Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Daydream
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Just lying there on the bed, an unfamiliar ceiling came into view.
Where am I? Who am I? I knew the answers, but I didn't want to accept them.
"...It's been a while since we've slept like this, just the two of us. Right, Arthin?"
At that moment, Kaiyen, who had just finished washing up, sat on his bed with a delighted smile and looked at me.
"Ah..."
This sucks. That guy sucks, and having to sleep apart from the girls sucks.
* *
>
"Let me say it once more. Only carefully selected individuals may enter the accommodations where the heroes are staying."
About two hours ago, in front of the Northern Church's lodging where Kaiyen and Arthin were set to stay, Thomas was soothing the dissatisfied women.
"...Yes, I understand that access is limited. But what's the reason we can't even meet them or have them come out?"
"That's right! I want to see my big brother!"
"This lady is contracted with Arthin! We cannot be separated like this!"
The ones who had come to complain were Agnes, Shaomei, and Unicorn.
Since most of the harem consisted of non-humans or those like Sion who couldn't reveal themselves, these three women had come as representatives to confront Priest Thomas, who was guarding the entrance.
"Faithful Imperial Princess Agnes would understand, but the process of being appointed as a hero is extremely important. They must wash away their sins, detach from worldly values, and embrace the joy of serving humanity. That's why they must not casually interact with secular people."
"...I see. I understand that Hero Kaiyen faces such restrictions. But why was Arthin dragged along too?"
In truth, the three women's complaints were solely about Arthin.
Only Claire was troubled by Kaiyen staying in the dorms, but if they took good care of him for three days, that was that. But Arthin? He wasn't even a hero—why was he taken to the church?
"That's because Hero Candidate Kaiyen chose Arthin as his companion."
"What exactly is this 'companion'? I've never heard of such a thing."
"The Goddess has given a revelation. To select someone to aid the hero's adventure—and, in the hero's absence, someone with the authority to act on the hero's behalf."
"What...? For such a heavy responsibility, shouldn't we at least hear Arthin's opinion?"
As Thomas explained, the women's expressions began to harden.
It was only natural. All three gathered here remembered how Arthin had died.
"Even this lady, Arthin's contractor, cannot allow such a thing! Assigning him such a dangerous role!"
"There are Princess Marianne de Lectour, Crown Prince Richard, or other talented students—why does it have to be my big brother?"
Shaomei gritted her teeth, while Unicorn, unable to contain her anger, stomped the ground to vent.
Assigning Arthin— who had died countless times trying to save the world—such a heavy role as the hero's companion again? The three concluded that Kaiyen had forcibly dragged Arthin in to interfere with them once more.
"It seems there's a misunderstanding. We did not forcibly bring Arthin. He agreed to everything himself."
"What? Arthin did?"
As Thomas nodded with a puzzled look, the three women couldn't help but deflate. Arthin agreeing? He was the one who hated being near Kaiyen the most and had said he wanted to take it easy this regression.
"And while outsiders cannot linger in the building, visitation is not impossible."
"Really? So we can visit? I need to ask my big brother directly what happened!"
"Yes, of course. Provided you pass one condition."
Priest Thomas smiled benevolently and pulled a small white orb from his bosom.
"This is...?"
"An artifact prepared by the church. It discerns the noble and pure-hearted, those unstained by sin."
"Hmph! Something like that will be easy for me!"
Shaomei boldly stepped forward and placed her hand on the orb. She had never sinned or done anything wrong!
Beep—!!
But contrary to Shaomei's expectations, the orb glowed red and emitted an ominous sound.
"This is...?"
"Oh dear. I don't know what happened, but it seems Shaomei has failed. I'm sorry, but we cannot allow you inside the church."
"Wait, such an absurd condition...!"
As Shaomei voiced her dissatisfaction with the unacceptable process, Agnes realized upon seeing the scene. This was a trap set by Saintess Olga, who had thrown down the gauntlet to them.
"...One moment, Priest Thomas. If it's about being noble and pure... could you specify what that means?"
At Agnes's question, Thomas, who had been troubled by the angry Shaomei, lifted the orb with a relieved expression and began explaining.
"Oh, excellent question! This is a virtue orb I painstakingly crafted and personally blessed by an angel! You can think of it as a scale that weighs the soul!"
"Weighs the soul...?"
"Yes! It identifies those free of greed! Those who do not envy or resent others! Those whose purity is untainted by lust! Those who do not mock or ridicule others! Those who do not harm the innocent in anger! Those who do not procrastinate due to sloth! Those who do not look down on others due to pride! It discerns the upright who have never committed the seven deadly sins!"
As Thomas continued explaining the orb, the three women's expressions hardened once more.
Shaomei, who had greedily tried to monopolize Arthin in secret.
Agnes, who had awakened to strange tastes and even gone on an outdoor date recently.
Unicorn, who had mocked and ridiculed Arthin's baldness, calling herself a noble divine beast and using the title "this lady."
"Of course, minor faults are overlooked... but the most important is virginity. Thus, regardless of age or gender, those who are not chaste are barred from entry."
At Thomas's confident voice, even Unicorn and Shaomei began to sense something was wrong. And this entire situation had been tipped off to Priest Thomas by Olga earlier.
"Feel free to retake the test as many times as you like. Does anyone wish to visit?"
Agnes was certain.
Be it the Southern Church's divine beast, the daughter of the War God, or herself—an imperial princess and the Northern Church's greatest patron—he had no intention of letting them in unless the orb permitted it.
'...Don't think you've won just for these three days, Olga.'
