Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: The Journey (8)
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The next day.
Our princess was dozing off at the reins.
Though no accident occurred, she kept veering off course.
It must have been from overexerting herself during the battle.
She seemed tired from shouldering many other tasks as well.
In the end, I had to take the reins.
It was a semi-automatic system that moved on its own as long as you held them properly.
Just a tug at every fork in the road… whoops, that’s the wrong way.
“Even you make mistakes, huh?”
“……”
“Here, you do it like this.”
The princess skillfully corrected our course.
Soon after, she began nodding off again as if she hadn't gotten enough sleep.
She could have just rested comfortably inside, but she stubbornly remained in the seat next to me.
A fact I was realizing anew.
Driving a carriage was incredibly boring.
I felt myself getting drowsy.
But that problem was solved in an unexpected way.
“……”
A girl resting her head on my shoulder.
It seemed she’d done it unconsciously in her sleep.
My heart didn't race, but it was impossible not to focus my attention on it.
Well, this should be fine.
A kindness extended to a comrade. The situation fell within that category.
However, it seemed the princess thought differently.
She would wake up every thirty minutes, and each time, she would deny reality.
“—??”
*Oh no, what have I done…*
*I didn't do it on purpose. Please believe me!*
With that kind of feeling, she would hastily make excuses.
“…Sorry. Was that uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. It’s okay to lean on a comrade when you’re tired.”
“That’s true, but… I’m just a little sleepy right now…”
What was this? This awkwardness?
Her character seemed to have subtly changed.
Before, she would have naturally thrown an arm around my shoulder.
Of course, I could guess the reason why.
Still, I didn't expect her to be this obvious about it.
What should I do about this?
It seemed the higher her affection grew, the more she saw me as a member of the opposite sex.
Tsk, all for that damned trait reward…
Should I draw a firm line after I get the trait?
That would be the best course of action, but I wasn't confident I could do it.
How could I turn my back on this pitiful princess?
Even if things got complicated, it was only right to help her to the end.
Besides, her presence was essential to defeating the Demon King.
Our goals aligned, so we had to maintain our relationship until then.
“Ah, I was leaning on you again. I didn't even realize…”
“……”
This situation repeated over and over.
Something was strange. How could she keep making the same mistake?
I drove the carriage in silence.
Well, I suppose everyone needs someone to lean on.
Having skipped lunch, we finally reached our destination.
***
It was only after arriving at the hot spring town that I realized.
This was an event map, wasn't it? It looked exactly like one.
It’s a location that appears in the main story, too.
It was definitely a map designed specifically for an event.
As if to prove it, a system window presented me with a quest.
[Hidden Quest]
[Details: Undisclosed]
[Reward: Undisclosed]
Huh? Why so unfriendly all of a sudden?
Shouldn't it at least give me a minimal clue?
Well, there was no need to overthink it.
The conditions would naturally be met by just wandering around.
That was the hallmark of an event map.
A format where you get rewards just for having fun.
It was a sort of bonus, so I just accepted it and moved on.
“Wow! There are so many people!”
“This is closer to a city than a village.”
“I didn't expect it to be this big, either. It’s much better than the rumors.”
The girls couldn't hide their surprise.
That's how large-scale and well-developed it was.
A clean and vibrant atmosphere.
Numerous facilities tailored for tourists.
Although it was built to attract human guests, there was a considerable number of beastkin in sight.
Suddenly, I remembered the background setting of the event map.
Weren't the raccoon beastkin in charge of the tourism industry here?
At this point, it seemed like they were involved in everything.
The beastkin might just be dominating the continent's commerce.
Well, they’re cute, so it’s fine!
Right now, all that mattered was healing.
Since we had skipped lunch, we first looked for a restaurant.
Without hesitation, I headed toward a high-end establishment.
“Ah…”
The princess was the only one who shrank back.
*Guys, is this okay? It looks so expensive!*
With that kind of feeling, she hesitated to go inside.
How do I fix this miserly habit of hers?
Would locking her in the royal palace for a hundred days or so knock some sense into her?
I didn’t understand what she was worried about when the heir to a great family was her comrade.
Whatever, just trust your big bro!
As we sat down, a raccoon beastkin waiter handed us menus.
“Welcome to our restaurant! Our recommended dish is…”
“All the course meals, one after another.”
