The noble fortress rose in the distance like a crouching beast—black spires, iron gates, and walls wrapped in shimmering wards. Every stone radiated arrogance and malice.
Kazuto peered out from the carriage window, heart pounding. "Well… that doesn't look ominous at all."
Nyala purred, stretching her back, tail swishing across his face. "Mmm~ ominous makes it exciting."Kazuto sputtered, pushing her tail away. "This is NOT the time for tail-to-mouth contact!!"Liora sat primly, disguised in a maid's uniform, glasses sparkling. "Focus. We'll need every brain cell you possess. …Assuming you have any."
The Princess's forged passes had gotten them this far. Now came the real test.
Comedy Disguise Chaos
The carriage rolled up to the outer gate. Guards stood stiff, faces hidden behind silver masks.
"Papers," one barked.
Kazuto scrambled, almost dropping the forged passes. He'd been forced into a ridiculous noble's outfit—cape too long, hat too tall, shoes squeaking with every step.
Nyala, dressed as his "exotic servant," leaned in close, her thicc curves nearly bursting out of the silken dress. "Mmm~ master, are you sure you can play a noble? You look more like a stripper who stole a closet."
Kazuto hissed. "S-SHUT UP, I practiced my noble voice!" He cleared his throat. "Ahem. Yes, good sirs, I am Lord… uh…" He glanced at the pass. "Lord Bootius von Maximum."
The guard blinked. "…Bootius?"
Liora facepalmed. "We're dead."
But by some miracle—or the Princess's influence—the passes cleared. The gates opened.
Inside the Fortress
The carriage rattled through winding courtyards, shadows stretching unnaturally long. Kazuto felt his skin prickle.
[System Alert: Presence of Waifu-Breaking Wards detected.][Warning: Waifu Bond with Ayame is weakening.]
His hands clenched. "Hang on, Ayame…"
They dismounted in a grand courtyard. Immediately, their "disguise act" collapsed—Nyala tripped over her own cleavage, Kazuto's cape snagged on a statue, and Liora's maid outfit caused servants to mistake her for actual staff.
"Master Bootius," a guard sneered, bowing. "The banquet awaits. This way."
Kazuto swallowed. Banquet? Oh no.
The Banquet of Shadows
Inside the fortress's hall, nobles in masks feasted. Wine flowed, laughter echoed, and every table glittered with gold and silk.
Kazuto tried to blend in, but Nyala was already stuffing herself with roasted pheasant, juices dripping down her cleavage."Mmm~ sooo good. Worth the infiltration already."Kazuto hissed. "STOP MOANING WHILE EATING, YOU'RE BLOWING OUR COVER!!"
Meanwhile, Liora adjusted her glasses, whispering: "The wards converge beneath this hall. Ayame is below us."
Kazuto's heart pounded. "Then we bust down—"
But before he could finish, the hall doors slammed shut.
First Trap
Dozens of masked nobles rose from their seats. Their shadows writhed unnaturally, peeling from the floor like snakes.
From the far end of the hall, Golden Mask stepped forward.
"Well, well. The fool truly came." His voice echoed with smug amusement. "Did you think you could simply walk into my home and take her back?"
Kazuto's rage flared. "Where's Ayame, you bastard?!"
Golden Mask snapped his fingers.
The shadows erupted. Dozens of assassins emerged, blades dripping with purple light.
[System Alert: First Fortress Trial – Shadow Feast.]
Kazuto's stick glowed, aura igniting around him. "Alright… time to wreck some fancy dinner plans!"
Battle: Shadow Feast
The assassins swarmed.
Nyala leapt, claws flashing, her curves moving like deadly weapons. Every slash sprayed black smoke. "Mmm~ more! I'm just getting warmed up!"Liora unleashed light blasts, her voice steady: "Hold formation! They're trying to separate us!"
Kazuto swung his stick, smashing shadows into walls, his aura bursting pink-gold.
Golden Mask watched calmly. "Good. Dance for me. The deeper you fight, the more you play into my hand."
Kazuto roared, slamming his stick down. "SHUT UP AND EAT THIS!!"
His Lewd Harmony Burst exploded—an aura wave vaporizing half the assassins.
But the shadows just reformed. Stronger. Darker.
[System Alert: Shadow Feast regenerates unless the Shadow Core is destroyed.]
Liora gasped. "The core—it's beneath us! We must reach the lower halls!"
Golden Mask chuckled, raising his hand. The banquet floor cracked, opening a swirling pit of darkness.
"By all means," he purred. "Go deeper."
Cliffhanger
The floor collapsed. Kazuto, Nyala, and Liora plummeted into the abyss of the fortress's underbelly, swallowed by living shadows.
As Kazuto fell, his system blared:
[Fortress Dungeon Arc Activated.][Rescue Progress: 20%.][Warning: Each deeper level increases Waifu Bond decay.]
Kazuto screamed into the darkness, fury and desperation igniting his aura. "AYAME, HOLD ON!! I'M COMING!!"