Chapter 4: The TS Villainous Noble Son Throws Himself into Battle with the Kukkoru Sword Princess
────【Nord's POV】
"Norn. Could I ask you to request Elsinore and Elise to provide healing backup for the wounded?"
Inarsha, dressed in armor and cloak like the very picture of a gallant female knight, asked me to run an errand.
Roxane, who could be called Inarsha's right hand, asked.
"But Captain Inarsha, we usually don't request help from the Dark Rose Legion 《Rosa Nox Legion》, yet specifically today..."
"If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will dig your own grave, as they say."
"..."
Stop throwing out a joke straight from a gallant pose, Inarsha... Even I, who handles the tsukkomi (straight man retorts) for the joke-making heroines, couldn't pick that one up.
"A dungeon is dangerous enough to dig your own grave... we should take every conceivable countermeasure."
"Yes! That is right, it is as the Captain says. 'If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will dig your own grave,' noted."
Is Roxane admiring Inarsha? She dutifully took notes on the mysterious proverb... I keenly felt that this is how misunderstandings spread.
──── Zene Village, Northern Elon Theocracy.
Inarsha was leading the Blue Rose Legion on horseback, but... for some reason, I was seated in front of her on her beloved horse, Hadashi, with her holding the reins from behind.
We entered Zene Village, and Inarsha dismounted in front of the village chief's house. Like a Spa-dari (Super Darling) from an isekai romance, she took my hand and supported me as I dismounted.
Following her, the female knights also dismounted. To the side, the fully equipped members of the Blue Rose Legion were getting off the carriage bed.
""...""
I shifted my gaze from the carriage to Inarsha. My eyes were surely narrowed into a flat stare.
"Well, that. The carriage was over capacity. That is why I had you ride with me."
Seeing the usually calm and composed woman blush and get shy was cute, and I almost felt my bond deepen. But that only lasts as long as I am Norn...
If the deception is revealed, her favorability rating will drop to the ground.
But that's fine. In reality, Nord (me) and Inarsha are natural enemies who shouldn't get close. Moreover, in «Rising Hero» (the game), Inarsha does not connect her heart with any boy other than Kain. My relationship with Inarsha should only go as far as trusting each other with our backs, absolutely not pressing our bodies together.
It wasn't because I was breathing roughly, but perhaps noticing the noise, people rushed out from the slate-roofed, brick one-story house. Someone practically slid into a seated position on the ground, rubbing their forehead against the dirt.
"Ice Sword Princess-sama! Thank you for coming all the way to this frontier land... I am the village chief, Suou."
"Suou-dono, please raise your head. Guided by the compassionate mother Elon, we have come to help you and your people."
Upon Inarsha's words, Roxane took the village chief's hand and helped him up.
"Not just my wife and child, but young women and even little girls were taken into the goblin nest..."
The bowing village chief's tears fell to the ground. Before I knew it, the villagers of Zene had gathered, divided between those weeping like the chief and those trembling with anger, able only to endure. And as the chief said, almost everyone gathered was male.
This... isn't it bad to enter the nest with only female knights?
Kukkoru followed by humiliation is entirely possible...
"Then we shall proceed to rescue the village girls..."
Inarsha clenched her fist, about to raise it. She probably intended to raise a war cry and head straight for the nest.
"Inarsha-san, please conduct a sufficient interview with them."
I covered Inarsha's fist with both hands, admonishing her eager feelings.
The gazes of everyone in the Blue Rose Legion pierced me.
Roxane was flustered, but it was painfully clear the other girls didn't look at me favorably.
That's natural.
I voiced an opinion against their revered Ice Sword Princess. But we absolutely have to ask, or someone here might get captured too.
The village buildings are oddly clean...
Yes, what I found suspicious was that the village buildings were hardly destroyed. usually, if they suffered goblin looting, the buildings would be tattered.
Yet the buildings remained clean.
That means the goblins' raid was completely targeted solely at the village girls.
I couldn't believe that goblins, who are the incarnation of desire despite being cunning, were capable of such discrimination.
Something is behind the goblins.
"Are there monsters other than goblins lurking in the nest? Otherwise, they shouldn't have been able to abduct all the village women..."
The remaining villagers looked at each other at my question.
──── Did you see?
──── No, I only saw goblins.
Was it needless anxiety? Just as I thought that.
"I saw it! A huge Orc leading the goblins... and there was a Lizardman in front of that Orc. But I... I was scared, ukku, ukku... I couldn't protect my big sisters... waaaaah..."
Inarsha tried to place her hand on the head of the crying boy, who was covering his eyes with both hands and wearing a hat, but... her hand stopped abruptly.
Did she hesitate to touch even a five-year-old boy due to her dislike of men...?
Just as I thought that, a man who seemed to be the boy's father made the boy take off his hat. Then, long blonde hair unrolled, revealing a girl-like appearance when let down.
"We had this child cross-dress as a boy to prepare for the goblins..."
Knowing the truth from the father's confession, Inarsha stroked the girl who had been cross-dressing.
"You have fulfilled your duty sufficiently. Please leave the rest to us."
"Ice Sword Princess-sama... please save my sisters..."
Inarsha responded to the girl by nodding slowly. By then, the sharp gazes from everyone looking at me had vanished.
When we arrived at the dungeon, the goblin nest where the village girls were taken, Soulie and her group were already there.
"Oh my? Are your preparations slow?"
"We stopped at Zene Village."
"Heeh... You have business in such a village? Inarsha-san has strange hobbies."
"I wouldn't go alone. But visiting with a Soeur isn't bad."
St-stop! Inarsha! If you say that, Soulie will glare at me!
"Impure in broad daylight..."
Soulie! It's different! I didn't crawl into Inarsha's duvet. Inarsha came into mine!
I can't make such an excuse... Wait, Soulie doesn't know that much...
"The Brilliant Rose Legion 《Rosa Luminas Legion》, having arrived first, has command of the subjugation, yes?"
As soon as Inarsha dismounted, Soulie rushed to take the initiative.
"If you wish to take command, I do not mind at all. We shall simply follow."
"Kuh! This is why I hate you! Can't you act a little frustrated!?"
"Ah, it is frustrating. If we had dealt with it sooner, the village girls might not have been abducted."
