After mentally drafting his plan for a future challenge against the Knights of the Round Table, Samael, now pleasantly full, lazily sprawled across a lounge chair beneath the shade like a snake lying dead in the sun.
But after shifting around several times, his neglected muscles and joints left his body feeling stiff and rusty in a way that was distinctly uncomfortable.
Then the Ancient Serpent happened to notice a pair of little feet in white stockings dangling from the eaves above, swaying gently in the air.
An idea immediately came to him.
"Melusine, come here. I've got a job for you."
Summoned by a wave of his hand, the solemn little fairy leapt down from the roof and landed in front of her guardian, awaiting his instructions.
"Get up here and step on me!"
"Huh?"
Melusine had never heard such a perverted request in her life. Her face turned awkward as she froze on the spot.
Fifteen minutes later, two figures were stacked one above the other beneath the shade.
"Mm, mm... right side... left side... a little lower. It's fine, you don't have to be so careful. Press harder. Yes, I can take more force than that. Ah, nice... that feels good..."
Sprawled face down across the lounge chair, Samael hummed happily as he gave instructions.
The pressure landed precisely on the knots in his muscles, neither too light nor too heavy. Even through his clothes, those small feet moving across his back like someone running across a beach still felt unexpectedly soft and pleasant.
Standing on her guardian's back, Melusine did her best to walk the way she normally would, pacing carefully across the different muscle groups. At the same time, she kept sneaking downward glances at the extraordinarily relaxed expression on Samael's face.
A huge question mark appeared inside her tiny head.
Does this really feel that good?
I don't understand...
"Stop... mm... stop. You don't need to step there."
Samael's face was squashed against the lounge chair as he mumbled the warning.
"S-sorry..."
The distracted little fairy suddenly realized that she had accidentally stepped directly on her guardian's face. She hurriedly lifted her foot and moved somewhere else.
Samael rubbed his cheek, strangely reluctant for the sensation to end.
I don't have that kind of fetish, but I have to admit, this new experience really does feel amazing.
The Ancient Serpent shifted into an even more comfortable position, lay face down across the lounge chair, and closed his eyes, fully enjoying the back massage provided by the inexperienced little girl.
Morgan isn't home anyway.
After working like a model employee for thousands of years, am I not allowed to enjoy myself a little?
The increasingly decadent Holy Sword Bearer muttered inwardly.
These peaceful days without anyone bothering me really are starting to look more and more like a sentence.
"Hm? That looks fun. Why don't I try too?"
Elsewhere in the courtyard, Baobhan Sith had been engaging in her daily pastime of dripping honey on the ground and tormenting ants. When she turned and noticed what was happening, she immediately abandoned the increasingly boring game and ran over excitedly.
"Sure!"
With his eyes still closed, the Ancient Serpent gave a pleased hum as he continued indulging in his decadent lifestyle.
Ah, two little girls.
Double the enjoyment!
He could barely wait.
"One, two, three!"
Just as Samael eagerly prepared himself for the new experience, a cheerful count rang out beside his ear.
The Ancient Serpent paused.
An ominous feeling immediately rose in his heart.
The next instant, pink hair fluttered as the little fairy leapt high into the air.
BOOM—!
Dust exploded everywhere.
Baobhan Sith clapped her hands, feeling the peculiar sensation transmitted through the soles of her feet. Her eyes lit up as thoughts surged through her mind.
Ah, this feels so much better than stepping on ants!
This is amazing!
Yes!
This is exactly the kind of experience I wanted!
The inexplicable rush made the girl's face flush bright red with excitement. Unable to resist, she rose onto her toes and stomped a few more times.
"Bao. Bhan. Sith!"
The girl's delight did not last long.
The cushion beneath her feet abruptly crawled out from the shattered remains of the lounge chair. The sinister voice that followed seemed cold enough to freeze the surrounding air.
Baobhan Sith had committed more than enough mischief to develop exceptional danger instincts.
The moment she realized what was happening, she turned and ran.
With his wonderful experience completely ruined, Samael immediately chased the little troublemaker responsible throughout the courtyard, gritting his teeth while describing in considerable detail what he intended to do once he caught her.
