Chapter 5: The TS Villainous Noble Son Whose Identity Was Revealed

────【Inarsha's POV】

Perhaps because we frolicked too much last night, Norn is sleeping quietly with soft breathing. Finding her so dear, I dropped a kiss on her forehead. Thanks to you , I was able to recover completely as a Holy Knight. I cannot thank you enough for this favor.

But Norn... are you truly the notorious Nord Villance?

This was before the goblin subjugation.

I couldn't help but be concerned about you , so I consulted Elsinore. Her private Holy Magic Development Room, located in the deepest part of the Saintess Ward, exuded a gruesome atmosphere like a witch's lair, contrary to the name of Holy Magic. The shelves in the room where she shut herself up were overflowing with numerous sealed cursed objects wrapped in bandages with talismans pasted on poisonous snakes, scorpions, poisonous spiders, and poisonous mushrooms.

Several times a year, some insolent person who touched them without her permission would fall victim to poison or curses, causing a commotion. Normally, it wouldn't be strange for her to be mistaken for a witch and subjected to an inquisition.

But she was different. Even poisons and curses that would be difficult for a Saintess were healed instantly if brought to her, so requests for healing flooded in from outside the Elon Theocracy as well. Between you and me, I hear she also handles requests that come to the Head Saintess, Ellis. Her right eye is hidden by overgrown hair, and her visible left eye has dark circles, perhaps due to lack of sleep.

She is a self-proclaimed research maniac, and self-deprecatingly says the world is ending if someone like her is a Saintess Cadet, but everyone involved with the Sankt Maiden knows she saves many people.

A desk crowded with bottles, mortars, pestles, medicinal spoons, and research tools. In the center were two types of black hair placed in a glass vessel... One was a firm male hair, the other a supple female one.

Just as the fog hanging inside my head was about to clear, Elsinore covered the desk with a cloth, then swiveled her chair to face me.

『Inarsha, are you really sure? There are things in this world better left unknown. Can't you just get along as Soeurs without probing into Norn's identity like this?』

『I want to know. Even if it is not the answer I desire. I can't help being curious about her.』

『A severe case. Even I cannot develop a healing magic for that illness.』

『I'm sorry...』

Elsinore dispatches collectors to various places to collect poisons and curses, possessing one of the leading information networks in the Elon Theocracy. Though, since the information she is interested in is limited to poisons and curses, useful information collected from various places ends up dead stock in the archives...

you are wise and cute, a presence that gives me peace and joy just by spending time together. I thought you were the best partner as my Soeur.

Yes, you were too perfect. When I met you at the Oho-goe Monastery, my whole body trembled. Feeling that meeting was destiny.

While spending time with you , I noticed strange things one after another.

──── After the Goblin Subjugation.

Upon returning to the Sankt Maiden, just as I was about to go report on this subjugation to the professors.

"Inarsha, I have something to discuss."

I was stopped by Elsinore in the hallway. We moved to the Student Council Room, brought our seats close, and were alone. Elsinore lined up a register on the table.

"As you suspected, there was no student named Norn Soln on the Hero Academy roster."

It wasn't just a list of names, but a roster containing personal information of each student, immediately recognizable as something gathered using Elsinore's information network. Looking through the rosters of the two students I was curious about, they covered everything from relatives to friendships, and I was astonished by the prowess of her network.

"I see, thank you. Elsinore."

"What will you do? About that girl..."

"I will do nothing. Just walk together with that child."

Since I had anticipated it, it wasn't that much of a shock...

"Then why are you crying?"

Even though it wasn't a shock, tears were overflowing.

Hints were everywhere. There are limited people Elise calls with "-sama."

First, the royalty of the Ackersen Kingdom, then Elise's parents; since she is a Count's daughter... she should address nobles with "-san." But she attaches "-sama" only to Norn.

In other words, it is safe to assume Elise has a master-servant relationship with Norn.

If so, it differs from the rumors circulating in the streets. I hear Elise's Count family fell, and she was hired by Nord as a maid for sexual relief. The roster of the two I was handed also clearly states the employment relationship between Nord and Elise. Naturally, it doesn't say sexual relief... but considering the asset situation of the Magdalia family listed in the roster, it is unmistakably viewed that the fallen noble daughter was bought.