Soulie's face turned bright red at Inarsha's reply. Truly a female knight capable of persuading Elise with clever words and sending her back to her room obediently.
"You all! What are you standing around for! We are going!"
"""Y-Yes! We are sorry, Soulie-sama!"""
Perhaps feeling she had been embarrassed, Soulie scolded her subordinate female knights as if taking it out on them.
"Wait! Is that equipment okay?"
I called out to Soulie, who was about to enter a dungeon where a bear or tiger might be lurking. Soulie spun on her heel and pointed her index finger at my chest.
"You... Does a single member of the Blue Rose Legion intend to voice an opinion to me, the Captain of the Brilliant Rose Legion?"
"Not an intent... but an assessment. A Long Lance is disadvantageous in a dungeon, I think..."
"I wondered what you would say... Haa... It is precisely in narrow places that if you thrust a spear, the enemy ends without even entering your territory. Could you please not voice opinions just because you were chosen as Inarsha's Soeur? If you underestimate people too much, you will face terrible consequences."
Soulie said that to me while brushing aside her long sidelocks with her hand. She looked at me with eyes as scornful as if a beggar had demanded money from her...
──── What a fool.
──── I can't believe she's giving an opinion to Soulie-sama.
──── Let's just ignore her and go.
The Brilliant Rose Legion looked at me with scornful eyes and entered inside. The one underestimating people isn't me, it's Soulie! I almost said that, but... A hand was placed on my shoulder. Looking back, Inarsha was there, wearing a sorrowful expression with lowered eyebrows.
"Norn. you did not say a single wrong thing. It was a statement out of concern for my friend Soulie. But unfortunately, she seems to be on edge. Usually, she would listen even while complaining..."
"Inarsha-san..."
"Let us execute our mission."
Inarsha smiled softly as if to encourage me. I had anticipated this might happen, but her smile blew away all my unpleasant feelings.
Inarsha, in her gallant armor, raised her hand from her chest toward everyone in the Blue Rose Legion.
"Troops! We, the Blue Rose Legion, will act as support for the Brilliant Rose Legion. Have the rescued girls and wounded members examined immediately by the members of the Dark Rose Legion 《Rosa Nox Legion》."
Looking back at Inarsha's words, the Dark Rose Legion led by Elsinore had arrived.
"Norn-samaa!!"
Accompanying Elise...
────【Soulie's POV】
"Become rust on the halberd... Trinity, the pride of my family!"
Gyaaaaa!!
An ugly goblin appeared before me as I led the vanguard, so I stabbed it. The goblin scattered blood spray, let out a death cry, and rolled onto the cavern floor.
"Everyone, let's go."
I stomped through the head of the still-breathing goblin with my greave-clad boot.
"""Yes! Soulie-sama!"""
My subordinates followed suit.
The ugly goblins were trampled, turning into meat lumps with wet squelching sounds.
Haaan! It feels so gooood!
I am this strong even without relying on Inarsha.
Even so, what is aggravating is that black-haired newcomer... Despite having no great ability, she sold transparent flattery to Inarsha and smoothly settled into the position of Soeur... Not stopping there, she had the nerve to voice an opinion to me, of the Varietta family, which stands shoulder to shoulder with the Clazit family in the Elon Theocracy. Knowing one's place has limits. Haa, this intractable rage doesn't seem like it will be settled even if I kill all the monsters lurking in this dungeon.
Proceeding through the dungeon, we arrived at the jail where the goblins confined the captured village girls.
【Goddess Light】
──── Guehh!?
When I held up my hand, the goblins guarding the jail covered their eyes and ran around in confusion.
"Everyone, are you ready? Finish them."
"""Yes!!"""
My subordinates serving as vanguards with me thrust their long lances at the club-wielding goblins. Countless spearheads pierced the ugly goblins, and they expired with expressions of agony... The intense presence and genuine reality, incomparable to any opera—it's truly irresistible!!
"Soulie-sama, thank you very much."
"Ohoho, no, no, there is no need to thank me for something of this level."
Entrusting the rescued village girls to my rear guard subordinates, we hurried ahead.
The opinion of that black-haired girl called Norn was completely unreliable.
There is no way the Varietta family and the Brilliant Rose Legion, who have achieved merit in numerous field battles, would fall behind goblins. Armchair theories are meaningless on the battlefield where experience speaks!
──── Gigi! Gigi!
Proceeding further into the dungeon, countless goblins appeared from in front of us.
That was not all. Though there was no path on the way, there must have been a hidden passage somewhere. We saw a group of goblins from behind us as well.
In this narrow passage, it is difficult to turn the long lances around. But worry is unnecessary.
"Vanguard, continue skewering the goblins! Rearguard, switch positions and strike with the ferrules (butt-spikes)!"
"""Understood! Soulie-sama!"""
It was an overwhelming victory without me even lifting a finger. The goblins were stabbed, beaten, and none drew breath. Even if they did, we made sure...
Ending their lives like stamping out embers with boots. A death befitting garbage.
Proceeding further into the dungeon, there was a cavern lake in an open space. Fortunately, there was no sign of monsters at all.
"Now, everyone. Let us have tea around here."
"""As expected of Soulie-sama! You capture our hearts and never let go!"""
Ah, what a thoughtful and subordinate-caring captain I am.
Sitting at the folding table and chairs shoulder to shoulder with my subordinates, I was having tea when...
"One person is missing."
"It seems she went to pick flowers (urinate). I expect she will return shortly."
"Is that so? That cannot be helped then."
My cup of tea was empty, and just as I was about to ask for another, a groan was heard.
"Ugh."
"What is wrong... ugh."
It was the subordinate sitting next to me. Following her, I too... A sudden stomach pain and dizziness assaulted me... Could there be poison in the lake water!?
"Where is the Healer!?"
"St-Still... picking flowers... went... hasn't... r-returned... ugh, retch."
The girl who informed me vomited blood from her mouth. It seems to be a fairly powerful poison...
Why, when the lake water had neither color nor smell!?
"To think there is no girl skilled in healing at a time like this."
I blundered slightly.
Putting poison in the underground lake... and choosing one that doesn't change the water's color.
