Recognition
One by one, they drew more cards. But it wasn't just one card each—it felt like my soul was being sliced in half every time. How long had it been since I'd passed out from ejaculating? And now five more rounds in a row... I was starting to think there really was such a thing as dying from exhaustion during sex. I'd always figured it was just some joke people made up.
In the end, Esen had to carry me off the ship while I wheezed like a broken bellows.
"My balls feel like they've vanished..."
"Like the folks in Bitsurk? What the hell are you gonna do now?"
The sky over Ragersa Harbor, when we finally returned, was brilliantly clear. The fierce battles and crises we'd endured, the worries of the townsfolk who'd all turned into women—it was as if we'd left them all behind in those gloomy clouds far away.
Of course, I wasn't entirely unconcerned about the people of Bitsurk. Even before we disembarked, the harbor floor was littered with newspapers carrying stories about donations pouring in for the affected areas.
The citizens of Bitsurk, struck by disaster and all transformed into women, facing disruptions to their seafaring work. But hopeful news: citizens from various kingdoms stepping up with aid money and manpower.
The world keeps turning busily. People are helping each other. So it wasn't time to despair just yet.
I clung tightly to Esen's back as she carried me. I could feel her tail swishing happily.
Meanwhile, Christensen from Mitra's party had apparently been stripped of her qualifications. Someone from the Hero Party Alliance must've come all the way to the harbor—already, she was getting screamed at and berated.
Her crimes weren't light by any means. If she'd been regular army, she might've been executed. She'd withheld information that could've led to total annihilation, treated allies like enemies, and even tried to sell them off to monsters.
What if we'd all really died, and only those bastards survived and returned? The truth would've probably been buried forever.
"They say the supervisor had a rare Clairvoyance Aptitude. Those piercing eyes must've seen everything. And since all the witnesses returned safely, Christensen has no way out."
Florica Baldenhart, another paladin standing beside us, murmured calmly.
The supervisor had Clairvoyance Aptitude? A chill suddenly ran down my spine. I owed thanks to Goddess Ishtar. It must've been purely her blessing that kept our little bedroom games hidden from that clairvoyant gaze.
As Christensen was dragged away in restraints by the priests in the distance, Florica—wrapped head to toe in bandages—bowed her head.
"But her punishment will come from the Mitra Church, not the kingdom's laws or the Party Alliance rules."
"Huh. So what happens then?"
"She'll lose a lot of rank compared to before, but not enough to match the severity of trying to take lives."
"Still humiliating, though, right?"
Florica gave me a weary smile. "Humiliating, yeah. Just like it was for me."
Unlike Christensen, Florica hadn't been stripped of her party member status. The Party Alliance had taken her circumstances into account. She'd kept quiet about the information because she'd been silenced due to her politically disadvantageous position.
She'd avoided the worst, but her expression was still downcast. Her pride must've taken a serious hit. Hell, people had nearly died because of it. Any decent person would feel guilty.
"The Church might kick me out over this. Officially, the mission was a success, but those who supported our expedition lost too much this time."
"Damn."
"But honestly, it feels liberating. If they boot me from the ordination ranks, I plan to wander the world. Free from the Church's politics and my father and the bishops' schemes. Helping people wherever my feet take me, searching for the Mitra within myself."
So she did have a conscience. Florica extended her hand to us. I shook it, standing in for Monica—who still flinched at Mitra's symbol—and Esen, who grinned like get lost before I deck you.
"I'm glad you've reflected, but I can't forgive you just yet."
"...Yeah."
"I'm still angry, and more than that, it doesn't seem like you're ready to accept forgiveness yourself, Paladin."
"Me? Ready to accept forgiveness—how the hell does that even work?"
"That's up to your own heart. You'll know when the time comes. It'd be nice to meet again when you've become someone who can atone with head held high."
"...I don't fully get it, but I hope for that too. May the straight and true sunlight illuminate your path."
Florica looked awkward the whole handshake. We must've looked like a sandwich. Esen carrying me Tigress-style, and the Monica sisters lightly perched on my back thanks to my Porter Aptitude. Being squished in the middle was a bit heavy, but not unhappy. Not with Esen's nape scent and being nestled between the sisters' breasts.
Fucking pathetic, but I'd die happy like this.
Florica seemed to ponder my words seriously—while pointedly looking away from our ridiculous setup and glaring at the ground.
"...If I still have a chance."
Wherever she'd stashed her Church armor, Florica in her hood trudged off into the crowds beyond the harbor, ignoring the paladins belatedly searching for her.
"Make way for Mitra!"
"Priestess Florica—! Where are you?!"
"It's the diocese leader's order! Find her now!"
Their troubles weren't just finding a missing party member. The paladins had to haul not only the golem's luggage piles but also the storm-damaged, malfunctioning golems. Watching them groan and struggle was honestly satisfying as hell.
Maybe, contrary to what people think, golems can't fully replace porters after all. Just my hopeful wish for now.
The next figure to appear was none other than Captain Tomco, the Handgun Party's hero and leader. The man who'd shot down the most succubi a few days ago. Even more than Esen, who'd gotten the highest evaluation and a promotion. He'd proven his mettle as a real badass.
"How's it feel to be a Special-rank fighter, kid?"
Esen answered with a beaming grin. Tomco nodded indulgently, then bowed deeply to the Monica sisters—even doffing his captain's hat—for their contributions to resolving the crisis.
And finally, he narrowed his eyes at me, the one avoiding his gaze.
"Carrying the porter like baggage, eh?"
