Chapter 146
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”So, I brought them here,” I said, glancing at Iris as if answering the question she was probably thinking of.
”Letting them go wouldn’t be easy,” I added, giving a small shrug.
On the road to Dungeon City, I came across two women being attacked by armed men. I stepped in, drove the attackers off, and brought the women with me. When I returned to where Iris and the others were waiting, the two were clinging tightly to my arms.
Naturally, they asked what had happened, and I gave a quick explanation just now.
”Umm, I’m Tina, a magician. Nice to meet you,” Tina said, her voice light and cheerful.
”I’m Rosie, a swordswoman. Pleased to meet you,” Rosie added with a calm nod.
After they introduced themselves, we did the same. I, Iris, and Seria gave our names, and lastly, Alicia spoke.
”I’m Arisa. Just like my real name,” she said with a small smile.
Of course, that wasn’t exactly true. She was using “Arisa” as a cover. Revealing her true name could bring danger, since people targeting the royal family or the Gavretts might be listening. It was a necessary precaution.
With greetings done, the conversation moved to what came next.
”So… you want to travel with us?” Iris asked, her brows drawing together slightly.
”Is that… really okay?” she added, voice quiet but serious.
Her concern was obvious.
Letting them join meant risking our biggest secret: the fact we could fly through the sky using Magic Armor. Normally, we stayed invisible during flight to avoid attention. If these two found out, it could cause serious problems.
And if we flew without hiding, anyone could see Tina and Rosie with us. That would make us a target.
If they came along, we’d have to move on foot. It would slow us down and increase the danger of running into pursuers.
To be honest, I wanted to say no.
But there was a reason I hadn’t turned them away yet.
”…Seria, come here for a second,” I called softly.
”Huh? Okay,” Seria replied, tilting her head as she walked over.
Without another word, I gently wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close.
”Eh…!? W-Wait, mmm…♡”
She let out a soft sound as I held her tightly, my hands brushing her side and waist.
Our lips met. The kiss was slow and deep, drawing out her voice with every movement.
”Mnn…♡”
Her body leaned into mine as we kissed, lost in the moment.
Iris and Arisa, long used to this sort of thing, didn’t react. But Tina and Rosie—still new to our strange group—blushed brightly, their eyes glued to us in surprise.
A moment later, I pulled away from Seria’s lips, but didn’t let go of her. With one arm around her, I looked at Tina and Rosie.
”This is who we are,” I said quietly. “I don’t hide this part of myself. My companions accept it. If that bothers you, then maybe this isn’t the path for you.”
The two exchanged a glance.
They didn’t speak at first.
Then—small nods.
Tina stepped forward, her cheeks a little pink.
”In other words… it’s okay if we’re the same, right?” she asked, pushing her chest forward slightly and closing her eyes as if inviting a kiss.
”Uh…”
Was she serious? Was this her way of saying she understood? Or was she testing me?
To find out, I slowly reached out and rested my hand on her chest.
”Ah…!”
Even through her clothes, I could tell she was soft. I’d already seen most of her earlier when those men had tried to undress her, but now, her warmth and shape pressed into my hand.
She didn’t pull away. Her expression turned a little shy, but not afraid. She let me touch her, just watching me quietly.
”Nn… Nngh…♡”
She let out a faint breath, eyes hazy, body fidgeting.
The message was clear.
She wasn’t saying no.
Then Rosie took a step forward too. She was wearing light armor, but the part around her waist and thighs was open for movement.
If I reached for her now and she pushed me away, I could use that as an excuse to refuse their company.
But…
My hand touched her side gently, then slid along her hip.
”Mm…♡”
No resistance.
Her helmet had been removed during introductions, and now her flushed face turned to me, eyes full of heat.
”I… wouldn’t mind,” she whispered, pressing my hand closer. “If you gave me attention too…♡”
She stepped even nearer, voice low and breathy.
It was her answer.
It seemed just touching wasn’t enough to cause any reaction between us. But if we went further… that might change.
Maybe it was because I saved her. Or maybe, to reach our goal—Dungeon City—she was willing to use whatever means she had… even her own body.
If that’s the case, then… what should I do?
As I was lost in thought, Seria, who had finally calmed down, quietly spoke up.
”Um, how about heading to the next village for now?” she asked, looking up at me.
”I see,” I replied with a nod.
If it were Dungeon City, the journey would take too long. But a nearby village? That should be fine. We could walk. It was unlikely we’d be attacked again so soon.
The ambush earlier hadn’t succeeded. News of that wouldn’t reach the client right away.
As for supplies, we had enough food and gear for now. With the load we were carrying, even keeping the wooden box transparent wouldn’t be a problem.
Once the plan was settled, I informed Tina and the others about heading to the next village. They exchanged a glance, then gave their silent approval.
* * *
Time passed, and the women walking behind me seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Though… their topic was questionable.
”Koji can do it as many times as he wants, huh…” one said with a sly tone.
”So, that means he’s been with a lot of people?” another asked curiously.
”Well, yeah. Even at a shop I know—though it’s not that kind of place—he’s been with plenty,” Arisa added, a smirk in her voice.