While we were suffering from stomach pain, countless holes opened in the large dungeon space—holes that weren't there when we arrived—and goblins were waiting in each one. That wasn't all; there were goblins on the path we came from too, arrows nocked on their bows aiming at us.
"However! Thinking you can take down Soulie Varietta with poison of this level is sweeter than a gateau chocolat!"
When the red-capped goblin leader swung his hand down, arrows poured down like heavy rain all at once.
"Soulie-sama, gyah!"
"Wh-What are you doing! Use 【Holy Shield (Aegis)】! At this rate, we will truly be wiped out!"
"Y-Yes!"
When the vanguard girls chanted 【Aegis】, a transparent shield appeared before our eyes.
"With this, arrows are nothing to fear."
Just as I thought that.
"The Healer girl still hasn't returned!"
"S-Soulie-sama... th-that..."
Looking where my subordinate pointed, we froze on the spot...
"S... Soulie... sama, save... me."
Her appearance suggested she had been beaten with clubs; it hardly looked like a maiden's face anymore. Of all things, the goblins had captured the Healer.
"We will save her later. More importantly, we must escape this predicament first!"
She will be made into a plaything for the goblins anyway; rather than that, I must get out of the dungeon regardless. Even if I sacrifice all my subordinates.
Arrows were fired like rain and hail, and 【Holy Shield】 could not protect all directions.
"Rearguard, charge and secure a retreat path. This is a strict order. I will go call for help, so please hold out."
"""Yes!"""
【Angelic Feather】
Chanting the holy magic, white wings sprouted from my back.
"I will borrow your shoulder!"
While holding the 【Holy Shield】, I jumped onto the shoulder of a subordinate exchanging sword blows with goblins using a Long Lance, and ran through the air low, between the ceiling and the goblins' heads. The goblins couldn't react to me flying suddenly, solely focused on my subordinates in front of them.
With this, I can get out immediately! As long as I survive, I can replenish subordinates. They will surely be passed down to future generations as Holy Warriors who died for Elon.
It was when I saw a faint dot of white light.
Dogo!! As soon as I heard the sound, my body was slammed into the dungeon wall. Like a fly being swatted down...
"Guh, wh-why is an Orc King in such a low-level dungeon...!?"
A monster of gigantic physique blocking my way... its head was scraping the ceiling, and its width blocked half the dungeon passage.
"Kuh-ha, it-it hurts..."
The Orc King grabbed my throat, lifted me up, and licked my cheek with its tongue.
His nasal breath hit me! Disgusting!
"Bro Ron... This female... want to violate!"
Hii!? My chastity is going to be stolen by such an ugly Orc King!?
Just as I faced my crisis, perhaps sensing a presence, the Orc King turned around.
"Shashasha! Wait, wait! This one is a pawn to lure out the female knights and saint candidates outside. If you rape her, she won't be useful anymore."
A Lizardman appeared from the Orc King's shadow and said something.
"Kuh, kill me!!"
If I am to be humiliated by the likes of them, I choose an honorable death... but I have no strength in my arms, so I cannot commit suicide.
"Ah? Don't order me. You're my slave starting now. Got it?"
"Fugyaaaaaa────!!"
Ron, as the Lizardman was called, pushed hard on my stomach which had been beaten by a club. A pathetic scream leaked out due to the immense pain...
"See here, if you listen to what I say reaaaally well, I'll let you live just like before."
"What do you intend to make me do? Surely not sell my comrades to demons!?"
"Yeeees, surely that. If you don't sell your comrades, I'm selling you, got it!"
Thump, thump, the sound of my heart intensified.
That's right, that time Lucitania was in the wrong. Because she started saying things like she couldn't follow Ellis-sama's teachings...
"I understand... I just have to bring my comrades in, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. Feeling motivated?"
"If you remove the Orc King's hand..."
Ron ordered the Orc King to remove his hand from me.
"Broooo..."
"Shut it, you shut up! We're gonna lure out even better females, see!"
"I-I got iiiit... promise, Bro..."
Finally released, as I passed by the Orc King's side, I saw his loincloth... Something was bulging terribly, and just thinking that such a thing might enter my body gave me chills.
Barely escaping the dungeon with my life, Inarsha and the others rushed to me in panic.
"Soulie!? Elsinore! Elise! Heal her immediately!!"
"Ah."
"Yes!"
I was laid down, and 【Heal】 was applied by the two.
"Soulie... did you lose?"
"Retreating? I would be troubled if you misunderstood. I stepped back simply to let you have the credit. It is a grateful present from me, so please accept it."
"I see. I thank you for your consideration. Troops! We go to rescue our comrades! Follow me!"
"Wait, Inarsha-san..."
I stopped the eager Inarsha. Because Ron will definitely make her a plaything.
"Please... could you stay here? I'm scared..."
To put it clearly, it is fine as long as Inarsha and I are saved. I don't care if others are made into playthings for the Orc King and his lot. There are plenty of replacements other than me and her. But Inarsha's thinking was different.
"I am sorry, but I must save not only the village girls but your comrades as well. Elsinore and the others are here. There is no need to be afraid."
"Inarsha..."
"Were there only goblins inside the dungeon? Is it not because there was a strong enemy that you suffered such terrible injuries?"
"...I-I was just in poor condition..."
"I see..."
Inarsha seemed not to get the answer she expected, closed her eyes for a moment, said only "I'm going," and went away...
I am the only one allowed to love her, the only one allowed to hurt her, the only one allowed to defile her, the only one allowed to break her, the only one allowed to kill her...
────【Nord's POV】
Elsinore proposed that Soulie rest in Zene Village regarding her treatment, but ultimately, as the danger to her life had passed, it was decided she would rest in the encampment set up outside the nest at her own strong request.
Inarsha glanced at the encampment, then flipped her cloak and preached to us.
"The Blue Rose Legion will subjugate the goblins in place of Soulie! We shall clear the regrets of Soulie and her troops. However, the enemy is strong enough to repel the veteran warriors of the Brilliant Rose Legion. Do not underestimate them as mere goblins."
"""Yes!!"""
This is...
After walking inside the dungeon for a while, walls were crumbled and stones were scattered. The walls themselves seemed dented in human shapes. Come to think of it, sand and small stones were stuck in the gaps of Soulie's back and bikini armor.
Perhaps she was beaten by a monster here.
