Bribed by the Demon Lord Right Before the Ending

■ Peephole □

The concern Camilla confided in me was, in fact, an extension of the conversation we had earlier.

“…Is it really that strange for a succubus to be a virgin?”

Even as she asked this, Camilla fidgeted continuously, perhaps embarrassed to be asking such a thing.

I hadn’t expected the maid I thought to be so composed to have such a cute side, so I chuckled softly before responding.

“You can’t completely ignore common perceptions, right? And it’s a very famous story that succubi feed on the essence of men.”

“I know that much. But…”

I cut her off mid-sentence and added one more point.

“At least among the succubi I’ve met, there wasn’t a single one who was a virgin. Unless they were very young children, adults like you, Camilla, would naturally already have experience with men.”

I haven’t met every succubus in the world.

But it was clear that she was a very unusual case.

“……”

Perhaps because she realized this herself, Camilla tightly closed her mouth with a frustrated expression.

It felt too harsh to push her further, so I decided to lighten the stiff atmosphere at this point.

“But anyway, being a virgin isn’t necessarily wrong. Even if you’re a succubus, a woman’s first experience is very important. And Camilla, you’re still young, right?”

“…That’s true.”

When I left some room for her, Camilla nodded with a relieved expression returning to her face.

“It’s better to wait until you truly fall in love rather than hastily giving up your virginity to just anyone.”

This was the extent of the advice I could offer as someone experienced.

In any case, I didn’t have much more to say, and we’d only known each other for four days.

To pry further would be crossing a line.

Camilla seemed to understand this fact as well, so she refrained from making any remarks that might sound like a tantrum.

“Do you have anything else to discuss? I’m tired, so I’d like to take a nap before dinner.”

As I dismissed her with these words, Camilla, standing stiffly like a scarecrow, hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“Then… could you possibly guide me just a little?”

“Pardon?”

For a moment, I thought I might have misheard her.

But Camilla looked at me with a very serious expression as she continued.

“Based on my observation, Lord Caldlasth seems to have abundant experience and knowledge in this area. Could you share just a bit of that knowledge with me?”

“…So, you’re asking me for sex education?”

“To put it bluntly, yes.”

I began to suspect that this succubus might actually have feelings for me.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for her to seek such counsel from a man she’d only just met a few days ago.

However, despite this suspicion, Camilla’s eyes burned brightly with pure academic curiosity.

It seemed she simply wanted to learn because she didn’t know.

‘Is this really such a simple matter?’

Caught off guard by her unexpected question, I faltered, unsure of how to respond.

Never in my life did I expect a virgin succubus would ask me for sex education.

The content itself was absurd, and I couldn’t decide whether or not I should agree to her request.

Perhaps Camilla herself impulsively acted out of embarrassment about being a virgin.

Would she regret her words once the heat of the moment passed?

After some consideration, I sighed deeply.

“I’ve given it some thought, but this isn’t something we can conclude right here. You agree with that, don’t you, Camilla?”

“…Yes.”

As I expected, Camilla blushed and acknowledged that she had overstepped.

“So let’s do this.”

“How?”

“We give each other enough time to think.”

Saying this, I pointed to the clock sitting atop the dresser.

“It’s 5 PM now. After dinner, come back at 8 PM. Then we can have a more serious conversation.”

Upon hearing my compromise, Camilla nodded, apparently thinking it wasn’t a bad suggestion.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

“Now, the consultation is over, so please leave. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, I’m extremely tired right now.”

One of the main side effects of mana depletion is general weakness and drowsiness.

According to biologists, since mana is one of the key components that make up the human body, excessive use triggers a natural metabolic response that induces sleep to replenish it.

As I yawned repeatedly and waved her off, Camilla, realizing that continuing the conversation would be futile, bowed politely and exited the room.

Once she left, I couldn’t resist the fatigue and immediately fell asleep after resting my head on the pillow.[[#]]I woke up two hours later.

Apparently, Violet had come to wake me up personally, as dinner preparations were complete.

On my way to the kitchen after washing up, I found a feast laid out similar to what we had on the first day we arrived in the village.

Camilla, already seated at the table, also appeared quite surprised.

