Chapter 57 The Blacksmith Presses On
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I couldn’t help but pull Ethelena into a tight hug as she burst into tears, stroking her hair desperately and murmuring reassurances. Hearing my voice, Yohira and Tatia came rushing over, tilting their heads at the sight of us. Dahlia, meanwhile, took one look and pegged me as the culprit—no words needed.
”What did you mess up this time, Tatara?” Tatia asked.
”Nah, I just got back and introduced her to that girl from earlier, and she started crying… Wait, was it the name?”
”Seriously, what happened…?”
Yohira pressed a hand to her forehead with a sigh, then straightened up to face Dahlia.
”Sorry for the late intro. I’m Yohira—Torakuma Yohira, if we’re being formal. Nice to meet you.”
”Thank you kindly. I’m Dahlia Julon of the Automaton Maidens. Pleased to meet you.”
”Ah, so that’s the issue.”
Yohira seemed to get it the moment Dahlia said her name. Same last name as me—figures that’s the trigger.
”Belated introduction here too. I’m Tatia, apprentice knight.”
”You’re Tatia, right? Dahlia Julon of the Automaton Maidens. Looking forward to working with you.”
Tatia extended her hand for a shake, and Dahlia met it firmly.
”Hmm, your hair and eyes are so much like Tatara’s. Siblings?”
”No, not at all. But when we set up the family register, he let me take his surname. My master even said I looked like his sister, so it stuck.”
”Ah, so it’s Tatara’s little habit rearing its head again.”
My bad habit? What’s that supposed to mean?
My retort went ignored as Tatia let out a sigh. Why does this feel like a support group for my screw-ups?
”Anyway, Tatara, we’ll handle info-sharing with Dahlia. You focus on comforting Ethelena.”
”Whoa, that’s sudden.”
”Take two hours, three—heck, the whole night if you need. Even tomorrow’s fine.”
”Easy for you to say.”
Yohira’s implication was clear enough, and getting the green light from my companions stung a bit.
”Hey, Tatara… you don’t want me anymore? Got tired of me?”
Ethelena grabbed weakly at my shirt, her tear-swollen eyes pleading, nose still sniffling. Her beautiful face was a mess, terrified I’d walk away.
”Ah… damn it. And don’t you dare peek this time, Yohira!”
”Say that, and it’s war!”
I scooped her up in a princess carry, shooting Yohira a warning glare on the way. She probably regretted stirring the pot, but hey, fair’s fair. I carried Ethelena straight to our room and locked the door behind us—no interruptions.
”Tatara, don’t leave me…”
Even this short distance had her unraveling; whatever the root, it was on me. Dahlia claiming the Julon name hitting her like that? Unexpected, but thinking back… she’d insisted on “going first” with names. Yeah, that’s my screw-up. What an idiot I am.
”No way I’d toss you aside. If anything, I’m the one sweating you’ll dump me. Sex with you wears me out—I can barely keep up, always worrying if I’m satisfying you. And that mother-daughter stuff? Yeah, no chance.”
The last one’s a hard pass, sorry.
”If you weren’t around, Tatara, I couldn’t do anything. Even the intimate stuff—it’s only because it’s your body I crave. I don’t want anyone else. If you got bored of me, I… I wouldn’t want to keep going.”
She’s spiraling hard. With that face of hers, who’d ever dream of letting go? No way I could.
”I’m the one who proposed marriage because it’s you, Ethelena. I accepted the Engage Link for the same reason. Why would I ever get bored? Why say something so heartbreaking?”
Tears pricked at my eyes. She called me a crybaby once—spot on.
”If you ditched me, sure—I get it. World’s full of better guys. I’m always thinking I’m not good enough for you, pushing to keep you all to myself. If that creeps you out… God, that day I vowed to stay by your side forever, but losing you? I’d shatter.”
My vision blurred as I imagined it—just the thought wrecked me. Yeah, I’d deserve the hate. I crushed her to me, and she clung back just as fiercely.
”If you mean that, then prove it…”
Her hand cupped my cheek, guiding me down. Our lips met soft at first, then deeper, tongues dancing in that familiar rhythm. I slipped a hand under her shirt, cupping the soft weight of her breast, kneading gently as it yielded under my palm. Her breaths quickened, kisses growing sloppy.
