Chapter 196: To the Church of Light
Chapter 196: To the Church of Light
Summer vacation had officially begun, yet somehow, nothing had changed.
Of course, considering my goals, it was true that I couldn't just slack off simply because it was break, but still...
"Even so, isn't this way too intense?!"
As I complained, rubbing my face vigorously against Iris’s flat chest, she gave me a troubled look and stroked the back of my head.
"Mmm. I am well aware of your hardships, Master. But the results are good, are they not? In just two days, you’ve reached the point where you can dissolve mana."
"So what! It’s still a dud! I keep getting beaten up! I only wanted to learn this so I could get back at her, but...!"
"Now, now. You certainly make up for it by bullying her on the bed. More importantly, Blood Force is a strictly guarded secret technique. It may look crude, but it is built upon meticulous calculations."
"...I know that part too."
Blood Force wasn't just a superior version of physical enhancement. Its essence lay in using magic to mimic Aura.
If I could just succeed, there would be countless ways to utilize it.
For instance, resistance.
When you circulate mana, your resistance to mental magic or poisons naturally increases.
The same goes for Aura. In fact, in terms of pure effectiveness, Aura is far superior.
But what if I could mimic Aura?
I could circulate mana through my mana circuits and circulate blood infused with Blood Force through my veins, doubling my resistance.
The potential applications beyond that were endless.
Since it wasn't real Aura, there would be many things I couldn't replicate... but if the effects were limited to the physical body, I could copy most of them.
Naturally, any mage with a frail physique would be dying to learn such a spell.
Well... provided they had a regeneration rate four times that of a normal person or could drink Stamina Continuous Recovery Potions like water.
"But it's still exhausting."
Letting out a deep sigh, I buried my face even deeper into Iris’s chest.
I could feel her ribs.
"Come to think of it, Master, you are only twenty years old."
"Huh? Well, yeah."
"And it has only been a little over three years since you emerged into the world."
"That's right."
I was twenty-two back on Earth, and it had been about three years since I possessed a character in this world.
By the way, this feels pretty good in its own way.
Though small, the distinct sensation of her chest and the feeling of my cheek being pressed against her ribs when I pushed hard...
I think I’ve found another one of Iris’s charms.
Iris herself didn't seem to notice I was nuzzling her on purpose; she just pulled my head into a tight embrace.
"...You have worked so hard. The results were good this time, but it was a close call. However, even greater dangers lie ahead."
"Well, it's the path I chose. And since no one else can do it, I don't have much of a choice."
If it were up to me, I’d love to just spend the gold piled up in my inventory and live a life of leisure.
But I couldn't bring myself to do that, knowing I’d be dead in a few years otherwise.
I gave a light shrug, but for some reason, Iris looked at me with eyes full of pity and gently stroked my hair.
"Is that so... Then please, rest easy for now. While you are in my arms, you may lay down your burdens. I wish to be the nest where you can fold your wings and rest at any time."
"......"
What's this? I just came here to whine a bit, and suddenly I’m receiving serious comfort. The atmosphere turned so solemn it felt awkward to say it was no big deal.
More importantly, being pampered like this... doesn't feel bad at all...
The maternal instinct radiating from the tiny Iris. The strange imbalance of it made my heart grow soft.
Perhaps that was why. Following the flow of my consciousness, I reflexively bit down on Iris’s budding breast through her clothes.
"Mmph."
"Hngh?! Oh my, it is still broad daylight, and we have to go out for lunch... but if Master desires it so much, I suppose it cannot be helped."
Despite her words, Iris’s breathing grew heavy with anticipation.
Just as her trembling hands began to undo the buttons of her top to reveal her modest chest—
Clack!
"Are you hiding in a place like this, Junior? No matter how hard today's training was, you shouldn't just disappear without a word. It's almost time to get ready and head out... Ah."
Fay, who had suddenly burst in panting, flinched when she saw Iris and me stuck together.
Then, with a look of determination, she nodded.
"I understand. If that's what you want, Junior..."
Fay’s eyes were spinning. Having misunderstood something completely, her face flushed bright red as she slowly threw off her top.
Boing.
A massive jiggle that couldn't even be compared to Iris’s.
Just catching them in my sight made my heart sway along with them.
"Waaaah..."
"Master?!"
As if possessed—no, actually possessed by Fay’s breasts—I stood up abruptly.
I think Iris said something behind me while clutching her own chest, but I couldn't hear her clearly.
It was probably because my mind was blown by Fay’s breasts.
However, my stunned silence must have looked like dissatisfaction to Fay.
"Mmm... is this not enough? There! There!"
