CHAPTER 48: FIRELIGHT AND FOREST EYES

The fire crackles merrily in the clearing, its golden light casting flickering shadows against the dark trunks of towering trees. The team sits around its warm glow, surrounded not by the expected goblin raiders, but by a strange and eclectic gathering.

Goblin women with patched clothes and curious eyes, human and demi-human women laughing, dancing, and lounging under the stars... some stark naked.

The air smells of roasted root vegetables and moss wine. A flute plays in the background, clumsily but full of joy.

Across from them sits the swordswoman. Tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing a battered breastplate over a loose linen tunic. Her greatsword rests in the grass beside her like a pet dog.

She introduces herself simply: "Seraphine DeBlitz. But most people just call me Sera."

"Former Rank A adventurer," she says, lifting a wooden mug to her lips. "Retired now, technically. These girls are my... project."

Penelo, who’s nibbling on a charred mushroom, perks up. "Project? What do you mean?"

Sera nods. "This used to be goblin territory. Village chief hired me to wipe out the ’raiders.’" She makes air quotes with her fingers and takes another swig. "But when I got here, all I found were hungry women and desperate kids. Barely any goblin men. Just... abandoned."

"They’re only female goblins?" Veena asks, leaning forward.

"Yup," Sera said. "Turns out goblin societies across the region collapsed when the curse broke out. Most of the men went berserk or disappeared. These ones fled here. They’re scavengers, not soldiers. Stole food to survive. I figured, why not teach them to do better?"

"You’re... protecting them?" Vuvi asks slowly, voice tinged with disbelief.

"Trying to," Sera says. "Teaching them to grow their own food, hunt proper prey. It’s not easy. They’re naturally sneaky little gremlins."

One of the goblin women nearby cackles in agreement.

"But they’re trying." Sera chuckles.

"And all the others?" Vuvi asks, gesturing to the array of demi-human and human women dotted through the camp.

Sera shrugs. "Runaways. Misfits. Survivors. Tired of men who won’t get out of bed or villages that treat them like stockroom fillers. They heard I had a place where women could live free, and they came."

Veena sits back and exhales, smiling. "I wish I’d found this place earlier."

Penelo claps her hands, beaming. "It’s like a fairy tale! A whole forest of free women."

Vuvi looks a bit more skeptical. "We were actually sent here to... rescue you all. The village said their daughters had been taken."

Sera sighs. "They weren’t taken. They left. I won’t stop anyone from going back, but most of them won’t. Why would they? They’re safe here. Fed. Happy."

The fire crackles again. A few goblins frolick past the clearing, naked save for woven garlands in their tangled hair, laughing with joy. A demi-lamia woman lounges nearby, sipping tea. A pair of satyr girls dance with linked hands near the trees.

"So..." Sera asks slowly, eyes now fixed on Pip. "What’s his story?"

Vuvi perks up like a cat presented with catnip. "That," she said proudly, "is Pip."

Pip beeps politely.

"He’s my masterpiece," Vuvi says. "Fully autonomous, magically powered. Programmed to deliver satisfaction on a divine level."

Several women sitting nearby went silent. Heads turned. Whispers spreading like wildfire in an instant.

"Wait," one dryad asks, eyes wide. "He’s the golden golem from the rumors?"

"Rumors?" Penelo asks, wide-eyed and smirking.

"The one that healed the centaur village!"

"The one who made a baroness mewl like a baby!"

"The one the Church is after!"

Vuvi stands up, arms wide. "Yes! The Prince of Pleasure... that’s our little Pip!"

Pip beeps again, striking a modest pose.

Vuvi leans over to him, whispering in his audio-ports.

His eyes beam brighter as he turns to her and whistles. "Ready!"

Vuvi grins widely before turning back to the crowd that had now gathered.

"We’ll be heading back to town tomorrow," Vuvi exclaims. "If anyone wants a taste of heaven, Pip will be available for sessions in the village. Free of charge... for one today only."

The camp erupts into murmurs. A few goblins clap excitedly. A harpy perched in a tree nearby nearly falls out from sheer glee.

"Wait, wait, wait!" said one of the human girls, waving her hands. "We don’t know if he’s safe!"

"Yeah! All we’ve heard are rumours!" a goblin adds. "What if he... uh... burns us or something?"

Vuvi sighs. "He’s safe. Gentle. Versatile. And fully adjustable."

Still, the crowd suddenly looks unconvinced.

Sera stands up.

"I’ll test him first," she says, folding her arms, lips curled into a smirk.

Everyone turned to look at her.

Vuvi tilts her head. "You?"

