Chapter 58
Chapter 58
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: In Our Own Way - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Veronica and I go way back. We've kept in touch ever since we first met in the early days of the main story.
Excluding the hero party, she's probably the person I've interacted with the most in this world.
Even so, this was the first time I'd seen her like this.
No matter how lax the church's rules were, it was still a church. Her usual outfit wasn't as revealing as what other adventurers wore.
Sure, her priestess robes had a long slit and were tight enough to accentuate her figure, but they weren't overly exposing.
But this look...
"...W-What do you think?"
Her silver hair, which she'd always left long and messy, was now neatly tied up into a ponytail.
Her slightly fierce eyes were softly curved, and a black choker hugged her slender neck, perfectly matching her sharp nose and pointed chin.
Below that, the two massive peaks that always strained proudly against her black priestess robes were now barely contained by a tiny scrap of fabric.
Squeezed together tightly, they formed a deep cleavage. A small mole on her left breast emphasized the depth of that valley and the sheer size of those mountains even more.
Past that violent chest, a hint of her ribs peeked out, leading to taut abs that could almost be called muscular—her stomach and waist were sharply defined, without a single ounce of excess fat.
Then the dramatic curve began again.
Her wide hips accentuated her femininity, and her long, sleek legs—proof of a body honed for real combat—gleamed with the tautness of a leopard's.
The black garter belt squeezing her thighs bulged slightly where it gripped her flesh, drawing gasps of admiration from anyone who saw it.
Between those long, beautiful legs—like something carved from marble—was something outrageously provocative.
A black swimsuit, what people called a V-back, barely covered the essentials.
"Hey! You could do it too!"
"...W-What's with that reaction?!"
Her snow-white skin, matching her hair, flushed slightly. Her turquoise eyes burned with anger to hide her embarrassment. Veronica snapped at me, huffing, as a girl with thick, dark flame-red hair hesitated behind her and stepped forward.
"U-Ugh... M-Master..."
If Veronica embodied healthy beauty, this girl had the pure, lily-like charm of innocence.
I gazed steadily at Lucille.
Hmm, how to put it.
Yeah. Like a flame.
Her thick, voluminous hair was tied into a ponytail that hung loosely. Like the fiery red hue, her pale face was dyed crimson. Her cute, pretty features trembled uncertainly, her gaze wavering.
Was it her downcast eyes and huddled posture hiding her shame? It was enough to stir protective instincts.
Below that beauty, her modestly sized—small compared to Veronica's—breasts swelled gently, wrapped in a one-piece swimsuit. But as if she'd mustered her courage, the chest area was boldly exposed, showing a modest valley.
Past that valley, her noble birth showed in her meticulously maintained figure: a narrow waist contrasting with curvaceous hips.
And...
Uh. Is this okay?
For a one-piece, this was... really deep-cut.
The swimsuit plunged almost to high-leg levels, all the way to the edge of her hips, barely covering the important parts.
Below that, slightly plump thighs led to slender calves that didn't match, and unlike Veronica's, a frilled garter hung from her right leg, adding to her cuteness.
Even her toes, peeking from white sandals, were flushed. Lucille glanced at me, at a loss.
"W-What... do you think...?"
"Uh. Hmm. Looks great. But that swimsuit... isn't it a bit too revealing?"
"Ugh..."
Don't let the one-piece fool you. I'd seen it.
When Lucille had bent over slightly earlier, the back exposure was insane.
Good lord.
The back was practically nonexistent—just strings from her hips barely covering her rear.
Good lord. Who gave the princess something like that? Sure, it looked great, but...
If the queen, Raquel, or General Leoden caught her, it'd be a death sentence.
"...I-Is it? I... I... picked it myself, though."
...No innocent maid would get quartered, then.
"So? What's your take?"
Click-clack.
Veronica approached, her stunning legs wrapped in black ankle sandals. She leaned forward slightly in front of me, embarrassed yet pushing through, her face red as she tried to sound casual. I clapped once more.
Honestly, what else could a guy do but admire?
"Hmm... Thanks?"
"I like the honesty!"
Smack. She slapped my arm and grinned brightly, but her embarrassment lingered—her ears were red.
"But why hasn't Master..."
"Huh?"
"Yeah. Why aren't you in a swimsuit?"
"I am. I just need to take off the robe."
I shed my robe and unbuttoned my shirt, taking it off.
-Gulp.
The air went quiet for a moment, and I felt piercing stares.
Ignoring them, I dropped my pants too. I was wearing black square-cut swim trunks.
