Arriving back in the room provided to him earlier, Stanley found a batch of books on the table.

Staring at the books, his expression fell and Stanley sighed to himself. Attempting to distract himself from his thoughts, he picked up a random book and read the cover.

The Council and its History, by Adrian Terians.

Furrowing his brow, he thought back to when he’d asked Elisabeth about the council.

Had this book been purposely chosen for him?

Slowly putting the book down, he picked up and began to read the other covers.

Introduction to Interacting with the System, by FriendlyRat.

The Physics of Mana, by the Universal Research Society.

Monster Encyclopedia and their interactions with the Intelligent Races, by Anonymous.

The Psychological and Physiological Benefits of Sex – Detailed Version!

Stanley nearly choked after reading the titles. One of those books clearly didn’t match the others.

Despite the clearly unsubtle message, Stanley found a smirk appearing on his face as he rolled his eyes.

Apparently, Elisabeth hadn’t quite given up on seducing him.

Putting the inappropriate book down, Stanley continued reading the last few book titles.

A Historical Timeline of the past 10,000 Years, by Perry Yewrn and Associates.

Traveler’s Guide! By Leona Watts.

The Extensive History of Magic, by the Terrance Family.

Putting down the last book, Stanley smiling expression slowly dimmed in sorrow.

These weren’t just random books from around her library. They were carefully chosen based on his past interactions with her.

Elisabeth had clearly put thought into what books to give him despite everything.

These books were extremely thoughtful and helpful to him.

The book regarding how to interact with the system will probably be extraordinarily helpful if it includes information about the teleportation beacon.

Stanley was hesitant to involve himself further with Elisabeth. He didn’t know how to interact with her now. He wanted to avoid raising her expectations only to disappoint them again.

However, after receiving a detailed gift like this, Stanley needed to at least thank her before leaving.

Picking up his bag, Stanley glanced between his bag and the books. He wouldn’t be able to carry all these books with him despite the effort.

The bag only had room for three of the smaller books or two of the bigger ones, and even that would be a tight fit.

Which meant the books that were worth taking with him must be considered.

Staring awkwardly at the various books, he skimmed through the Monster Encyclopedia.

The book summarized the abilities, visual appearance, and interactions of various monsters with the Intelligent Races.

At the very least, this was a book he planned on taking with him.

However, the Monster Encyclopedia was thick enough that his bag wouldn’t fit more than one other book.

It might be best to ask for another bag from the Elisabeth to carry the other books.

Knock… Knock.

While Stanley was busy pondering solutions to his problem, he heard a knock at the door.

“Yes? It’s open.” Stanley said, turning toward the door.

The blue-hair maid, Sierra, who had been assigned to him the other day opened the door.

Entering the room, Sierra bowed respectfully and asked, “Do you have any requests for lunch?”

“No, I’m…” Stanley instinctively declined, before changing his mind. “Actually, a regularly seasoned meat dish. If you can do that.”

Sierra quietly nodded without moving from her spot by the door, “Anything else?”

Hesitating before forcing himself to make a decision, Stanley cautiously asked, “That… could you inform Elisabeth that I would like to have lunch with her?”

“Of course.” Sierra’s expression didn’t change from the request, her eyes glanced toward the books scatter throughout the table. Her eyes paused at one book in particular before Sierra stated, “Should you desire anything at all, my room is directly across the hall.”

“Thank you.” Stanley acknowledged her statement, before Sierra turned around and left the room.

Pausing, Stanley furrowed his brows and looked toward the books on the table.

Following where Sierra gazed, he quickly realized which book her eyes had paused upon.

The Psychological and Physiological Benefits of Sex – Detailed Version!

Stanley felt his face heated up in embarrassment upon the realization that she had noticed this book.

When alone, he’d completely neglected the possibility of other people misunderstanding that Elisabeth had given him the books. It was already too late to explain that Elisabeth had given it to him unprompted.

Maybe, it wasn’t that terrible of a book?

Stanley comforted himself, while reaching over to open it. He wanted to confirm one way or another.

After opening it, Stanley slammed it shut and his cheeks turned a deep red.

It had pictures! Detailed and explicit pictures.

Damn it, Elisabeth. What were you thinking?! Isn't this just a pornographic book! Provide some warning if you’re going to casually hand something like that over.

Thoroughly embarrassed, Stanley swiftly stored the book in his bag. He couldn’t risk anyone else seeing it on the table.

Stepping into the bathroom, he washed his face with cold water.

The grateful and fuzzy feeling he’d felt when he saw the effort Elisabeth put toward choosing those books disappeared.

Instead of thanking Elisabeth for the books, Stanley felt like smacking her across the head with a ruler.

What was she thinking of to hand that sort of book over to him?

No… Stanley knew exactly what she was thinking. She was trying to arouse his desires and wear him down into eventually accepting her.