Baobhan Sith ran while repeatedly looking back to protest her innocence. She waved her fists indignantly, her little face full of outrage.
"Why are you blaming me? You were the one who told me to step on you! And weren't you enjoying it when Melusine did it?"
"How the hell is that the same thing? You damned brat! It's bad enough that you stomped that hard, but you were wearing high heels too! Were you trying to murder me? So you finally revealed your sinister intentions! Get over here! I promise I won't beat you to death!"
Veins bulged across Samael's forehead. Dark blue veins wriggled beneath his skin like earthworms, while his eyes looked ready to spit fire.
Baobhan Sith, however, was not stupid.
She knew perfectly well that nothing good would happen if she fell into his hands, so she only ran faster.
The two figures, one large and one small, raced through the courtyard, one chasing and one fleeing. Along the way they overturned bottles, jars, tables, chairs, and all manner of furnishings, throwing the entire place into chaos.
Just as the pair continued tormenting the poor house, a dull knock sounded at the front gate.
"I'll deal with you later!"
Samael reluctantly stopped.
He glanced at Baobhan Sith, who had hidden behind Barghest and was using the enormous bowl of chicken soup in her hands as a shield. After grinding out one final threat, he turned and went to answer the door.
When the gate opened, a familiar figure stood outside.
Looking at the graceful woman before him, dressed in a blue-black gown with a black veil over her head, the Ancient Serpent smiled warmly.
"Well then, welcome home."
"Mm. I'm home."
Morgan nodded slightly, and a trace of peaceful relief appeared in her eyes, as though she had finally returned somewhere she could truly rest.
"Hey, you're Mother's guardian Knight, right? You look pretty weak. What's with that? You're not intimidating at all. Is this really how you protect Mother? Tsk. When you've got time, let's have a match!"
Just as the Witch and the Holy Sword Bearer stood looking at one another at the doorway, a small head with a messy golden ponytail poked out from behind Morgan.
The girl arrogantly sized up the man before her, her expression openly disdainful.
She was barely one meter twenty tall and wore a light tank top and short pants made by Habetrot. Because of the height difference, she had to tilt her head far back just to look at Samael.
Yet even while looking upward, her sharply defined features and piercing green eyes radiated the untamed arrogance of a rebellious little troublemaker.
Samael's eyebrow twitched.
Though he already knew the answer, he asked anyway.
"And this is...?"
"Mordred. A child I brought back from Orkney. From now on, you will be her teacher and foster father."
Morgan decisively grabbed the little troublemaker from behind her and handed her over to Samael.
"Hey, Mother! Who wants to be taught by some guy who looks like a stiff breeze could knock him over? Didn't you say you were going to send me to the Round Table so I could learn from those heroes and the Lion King?"
Caught by the scruff of her neck, the little girl thrashed wildly like a feral cat.
Yet when she mentioned the Knights of the Round Table and the Lion King who had founded them, intense admiration shone in her eyes.
"As for those Knights of the Round Table you mentioned, he once fought a dozen of them."
Morgan was not particularly skilled at dealing with rebellious children, so she simply stated the facts.
"As for the Lion King..."
Samael smoothly picked up where she left off.
With his arms crossed, he looked meaningfully toward the two familiar figures approaching from down the road.
"Whether she gets to eat today depends entirely on my mood!"
At that very moment, the lion who had come looking for food opened her mouth.
"Official business..."
"I know. I'm in a good mood today, so let's eat first."
Samael raised a hand and answered instantly with the air of someone completely accustomed to the routine.
"Here, here. Try this Irish mead. They say it's the genuine article left behind by the Knights of the Red Branch."
Kai, who had come along with her, was equally practiced at paying tribute for the privilege of freeloading. He obediently presented the latest treasure he had managed to acquire.
The warmest smile immediately appeared on Samael's face.
He stepped aside and let Kai through.
It was actually true...
The rebellious child's entire worldview suffered a devastating blow.
Mordred stared at the scene as though she had just watched a mammoth bow down before an ant.
She rubbed her eyes and stood there dumbfounded, her mouth hanging open for a very long time.
***
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