Behind, The Back Is Good Too♡
The Adventurer's Tavern was packed with people. The lively atmosphere buzzed as everyone enjoyed their drinks and food, chatting about the next subjugation zone. The magic stones harvested from monsters were a serious money-maker. Crystals and magic stones were bought in bulk by the Banir Temple. They were offerings for the gods. Proof that humans had slain that many creatures from the Demon Realm in service to the divine.
Seria and Isabel sat on either side of me. They had stopped glaring at each other and looked somewhat serious now. After all, we were here to find companions we'd stick with until the end.
Skilled applicants preferred! Veterans preferred! This Hero works for free.
What for? Magic stone farming, obviously.
Honestly, magic stones weren't that important to me. I didn't plan on relying on Seria's help forever, but right now I just didn't feel any particular need for them. So it only made sense to share them with the new companions we'd meet.
"Just as expected!"
A thick stack of applications. Of course, I wouldn't be able to read them all. At this rate, I might end up spending the entire day in this tavern.
Isabel sat beside me, munching on apple pie with an ecstatic expression. When our eyes met, her cheeks—including her ears—flushed bright red.
"Ahem. I am not a woman with a particularly large appetite."
"Isabel, don't lie. You're the biggest glutton among all my maids."
"M-Milady! Please stop slandering me!"
"Hmph, what am I supposed to do when it's the truth?"
"...Hmph."
She cleared her throat with a loud hmph! and straightened her expression. Was this what they called gap moe? It was quite the sight.
"Isabel likes to eat... No...te..."
"H-Hero!"
"I'm kidding. Just kidding."
Alright, that's enough of that. Time to start calling names.
I flipped open the first page. The pleasant rustle of paper felt satisfying. Was it made from Alfrheim wood? The smooth texture was nice.
A face printed large on the page caught my eye. A man with unremarkable features. His stats were...
"Pass."
This wasn't a place for beginners who'd just picked up a sword. It wasn't that I was looking down on them—it was too dangerous. The Demon Realm was managed by Loki's daughter, Hel. The Hero's party had to venture deep inside and kill every single one of the Legion Commanders. That was why we needed skilled people.
Lunaris, Fina, and Ragner had been skilled too, but... still, anyone would be better than those three.
No matter how many pages I flipped, none of them looked particularly strong. At best, they were former assault troops from the warrior bands. If that's the case, why not just collect a pension and stay in Banaheim's warrior division? Why insist on becoming an adventurer?
That thought suddenly reminded me of the military. Ah... I knew that feeling all too well. The urge to break free from the mundane world. A strange sense of sympathy washed over me. I quietly wiped away a tear and turned the next page.
How many had I gone through? One female warrior's profile stood out. Her solid muscles and detailed subjugation record were impressive. Riana Sigidottir. It meant "Riana, daughter of Sigi." Having spent a long time with Ragner, I was familiar with these naming conventions.
Should I call her first?
I shouted her name in a loud voice. The adventurers buzzed and shifted their gazes toward her footsteps. Pushing through the crowd, a woman with striking jet-black hair appeared.
"You called?"
"This subjugation record. Is it real?"
There was such a thing as career fraud, after all.
"...If you doubt it, I will swear it before the eyes of the gods."
She kissed a stone engraved with runes.
"I swear before Odin."
"Odin."
Everyone present echoed the word "Odin" in unison. A faint reaction came from the Holy Sword. It seemed she wasn't lying. The document passed. At the very least, her record was comparable to Ragner's. Fighting a swarm of void giants was annoying even for me. If she really smashed their heads with an axe and made a necklace from their skull fragments...
"Oh... This person's the real—"
"Rejected!"
"You can't!"
"—deal...?"
Seria and Isabel flashed their eyes and stopped me. They shot sharp glances at Riana. Grrr. Seria's aura was stronger. Isabel trembled at Riana's gaze and shrank her shoulders, but Seria didn't back down.
This was the future Odin had shown me. I tried to ignore it and spoke.
"I'd like to see your skills with my own eyes. How about it?"
"Not a bad condition. I like that kind of delicacy. Haa...♡"
Haa?
"Ahem. So the rumor that you kept the Saintess and the mage as slaves under a bridge was false after all?"
What the hell is that nonsense? It's not true.
"Fuck. What kind of bullshit is that?"
This was ridiculous. Me? Why? With those bitches? Who the hell started spreading such garbage rumors? It was no secret that Ragner, who used to be jealous of Taesik, was the culprit.
"...Fuck. That Ragner bastard."
Seria said.
"Your name is Riana, correct?"
"Hm? That's right. And you must be... the second daughter of the Blood Lion family."
"First of all, my Hero doesn't have the guts to keep two bitches as slaves."
Nice assist. Everything Seria said was spot on!
"Even if I, I tempt him naked, he tries so hard to hold back..."
"Wait, Seria?"
"He definitely has a sex drive when he sees something b-big, but... um..."
Why are you getting embarrassed while saying it? Please stop. This is so embarrassing. I'm not a eunuch!
Giving up my family in the original world and choosing this life wasn't an easy decision. That's why.
"Ahem. That's enough, Seria."
Please... I'm sorry. If that bothered you, I'll apologize.
"No. Hero. I must say what needs to be said."
Seria placed her hand on the sword at her waist. I simply watched her quietly.
"I will test this female warrior's skills myself."
"Are you sure that's okay?"
You've been hiding how strong you are. Is it really fine to show it like this?
