Chapter 60
Chapter 60
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Proposal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sof sunlight seeped through the cracks in the window, beginning to tickle the corners of my eyes.
"Ugh..."
Which bastard is messing with my sleep...
I raised my arm to cover my eyes.
To escape that filthy sunlight ruining my blissful slumber, I arched my back and started rolling across the bed.
About three rolls in...
-Thud
I'd finally found the perfect spot, untouched by that wicked sunlight.
A wave of satisfaction washed over me, and the corners of my mouth curled up ever so slightly.
...And on top of that.
"Heehee..."
After rolling all the way here, a delightful pressure suddenly enveloped my entire body.
It was a sensation utterly different from the subtle feel of the blanket I'd sensed before drifting off.
Had the blanket changed while I slept?
Curious about what it was, I reached out tentatively—and felt a surprising firmness.
...Was something like this on the bed?
A flicker of doubt crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it.
Hmm, must be a half-asleep illusion.
Nodding to myself in conviction, I rubbed my cheeks repeatedly against whatever was wrapping around me.
Now was the time to dive back into sleep.
Or it would have been...
If not for the faint noise that broke the room's silence.
"Urk..."
A sound reached my ears, and the blanket twitched faintly beneath me. I furrowed my brow.
Why is the blanket moving on its own...
To stop the wriggling blanket, I hugged it fiercely—and only then did the movement cease.
I lay there, draped over it like a blanket myself, rubbing my body against it.
-Knock, knock, knock
Someone was tapping at the door near my ear.
...Why are there so many people hell-bent on ruining my sleep?
Furrowing my brow, I mumbled in a drowsy voice.
"Wha—yaaawn... what?"
"...Miss Heaven Cleaver? If you're awake, I'll come in?"
Hmm, judging by the voice, the source of the noise is Elia?
"Tch."
If it's Elia, I can't exactly yell at her.
We're not particularly close, and aside from Nameless, there's no one around me I can show my true feelings to anyway.
Of course, that damn brat is the exception.
Talking to him just makes my head heat up inexplicably.
...Anyway.
Since Elia came to this room, regardless of my desire to rest...
It seems like it's about time to get moving.
"..."
"Miss Heaven Cleaver? Why'd you go quiet?"
But my body refused to cooperate, burrowing my head even deeper into the blanket instead.
You know that feeling, right?
Your head knows you have to get up and work, but your body just won't listen.
Everyone's had that at least once, haven't they?
...I hope I'm not the only one.
And besides.
If I just hole up in here...
Given Elia's personality, she'll definitely barge in to wake me.
I have zero motivation to move right now, so maybe that's for the best.
I let out a small sigh.
The blanket around me twitched again—but I just tilted my head slightly, not paying it much mind.
More than that.
I didn't even want to open my eyes right now.
I really didn't want to do anything.
...Just leave me alone.
I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my cheek against the blanket.
I rolled around like that for a while.
-Bang
The sound of the door opening rang out.
"Kyaaah!"
Followed by Elia's piercing scream.
I jolted upright, forcing my heavy, bleary eyes open.
Struggling through the haze, I looked at Elia.
"Wh-what happened?!"
"Eek! What do you mean?!"
"No, ugh, Miss Heaven Cleaver! Clothes! Clothes! And th-that, th-that, th-that...!"
"O-oh, clothes?"
At Elia's words, I hurriedly looked down and patted myself over.
I'd apparently stripped again at some point.
My bandages were undone, clothes half-off, shoulders bare.
And.
I glanced toward where the voice came from.
Nameless had just woken up too, it seemed.
Like me, his eyes were barely open as he took in the situation.
Then, as he turned and our eyes met...
His eyes widened bigger than I'd ever seen.
"...Master? What the hell is going on?"
"Even if you ask me..."
"No! Miss Heaven Cleaver, Nameless, what are you two doing first thing in the morning?! No, since last night... and then cleaning up...?"
Ignoring Elia's incomprehensible outburst, I looked at Nameless, who was questioning me.
Hmm, but why are his clothes in such a state?
I tilted my head, thinking back.
Probably got half-dragged off when I yanked him onto the bed.
Hmm... must be cold.
I reached out and straightened Nameless's clothes.
"Weren't you cold last night?"
"Pardon? No, what do you mean, uh, yes?"
Nameless's face turned beet red as he stared at me with spinning eyes.
But he didn't resist my hands dressing him, so he must not hate it that much.
More than that...
Looking at his flushed face reminded me of a certain fruit.
