In the dark forest, under the moonlight, Lucia met the predatory gaze of several ogres. She froze for two seconds, then spun and bolted.

She knew the score. Without Blaze Delight’s blessing, she couldn’t take on these ogres. If she wanted to live, she had to run.

Bang!

She turned—and smacked her head on a massive pillar.

Oww, oww~

The hit left her dizzy and seeing stars. It had been empty here a moment ago. How did a crystal-like pillar suddenly rise from the ground?

Lucia tried her best to stand, but her body wobbled. She couldn’t keep her balance and collapsed back to the ground.

Heh-heh…

Club in hand, an ogre stalked toward her step by step. Lucia panicked and tried to scoot back. But the crystal pillar blocked her. There was no room to retreat.

Help!

Regret flooded her. Why hadn’t she stayed with Albel? Why did she storm off to find an exit? Now she was in real trouble, with no telling how bad it could get.

She shouted at the top of her lungs, hoping Albel would hear and come save her. No reply came. Despair set in.

Was I sharp all my life, only to doom myself over one foolish moment?

Her long black legs curled back from fear. The sight of the trembling girl only amped the ogres up.

Heh-heh… It’s ogre time!

A lust-drunk ogre, eager at the sight of a beautiful human girl, rushed to Lucia. He stretched out a filthy hand, a disgusting grin spreading across his face.

The hell with you, idiot. Did you forget what His Highness said?

Before his hand reached Lucia’s chest, another ogre lifted his club and slammed him on the head.

What did His Highness say?

Clutching his skull, the ogre asked in wounded confusion.

His Highness rules this dark forest. He holds first-night rights over all female creatures. If you see a woman and don’t offer her to His Highness first, you still want to be captain?

This ogre was clearly smarter. He wasn’t blinded by lust. He laid out the situation with cool logic.

R-Right. I want to be captain. This woman goes to His Highness.

The lusty ogre seemed to wake up from the clubbing. He touched the few hairs left on his head, swallowed his desire, then leaned close and breathed into Lucia’s face.

Ogres never brush their teeth. The stench from his mouth hit Lucia, and she fainted on the spot.

Heh-heh, this trick never fails.

He chuckled, hoisted Lucia onto his shoulder, and followed the others deeper into the forest.

Meanwhile, where Albel slept, two ogres stood over him, staring.

This sword is a good sword.

After hesitating for a while, one ogre spoke first.

Mm. Yeah. Want it.

The other ogre nodded.

Grab it?

If we move him, he’ll wake up.

So what if he wakes up? Look at this pretty boy. The two of us can take him.

True. But if we fight him, he might die. You forgot—the Second-in-command is into that.

Right. What if we deliver the pretty boy and the sword to the Second-in-command?

Heh-heh. Promotion and a raise. Become squad leader, then grand overseer. Peak of life.

Say it, do it.

They hauled a stretcher from who-knew-where, lifted sleeping Albel onto it, and carried him toward the forest’s heart.

Let me go!

Carried by the ogre, Lucia was brought to a cave mouth deep in the forest. Firelight glowed within. Two ogre guards stood watch at the entrance.

What are you lot up to?

Heh-heh, we caught a woman. Offering her to His Highness.

The ogre with Lucia grinned and pointed at the girl flailing on his shoulder, bragging.

Damn, nice one. Don’t forget me when you make it big!

The guards’ eyes popped at the sight of Lucia. When would they ever get a human woman like that? Maybe His Highness would pass her down after he was bored.

Of course, of course.

He smirked and carried Lucia inside with his two buddies.

Not long after, two more ogres arrived at the cave entrance, carrying a stretcher.

Did you two also catch a human woman?

The guard eyed the figure on the stretcher and gaped. Damn, if he’d known, he would’ve gone patrolling instead of standing guard!

No, it’s a man.

The ogre shook his head.

A man? Then you can only go to the Second-in-command for your reward.

Seeing it was a man, the guard’s enthusiasm dipped.

Don’t look down on him. He’s got a treasured sword. His Highness will like it too.

