23. After the Festival and at the Church
Consciousness slowly returned.
He seemed to be in bed. It felt comfortable. No pain. Always collapsing after a big fight feels like some kinda glitch.
That said, this pillow smelled amazing. He pulled it from under his head and hugged it close, inhaling deeply.
This scent... I could sniff it forever.
"Mash?" Mizuki's voice rang out.
He opened his eyes and sat up. It was a simple, calming room. Old shelves and a desk gave it a sense of age, but they were clearly well-cared for. Red light filtered through the window—probably dusk.
Mizuki and Fam sat in chairs. Between them, Cecily, Ira, and Beers knelt in seiza. Their wounds had healed.
He rubbed his stomach. No knife wound. Looks like I got healed too.
"What about Lead?" he asked Fam.
"..."
"He's in jail for slashing you after the duel," Mizuki answered for her. There was some kind of law and order system here, at least.
"Makes sense. But if he just stores his weapons, jail seems pointless."
"They've got magic-sealing tools, apparently."
Was that what they'd used on Fam's cell? Would it block skills too?
"Fam, why are these guys kneeling like that?"
"..."
"Since they became your slaves, Beers's contracts transferred to you as the new master," Mizuki explained again.
Sure enough, slave crests marked Cecily and Ira's arms. But why the seiza?
"Mizuki, you cool with this?"
"I opposed it. But..."
Mizuki glanced at Fam. Looked like she wasn't having it.
"Beers is fine, right? He was Lead's slave anyway—no choice there. If he wants, I'll free him from slavery."
Beers's face lit up with surprise and joy.
"Shu-sama!" Fam cried out.
"What? Were you about to bark at me again?"
"Why forgive them so easily? I don't get it."
His joke fell flat.
"Beers is forgivable, yeah? No?"
"Then what's my punishment for nearly killing you?"
"No punishment. What're you on about? Doesn't make sense."
"I wanted to help you. But that wasn't what you wanted."
"Nah, I was happy you tried."
"Then why stop me?"
Alone, he'd have been fine saying it, but with everyone listening, he wanted to brush it off. Fam wasn't letting it go.
"Didn't want you becoming a killer."
Waiting till she's grown up enough to decide for herself—is that just my ego?
"During the duel, I heard you tell Lady Rakushel 'don't kill.' You wanted to save the guy who challenged you before it even started. And he tried to kill you? Someone like that deserves death."
He glanced at Mizuki for a split second. She'd get it—they were from the same world. But she stayed silent. This was between him and Fam; no talking one side down.
"I was raised to believe 'don't kill people.' I think I get why, but explaining it... Fam, I didn't want that for you either."
"I get 'don't kill.' I hate it too. If that blade was aimed at me and you said forgive, maybe. But it was aimed at you. I can't forgive that. You're wrong here. If you hate it, just tie me up next time."
That moment, his body moved on instinct. No deep thought. He'd assumed Fam would understand, but he'd hurt her bad.
"If it'd been aimed at you, I wouldn't forgive. And you refused the binding."
"Yeah... But if it happens again, I'll do the same."
This was going in circles. He got Fam's point now. In this world, fights dragged you in easy, and death loomed close.
"Fam, I like you. You?"
"...Yes. Mine's a big like."
"Then get it. I don't want a master-pet thing where one punishes the other. And yeah, you're right. Won't fix today. We'll adventure together, learn each other's feelings bit by bit. Close the gap slow. That no good?"
"Shu-sama's a free adventurer. Stuff like this'll happen again. No one's guarding you. If I say I'll protect you now, you'd laugh—I'm just a stray you picked up. But I'll grow with you. No matter what, I'll guard you, deliver your blade to the enemy's throat. But if that's not what you want... I... I... I love you so much... yet. A world without Shu-sama's worthless. I can't forgive your enemies."
Nothing to say back. That was the resolve in her "I'll follow you" words. He'd forced the village girl who cried from goblin punches to grow up—what'd he expect? He'd dragged her into fights without resolve. This was payback for acting without thought. Fam was forcing adulthood in no time. Was that okay? What about him?
"I wanted to protect you too. Thought I was. Couldn't stand you killing for me. Plus, Wind's Blade helped me once. Hard to kill him."
"Losing you ends me."
"Can't imagine losing you either."
