Camilla's worry, the one she confided in me, was a continuation of our earlier conversation.
"…Is it really that strange for a succubus to be a virgin?"
Even as Camilla asked, she seemed embarrassed to be asking such a thing of someone else, fidgeting constantly.
I couldn't help but chuckle, realizing that the maid I thought was always so stoic had such a cute side. I replied,
"Well, you can't completely ignore common perception, can you? And it's a very famous story that succubi nourish themselves with a man's essence."
"I know that too. But…"
I cut her off mid-sentence and added one more thing.
"At least, among the succubi I've met, not a single one was a virgin. Unless she was a very young child, adults with appearances similar to yours, Camilla, naturally knew men."
I haven't met every succubus in the world.
But I was certain she was a very unique case.
"...."
Perhaps sensing this, Camilla clamped her lips shut with a resentful expression.
Feeling it would be cruel to push her further, I decided to lighten the stiff atmosphere.
"But hey, being a virgin isn't necessarily wrong. No matter if you're a succubus, the first experience is very important for a woman. And Camilla, you're still young?"
"…That's right."
As I offered her a sliver of hope, Camilla nodded, her face brightening considerably.
"Instead of rushing to give your virginity to just any man, it might be better to save it until you find someone you truly love."
That was the extent of the advice I could offer as an experienced adult.
There was nothing more I could say, and besides, we had only met four days ago.
Interfering further would be crossing a line.
Perhaps sensing this as well, Camilla didn't utter a single word that could be construed as a complaint.
"If you have no more business here, could you leave now? I'm tired and want to take a nap until dinner."
As I issued my dismissal, Camilla, who had been standing stiffly like a statue, hesitated before speaking again.
"…Then, could you perhaps offer me a little guidance?"
"Huh?"
For a moment, I wondered if I had misheard.
But Camilla looked at me with a very serious expression and said,
"From what I've observed, Kaldraash-nim seems to possess extensive experience and knowledge in that area. Could you please bestow just a little of that knowledge upon me?"
"…So, you're asking me to give you sex education?"
"If you want to put it that way, yes."
I suspected this succubus might actually like me.
Otherwise, why would she bring up such a crazy topic for consultation with a man she'd only known for a few days?
But my suspicions were unfounded, as Camilla's eyes were burning with pure academic curiosity.
She seemed to be thinking, 'If I don't know, I'll learn.'
'Is this really that simple?'
Caught off guard by the unexpected bluntness, I couldn't answer immediately and just chewed my lip.
I never imagined I'd live to see the day a virgin succubus asked me for sex education.
Not only was the request absurd, but I also couldn't figure out whether it was okay to grant it.
Perhaps Camilla had acted on impulse because she was embarrassed about being a virgin.
Wouldn't she regret her words once the heat in her head cooled down?
After considering this, I finally let out a deep sigh.
"I've thought about it, but it's not something that can be concluded right here and now. You agree with that, don't you, Camilla-ssi?"
"…Yes, that's true."
As I expected, Camilla blushed and admitted that she had gone too far.
"So, how about this?"
"How?"
"We'll give each other ample time to think. I'll point to the desk clock on the dresser. It's 5 PM now, so come back after dinner at 8 PM. We can have a serious discussion then."
Seeing that Camilla seemed to think my compromise proposal wasn't too bad, she nodded.
"Alright, let's do that."
"Now, the consultation is over, so please leave. Even if I don't look like it, I'm incredibly exhausted right now?"
The primary side effect of mana depletion is whole-body lethargy and drowsiness. According to biologists' research, mana is one of the main components constituting the human body, so excessive use of mana triggers metabolic responses that naturally induce sleep to replenish it.
As I yawned widely and waved my hand dismissively, Camilla probably realized it was unreasonable to continue the conversation. She gave a polite bow and left the room.
Left alone after she departed, unable to fight off my exhaustion, I laid my head on the pillow and promptly drifted off to sleep.
I woke up two hours later.
By then, dinner preparations must have been completed, as Violet came directly to my room to wake me.
Rubbing my eyes sleepily, I headed to the kitchen. What greeted me was a sumptuous feast, no different from the one I had on my first day in the village.
Camilla, already seated at the dining table, looked quite surprised.
