Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: How to Steal the Protagonist's Woman
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After entering my office, Armonia began her explanation.
"This mission will take us to two different places."
"Two places?"
"Yes. We've gathered a lot of prior intel on one region, but Zodiac has almost no information on the other."
The first region was a world where humans clashed with monstrous humanoids.
Dungeons popped up everywhere, and people cleared them to earn money from the gear that dropped inside.
Monsters roamed as well, and hunters sold their corpses for profit.
In other words...
"It's a hunter world?"
"Good thing it's a familiar concept. Even better, it's parallel to the world you lived in, Suho."
"...Parallel?"
"To put it simply, aside from the humanoid groups, monsters, dungeons, and such, most concepts match the world you knew."
"Oh... Nice."
The warp destination was South Korea, too.
"But be careful."
Armonia issued the warning cautiously.
"We'll get Zodiac's help again, but you'll be deployed as one of their human followers."
There were various types among the humanoid followers.
True humanoids with monster blood, and humans who followed them.
"You're disguised as a human under their banner, but if you're exposed, things could get messy."
"Got it. I'll watch out."
"I'll fill you in on the details later. The real issue is the next world."
The second world.
Random people from across the universe were summoned to the cosmic tree Yggdrasil and had to climb its layers.
In other words...
"This one's a tower climber."
"Familiar vibe again, which is good, but Zodiac says their info is too unreliable to share."
She explained that giving half-baked intel could put me in danger if it turned out wrong.
"That said, I'll pick out any basic info that might help and pass it along when the time comes."
"Yeah, sounds good."
"Now, about precautions."
"Precautions?"
Armonia asked me to be careful about speaking out loud during telepathic comms.
"Don't slip up like with Luna Staatfeldt at Schutra Magic School last time."
"Mm... Talking in my head feels awkward... But okay, I'll be careful."
What can I say... Conversations feel more satisfying when spoken aloud...
Still, if it's a problem, I'll fix it.
"At least stick to private spots like empty rooms or your bedroom."
"Got it."
Armonia continued after hearing my response.
"One more thing about warping."
"Yeah? Don't tell me the cost went up?"
I figured the fee rose with more people...
But that wasn't it.
"Warp costs a fixed 800 Enel. It's about the usage limit."
Warps had a max number of uses beyond just paying Enel each time.
It hadn't been an issue when it was just me, but she was explaining in case I needed to call allies mid-mission.
"The warp on our ship handles up to five people per use, with a 12-hour recharge."
"And max two charges at once?"
"Exactly. These worlds have easy digital recording. Stay hidden when warping."
The issue wasn't leaking the warp tech.
If footage got to the Holy Order's protagonist...
They might catch on to our existence.
Armonia explained it was best to reveal ourselves as late as possible.
Early detection could lead to interference and headaches.
"Finally, one last thing."
"Yeah, spit it out."
"About Lena de Peron."
"...No way?"
I thought she'd bring up that settled matter again.
The biggest reason I'd brought Lena was Armonia's sleep issues.
She'd assist while I slept soundly.
Armonia replied expressionlessly.
"I've backed off on that, so no complaints from me."
"Phew... Then?"
"It's about your nighttime activities."
"...What? Why? Wanna join? A threesome? Whoa..."
"..."
"...Sorry, not it."
Armonia's face was blank, but the irritation had to be my imagination.
She resumed the talk.
"Lena de Peron has no personal quarters yet. Corridor fine, but hold off until she gets one."
"Huh? But in the office..."
"Not here."
Armonia cut me off firmly.
Her aura screamed no.
"Absolutely no acts in the office."
Not a request. An order.
Well, when the boss says so...
"Okay, got it. I'll hold back with Lena for now..."
"Thank you for understanding. Mission starts tomorrow—rest up. Dismissed..."
Armonia bowed and left the office.
"What a shame. The setup here's top-notch."
The bed was single, but this office had the ship's best facilities.
With just Viola, her quarters worked fine, but Lena changed things.
"...If push comes to shove, the corridor?"
Trash idea, but forbidden fruit tempts more...
But I reined myself in.
"Nah... Better earn money fast..."
Feeling the heavy burden of family head, I stepped out.
"Hng... Huh?"
Viola stirred, noticing the warm presence in her arms was gone, and opened her eyes.
She was alone on the bed.
"Haa... Where'd he go?"
Feeling empty, Viola woke fully and got up.
She stood naked before the mirror in her quarters.
Gravity-defying firm breasts, plump hips, perfect hip line—flawless by any standard.
