96. Passing Ships and the Ladder of Lovers
The next day, I woke up in the noble's mansion.
Myra seemed to wake at the same time. We playfully embraced, exchanged light kisses, then sat up.
I used water magic to wash her body and mine. It felt refreshing, clearing my mind.
"...I can still feel the sensation of Mash moving inside me the whole time. It hurts."
Myra murmured, pressing her lower abdomen.
"Why not try some healing magic?"
I replied while getting dressed. She was holding black underwear in her hand.
"I wonder what'll happen?"
I wasn't sure, but she fidgeted shyly.
"What do you mean... the hymen? If it regenerates, my heart'd be pounding!"
Injuries heal with magic, so maybe even that. It wouldn't be weird if her hymen restored itself now. From here on, I could deflower virgin Myra over and over. But would that even count as virginity anymore?
"...Does Mash prefer virgins?"
Myra paused while dressing.
This was one of those unfair questions where no matter what I said, I'd be in trouble.
"Last night's Myra was incredibly cute. Just remembering you enduring the pain for me gets me excited even now. But that's what makes it special—once in a lifetime, y'know?"
"Am I only cute at night?"
"N-No, you've been cute since we met. Last night was just extra cute!"
I stammered in a panic. Myra pressed her belly again.
"...I'll just endure the pain. Is that okay?"
Her modest gesture and gentle smile were so adorable I pulled her close for a kiss. She eagerly tangled her tongue with mine, turning it passionate.
That's when the door opened and Ensha came in.
"Breakfast is... oh."
Myra hurriedly hid under the bedsheets.
The return river crossing was elegant, courtesy of the noble's ship. We enjoyed a meal aboard.
Myra drank the recommended wine without hesitation.
Thanks to that, our reward was a barrel of the noble's prized vintage. I stored it away—no problem there—but I had to keep it hidden from Fam and Mizuki.
Back on the original shore, we parted ways: me to Mateo Merchant Company, Myra to the church.
The Fulft branch of Mateo Merchant Company had separate warehouse and office buildings—bigger than the Rishel main store.
The office was open like an inn, with a tavern on the first floor for dealings. Bustling even in the morning.
Mercedes spotted me right away and led me to an upstairs private room.
Claire sat on a sofa, sipping tea.
"Good morning. I've been waiting."
"Morning."
After greetings, she gestured to the seat opposite.
As Mercedes moved to leave, I stopped him and handed over a letter of introduction for Ensha's father. One of the rewards.
"Th-This is..."
Mercedes devoured the letter with his eyes. Curious, Claire stood and peeked.
"Yesterday, I happened to save that noble's daughter."
I explained briefly.
"Understood. I'll take a branch member and visit at once."
Mercedes bowed deeply.
"Mash-sama, a moment if you please?"
Mercedes led me to another small room. Just us two.
"Mash-sama, you seem even more capable than our master anticipated. In Niren, traveling with you boosted our company's reputation. Even in Fulft territory, you've opened doors to royalty and nobles."
"...Don't sweat it. I owe Mateo Merchant Company for letting me keep traveling."
I meant it. At first, I thought Levanté alone could reach Migurutto faster. But without local knowledge or geography sense, it'd be reckless. Caravans gave info, lodging—priceless.
Mercedes nodded at me.
"And Claire-sama? What are your thoughts?"
An odd question. Unsure of his intent, I eyed his expression.
"As a partner, what do you think? We'd like to know."
"...What do you mean?"
"For instance, perhaps you prefer humans. She remains untouched, so we could consult our master."
Mateo wants to keep ties with me but not let me influence the company. So he offered his small-winged daughter. But Mercedes had revised my value upward from our travels. Switching to a human daughter meant wanting me involved in operations—and easing worries I hadn't touched Claire yet.
I'd take what's offered, sure. When Mateo first proposed Claire, yeah. But now? I see it as loveless. Remembering Mizuki's anxious face back then...