The problem was, it was working. His desires were certainly aroused and he felt too guilty to continue refusing her, if she tried to seduce him again.

That’s partly why he'd previously stopped and avoided knocking on her door instead of meeting her again. He could feel his determination waning.

Without warning, Stanley heard his bedroom door open and footstep enter.

Poking his head out of the bathroom, he spotted Elisabeth in an extremely revealing two-piece outfit. Her full stomach was revealed, along with a good portion of her cleavage.

Noticing Stanley’s gaze, Elisabeth posed for him; intentionally showing off her various assets. “I heard you finally admitted defeat?”

Stanley bit his tongue to trying to lower his arousal and replied, “I only invited you to lunch, I can certainly hold out a little longer.”

Elisabeth smirked and proceeded to tease him, “Only a little while longer?”

Attempting to change the subject, Stanley said, “I don’t see any food.”

“Well…” Elisabeth feigned a thinking posture, her tail subtly gestured to her lower body, “I’m sure we can find you something to eat.”

“I wouldn’t want to spoil my appetite.” Stanley verbally refused her seductive implication, but couldn’t bring himself to turn his gaze away.

Elisabeth ignored his refusal and instead walked toward the books on the table. Leaning over the table, she glanced over them while smiling, “How do you like my presents?”

Stanley let out a breath and sighed, “Well, I can tell you put thought into them. Despite one being inappropriate.”

“Hmm?” Elisabeth smiled as she turned toward Stanley, “You found one inappropriate? Please do elaborate.”

Seeing Elisabeth’s giddy grin, Stanley realized he’d made a mistake. She would almost certainly use this opportunity to turn the conversation toward sex.

Regardless of whatever he said now, he was in a losing situation.

Coughing to himself, he explained in the least descriptive way possible, “One of them had explicit pictures inside.”

“Explicit pictures?” Elisabeth asked, her giddy expression clearly showing exactly how much she was enjoying this, “And, why exactly would that be inappropriate?”

“There was no warning to indicate such content existed.” Stanley knew better than to argue that it was inappropriate to show people in an explicit fashion with her.

“Hmm?” Elisabeth feigned confusion, “There was a warning, though. I believe the title said it was the explicit version?”

“It said detailed version.” Stanley protested.

“I am reasonably confident it said explicit version, why don’t you bring it from wherever you’ve hidden it and we’ll confirm?” Elisabeth asked with an innocent expression, approaching Stanley with her tail swaying behind her happily.

“That… I think it’s best not to.” Stanley’s mind thought about the pictures and quickly declined. If he brought it out, he was positive she’d attempt something with it.

“Why exactly? Were you perhaps embarrassed or aroused by mere pictures?” Elisabeth teased as slowly approached Stanley. Her every step showcasing a different part of her body. “I’m quite confident I can give a better show than those pictures.”

Biting the back of his lip to distract himself from her body, Stanley knew he was fighting a losing battle. His righteous determination of not wanting to take advantage of Elisabeth had already crumbled due to her earlier outburst.

After approaching, Elisabeth playfully tickled his face with her tail while emitted the pleasant smell of a flowery perfume.

“After all, how can mere pictures match the genuine article?” Elisabeth asked, while slowly removing the blouse and underwear.

Following the removal, Elisabeth tilted her head slightly and held out her hand in a cat-like manner. Her white tail elongated behind her, stretching out, and white cat-ears pointed forward entirely focused on Stanley.

Watching her pose in a cat-like manner with her chest on full view, Stanley began breathing heavily.

Elisabeth pressed one hand against her chest before leaning toward Stanley and whispering, “So, tell me… are you aroused?”

“…” Stanley found himself unable to answer.

Shutting his eyes, Stanley tried to calm his breathing.  

Elisabeth refused to let him escape into his head that easily. Brushing her tail against his lower stomach, she teased him. “I think we both know the answer.”

Knock… Knock.

Stanley opened his eyes and looked toward the knocking door.

“I believe that must be lunch.” Elisabeth grinned and, without putting the clothing on her upper body back on, turned toward the door and invited them in, “Come in.”

“Excuse me.” Sierra answered opening the door and bringing in the food.

After entering the room and shutting the door behind her, Sierra glancing between the half-naked Elisabeth and Stanley. Without her expression changing, Sierra politely inquired, “Would you prefer to eat later?”

“I’m not sure… what do you think?” Elisabeth turned swaying her tail toward Stanley and asked with seductive accent. “Would you prefer to eat now or later?”

The opportune (or inopportune, depending on the perspective) arrival of the food had managed to dial back some of Stanley’s desires. A saving grace in a manner of speaking.

“Please serve the food now.” Stanley said, avoiding the urge to stare at Elisabeth with Sierra in the room.

“Very well.” Sierra nodded without lingering further, she began the process of setting the table.

Turning red in embarrassment, Stanley momentarily glanced toward Elisabeth, who still hadn’t made a single move to cover her exposed chest.