But that was others' views.
Viola had never prided or despaired over her body.
To her, it was just a body.
Never compared, never boasted, never felt lacking.
Until now, the first twinge of inadequacy.
"...She's really pretty."
Lena, embraced with Seong Suho, flashed in her mind.
Never seen her fully nude, but her figure alone overwhelmed.
Viola's body symbolized beauty, yet she saw only shortcomings.
As Viola turned naked before the mirror, someone knocked.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Eek! W-Wait! Don't come in!!"
Fearing Armonia might barge in, Viola hurriedly dressed.
Clothed, she opened the door.
"Oh..."
With a hiss of air pressure, pink long-haired Lena stood opposite.
Lena smiled softly.
"Might I have a word, if it's not too much trouble?"
..
..
Lena entered, bowed 90 degrees to Viola, and apologized.
"I'm truly sorry about yesterday."
"N-No! It's fine!"
Viola flustered, helped her up.
Lena's face turned resolute.
"My blunder harmed Master and upset you, Ms. Viola... I sincerely apologize for the damage my carelessness caused you both."
"Ugh... I-I'm the sorry one."
Viola envied this side of Lena.
Her greatest allure: mature poise.
A charm Viola lacked.
Overwhelming elegance even an airhead like her felt.
Lena placed a hand on her chest, speaking politely.
"If it inconveniences you, Ms. Viola, I'll stay out of Master's sight as much as possible."
"What!? N-No! Who am I to..."
Viola knew Lena came for him.
But offering to restrain herself with Viola's permission baffled her.
Lena smiled calmly at Viola.
"For me... Just being near Master is enough."
Lena explained everything about herself.
Her life, her fall to hell's depths.
And the one who threw her the lifeline from those depths.
Being able to gaze at her savior occasionally sufficed.
Viola admired inwardly.
'She's... incredible.'
Jealousy lingered, but mere ripples, like water sloshing in a glass.
Viola smiled wryly, took Lena's hand.
"I've mostly been alone..."
Now Viola shared her life story.
Lena knew bits, but this heartfelt tale was new.
Hearing it, Lena reevaluated the hero she knew.
'...He really was that kind of man. Ms. Viola's life bought our peace...'
Lena pitied Viola sincerely.
Viola finished.
"...Sounds like excuses, but I really don't know much. Please take good care of Suho where I'm lacking."
"But your feelings, Ms. Viola..."
"This is..."
"...?"
Viola beamed, clasping Lena's hands in both of hers.
"A request as friends. Hehe..."
"...Yes, understood. Please... take care of me too."
Lena smiled softly back, shaking hands.
"No quarters really is inconvenient..."
Viola and Armonia could head straight to rooms if needed, but the pair wandered the corridor endlessly.
Bad luck, someone in a room meant backtracking.
Heading shipward, Beatrice came into view.
"..."
She'd opened a side hatch, watching tteokbokki zip around excitedly outside.
'...Bored already?'
She hated boredom, but a day was too soon...
I approached Beatrice.
"Whatcha doing here?"
"Kyaa!"
Beatrice startled, tumbling sideways.
Seeing me, she patted her chest in relief.
"Phew... Scared me, nyang!"
"...Sorry, just calling you."
"Phew... Almost fell out, nyang..."
"Why stare outside?"
This ship didn't suck you out on opening—no pressure diff.
But stepping through? Dimensional loss instant.
Quark-shredded first, though...
"Just curious, nyang. Are they really stronger than Demon King, nyang?"
"Ah... Thought it was boredom-zoning, but curiosity-zoning."
"Yeah. Careful—they kill if you go out."
"Whoa... Got it, nyang... But!"
"Yeah?"
Beatrice eyed me, then approached like she'd remembered.
"Clothes—when ya givin' em, nyang?"
"...Oh."
Beyond forgetting, I'd assumed that deal void.
Traveling together, clothes unnecessary anyway. Pheromones on me were the goal.
"Didn't forget. Just not important since we're together now."
"Ugh! Fair, nyang... Then!"
"...?"
Beatrice hugged me, burying her face in my chest, sniffing deeply.
She grinned innocently while inhaling.
"Just do this every meet-up, nyang!"
"What a curious one..."
This made me question if I could even relate to her that way.
Kid-like guilt creeping up?
'Her weird traits block it anyway...'
As I hugged Beatrice, stroking her hair, voices came from behind.
"...Lena, is it weird to feel jealous of that?"
"...No. By my standards, Ms. Viola, you're normal."
The two women watched me with complex emotions.