“—??”
“I’d like generous portions, if you please.”
“Ah, yes, I understand.”
He immediately understood after spotting Aruru.
It was an order that likely wouldn't have been accepted if it were only humans.
While we waited, the princess checked the menu.
Just as I expected, she reacted with horror.
“—!!”
Hey, Princess.
Every time you do that, my heart aches for you!
Even a commoner probably wouldn't be like this.
Since it had come to this, I decided to face the problem head-on.
I would make her recall the life of the privileged class by spending money like water.
“Ooh! I’ve never seen this dish before!”
“The appetizer is excellent.”
“Ugh, there’s no turning back now…”
The princess accepted her fate.
Once she started eating, she savored the taste and enjoyed herself.
And through it all, she maintained her etiquette perfectly.
Well, the one having the most fun was our cutie.
Nom, nom, nom.
As if determined to conquer every dish in the world, she ate everything with gusto, not picky in the least.
“This is amazing! Is it okay to be this happy?”
Proportional to the girl’s satisfaction…
The amount on the bill steadily inflated.
500,000, one million, two million…
The princess would faint if she knew, but I wasn't fazed.
[Hidden Quest]
[Overspending Stage 1 Cleared]
[Reward: Achievement Score +10,000]
Yeah, I had a feeling something like this would be here.
Simply put, it was a system for buying points with money.
The exchange rate wasn't great, but it was basically a free bonus anyway.
Our cutie.
This time, eat to your heart's content.
The more you eat, the more points I get!
“Okay!”
I even ordered expensive wine.
When you go big, you have to go all the way.
Ceria and the princess were precious girls, so I wanted to treat them well.
My choice was not wrong.
Everyone ate their fill with satisfaction.
Although I spent quite a bit of money, it was only natural considering my status.
“Ugh, a year’s worth of living expenses on a single meal…”
The girl muttered to herself, agonizing.
What kind of life had she lived?
In any case, I had no intention of stopping here.
“Please visit our establishment, where everything is provided!”
“Special half-price discount! A chance to enjoy the hot springs cheaply!”
“If you want a mixed bath, this way! We’ll provide you with the ultimate pleasure!”
The raccoon beastkin were each trying to attract customers.
One of the phrases nearly tempted me, but I barely managed to resist.
We’re going to have fun by ourselves!
I wanted a quiet and comfortable atmosphere.
Soon, I found an inn that specialized in accommodating families.
“Welcome!”
It was clear at a glance that the facilities were well-equipped.
Each group was provided with a hot spring of a certain size.
The areas were clearly divided, so there was no chance of running into other people.
Well, it was probably expensive because of that.
But I wasn't one to fuss over such trivial amounts of money.
“Our inn offers a variety of services. For example…”
“All options, top tier.”
“—!!”
“I’ll pay upfront.”
“We will serve you like a king!”
The raccoon beastkin bowed deeply from all sides.
Soon, two employees who said they would be exclusively attending to us guided us to our room.
[Overspending Stage 2 Cleared]
[Reward: Achievement Score +20,000]
[Overspending Stage 3 Cleared]
[Reward: Achievement Score +30,000]
Mm, spending money certainly is satisfying.
At this moment, I feared nothing.
The room was large enough for ten people to stay in.
It was decorated in an Eastern style, which felt familiar.
There was a folding screen-style partition, so there didn't seem to be any issues.
“Wow! I absolutely love it!”
“The room is directly connected to the hot spring.”
“Two gold coins for one night… I don’t even know anymore. I’m just going to enjoy it!”
The princess had finally surrendered.
The girls were completely captivated by the scenery outside the room.
Rocks and trees were harmoniously arranged, creating a stylish effect.
A moderately sized hot spring was in the center. It was exactly the picture I had in mind.
“Please feel free to use everything as you wish.”
“Even some rather… excessive play is fine.”
“We have prepared event outfits in the closet, so please use them to your heart’s content.”
“—??”
The raccoon beastkin chuckled.
*One guy and three girls. It’s obvious what’s going to happen!*
With that kind of feeling, they gave me a meaningful look.
What? Was this also part of the options? I wouldn't be using them, but still, nice!
“There are also entertainment facilities on the upper floor.”
“If you need a guide when you go out, please call for us.”
Being an event map, there were plenty of things to do.