Many sympathized with Elise, who was on short-term study abroad at the Sankt Maiden under the pretext of training, but seeing her now, she looks very happy.

I heard she constantly leaks to Elsinore that she wants to bear Nord's baby, but that Nord apparently hasn't done anything lewd to her, despite hiring her for sexual relief...

Elise is begging Elsinore for an aphrodisiac to get Nord in the mood, and Elsinore seems to have no choice but to smile wryly.

I don't understand. What is the truth... If my deduction is correct, Norn's true identity is undoubtedly Nord. According to the story I heard from Ellis, he is a grave sinner who abducts and rapes any beautiful woman he sees, and a brute who massacres anyone who opposes him.

However, Elise has opened her heart to Nord and is even trying to offer her maiden's chastity to him... Isn't that the exact opposite of Ellis's hearsay!

I know it's wrong.

To fall in love. But day by day, Norn's existence grows larger within me. In addition to a beautiful appearance that suits my taste, she saved me from a predicament. I can no longer imagine life without Norn.

I will think about the future when the time comes.

For now, I want to spend time happily with her...

I only pray that Norn being Nord isn't exposed to Ellis.

────【Soulie's POV】

Good grief, if that little girl called Norn hadn't said unnecessary things, I could have shown off my achievements to Inarsha, but everything is ruined!

Thinking to clear my aggravating feelings while having tea in the Student Council Room, voices came from beyond the door.

When I listened closely, it seemed Inarsha and Elsinore were talking...

『As you suspected, there was no student named Norn Soln on the Hero Academy roster.』

What did you say!? Fufu, I truly heard something good. This gives me a good pretext to remove her from the Sankt Maiden.

I did it! It's a perfect opportunity to kick out that detestable black-haired woman. Falsifying identity to enter the prestigious Sankt Maiden is an unforgivable barbarism.

Yes, I am the one worthy to be next to Inarsha. Yet she wants to place only riffraff there. Lucitania was merely a minor provincial lord, yet she tried to stay by Inarsha's side, which is why she met such a fate. No one is permitted to stand before the Varietta family.

Except for Inarsha Clazit...

It was before we enrolled in the Sankt Maiden. The Saintly Sword Supremacy Arts Tournament (Gladiatorium), where famous warriors gathered not only from the Elon Theocracy but also from abroad, was held, and in the finals, I confronted the Ice Sword Princess, Inarsha. I, boasting invincibility around the Varietta territory and having earned the nickname "Dancing Fairy of the Halberd," thought I could beat her and challenged her to a match.

『No matter how grand a nickname like Ice Sword Princess you possess, the one to win this match is me. I will make you crawl on the ground and fully enjoy the taste of the arena's stone floor.』

『I do not recall ever calling myself the Ice Sword Princess. In the first place, the Clazit family is a Marquisate, not a high status like a Princess. Does Soulie-dono know the taste of the stone floor... I have not tasted it yet. Perhaps after this match, you could secretly teach me the taste?』

──── Match Start!

Blood rushed to my head at Inarsha's mocking words, and I slashed at her simultaneously with the signal. My halberd's slash splits even rocks in two, and my thrust penetrates even steel!

I am the Excellent and Elegant, Ultimate Holy Knight Candidate!

The one to expose the ability of the woman before my eyes covered in vanity!

『Stop screwing arooooooound────! Buheh!』

As for the result...

My full-force slash only slightly swayed Inarsha's hair without grazing her, cutting only the stone floor. Meanwhile, Inarsha's sword strike caught my torso, and the damage penetrated my body despite the armor I was wearing.

It was unbearable; as my knees hit the ground, I collapsed forward.

The one who learned the taste of the stone floor was me...

──── Winner, Inarsha Clazit!

Amidst the thunderous applause from the spectators, Inarsha showed no sign of joy. On the contrary, after bowing politely in four directions, she probably thought I was injured since I couldn't stand up easily.

【Heal】

『I am not skilled at recovery magic, but I can at least soothe the pain. Bear with it until a Healer arrives.』

Kyun... (Heart skip). The kindness to worry about the opponent rather than her own victory...

『I-Ice is a complete lie... From now on, it would be better to call yourself the Flame Sword Princess.』

I talked back out of competitiveness, but Inarsha's mouth seemed to widen slightly in a smile. I don't remember what happened after that as my consciousness faded...