I teased the hardening peak through the fabric, drawing a sweet gasp from her. Pulling back, I took her in—changed from workout gear into something echoing her old uniform. Damn, that gets me going.
”That outfit… you modeled it after your old gear?”
”Yeah, I really liked that design, so I found something close.”
”Suits you perfectly.”
”Thanks.”
Her dazed expression mixed with that innocent, childlike smile.
”Ethelena, sorry—I can’t hold back much longer.”
”Okay, go ahead.”
At my words, she shimmied out of her shorts, the fabric catching on her full thighs before sliding free. Beneath was that lingerie we’d picked out, the shade matching her hair—silky, sheer, even more stunning than I’d fantasized.
”You wore it for me?”
”Yeah… you had that look during training, like you were undressing me with your eyes. Thought maybe tonight…”
”You’re the sexiest wife ever, Ethelena.”
I kissed her forehead as a tease, but she pouted. A proper lip-lock fixed that, earning her adorable grin. God, I adore her.
My fingers traced her core through the lace, feeling the warmth seeping through. She arched with a whimper, breaths ragged. Lifting her top revealed the matching bra, the stiff peaks pressing bold against the cups—no padding. Playfully, I licked over the fabric, and she twisted with frustrated need.
She fumbled at her panties, and that snapped my restraint—I pinned her down. Bra shoved up, panties hooked awkwardly on one knee. I wedged between her thighs, pressing my straining length to her entrance. Slickness eased the way, but it slipped teasingly until her hand guided me home.
I thrust deep, her body welcoming with a shiver, back bowing in shared bliss. When our hips met flush, the tip nudged that sweet spot. In my arms, she stroked her belly with a joyful glow.
”Ethelena, can I move?”
”Yeah… do what you want with me. Ruin me, if you can.”
Hearing her say that in such a childish lilt cracked my resolve. Not yet—hold it together. This wasn’t the time to devolve into some beast pounding away while growling “I love you.”
I eased back slowly, feeling every inch drag against her warmth like a reluctant goodbye. Pulling out just enough to tease the edge, then sliding home again—deliberate, watching her face for every flicker. Each gentle thrust drew soft moans from her, like I was unraveling her secrets one by one. But control frayed fast; my hips picked up speed, her gasps turning sharp and staccato. I leaned over her, enveloping her completely, and she hooked her legs around me, pulling me deeper as if I’d vanish otherwise.
The edge hit like a storm—I buried myself to the hilt, the world narrowing to that pulse of release. She cried out, her body clenching in waves that pulled me under. Overloaded, I let go, spilling everything in that locked embrace, her thighs holding me right where she needed. In my arms, she went limp, utterly spent. Did I push her too hard?
I tried to pull back, check on her, but her arms looped around my neck, loose but insistent. A tiny shake of her head—no, don’t go. This’ll crush her if I stay put. Shifting carefully, I propped on one elbow, the other arm cradling her back, and rolled us into a seated embrace, face-to-face.
The new angle sank me deeper under her weight; she let out a fragile whimper, clinging tighter. I leaned back on my free arm, arching just enough for her to melt against me. She surrendered fully, breaths still ragged.
”You okay?”
She nodded, slow and dreamy—like her energy had tapped out mid-training, even with our shared link.
”Does anything hurt?”
A weak head-shake. Why so fragile? This isn’t like her. Worry spiraled: some Succubus quirk flaring up?
”I’m fine, Tatara.”
She tried to move, straining to lift herself, but her arms and legs just trembled—no lift-off. I gripped her waist, helping steady her, and she managed to nuzzle my neck, planting a soft, possessive mark.
”Listen… I think my strength’s kicking in or something.”
About time we addressed this. I tuned in, serious.
”When you… entered me, it was like your thoughts flooded in. All of them.”
Mind-meld vibes? If it’s memories, my past life’s junk might’ve hit her too.
”You think about me all the time.”
…Crap, she peeked at the wrong mental files.
”Stuff like my wedding dress, names for our kids someday. How you’d feel when I’m pregnant, if you could be there… all that sweet worry.”
