Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: A Bit of Rest
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In all my life, I'd rarely ever felt the stinging sensation in my hands like this.
Even after tripping into this world, getting stabbed with swords and fighting for my life, I'd never had my senses concentrate solely in my hands like they did now.
Every part of my palms, knuckles, and joints was under precise control.
Smack!
"Eek!"
Again. I patted Ellie's butt, registering the strange sensation.
It was a hazy feeling, like it might slip away at any moment, so I kept slapping her butt repeatedly, trying to etch the realization into my mind.
Smack!
"Hiiik...!"
This time, I didn't pull my hand away immediately. Instead, I gripped her butt firmly. Soft, plump flesh bulged out between my knuckles.
I needed something to grab onto. I had to feel this sensation more.
What if what I was holding now wasn't this soft butt, but a hard, cold axe? Would I have gained a new enlightenment then?
The moment I mechanically raised my hand again.
"M-Master...!"
Ellie's voice came out laced with tears. Only then did I snap back to reality.
Looking down at my palm, it was bright red. Probably from slapping so much.
Lowering my gaze further, her skirt and robe had bunched up, exposing half her butt.
A soft, large, childbearing butt. What should have been sparkling white was now red with handprint stamps.
Literally, palm prints.
...Gulp.
I swallowed without realizing it.
"Th-This isn't patting! It's straight-up spanking...! It hurts so much..."
"Uh, sorry. I got too focused without realizing."
Because of that elusive sensation, I'd concentrated harder than I thought.
Ellie clutched her butt, which must have stung badly from the redness, tears welling up in her eyes.
Seeing her like that suddenly reminded me of someone.
'Kakchi would've just loved it and taken it like a champ.'
That girl who would do anything to get hit. I kind of missed that satisfying smack and the way she'd tug on her leash. But the one in front of me now was Ellie.
"...Want me to put some potion on it?"
"Yes, please... Ah, no! I-I'll do it myself...!"
Ellie gulped down the potion I'd given her.
Whether applied or drunk, the effect was similar, and if her butt got wet, her skirt and panties would get soaked too.
'White...'
For the record, Ellie was wearing simple white panties with a cute rose pattern.
I hadn't meant to stare, but with her skirt and robe riding up along with her butt, I couldn't help but see.
...Really. There was zero ulterior motive.
I'd stake my parents on my innocence. Come to think of it, I don't have a mom.
"Oh, it's already time...!"
Ellie glanced at the clock and jumped in surprise.
I'd lost track of time too. It was time for her to head back to the academy.
I should at least see her off with Diana. The moment I opened the door and stepped out.
Splash—
"...?"
There was water pooled all over in front of the door.
So much water that it had seeped into the wooden floorboards' gaps, and even after partial absorption, puddles still remained.
'What the hell is this.'
Instinctively, I stepped into the puddle and rubbed my foot like extinguishing a cigarette.
A viscous liquid clung to my shoe sole, stretching in strings before snapping off. It was sticky and slippery. Not ordinary water.
Shaking off the odd unease, I left the room with Ellie.
"...!"
Diana, who had been calmly washing dishes at the bar, spotted us and flinched. She forced an awkward smile and asked,
"D-Did your talk go well?"
She seemed to think Ellie had come to my room just to chat.
"Y-Yes."
"It went great."
Ellie and I chimed in unison. Even I couldn't tell Diana, 'Your daughter asked me to spank her butt.'
If Diana found out Ellie had begged me for a spanking?
Ellie might hang herself from sheer embarrassment.
For real.
"...I see."
Diana watched us silently for a moment, then nodded with an inscrutable expression.
And so, the great Ellie butt praise-stamping fiasco came to an end.
No, calling it that makes it sound like I was praising her butt, so maybe praise fiasco butt spanking chaos...
No matter how I phrased it, it sounded weird, so I just settled on "praise fiasco."
We saw Ellie off from in front of the inn with Diana.
"Foster mom. Um, could you come to my graduation ceremony?"