That gentle gaze of the Ice Sword Princess belongs only to me.

Lucitania became a Defiled Saintess because I informed the Papal Court, and disappeared from Inarsha's presence. It is natural, isn't it? After all, she basely stole Inarsha's smile from me.

Having removed the base Lucitania, I believed Inarsha would choose me as her Soeur this time, but Norn, who popped out of nowhere, stole her from me. Without any great ability, she surely ingratiated herself with Inarsha with smooth talking and slandered me to keep me away.

What a base woman!

Simply appealing to the Papal Court and banishing her is not enough. I will crush her with the full power of the Brilliant Rose Legion 《Rosa Luminas Legion》. So she can never sleep with her feet toward the Sankt Maiden again...

A summer mosquito flying into the fire. Norn appeared in front of me.

"Oh my, Norn-san. Good day (Gokigen'yo)."

"Good day, Soulie-san."

"I heard you played quite an active role in the goblin subjugation. Rumor has it that you and Inarsha defeated that Orc King together."

"That is just Inarsha-san saying so; I didn't really do anything worthy of being called active..."

My goodness! An incarnation of self-display desire wanting fame without even being active!

Deceiving people to gain fame is outrageous! I must personally condemn such a woman!

"Do not be so humble. That is right! Would you please teach me your sword skills, Norn-san?"

Clapping my hands together, pretending to just notice it, I made the offer. If she gets carried away, it is a chance to publicly sanction her!

"Me teaching Soulie-san? You must be joking... Soulie-san is a person of the prestigious Varietta family which produces many Holy Knights. I couldn't possibly do that."

"No, no... I lost my confidence after being defeated by that Orc King... Uuh, uuh... But if Norn-san teaches me, I think I can regain my confidence."

────【Nord's POV】

This is bad...

I was called by Elise to talk about the curse breaking, but I got caught by Soulie. What's more, her entourage is surrounding me, and escape seems impossible.

Considering Soulie's personality, she definitely has zero intention of learning anything from me. She probably just wants to sanction me in public.

"In the first place, Soulie-san and I use different weapons, so I have nothing to teach..."

"No, no, one can learn even just by exchanging a single move."

Look who's talking!

When I asked "Is that equipment okay?", you didn't listen at all...

──── Even though Brilliant Rose-sama 《Rosa Luminas-sama》 is bowing her head!

──── Does she intend to refuse?

──── Isn't she getting too carried away?

The entourage stared at me intently, criticizing my indecisive attitude. I feel like a heroine in an isekai romance. Moreover, being Soulie's entourage, they are cunning and don't raise a hand where people can see.

If I had Nord-level power left, and they attacked, it would be settled instantly though...

"Soulie! What are you doing?"

"What, you ask? I was just asking Norn-san to teach me sword skills. Is there a problem?"

"There is. Rather, there are only problems. If it is sword skills, train with me. I want you not to involve the unrelated Norn."

Phew, if Inarsha deals with Soulie, everything is OK.

Taking advantage of Soulie and her entourage's gazes being poured on Inarsha, just as I thought to quietly fade out from this place.

"Oh my, oh my, you are quite overprotective. Is she an incompetent who can do nothing without you?"

"Soulie... did you say something I cannot overlook just now?"

Hii!?

Inarsha's eyes looking at Soulie became the eyes looking at a parent's nemesis, no, the eyes looking at Nord in «Rising Hero». Eyes so cold that viewers felt chills; Soulie's entourage hugged their arms in fear.

"Yes, I will say it as many times as needed. That girl is incompetent!"

"Even if it is my friend Soulie, I cannot forgive an insult to my Soeur. If you do not retract it, I will duel you ."

As Inarsha was about to take out a white glove from her breast pocket, Soulie stopped her.

"I am just saying Norn-san is unworthy of being your Soeur."

I stroked my chest in relief that it didn't turn into a duel between the two.

"Huh? What do you mean you want sword skills taught by me, who is unworthy of being a Soeur?"

What am I saying!?

Don't tell me it's Nord-speak (Norn ver.)!!

Soulie's face twitched as she glared at me.

"You showed your true colors, haven't you? Very well. I shall speak my true feelings like you as well. I will crush you in a duel. If you lose, won't you resign as Inarsha-san's Soeur?"

"Understood. There is no need to fight. I resign."

"""""Eh?"""""

