"Huh?"
"Have you ever had any intimate experience before?" the old man repeated, his tone rough, almost like he was forcing the words out.
I narrowed my eyes, tilting my head.
What does this creep need that kind of stuff for?
I wondered.
"So… what exactly do you want to use it for?" I asked, my voice calm but edged with curiosity.
He shifted in his chair, and his eyes darted away, lips tightening. Nothing.
I grinned, leaning back casually. "Or… wait. You want me to teach you some stuff? Things you can… use on Diane, is that it?"
For a moment, his face went bright red, mouth opening slightly like he was about to say something — then he snapped it shut, before opening them again.
"No!"
I raised an eyebrow. "If it's not that… then what is it?" I said, leaning forward, trying to catch any hint of what he was thinking.
He took a deep breath, looking away briefly. "Felix… Felix told me to ask you… about your… experiences. Particularly… your body… body…"
"Body count?" I finished for him, the words slipping out before he could.
He nodded stiffly. "Yes. That."
I paused, thinking it through.
Hmm... so far… I've only done Liona and Diane…
My gaze drifted briefly to him, weighing my next question. "Uh… by body count, do you mean… only since I came to this world? Or… in my lifetime?"
His eyes widened slightly, and he exhaled sharply, eyebrows furrowed. His lips pressed into a tight line, and his gaze sharpened on me.
"You've… you've only been in this world for barely two days! How do you already have sexual encounters?"
I tilted my head, trying to keep a straight face.
"Yeah… well… stuff happens, apparently."
He glared at me for a moment longer, like he wanted to lecture me, but his disgust warred with his curiosity.
I leaned back casually, watching his expression. "So… you still want the number or…?"
Gaylord pinched the bridge of his nose. "…Yes. Just a number."
I leaned back, thinking.
"In my lifetime… about sixteen... give or take."
Silence.
The old man just stared at me with tired eyes, the kind that said he already regretted ever starting this conversation. His soul looked like it had aged another ten years just listening to me.
"…I'll relay that to Felix," he finally muttered, pushing himself up from the chair.
He brushed off his robe and adjusted his posture like he had something more important to do. "Meanwhile, you should start packing your things. You're being taken to the capital soon to meet the princess."
"Well, I don't exactly have any 'things' to pack," I reminded him, motioning towards the bare room I'd been dumped in.
"Even better," he said flatly.
"But—"
"No need to worry." He waved a hand dismissively. "They'll get you clothes later."
He turned his back on me. "Alright. Get going. Our conversation is over."
I stood, let out a long stretch, and followed him out of the room. He didn't wait for me — just marched straight to the doorstep.
I stepped outside, and he paused only long enough to hear me speak.
"Oh, by the way, who's the 'they' that's gonna get me—"
SLAM!
The door shut in my face.
I stared at the wood for a moment.
"…Figures."