42-50

Chapter 50: Under the Table... 

“We have arrived, Grand Merchant.” 

“Oh? Is that so? That was faster than I expected.” 

Some time later, Person visited Milk’s tribe. As he had said, he was now so busy that he could rarely visit, but he had made time to come. Now that he was Grand Merchant, he had many duties beyond his dealings with Milk. However, Milk was a major trading partner and important client, so Person couldn’t treat him lightly he needed to visit in person from time to time. 

As his entourage approached the village, the Holstaurus warrior women, who would normally have brandished their swords at strangers, greeted them with smiles. 

“We heard you were coming. The chief is waiting for you, so please go right in.” 

“Thank you for the welcome.” 

After returning the greeting and ducking back into his carriage, Person thought to himself how well Vallen, the merchant in charge of this area, was handling things. 

‘The Holstaurus are much less wary now. That’s proof Vallen is doing a good job. Maybe I should recommend her for a promotion?’ 

Promotion from merchant to Grand Merchant wasn’t automatic. Person’s own case was exceptional due to his achievements, but usually, a promoted merchant simply moved up to a higher grade. Vallen was currently a 10th-grade merchant the lowest rank but as Grand Merchant, Person had the authority to promote her to 9th grade. Of course, he’d have to notify headquarters, and the paperwork would take time, but his recommendation alone would secure her the new rank. 

Strengthening relations with the Holstaurus was part of her job, and judging by the friendly greeting from the warrior earlier, she was doing it very well. A deserving subordinate should always be rewarded, and Person resolved that as soon as his visit ended, Vallen’s promotion would be a sure thing. 

After arriving at the guesthouse built for humans, they unpacked and began sorting the gifts and trade goods they’d brought for this trip. Person then summoned one of Vallen’s subordinates to ask where she was. 

“Excuse me, where is Vallen?” 

“Oh, Grand Merchant! She’s in the chief’s room.” 

“Oh? I’d heard she was close with the chief, but I didn’t realize they were on such familiar terms.” 

“She’s worked hard. The chief trusts her.” 

“I see. Well, I’ll be meeting with the chief anyway, so I’ll see her then. Thank you.” 

“Yes, Grand Merchant!” 

As the subordinate left, a Holstaurus woman entered and greeted Person politely. 

“You’re Grand Merchant Person, correct?” 

“That’s right. I’m Person.” 

“The chief has finished preparations for the banquet and is calling for you. Please follow me.” 

“Ah, thank you. Let’s go I can’t keep the chief waiting.” 

He left his two bodyguards outside the chief’s house and entered alone. Inside, women bustled about carrying food, and among them was a rather small woman whom Person assumed was a young Holstaurus and paid no attention to as he made his way to the chief’s room. 

“Ah, Person, it’s been a while! It’s hard to see you these days.” 

Seeing Milk’s unchanged face, Person greeted him as respectfully as possible and said, 

“I apologize, Chief. Since becoming Grand Merchant, I’ve been extremely busy. I could only spare a short time today once the banquet is over, I’ll have to leave right away.” 

“Haha, being busy means you’re in demand! You’ll keep rising in the world.” 

“You flatter me, Chief. It’s all thanks to you. I’ll never forget your kindness.” 

“Come on, don’t overdo it. Anyway, have a seat. Thanks to the slaves you sent, the forge is running well, and the new chef slaves have adapted quickly and are teaching our women high-level cooking. The food is excellent try some.” 

“Thank you. I’ll help myself... hmm?” 

As Person sat down and reached for the food, a woman placed a small cloth around his neck and handed him a spoon. 

‘Oh are they forging spoons now? Or is this a special guest utensil for today... hmm?’ 

Just as he was examining the spoon, he looked up and met the eyes of the woman who had handed it to him and was so startled he dropped it. Standing before him was Vallen, her once-short hair now grown long, wearing the revealing traditional Holstaurus garb that covered only her chest and lower body. 

“You... you?!” 

“It’s been a while, Grand Merchant.” 

After greeting him, she moved to Milk’s side, demurely standing with a tray, head bowed, waiting for his command. 

Was he not understanding the situation? Person rubbed his eyes and looked again, unable to process what he was seeing. Milk, covering his mouth to hide a smile, explained, 

“Person, the Vallen you recommended is truly talented and amazing. She’s a great communicator.” 

“Huh?” 