”Sorry, Ethelena—keep it zipped, please.”
Past life? Nah, it’s all fresh freakouts! What is this, public shaming? Critical hit—I’m dying here.
”And worrying if I’ll hate you. If you can’t keep me from ditching you. If you’re good enough in bed to keep me happy.”
Just end me now.
”You’re adorable, Tatara. Obsessed with me, crazy in love—it’s the cutest. I love you so much.”
I love you too. But that roast stole my tongue.
Ethelena’s voice, still breathless, cut through the tension, “Waiting till graduation to marry sucks. I want kids now.”
I stroked her hair slow, holding her up on sheer will. A real man doesn’t falter here.
”You’re making me hold back a ton, you know.”
Me? Holding back?
”Like, you eyed my workout gear earlier—wanted to jump me right there. Or try something with my exploration outfit?”
”Sorry—mercy kill, please.”
Fetish exposed. Ground, open up.
”And during… you don’t praise me much.”
”It’s not the setup—it’s you. I just need to be with you, now. Can’t get enough; it’s addictive.”
”Then appreciate my efforts to keep things fresh!”
She puffed her cheeks like a kid, and when I poked one, it deflated with a goofy pffft.
”I’m working hard too—saying ‘I love you,’ all that mush. Always wondering if you even want to hear it.”
”Muu, don’t lecture me when you’re the one with Tora-chan and Chi-chan making me jealous!”
”I’m not keeping them around! I turned down Yohira’s confession because of you!”
”Call her Yohira-chan again, and I’ll hex you.”
”What do you want—mind-reading?”
Kid-level squabble, this. I was sweating bullets; she was just toying with me. I’ll never win against this one.
”Bad boy Tatara gets a punishment from me.”
”Have mercy—I surrender…”
Trapped, I sighed and slumped. But she’d rallied, kneeling to wrap me in a full hug, head to head.
”Love me forever, okay? Just me. I only love you—no matter if I’m one of many… make me your favorite.”
Oof—that’s the real gut-punch. I did this to her.
”I swear, if this ring’s not enough, I’ll forge a new one tomorrow. Ethelena, I love you. So love me back.”
”I love you—always. Even in death.”
We kissed, slow and sealing. Pulled apart, eyes locked, both crying… and grinning like fools.
”…Hey, Ethelena?”
”Yeah, Tatara?”
Her arms stayed looped, hips shifting to realign us. That brief slip during her mark? Already teasing back in.
”We just had this big heart-to-heart—maybe a breather?”
”Confirm the heart, then the body follows.”
Succubus tradition? And she’d reined in her Sex Sorcery—my body’s response was… enthusiastic, straining at full mast. Damn, that’s a monster. Reality check later. Her wings folded around us soft, carving out our bubble. Her gaze? Pure warmth.
”You hate doing it while I’m still… up, so little sister Ethel it is♪”
”Where do you even get this stuff? Academy’s got me considering some physical payback.”
Like blowing the sealed Mana Stone at the quad—wipe that forbidden knowledge with the archives.
”Um, from your dad’s books.”
”What the hell, that bastard?”
First time calling him that. Mom’s probably tag-teaming him in the afterlife.
”Guys like borderline little sisters, right?”
”Not hating it…”
Dahlia’s family register makes her my sister-in-law on paper, sure—but this? A bombshell beauty like Ethelena pulling the little-sis act? Straight out of some steamy game or comic. Welcome to ero-world, I guess.
”So… let’s do it lots, big brother♪”
Mother-daughter? Hard no. But this? Apparently a green light—my body’s already at full throttle, no sorcery required.
”…Ethelena, you asked for it. If you end up pregnant before graduation, that’s on you.”
”Wait, your eyes are scary… eep!?”
I gripped her hips and pulled her down hard, burying deep in one rush. She sank onto me, breathless from the sudden jolt, like the air had fled her lungs.
”Not Tatara—big brother, remember? Can’t get it right? Guess you’ll need a little punishment.”
”You’re really into this… wait, don’t move yet… ahh.”
With her settled atop me, I rolled my hips in lazy circles, stirring that inner fire. She yielded completely—rare for her—lost in the tease, her usual control shattered.