No way could I pull off a Speedo.
"Um... M-Master..."
Lucille kept stealing glances, then licked her dry lips. Thirsty? I handed her a drink from the nearby table.
"Master... y-your... b-body... looks... g-good."
"...Really...? Gulp."
My body? Had to be. Rolling around like a dog in this world naturally toned you up.
Especially as a sage. I could learn any skill, but to use them properly, I had to train too.
In other words, I'd trained to master physical job skills, and built some muscle in the process.
"...Could you stop staring?"
Why keep eyeing me like that? Only after I said it did Lucille and Veronica jolt and whip their heads away.
"...But why are they staring from over there too?"
"Huh? Oh."
Snapping out of it, Veronica muttered openly annoyed, and I looked over. Across the building—where Cecil and Leventia were—the two gaped at us.
What, first time seeing a naked guy?
"Keep staring and I'll report you."
"Ahem. M-Me, making such a mistake..."
"..."
Only then did they turn away. They fidgeted, then sat together, ordering drinks and snacks from the join tribe staff as if to chat.
No idea why they'd talk there, but it was their VIP spot.
I couldn't boss them around.
"...Master. Let's go play."
"Yeah. Let's."
In the meantime, Lucille and Veronica clung to my sides. Soft, springy breasts pressed against both arms. Dragged by them, I entered the pool filled with Eternal Spring water.
"Oh?"
"The water... feels so silky? Is this...?"
"Eternal Spring water. The longer you're in, the more charming you become. Great for your skin too."
"Really?! Wow, amazing!"
"Is it okay to play in such precious water?"
"It's fine."
"Then I won't hold back... Ya!"
Veronica splashed me, swinging her arm. Jewel-like droplets sparkled in the sunlight toward my face. I blocked and returned the favor.
"Yah!"
Lucille tried clumsily mimicking her, but her weak throw—or reluctance to splash her heavenly master—missed entirely.
Time for me to open up a bit.
"Water Control! Brew of the Great Waterfall!"
"Kyaaah!"
A wave-like torrent engulfed Veronica and Lucille in an instant...
Oh.
Pink.
After a while of fun, we climbed out to rest. Lucille lay exhausted, but Veronica—decent in close combat—still had energy.
"Gonna burn at this rate."
The sun was intense today. As Veronica poked her skin and muttered, a join tribe staff approached.
"If you apply this, it prevents sunburn. And if you'd like, we can call a masseuse or esthetician..."
"Hmm. Then no... I mean, that's fine. Just this."
"Yes."
Veronica took the oil, popped the cap. A rose scent wafted out.
Examining it, she turned her head. Cecil and Leventia, still sipping drinks and chatting, pretended not to notice.
"Hey. Hey."
"No. Not doing it."
"...I haven't even said anything yet?"
"Kidding. What?"
"Could you rub this oil on me?"
"Call an esthetician?"
"Hmm... But I'm a cardinal. Can I trust some stranger with my body?"
Her trust warmed me. But was it okay to touch a woman's skin freely?
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
Veronica glanced at the other building again, flashed a cat-like smile, and flopped face-down on the spot.
"But what if I touch weird places while applying? Really okay?"
"...I said yes. Really. You embarrassed or what?"
"Hmm..."
"Hey. You didn't even flinch when I clung to you all clingy. What's with the sudden hesitation?"
I was a guy too—this situation was...
But I couldn't betray her trust.
"Alright. Here we go."
"Hyah!"
I drizzled oil on her white back. The slick, viscous liquid made her skin gleam as I brought my hands to it.
Despite the cold water play, her skin felt warm.
"Hng...!!"
Just waiting, and she's reacting?
Frowning at her short moan, I moved my hands.
-Splish. Splish.
From back to nape, sides. I massaged her long legs, applying the oil thoroughly.
"Hn. Why... are you... so... good at... this? You know... how to do this too? Or did the... hero party..."
Veronica turned her head slightly. She was looking at... Leventia?
Her eyes blazed. I shook my head.
"Nah, nothing like that."
"...Good... that's a relief."
Relieved, she fell silent, twitching with soft moans.
Once I'd oiled her entire back, Veronica looked at me—flushed, but pleased—and asked.
"...You... why don't you... seem fazed at all?"
Well.
I glanced at Leventia, who kept peeking.
The hero party girls had looks that could shake any man's heart, personality aside.
But their nagging and abuse weren't playful—the mental toll wore you down inevitably.
I'd come up with my own countermeasures to avoid going mad.
Author's Note (Afterword)
There's one more episode today hehe