Chapter 54 Interlude Twelve – The Prison Of Hot Sand, Iv
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
TN: Hano-san -> the friendly girl, Satou-san -> the lockpicker girl
”Wow, what’s this? There are kiss marks all over!”
Hano-san frowned as she looked at the marks on her arms and legs that seemed like octopus suckers stuck to her. They were even on her face, and the vines had crept into her clothes.
”It seems like there are no lasting effects, so we were lucky to get away with just this from being attacked by monsters.”
Satou-san confirmed the purple congestion on her face with a hand mirror.
”Well, that may be true, but still, I wish they would spare my face. Hey, Tsucchi, isn’t this weird?”
”Well, I’m totally fine. It actually looks stylish on you.”
I didn’t really mind, but I guess it wasn’t the right thing to say, especially for girls. Thinking that, I tried to casually follow up, but it seems like it wasn’t well received.
Hano-san glared at me with sharp eyes as she slowly approached.
”I’m getting annoyed! I’ll sentence Tsucchi to the punishment of a kiss!”
”Huh? Wait…!”
Hano-san held my head with both hands and pressed her lips against mine without hesitation.
The sound of kissing filled the air, and before I knew it, Hano-san’s tongue slipped into my mouth, exploring it intensely. I tried to resist, but Hano-san’s kissing skills were clearly superior. I found myself unable to think clearly with the smooth movements of her tongue and just let it happen.
”Oh, are you going to mate? I’ll prepare a bedroom, so perhaps it’s better to wait a little longer.”
Valeria’s voice brought me back to my senses, and I weakly patted Hano-san’s shoulder, but she still didn’t let go.
”I have prepared water and food, please help yourself.”
”Water?”
Hano-san reacted to Valeria’s words, making a popping sound as she parted her lips.
”How about it, did I win?”
”…Yes, I apologize.”
As I sat there with a dazed and pitiful expression on my face, Hano-san looked satisfied and triumphant. I didn’t really understand why I was being made to apologize.
Chairs had been set up around a round table, and Satou-san, being led by Maekawa-san and Nishina-san, was about to sit down.
”Whoa! An invisible person!?”
Hano-san exclaimed in surprise as she saw Valeria sitting in front of us.
”I am not human, but rather a water spirit named Valeria. Nice to meet you.”
”Oh, uh, hi. I’m Hano Chikako. Nice to meet you too.”
Hano-san seemed to relax a bit upon hearing Valeria’s calm voice.
While Maekawa-san and Satou-san were introducing themselves, Hano-san and I took our seats as well.
On each seat, there was a wooden cup filled with water and a large fruit that looked like a yellow peach.
”Here, this is the only thing humans can eat, but I’m sure you’ll be satisfied. It’s very rare and has high medicinal value, so it’s best to eat the skin and seeds too.”
Maybe these fruits growing on the tree next to the tent house were nurtured by the water from the recovery spring.
”Thank you, Valeria-san. Well then, itadakimasu.”
When Maekawa-san clasped her hands together, everyone followed suit and said, “Itadakimasu.”
”Is this some kind of religious ritual?”
Valeria asked me, looking curious.
”Well, it might have been originally, but now it’s more like a tradition. It’s about giving thanks to all the lives sacrificed and everything involved in bringing this food to the table.”
”That’s wonderful. The culture of this other world isn’t bad at all.”
Valeria nodded approvingly.
”Yeah! Hmm, it’s so good! What is this? It’s insanely delicious!”
Hano-san, gulping down the water and biting into the fruit, exclaimed with excitement. Everyone was engrossed in eating the fruit.
I also grabbed a heavy fruit and took a bite. It was soft and juicy like a peach, incredibly sweet. The skin had a slight tartness and melted away, so the texture didn’t bother me. It was an elegant taste I’d never experienced before. Definitely insanely delicious.
In the middle were light brown seeds. When I bit into the tough seed coat, it easily crumbled, revealing a soft embryo. The taste was subtle but refreshing, surprisingly enjoyable. Even the crunchy seed coat was edible. I quickly finished the whole fruit and felt satisfied.
’Wow, this is amazing! Master’s magic power and capacity have increased!’
No way! Items that boost parameters are rare in games. Especially for me, since I don’t level up, raising parameters is crucial.
”Valeria. This fruit looks really amazing, but what exactly is it?”