I recalled there were minigame elements like table tennis and billiards.
I presumed those were also part of the hidden quest.
That aside… what now?
We each glanced at one another.
We couldn't all go in at the same time.
The most reasonable solution was to set different time slots.
First, I should get the girls into the hot spring.
In the meantime, I would search for hidden quests and then later…
“How about we go in together?”
“—??”
“I mean, we can just cover up with towels.”
A sudden declaration from our cutie.
She shrugged with a playful smile.
Ceria and the princess nodded as if it were nothing.
“I don’t mind at all. In fact…”
“Jace is a gentleman, so I think it’s fine.”
“……”
Is this really happening?
A boy’s fantasy coming true this easily?
To be honest, I had been hoping for this a little.
After all, this body of mine was an icon of faith and trust.
“But no peeking!”
“Of course not…”
“Still, if you’re a man, you should at least try.”
“—??”
Aruru giggled happily.
She seemed to be proclaiming that her mood was at an all-time high.
Anyway.
In the end, we all ended up soaking in the warm water together.
Of course, I was all by myself on the complete opposite side.
My view was completely obstructed by mist, steam, and various structures.
But I could hear our cutie splashing around.
My sense of hearing was constantly stimulated, forcing strange images into my mind.
Well, this situation wasn't all that strange.
Ceria was my fiancée who would become my partner, and Aruru was like a pet, no different from family.
Well, I guess Esterize would have to be the exception…
Even I could see the flaws in that logic. No rebuttals will be accepted.
“Ugh, this feels so good.”
It was a remark that made me doubt her fox beastkin ethnicity.
No wonder we got along so well. I should have her try some blood sausage soup later.
Perhaps because I was nearby…
The girls enjoyed the hot spring quietly.
I also closed my eyes and relaxed comfortably.
The fatigue in my body melted away, and the feeling was blissful.
“Ah, that shape is…”
“Ta-da! Our Aruru has turned into a sheep!”
From the sounds of it, the princess had folded a towel into a sheep’s head and put it on Aruru.
Wait, where did she learn to do that?
It was good that she was so capable, but it felt so commoner-like that it made me sad.
“Such smooth baby skin… I’m so jealous.”
“You’re pretty amazing yourself. I’ll have to take another look.”
“…What do you mean, ‘pretty’?”
“Um, well…”
“That’s enough. Stop right there!”
The girls' conversations drifted over to me.
Just that alone felt healing.
Our cutie.
You know how I feel, right? You can go wild all you want!
“Aruru, excuse me for a moment.”
“Ah! That’s embarrassing…”
“Hmm, so the tail is attached here.”
I could feel a sense of relief in Ceria's voice.
The mysteries of a beastkin’s body… I was getting curious, too.
Just as I was lost in wholesome daydreams, forgetting the passage of time…
I heard the successive sounds of people getting out of the hot spring.
“Hurry up and follow me.”
“Where are we going?”
“They said there are entertainment facilities. I can’t miss that.”
“I want to stay a little longer, though?”
“Ugh, seriously, take a hint!”
“—??”
I knew exactly what was happening.
Our cutie had earned her keep!
How could she be so clever?
It wasn't for nothing that I doted on her.
And so, I was left alone with Ceria.
The scene was perfect, but I didn't know what to do.
“……”
The situation was so stimulating that my mind went blank.
First, we should finish our bath, get dressed, and then go on a date in the streets…
Splash, splash.
My thoughts were interrupted by the growing sound of water.
The girl, making an impulsive act of affection, approached me.
“May I sit next to you?”
“…Yes. I was waiting.”
It was still fine.
I was wearing shorts, and Ceria had all the important parts covered.
She naturally rested her head on me.
The girl’s wet hair wildly shook my composure.
“It’s been a fun trip. I still miss Aruru’s hometown, and the experience of defeating the drake together was valuable.”
She said she had felt many things through all the other events we’d experienced.
Slowly laying the groundwork meant she had prepared something ‘big’…
“But there’s still something missing.”
“……”
“Finally, the moment has come for me to feel you.”
“—!!”
She looked straight at me with an unwavering gaze.
In the serious atmosphere, the girl gently closed her eyes.
My body reacted on its own.
As if drawn by fate, our lips met.
There was no way to describe its sweetness.