tied to culture and personal honor within a tribe, this phrase can also apply when someone wants to replace the current tribe leader, claim someone as their doormat, or even as a way to call a strong male or female to marry them.

The closest translation I can imagine is "Submit to me"... Wait, does that mean that Orc way back then wanted to hook up with me? It must be!

Well, but even so, since Ragna changed the terms of the challenge to give me an advantage, it was the equivalent of me claiming her as a subordinate. She will obey me as much as I want, especially with Elizia's special addition in the mix.

"I convinced her that you are indeed a woman, but you are disguising yourself as a man because the Moonlights need an heir." She then elbows me and whispers in my ear: "Keep playing this game, and she will continue to believe you are a princess."

I have nothing to complain about, it even makes it easier not to stress her out about the terms of the duel, and being seen as a woman by an Orc who puts my masculinity to shame isn't the worst thing in the world. Plus, I practically have two powerhouses on the team, which makes me quite happy!

Right now, in fact, I'm thinking about what to do about the Orc. She really believes I'm Daria Montclair, right? A daughter taken from another family, who earned the title of bastard and is now playing the heir of a family so everyone believes the Moonlights won't go through a scandal. Honestly, this is the most perfect thing that could happen.

After the adrenaline wore off, my body returned to melting into jelly, so I collapsed completely onto the floor, only to be carried back to bed by Ragna.

Thank you, Lady Muscles, I really needed a hand.

"Okay, welcome to the group... just please, keep your arms off me."

Ragna's sullen expression only deepens with my comment, to the point where she storms out of the room without another word. Finally, back to peace, I can talk to Elizia without worrying so much.

"Hey, so she freed Leonhardt? Did you convince her or something?"

"Correct, sweetheart. That part was easier because of that first contact, how the inquisitor got beat up, remember?"

"Okay, good to know, that means less trouble on our backs. Now, what do I do?"

"You wait, simple as that. It's not like you can make it to the North in your current state, a brief stay in Mastan won't suddenly worsen the Northern conflict."

Yes, she's actually right. The conflict will only get uglier a few months from now, with interference from two specific people who are giving me a headache just thinking about them. I relax again. Elizia gives me water at my mouth and then kisses my cheek, which only bothers me more.

"Honestly, what you do with my feelings is a major dirty trick."

"Screwing around was what we did every day, darling, here I'm just playing..."

"And these games mess with me. I already understand that you don't want anything with me, so why do you insist on maintaining this affection and touch? Wouldn't it be better to just distance yourself so the feeling disappears?"

"Darius, you are still my best client. Don't forget that I only managed to support myself because of you, so when we return safely to the Imperial Capital, I expect you to continue paying for my services."

"Gold digger..."

I let out a weak laugh, but I don't even know if that will really happen. When I return to the capital, it's highly likely that the King and the Duke will be interested in putting more responsibilities on my shoulders, to change the image of the dirty bastard son and turn him into a person who climbed the hierarchy and proved worthy of noble blood.

Maybe I won't marry a baroness, it could be Ravenna or some countess, depending on the family's political relations. I just know that true love is hard to find in this world, just like in the last one.

I have no idea if I should nourish the feeling within me or just throw everything out the window and surrender to pleasure. Most of the time, I did the latter to forget whatever was complicated... well, I'll probably do it again, that's just who I am.

*****

Okay, time to finish my stint in this damn city. Elizia managed to get a healer for me, she just had to throw some potions down my throat for a whole day, and I woke up good as new, ready to get back into the fray and feeling rock hard.

There's one last thing to resolve before leaving, and that's about the Mayor. To be honest, turning the city's politics upside down, removing her from power and everything, would cause more of a headache than anything else because of the ties certain public servants in power here have with the Empire's nobility.

Ophelia is also not necessarily in a position to lose her post, furthermore, she is a Dwarf from an influential family, who put her here through illicit means, yes, but the relationship of that Dwarf clan with the crown and other noble families in the country remains important.

