Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 153: Encouraging and Being Encouraged

I barely managed to escape the Club President and the Tower Lord, who were practically salivating over my Hypercube.

Those people... trying to take my precious cube. Not a chance. If I had been even a moment slower in making my exit, I might have buckled under their pressure and handed it over.

I quickly ducked into a deserted alleyway.

-It certainly has impressive specs. It seems like it will be especially useful on the 7th floor.

'Even on the 7th floor?'

-Indeed. The 7th floor is vast and possesses various climates. The temperature fluctuates wildly between hot and cold, making it easy to fall ill.

'Ah.'

Just as people often catch colds during the change of seasons, drastic temperature shifts make one susceptible to sickness. Or, if it’s too hot, you get heatstroke; if it’s too cold, you get frostbite. With the Hypercube, one could remain free from such environmental factors.

'What other functions might it have?'

-Judging by its capabilities so far, it should be able to emit light as well.

'Light?'

-Yes. Since it was crafted as a tool, wouldn't they have included a function to produce light? A light source is one of the most essential elements, after all.

Come to think of it, even cell phones always have a flashlight function. If this thing is like a portable multi-tool, it should definitely be able to produce light.

"Can you glow?"

The cube reacted immediately to my question.

Whirrr—!

"Whoa. Crazy."

It actually glows? Without batteries? Without any kind of charging, it really emits light?

Now there was no reason to carry a torch. With this thing, I could light up the darkness whenever I wanted.

"Could it be that this thing can do literally anything I command?"

-Perhaps. It’s a bit bothering that the Spirit God was watching our summoning ritual in the first place. The summoning process itself was strange in many ways, too. Using a forbidden art isn't exactly standard procedure. We might have truly stumbled upon something incredible.

'So there's a possibility the Spirit God gave this to me on purpose?'

-That seems likely. I know Him to be a deity who rarely interferes, but who knows? There is no way for mortals like us to fathom the mind of a god.

'That’s true.'

Maybe there’s some grand design behind it.

It didn't feel like the Hypercube was given out of malice. Perhaps He simply wanted to aid the Labyrinth expedition. If the Labyrinth were allowed to erupt, it certainly wouldn't bode well for the gods on the surface either.

Whether it was the Goddess or the Spirit God, they had plenty of reason to help me, given that we both wanted to prevent the Labyrinth's rampage.

"Then, one last command before I head home. Can you transform into a person?"

The Hypercube simply spun in place. Was that a no? It seemed it couldn't turn into a human.

From the looks of it, it could only transform within the limits of its own mass. Or maybe it just didn't want to.

'Well, since it can emit light, I could use ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it as a flashbang too.'

Whether it's an Ability or a tool, it all depends on how the owner uses it. Let's make good use of it.

For now, it was too conspicuous, so I decided to de-summon it.

*

"I'm home."

"Sion! Why are you so late! I got tired of waiting and already ate dinner!"

"Gwah! Ow! Yuria! Ow, ow, ow!"

"Stay still! Let me feel you a bit!"

"Agh!"

As soon as I entered the new mansion, Yuria came charging out and threw herself into my arms.

But she was hugging me so tightly it was hard to breathe. She was even running her hands all over my body, stroking and groping me haphazardly.

Is she drunk? Of course, she's a lush—she's already had a drink!

"Ma-Marin! Help! Olivia! Help me!"

"Uh... haha! Have a good time, sir!"

"Uh... um."

Marin and Olivia, who had come to greet me, scurried away instantly.

It looked like they had been tormented by Yuria all day while I was gone.

Yuria is essentially a menace who enjoys teasing people, so she probably spent the whole day following Olivia and Marin around, touching and bothering them. She probably hasn't gotten close enough to the three new slaves to mess with them yet, so Olivia and Marin must have been her playthings.

"Hehe. I really do love Sion. There are so many places to touch. Now, shall we kiss?"

"Hey... you pervert...!"

"Shut up! Just stay still!"

Yuria proceeded to plant kisses not just on my cheeks and lips, but all over my neck and chest. It was an overwhelming offensive of affection.

It was rough, but I could feel her deep sincerity. I’m the only one she expresses this kind of raw affection toward. I’ve never seen her show how much she likes someone else to this extent. Yuria is the type of person who even keeps her own mother, Moira, at a distance.

"Phew. This is it. This is the stuff."