At the excessively bland answer, the gazes of everyone present poured onto me.

When I told Soulie that I was fine with resigning as Inarsha's Soeur, things got weird.

Inarsha hugged me tightly.

"Norn... what a kind-hearted child you are... To voluntarily withdraw out of concern for the relationship between Soulie and me. I do not know anyone as full of benevolence as you ."

I was strictly only looking for a way to turn back from Norn, not wanting to gain status at the Sankt Maiden. Even if I gain status or fame, at best exploration might go slightly smoother, that level.

"H-Hey, get away!"

Soulie tried desperately to intervene to tear apart Inarsha and me, but Inarsha held me and spun around like in ballroom dancing, so Soulie couldn't catch us, and her irritation only grew.

"Wait a moment. That girl doesn't care about us in the slightest. I understand Inarsha best."

"Soulie, that is wrong. Norn knows everything about me. Even the color of the underwear I'm wearing today."

Inarsha said something outrageous and silenced Soulie.

"Brilliant Rose-sama, are you okay!?"

"I cannot be ok... I am fine, nothing is wrong. We are leaving immediately!"

Holding her face, Soulie disappeared from our sight.

"I am happy that you thought so much of me. I want you to stay my Soeur from now on. Even if Soulie tries to lay a hand on you again, I won't let her touch even a single finger."

I feel like Inarsha is steadily getting heavier...

"Norn, I'm sorry... Soulie has a strong rivalry towards me. She probably wants to NTR Norn from me. Since Norn is so cute it wouldn't hurt to put you in my duvet, it can't be helped that Soulie gets enthusiastic. But rest assured, I will absolutely not let that happen."

"..."

I can't rest assured even one millimeter...

That was the punchline? Putting me in the duvet without permission is too much of a perverted lady. In the first place, Soulie has zero interest in me and just wants to remove me from Inarsha's presence.

Even if I explain to Inarsha, it only leads to the conclusion that I am cute, so I give up...

────【Kain's POV】 (Hero Academy)

"Waaaaah───n! Inarsha-chan went somewhereee... Even though my meeting with Inarsha-chan was destiny... That's right, God gave me and Inarsha-chan a trial. When we meet again, Inarsha-chan will surely give me a passionate kiss that would instantly melt even the freezing breath of a Freezing Bear (Grizzly)!"

Pasun!

"Ouch!!! What are you doing, Pants-senpai!"

"Idiot! My name is Hans! You were so creepy that my hand moved involuntarily... To think someone like me would touch such filth."

Pants-senpai was intently wiping the duster he hit me with using a handkerchief.

I can't believe he hit me!

What an ungrateful pants!

"Even though I saved Pants-senpai who was sinking in the lake with only legs and pants sticking out in the Oiraan Empire!"

"I did not ask for help from the likes of you! If anything, I wanted to be saved by a pitiable Saintess like Elise..."

"I didn't want to save a sultry guy like Pants-senpai either!"

Even though I saved the Emperor of the Oiraan Empire too, I was told to go investigate a suspicious corpse floating in the lake…

『Eeeh? You can't do it even though you're a hero?』

『Truly, it is pathetic. The precious hero is impotent (naka-ore).』

『Linne, if you say that, you should say disgrace (na-ore). Saying the truth is pitiful.』

『Sorrrrry, Hero-sama. But Hero-sama, you're a virgin (Doutei) no matter how one looks at it, right?』

『Gununu...』

『Linne, you shouldn't tease the hero too much. We have to be careful since he's a pervert who probably had fun with us in his delusions last night anyway.』

『Gunununununu...』

『Ah, if you investigate properly, we might give you... a reward we can't speak of.』

『Little Ladies Carla-chan, Linne-chan! Leave it to Hero-me, it will be solved immediately!』

『Eeaaasy (Choroi)!』

『Siiimple (Tanjun)!』

『Did you say something?』

『『Nooothing!』』

The problem was after I successfully handed over Pants-senpai as a suspicious person.

『Hero-sama, please close your eyes.』

『If I see you stripping, I'll smack you with the 【Mechanical Staff】!』

『I won't look, so hurry up and give me the reward.』

When I closed my eyes to receive the reward...

『Uuh! Uuh! Uuh!』

(What is this!? I can't speak.)