”This is the Nectar fruit, also known as the fruit of the god. It is a precious ingredient that can be used to make the all-purpose elixir. There are only a few trees left in the spirit world protecting it, but there might not be any trees left in the human world that bear this fruit.”
”An elixir!?!”
It’s a legendary medicinal potion, treated as the highest-grade healing medicine in games and such. This is what I’ve been searching for!
”Valeria! Please give me the Nectar fruit! I absolutely must get my hands on the elixir!”
”If you are willing to grant my wish, then I don’t mind. But, it’s uncertain if there are still any alchemists who can make the elixir… even if the recipe still exists.”
”I don’t care! I want to secure it if there’s a chance it could lead to the elixir!”
Even if I find the recipe, it’s useless without the ingredients. This is absolutely essential for the potion.
”Still, even just this nectar fruit seems to have quite an effect. Can it cure illnesses, for example?”
”Well… Since it temporarily boosts resistance, it should be able to fully cure minor illnesses without any problems.”
Minor illnesses, huh. I knew that, but this alone doesn’t seem like it’s enough.
”Can an elixir cure any illness?”
”…It’s something that bends the laws of this world. I believe there’s probably nothing it can’t cure, not just illnesses.”
I see. Seems like I’ll need to get my hands on that elixir after all.
”Do you know what else is needed to make the elixir?”
”I’m not familiar with the method, but for famous ingredients… Oh, sorry. It seems like it’s bound by an oath. I can’t tell you anything more than this.”
”An oath? Ah! I see, that’s what it is…”
The most important thing I wanna know is how to get my hands on the super-duper miracle potion, the Elixir. I had to prioritize finding where Maekawa-san and the others are, so I couldn’t ask Valeria for more info. But, by some stroke of luck, I stumbled upon a way to cure Higurashi’s tough illness. Technically, I shouldn’t be in the clear for asking about it, but since it came up naturally in conversation without either of us realizing its importance, it seems we dodged the rule about sharing secrets.
”I’m sorry I couldn’t help.”
”No, there was more progress than expected. It’s enough.”
Now that I know that the elixir exists in this world, I seem to be able to obtain one of its ingredients by chance. It’s quite a good result.
Valeria doesn’t seem to know the recipe, but if I get closer to it, I should naturally understand the ingredients. As for the recipe, if the elixir exists, it might easily come out of a treasure chest in the lower floors of a dungeon.
There is hope in this world. It’s only a little, but I can see a glimmer of light.
”Tsuchimiya-kun… Are you maybe suffering from a serious illness?”
Maekawa-san asked with a worried expression. It seems like everyone is looking at me with concern.
”N-No, it’s not that. There’s just something I can’t talk about, but I really need that elixir.”
I can’t just go around telling everyone about Higurashi.
”I see. If we hear any information about the elixir, we’ll let you know right away, Tsuchimiya-kun. If there’s anything we can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
”Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Maekawa-san and the others seem to have a wide network of information, so they might pick up something from somewhere unexpected. It’s genuinely heartwarming that they’re willing to help without even knowing the reason. I’m truly grateful.
”My stomach feels so full, I’m getting really sleepy.”
Hano-san mumbled with a dazed expression.
”Yeah, you’re right. It’s probably late at night by now, I’m getting tired too.”
When I realized this, I started to yawn.
”Before we discuss what’s next, it seems like it’s time to say goodnight for today. I’ll prepare a bedroom for you, so how about cleansing your body in the outdoor spring in the meantime?”
It seems like it would be good for everyone to listen to the conversation properly. The outdoor spring is probably a recovery spring.
”Yes, my mind is already not working, and since I’ve sweated, it would be helpful to be able to take a bath before going to bed. Thank you for that, Valeria-san.”
Satou-san bowed her head.
”I’ll also prepare a change of clothes for you, so please put your worn clothes in the basket. I’ll wash and hang them later.”
”Thank you for everything.”
That Valeria, she seems to be the incarnation of the Spirit King, but she’s quite a hard worker.
”Alright, let’s go, Tsucchi!”
Hano-san stood up and pulled my arm.
”Huh? W-Wait, I think I’ll pass on that for now.”
”Since we’ve all ‘done’ it with everyone, there’s no need to be shy now!”
”Yeah, if we keep waiting for Tsuchimiya-kun, we won’t have any time to relax.”
Satou-san agrees calmly.
”Um, are you sure about this?”
Of course, I don’t mind, but…
”That’s just how Tsuchimiya-kun is. It’s definitely okay. You seem like the type who could handle more aggressive approaches.”