The ogre huffed and mentioned the Blaze Delight nestled in Albel’s arms.

Wow, then both His Highness and the Second-in-command will reward you. We’re tight, right? Don’t forget me later!

Hearing about the treasure sword, the guard perked right up. That beat those three dunces from before. Time to cozy up.

There’ll be bread. There’ll be milk.

Drooling, the ogres carried sleeping Albel into the cave.

Your Highness, I caught another woman from the forest. Way prettier than the last!

He dropped Lucia in the center of the hall, grinning with excitement.

What do you want? Let me go now! I’m the leader of the Sky Pirates. If you hurt me, my people will come for you!

Lucia glanced around. She was in a massive cavern hall. Ogres of all kinds crowded the place—dozens—drooling and staring her down.

At the very center sat a red-haired ogre and a green-haired ogre. The green-haired one glanced once, unimpressed, not interested at all. The red-haired one stared, eyes going straight. Beside his throne, several naked human women, glassy-eyed, attended him.

A bluffing tsundere. I like that.

The red-haired ogre pinched his chin, nodding with interest. This girl was his, no question.

You three did well. All promoted to squad leaders. Twenty thousand gold each. Step back.

He waved, stepped down from the throne, and came to Lucia. This human woman’s chest was small, sure, but her face was the prettiest he’d seen. And that lifted butt—this would feel great.

Thank you, Your Highness!

The three ogres saluted, then went off to claim their rewards, grinning.

Brothers, you’ve worked hard. Today I’ll let you get some. After I’ve had my fun, this chick is yours!

He spread his arms and announced to the hall. Lucia looked young and not exactly stacked, not worth keeping long-term, but he loved the sound of human women begging and the terror on their faces.

His Highness is mighty!

The ogres in the hall raised their clubs and shouted.

Ha-ha, looks delicious.

The red-haired ogre stared at the trembling Lucia as she shook her head and whispered, “No.” Lust twisted his face. He reached for her clothes.

No… help…

Lucia kept shaking her head. She pressed her hands over her chest and scooted back, but she couldn’t escape his reach.

Sweetheart, don’t resist. I’ll make you feel like heaven.

He grabbed both her hands with one of his and reached with the other to strip her. When his fingers were a finger-width from her chest, a voice came from behind.

Hmph. Only sissies go after frail girls. A man should take on a man.

Trick, who are you calling sissy!

The red-haired ogre exploded, dropped Lucia, spun around, and glared at the green-haired ogre who’d taunted him.

Sissy.

The green-haired ogre rolled his eyes and turned away.

Second-in-command, I brought you a man!

Just as the red-haired ogre was about to snap back, a shout came from the cave entrance. The green-haired ogre stood from his throne at once.

A man? Where?

And a treasure sword!

The two ogres hurried over with Albel, set the stretcher down beside Lucia.

Damn, so fair-skinned, and still asleep. I love doing it with men in their dreams, hahaha.

The green-haired ogre burst out laughing. The red-haired ogre rolled his eyes and muttered, Pervert.

Treasure sword? I love treasure swords. Twenty thousand gold each!

The red-haired ogre spotted Blaze Delight in Albel’s arms and brightened.

You two get another captain promotion and twenty thousand gold. Brothers, I’ll show you today how to do a man. Way better than a woman!

The hall cheered again. The two ogres went off happily to collect rewards.

Hmph, perfect. Today we’ll see who lasts longer. Loser washes the winner’s feet, agreed?

The red-haired ogre snorted and proposed.

Sure. My feet will stink you to death!

The green-haired ogre said cheerfully.

Mmm…

The clamor drew a sleep-murmur from Albel. He rolled over, ready to keep sleeping.

Hey, wake up! Wake up, you jerk!

Lucia had been near despair. But when she saw the man on the stretcher was Albel, hope flared—especially when she saw Blaze Delight in his arms.

Mmm…

Under Lucia’s loud calls, Albel finally woke. He sat up on the stretcher, rubbed his eyes, and looked around.

Who am I? Where am I? What was I about to do?