“Look at her she’s studying our Holstaurus lifestyle and customs. She’s not wearing that outfit for no reason; it’s to get closer to us. She’s learning to serve the chief, so she comes here in her spare time to help with chores.” 

“You...” 

Person actually knew that Vallen had a sense of human superiority. He hadn’t known she despised demi-humans, but he’d picked up on the former from their conversations. At first, he’d wondered if she was right for the job, but figured that if she let her personal feelings damage relations with the Holstaurus, he’d just replace her. In other words, he’d been testing her. 

He didn’t expect much people don’t change easily, and he doubted someone with a superiority complex would get along with the Holstaurus, so he figured she’d just manage her subordinates and get the job done. 

‘That alone would prove she can manage people, so it’s not bad...’ 

But she had exceeded his expectations, not only maintaining good relations but also working to understand and study the Holstaurus. 

‘Hmm... she’s not the type to let personal issues get in the way. She has some human superiority, but she can handle big responsibilities. I’ll make sure to support her from now on it’ll help my own standing in the guild.’ 

Having made up his mind, Person smiled warmly at Vallen, who returned the smile. 

‘Does she know what I’m thinking? She’s sharp. I’ll keep an eye on her.’ 

But Person was completely mistaken. As Milk had said, Vallen wasn’t wearing that outfit for study or to build rapport. Since their last drinking party, she had become Milk’s complete slave not on paper or by curse, but a “cock slave” who couldn’t live without him. 

Like Lupica, her favorability had hit 100 and she was in a state of obedience. If Milk told her to, she’d lie on her back and bark like a dog. She wore Holstaurus clothes and served him only because he ordered it. 

Milk cleverly made it look as if she was working hard, and Person bought it completely, thinking, “Wow, Vallen is really making an effort,” never realizing what was really happening. 

“Ah... uh... clothes...” 

Vallen’s occasional strange noises were dismissed by Person as fatigue, but in reality, out of sight behind the tray, Milk’s fingers were inside her, furiously stimulating her. Her closed eyes hid her rolling pupils, and her smile, if you looked closely, was a bit off. 

The sounds she made were not from fatigue, but from pleasure she could barely suppress. 

Unaware, Person enjoyed his meal. Vallen, meanwhile, was terrified that her state might be discovered, but couldn’t stop. 

‘Danger! Danger! Danger!!! Ugh! Oh! No! Not there, Milk-sama! Ahh!!! He knows exactly where I’m sensitive. I can’t hold back ah! Hnnng!!!’ 

Every time Milk touched her just right, her smile deepened. Her thighs and sex, hidden by the tray, were already soaked. 

By the end of the meal, Vallen was nowhere to be seen. Person didn’t notice her leave and assumed she had business elsewhere. 

“Chup! Churup! Chup!” 

He never imagined she was under the table. As he finished his meal, Person stood to say goodbye to Milk. 

“I’d like to stay longer, but I really must be going. Sorry, Chief.” 

“No problem. I can’t keep a busy man. Vallen is doing great, so I’ll leave things to her. If possible, promote her and give her a reward.” 

“Don’t worry. With your trust, I’ll make sure her achievements are recognized at headquarters.” 

“You’re quick on the uptake, Person. Take some Holsta Ale with you as a gift consider it a reward.” 

“Thank you so much, Chief!” 

Person, delighted but hiding it behind a faint smile, left with a generous gift. 

‘She’s doing great. Perfectly. It’s all thanks to Vallen. I’ll make sure she stays under me and develops well.’ 

Thus, misunderstanding bred more misunderstanding, and Person became convinced Vallen was the ideal merchant. 

As soon as Person and his party left, Milk lifted the tablecloth to look under the table. 

There was Vallen, her body smeared with Milk’s “milk,” gazing at him with melting eyes as she licked his cock. 

“You said you couldn’t do this in front of Person, but look at you now.” 

“Cock! Cock! Chief’s cock is so good Chief’s cock milk tastes so good Ahh More, please” 

Instead of answering his question, Vallen just kept licking, having been utterly conquered by Milk. 

From now on, Vallen would be a powerful ally in Milk’s dealings with humans, but seeing her like this, it was hard to believe she was ever the proud, haughty woman who once despised demi-humans. 

Unaware, Person looked forward to being praised by the guild master for his “Holsta Ale” and Vallen’s achievements, never knowing her secret and he never would.