Dumbfounded, I asked Violet,
"What's all this?"
She chuckled softly and explained kindly,
"Since the Mage-nim is leaving tomorrow, the villagers wanted to thank you for your hard work and gave me leftover ingredients. I just did the cooking."
I swallowed hard and sat down. There was a large roasted pork leg, a whole chicken slathered in herb paste, various home-style dishes, garlic salad, and a hearty beef stew brimming with chunks of meat. It was the kind of meal that made me ponder which dish to tackle first.
And then, the crowning touch: Violet approached, holding a bottle filled with a crimson liquid.
"What's that?"
"It's honey wine, good for stamina. My husband cherishes it, but I think he'll overlook it if I say it's for our village's benefactor."
"...."
Only then did I realize the unsettling feeling I'd had earlier. Today was the last day I would be staying at this house. That meant when I returned to the castle, Violet, being a married woman, would have to endure lonely nights until her husband, who was away fighting on the battlefield, returned. Given such circumstances, she must be feeling anxious.
I surveyed the table again. Though I hadn't noticed it before, the dishes seemed to be made with everything known to be good for men, including garlic.
'Tonight, I'll be drained even more than last night.'
I braced myself with grim determination. Just like humans, Beastkin stamina seems endless. Moreover, they even have specific mating seasons. I managed to endure last night somehow, but doing it two nights in a row meant I might run out of steam midway. My pride wouldn't allow that.
"Let's eat."
To prepare for the long night battle ahead, I began eating like a warrior. My top priority was replenishing my depleted energy. As I shoveled food into my mouth, regardless of dignity, Violet watched me, a crescent moon smile gracing her lips as she served the drinks.
After dinner, once the slight discomfort in my stomach had settled, Camilla returned to my room.
"…Excuse me."
Having apparently bathed in the interim, her white hair was still damp. She greeted me politely and entered the room. Having made all the necessary preparations and waiting for her arrival, I swallowed and asked,
"So, have you thought about it?"
Camilla nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"…My desire to learn about sex remains unchanged."
Her eyes burned with fervent academic curiosity. They say those who learn late never know when to stop; Camilla was truly spiraling in a bizarre direction. Regardless, my suspicion was gone. If she truly wanted it, I would simply impart my knowledge.
I gestured towards a closet in the corner of the room. It originally held bedding, but I had moved the contents elsewhere, leaving it empty.
"What do you mean?"
Camilla tilted her head, looking confused, but I stated firmly,
"Seeing is more helpful than hearing a hundred times. Camilla, you first need to learn what lust between a man and a woman is."
Only then did Camilla's expression change as if she understood what I meant.
"…Are you asking me to spy on the sexual intercourse between two people?"
I waggled my index finger.
"It's not spying. It's studying, purely for academic purposes."
"Studying…"
Humans can do anything, no matter how crazy, if they have a justifiable reason. It seemed succubi were the same. Camilla gazed, mesmerized, at the closet door, which was slightly ajar.
Knock! Knock!
Just then, a knock sounded from outside the door.
"Mage-nim, may I come in?"
"Just a moment! I haven't finished tidying the room yet!"
Buying myself a little time, I asked Camilla,
"So, what will you do? If you're not comfortable, you can leave the room right now."
This was her last chance. And the last moment she could make her own choice. If she crossed this line today, she would gain momentum.
Camilla glanced between the tightly shut door and my face, then nodded with a determined expression.
"I'll try it. I can't remain an innocent virgin forever."
I opened the closet door. Camilla stepped inside of her own accord.
Click-
I closed the closet door completely from the outside. I had drilled a small hole, so it shouldn't be too difficult for her to see the outside from within.
Then, I strode purposefully to the room's entrance and opened the door. Violet, transformed back into her human form rather than her Beastkin appearance, greeted me with a wide smile and embraced me.
"Are you not letting me sleep tonight?"
Responding to her sweet voice, I wrapped my arms around her waist, which felt barely substantial. The fluffy fur of her tail, protruding from her rear, tickled the back of my hand. I could feel her body heat through the thin fabric of her clothes. Meeting her gaze directly, I said,
"That's what I was going to say."
And then, our lips met passionately.