"...You're saying there's no milk? Why?"
"Young lady, you're really slow on the news, aren't you?"
"...What's going on?"
The ranch owner looked at me with bleary eyes and spoke as if doing me a favor.
"Haven't you heard the news that milk baths are trending among nobles these days? Well, they wouldn't leave our high-quality milk alone!"
So... they're sweeping up all the milk for their milk baths, so there's no milk left? These... these damn nobles! This is why I hate them!
I struggled to calm my boiling anger.
"When will that trend end?"
The man shrugged his shoulders and replied.
"How should I know? It'll end when those esteemed folks get tired of it, won't it?"
"...That won't do."
As I muttered while biting my lip, I felt the man's gaze. He looked at me with doubtful eyes and opened his mouth.
"Miss, by any chance... are you here on an errand for Lord Astarote?"
After thinking for a moment, I answered yes. Since I'd already introduced myself as a disciple to Claudia anyway, there was nothing to hide. It seemed better to remain as Astaroth Asha's disciple for the time being.
"Oh my! Then you should have said so earlier! Of course I set aside a portion for our regular customer. I was just getting worried since it's about time she usually comes but she hasn't shown up."
"...Really? But how did you know?"
"Because in this area, the only person who wears clothes like that is her."
"Ah..."
I'm sorry. I was curt with you because I didn't like how friendly you were being, but later when I return, I'll apologize along with—
"So what's your relationship? This?"
Before I could finish my thought, the man wiggled his pinky finger from his clenched fist.
Cancel.
"Of course... our Master definitely has a nice voice, a handsome face... ah, and is tall too. But that's not it."
"Oh... um, I see... so she has a disciple..."
Why are you making such an awkward expression? I didn't say anything wrong, did I?
"Ah, anyway, please give her my regards."
"Yes."
After paying and receiving the box, I turned to leave with Cecil when the man clapped his hands as if he'd forgotten something.
"Ah, right! I almost forgot to mention!"
"Yes?"
"I managed to set some aside this time, but next time will probably be difficult."
"Why, why?"
"Hey~ you know why?"
The man made a circle with his thumb and index finger and smiled brightly. So... it's about money?
...Well, I can accept that.
Though it's a miserable feeling, if it's about money, I can understand. Those who know the value of a single coin can appreciate its weight.
Can't help but feel resentful though.
Sometimes when things like this happen, I miss home.
But I don't want to go back. With this body, I can't go back anyway.
"I'll tell her..."
"Be careful, it's heavy!"
"...Yes."
This time I finally said goodbye and set off. On Cecil's back next to me, carrying a box together, hung a large backpack. And it was full.
"Cecil, is it not too heavy?"
"This much is fine. Would you like me to take your box too?"
"...No, that would make me feel too sorry."
"Is that so?"
"Of course."
When I actually suggested going shopping, I wondered how much I could carry with this changed body, and as expected, I couldn't carry much. That's where Cecil solved the problem.
Cecil could easily lift weights that would be burdensome even for a grown man.
...Even though there's not much difference between us.
It's unfair.
"Are we heading back now?"
"Yes. With this much, I think we won't need to go out for a while."
"Yes!"
Cecil, who answered energetically, was wearing a dress. Though it looked a bit rough since we chose something cheap and durable, Cecil's appearance covered for it.
"Asha-nim! Your new clothes seem to suit you well!"
"Uh, yeah, really?"
"Yes! Now it seems like it won't be stiff anymore!"
"Th-that kind of talk shouldn't be said outside!"
"Is that so?"
"Yeah... it's our secret."
"A secret?"
"Of course."
"I'm happy!"
"...Yeah."
Actually, I was wearing the same dress as Cecil. Though I had a gown over it.
There's a perfectly valid reason for this.
Because the clothing store aunt said she'd give it to me cheap if I bought this. At my age, I'm more swayed by "I'll give it to you cheap" than "it suits you well."
Anyway, since the only outings for the time being would be dates with Claudia, I didn't need to buy much... and if I could save money, I could wear a dress dozens of times.
Originally, I used to wander around the house wearing just a shirt and gown without underwear. Being embarrassed about wearing a single dress is really a new experience.
"...Let's hurry."
"Yes!"
People's stares are a different matter.
Anyway. After safely finishing shopping and organizing the purchased items, the sun had already set and darkness was approaching. Looking back on the day... the memory of being holed up in the bathroom frantically touching my crotch came to mind first.
Discomfort arrived before any pleasant feelings. The sensation of losing control of my body... was the worst. To avoid experiencing that again, I needed to know the cause.