『The present was a gag to make you unable to speak ♡』

『It suits you quite well, kusukusu.』

Then I was blamed for laying a hand on Carla-chan and Linne-chan. If Nirvana-chan is off-limits, they could at least give me those twins!

If I meet those twin princesses again, I'll definitely spank their butts and teach them a lesson!

In front of my eyes is not a young beautiful girl, but a seaweed-headed sultry senpai.

"A duster like that should just rot!"

"Uwah!?"

Just as Pants-senpai shouted, he dropped the duster he was holding to the ground. The duster bubbled with purple foam and began to melt.

"Pants-senpai... you didn't cast weird poison magic on me, did you? Just because I'm popular with girls, cursing or poisoning out of unpopular guy's jealousy is being finished as a human being, you know."

"Wrong! I would absolutely never poison out of jealousy like you! I am a man who is a model of a hero who always fights fair and square."

"Says the Pants-senpai who tried to trap Nord and got caught himself?"

"That was done unauthorized by my entourage. I cut ties with those people."

"Isn't it 'got cut off'?"

"Idiot! I have no intention of hanging out with those who don't understand my true value! You agreed too, didn't you? To fight together to defeat Nord... Did you forget even that, you bird-brain!"

"I don't want to be told that by Pants-senpai who was disowned and has nowhere to return."

"Shut up! I will defeat Nord and prove my worth to my parents who don't think of their child as a child. Until then, I don't mind being covered in any shame."

I didn't want to go, but Pants-senpai insisted, so I came to the Headmaster's office.

Headmaster Lillian saw Pants-senpai and said first thing.

"Hans... you did well to return."

"Yes! Headmaster Lillian, I hope you are in good health. You have become beautiful again..."

"Haa... boring flattery is enough. By 'well', I mean 'how dare you shamelessly run back here'. You are charged with the crime of complicity with Demon Lord Malachaital in the Oiraan Empire."

"Th-That's!! I was just deceived by Siegfried and made to work..."

"Comparing someone who had no choice but to work because hostages were taken like Mao, and a guy who became a brown-noser himself without even realizing the opponent's identity..."

"Headmaster?"

"Nothing. Anyway, I have no intention of harboring you. But I didn't see anything. If you have a defense, try pleading to the Heresy Inquisitors waiting at the Elon Theocracy's Papal Court."

"Puku-kusukusu! Pants-senpai, the bell for the end of life has rung, hasn't it? How do you feel right now? It's punishment for bullying us juniors, isn't it? Please atone for your sins properly and come back with a clean body~"

"Kain, this isn't the time for you to be laughing at Hans. You avoided being held back a year out of pity. If you were held back, you'd be treated like a tumor and become a loner."

"If that happened, wouldn't I gain the nickname of 'The Solitary Hero'!"

""Haa...""

"Hans... you should choose who you associate with."

"As expected, Headmaster! Thank you for your profound words!"

"You, aren't you mocking me?"

"Absolutely not!"

While I was explaining my hidden excellence to the Headmaster and Pants-senpai, the secretary whispered to the Headmaster and then opened the door.

"Wald-sama! What business brings you here today!?"

"Don't be so flustered. I have something to discuss directly with the Headmaster. Well, everyone sit down."

The Headmaster and Pants-senpai were bowing low to the slender man who entered, looking incredibly small-time. I was also forced to stand up and bow my head by Pants-senpai though...

"You guys can go now."

"Lillian, wait. You are students of the Hero Academy? I am Wald Villance. I serve as the Regent of this country."

After we each introduced ourselves, while the slender old man and the Headmaster were talking, I asked Pants-senpai in a low voice about something I didn't understand.

"Senpai, what is a Regent?"

"You don't even know what a Regent is! Can't be helped, I, the knowledgeable one, shall teach you."

"Then I don't need it."

He was too condescending and annoying, so I tried to refuse, but Pants-senpai grabbed my shoulder and entered lecture mode.

"Wait, listen to what your elders say anyway. Otherwise, you'll lose out in life later."

"Ah! Indeed, Senpai is always losing out, right."

"I'll bury you in a dungeon after making Nord submit, so prepare yourself!"

"If it's a Succubus lair, I want to be buried right now."

"You really are a happy-go-lucky guy. A Regent is someone who handles state affairs on behalf of His Majesty the King."

"Higher than a Minister?"

