The Truth of the Matter
Hm! Ahem!
From the moment I set foot in this place, I have been thinking.
I must carry myself with the dignity befitting the Grand Master of the Monastir Knights...
And show a presence worthy of this place!
In hopes of winning approval and recognition...
A-And...
Of course, I want to earn everyone else's approval as well, but...
Captain...!
I want you... to praise me a little more!
Help me improve...! Please, show me the way!
W-Wait, Charlotte. Calm down and—
I knew what you were capable of from the start, Captain.
I believe you could open up a whole new world of possibilities for me.
I'd like to make you a proposition. I believe we could be very good for each other.
G-Good for what?!
Naturally, we may face some difficulties while we get things sorted out...
But together, I believe we could make an incredible amount of money.
The kind of money that could change the future of Monastir!
...Just to be clear, this is a business proposition... right?
Why, of course!
...Being recognized as my official business partner would, of course...
Would mean sharing every undertaking with me in the future.
And that would make you the newest member of the ducal family of Monastir, so—
What the...?!
Captain, I'm begging you! Help me become a worthy Grand Master! I need some hands-on training...
No, wait... I mean, discipline me!
...Whatever it's called... I'm begging you to give me a whipping!
OH PLEASE!
Captain, doesn't a sound future by my side appeal to you?
Be my partner, and I'll grant all your wishes.
So choose me.
No, this isn't about choosing someone...
Nngh... But I need you to whip me so badly, Captain...
Yes, I need it more than anything! This is my heartfelt plea as Grand Master of the Monastir Knights!
As Charlotte and Frey both leaned in closer...
The distance between us shrank until I could hear every breath.
So if you have to choose, please choose me, Captain!
Surely you can see for yourself which choice is more efficient!
They gazed at me, their faces oddly flushed in a way they never normally were.
Their warm breaths brushed across my face.
Without noticing, I'd found myself gazing blankly at the sweat on their skin as it caught the light.
Invest in me...! No, let me invest in you, Captain...!
Captain, help me become the perfect Grand Master!
Just as I instinctively tried to step back, they surged forward, almost crashing into me.
Captain...!
Captain?!
I was flat on the floor with the two of them on top of me.
In a different sense from when the magician had burst that chocolate on me...
A red haze crept across my vision.
Hah... Captain...?
Captain... You're not hurt, are you...?
Charlotte's toned arms and Frey's smooth legs tangled around my body.
The beads of sweat acted as a lubricant, letting their skin slide effortlessly against me.
As their skin slipped against mine, the sweet fragrance between us grew so much more intense.
It was enough to make my head spin as it seeped into my mind.
...Ngh.
...Any longer, and I'd lose the ability to think straight.
Before I reached that point...
...Get a grip!
I have to pull myself together!
*Slap*
I slapped both my cheeks with all the strength I had.
The intense sting seemed to bring things slightly back into focus.
To bring them to their feet, their bodies all but draped over mine...
I held one on each arm and sprang to my feet.
The speed of my movement sent both their heads in the same direction, and finally...
*Thwack*
Their heads collided with an almighty crack.
Aaaah?!
Charlotte?! Frey?!
...Are you two okay?
Ugh... Oww...
Ow, ow, ow...
Feeling more like yourselves?
Charlotte...? Captain? Where are we...?
I remember... breathing in that sweet chocolate aroma in Deep Field's hall.
Then something came over me... I threw myself at you, knocked you down, and...
Th-Then, with you on the floor, I...
...
...Right. So you remember everything.
Ugh... What about you, Charlotte? I think we hit each other pretty hard...
If you mean whether my head hurts, I'm all right! Ugh...
And you, Lady Frey...?
N-No! I'm fine, too! My head hurts, yes, but I'm... fine. Ugh...
N-No, nothing's wrong! You could say the intense pain actually brought me back to reality...!
I believe it helped me regain my composure.
I-I'm fine as well...! Yes! Now I am! Completely fine!
...I mean, putting on a calm face at this point is just...
My lady, you've got a bump on your head...
Y-You don't need to point that out!
Anyway, for what I did earlier...
...Nnngh!!
I-I'm so sorry!!
A-About that earlier, you see... Well, um...
It was like being incredibly drowsy, yet so tingly all over that I couldn't keep still...
Apparently, the magician's chocolate put everyone else into much the same condition.
Surely you don't also feel like unleashing your desires or giving in to your instincts, Captain...
Just as I'd expect from you, Captain! No one could be better suited to instructing me!
All I need is for you to give me a whipping...
...Huh?
N-Never mind, those words just slipped out!
...Just as I thought. So you experienced it too, Charlotte.
I nearly threw myself at you again without realizing it, Captain.
If I were even slightly less levelheaded... this might have turned into a serious mishap.
Y-You too, my lady?!
Yes. I believe... breathing in this sweet smell has only made it worse...
Now that I think about it, something's odd.
There's none of that sample chocolate left, yet the scent is even more intense.
I remembered how my thoughts had clouded when that sweet smell hit me at the snap of the magician's fingers.
You're right!
Just as I thought, a good whipping is what I—
Ugh... The words just keep slipping out...!
At this rate, Charlotte will become a slave to her desires again. Let's hurry.
We were only just beginning to leave when...
Stop... right there...
Ah! The guards from Deep Field!
Wait, I know him...!
He's the doorman who hassled me about my prototypes!
...Then he's the one who would have had the actual golden chocolate.
Yes, but... look at him.
No leaving... I won't let anyone out...
No one... is leaving this place...
Looks like the magician's already gotten to him.
Well, here's our chance to test whether a good knock will snap him out of it!
Ahem! Then I, Charlotte, Grand Master of the Monastir Knights! With this sword, I shall free you from your stuffing—
S-Suffering, I mean...!
...?
Ugh... M-My apologies! I just... felt such a powerful desire to say that!