Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Master Has Terrible Sleeping Habits
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After investing about an hour with the slum dwellers, I finished answering all their questions.
Of course, there were minor incidents here and there, like Nameless saying unnecessary things...
Ugh, just thinking about it gives me another headache.
I threw myself straight onto the bed.
"I'm tired..."
"Does Master get tired too?"
"I'm human too."
I felt a small shock at Nameless's expression, which seemed to genuinely not have expected that.
What on earth does this guy think I am?
Well...
Actually, just as Nameless thinks, my body wasn't fatigued.
It was my mind that was worn out...
"Ha..."
I sighed and rolled around on the bed.
Normally, I dump all the talking on Nameless whenever something comes up, so I don't get this tired. But today, I had to speak directly in front of all those people, and the mental strain was no joke.
I'd even planned to foist it off on Nameless this time, but he refused outright, insisting he couldn't handle this one.
I ended up glaring at him resentfully for a good while, and he just tilted his head and offered me a strawberry.
Hmm, I never asked for this...
Still, if he's giving it, I should accept.
Ignoring someone's goodwill is a grave sin!
I muttered excuses to myself, nodded vigorously, and munched on the strawberry Nameless had handed me.
"Mmm, thanks."
I gave a casual word of thanks, and Nameless shook his head with a pleased look.
"No problem."
More than that, this guy.
Why won't he look away?
This is prime time to savor the strawberry, but his stare is so intense I can't even tell what I'm eating.
I quickly chewed and swallowed what was in my mouth, then spoke up.
"What is it."
"Ah, I had something to ask, so I was waiting for you to finish eating."
Hmm, if it's something to ask me, did he really need to wait...?
I nodded roughly to say just spit it out, and Nameless put on an intensely serious face.
What... is it that important?
My own expression turned equally serious, my brows furrowing.
Thoughts like What kind of question could it be! raced through my mind as I waited for him to speak.
"By any chance... when we travel from now on, will they be coming with us too?"
It was a somewhat deflating question.
"Hmm, you built up this atmosphere just to ask that?"
"Yes, it's important to me."
"Huh..."
I narrowed my eyes and stroked my chin.
It certainly is important.
Nameless has been living just the two of us for so long that a crowd would feel awkward to him.
"Hehe, you're still such a kid."
"..."
I raised the corner of my mouth in an all-understanding gaze and nodded, and Nameless's eyebrows twitched.
Of course, it'll just be me and Nameless traveling.
How could I wander the world dragging all those people along?
To elaborate.
Nameless and I originally left the mountains to see the world. No matter how crucial my own goals are, my promise to him is precious too—I can't neglect that.
Nameless must have remembered that and spoken up.
That said, it's not like I'm asking, Are you just going to pick up all those people on a whim and abandon them?
What do you take me for, some scourge of the world...?
No, would I, of all people, do that?
My ultimate aim in taking them in is to build my own faction, but on the surface, they'll serve as a human force aligned with the Demon King's side. So I plan to leave them in good hands for now and check back later.
Lily will be coming here soon with Nameless's sword anyway—I can entrust them to her then.
For those folks, regular meals and a warm place to live should be more than they could ask for, right?
It might seem a bit irresponsible, but what can I do?
...I'm just too lazy for the hassle.
I'll toss them the manuals Nameless studied as a kid, tell them I'll return once they've mastered everything, and that'll be that—they'll get it.
Well, to be precise...
They're more like subordinates than disciples to me.
One disciple is plenty—Nameless suffices.
I've already laid out exactly what they need to do once they've grown a bit, so there shouldn't be any issues.
Hmm, people really ought to live efficiently.
I felt so proud of myself that the corners of my mouth shot up.
When I explained all this to Nameless, his face lit up noticeably.
"Is it really that exciting?"
"Yes, how could it not be."
Even though I'd chalked it up to my own laziness, seeing him beam like that while tidying his clothes left me with a strangely mixed feeling.
Hmm, well.