"You gave me freedom. I want you free too. I got messy emotions, contradictions galore. Feelings I can't word. You too, right? Adventure together, learn me slow, learn your true feelings slow. Oh, and wanna play a game later."
Hope she won't be disappointed it's all lewd stuff. Keep quiet for now.
Fam was pissed, sure. But she'd shown room to forgive.
"...Lovers' spat over?"
Mizuki asked. Super embarrassing. Fam's face flushed too.
"What do you think of Wind's Blade, Mizuki?"
He asked to deflect.
"Just hated Lead's methods. Relieved no one died, honestly. And yeah, freeing Beers from slavery—I'm for it."
"Um, Fam? Be honest," he asked, adding honorifics cautiously.
"Yes. I'm for it too."
He sighed in relief.
"Good. Here's gold. Stay at Asuka-tei tonight. Free you tomorrow."
"For real?" Beers's voice was higher-pitched than expected—first time hearing it.
"Yeah."
He pulled ten silver coins from storage and handed them over. Enough for dinner. Beers took them happily and left.
"Now Cecily and Ira."
"First, what about Lead?"
"City rules'll judge him."
"No need to enslave then. Problem solved."
Having that guy stick around as a slave? Nightmare. Or escalating to noble beef? Worse.
"Yeah, good."
"...Um, Fam?"
"Not thrilled, but if he's locked in jail, fine."
Whew. Fam was scary. Mention her knowing jail best? Yeah, no.
"Shu-sama, the honorifics hurt. I'm not mad anymore—treat me normal."
"Got it."
Wished she'd drop "Shu-sama" too, but not today.
Now the two left.
Decent-level mage and priestess? Welcome addition. But slavery or not, adventuring together felt off. They'd been kind on meeting. Wanted to end it smooth.
Cecily: straight gold hair to shoulders. Usually hid under that wide-brim pointed hat, but hatless now, face clear. Strong-willed look. Cute. Height like Mizuki's? Bust and hips between Fam and Mizuki. Kneelength black mage robe; seiza showed white knees. Lean in, probably peek further—but Mizuki'd kill him.
Ira: black hair to chest. Gentle face like Myra's. Cute too. Shorter than Cecily. Those tits—bigger than Mizuki's. Priestess robe hid feet. Same hairstyle and outfit as Myra. Not twins, but similar. Close sisters? Tell apart by bust size. Then moles: Ira right eye corner under, Myra left.
They hung heads wordless, staring down. Legs numb?
Mizuki said they dated Lead. Probably threesomes galore.
"Can I do whatever...?" Gulp. Slipped out.
"Hmph, do whatever—but don't!"
"No, do as you please, Shu-sama."
Mizuki and Fam split.
"He's plotting something lewd!"
How do you know?
"Shu-sama saved our lives. His call."
"See? He's serious about the lewd stuff! You okay with that, Fam?"
"Shu-sama's free."
"Hmph, not convinced... but 2-1, whatever."
Mizuki caved. Fine—give her the creepiest, most off-putting option.
"Alright. Ira, impersonate Myra-san. One night with me, both free."
"Eek!"
All the women shrieked. Why Fam too? Wait—no one looked at him. At the back. Dread.
Slow turn. Room bigger than thought. Opposite the bed: Myra, beaming.
"Myra-san... how long...?"
"Whole time? Oh, this is my room, by the way."
That amazing scent was Myra's. Done for. Everything.
"Finally my turn to speak? May I?"
"...Yeah..."
Like sitting on needles.
"I think Mash-sama taking Ira is fine. But freeing them right away? Tricky."
Sis cool with her sister banging the old guy?
"Why?"
"You summoned Lady Rakushel and won. Now Wind's Blade's God's enemy. Lead attacked you even after you saved him. You're merciful, but folks who saw will wonder about freeing Cecily-san and Ira."
"Got it. Need a punishment period under me, huh."
Myra nodded. Forgot the ripple from Goddess Summon.
"But that wasn't the real Rakushel. Just a cosplay nutjob with head issues impersonating."
Myra shook her head.
"No, absolutely real. I've prayed daily at the temple for this. If fake, you'd face judgment."
No choice back then, but Goddess Summon was a mistake. Shouldn't have.
"Right. Oh, forgot—supposed to call the high priest when you woke."
Myra left without waiting.
A priest who'd hid was coming personally?