Dink was humming quietly as he celebrated his victory. The group had left Madame Celeste's suite and were now being escorted by an anxious Human woman of reasonable attractiveness. She had straightened black hair and was topless like most of the lowest caste of courtesans. She had found a thick, woollen shawl somewhere to cover herself as she led them through the back passages to the commoner’s building.

Dink was unconcerned by her discomfort as he openly admired her beauty. The girl shifted nervously under his gaze, pulling the shawl tighter around herself. A nipple slipped out, exposing her tender flesh to Dink’s predatory attention. She yelped as he couldn’t resist lightly pinching it.

“Dink!” Lady Estra objected.

He ignored her protest as the girl flushed pale with fear. She started to practically flee through the hallway at a brisk pace. Dink laughed as he felt Lady Estra’s disapproval.

“Slow down, girl. You’ll provoke my instinct to chase, hahaha!” Dink teasingly called, causing the girl to stumble as she looked over her shoulder in panic.

I probably shouldn't terrorize the poor girl too much. That should be enough to send a message to Madame Celeste about who's in control of this situation. I feel a bit guilty for using the girl, but only a little, mind you. I'm still a Goblin after all, hehehe.

Dink chuckled to himself in amusement, eliciting another disapproving glare from Lady Estra. He could feel a faint amusement coming from Murkuk despite his impassive face. It seemed that appreciating the torment of others was a shared trait among all Goblins.

The distressed girl arrived at the staff entrance to the commoner's building. She had successfully guided them through the main building without being seen, as instructed by Madame Celeste. The girl hauled the door open and fled inside with relief. If Lady Estra hadn’t been there to keep the Goblins in check, she may have broken down in terror. Goblins had a less-than-stellar reputation after all.

Before arriving at the open door, Lady Estra urgently grabbed Dink’s arm to stop him. Murkuk stiffened as he became alert to the affront against his chieftain. Dink gestured toward him to prevent him from raising his magic staff. Dink was the only other member of his tribe, not to mention that he was also the most important.

“What are you planning to do?” Lady Estra worriedly asked.

“Put on a show to remember, of course. The people have come to see the champion. I have a reputation to uphold,” Dink jovially replied with a mischievous grin.

“Please don’t go overboard,” Lady Estra said as she hesitantly released her grip on his arm.

“Never. Murkuk put your bangstick away, there’s the business to attend to,” Dink replied distractedly as he inhaled Lady Estra’s intoxicating aroma.

The group entered the well-lit gambling room. The furniture had been cleared to the side to create space for their competition. The huge lion man, Axion the Headhunter, was stretching in front of a large crowd that had gathered. Their escort was urgently speaking to him, letting the shawl fall open to put on a tantalizing display in an effort to win Axion's attention away from another woman attending to him. The woman glanced at the guide's foolish actions with disdain. Axion was ignoring the guide puffing out her impressive breasts and her arched back. He was focused on the clothed courtesan in front of him.

She was a Beastfolk courtesan with significantly Human features. She was diligently rubbing oil onto his exposed muscular chest while he half-heartedly listened to the guide speak. His mana tattoos faintly glistened with power under the woman's light touch as her fingers glided over his impressive physique. The beads braided into his mane clinked together as Axion let out a rumbling purr of satisfaction in response to her touch.

Dink could only determine that she wasn’t Human by the ears poking out of her auburn hair. The catgirl was extremely attractive, utterly outshining the other courtesans inside the common building. Dink noticed a stout dwarven courtesan staring at the catgirl’s transparent garments with envy, before glancing down at herself. The only thing covering her generous breasts was thick, lustrous blonde curls. The dwarven woman had a bitter expression, probably due to their difference in station within the House of Worldly Delight.

“A catgirl! What is she doing working in the House of Worldly Delight? This isn’t some noble’s castle, they never let their favourite pets wind up in a place like this. What’s the world coming to?” Dink exclaimed in surprise.

“Don’t be bigoted! Catgirls and other Beastfolk haven’t been kept as ‘pets’ for centuries. The Human nobility still often use them as childhood companions for their heirs, but that’s with the parent’s permission. Who have usually been loyal retainers to their family for generations. I wish I knew where you gained your understanding of the civilized world from, it’s so outdated,” Lady Estra chastised him for his outburst while inspecting him in bemusement.

“Ha, once upon a time the only place you could find Beastfolk with diluted Human ancestry was inside a lord’s most secluded vacation home. They were jealously guarded as the favourite playthings of Human rulers, with the Beastfolk concubine often holding higher public status than their actual wives,” Dink said, shaking his head in bewilderment.

“Things change. Try not to offend her, she’s Axion’s favourite girl and he’s going to be travelling with us. That’s why she’s getting him ready,” Lady Estra replied.

“Hey, Axion! When are you going to be finished getting lubed up by your pet?” Dink called out. Lady Estra dejectedly facepalmed.

The crowd grew silent as they became aware of the group's arrival. Their guide turned pale with fright, hurriedly covering herself with the shawl while fleeing into the crowd. Axion ignored her departure as he looked up with a bellowing laugh. He reached down with one hand, effortlessly scooping the catgirl to sit in the crook of his arm. He gently turned her beautiful face with a large finger below her chin, deeply kissing her. Her breath quickened as her hands went slack against his muscular chest, leaning into the passionate kiss. His impressive manhood bulged against his tight pants, struggling to escape.

The catgirl released an exaggerated gasp of pleasure as the lion man slipped his free hand inside the transparent garment covering her exquisite figure. Axion placed her down under the gazes of approval from the men inside the room. He dramatically rolled his shoulders while stepping toward Dink, into the centre of the makeshift arena.

“Dink, I wondered when you’d get here! Goblins are known for their cowardice, after all. I thought you must have fled!” Axion retorted with a toothy grin.

“That we are! But who could be scared of a cute, little kitten like you? I just want to pat your adorable head!” Dink responded to his banter with an equally toothy grin.

The pair shared a look of understanding between themselves. They each appreciated the other’s obvious fighting spirit.