Baffled, I turned to Violet and asked,

“What’s all this?”

She smiled kindly and explained,

“The villagers gave us leftover food supplies, saying they appreciated all the work the mage has done while here. I just cooked them.”

Salivating audibly, I took my seat.

There was roasted chicken slathered in herb paste, various home-style dishes, garlic salad, and a hearty beef stew packed with chunks of meat.

I found myself pondering which dish to try first.

And then, the finishing touch—Violet approached with a bottle filled with a crimson liquid.

“What’s that?”

“It’s honey wine, good for stamina. It’s my husband’s prized liquor, but if I tell him it was for the town’s benefactor, he’ll probably smile and accept it.”

“……”

Only then did I realize why I’d felt a chill earlier.

Today was my last day staying here.

Which meant that when I returned to the castle, Violet, a married woman, would resume her lonely days until her husband returned from the battlefield.

No wonder she seemed so eager.

I glanced around the table again.

I hadn’t noticed earlier, but everything associated with male vitality—garlic included—seemed to have been incorporated into the meal.

‘Tonight will be even more intense than last night.’

I steeled myself mentally.

A beastman’s endurance rivals that of humans, and their vigor knows no bounds.

Especially since they have a distinct mating season.

Though I managed to endure last night, the chances of holding out through two consecutive nights were slim.

That was something my pride wouldn’t allow.

“With gratitude, I shall eat well.”

With the long night ahead, I began eating aggressively to prepare for battle.

My primary goal was to restore my depleted strength.

Ignoring propriety, I shoveled food into my mouth, causing Violet, who was serving the drinks, to smile faintly at my sight.[[#]]After dinner, when my bloated stomach had settled somewhat, Camilla returned to my room.

“…May I come in?”

Apparently fresh from a bath, her white hair was damp with moisture as she entered the room with a polite bow.

Having prepared everything beforehand and waited for her arrival, I swallowed hard and asked,

“So, have you thought it over?”

Camilla nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“My desire to learn about sexuality hasn’t changed.”

Her eyes burned with fervent academic passion.

They say a late-blooming thief forgets the dawn; Camilla was spiraling in an unexpected direction.

At any rate, all doubts were gone.

If she truly wished it, my role was merely to impart knowledge.

I gestured toward the wardrobe placed in a corner of the room.

It originally contained bedding, but I had moved its contents elsewhere, leaving it empty.

“What does that mean?”

Camilla tilted her head in confusion, but I spoke firmly.

“Watching once is more helpful than listening a hundred times. First, Camilla, you need to understand the lust between a man and a woman.”

At that moment, Camilla finally grasped what I was suggesting.

“…You’re telling me to spy on a couple having sex?”

I wiggled my finger.

“It’s not spying. This is purely for educational purposes.”

“Education….”

Humans, when armed with a righteous cause, can justify almost any madness.

And it seemed succubi were no exception.

Camilla stared entranced at the slightly ajar door of the wardrobe.

Knock! Knock!

At that moment, a knock came from outside the door.

“Master Mage, may I enter?”

“Just a moment! I’m still tidying up!”

After buying some time with those words, I asked Camilla,

“So, what will you do? If you’re not comfortable, you can leave now.”

This was her last chance.

And the final moment where she could make her own choice.

Once we crossed this line tonight, she would likely continue down this path.

Camilla alternated her gaze between the tightly shut door and my face before nodding decisively.

“I’ll try it once. I can’t stay a naive virgin forever.”

I opened the wardrobe door for her.

Camilla stepped inside on her own.

Click.

I securely closed the wardrobe door from the outside.

Since I had drilled a small hole, it shouldn’t be too difficult for her to observe from within.

I then strode confidently to the door and opened it.

Just like the previous night, Violet, transformed into human form, embraced me with a bright smile.

“Aren’t you going to put me to sleep tonight?”

Responding to her sweet voice, I wrapped my arms around her slender waist.

The fluffy tail protruding from her hips tickled the back of my hand.

Through the thin fabric, I could feel her body heat.

Facing her directly, I said,

“I have something to say.”

Finally, our lips collided passionately.