"What is wrong? Did something happen?"
"Yes... I think Soulie-san was beaten by a brutal monster."
"you think so too... Me as well. There is no way that Soulie would be beaten easily. Also, Elsinore whispered to me that parasitic worms were lurking inside her."
"Parasitic worms!?"
"She must have drunk bad water on the way. No matter how clean it looks, one should not drink dungeon water."
"Inarsha-san... this dungeon isn't just a goblin nest. It's a dungeon under the Demon Lord Army's control."
It became clear that the Demon Lord Crimsonia, who controls not only the Three Beast Musketeers, the Demon Lord's minions, but also insects, was pulling the strings from the shadows.
"I see... quite a troublesome opponent, but if you and everyone from the Sankt Maiden are here, I think we can prevent their conspiracy. Am I being too optimistic?"
Swayed by the smile Inarsha suddenly showed, I shook my head left and right with all my might.
When Inarsha and Lucitania were together, Inarsha's mental state was stable, and she should have been at her strongest. But in «Rising Hero», because of nothing but painful events, I think she couldn't display her true power.
The smile Inarsha showed me now felt close to the one she directed at Lucitania. It seems even an incompetent person like the current me is becoming her emotional support.
Inarsha's steps after that were light, despite being cautious and wearing armor.
As we proceeded through the dungeon for a while, red-yellow flames floated up in my mind.
I became Norn, and my physical strength, stamina, and magic power fell to the ground. But negative emotions like hostility and malice, though not numerical values, became clearly visible in forms like auras.
Soulie's hostility toward me is tremendous.
Like a shadow-type monster in a national RPG game, a pitch-black aura looked like it was about to pounce on me at any moment. Other students were also burning auras of jealousy, but they weren't as clearly shaped as Soulie's.
But here, I can see them clearly.
Even through walls, clearly like thermography!
"There! There are enemies!"
"Understood! Eliminate."
Inarsha thrust her single-edged sword into the rock wall in the direction I pointed, pressing her palm against the pommel.
Gueeeee!!
After a scream like a death cry was heard, the color of the aura vanished. Inarsha swung the blood off the single-edged sword she pulled from the rock wall and sheathed it.
"Inarsha-san, there seem to be ambushers here and there. I will inform you, so please eliminate them."
"Ah, I'm counting on you. Everyone, follow Norn's instructions and eliminate the ambushers."
──── Roger!
Everyone drew their swords and listened to my voice. Inarsha too.
"Roxane-san, over there!"
"Yaaah!!"
When I indicated the location, Roxane mowed her single-edged sword horizontally in a straight line without a moment's delay. Thud, a goblin crumbled and fell.
The other girls who witnessed it tilted their heads, but...
Probably, the reason they overreact to Kain's creepiness is that their danger perception ability increased after becoming girls.
──── Th-That girl is amazing.
──── I thought she was deceiving Blue Rose-sama...
──── Idiot, Blue Rose-sama wouldn't...
As we proceeded while defeating goblins hiding in shadows using the dungeon terrain, the female knights of the Blue Rose Legion were whispering.
When I glanced at them, our eyes met.
"Thank you for listening to my words!"
──── Ah, yeah.
──── Sorry for doubting you.
──── Will you tell us... again?
"Yes!"
Ah! The joy of talking normally without it turning into Nord-speak, more than being praised!
Because if I use that tone normally, I naturally mount people, buy animosity from others, and pile up death flags!
"Fufu, it seems everyone has finally understood your 's wonderfulness. My eyes did not deceive me."
Inarsha was smiling and nodding with her arms crossed behind me as the girls and I interacted.
Regarding the judgment of ability, Inarsha's insight is unmistaken, but she has a tendency to trust others too much...
In short, she has a constitution easily susceptible to fraud.
Even though I am Nord, Inarsha's natural enemy...
As we proceeded, there was a large space where an underground lake spread out.
"This is terrible... this is..."
When the full picture of the space was revealed, Inarsha leaked her honest voice. However, seeing that she showed no tremors or fear, it is not hard to imagine that she has survived numerous life-or-death situations.
The lakeside was a tragic Arisama (state)... wait, scene, enough to make a B-grade horror movie pale.
Strangely, the armor the female knights of the Brilliant Rose Legion must have been wearing wasn't stripped off, but propped against the rock wall and lined up in an orderly fashion. In the open area, simple camping tables and chairs were placed.
The answer that can be derived is that they ignored my advice, underestimated the goblins (Name-pu), took off their armor, and had a tea party...
It looks like they were spectacularly ambushed.
"Everyone, check if there is anyone breathing."
Following Inarsha's instruction, everyone checked one by one, but there were no survivors. The only hope was that the number of corpses was small.
"I want to send them back right now, but at the moment I want to secure even one more combatant. Let us lay them to rest like this and send them later..."
We lined up three corpses and covered them with cloaks instead of sheets.
"By the guidance of the founding Saintess Elon, may these ones go peacefully to the celestial lands."
Following Inarsha, everyone repeated the words of offering. Of course, I did too...
Opening my eyes slightly, there was the figure of Inarsha praying. Soulie probably has motivation, yes, motivation... But judging from this disaster, I have to say she is incompetent.
I was saved because Inarsha chose me. If I had been under Soulie's command, my opinions would have been immediately rejected, and reckless actions and carelessness would have piled up. It might have been me lined up on the cold ground.
I stood by the lake shore, staring at the water surface.
"Norn, what are you doing?"
"Yes, I thought I'd collect water to have Elsinore-san check it."
"That is a good idea."
I collected it in an empty potion bottle.
Looking through the bottle, there was no turbidity or strange smell at all. And it is very cold. If one didn't know, not just Soulie, but anyone would want to wash their sweat-stained face from dungeon exploration using the lake water.
After all, in «Rising Hero», Demon Lord Crimsonia ordered subordinate beastmen to distribute parasite-infested water to dying sick people and the poor saying, 【Take this, drink it when you cannot bear the pain】.
While I was collecting water, auras lit up here and there in the large space. It seems they are spying on us, but no one here other than me noticed it.
That's it!
Let's turn the tables and trap them.
"Inarsha-san! Could you lend me your ear for a moment?"