Good is good, isn't it?
I smiled along with him and closed my eyes.
I'm seriously exhausted.
-Heavenly Nameless
After returning from the slums, as I washed my dirty clothes and sorted our luggage, faint, steady breathing started coming from the bed where Master lay.
"Master? Are you asleep?"
I finished organizing my clothes and glanced at her bed. Sure enough, she hadn't been joking about being tired—even though the moon hadn't fully risen yet, Master was in deep slumber.
Well, Master isn't great at conversing with people, and today she fielded questions from a whole crowd one by one. No wonder she's wiped out.
I stood, lifted her from where she'd flopped down haphazardly, and laid her out properly.
Suddenly, as I went to pull the blanket up over her, I spotted the bandages she usually removes before bed.
...Even so, this won't do.
I shook my head to cool my feverish thoughts and covered her up to just below the neck.
"Master, sweet dreams."
I extinguished the light and lay down on my bed.
...
A pleasant warmth settled in my arms. Frowning deeply, I opened my eyes.
No way.
"...Again today?"
Master seemed perfect in every way, but there's one thing.
One thing that puts me in such a bind—I wish she'd fix it, just a little.
"Ha... Master."
I looked down at her, asleep in my embrace.
She's so cute...
No, that's not the point.
Master has terrible sleeping habits.
She's a lighter sleeper than anyone, yet once she's out, she won't stir even if you shake her awake. The first time I dealt with it as a kid, it was a real ordeal.
Back then, with my limited knowledge, I'd taken it somewhat positively: She must see me as a doll or something. But the trouble started after I grew older and harbored feelings I had no business having.
I won't spell out exactly what the issue is, but as you can imagine, it's incredibly awkward.
Keep going like this, and someday I'll cross a line and cause real trouble. That's why we started using separate rooms—but ever since leaving the mountains with her, we've shared one, and it's given me endless headaches.
Suggest separate rooms, and her lips pout as she spreads rumors that she's the sulking one. How could I even bring it up?
At least we have separate beds, which is a mercy. So how the heck did she end up snuggled into my arms?
In frustration, I tried to rub my dry face, but she'd completely engulfed one of my arms—couldn't even manage that.
No way I could fall back asleep like this. I slowly tried to slip my arm free from her body.
"Mmm, where are you going..."
Her arm dug deeper around my waist, and like a coquettish cat, she began rubbing her face against my chest.
Before long, something—very soft..., squishy...—pressed against my upper abdomen.
"Ah, Master, please..."
Dizziness hit me as heat surged through my entire body.
Part of me wanted to clutch her tight right then, close my eyes, and drift off...
But picturing her face upon waking made my head spin.
No...!
I bit my lip until it nearly bled to snap back to my senses, then twisted every which way to wriggle free.
Each time, her legs coiled around me, leaving me reeling—but since she was asleep, with iron resolve I thrashed with all my strength and finally broke loose.
"Huff... huff..."
I heaved deep breaths and wiped my face.
Glancing at Master with a hint of resentment, my face burning, I saw the bandages she'd wrapped around her chest were gone.
Please.
I squeezed my eyes shut tight.
I didn't see a thing.
No, seriously—how bad do your sleeping habits have to be to unwrap your own bandages?
This defies logic...
Eyes still clamped shut, I scooped her up and shuffled toward her original bed to lay her down.
Blind as I was, I bumped into things here and there. Each time, she'd cling tighter around my neck in her sleep, refusing to let go.
Couldn't risk an accident now—I bit my tongue to stay sharp.
After an eternity of endurance, I safely tucked her into bed. Soul utterly drained, I collapsed onto mine.
My heart was still pounding fiercely.
I rubbed my face with my hand.
"Ha..."
Looks like today, too, I won't be waking up before Master.
-Heaven Cleaver
This Nameless punk seems to be sleeping in later than me again today.
"Tsk tsk. Wonder what he gets up to every night."
I get a man's feelings well enough, but I wish he'd show a little restraint.