"Higher. What the Regent says has as much weight as what His Majesty the King says. You learned something, didn't you?"

"Hmm, then why is such a high person at the Hero Academy?"

"How would I know?"

"As I thought, Pants-senpai just wanted to act like a know-it-all."

When I pointed out Pants-senpai's fault, the Headmaster started getting hysterically angry. Even though getting too angry increases wrinkles and might delay her marriage prospects again...

"You guys! Be quiet. Don't forget you are in front of Duke Villance!"

Huh?

Duke Villance means he's Nord's father?

Then, couldn't I just sue about the numerous atrocities done by Nord and bring about his disownment?

Yay! I might finally be able to get Elise back!

──── Blue Rose Legion 《Rosa Azure Legion》 Waiting Room.

"I want to report to everyone."

Inarsha stood up from her chair, placed both hands on the table, and began speaking with a solemn expression.

To put it simply, the waiting room is like a clubroom, but it's not a simple structure like prefab or concrete blocks piled up like in my former world.

The Sankt Maiden gathers high-society (High-So) young ladies like nobles and merchants deeply devoted to the Elon religion, so it exudes an atmosphere like a high-class salon.

The inside is overflowing with Victorian-style decorations, the wallpaper has beautiful floral patterns, and there's a fireplace as an accent to the room, with a candlestick placed on it.

"The Papal Court showed disapproval regarding the search for the village girls and members of the Brilliant Rose Legion 《Rosa Luminas Legion》 solely by the Sankt Maiden."

"Inarsha-sama! Does that mean the search is effectively called off...?"

Roxane asked Inarsha with a pale face. Inarsha nodded kokuri...

"Rest assured. Since we could get stranded if we go alone, they are currently forming a search party. They strictly said not to go searching eagerly on our own."

──── Phew~.

Voices of relief leaked from everyone in the Blue Rose Legion.

"I know you are worried about the safety of our comrades, but please do not make hasty judgments. If you get lost in the Wandering Forest, return will never be granted..."

When I rummaged through documents in the Sankt Maiden library, the Wandering Forest seemed to be a great forest region that would make even the Sea of Trees of Fuji run away barefoot.

Inarsha told everyone that the Papal Court would move for the search, but I, her Soeur, know. How much she has been racking her brain over this matter...

Two weeks ago.

Inarsha dropped her shoulders by the roadside.

From that appearance, it seemed she went to apply for a search again to the Papal Court, got rejected, and was sent back.

『Inarsha-san, don't lose heart. They surely aren't the only ones waiting for help. Let's do what we can for now.』

『Thank you, Norn. Thanks to you , I have the energy to go apply again.』

If I were in Nord's body right now, Nord-speak like "Discard the weak who get caught!" would explode, and while earning everyone's frowns, I would go out solo to solve the problem though.

Even so, while Inarsha is pained, Soulie, whose Brilliant Rose members should be captured, is gracefully indulging in tea parties...

The reason everyone yearns for Inarsha is probably her care for comrades despite being called the Ice Sword Princess.

While thinking that, suddenly my hand was pulled by Inarsha, and I was dragged into a back alley.

『Ah, no... Inarsha. This kind of thing should wait until we return to the room...』

『Just for now, just for now... please forgive me...』

Inarsha buried her face in my chest. Shameless to engage in echi acts outdoors! Just as I was thinking that...

『Uuh, uuh, I am powerless... Everyone lifts me up as the Ice Sword Princess, the second coming of Emelia... but I cannot protect even a single comrade from the same school... pathetic... just a little girl... uuh, uuh...』

Even if Inarsha had her chastity stolen by Nord, or if her body came to desire Nord, I thought she was a strong girl whose heart did not completely submit to Nord.

But seeing her sobbing like a child on my chest, I revised my impression.

She was a normal girl with weaknesses appropriate for her age. Just a patient girl silently enduring the pain in her heart. That is the clumsy girl named Inarsha Clazit.

I continued to comfort her, stroking her ice-blue hair until she stopped crying.

『I showed you an embarrassing side...』

Inarsha wiped her tears with the handkerchief I handed her, but her eyes were still red. Moreover, reddening her cheeks, she averted her gaze from me.

『No, it's not embarrassing at all. Inarsha is the best Holy Knight!』

Receiving my words, Inarsha nodded and returned to the usual gallant and sharp beautiful girl.

