Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Power Upgrade (2)
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A few days after slaying the Kobold King, the villagers focused on mining the magic stones from the kobolds outside the village.
Fortunately, after taking down the Kobold King, not a single kobold was sighted around the village—as if by magic—and the work proceeded smoothly and quickly.
On the second day, the Nellis Party even stepped up to help repair the village entrance.
Kalt chopped wood, Aria restored the villagers' stamina, and Scarlet used magic to dig perfect holes for the posts.
Nellis distributed water and food to the working villagers.
Otherwise, the Nellis Party decided to rest and take it easy until their time in the village was up.
This had been decided at a meeting on the second day after defeating the Kobold King.
"Kalt, where are we headed next? The village seems safe now. As expected... should we go to that dungeon where the overflow is happening?"
Hearing Nellis's question at the meeting, Kalt shook his head.
"No, we're not going to a dungeon. Everyone's worked hard, so let's relax until the day we have to leave the village."
"Is it really okay not to go to the dungeon? If we don't stop the overflow, it'll be a big problem..."
Kalt smiled gently at Aria's cautious question.
"It's fine. I asked at the guild too—that dungeon mostly has C-rank monsters at best. That's why the adventurers who were originally here thought they could handle it and all went there. Plus... if there's an overflow, it's not like only the adventurers in this village would head out, right?"
"Yeah, if it looks manageable, skilled adventurers would flock there."
"And because so many gathered, if you hadn't come, Kalt, not just us but the whole village would have been in danger... Ugh."
Nellis thought once again how fortunate it was that Kalt had come.
"Assuming we stay in the village as long as possible, where's our next destination? Got any ideas?"
"Of course. Next up is Tridia."
"Tridia?"
"Tridia... that's the commercial city a week away from here, right?"
"Got something you need to buy?"
"You bet."
'I need to stock up on contraceptives that'll come in handy later. But the main goal is...'
"We need to get you all properly equipped."
Nellis's eyes sparkled at Kalt's words.
"New gear...!"
Scarlet held up her staff.
"This staff is pretty good, though?"
Aria looked puzzled.
"I don't really need new gear either."
"Then we'll go shopping for mine!"
"No, all three of you are getting new gear."
Kalt pointed out the equipment each one needed.
"Nellis, with your Barrier Blessing, you don't need heavy armor. But your sword's different. You've been using that one for a long time, haven't you?"
"Yeah. It's the first sword I ever bought with my own savings!"
"I get the attachment, but it's too ordinary. Not bad, but considering your growth ahead, we need something better."
Higher-rank monsters were harder to hit, so to compensate, you either honed your skills or upgraded your gear.
And Kalt believed in upgrading gear whenever possible.
Good equipment was like an extra life—and it changed the challenges you could tackle.
There were plenty of experienced adventurers who couldn't use Mana Blade due to lacking swordsmanship mastery.
That's where good gear came in clutch.
In Nellis's case, both her experience and skill were lacking, but Kalt figured now was the time to invest in top-tier gear for her future.
And besides...
"That staff's great, sure. But mages aren't just about staves, right? There are magic tools to aid spellcasting, and grimoires with spells not in the book you have."
"Well... yeah."
"Aria, that outfit's from the church, right?"
"Yes, the priest who looked after me before I left on my journey prepared it."
Aria was a Saintess candidate.
So she'd get better gear than a regular nun, but Kalt doubted it was the absolute best.
The church knew about Aria's issues too.
She was a promising candidate held back by mental blocks she hadn't overcome in years.
If she were the top pick, maybe.
But there were other candidates, however rare.
Would the church hand top-grade gear to a problem child like Aria, no matter how broad-minded they were?
Kalt couldn't buy it.
Even back with Mabel's party, he'd seen the church was no different—they loved money too.
There was no doctrine here saying churches shouldn't profit.
"They'd probably give you better stuff if you donated."
"What!? But the priest said it was the best he could get..."
"Aria, sorry to say it, but that probably meant the best they could give you right now."
"Ah... yeah, maybe..."
Aria couldn't deny it—she'd seen the priest who cared for her lament her unresolved issues, while others sighed in frustration.
With their schedule set, the Nellis Party helped the villagers now and then while enjoying their rest until departure day.
Nellis trained with Kalt every morning, steadily building her skills.
Scarlet and Aria used the methods Kalt taught them, gradually overcoming their mental hurdles.
Kalt even borrowed the inn's kitchen to cook for the hardworking girls, who relished their break while growing earnestly.
Meanwhile, Kalt ramped up his steamy sessions with Nadia and her daughter Lunia during the remaining time.
Not just the quick 15-minute morning sex when he woke up.
After lunch, while the Nellis crew retreated to their rooms, the mother-daughter duo would team up to lick Kalt's cock, honing their blowjob techniques.
And every night, the pair inevitably joined Kalt in bed.
Each time with them, Kalt reconfirmed his total mana increasing bit by bit.
So he made every effort to overlap with them as much as possible.
"Slurp! Churp churp churp churp!"
"Lick lick lick. How's it feel, Kalt?"
"Perfect."
Nadia and Lunia had grown so adept they now seamlessly tag-teamed blowjobs—one handling the tip, the other sucking his balls—with expert synergy.
Kalt felt proud knowing he'd cultivated their skills.
But farewell loomed closer.
Nadia and Lunia knew it too.
Still, every entanglement deepened their feelings for him, so on the final night...
Lunia clung to Kalt's arm and spoke, knowing it was futile.
"Kalt... couldn't you just... stay in the village forever?"
"Lunia..."
Even Nadia couldn't scold her.
She felt the same way.
Kalt lightly kissed Lunia's lips.
"Sorry, Lunia. I'm with a Hero Party—I have to go."
"Kalt..."
"But we'll meet again for sure. I'll come back."
"Promise?"
"Of course."
He meant it.
After all their shared passion, Kalt had no intention of parting from Nadia and Lunia and forgetting them.
Hero Parties roamed villages constantly, meaning they'd pass through cities multiple times.
"So if there's anything you want, tell me. I'll bring it next time."
His words—not empty comfort, but a request for reunion gifts—convinced Lunia he was sincere.
"Really!? Then... ah! I want cosmetics! I heard they have ones in the city that make your skin so moist!"
"Got it. I'll pick some up for you next time I'm in the city."
"Yay!"
"What about you, Nadia? Anything you want?"
"M-me? I... just want you to come back, Kalt..."
"Mom! You have to ask for something specific! That way, he'll think of us more easily."
"Then... a pretty necklace. Pick a design you like, Kalt."
"You got it, Nadia. I'll get one that suits you perfectly."
"...Yeah. I'll look forward to it. So please... come visit again."
"Of course."
Kalt grabbed Nadia and Lunia's asses with both hands.
"Eek!"
"Ahhn!"
"These thrilling, feel-good nights with you two are unforgettable. I'll come back just to have you both again. And besides..."
This time, he released their asses and pulled the two beside him into an embrace.
"I'll write letters. Even if we're always moving, you two stay here, so you can receive them, right?"
Not just vague waiting, but letters updating his whereabouts—those words made Nadia and Lunia believe their reunion wasn't a pipe dream.
"Kalt...!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, Nadia and Lunia hugged him tightly from both sides.
The soft, plush sensation pressing against him from either side rushed even more blood to his cock.
And on that final night...
Kalt spent an even later, more intense evening with Nadia and Lunia.