"I do not mind, but my ears are sensitive. If they are attacked, I turn into jelly funya-funya."
...
I didn't know that...
Because there was no scene where Nord tortures Inarsha's ears. Wait, that's not information to say now. Since Inarsha is slightly flushed, it seems true rather than a joke.
"Enemies are lurking in the shadows watching us. But they won't attack just yet."
"I see, as expected of Norn. Guessing from your 's expression, you seem to already have a plan."
I moved away from Inarsha's ear and announced in a loud voice.
"Yes, let's have a tea party."
──── Wha!?
The girls of the Blue Rose Legion looked at me all at once. That's understandable. After all, it's obvious that Soulie got beaten up for doing a Name-pu tea party... But I had a brilliant plan to catch the enemy in one fell swoop.
──── Good work!!
I scooped water from the underground lake, boiled it, and poured it into a teapot. Everyone in the Blue Rose Legion got drunk on the scent of the tea I brewed and smacked their lips.
But, after a while...
──── Ugh!
──── M-My stomach hurts!
──── U-Uweh...
Suddenly, the girls of the Blue Rose Legion began to suffer. Some held their stomachs and writhed, others vomited saliva from nausea. Some even rolled around on the ground in severe pain...
Clang!
Even Inarsha dropped one knee to the ground and knelt.
"Are you okay, Inarsha-san!?"
"Ku, it is painful. Norn... come here and support me..."
"Yes!"
"Ah, Norn smells nice... With this, I feel I won't lose no matter what enemy comes."
"Inarsha-san!?"
When I crouched down and offered her my shoulder, she made a sexual harassment remark with a sharp, handsome face. It's forgiven because it's Inarsha of the same sex, but if this were Kain, I'd be yelling "Officer, this person right here!"
Speaking of creepy Kain, where did the handsome protagonist from the original work go?!
If the heroines shun Kain, should I consider a friends-ending rather than forcefully trying to bring them together?
Or maybe demonic modification... However, that creepiness won't disappear with a little deodorant.
While going in circles with my thoughts, we were surrounded on all sides by goblins.
The girls' shoulders were trembling, but they should be fine now.
"Move it!"
──── Pugyaa!
Pushing aside the goblins performing mocking dances with raised clubs with his arms, the Orc King appeared.
"You idiots! You fell right into the trap! Using fire is useless! That poison stays bad."
"Hoh, there is a monster that understands human speech? As expected, a high-ranking demon is involved."
"I dunno..."
"Feigning ignorance is useless. We'll just capture you and make you talk."
"I won't be captured! I rape you!"
The Orc King puffed out the front of his straw loincloth and charged at us. I handed over the 【Spiral Blade】 that Inarsha was carrying on her back; she executed a dash surpassing an Olympian, akin to a crouch start, and headed toward the Orc King.
A strike of the club, truly a savage blow, was swung down at Inarsha. The dungeon ground was gouged out, and small stones flew even at me.
But Inarsha's figure was nowhere to be seen.
"Guheh! Did I squash her?"
"Fool! I am behind you!"
"Gyaa!"
Inarsha had jumped over him the instant the Orc King's club was swung down, circling behind him while somersaulting. She must have unleashed a thrust into his shoulder blade. The tip of the 【Spiral Blade】 was visible from his shoulder.
"Whhhhy!? The poison should be circulating! If poison circulates, we circulate (run a train on) you!"
The Orc King was suspicious that we could fight without suffering at all.
"I'll tell you! What we used was an Assassin Teapot! The inside of the pot is divided into two, and by holding the air intake, we can dispense two separate liquids! Get it?"
I explained it to the pig bastard who looked slow on the uptake.
"Uugh! I don't geddit! But I geddit that you guys are baaad people who tricked me!!"
When the Orc King stomped his feet in frustration, the dungeon shook, and small stones fell para-para from the bedrock ceiling. We had to finish this quickly or there was a danger of collapse.
When I suggested having a tea party, everyone opposed it. They formed a circle so voices wouldn't leak outside and spoke in whispers, but the girls showed colors of confusion.
──── What are you thinking, doing such a thing...
──── Drinking such poisoned water is reckless!
──── I don't want to drink!
They didn't show hostility, but their auras clouded over into a gloomy purple. But there was one person who grasped my intent.
Inarsha.
『That would be repeating Soulie's mistake... I see, you intend to pretend to drink and lure them in! A brilliant plan. Norn, you possess many things I do not.』
Inarsha, who understands even when I haven't said it till the end, is exceedingly wonderful too.
Thanks to Inarsha's words, everyone realized my intention and put effort into acting.
Because of that, the goblins, spectacularly deceived by our acting of suffering, were defenselessly dancing with their hips thrust out in front of the girls.
──── Agiyaa!
Screaming, they became rusty on the girls' swords and fell.
──── Norn is amazing!
──── Truly like summer goblins flying into the fire!
──── Their laughing like idiots was pissing me off!
Additionally, since we were able to take a slow rest inside the dungeon, their movements and coordination were exceedingly good, and the goblins surrounding us scattered and began to rout.
"Damned idiots—"
The Orc King, angry at the goblins' incoherence, dropped his club on the brainpan of a goblin trying to flee. Taking a blow from the Orc King, who had a physique many times larger, a goblin would become flat like a cockroach hit with a slipper. No, cockroaches are flat to begin with...
Seeing that, the goblins didn't try to fight but slipped past the Orc King's side into the deeper passage, dodging attacks and running away. In the end, only the Orc King remained in the open space.
"Give up. If you surrender here, I guarantee only your life."
"Shuddup! Shuddup! I'm gonna keep raping you all!!"
DAAAAAAAAMN!!
The Orc King swung his leg down vigorously like a sumo stomp rather than just stomping in frustration.
"Futile resistance. Quietly get captured alive."
Inarsha pulled the Spiral Blade back and took a stance.
Watch out!!
Inarsha hasn't noticed, but the bedrock ceiling is collapsing toward her. At that rate, it's a direct hit course. Annoyingly, the Orc King is smirking!
With my current stats, I won't make it in time. This isn't the time to worry about usage limits!
【Generic Machine Staff - Metrics】
When I was Nord, the usage count was practically infinite, but now it's limited to three times a day, and ranked down to 【Item Box】...