Sera nods. "I swore to protect the girls here. If you say Pip’s a miracle, I’ll be the one to confirm it. If he’s safe... then they can line up all they want."

Pip beeps approvingly. Vuvi kneels beside him, whispering instructions. He gives her a crisp salute and then offers his hand to Sera.

She takes it without hesitation.

The women part to let them pass as they walked beyond the firelight, down a path lined with lanterns strung up through the trees. The others watch in reverent silence.

"Think she’ll be okay?" Penelo asks.

"Pip’s gentle," Vuvi replies. "He’ll rock her world, but she’ll be fine."

"You’re sure?" Veena asks.

Vuvi grins. "Well... If she walks back on her own, I’ll be shocked."

Meanwhile, Pip and Sera arrive at a glowing pond. Moonlight filtering through the canopy, casting silver patterns across the water. Fireflies drift lazily through the air.

Sera begins unbuckling her armor.

Her pale skin gleams gracefully under the moonlight, the delicately defined muscles melting across her body into curves that captivate with every inch. She loosens her battle-braid, letting her long, dark hair cascade slowly down her body, hanging lushly across her ample bosom.

Pip sits on a moss-covered tree stump, patiently waiting, head tilted slightly, humming a faint tune to himself he watches appreciatively. His golden chassis reflecting the moonlight and a few runes on his chest pulse softly.

Sera pauses, now wearing nothing but a confident grin. "You sure you’re ready?"

Pip beeps and gives her a thumbs up.

She smirks. "Alright, golden boy. Let’s see if the rumors are true."

She steps closer, peels the last of the coverings from her body, as reveals the full majesty of her form.

Pip eyes glow bright as his camera-optics soak in her transcendent beauty. A goddess hidden under half-plate.

[Target Name: Seraphine DeBlitz]

[Species: Human.]

[Arousal Status: 81%]

[Emotional Status: Lust / Protective]

[Target Pleasure Objective: Satisfy]

She places her hands onto his shoulders, gripping tightly.

He activates his pelvic port, with a dramatic beep as it flings open.

She gasps, staring down as her naked body is sucked into a warm, divine glow.

"That’s... beautiful." she mutters, her breath choked.

Pip dings sheepishly, as if inviting her onboard.

"Don’t mind if I do." she giggles excitedly.

Pip gently takes hold of her hips, power pulsing through his finger tips.

[Activating Sensual Touch Lv. 3]

With a twist of her eyes and curl of her toes, she slips into position and lets out a thick, guttural groan as a pulse of pleasure suddenly rips through her body like a jolt of lightning.

"Mother’s Mercy! I think you rearranged something!" she moans through a long exhale, her head already hanging back in bliss. "Take it easy... okay." she whispers.

Pip complies... sort of.

[Activating Thrust Lv. 4]

[Thrust Output: 80%]

------------------

Back at the camp, the rest of the team huddles by the fire. Penelo massages Veena’s shoulders, who groans in reluctant enjoyment. Vuvi sips a cup of wildberry tea.

"She’s gonna be gone for a while," Vuvi says.

"Think she’ll want a second session?" Penelo asks.

"Third," Veena mutters.

They all turn their heads toward the forest path as a loud, throaty moan echoes through the trees.

A few women gasp. A goblin faints.

"I think that was the first," Penelo whispers.

--------------------

"Uuuuuuuugghhhh." she groans, fingers digging into Pip’s metal, her brain teetering on the edge of existential collapse as Pip overloads it with pure, dopamine-loaded delight.

His pelvic vibrations work through Sera’s body relentlessly, releasing wave after wave of intense carnal satisfaction shivering through her body, rendering her limbs all but numb.

She slumps over him, her arms and legs robbed of all power as she quivers through her orgasms, held up only by his arms around her waist.

She falls back, mind on the edge of consciousness.

Pip beeps, worriedly.

She suddenly snaps back, eyes wide and wild.

"I... I think you broke me." she giggles, wobbling and rubbing her head as she stumbles to her feet.

She slumps onto a soft patch of moss on the water’s edge and folds herself into a comfortable position.

Face resting gently against the cool ground, knees firmly parted and planted, backside raised and her back arched... just right."

She beckons Pip over with a hungry grin, moisture and moonlight painting her body like a divine glow.

"Break me again." she whispers.

Pip barely beeps before bursting into action.

Unseen by either of them, two sets of gleaming eyes peek out from the pond.

Water nymphs.

Their glistening hair floating like silk above the surface as they watch with hushed giggles.

"I told you the pleasure prince would be shiny!" one whispers.

"He’s glowing!" the other squeals. "Should we join?"

"Shhh! Let’s just watch for now!"