"Ugh..."

I ended up dazed after being subjected to Yuria's kissing bombardment.

"Now, I should give you a reward, right? Come here."

"Whoa! Wa-wait a second!"

Yuria went as far as burying my face in her chest.

My face was pressed so hard against her large breasts that I felt like I was going to suffocate.

"Phew. Now I'm satisfied. Hey, Sion. When the sun goes down, come home quickly. Got it? I was bored. Where do you go wandering off to when you have a wife like me? Hmm? When the sun sets, you should come home fast, turn off the lights, and get to work making babies. Right?"

"Ugh... fine, I get it... and don't say things like 'making babies' so loudly, it's embarrassing..."

"Then what should I call it? Mating? Breeding!?"

"Agh! Stop it!"

I covered Yuria's mouth with my hand as she shouted about mating without a shred of shame. She just laughed and hugged me again.

Being buried in her chest and teased felt quite soft and nice, but I couldn't catch any scent from her.

She doesn't have a body odor. It was a bit of a shame.

"By the way, Yuria. Are you all ready to enter the Labyrinth?"

"I'm all set. Packed my bags and everything. It's not like it's my first or second time; I've been in plenty of times, so no worries."

"I see. What about Lady Leah and Rosier? Oh, and did the other three move in?"

"Yeah. They all arrived around noon. Marin assigned them rooms. They're all resting after dinner now. It was so awkward earlier I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thought I was going to die. It's suffocating without you here."

That made sense. Since all of them were connected through me, it would be awkward if I was missing. It was like being in a room with a friend of a friend.

At least Yuria and Lady Leah had met often, but mixing in Rosier, Rika, Rien, and Erika was bound to be a bit stiff.

"Well, I'm glad they didn't fight."

"It felt more like they were walking on eggshells to avoid fighting. If they started a brawl without a mediator, they might blow the whole house down."

"That is a scary thought."

If Yuria and Rosier ever grabbed each other by the collars, half the house would probably vanish. Terrifying.

"No other problems besides that?"

"Ah, Leah seemed a bit off."

"Lady Leah?"

"Yeah. She wasn't eating well. It was weird. Is she nervous? Maybe it's because it's her first time in the Underground City."

"I suppose. Anyone would be nervous on their first trip."

I was extremely nervous my first time, too.

Usually, everyone is tense before their first descent into ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Underground City. Regardless of whether they like the Labyrinth or not, they're entering a completely different world, so it's only natural to be anxious.

Since Yuria, Rosier, and I have experience with the Underground City, we don't have much to be nervous about, but I should take good care of Lady Leah so her mental state doesn't crumble during this expedition.

The same goes for the members of the Young Lady's Party.

Well, since the main goals of this expedition are cleaning up the remnants of the Heretics and summoning the Three Villainesses rather than a full clear, we probably won't have to suffer too much wandering through the sectors.

For now, I should go see everyone's faces before we enter the Labyrinth.

If someone is in really bad shape, I'll have to call off their participation.

"Lady Leah. Are you in your room?"

I knocked, and the door opened.

"Sion? You're back."

"Yes, My Lady. How is the room?"

"It's quite satisfactory."

"Oh, that's good. But My Lady, I heard you're quite nervous. They said you couldn't even eat. Your face really does look a bit thinner."

I grinned and reached out to squish and fiddle with her soft, plump cheeks, which made her snap at me.

"Hey! I am not! I'm not nervous at all! If anything, I'm excited!"

"You say that, but you look like you're about to cry. Hehe. You can confess all your anxieties to me."

"I told you, I'm not! I'm not scared!"

"Ouch!"

As I kept teasing her, she vehemently denied it and started drumming her fists against my chest.

My, my. She’s gotten quite a bit stronger compared to two months ago. Her physical strength has increased significantly.

"It's okay to be nervous. What's the big deal? Anyone would be. Why are you so embarrassed? I was so nervous my first time that I couldn't even sleep the night before."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's standard procedure to be nervous before entering the Underground City."

"Standard procedure? What kind of word is that?"

"Uh, well. It just means everyone does it. The Underground City is infamous, so everyone gets tense. That's what I meant."

"I see... To be honest... I am a little nervous."

"See! I knew it! You're scared!"

"Hey! You're teasing me again? Do you want to die!?"

When I teased her again, she flared up and lunged at me.

"Ah! My Lady! That hit a bone!"