Maekawa-san chuckles.
”Uh, yeah. Well then, I’ll join you guys.”
* * *
Behind the tent house, there was a recovery spring. It was about 10m in diameter, with stones arranged in a circle, and a goddess statue standing in the middle. It seemed like a different goddess from the one on the 3rd floor.
Other than low grass clumped sporadically around the spring, there was nothing else. As far as my eye could see, a vast desert shone white under the moonlight.
”Tsucchi, hurry up and take off your clothes.”
”O-Okay.”
Hano-san, who had thrown her bra into a basket and put her hand on her panties, turned around to look at me.
Everyone else began undressing without hesitation, so I couldn’t help but feel out of place and a little embarrassed.
Valeria’s magic-made light ball was emitting a bright light around the chest of the goddess statue.
I also started taking off my clothes, putting the socks in hand into the basket. I had left my boots and combat belt in the storage shed in the tent house. Since I had already told Nishina-san about the gifts, I decided to be more open about it. It would be inconvenient to have too many secrets while working together.
”Let me help!”
Hano-san, who was already completely n*ked, ran over shaking her chest, knelt down, and started to unbuckle my pants. The other three were still in their underwear, folding their clothes before putting them in the basket.
”I-It’s okay! I can do it myself!”
”Hehehe♪ Blushing, blushing♪
It feels so embarrassing, like I’m about to get caught with my pants down in the girls’ locker room.
”Hey, the traces of congestion are completely gone. The Recovery Spring is truly amazing.”
As Satou-san murmurs while looking down at my body, Hano-san suddenly freezes in place.
”Oh! You’re right! Since when!? I didn’t notice at all!”
”You didn’t notice? It disappeared in a flash right when I took a sip of water.”
While Hano-san is distracted, I quickly turns my back and hurriedly takes off my pants, including my underwear. It’s embarrassing to have your pants taken off by a girl, especially in this situation.
”Ah! I wanted to take it off!”
Hano-san grumbles in dissatisfaction but is ignored.
Then, Hano-san embraces me from behind and tightly grabs my p*nis and test***es with both hands.
”Wait…! Hano-san!?”
”It’s embarrassing, isn’t it? I’ll hide it for you♪”
It’s somehow even more embarrassing.
”Hano-san, can you not move? I’m getting an er***ion for some reason.”
As my p*nis and b*lls are being fondled and massaged, I can no longer hide it with Hano-san’s hand.
”It’s a sign of good health. Come on, let’s go in quickly.”
Rubbing a soft chest against my back and putting clothes into the basket while facing forward, I notice Maekawa-san and the others already in the spring, staring intently. I can’t help but cover myself by layering my hand over Hano-san’s.
”It’s embarrassing to be seen too much.”
It feels strange for me to say this line in this situation, but it can’t be helped.
”Haha, sorry sorry. When I become an Evold, I’m more interested in naked boys than before.”
”After becoming Evold, I kind of understand how boys feel a little.”
”……”
”Guys are so defenseless around here. Their n**ples can be seen through their shirts, or they might unbutton the top button because it’s hot, which can be exciting, so Tsucchi, you should be careful too.”
Is that how it is? Come to think of it, recently, even at school, I feel girls’ eyes on my lower body or chest, and Himeno sometimes stares at my entire body as if she’s licking it. Could it be that girls are starting to look at guys’ bodies like guys look at girls’ bodies before being transported to this world?
Anyway, the spring is knee-deep, a little chilly. The weather is mild, the breeze is cool, and the ground is slightly warm.
When I get into the spring, Hano-san starts washing herself with the water too. As I sit down in the spring, my head sinks in with a splash.
Since the recovery spring instantly breaks down waste, all I need to do now is wash off the sand.
”Wow, my skin feels amazingly smooth. Taking a water bath in the recovery potion spring is incredibly luxurious, isn’t it?”
Maekawa-san rubbed her arm and muttered, looking around as if not trying to hide anything at all, making me feel lost. I couldn’t stand up and remained sitting.
”Tsuchimiya-kun, thank you for coming to help today.”
Maekawa-san turned to me with a smile.
”I’m glad Tsuchimiya-kun was here. Thank you so much.”
”Yeah… If Tsuchimiya-kun wasn’t here, I wouldn’t be able to meet everyone like this again. Thank you.”
Satou-san and Nishina-san also smiled gently at me.
”Um, please don’t worry too much. I did it because I wanted to.”