I preferred not to go into detail because I will certainly forget every detail about Ophelia's relatives the moment I leave, so instead of worrying about knowing those people's names or anything like that, I just put an elegant outfit on my shoulders and walked as quickly as possible to the meeting point.

This time, we won't be seeing each other on a dark street, with the Mayor looking for a prostitute to satisfy her desires, but in an expensive restaurant where she will pay for everything, obviously.

The restaurant is too luxurious for my taste, with polished tables, dim lighting, and decoration full of carved iron so extravagant it looks like a jewel-encrusted furnace.

At least, Ophelia matches it. The Dwarf is seated with her spine straight, her hair tied in braids too neat for someone I literally rode until she lost consciousness two days ago. She looks up as I approach and flushes.

"Lord Moonlight... A-hem, I appreciate your presence."

Translating: "I have a fresh memory of the last time I saw you, and my hip does too."

I sit across from her, adjusting my elegant coat, with a magical recording stone discreetly set in my necklace. Elizia cast a camouflage spell on it, so no one would suspect anything even if I hit the table and it lit up. Still, I let my fingers trace the polished surface. The magical warmth reminds me of the records stored inside, with all of Ophelia's embarrassing content.

That broken breathing... those muffled moans... that time she almost ripped out my hair...

Holy shit. I would just have to press a symbol and everything would start playing in my ear again.

My hands shake a little, I really want to mess with her and turn that on in the middle of this restaurant to humiliate this Dwarf, but no, not now.

I shrug and let out a sigh. Better behave myself.

"I hope you're feeling better" I say, crossing my legs and resting my elbow on the table.

She clears her throat again. The cutlery discreetly clinks when her hand falters for an instant.

"I am... perfectly fine, and thank you for... uhn... being so... dedicated... to my security."

Dedicated, sure, that's exactly what it was. I wanted to mention more things, but since I'm under the gaze of other rich people, I'll restrain myself, for both our sakes. If people came to question me, I'd most likely end up fighting with them.

"The city is... complicated. The protection fee schemes and the violence in the city may have been contained, but a complete restructuring is also necessary, and I think..."

She glances around, making sure no one is listening.

"I can finally put Mastan back on track."

"Good luck. You'll need it."

"Hmph... I know you believe I... only took this city to profit from it, but... I genuinely want to do something better. The incompetence of the former administrators... and the excessive influence of certain families... well... that cannot continue. Mastan needs strong leadership."

She takes a deep breath and sips her wine.

You have a truly audacious tongue, you know? I know you're lying about everything, it's your trademark. I was even told a bit about the previous governments and how certain families indeed enjoyed taking everything in the city, but do you really think I'll trust you just because it's your word?

I lean in slightly.

"Strong like you?"

She almost spits out her wine. Her throat locks up for a moment, and the blush returns with more color.

"I... imagine... so."

I smile. Damn, she's charming when she tries to look tough and fails miserably.

While she explains the political part, I let the stone slide between my fingers. The idea of activating that thing right here, right now, starts tickling my brain.

Should I? Fuck... it would be funny, very humiliating for her and reckless for me, but it would be satisfying.

The idea keeps poking a piece of my consciousness, making me more tempted to do something, until the waiter places the food on the table. The meat melts with one bite, while the wine perfectly balances the flavor in my mouth.

There were few times I had the chance to eat in an expensive place. First, I wasn't usually interested, and second, I always walked through the red-light district and liked the things there.

We eat a little, talking casually. Without thinking much, I blurt out:

"Would you like me to come to your mansion one more time?"

The cutlery in Ophelia's hands drops, hitting the plate and making a loud clink.

Her cheeks turn a shade of red so vivid it competes with the wine. She tries to grab the cutlery, but her hand trembles and fails, staring at the meal as if pleading for some kind of salvation through it.

"I-I..." She takes a deep breath, completely disoriented. "I-If it's necessary... to deal with... administrative matters... of course..."

I rest my chin on my hand and smile at her.

"Administrative matters, huh? I see."

She looks away, biting her lip with intensity, dangerous for both me and her dignity. It looks like we're going to that mansion again.