"This one's suddenly got bad seasickness, y'know."
Esen, still carrying me, flashed an oily grin. The sisters on my back nodded with weary, flu-like smiles.
...Cold sweat prickling. Hope he didn't notice.
The bodily fluid stains on the bed? Conveniently vanished thanks to Monica's prayers.
Damn. Sisters tense too—their massive breasts were sweating, wetting the back of my head.
If Tomco would just stop scrutinizing my eyes, it'd be a perfect moment.
"Seasick, huh? Couldn't rest properly in the cabin?"
Tomco's rotten-toothed breath drew closer.
"How about we borrow you for a month? We could cure that seasickness right up."
"...I'd be truly honored by the offer. But party member loans go through the party leader. I just signed the contract recently, so..."
"I see, 'Tan Bantai'? Son of Igni Tar?"
The perception-distorting headband artifact was definitely still on my head. I barely suppressed the urge to touch it as chills ran through me.
I averted my eyes awkwardly, then slowly met Tomco's gaze again, forcing a steady expression.
"Uh, my name's Ran, Captain."
"That snot-nosed kid once tried mouthing off negotiations to me. You wouldn't remember, but it was right in front of your mom, 'Tan'."
"...My name's Ran? What're you..."
"I met you like that in front of your mother too. She was one hell of a hero. Makes me wanna beat my chest lamenting how her name isn't more widely known. But you..."
...No point hiding it. He wasn't here to interrogate—he already knew. He knew I was a guy.
But what the hell was with that phrasing? I gritted my teeth and glared at Tomco.
But you...? Yeah. My late mother had Hero Aptitude. Strong, honest, respected. She kept so much secret—even I didn't know everything.
Compared to her, I'm—
"Not quite there yet, but you've become a pretty damn fine party member. You can boast you're Igni Tar's son now. You did great."
...This old man's got a killer changeup.
Esen's perked ears drooped. Guess she got emotional like me—thanks.
"Hey, old man. It's rude to confuse people like that. Sounds like you're trash-talking someone else's mom."
"Honestly, I almost did. But you and your party brought me back alive."
Tomco wrinkled his nose.
"So I won't ask why or how Igni Tar's son is enduring this embarrassing crossdressing humiliation. If it's your personal taste, can't be helped."
"···············"
The sisters whispered anxiously in my stead.
"C-Captain, has anyone else figured this out—?"
"No one but me, who saw the kid once as a brat. Keep your mouths shut, and you're safe. No rumors'll leak anywhere."
Tomco pulled a handgun pistol from his coat and grinned slyly.
"If they do, this'll shut 'em up."
...Reliable guy.
"Me too, Captain? Gonna plug a bullet in my head if I blab? Then you shouldn't have spilled to me in the first place. Real ungrateful."
A cheerful pirate youth sauntered over, rope coiled over his shoulder, cutting in with a bright voice.
"So this porter's the crossdressing guy you mentioned?"
Esen glared at Tomco like what the fuck is this guy?
Tomco, suddenly the loose-lipped one, averted his eyes awkwardly.
"Can't exactly muzzle the navigator. Can't sink the ship over it."
...This is hilarious. Now wondering how many more'll find out about the dress-up.
The blue-haired youth grinned as he eyed me, reaching to pinch my cheek—only for Esen to snatch his hand.
He looked a lot like Tomco, but without the hooked nose making him look vicious. Actually, he was ridiculously handsome. Could pass for a girl—wait.
"Crossdressing girl?"
"Bingo. Funny, right, Tan Bantai? Our crew brags 'I can spot women a mile away,' but they can't even see through their own navigator. You clocked me instantly."
Guess kindred spirits vibe. Chills hit; I quickly scanned around. We were whispering, but ears could be anywhere.
But Tomco's daughter just laughed and patted my shoulder playfully.
"Can't hear, can't hear. Mom's a siren, y'know. Keeping chit-chat between us is child's play."
...Keep what? Hard to tell if joking.
Still smirking, Tomco's crossdressing daughter drew her dagger in its sheath and offered it. The hilt had a blue braid matching her hair—same as Tomco's daughter's.
"What's this?"
"A blade enchanted with a siren's song. Deadly even unsheathed. Use it in a pinch."
"An artifact? Why give it to me—"
"Payment for saving me. And I like you as a guy, so bonus affection. Rare finds spark possessiveness."
Esen's hand shot out like a missile. Faster than my reflexive grab. She snatched the sheathed dagger roughly; the daughter winced, rubbing her hand and glaring back.
Esen smirked, lips curling.
"I'll put it to good use?"
The daughter paused, glancing back slyly. Her sturdy ally, Captain Tomco, had wandered off toward the ship. But her expression turning back to Esen wasn't a plea for daddy's help.
More like good thing he didn't hear.
"This'll be fun. See you in 'your party'."
"Our party? What're you on about?"
"Heard the superstition? Women on warships or pirate ships is bad luck."
Tomco's daughter twirled her blue ponytail, grinning.
"So our party's all-male by principle. Gets stifling for me. Gotta bind the tits, hide bathroom trips, mask the scent..."
"So what?"
"If my crew found out once, I'd ditch the disguise happily. Gonna ask dad if I can hop to your party for a year or two. You guys look like a blast."
Good lord.
She vanished into the Handgun Party crowd, leaving Esen's wariness skyrocketing.
"Sis. Looks like we might need a united front someday."
"...United front?"
"She's not the type to share a man. She's the monopolize type."
What the hell was fate throwing at me now?