”Aww, letting big brother have his way? Bad little sister-in-law.”
”Wait… big brother… I’ll do better… nngh.”
She tried to move, but my upward thrust pulled a sweet cry instead. Her breaths came ragged; no rhythm left in her.
”Naughty, naughty, Ethelena.”
”S-sorry, big brother…”
”For that? Definitely punishment.”
The game’s getting way too real—I’m hamming it up, and she’s all in, her usual finesse gone. That teary, pleading face? I tilt her chin up, claiming her mouth. Tongues slip past lips, exploring teeth and gums before tangling deep. I coax hers out, teasing it in the open air, wet sounds echoing as saliva trails down, glistening her bare skin. She coughs when it hits her throat—choking a bit before catching her breath—then stares up, wide-eyed.
”Not quite there, huh, Ethelena?”
”No, big brother—wait, I’ll… I’ll get it right.”
”Nope—punishment time.”
I eased out, laying her back, hooking her left leg high. Our mingled warmth spilled free, evidence of her holding me in.
”Look at you, so full of me… you’re such a tease. Bet you lure in other guys too.”
”Why say that? It’s only ever been you, big brother.”
She’s deep in character, eyes pleading innocence. But if it were real—if she chose someone else? I’d let her go. For her happiness, I’d—
”Tatara.”
Her voice snapped the script—still childish, but laced with fire.
”I’d never be with anyone else, no matter what. If someone tried? I’d end it myself, like Mom did.”
That steel in her words hit like a blade. I’m the one making her swear that, while I fumble rejections from Yohira and Dahlia. What a traitor I am.
”But you? No fair. If Tora-chan or Chi-chan wants you, just… give in.”
”Wait, why push that?”
She smiles, all soft compassion. *In this moment? Really?*
”You’re no good alone, Tatara. Can’t survive solo— one person’s not enough. You need a crowd to lean on.”
”You said it before—lonely type.”
”Cause that’s your core. True you.”
She sees the me I can’t. The clingy crybaby she named.
”If your folks were alive, it’d be fine. They’d hold you till I could bear kids. But now? You need more than just me.”
Is that it? Still not over their deaths—clinging to Yohira and the rest?
”Tatara, it’s okay to be lonely. You filled my pain; I can’t fill yours alone. So… accept Tora-chan and Chi-chan?”
”No!”
My shout cracked into a rasp—overkill, but raw.
”Even then, I love you, Ethelena! More than anyone… so don’t confuse me. Please—don’t make me betray you…”
It dissolved into a whimper. Pathetic crybaby. To bury it, I pressed back in, one fierce thrust.
”Why confuse me like this?!”
I held her leg wide, hips snapping. Her words cut off in a keening wail.
”Told by the one I love to cheat— what am I supposed to do?!”
She squirmed; I caught her hand, lacing fingers tight.
”I love you—more than anyone. Don’t make me stray… please.”
With that plea, I shattered again, deep and claiming. Dragging her hips flush, I kept going—flipping her half-prone, covering her from above. My unrelenting need drove on, and she met it with throaty cries, taking my rough devotion. Joy twisted with guilt at her surrender.
”Sorry, Ethelena—your kindness kills me. But I can’t. Won’t betray you.”
Whispered hot in her ear, I slammed home, cupping the heavy sway of her breasts from below, kneading as she moaned. Faster now, chasing the edge.
”Sorry—for wasting your heart.”
She twisted away at the brink; one arm yanked her back, sinking us inseparable. Nothing between us—ever.
”I love you, Ethelena—more than anyone.”
She quivered, peaking silent as I flooded her—third time, but heaviest yet. Exhausted, she just took it, trembling.
What am I even doing? Hurting the one I love to prove… what?
I slipped free, slick with us both. She stirred, turning wearily, and—god—licked me clean, tender and thorough. I stroked her hair, a quiet thanks. The roughness from before gnawed at me with regret—holding her tight, stroking her hair felt like a hollow apology. To her? To myself? Pathetic either way.
”Tatara, I’m sorry.”
Her voice steadied, back to normal.
”I get it now—you love me, more than anyone. You say it all the time, but I let doubts creep in. Sorry.”
”…It’s fine. I’m the one stirring up trouble.”