It sounded like Arisa was trying to paint me as a womanizer. Probably to make me look bad in front of Tina and the others. Keep their interest away from me, maybe.
But it seemed to have backfired.
”…I see,” one of them murmured.
”…Hmm,” the other followed.
Now their gazes were even sharper than before, almost stabbing into my back.
Yeah… I’d better be careful.
* * *
As the sun began to dip low, the next village was still far off. We decided to make camp before nightfall.
From the luggage I was carrying, I took out the tent and spread it out. Iris stepped forward, her hand glowing faintly.
”Are we using air from here to fill it?” she asked, glancing at the valve.
”Yeah,” I said. “Just blow it in like I showed you.”
”All right then…”
Following my instructions, Iris used wind magic to inflate the tent.
This tent was a prototype I’d made using “Imitation.” It used a frame that would rise and hold shape once filled with air. It wasn’t finished, just a test model for something I’d later call “Hooters.”
Since it wasn’t for sale yet, I didn’t worry too much about the details. Just needed it to work.
I chose black fabric for the outer layer. I wanted to see if it would absorb warmth from the fire and help keep the inside a little warmer.
Not long after, the tent stood tall, and Tina and Rosie examined it together.
”It’s big… Everyone can fit inside,” Tina said, surprised.
”We’ll still need someone to keep watch outside, though,” Rosie added. “But with all this space…”
”Ah…”
”… …”
Both of them fell silent, their cheeks starting to flush. They must’ve thought the size had a more suggestive reason behind it.
That’s not it.
We do need someone to stay alert, and I don’t plan to do anything strange tonight.
If they asked whether a tent like this was necessary, I’d say no—because I planned to create a barrier with Magic Armor anyway—but saying that would only raise more questions.
As I gathered firewood, Iris quietly prepared the meal. With her magic, she summoned fire and clean water.
What I made wasn’t anything fancy—just instant consomme soup, the kind that dissolves in hot water. I added bacon, cabbage, and carrots, chopped fine.
I figured even in this world, if someone tried hard enough, they could create consomme like this. I just happened to use a bit of magic to shortcut it.
Since this too was part of the “Hooters” prototype series, I made a mental note to report it to Ms. Wendy once we reached Dungeon City.
While the soup simmered, Tina looked at the pot and smiled.
”Oh, it smells delicious…♪” she said, eyes sparkling.
”Well, there’s still more if we need it. And… you’re running low on supplies, right?”
”Uh, yes… We had to leave in a hurry. There wasn’t time to pack much…”
Apparently, they’d escaped shortly after sensing danger. They had money, but little else.
Their light luggage probably made it easier to get this far safely.
They hadn’t told me who or what they were running from, only that they weren’t in the wrong.
But “right” and “wrong” depend on who’s judging.
Even someone doing good can end up chased like a criminal. That’s just how the world is.
Not that I plan to get involved.
Once the soup was ready, I handed out the bowls. The moment they tasted it, everyone spoke in unison.
”Delicious…♪”
The bread I served with it was something I’d ordered from the Merchant Guild Amiras. I’d chosen flavor and texture over long shelf life.
To hide that I’d added instant consomme, I made sure to mix it in quickly and used ingredients from my old world to mask the taste. It had a consistent, nostalgic flavor.
Even I thought it tasted pretty good. But for the others, it was apparently even better.
”Mmm, munch… gulp…”
”Chomp… chew…”
”…”
They ate without saying much, but the way they stared at the pot made it clear—they wanted seconds.
Once we reached a proper town with a decent bakery, I’d restock. There was still soup left, so I could make more if needed. I’d give them extra next time too.
”Thank you very much!” Tina said with a smile after four full servings.
It might’ve been simple camp food, but with everything we’d gone through, the warm meal lifted everyone’s mood.
After the meal, we handed out hot water bottles and entered the tent one by one.
Though some suspicion lingered about the two extra bottles, I passed it off as part of the prototype testing.
Tina held hers close, smiling warmly. Then she looked at me with a serious expression.
”Um, about the guard rotation…”
”I’ll take first watch,” I said. “Someone else can switch with me later.”
Of course, I had no intention of waking anyone up.
I planned to raise the Magic Armor wall and seal off the area. With that much protection, there was no need for anyone else to keep watch.
I’d just sit and doze with my eyes half-open. As long as they didn’t see that, they’d think I was guarding properly.
Tina and the others, unaware of any of this, nodded and entered the tent one by one.
”It’s okay to start early, okay?”
They must’ve been exhausted. Not long after, the sound of soft breathing filled the tent.
They all slept soundly until morning.
Notes:
• Iris – The first collaborator to request a curse-breaking item.
• Tina – Female. A magician. She has a slender build, and her chest is described as soft. She is initially rescued by the protagonist and expresses a desire to accompany him. Her relationship with the protagonist develops quickly, and she seems to be attracted to him.
• Rosie – Female. A swordswoman. She wears armor but has an exposed groin area for ease of movement. She is also rescued by the protagonist and joins Tina in expressing interest in him. Her relationship with the protagonist is similarly developing.
• Seria – The first cleric.
• Arisa – Alicia’s (Iris’ sister) fake name.
• Wendy – The daughter of merchant guild Hooters
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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