Chapter 66
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Daily Life Together is Strange (2)
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Winter's air held not a trace of dampness, only crisp clarity. This refreshing dryness persisted without snow or rain, making the world feel unforgiving.
The earth lay cold and unyieldingly parched, while even the trees stood stripped bare and trembling. If nature fared so poorly, how much worse for humanity?
To endure this bleak season, humans built homes and kindled fires. They gathered food to last the winter, huddling together to burn away the time.
For those who couldn't even manage that, only death remained.
Stepping back outside, we were met by the remnants of that very death. Citizens of Shyrn huddled close to the few walls that hadn't crumbled, shielding themselves from the biting winter wind.
Without homes or fires, they bore ashen faces through the cold. Sunken cheeks spoke volumes of their starvation.
Left as they were, the cold or hunger would claim them in ways none desired.
That was why we'd boldly proclaimed they should trust us before venturing out. Yet seeing this sight again left our path forward shrouded in uncertainty.
The problems demanding solutions were legion.
Their homes needed rebuilding, but materials were scarce. Procuring supplies required funds, and funds were woefully lacking—for Shyrn's people and for us alike.
Food stocks had to be replenished too, circling back yet again to the issue of money. In a place where the flow of coin had ground to a halt, we teetered on the edge of a hopeless chasm.
And then there were the monsters, demons, and invasions from foreign powers to repel. Combat we could handle; we possessed the strength to drive back any assault. We were confident in repelling their armies time and again. But without sustainable food or rest, these issues chained together into an unbreakable bind.
Not one problem lent itself to simple resolution, leaving me to nurse a throbbing headache.
And the gravest issue of all? I, the group's linchpin, had zero experience tackling crises like this.
I'd mastered the sword under the Sword Saint's tutelage, vomiting my guts out and shedding blood and sweat to hone my skills. Holy power I'd learned from Seren until I could wield it freely. Magic, too, came from the mage tower lord.
Yet at my core, I was just an ordinary young man from Earth.
My body had grown robust, mana and holy energy coursed through me, but I'd been nothing more than a carefree twenty-year-old basking in peace.
Lost in solitary rumination, I couldn't translate thoughts into action.
"Ah, you idiot. You're really wearing your thick skull on your sleeve. Who said you have to play the grown-up alone, Hero? Being the Hero doesn't mean you do everything solo. If your head's not up to it, just ask for help, you frustrating bastard."
Sio smacked the back of my head, his tone dripping with disdain for my pathetic display.
"Alright, the adult here will lay it out first. Shyrn's already fucked. You think six of us can fix all this shit? That's bullshit. We just gotta play our roles and grind like dogs. So, what're we doing, Saintess?"
The baton passed seamlessly to Seren.
"Hmm~ Since my combat skills are basically nil, I should focus on relief efforts. I'll heal people with holy power and help them find some stability."
Seren flashed me a bright smile as she naturally claimed her task.
"Hm, then I'll handle procurement. I'll swing by somewhere tied to the mage tower and request aid. Stabilizing the city seems like my wheelhouse too—nothing beats magic for repairs."
Risroom pondered briefly before volunteering for a different front from Seren.
"Well, then we'll join the Saintess in winning over the people's hearts. Our youthful looks might make us more approachable to them, so let's leverage that."
The twins offered their coldly rational solution, stripped of sentiment. With them nodding approval at their own sound idea, there was no room for objection.
"My turn, huh? I'll guard the walls. Monsters, demons, invasions from other nations—I'll handle that. This side's covered. So, what about our star Hero?"
Sio gripped his sword, vowing to defend the battlements.
He turned to me then. So, what was my role?
The winter wind cleared the fog from my cluttered mind, leaving a single answer behind.
"I'll support everyone."
I could wield holy power to aid relief efforts. I knew magic, so I'd assist Risroom with procurement and repairs. I'd trained in swordsmanship, so I'd stand with Sio against wall-scaling foes.
"That feels like my role."
Only then did Sio's faint smile emerge, affirming my choice as the right one.
********
"Arsius, what are you doing...?"
Seren asked, puzzled by my furrowed brow and constant sniffing at every spot we passed.
"Eh, I can't smell a damn thing. It's all just perfume no matter where I stick my nose."
An hour. Might be nothing to some, but trailing Seren while enduring that hated perfume stench had numbed my nose to hell.
"Aw, you're exaggerating. And hey, hanging out in perfume scents isn't so bad, right?"
"Not bad my ass... Feels like my nose is dead."
As I kept sniffing, Seren piped up.
"You know what they say? If you're constantly immersed in a fragrance, it seeps into your body and becomes your natural scent."
Body odor changing from frequent perfume exposure? Come on.
"That's how it works. Smokers reek of that thick tobacco haze, heavy drinkers carry booze on their breath. Same deal—if you're always surrounded by perfume, it turns into your own aroma, doesn't it?"
She had a point, the more I thought about it...
"So, wouldn't it be more appealing if I smelled sweet and fragrant whenever I'm close to you~?"
Seren linked arms with me, grinning mischievously.
I stopped sniffing and blurted it out.
"Maybe, but I prefer your original scent. Never been a fan of perfume anyway."
"..."
My casual words turned Seren's ears pink. I couldn't see her face under the hat and mask, but her embarrassment radiated off her.
"Getting shy over something like that now."
"Eek! Arsius, don't ruin the mood like that! I was just starting to get all fluttery..."
"Seren... It's been ten years. If you're still fluttering, you need a doctor."
Smack!
"Rude words. Ten years of zero tact. Way too spot-on. You deserved that!"
My stray comment forced me to spend the rest of our department store wander soothing the fuming ex-Saintess.
"Arsius, how's this outfit?"
Seren spun in a white shirt and tennis skirt, seeking my verdict.
She'd arrived with only her priestess robes, rosary, and meager rations. Borrowing Sihyun's clothes now, she needed fresh ones.
"Definitely pretty."
Brimming with holy essence, Seren boasted porcelain skin. Matured by our journeys, she'd blossomed into full womanly grace by adulthood.
The short skirt bared her long legs, while the crisp tucked shirt accentuated her curves more than expected.
"It suits you great and looks pretty, but... isn't it a bit too revealing...?"
I pouted despite myself. Even though she'd dressed for me, other guys passing by were already staring.
The last thing I wanted was to share the view.
"Hm~? Arsius, are you jealous~? Don't like other guys looking? Oh my... This is a rare sight. Hehe~"
Seren leaned in with a teasing grin.
"I could be jealous. Anyway, no dice. Too short. Go change."
"Wow, so cute. The Arsius I knew never got jealous~"
Still eager to poke fun, Seren retreated to the fitting room, hiding her flushed face. I should've nixed it from the start—my fault for letting hopeful expectations slide.
A short wait later, she emerged in pants and a t-shirt.
"Ahem~ Changed. Let's buy what I picked and check out other spots~"
Seren gathered her tried-on outfits and headed to the counter. The clerk bagged them one by one for checkout—including that tennis skirt.
"Hey, I said it's too short. Why buy it...?"
I started to pout again.
"I'll wear it at home. For your eyes only."
She answered with the ex-Saintess's most alluring smile.