Clenching her fist in frustration, Agnes had no choice but to take Shaomei and Unicorn and leave.
* *
>
'Who knew the visitation conditions would be that strict... Should've asked before entering the lodging.'
I soaked deeply in the bath, clicking my tongue as I recalled what Priest Thomas had said at the main gate.
No, I could understand the priest's firmness. It was true that if those who burned me in the 3rd cycle or Demon King's Army spies moved again, it would be trouble.
"Sigh, can't just leave Kaiyen to take down the Demon King alone."
I'd already decided, so no point overthinking. As his chosen companion, I'd tough it out.
It wasn't a scam contract, and after three days here, that was it.
"...Still, not seeing the girls for three days feels off."
My biggest concern for these three days was not seeing my lovers.
Spending three days with...Kaiyen was unwelcome, sure. But spending nights alone with him wasn't new.
In the 2nd cycle, we'd huddled together desperately against the cold, and in the 3rd, we'd shared tents during desperate fights against the Demon King's Army.
Kaiyen had eyed me lecherously or interfered with my romances, but he'd never tried to force himself on me. So, it should be fine.
But being apart from my beloved women for three days was like telling newlyweds on their honeymoon to go on a business trip to the countryside.
'If I summon Circa... it'd definitely be discovered. This is the Northern Church's VVIP lodging.'
The moment I summoned her, I might get branded a fallen one contracted with a demon and burned at the stake. I resolved not to die by fire twice.
"All clean? The water here feels great."
"...Yeah, better than the dorms."
As I came out in a robe, drying my hair, Kaiyen sat on the bed in an unbuttoned dress shirt and shorts, reading a book.
"Can't you button up for once? Save the chest muscle flexing for Jorba."
"Oh, sorry... I'm used to sleeping alone, so I didn't think."
For someone apologizing, he had a puppy-like expression waiting for me. If that was meant to seduce me, I could've smashed his head.
"What're you reading? Northern Church scriptures? Why do you read that every cycle?"
"...My memories are faint except for Arthin-related ones, so I barely remember the scriptures. To wield the holy sword properly, you need strong divine power, right? Thought it might help."
"Hmm... fair enough. Better than doing nothing. Tomorrow's intensive training, right?"
I perched on the bed and pulled a pre-bed elixir from my inventory, popping it into my mouth.
"Here, water."
"Mmf?"
As I grimaced at the powdery elixir's bitterness, Kaiyen surprisingly handed me water.
Ugh, so bitter—need to grab a candy.
"So, what now, Arthin? It's early night still."
"Not on a picnic... Gotta study from dawn tomorrow, so early night for me."
I had no intention of an all-night chat event with Kaiyen eyeing me eagerly.
I'd decided to study for exams while he trained during the day and lay down.
The bed was incredibly soft and plush. Gold-class dorm level...
*
"...Arthin?"
"..."
"...Asleep?"
"...Zzz."
Ten minutes after Arthin lay down, Kaiyen approached and confirmed he was soundly asleep.
"...Heh, sleeping already. Just like Olga said."
Kaiyen glanced at the incense burners around the window.
-"Help me, Kaiyen. Are you going to let Arthin's harem ruin him like that?"
"...Why should I help you? To me, you're just another bitch eyeing Arthin."
"Because you'll get to spend three nights and four days alone with Arthin?"
"Arthin doesn't like men. You think I'd compromise for that...?"-
Arthin hadn't noticed due to the similar perfume Kaiyen had sprayed after spraying the incense, but this was Olga's pre-prepared dream incense.
Dream incense, crafted by some alchemist to mimic succubus powers, caused those exposed to blur the line between dream and reality.
-"Just one night—the first. Keep your chastity. It's important for you as the hero too. I'll turn a blind eye to the rest."-
Olga had offered defenselessly sleeping Arthin every night for three nights and four days... in exchange for one happy night.
She wouldn't have made the offer to another woman or man, but while despising Kaiyen as a rival obstacle, Olga vaguely remembered Kaiyen as the hero and trusted he wouldn't force himself on Arthin.
At most, holding hands or embracing—Arthin, thinking it a bad dream, would grow closer to her, the only woman he could meet for three days.
Excluding the women, using Kaiyen as a check, and absorbing all of Arthin's unease herself. If her plan proceeded, it would have worked given Arthin's personality.
"...Everything will just be a dream, right?"
Kaiyen sat on the bed where the sleeping Arthin lay and began stroking his cheek.
However, that hand was not the sturdy, large one suited for swinging a sword.
Suddenly, a window appeared before Kaiyen's eyes.
📜 QUEST: HERO'S SECRET 📜 You are the hero chosen by the Goddess to save this world.
This status window is a power granted for that purpose, but it must never be discovered by anyone.
If your identity is revealed, the hero's power will be revoked.
📍 Quest Conditions: Do not reveal your past or status window to anyone and slay the Demon King.
⏰ Failure Penalty: Loss of hero qualification, status window revocation.
🎁 Completion Reward: One wish granted by the Goddess's power.
A window like a system warning not to forget the quest. But Kaiyen silently dismissed it and looked at Arthin.
"...So, no matter what I do, it won't be discovered?"
The power of the previous-generation Dragon Lord, which had always enveloped Kaiyen 24/7, began to peel away.
The firm chest muscles Arthin disliked curved into beautiful feminine contours, and the handsome yet masculine face gradually transformed into a woman's allure.
"Then... I can act a bit selfishly too, right? Arthin?"
The chosen hero of this world, Karen's delicate features began to glow with playful allure.