But it doesn't mean I can't use it! For a rock that huge, I don't need to aim.
I fire 【Ice Arrow】 in succession from the 【Metrics】 loaded with the 【Blue Warhead】.
The Orc King sends a gaze like "Idiot!", but I never thought of shattering the rock or anything audacious like that in the first place.
Ice feathers formed as if growing from the rock, changing the falling trajectory.
"Owawah."
Zugon, the large rock landed a clean hit on the Orc King's forehead. The large rock split right in two; there was no other way to describe it but magnificent.
Well done, rock! Still, it wasn't a fatal wound, and he was staggering like he was drunk.
"Surrender, King of Orcs!!"
Don, a dull sound echoed in the dungeon. The shoulder was pierced. Fresh blood of the pig bastard spurted from the groove carved into the Spiral Blade.
Bururu, a tremor ran through my whole body. Inarsha's skin, white like a snow fairy, was being dyed bright red, but I felt a beauty from her that gave me chills.
Whether it was the impact of the large rock or blood loss from Inarsha's thrust, I don't know, but the Orc King fell in a 'dai' (大) shape.
──── Long live Rosa Azure-sama!!
──── Long live Norn!!
M-Me!? Everyone was doing Banzai instead of a war cry, and I was surprised my name was included. That wasn't all.
"Norn..."
"I-Inarsha-sa... !?"
Inarsha, eyes glistening with moisture, hugged me tightly.
"Thanks to Norn... No, the one who defeated the Orc King is you . This merit is worthy of you . If you were not here, my brainpan would have been directly hit by the large rock, and I would certainly have died. Let me thank my lifesaver. Thank you, Norn."
"No... I didn't do anything that big."
"You are humble. Once we return to the room, I want to praise you lots and lots."
The girls of the Blue Rose Legion sent unsparing applause to us. It might seem self-conscious, but it was a celebration like Inarsha and I had reached our wedding ceremony.
Though such a thing must not happen!
"Alright, tie him up."
"""""Roger!"""""
The Orc King was tied up with rope, and the Blue Rose Legion worked together to tie the end of the rope to a driven stake.
"When I was told to fight with a single-edged sword by Norn-san, I was bewildered, but it was the correct answer. If I had fought with a Long Lance without advice..."
Roxane lifted me up, but...
"Thank you. But in the end, the opportunities to fight in enclosed spaces were few."
"That's not true! Norn-san is the person Inarsha-sama recognized. Please have more confidence."
Roxane took my hand and conveyed her gratitude. Looking behind her, the girls were nodding un-un. Just like toy drinking birds.
"Kohon."
Inarsha cleared her throat behind me.
"Roxane... aren't you holding it a little too long?"
"Ah! Norn-san, I'm sorry!"
"No..."
Could it be, Inarsha... is jealous?
Hahaha, no way that's true! Just as I was about to laugh self-deprecatingly, a shadow passed by our side swiftly.
"Go to heeeeelll!!"
By the time everyone noticed the shadow and turned around, a halberd was thrust deeply enough to penetrate the Orc King's throat.
Soulie!?
To me, the halberd thrust into the Orc King's throat looked like a grave marker...
"Soulie! ...Did you want credit that badly?"
"Wrong! This is punishment for him humiliating me! Haa, haa, haa..."
Despite having suffered such heavy injuries, she completely recovered and was taking revenge on the beaten-up Orc King.
But because Soulie murdered the Orc King on her own judgment, the clear clue that a Demon Lord was pulling the strings was lost.
All that remains is the parasitic worms in the bottle I hold...
However, I am not convinced by the reason Soulie became so emotional toward the Orc King. If it was revenge for being hurt, she should have tortured him after taking him in...
While I was flushing out the incomprehensible points of Soulie's behavior, she glared at me. Not just glaring, but with eyes sharp enough for a parent's nemesis.
Even Inarsha let out a deep sigh as the sole witness was killed before her eyes.
"What will you do, Soulie? Do you have the will to explore with us?"
"No, I have the burial of those girls to attend to, so I will refrain."
Soulie pointed to the path we came from, seemingly intending to mourn the members of the Brilliant Rose Legion.
"I see. Then we will explore this dungeon and find the abducted village girls and the members of the Brilliant Rose Legion!"
"Th-Thank you, Inarsha. I entrust them to you."
Soulie's behavior is strange.
Even though not all members of the Brilliant Rose Legion have been found yet, she intends to dump it all on us and return first.
"Let us hurry. They must be waiting impatiently for our help."
Proceeding deep into the dungeon, we confirmed the existence of a space like a small room. Two goblins were guarding the front of the room holding long sticks like sentries.
I rolled a 【Green Warhead (Grun)】 to the goblins' feet.
──── Agya?
──── Agyagya!
The instant the goblins tried to pick up the 【Green Warhead】, I activated it. Smoke billowed thickly from the 【Green Warhead】. Using it just like a smoke grenade.
With smoke filling the dungeon, visibility was zero. However, I was different. The auras of the goblins running left and right were completely visible.
"Charge!"
Leading us from behind, Inarsha followed my instructions, eliminated the goblins, and stormed into the small room.
After defeating all the goblins and the smoke cleared, there was an iron grate in the back; the female knights and village girls who were likely captured were huddled small and trembling behind the iron grate.
Clearly strange.
The number of kidnapped village girls and Rosa Luminas members is too small...
While I was feeling suspicious, the Blue Rose Legion girls returned, but the report wasn't favorable.
"We searched the dungeon thoroughly, but there were none other than this room."
"I see..."
"However, the dungeon had entrances and exits other than the place we entered."
Listening to the two's conversation, I can vaguely imagine.
I see...
They kidnapped the village girls from the Zene Village side, temporarily confined them in the dungeon, and from there transported them somewhere else.
"Holy Knight-sama, thank you very much. I am the wife of the Zene village chief, Alca. I cannot thank you enough for saving us..."
"Madam... there is no need for thanks. We merely fulfilled our natural duty as Holy Knights of the Elon Theocracy. By the way, Madam, I heard your daughter was also here, where is she?"
"My daughter... was taken by the Lizardman... Even though you saved us, to ask again... uuh, uuh, it pains me, but uuh, could you please retrieve my daughter... and everyone else who was taken?"