She buried her face in my chest, murmuring her own apology, but she wasn’t at fault. Forcing her to tiptoe around my mess? That’s on me.
”Don’t get me wrong—I want you all to myself too.”
”…Really?”
”Obviously. Who’d choose to share their soulmate?”
Uh, isn’t that a plot twist?
”Trust me, I’ve got jealousy in spades. I’d kill to cuddle you 24/7—lazy days buried in bed, all day.”
”Endless steam? Let’s dial that back.”
I’d be a goner.
”I want kids, sure—but then what if they steal you away? Heard stories where guys stop seeing their partner as a woman after… yeah. Broke my heart just thinking it.”
”Nah, impossible. You’d always be you to me.”
Blame the Succubus charm—it’s unbreakable.
”Still, if you need more? I’d make peace with it.”
”Don’t. If you strayed, I’d shatter.”
”No worries there—I’ll curse myself: ‘Anyone but Tatara? Lights out.’”
”Dead serious—don’t.”
You gone? I’d follow. Ring might even sync us up. Silver lining?
”But hey, don’t misunderstand—I’m all in, handing you everything. You’re not tagging along.”
Ouch—total shutdown.
”Why crush me like that?”
”It’s not crushing. You saved me; this is payback.”
”I lean on you daily too.”
”Not life-altering saves.”
Those hit like clockwork? Brutal.
”So you want me in living hell?”
”You started it—’If I die, all my stuff’s yours.’ Broke my heart first.”
”Right… then you swore no suicides, but bailed anyway.”
Feels like betrayal. Emotions? Wrecked.
”Keep my memory alive, Tatara. Or… take it all with you?”
”Hell no.”
Impromptu heartbreak? Pass.
”If that’s too much, face Torakuma and Chi-chan head-on.”
”Face them? You’re the—”
”No excuses with me.”
Am I hiding behind her? Tied to Ethelena, so cutting others off? No—it’s her that let me vow forever.
”No excuses. I fell for you—that’s why marriage felt right. Don’t take that away. My love for you… please, don’t deny it.”
”…Sorry—that was wrong.”
”Good. You get it.”
Our clash? This world’s free-love vibe grinding against my one-and-only roots. Back home, monogamy’s the default; here too, on paper. But reality’s harsh—monsters topple nations overnight, life’s a gamble. So bonds multiply, connections a shield. Not just ero-fantasy perks—survival.
”…Ethelena, you’re scared Yohira or Tatia might not make it to tomorrow, right?”
”Yeah.”
”So you’d grant their crushes? For them?”
”…Partly.”
”You want happiness for anyone I care about.”
”Mm-hm.”
”Even sharing the guy you love?”
”…Hurts, but yeah.”
”If it hurts, stop the martyr act.”
”Can’t. Because…”
She locked eyes, unflinching.
”Because I know I’m your number one.”
That confidence—unshakable. Women and their quiet steel.
”…I might screw it up, make them cry. I’m no smooth operator.”
”That’s what saved me—and them. Plus, tears aren’t always bad.”
Her smug little grin? I couldn’t help but chuckle. She’s earned that wisdom, tears and all.
”…Fine, you win. I’ll talk to Yohira and the rest.”
”Really hear them out?”
”If our wants align.”
”Like?”
”If they demanded top spot over you? No dice. They’re not like that, but…”
Line in the sand. Yohira’s a chaos gremlin; Tatia’s still figuring out feelings.
”Anyway—rewind to the start?”
Start?
”Why’d you slap the Julon name on Dahlia first?”
Don’t—tears incoming. Not ditching you. I explained the residency hack—family ties speed things up—and she bought the sister-in-law angle. Then she lit up at the role-play potential… but deadpanned Dahlia’s lacking assets? Cue cheek-pinch.
Worn out from hours of it all, we hit the bath—scent of us clinging everywhere. Slipped into another round… blame the steam-fueled fire. Cleaned up, we shuffled to the living room. Three hours? Yohira, psychic much?
About to dive into Dahlia debrief when she raised a hand.
”Master—should I call you big brother too?”
Inventory check: rope? Time for a quick exit.
Notes:
• Dahlia – The automaton.
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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