Above all, I'd spent real time with Claire. I wanted to know her feelings. Without using her as a shield.
"I'm just an adventurer. Can't things stay as they are?"
Back in Claire's room.
Two teacups on the table. She'd prepared mine too.
"Finished talking with Mercedes?"
I sipped the tea. Her face was pale. She knew the topic.
"Yeah."
"Then my journey ends here..."
"Nah, come to Migurutto with me."
She looked shocked.
"Mercedes's offer must appeal to you."
"More than you?"
"Yes, more than me."
Instant reply. I sipped my tea—cooled, but flavorful.
"...Nice weather today. Wanna walk outside?"
Mateo Merchant Company's branch sat in a commercial district amid other company buildings. Ships docked along the riverbank, cargo bustling. Port clamor echoed.
Claire and I strolled the riverfront, watching.
"My half-sister is quite cute, you know?"
"What, cute? Then I'd like to meet her."
Claire smiled faintly—but bitterly. I replied casually, but first pictured Mateo's face. Claire had traces of him too. Took time to see past it.
"My mother was bought by Father as a slave."
"Still a slave?"
Claire nodded. Normal here, huh.
"I was Father's slave too. Wore the slave crest for years."
She gazed at her pale arm.
"Ownership of a slave's child belongs to the owner, right?"
"Yes. I was freed to go to Migurutto with Mash, but Mother stays with Mateo. I had to win Mash's favor. And bear your child."
Reminded me of Karupana—offering herself for her wandering folk. Higher status here meant denser ties, no room for romance.
"Mother as hostage? Even if I don't favor you, I doubt Mateo'd harm you or her..."
Several sailboats departed the harbor. Passenger ships—deck crowded with waving travelers. Port folk waved back.
Claire and I paused from afar, watching. Pondering her words. Even slaves—surely bonds existed between Mateo, Claire, her mother.
"Maybe. But I want to leave Father. And not miss this chance."
"Become a stranger's lover? Bear his kid?"
I'd hate it. But she nodded.
"Migurutto welcomes non-humans. And I thought winning Mash's heart would be easy."
"Wasn't it?"
Just talk to me, done. But she shook her head.
"Mash already has so many lovers. Wondering how to catch your eye... I ended up thinking only of you."
"Rush me naked yelling 'Uffun~ I wuv youuu, Mashuuu~' and you're in."
"If you'd done that, you should've pulled me to the inn that first day. You held back for my sake, but the company would've preferred it. After, they held a meeting: 'She's no good?' I sat there like on pins and needles—'no charm,' 'no boobs'..."
I'd held back for Fam and the others, but no need to complicate things.
"Now that it's come to this, I have my ideal romance, my ideal way to unite. I want you to find me attractive without stripping and charging."
She murmured, regaining spirit.
"Nah, I already find you plenty attractive."
Sounded forced? She fell silent.
"...But if push comes to shove, I will."
Claire stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Saying it again: I won't send you back to Rishel."
"Really?"
I nodded.
"Yeah. If you hate it, tell Mercedes yourself."
"No way I'd say it first!"
Claire shot back in a fluster.
"And no rush. Take it slow."
Among the send-off crowd for departing ships was Fam.
Unexpected encounter. She spotted me, ran over. Just one day apart, but she felt nostalgic—cuter than ever. Wanted to hug her tight.
"Know someone aboard?"
"Yes, a friend. Is Shu-sama seeing them off too?"
"Nah... not me, but you have friends?"
"Of course I have friends!"
Bad phrasing—she puffed her cheeks.
"Village friends?"
"No. We adventured together yesterday."
Fam started recounting yesterday, then noticed Claire beside me.
"On a date, huh. I'll get out of your hair."
Her cold gaze as she turned away—Claire grabbed her arm.
"Why not lunch for three? The company supplies spices to a spot—delicious meat dishes. Please, tell me about yesterday too."
"...Is that okay?"
Fam eyed me. Hoped Claire meant it.
"Yeah, let's eat as a trio."
We left the port.
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