"Of course, Madam. I wish to hear your story in detail later. Now, the village chief and the villagers must be impatiently waiting for your return. First, let us leave here."
"Yes..."
Accompanied by the kidnapped village chief's wife, village girls, and the captured female knight of the Brilliant Rose Legion, we returned safely.
"That Lizardman called Ron made us and the village girls touch a crystal like a snake's eye, and only the girls who reacted by emitting light were moved to a separate jail."
This was revealed through questioning the Rosa Luminas member who wasn't taken away. Also, thoroughly exploring the dungeon revealed it connected to the Wandering Forest, a place where one could get stranded if they wandered in.
A discussion was held between the three Roses—Inarsha, Soulie, and Elsinore—and due to the concern that pursuing too deeply might cause further casualties, it was decided to return to the Sankt Maiden temporarily and request support from the Papal Court.
If I were in Nord's body, I would charge in solo on a suicide mission to get them back, but in Norn's state, it's difficult. Besides Ron the Lizardman, there is the matter of the parasitic worms.
When I handed the collected water to Elsinore, she said, "It is the same as what crawled out of Soulie's body. It is clear that a high-ranking demon is involved in this kidnapping incident."
Ron, the fated opponent of Mao and one of the Four Heavenly Kings under Demon Lord Azrael... To hear that name here.
Sitting in the seat of the Holy Knight Ward's playroom and pondering, Inarsha was by my side.
"You were here, Norn."
"Inarsha-san!"
Inarsha had a face like she was happy to see me after decades. Frankly speaking, we haven't been apart for even an hour after returning from exploration and reporting...
"I searched for you. Norn, you must be tired. Let us bathe together and wash away the fatigue."
"Eh?"
Inarsha had wrapped her arm around my waist before I knew it, and escape seemed impossible.
I ended up coming all the way to the bath...
────【Nord's POV】 (Sankt Maiden Grand Bath)
I was invited by Inarsha.
I am not at fault!
I was cornered enough that I could only think of responsibility-shifting thoughts like Kain.
Steeling myself, I tried to take off the lent uniform. Beside me, Inarsha, who had equipped her armor, was undressing in the same way.
The armor was purged, and a red bikini armor like that of a female warrior from a national RPG game was revealed.
Huge!
The moment I saw Inarsha's bikini armor top, words I would say to a trainee almost came to mind, and I hurriedly covered my mouth.
Triangle plates were desperately protecting her ample breasts that looked like they would spill out. From the fact that her bare skin dug into the edges of the plates, I could imagine they were quite soft.
Ah, the bikini armor isn't to protect the body from external attacks, but acting as a wall so the milk tanks don't burst! I almost arbitrarily agreed with that logic.
Boobs are... this kind of thing is fine, this kind of thing, I almost uttered lines like a street-roaming food reporter old man; that's how much it hit my crotch—no, my fetish.
I feel like they're bigger than when she was stolen by Nord. That the milk tanks get bigger without gaining weight is definitely an Eroge specification.
"Please don't look so much... lately my appetite has increased and I've put on useless flesh, it is embarrassing."
More than the size of her breasts, I was almost swayed by Inarsha looking up at me with embarrassment. I felt cuteness in the girlish part shown by this seemingly straight-laced woman.
I don't know if it was a pareo substitute, but my eyes were stolen by her clear white bare legs peeking from the bikini bottom with attached tassets (grass-skirts) that hid her crotch like a loincloth (fundoshi).
Just the straight-laced female knight wearing echi outfits is enough to pierce my fetish, yet she is changing clothes right where I can hear her breathing.
I'm worried my breathing isn't getting rough from excitement.
Haa, haa.
Eh?
For Inarsha, who doesn't even run out of breath during long intense battles, to be breathing roughly is strange!
"Norn, I'm sorry. It seems I cannot maintain my composure when I see you ... It's not much of an apology, but I don't mind if you look at my body."
In «Rising Hero», Inarsha would enter the bath completely naked without shame at the Sankt Maiden, yet now her cheeks are dyed red...
"I-I'm taking it off..."
Showing some hesitation, Inarsha declared she would undress. For some reason, I was made to wait and watch Inarsha undress while sitting in seiza, still in my underwear.
Poron. (Plop.)
The gesture of moving her arms to unhook the shoulder straps exuded sex appeal, which was poison to my eyes.
Inarsha grasped the top of her bikini armor with her right hand and held both breasts with her left arm.
From the gap under her hand, I caught a glimpse of cherry blossom pink. Perhaps realizing the "Ice Sword Princess" had noticed, her white skin was dyed a cherry blossom pink as well.
Could it be she's enduring the embarrassment and deliberately showing me?
Just as I was thinking that, Inarsha, still holding her chest with her left arm, placed her hand on the strings of her bikini bottom. It was when she lifted one leg to step out of the bottom.
"Wha!?"
Her body swayed and tilted, falling toward me.
"Anh."
The moment I supported the falling Inarsha with both hands, a very sweet voice leaked out. Of all things, I was supporting her by grabbing her breasts firmly with an eagle grip...
"I-I'm sorry."
"I should be the one apologizing. It seems the forced march was too much. Fatigue accumulated, and I troubled Norn."
The abundantly ripe melons slipped out of my palms. If one touched the breasts of a prim and proper beautiful girl like Inarsha, getting punched wouldn't be strange, yet she apologized to me instead...
Contrary to her nickname, the Ice Sword Princess's skin felt very warm.
Kappo────n♪ (Echoing sound of a bathhouse bucket)
The Sankt Maiden Grand Bath had columns and arches everywhere, a structure reminiscent of ancient Rome, and the marble-like beautiful white created a sense of cleanliness and brightness. Hot water poured from the mouth of a lion-like statue, and steam rose thickly from the water surface of the bathtub.
Even though Inarsha wasn't angry, out of guilt for touching a girl's symbolic parts, I headed straight for the washing area.
As I was about to sit on a bath chair, I sensed a presence. Turning around, Inarsha was there...
"Thanks to Norn, I was saved many times. Without you , I might have been in danger. As thanks, let me wash your back."
"I-I'll wash Inarsha's back!"
"Is that so? That is appreciated. I would definitely like to request that."
But I regretted giving such an incredibly impromptu response.