Hmm, suddenly craving strawberries.
I'll have to restock at Ellen's market today.
I nodded.
After fixing Nameless's clothes, I glanced at him.
He couldn't meet my eyes straight on.
The reason came to mind quickly.
Probably because I'm half-naked.
Still, it was endearing how he, as a man, was being considerate of my female body—so I patted his head.
Elia, seeing this, covered her face with her hands.
But she peeked through her fingers in a rather comical way.
...Is that even covering anything? Not my concern, though. I turned away.
"Uh... we'll talk about something important soon, so get ready quick and come to the parlor!"
With that, Elia slammed the door shut—but it cracked open again right away.
She poked her head through the gap and spoke once more.
"And... even if you're that close... doing it anytime anywhere is a bit much, don't you think...?"
"...What the hell are you—"
"I'll go now?!"
Without hearing me out, Elia slammed the door shut with a bang.
Her footsteps faded rapidly as she dashed away.
I stared blankly, then shook my head slightly.
"Tch, so scatterbrained. Right, Nameless?"
"...I have no idea anymore."
"Hm?"
Nameless hung his head and sighed deeply.
Hmm, what's with him?
I just couldn't understand why Elia reacted like that.
Isn't it common sense for a master and disciple to sleep together?
Hmm, yeah.
I nodded.
...
After a quick freshen-up, I arrived at the parlor.
Lucius and Iron Blood—Camilla—sat facing each other, radiating a bizarre tension.
"..."
The air was so heavy, I regretted coming.
Quietly cursing myself for not dawdling longer, I sneaked over and dragged Nameless to a nearby chair, sitting down.
I perked up my ears to eavesdrop on Lucius and Camilla's conversation.
Lucius furrowed his brow and spoke.
"Lady Camilla, why can't you provide support?"
"Ha? Just how airheaded is this Hero?"
Iron Blood—Camilla—scrunched her brow, then flashed her signature smirk.
"Forgot what I just said? Pfft, goldfish much?"
Unable to hold back, Lucius slammed the desk and stood.
"Now's not the time for jokes, and you know it!"
"Eww—don't yell in that gross voice, pathetic."
Camilla stuck out her tongue, then shrugged.
"Unlike you losers, I've got a~ ton of stuff to do."
"..."
"Sigh—how simple do I gotta spell it out? We're short on manpower too."
Tch, this is why losers are... Camilla muttered under her breath.
Hearing that, Lucius sat back down, face full of resentment, saying nothing more.
I had no clue what they were arguing about, so I was utterly confused.
I hadn't known Lucius long, but I'd never seen him show such open dissatisfaction.
Hmm, what's going on...
Curiosity piqued, I poked the floundering Elia's side.
"Eek?!"
"Elia."
"Miss Heaven Cleaver...? Wh-what...? Why my side...?"
Elia blushed, rubbing her side as she spoke.
"Do you happen to know what's going on?"
"Ah... well, actually."
Elia began explaining.
...So.
They know for sure a demon has infiltrated near Ellen.
But unable to pinpoint the location, Lucius asked Camilla for a few people to track and capture it quickly.
Camilla refused, citing her own busyness.
Lucius got pissed, and it turned into this argument.
Hearing that, I bowed my head slightly and pondered.
...This could work out perfectly without me lifting a finger?
I mean, I don't want them finding that demon, right?
Unexpected luck.
No reason not to exploit it.
And conveniently, I have a great idea to drag things out naturally.
I smirked crookedly.
Right after Elia finished, I stood and walked toward Camilla and Lucius.
"What... Granny, you need something?"
"Hmm, I do have a request."
Camilla's brow furrowed.
"I just said I'm busy. Don't tell me you're a goldfish too, Granny?"
"...It's not about that."
Camilla tilted her head.
"Then what?"
"Could you lend me the training grounds here?"
"What? Why should I?"
Camilla looked at me like I'd asked something outrageous.
Hmm, not quite.
Shouldn't she grant a favor this small?
...No choice.
I leaned to Camilla's ear, subtly channeling internal energy to muffle my voice, and whispered.
"How about I beat up that insolent Hero for you instead?"
"...What?"
"Looks like the goldfish is you, not me."
I smirked and pulled away, withdrawing my energy.
Camilla crooked her lip upward and nodded.
Her sharp fangs glinted.
"...Well, a magnanimous soul like me can grant a little favor like that."
Perfect.
Now I can kill time good and proper.
Satisfaction swelled, and I didn't bother hiding my grin.
Hmm, as expected of me.