Maybe my thoughts showed on my face, because Seria answered with a faint smile.
"To stay by your side, Hero, I must prove myself as well."
That's what she said. But her true feelings were different.
That filthy bitch!
Seria wasn't so ignorant that she didn't know about the lewd and promiscuous sex lives of Vikings. Every time she went on expeditions with the warrior bands, the moans echoing from the tents had nearly driven her insane. She'd seen countless women who didn't even know who the father of their child was, so she was wary. Just look at those massive twin valleys and those curving lines. Honestly, it was impossible not to feel jealous.
The Hero's words lingered in her ears.
—Oh... This person's the real deal.
The Hero had taken a liking to this woman.
...Dangerous. She had to be uprooted.
"So, will you leave it to me?"
More kindly than anyone. The same expression she'd shown when he saved her carriage and their eyes first met. She hid her emotions and spoke a lie.
"Hmm... Well, it's not bad. Alright."
"Hehe. Thank you."
Permission granted. She lightly kissed his cheek as if to show off, then drew her sword toward Riana.
"Come."
*
Sword and axe crossed in an X shape. Seria's silver hair traced arcs with every step. Clang! The base of the axe met Seria's blade. Seria twisted her body and struck Riana's firm abdomen.
"Kyaaht! Hngh...♡"
Riana shuddered in ecstasy. What the fuck. She was just a masochist who enjoyed getting hit.
I sighed as I watched the fight unfold. She definitely fought well. In terms of combat sense alone, she might even be better than Seria. But look at that face lost in pleasure. Hearts practically floated in her eyes, her cheeks burned red, and she panted heavily.
"Kuh... A warrior doesn't submit to something like thiiiis♡"
Stop it.
"N-not at aaaall♡"
Fuck, I said stop!
The way she deliberately left openings was truly a spectacle. What did they say earlier? That I kept Fina and Lunaris as slaves? That I threw wild X-rated parties with them every night? If I could have, I would've done it already!
"Ooh...♡"
This crazy bitch. She must have heard the rumor and applied with both anticipation and excitement.
"O-Odin♡ I will not submit... ngh!"
Show him! Show the Hero how excited I am!
That's what Seria thought. That vixen who flirted even while fighting, sneaking glances at the Hero, was a target for elimination. If she joined the party, she'd definitely approach him with that lewd body and offer service.
"...The Hero doesn't like such a lewd body."
"Says the one with the lewdest body of all."
"Hehe. That's because this body exists for the Hero."
People are watching! You're creating misunderstandings! Why are you doing this?!
Seria's sword strikes swirled, and a wind attack enveloped Riana. Whoosh! The leather clothes covering her rough skin began to tear.
"Hmph. Earlier you were staring at my body with such lust. Maybe you've grown tired of her?"
"...What did you just say?"
Don't fall for it. That's obviously a provocation! Seria. If you fall for that provocation—!
"You thieving cat!"
She threw her sword, grabbed Riana's head, and drove her knee into her chest. Crack!
"O... Ooh♡"
Fuck. Is this an erotic manga? Enjoying pain? I couldn't understand this woman at all.
"Hey, you're weak. I'd be a better fit for the Hero's party than you."
"Hehe. What does the Hero's party even matter?"
"Oh...?"
"As long as I'm by the Hero's side, whether it's the Hero's party or anything else doesn't matter."
Could you two please not have this conversation while beating the crap out of each other?
Riana's axe split the ground. Seria dodged to the side. The adventurers had already formed a circle, creating an arena. Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! As expected of Viking descendants. Their unique cheers and shield-banging were spectacular.
Riana, kicked by Seria's foot, slammed her back and butt against the wall of shields.
"Behind, the back is good too♡"
Oh Lord. I think something demonic has possessed me.
Isabel blushed at the embarrassing sight and hid behind me. It meant she couldn't bear to watch.
"Haha..."
It felt wrong to stop them. Riana clearly wasn't fighting at full strength. It was obvious she was enjoying herself. Seria was also holding back until Riana showed her true power.
"Th-this must be one of Loki's pranks♡"
It had to be the mischievous prank of that wicked, playful god.
"There's no way I'd lose to a woman like you who doesn't even have any muuusc—ooh♡!"
Yeah, sure!
"No way I'm losing—ooh♡!"
Talking while getting hit is pointless, you know.
And you clearly haven't seen Seria's abs. Her pretty, toned abs were seriously se—
"Aah!"
"H-Hero?"
The image of Seria's body from the hot spring flashed through my mind.
"Aang♡"
So soft, like a captivating sculpture...
"Hngh..."
Seria's closeness.
"Hehe. A little more! Push me harder!"
Crack.
"Ah, fuck! Shut up and fight!"
"Y-You cursed at me... I-I like iiiiit..."
Seria mercilessly beat the flirtatious Riana. Somehow her body didn't get injured. No bruises, and her firm muscles bounced the fists away. Leg attacks seemed to work, though.
How dare... How dare she flirt with the Hero right in front of me?
She rushed forward, grabbed Riana's hair, and yanked it.
"You fucking bitch, you've got some nerve!"
"Ugh! Stop pulling my hair!"
Riana also grabbed Seria's silver hair. It was a truly ugly fight.
"Y-You're touching a noble's hair?"
"I-I'm a free citizen! I'm not bound by class!"
After a beat.
"Hngh... My hair hurts quite a bit too... Ooh♡"
Oh for fuck's sake. Why isn't there a single normal person here? Seria, please just end this quickly... Please.