While Sierra cleared off the table of the books and placed down the tray of food, Elisabeth looked on with amusement at Stanley’s embarrassment.

Stanley was clearly far more embarrassed by her lack of clothing than she was.

Eventually, Stanley couldn’t take it much longer and asked Elisabeth while gesturing toward his own torso. “Shouldn’t you…”

Elisabeth feigned ignorance, “Hmm? I don’t understand? Why don’t you speak clearly?”

“Cover yourself?” Stanley finally spit out while looking away.

Elisabeth expression turned confused, “Why?”

Stanley didn’t respond verbally, instead he gestured toward Sierra.

“Oh? You think she minds?” Elisabeth realized what Stanley was alluding to and quickly asked, “Sierra... You don’t mind nudity, do you?”

“Of course not, Miss.” Sierra immediately replied with her back to them, whilst settling down silverware.

“See, she doesn’t mind~” Elisabeth playfully retorted Stanley’s complaint. Before smirking mischievously, “In fact, Sierra, why don’t you remove all your clothing?”

“Wha- No, that isn’t necessary.” Stanley immediately replied attempted to prevent that.

However, Sierra ignored him and happily replied to Elisabeth instead, “As you desire, Miss.”

Halting the preparations of the table setting, the maid instead began removing her maid outfit.

Soon, Sierra entire body was completely uncovered and displayed before them.

Not that Stanley was aware as he was refusing to glance over toward that section of the room now. He felt as though his brain had melted somewhere along the line or he’d been sent to a parallel dimension where nothing made sense.

Why exactly was this happening?

Elisabeth strode over toward Stanley, who was kept displaying his deep embarrassed at this entire scenario.

“Stanley… I’m disappointed with you.” Elisabeth spoke with a sad tone and stroked his cheek, “Sierra’s going to all this trouble and you refuse to pay attention to her. It’s the ultimate insult to ignore someone trying to get your attention.”

Stanley rolled his eyes at Elisabeth’s statement, “She going through this trouble because you told her to.”

“Yes… and no. Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Elisabeth giggled in response, pressing her breasts against Stanley.

Stanley hesitated and shook his head, “I don’t think I’ll like the answer…”

Elisabeth’s expression turned into a bright smile. Elisabeth ignore his hesitation and directly asked, “Sierra, why don’t you tell him?”

“Miss, that isn’t…” Sierra’s voice had a shy hesitation in it.

“Sierra.” Elisabeth interrupted and glared at her. Apparently Sierra had agreed to comply because Elisabeth smiled and replied with a satisfied, “Good.”

A completely different voice, yet much shyer voice rang itself out in the room, “Hello, again…”

Glancing in the direction of the voice, Stanley saw a completely different looking woman.

Looking at her face, while trying to avoid staring at the other parts of her, Stanley found her vaguely familiar.

Soon Stanley remembered where the familiarity came from, “You’re… you’re the doppelganger I saved that day.”

Nearly a week ago, when people were initially hunting down doppelgangers, Stanley saved her from three men that were likely going to beat to death and escorted her to this mansion.

He barely managed to save one person out of many people.

Thinking back caused him to remember the guilt of causing this entire mess. If he hadn’t caused the System Map to return, none of those doppelgangers would’ve died and she never would’ve been put in danger.

Sierra shyly nodded, “Yes… Thank you for saving my life.”

Hearing her sincere thanks, the guilt of the entire situation completely returned into Stanley’s memory. He didn’t want to be thanked for it. It only reminded him of the many deaths he'd caused.

Shaking his head in refusal, Stanley refused her thanks, “Please don’t thank me. I don’t deserve it.”

---

Excerpt from: Monster Encyclopedia

Doppelgangers, Entry #593

Major abilities

-Can permanently change their appearance at will.

-Can incorporate various abilities from Monsters and Intelligent Races they’ve seen before.

-Rapid regenerative abilities.

-Powerful physical body.

Appearance

-No defined appearance.

As their appearance can change into anything living with complete permanence, Doppelgangers are accepted as having one of the best disguise abilities in the Universe. Historical records concur that we only learned of their existence after the appearance of the System.

Interactions with the Intelligent Races

Doppelgangers have had a… complicated relationship with various intelligent races. Due to their innate ability to change their appearance, their attractiveness and beauty tend to far exceed regular people of each individual race.

In turn, this has resulted in many cases of prominent figures having offspring with them. Depending on cultural values and the specific person, the resulting offspring could be bastardized or, in rare cases, doted upon.

This has resulted in a strange situation where doppelgangers have been consistently targeted and harassed by people, yet most are completely unwilling to kill them without an extraordinarily good reason. After all, even if their children have been completely ostracized and banished, who knows if killing them would cause their parents to take offense?

While this complicated relationship has been overall beneficial to the survival of the species, it has also resulted in them being ostracized by both the Monster Community and the Intelligent Races.