"...Of course. Even if it's not graduation, call me anytime. Don't hesitate."
Before leaving, Ellie brought up her graduation.
The academy graduation ceremony was held every late February. About a month left until then.
"...Uncle, can you come to the graduation too?"
"Want me to?"
"Ugh...! D-Don't tease!"
"Got it. I'll go."
I stroked her head as she glared up at me fiercely, her elf ears twitching. It was fun teasing her because of her reactions.
"......"
I felt an odd gaze from the side. Diana was staring at us with a blank face.
Only then did I pull my hand away from Ellie's head.
"...Ah."
Ellie let out a small, disappointed sound.
Ahem. Ahem.
Perhaps to regain attention, Ellie cleared her throat and leaned in to whisper,
"The portal investigation you asked for will take more time. I'm analyzing it bit by bit, but it's really tough... I think I need to dive in properly later."
Even Ellie couldn't easily unravel the portal's mysteries.
That was fine. I hadn't expected a quick answer in days or weeks anyway.
"Take your time. Focus on your own stuff first. You've got reports and magic research before graduation, right?"
"...Yeah. Ugh... I'll be holed up in the grand library for a while. But I'll check related books whenever I can."
The academy grand library. I'd heard it was a vast repository of knowledge, filled with far more extensive and specialized books than the temple's.
A spark of curiosity ignited.
"Sure. By the way, can I go to the grand library too?"
"Yes. If an academy student accompanies you, it's allowed, but..."
Ellie trailed off, looking at me. Her expression felt oddly mocking. Was it just my imagination?
"Allowed, but what?"
"...No, nothing. Come with me. If there's anything you don't get, I can explain."
She smiled pityingly. Damn. Look at that smug high-IQ scholar grin.
Today's Wisdom 0 on my status window bugged me more than usual.
"Hehe. See you next time, Uncle! ...Foster mom too!"
"Yeah. Take care."
"......Be safe."
Diana and I waved as Ellie gradually walked away.
"...You and Ellie get along really well, huh?"
"Yeah. Probably helps that we were together in the Labyrinth."
Hmm...
Diana crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at me.
I wondered why she was looking like that, but if I saw a guy claiming to be close with my daughter, I'd probably make a weird face too.
Or in this world, should I think of it from a son's perspective? Damn. Still a bit confusing.
"Still, I'm glad you two reconciled a bit, thanks to you."
That much was sincere, regardless.
Diana's face had been full of regret when talking about Ellie.
Ellie's expression when mentioning Diana was similar.
Mother and daughter shared the same regrets.
But now? They'd reunited, talked it out, and parted with smiles and waves.
The best outcome possible right now.
"...Yeah, that's true. Without your help, Balkan, talking to Ellie would've been honestly tough. But..."
Diana nodded in acknowledgment, then seemed about to say something but stopped.
"But?"
"...Mm. Never mind. I misspoke. Let's head back. You must be tired from the Labyrinth. Rest up in your room."
She shook her head. It felt like she'd held back words forcibly.
I felt a vague doubt, but Diana was full of secrets anyway, so I let it slide.
Oh, and speaking of rooms.
"Diana. There was a ton of water in front of my door earlier. The hallway was soaked."
"...Wh-What?!"
Diana's face, which had been pensive, stiffened briefly before flushing bright red.
"I'll go wipe it up with a rag—"
"N-No! I'll do it! You rest, Balkan!!!"
"Uh... Okay."
Diana shouted with tremendous volume as she bolted upstairs.
Her usual soft, leisurely demeanor was nowhere to be seen.
I'd never seen Diana so frantic.
The next evening.
Joey Hogg placed a luxurious pouch of gold coins, a pouch of silver coins, and a gleaming soulstone on the inn's table.
Party members around us gasped in admiration. Human eyes always sparkle at the sight of treasure and riches. My heart pounded too.
"Everyone's here, so let's start settling up."
Yeah. Hand over the money.