But first, I had dinner with Cecil. As evening came, my appetite returned a bit, so I grilled the meat I'd been saving. Seeing Cecil enjoy the meat she was eating for the first time made me feel good. After filling our stomachs, we moved to the Workshop.
It was a slightly awkward time to start work, but isn't that the privilege of someone who works from home?
"Cecil, finish making the Potion you couldn't complete earlier."
"Yes, Asha-nim."
The problem starts now.
Basically, if the effects of ingredients aren't known, you have to experience them directly to know. Though this is a world with swords and magic, convenient things like Emotion Magic don't exist.
Which means.
To verify whether Cecil's essence has such effects, someone needs to test it.
Me? Absolutely not.
Then... Cecil?
That doesn't sit well with me either. Of course, if I asked Cecil, she'd do it without complaint... but considering the expected effects and putting myself in her shoes, it's quite uncomfortable. If I were truly native to this world... I might have done it without hesitation, but I'm not.
Thinking about it, Cecil's existence itself is somewhat special.
According to my prior research... there haven't been cases like that... where that area becomes enlarged. Actually, Homunculi themselves... aren't made often. No, these days they're practically obsolete.
Not only are the materials expensive, but the process is very complicated. So usually, people choose to hire humans rather than make Homunculi. Unless you're someone like me, most Homunculi are now just beings preserved in books as fodder, so there wasn't much meaningful information.
"Should I seek advice from Master...?"
...Put on hold for now.
It's not that urgent yet. Come to think of it, it's been quite a while since I even sent a letter of regards... But I believe she'll understand. She'll think her incompetent disciple was just too busy.
I actually was busy too.
Opening the Preservation Box, I stared at the Beaker containing Cecil's essence, then took out the Alraune material beside it. Hoping tomorrow's me would come up with a clever solution.
I'm absolutely not putting off work until tomorrow.
"Asha-nim."
"Yeah?"
Before I knew it, Cecil was by my side. Looking at the materials still on the table over her shoulder, it didn't seem like she'd completed her quota yet?
"What's up?"
"Well... there's a strange smell near Asha-nim."
"Strange smell?"
"Yes!"
There shouldn't be anything strange.
"Does the smell come from here?"
I shook the beautifully packaged Alraune petals. Then Cecil's red eyes focused like a cat chasing a toy. Finding that cute, I shook my hand a few times, and the cloth wrapping the petals came loose, causing some petals to fall out.
Petals ranging from pink to red in various colors spilled out. Realizing what happened, I hurriedly gathered the petals.
"Cecil, could you pick up the ones that fell there?"
"Yes..."
Cecil's expression as she answered seemed... dazed.
"Cecil?"
"Yeees... Asha-nim."
"Is something wro—"
Cecil was approaching me with Alraune petals in her hand. With a somewhat dreamy expression, her body twitched. And... her clitoris was greatly erect. It was protruding as if it would tear through the dress I bought today.
"Wh-what."
"...?"
Cecil had a clueless expression. With those dreamy eyes. Then she blinked, her pale face flushed red, and her breathing became rough.
...No matter how you look at it, she seemed intoxicated by the Alraune petals.
But... that can't be... right?
Alraune petals contain components that arouse males. That's why I went through trouble to obtain them to neutralize and make Stamina Potions, something like Viagra, to sell. Because stamina is important in any world.
I thought selling this could earn enough money to buy the now-expensive milk.
I admit I handled it carelessly. But... though I hate to admit it, since I currently have a female body and Cecil also has a female body, I thought there'd be no problem.
No, there shouldn't be any problem. As proof, I'm fine, aren't I?
"Ah, Asha-niim... my, my body feels strange... it's, it's so hot, and, uh, hii."
"W-wait a moment."
This shouldn't be happening?
St-still, it's not a big problem. Fortunately, I've done shopping and also obtained Alraune honey to neutralize it, so there should be no problem.
Hurriedly opening the storage box to find the materials, Cecil pressed her body against me. Cecil's hot rod, which had now emerged into the world, was poking my waist and body. Its presence was distinct even through the fabric.
Cold sweat ran down my back.
"C-Cecil, get away!"
"Asha-niim... Asha-niim..."
This is bad. She's not listening. Pushing her away is impossible too.
...Unfortunately, because Cecil is stronger than me.
Author's Note (Author's Afterword)
Thank you for the 20-coin donation, Pyogoin-gan-nim!!!!
This is truly the worst. Not being able to eat what you like.