Fay began to gently shake her breasts from side to side. It was a light movement, but her large, soft breasts reacted sensitively.
Slap, slap.
The sound of Fay’s violently swaying breasts hitting each other.
Drawn by the sound that resembled applause, I stumbled toward her.
"Master! Snap out of it! This was supposed to be the time for you to act spoiled with me!"
"Boobs..."
"Aaargh! Those damn boobs! Why are there only big-breasted women around Master?! Even Iona, who joined recently, is huge! Why am I the only one...!"
Iris stomped her feet in frustration.
...This is actually kind of cute.
I wasn't actually as dazed as Iris thought, but her reaction was so entertaining that I kept a blank expression as if I were under hypnosis.
Fay, standing right in front of me, also seemed a bit flustered, thinking I was serious.
"C-Come here! Over here, Junior!"
"Tits... they're bigger than my head..."
Muttering nonsense, I arrived in front of Fay.
"Hup!"
Suddenly, Fay used both of her breasts to sandwich my face.
Fay let out a sigh of relief as I froze in an awkward posture, surrounded by her cleavage.
"Gotcha... Now you can't leave, Junior. The space between my breasts is your home now... Hehe."
...Was that a sigh of relief or a creepy chuckle?
Anyway, feeling the soft texture against my cheeks and the disappointed tugging on my back, I spoke up.
"What time is it, Senior?"
"Huh?! Oh... the time. Right..."
A slightly dejected Fay glanced at the watch on her wrist and answered.
"It's 12:50. Didn't you say we had to leave at 1:00?"
"Tsk... has it already been that long? What about the others?"
"Everyone's ready and waiting. I only came looking for you because you weren't there."
"Got it. I'll get ready and head to the living room right away."
"Okay."
Only then did Fay release my face from her breasts and begin to tidy her clothes.
After admiring the sight for a moment, I cast Clean on Iris, who was pouting with her cheeks puffed out.
"Gah!"
"We're in a hurry, so let's use this instead of a bath."
I then cast Clean on myself and changed into the traveling clothes I had prepared in my inventory.
However, Iris, who was changing with me, got her head stuck in her shirt and was flailing her arms, so I had to help her fix it.
You can't put your head through the armhole, Iris...
"Alright. Let's do one last check to make sure we aren't leaving anything behind."
"Understood."
Nana and the others usually carried what they needed in their subspace pockets, but since Iris lived in the mansion, she might have left something.
After scurrying around her workshop to check on things, Iris finally trotted over to my side and clung to my arm.
It felt flat and soft.
"...What is it?"
"Master is the most important thing, so I am holding on tight so I do not lose you."
Iris said something adorable while her cheeks were still puffed out in a pout.
I poked her cheek to let the air out and asked, "Elisha would be sad if she heard that."
"...Elisha is also tied for first, so it is fine."
Her voice wavered slightly.
I chuckled at Iris as she avoided my gaze and scooped her up.
"Hyat!"
Perhaps because her feet were suddenly off the ground, Iris clung to me like a cicada, even using her legs.
With Iris perched on my arm, I raised my hand high. Thanks to my increased Strength stat, she didn't feel heavy at all.
Though Iris, finding herself suddenly upside down, scrambled up to settle on my shoulders.
With Iris riding piggyback, I headed toward the living room with Fay.
The others were already prepared. Famila and her family decided to stay at the mansion.
All three were skilled enough to be intermediate mages... but we weren't going into battle, and someone needed to watch the house.
Even if that weren't the case, we were going far away, so we needed someone who could stay in contact with our base at the Academy.
Feeling the gazes of Carla, Elisha, Iris, Fay, and Iona—all looking at me as if waiting for my command—I shrugged.
"Let's head out. Helena will be waiting."
That's right. Today was the day we promised to visit the main chapter of the Righteous Light with Helena.
It seemed they wanted to appoint me as an Apostle, which I intended to refuse... but I had another objective as well.
I had heard that if you enter a Sanctuary with a high-rank blessing, you can hear the Oracle of that god.
If I was transmigrated into this world by a transcendent being, then the Righteous Light, another transcendent being, might know something.
Of course, I couldn't bring up the fact that I came from another world first... but maybe I could get a hint?
It was a faint hope—good if it worked, no big deal if it didn't.
Still, I hadn't found a single clue about my possession so far, so this was better than nothing.
After a brief farewell to Famila’s family, we headed to the meeting place.
"Brother...? That child on your back is..."
"Ah."
I forgot to put Iris down.
Iris, who was 517 years old and just got called a child, quickly covered her ears and muttered.
"G-Goo-goo ga-ga."
Her ears were so long that there was no way she could hide the fact that she was a High Elf, though.