Plugged In: I got Isekai'd into a Sexbot (Now I Must Save The World)-Chapter 78: The Golden Curse

Two days pass in peaceful indulgence before the team sets off again, this time piled into a luxurious, silk-lined carriage bound for the noble estate on the hill. The carriage is so overstuffed with cushions, food baskets, and lounging limbs that it looks like it’s about to burst at the seams with good cheer and entitlement.

Inside, the air is warm with laughter, rustling silks, and the soft clinking of wine bottles.

Vuvi, sprawled across a cushioned bench with her boots kicked up, sips slowly from her travel flask. Her eyes are half-lidded, her mood half-dead. "I’m not doing a single thing," she warns, raising her flask higher. "Not a step. Not a spell. Not even a sarcastic comment. I’m on break."

Veena, sitting primly across from her, chuckles. "You’ve said that three times since we left town."

"And I’ll say it three more before we get there," Vuvi mutters.

Penelo presses her face against the window like a child at a candy store, wide-eyed and smiling as they pass into the noble estate’s grounds. "Oh wow... it’s like a living painting!"

The estate is stunning. Rolling meadows bordered by glimmering ponds, flowerbeds carved into spirals, vines creeping up marble pillars, and dozens of stone statues hidden beneath cascading willow trees. It’s like nature itself paused to admire the place.

Ka’Lula presses her face to the window beside Penelo. "It’s... beautiful," she whispers.

"I know, right?" Penelo sighs dreamily. "It’s like the Earth itself fell in love."

Sera stretches her legs lazily. "Bet the nobles are just as pretty."

Zora fans himself with exaggerated flourish. "If not, I shall personally file a complaint with the aesthetic council of the realm."

As the carriage passes through the tall iron gates, a bush nearby rustles violently. Two heads pop out. One disgruntled, the other smug.

Mysa groans, slapping a leaf from her hair. "This is torture. It’s been almost a week and we haven’t gotten anywhere near Pip."

Raenly munches loudly on a warm scone. Crumbs cling to his chin, and his cheeks puff with delight. "I don’t care how long it takes," he says between bites. "I’m going to crack his mystery. That glorious golden exterior hides secrets."

"You just want another excuse to touch him," Mysa grumbles.

Raenly shrugs and pulls out a glowing gauntlet from his magical pouch. He slides it on, hums to himself, and punches a perfect circle through the estate wall.

"You coming?" he asks, brushing crumbs from his tunic.

Mysa sighs and follows him, cheeks stuffed with pastries.

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At the front steps of the mansion, three radiant women await. Golden hair, sapphire eyes, dresses flowing like water. High elven grace etched into every movement.

They bow in unison. "Welcome to the Varuzil Estate" the eldest says. "We are grateful for your arrival."

Vuvi jerks her thumb at Veena without looking up from her flask. "She’s in charge today."

Veena blinks. "Wait, what?"

The elves smile patiently.

Veena clears her throat and steps forward. "Yes. Uh, greetings. We’re the Pleasure Service of Husk Horn... though, technically we’re mobile... and we’re here to assist however we can."

Ka’Lula waves enthusiastically. "Hi! I’m Ka’Lula! And that’s Pip!"

Pip steps forward and bows with a regal whistle.

The noble daughters smile, clearly charmed.

"You honor us," says the middle sister, gesturing toward the doors. "Please, come inside."

They are led into a palace of breathtaking craftsmanship. Every inch of stone is carved, every window a mural, every corner lit with warm magic lamps. The scent of roses drifts lazily through the air.

Zora practically levitates as he walks. "This place is a living museum," he whispers. "I could die happy here."

They are led through twisting halls and velvet-lined corridors until they reach the main lounge. There, upon a stone throne at the head of the chamber, sits the noble lord. Silver-haired, broad-shouldered, and utterly still.

The three daughters rush to him.

"Father?"

"Can you hear us?"

"We brought help."

The man doesn’t blink. He stares at the floor, unmoving. Breathing, barely. But lifeless all the same.

Veena steps forward first, placing her hand against his forehead. Her eyes shimmer with magic. "It’s... strange," she mutters. "I don’t feel... anything."

Pip approaches next. He places his glowing palm on the lord’s chest. His divine energy flows into the man like warm sunlight... but nothing happens. The man twitches slightly, then returns to stillness.

Pip beeps dejectedly.

Behind them, a crash of falling books makes everyone jump.

The team turns in time to see Zora frozen beside a toppled bookshelf, arms mid-hover, mouth agape.

"I wasn’t... I didn’t mean to... it was the binding—!"

Penelo blinks. "What were you even doing?" freewebnσvel.cøm

Zora sweeps his cloak dramatically and bows. "Exploring the collection. Such rare tomes! Did you know these shelves contain five complete volumes of The Art of Intimate Enchantment?"

The eldest daughter blushes. "Our father was... curious."

"May I borrow a few?" Zora asks, hopeful.

"Focus," Vuvi snaps. "The guy’s cursed, remember?"

Zora claps. "Right! The curse. Yes. Um... remind me?"

The daughters reiterate their story: how a year ago, their father went hunting in the nearby forest, vanished for weeks, then returned... different. Silent. Fading.

Zora listens, nodding solemnly. Then he twirls a finger.

Veena crosses her arms. "What are you—"

Zora saunters forward. "Poor fellow... no man deserves to endure such sorrow."

He stands before the lord, lifts a hand, and takes a deep breath. The team watches with mild skepticism.

Zora’s eyes glow. His hands begin to dance through the air with elegant, fluid motions. Magic flares softly around his fingers as he chants something inaudible, the syllables nonsensical but full of rhythm and intent.

He finishes by licking his finger, wiggling it, and sliding it into the noble’s ear.

The noble jolts upright, body convulsing slightly as a shudder runs through him. He blinks, groans, and slaps his own ear.

"Ugh... why... would you do that?" he grumbles.

Everyone in the room stares, stunned.

The daughters gasp.

The noble lord stretches, winces, and slowly sits upright. His voice rasps from disuse, but his tone is unmistakably annoyed. "And why are you all staring?"

Silence.

Then Ka’Lula bursts into laughter. Penelo claps her hands. Veena’s jaw hangs open.

Vuvi mutters, "What the hell..."

Zora grins like a victorious cat. "See? Ear magic. Very underrated."

The eldest daughter collapses to her knees in tears. "Father! You’re awake!"

The noble lord looks at her, blinks again, and finally sees her clearly. "Sweet child... where have I been?"

The team stands in quiet awe as a year’s worth of silence breaks with the power of Zora’s questionable methods.

Sera leans toward Veena. "So... he’s our problem now?"

Veena shrugs. "Nah. He’s someone else’s dad."

Zora twirls. "Shall I take my reward in kisses or gold?"

Vuvi smacks him upside the head with her flask.

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