At times like this, I don’t know what I should say. I would actually prefer if they just ignored me.
The girls standing n*ked in the spring with the background of the night desert and starry sky somehow looked mystical.
”Tsucchi, thank you!”
Hano-san hugged me from behind and lifted me up with incredible strength.
”This is a sign of my gratitude.”
Maekawa-san approached and put her hand on my cheek, bringing her face closer. Somehow, I was being embraced.
Maekawa-san’s cherry-colored lips gently touched mine and then pulled away.
As I gazed into her smiling face, a hand reached from the side and turned my head. In front of me was Satou-san, who slowly pressed her thin lips against mine and then pulled away.
”Tsuchimiya-kun…”
Nishina-san looked up at me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and gave me a long kiss.
”Okay, next is me.”
”It seems like Hano-san kissed me earlier?”
”That was a punishment, so this is different.”
It seemed like a different kind of kiss.
Hano-san hugged me tightly and pressed her lips against mine.
I felt my arousal at the soft touch of Hano-san’s lips and chest, and she squeezed my p*nis that had made contact with her thigh.
”Hehe♪ Should I let it out like this?”
Hano-san asked, swaying her hips.
”N-no, I think we should stop for today,”
I replied, as everyone watched the tip of my turtle-head come out and retreat from under Hano-san’s buttocks. It felt really good, but I felt like if I finished here, everyone would get too excited and lose control. It would be a disaster.
”If we keep Valeria-san waiting, it would be rude. Let’s just take a rest for today.”
Maekawa-san’s calm words managed to calm the situation.
* * *
After drying off with a towel and returning to the tent house, a change of clothes was prepared. The loose and simple tunic and shorts were made of silk, with a nice texture against the skin. They fit perfectly for each of us.
”I have prepared a bedroom for you. Please have a good rest.”
In the back of the tent house that Valeria showed, there was an entrance that wasn’t there before, with what seems to be six rooms on the left and right of the hallway in total.
There are no doors, instead, colorful round wooden beads connected like a rosary serve as curtains to separate the rooms.
Looking into one of the rooms, there is a double-sized bed with a wooden window, a small desk, and a chair.
”Amazing. How did you prepare this?”
”I connected the things I had prepared in a different space. It’s like a skill that can be used in a specific area given to the floor manager.”
Valeria answers calmly.
”Can you prepare a kitchen?”
”No problem. Are you going to cook?”
”Yeah. I have plenty of ingredients, so I thought I’d make breakfast.”
”Understood. Let’s prepare it by morning. I’ll make sure that the night will be over in eight hours.”
I guess the day-night cycle is also free after all.
While Valeria and I were talking, Maekawa-san and the others were also checking out the room. Hano-san’s loud voice suddenly cut off, which startled me, but Valeria quickly explained.
”The sound inside the room is kept from leaking outside. You can feel free to mate here.”
I don’t think anyone is going to do that tonight. The bath might have woken us up temporarily, but everyone is probably still mentally exhausted, so they’ll fall asleep quickly once they lie down. Right?
Everyone chose their own room, said goodnight in the hallway, and then went to bed.
In the rooms, lanterns were hung on the walls, and you could adjust the brightness by changing the angle of the shutter. Inside the lanterns was a magic light that lit up the spring, not a regular flame.
I lowered the brightness of the lantern and lay down on the bed. Compared to modern mattresses, this one was a bit firmer, but it was totally fine.
Today was a long day. In the morning practice, I learned how to use Blast without incantation and mastered the jump, then defeated the mutated Giant Roper, the floor boss on the 4th floor, and evolved my Kondou Spear. During lunch with Maekawa-san and others, I got a +1 water bag, and then dove straight into the dungeon. When we tried to return to the school, we were sent to the desert. Nishina-san and I wandered in the desert until Valeria helped us reunite with everyone else.
Realizing that Elixirs exist in this world is a significant discovery. While exploring other methods to help Higurashi, I will focus on gathering information about Elixirs. But first, we must safely return to the school. The outcome of the discussion with Valeria will determine our next steps, but that’s for tomorrow. Let’s just sleep now.
As I closed my eyes and waited for sleepiness to come, I sensed a presence in the hallway.
When I opened my eyes, someone entered through the curtain with a rustling sound.
”Oh, Tsucchi, you’re still awake♪”
”…”
”Hano-san and Nishina-san?”
There stood Hano-san with Nishina-san clutching a pillow.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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