I-Is this okay!?
Inarsha turned her back to me and sat on the bath chair. Befitting the name Ice Sword Princess, skin as translucent as white snow was right in front of my eyes. Of course, she was wearing absolutely nothing.
It was beautiful enough to make me think there wasn't even grime, let alone dirt... I lathered the soap, applied it to the loofah-like fibrous plant sponge, and slowly applied it to Inarsha's back.
"I am fortunate to have my body washed by you . I wish this happiness could continue for even a little longer."
"..."
I felt slightly guilty. My true identity is Nord, the lowest scum who deceived and impregnated her in «Rising Hero». Moreover, I'm currently transformed into a girl named Norn and deceiving her.
"What is wrong, Norn? Please continue. It feels very good having my body washed by you . For a time, I questioned the system of Soeur itself, but now I feel it is good."
Entrusting Inarsha to the current Kain is extremely dangerous. If things go wrong, Inarsha might cut Kain down and discard him.
If there is anything I can do for her, it would be reuniting her with Lucitania.
In «Rising Hero», naturally, the story moves around the protagonist Kain, so the location where Lucitania is imprisoned cannot be pinpointed. Though there is no doubt she is in the Elon Theocracy...
To think I'm pondering other things during this golden opportunity to wash a peerless beautiful girl's back!
"Norn... is your head itchy? Then I will use the lathered soap... Don't worry, I intend to apply Camellia oil to protect that beautiful black hair so it doesn't get damaged after washing."
"No, that won't be necessary!"
She's too attentive. Far from just hair protection, she seems unable to stop wanting to be overprotective of me.
"There is no need to hold back. Because I am always on Norn's side."
I also thought, if only I could remain Inarsha's ally without fighting.
"Norn-samaa!"
Amidst the poor visibility due to steam, Elise's voice echoed in the bathhouse.
This one is dazzling too! She may have class-changed to a Sex-Saintess (Seijo) who comes for reverse night-crawling in my room, but originally she was a Saintess who captivated everyone. My eyes were glued to her totally exposed pure white skin, hiding only the crucial parts with a towel.
"You have finished washing Inarsha-san's body, haven't you?"
"Not yet. I haven't had the front washed yet."
"You can wash the front yourself, right?"
"I want Norn to wash it."
'If you say that, then I say this'—the two beautiful girl Elon believers started arguing over me.
"Then, Norn-sama, please wash Inarsha-san. I will take the liberty of washing Norn-sama's back."
"Eh?"
"Trying to gain Norn's favor all by yourself. Then I shall wash Norn as well."
"Eeeeh!?"
I thought about refusing such an outrageous proposal, but the two had already started preparing, vigorously rubbing soap in their palms shaka-shaka.
"Your 's black hair is glossy and beautiful like a black pearl. I want to gaze at it forever."
Inarsha!?
Inarsha was combing through my hair, which was let down from twin tails, and looking at it. What is this? Every gesture of the strait-laced female knight Inarsha is mastered and graceful, making her beauty shine exceptionally.
Wait, wait, wait! Inarsha's hand flowed from my hair to my back, and then to my waist. After that, I suddenly felt a comfortable pressure and warmth on my back.
It's touching!
"What is wrong? Norn?"
"Um... it's touching."
"I cannot wash without touching. Soeurs deepen friendship using each other's bodies."
"Y-Yes..."
Inarsha is doing something like a lady at an echi shop, but since we are Soeurs, it is permitted; dense skinship like washing the back of a Soeur from another pair is prohibited.
But this is too much. Being polished on the back by Inarsha, a voice like "Fwah" leaking through my nose almost came out. While receiving a service like American bikini ladies rubbing their bodies against a car wash, hands stretched out smoothly from the back.
"Inarsha, that spot is!?"
Just as I thought that, my arm is buried in Elise's b-b-boobs!?
"Elise, that is unnecessary. Norn is my Soeur. I will wash that part. People who are not Soeurs getting sticky with each other is hard to overlook as Student Council President."
"Before Norn-sama became Inarsha-san's Soeur, she was my Master. I respect Inarsha-san, but this is the one thing I cannot yield."
My other arm was embraced by Inarsha, also sandwiched by boobs; instead of flowers in both hands, I had boobs on both arms.
"I see, then it cannot be helped... Let us wash Norn together amicably."
"Yes!"
Where is my right to choose? While thinking that, Inarsha and Elise applied a generous amount of dissolved soap bubbles and tried to launder my body. This is definitely the type where worldly desires cannot be washed away!
Inarsha at the front gate, Elise at the rear gate...
"Norn, does it feel good? I feel good rubbing Norn."
"Norn-sama's back is smooth and feels good."
Inarsha's huge breasts overlapped with my breasts, and the pleasure of touching skin and the wonderful spectacle made me feel weird.
Elise is probably trying to wash my back seriously by rubbing her ample bosom against it, but where she's grabbing is just bad.
"Elise... san, grabbing my boobs, ish no good."
Sandwiched by the boobs of two beautiful girls, I ended up letting out a strangely lusty voice...
──── Before Sleeping.
Inarsha is acting strange. No, is she always strange...?
"Rest assured, I am properly not wearing them."
"No, please wear them. Inarsha-san."
Inarsha shook her head at my words and lifted her tassets to show me.
Inarsha trying to flip it up, and me trying to hold it down.
"I want Norn to see me as I am."
"No, I have seen enough!"
"You do not know everything about me yet."
Certainly I don't know everything, but I know you from «Rising Hero» (Another World Line)...
This pushiness has the same scent as Elise.
Hah!? Could it be that getting deeply involved with the Elon religion grants a troublesome landmine-type skill of "If you say that, then I say this"?
"Tonight, I want you to know Inarsha Clazit thoroughly and abundantly."
Inarsha throws the full extent of her feelings at me.
Upupu. I can't breathe! She was pressing her voluptuous breasts, usually hidden in the shadow of her armor and knowing no self-restraint, against me.
"Uuh! Uuh!"
"The night is long. Let us talk thoroughly. Words are not needed. Our mutual bodies are the language."
Wait, wait, you!?
Ah, ah, aaah!!
I ended up getting thoroughly "You had fun last night, didn't you?"-ed by Inarsha...
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