"It's your fault for teasing me!"

"Wait! That tickles!"

I spent a good while rolling around and playing with her on the bed. Only then did the tension leave her face as she panted, staring up at the ceiling.

"Do you feel a bit more relaxed now?"

"Yeah. Thanks to you, Sion. Thank you."

"Don't mention it. It'll probably be fine. You have me and Yuria by your side. And Rosier is especially strong. Before any dangerous situation even arises, Rosier will probably take care of everything herself."

"Really? Is she that strong?"

"She's near Platinum Badge level, so she's very capable."

"She was so quiet... I didn't realize she was that skilled."

"Right. And for this expedition, the Inquisitors and the Saintess are coming along. The Tower Lord and the Platinum Badges are descending with us too."

"I know that, but still."

"Just think of it as a field trip."

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and patted her. Lady Leah turned her head away sharply, perhaps out of embarrassment.

"You can... keep stroking me."

"Yes, I will."

"And... I've become strong enough to be of help, too. I'm not dead weight."

"I know, I know. You've been training constantly with your teacher."

"That's right. I can handle the Silver Thread well now, and I'm good at lockpicking. Anyway, I'll do my absolute best within my capabilities."

"That's more than enough. I always live with the mindset of just pulling my own weight."

"You too, Sion?"

"Yes, me too."

"Me too. I don't want to be a burden like last time. I'm scared of the Underground City... but it's also true that I'm excited."

"You'll probably come out even stronger after this trip."

"Yeah. I won't fall behind."

The Young Lady showed her resolve.

Fortunately, it seemed her motivation had returned.

"Well, I have to go check on the others now. I'll come by again later."

"Yeah... Hey, Sion."

"Yes?"

"Can't you sleep with me tonight?"

It seemed she had summoned her courage.

Usually, Yuria monopolized me.

What should I do? To give courage to the Young Lady on her first trip to the Underground City, it would probably be best to stay with her.

"Sure. I'll sleep with you tonight."

"Okay. It's a promise."

"Yes, a promise."

Yuria and Rosier are going to be jealous. Well, it can't be helped.

After promising to sleep with the Young Lady, I went to find Rosier.

"How is the room?"

"It is large and wonderful. The one named Marin gave me a very good room."

"I'm glad you're satisfied."

"Yes. Truly... I don't know if I should say I'm deeply moved, or that I'm looking forward to the days ahead. I feel quite good."

Saying she felt good, Rosier slid closer and hugged me.

"I am especially satisfied that a space has been created where I can hug you like this whenever I wish. Without having to worry about anyone else's eyes."

"I agree. It's nice not having to meet in secret."

Unlike Yuria, I could smell Rosier's scent from her chest.

Intoxicated by her soft fragrance, I savored it in her arms for a long time.

This is nice. I ended up being the one comforted by Rosier instead.

If Lady Leah felt like a younger sister, Rosier felt like an older sister. And Yuria was like a middle sister.

Man, Rosier's chest really puts my mind at ease.

"If there is anything troubling you, please tell me. I will do my best to help if I can."

"I'm happy just being held like this."

"Is that so? Is there nothing else you desire? For instance, a kiss like this."

Chu.

"Oh. Uh. Wow."

I was startled by the sudden kiss.

Rosier acted as if it were nothing, hugging me again while stroking my waist and hips, whispering in my ear.

"I am always ready to soothe your mood, Sion. If you tell me to have your child, I will gladly do so with a joyful heart. I am yours now. You may use me however you wish."

"Uh. Well."

"In bed... you are my master. That was my vow."

"Then... can I just... keep holding you like this for a bit?"

"Of course."

I found healing in Rosier's embrace.

I felt like I hadn't been able to find proper peace of mind lately because I'd been moving so busily.

Thanks to Rosier, my heart grew calm.

"This is enough. I've gained strength thanks to you."

"I am glad to hear that. Fufu. Now, you must go and encourage the others as well."

"Right. There are others who are going for the first time."

"Then, before you go."

Rosier kissed my forehead. Perhaps because we were in a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠private space, she was quite proactive with her affection.

"No matter where you go, I will always stand by your side."

"....Uh. M-me too."

"Fufufu. You are cute."

A smile appeared on her usually stoic face.

After a passionate send-off from Rosier, I went to meet the next person.

I felt a little embarrassed, like I had become a child.