Chapter 61
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Secret Trust (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, you mean beautiful?"
"Yeah."
"Y-you don't mean sexy, or ugly, or anything like that... right?"
"Ugly? No way! Well, yeah, I do think it's sexy—as a man, that's unavoidable. But think of it this way: it just means Aria's body is attractive from a guy's perspective."
'Sexy from a man's perspective means attractive... so then...'
"D-does that mean Kalt finds me attractive too...?"
"Of course. Well, but..."
"But...?"
"If this is just practice to get you used to my gaze for your sake, it feels too good for me—like I'm getting the best training ever. Kinda makes me feel guilty."
"Eek...!"
Aria's face flushed at Kalt's words.
Not from shame or embarrassment.
It was the heat rising from a bashful thrill.
Of course, she felt some embarrassment too, but knowing Kalt saw her body positively—as a woman, attractively—was both awkward and oddly pleasant.
Having Kalt look at her most private places didn't feel bad.
In fact, it felt good, so it wouldn't hinder the party.
Unconsciously, Aria sensed this feeling might be the key to solving her issue.
And at the same time, it meshed perfectly with Kalt's hypnosis.
Kalt saying her privates were attractive, that he liked looking at her secret spot—it sank deep into her, making her believe it.
She even thought that liking it more would solve the problem for good.
So Aria spoke up.
"Y-you don't need to feel sorry, Kalt! This is all... to solve my problem, right?"
"Yeah? Sure is."
"And besides, you like looking at my... my down there, don't you?"
"Answering that so directly over and over... even I'm getting a little embarrassed, Aria."
"S-sorry, Kalt!"
'But he didn't deny it. Kalt likes it. He likes looking at my...'
Kalt was interested in her body.
Kalt liked her secret places.
Every time she repeated that to herself, Aria felt a ticklish flutter in her heart.
"No, you don't need to apologize, Aria. For now... let's keep going for about ten minutes today, to get you more used to my gaze."
"Y-yes! Kalt. It's all for the p-party."
Aria pulled her habit up higher, showing her resolve.
For those ten minutes exposed to Kalt, her chest kept tingling, and her lower belly grew faintly warm.
Scarlet walked the streets alone.
When they left the guild and discussed plans, she wanted to be by herself first.
More precisely, she didn't want to see Kalt's face right now.
Not because she hated him.
Far from it.
She just didn't know what pathetic expression she'd make if she saw him.
Back at the magic tool shop.
When Kalt went into another room with Joseph, Scarlet had cast a spell.
It was one she'd picked up after running away, when she couldn't easily trust people.
A kind of body enhancement magic.
It sharpened her hearing.
Of course, it couldn't pick up distant sounds, and the boost was only enough for eavesdropping on conversations.
Joseph's gaze toward her had felt ominous somehow, so she'd used it.
And she'd heard.
Joseph guessing her family from her staff design.
As he told Kalt and suggested swapping party members.
What Kalt said to Joseph.
She'd already confided her worries to Kalt.
He knew her situation.
She knew he was offering solutions for their sake and cheering her on.
Even so.
In a place where she supposedly wasn't.
Where she couldn't possibly hear.
Kalt's sincere words of trust shook Scarlet to her core.
No matter how much Kalt cheered her or suggested ways forward.
The anxiety and impatience lingering inside her remained.
She sometimes worried that deep down, Kalt saw her as a burden.
That even if her issues resolved, he wouldn't expect much from her.
It was like a trauma.
She'd heard spiteful talk, seen worthless gazes from her first real comrade, her academy mentor she'd thought of as a benefactor, and the family who'd raised her with love, whom she cherished most.
Even with new people to trust, that anxiety was inevitable.
She sometimes wondered if Nellis or Aria, whom she saw as precious comrades, secretly thought of her as a useless mage.
Those thoughts would surface unbidden, and she'd shake her head to deny them.
But Kalt had voiced his trust and faith in her potential to Joseph.
Those words warmed her heart so deeply.
Someone speaking words of trust about her in her absence—it made her happy.
Sure enough, when Kalt emerged, she'd bowed her head to avoid his face, afraid she'd make a foolish, idiotic expression.
She'd tried her hardest not to look at him.
And now, wandering the streets alone.
Scarlet's heart had calmed a bit.
"Hoo..."
Standing in the street, she fiddled with the brooch Kalt had bought her.
'Kalt bought this... ah!'
"This wasn't bought with my money!"
Originally, she'd planned to buy her own magic tools with her own cash.
But after overhearing Kalt, her overflowing emotions and desire to avoid facing him made her rush out without a word.
In the end, Kalt had paid for the brooch and the magic tome.
"Haa... I'll have to pay him back when I get home. But..."
What if she didn't? Wouldn't it become a gift from Kalt?
She toyed with the idea shyly.
"A gift from Kalt..."
Scarlet quietly stroked the brooch.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
"N-no!"
'Even so, I can't just take it without a word. I have to be thorough about this. And why am I even thinking like this!'
Unable to make sense of her tangled feelings, Scarlet headed to a park, sat on a bench, and opened the magic tome.
'I'll at least master one spell before going back.'
That way, she'd take one step closer to the great mage Kalt believed she could become.
'Hmm... what should I do?'
Nellis wandered the city aimlessly.
'Sigh, I was gonna ask Kalt to show me around more.'
After leaving the guild, she'd planned to stick with Kalt and ask for more guidance.
But Aria had requested a consultation first.
Seeing her comrade so proactive about solving her issue, Nellis couldn't bring herself to delay it and ask for a tour instead.
Heading straight back to the inn felt like a waste, so here she was, wandering alone.
She'd considered tagging along with Scarlet, but couldn't grab her after she'd specifically said she wanted to go solo.
"Haa..."
Nellis sighed.
She preferred chatting and strolling with others over quiet solitude.
'Still... the streets are lively, lots to see.'
It was busier and more prosperous than her hometown—or any village she'd passed through.
'If I weren't a Hero... if I were just a regular villager, I'd be thrilled even alone.'
But traveling with comrades as a Hero had made her crave exploring the streets with them.
She wanted to roam Tridia together—not for quests or adventures, but for fun: popping into shops, soaking in the sights.
So she didn't want to wander too much alone.
'Tomorrow after the quest, I'll ask Kalt.'
Nellis turned her steps.
She didn't like wandering solo too long.
But going back to the inn now felt premature.
So what to do?
Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind.
'Right! Info gathering!'
She'd scout for party-useful intel.
If she brought back something good.
"Heh, hehehe..."
Imagining Kalt's praise made her grin uncontrollably.
Nellis headed straight for the prime info spot.
For Hero parties or adventurers, info flowed naturally there.
The guild she'd just left.
The guild wasn't just for quests or announcing Hero party feats in regions.
It also facilitated info swaps among Hero and adventurer parties.
And for that, it always had tables and chairs.
Including solo seats for those who preferred it.
Nellis took a solo seat, ordered a drink, sipped it, and pondered.
'Came to gather info, but... I don't have anything to share or trade with other parties!'
Without Kalt, her formerly slothful party had no useful intel—just her own flaws.
Nothing valuable to offer.
'M-maybe talk about Kalt's exploits? Nah, feels wrong using him as trade bait...'
As she fretted over what to do.
A snippet reached her ears.
"The Fastest Hero Mabel Party! They shone in that flooded dungeon this time!"
"Mabel Party?"
'That shameless Mabel Party that exiled Kalt?'