Then, repeating applications, she finally won the pledge for a large-scale search from the Papal Court.

Ahead of the large-scale search, a joint practice session was being held at the Sankt Maiden. The location was the Sankt Maiden Sword Dance Hall, surrounded by corridors on four sides, with about ten surfaces in the middle like tennis courts.

Soulie was sipping tea from a teacup at a table placed in the corridor, relaxing, when Roxane headed toward her. Soulie's entourage surrounded Roxane, but as Inarsha's adjutant, she was not intimidated at all.

"I am Roxane of the Blue Rose Legion 《Rosa Azure Legion》. Brilliant Rose 《Rosa Luminas》-sama, I request a spar."

"Hmm, my Brilliant Rose Legion demonstrates wonderful performance through the synergy of friends, but very well! I accept challenges from anyone."

Hmm... the smell of a self-conscious type spinning wheels reeks.

I don't know if she's putting on airs or being composed, but Soulie held the halberd with one hand and took a half-body stance.

"Come whenever you like. I won't move from here. If I move even one step, I will concede the win to you."

"Just what I wanted! Please treat me well!"

Roxane aligned her hands and feet and bowed politely. Holding the drawn longsword with both hands, she took a stance with the sword tip pointing away from the opponent. In swordsmanship terms, Waki-gamae. She dashed and slashed straight at Soulie from the front.

Ah, the straightforward Roxane cleanses the soul.

"This level of slash, easily... Kuuh."

Soulie received Roxane's slash to the head with one hand, but surprised by the heavier-than-imagined blow, immediately grabbed the halberd with both hands, knocked Roxane's sword up with the shaft, and repelled her whole body.

"Not done yet!"

While Soulie and Roxane exchanged sword blows, Soulie's entourage kept glancing at me.

Judging from their auras rising like flames, they were clearly targeting me.

To avoid unnecessary conflict, I called out to Inarsha, who had returned after being requested for a spar.

Even so, dealing with female knights coming one after another and returning with a cool expression without breaking a sweat, her figure was truly worthy of being called the Ice Sword Princess.

"I'm going to pick flowers for a bit."

"I will go too."

"Today I want to go alone."

"I will go alone too. It's just that the timing coincided with you ."

Again with the childish quibbling... just as I thought that, a long blonde haired female knight stood in front of Inarsha in a prayer pose.

"Blue Rose 《Rosa Azure》-sama! Please, a spar..."

"I am currently accompanying Norn..."

"Blue Rose-sama, next is me!"

"Inarsha-san, I'm going ahead."

"Wa-wait, Norn!"

Leaving Inarsha, who was in high demand by the female knights appearing one after another, I arrived in front of the restroom. If I stayed at the sword dance arena, people would mistakenly think I’m strong just because I’m by Inarsha’s side. In the first place, my current weapon isn't even a sword; it's the 【General Purpose Staff Metrics】.

Come to think of it, how many times have I gone to the toilet in this form?

When I closed the stall door, I couldn't hear voices, but I could hear footsteps echoing. Even obstructed by walls and doors, I can recognize auras, so my enemy detection skill is super excellent.

—Don't think badly of us!

—This is punishment for defying Soulie-sama!

I heard girls' voices, and I thought they were going to splash water into the toilet in a typical bullying move, but instead of water, a slime was thrown into the stall.

Leaving aside a Phantom Beast, bringing a monster like a slime into a city area without it being an enslaved Slave is suicidal. How would they take responsibility if it went berserk and rampaged?

I was indignant while covered in the slimy fluid secreted by the slime.

Slime...

I put the slime that was sitting on my head into my 【Item Box】 and threw the other ones that were tossed in there as well.

Maybe Lusitania was subjected to the same kind of bullying as me.

Anyway, I have to return lost property to its owner!

I’ve grasped the shape and color of their auras perfectly. Just as I opened the stall door and was about to go complain and return the goods, saying something like, "Ideally like, 'That cushion I bought is leaking something like mucus!'"—

"Norn! What happened! You're all covered in slime!"

I ran smack into Inarsha.

"This is..."

"Trying to feel good all by yourself? That's a bit cold of you. Come, let's go to the bath with me."

"Hah?"

I was dragged by the hand by Inarsha and brought all the way to the large public bath.

When we entered the changing room, Inarsha slammed her hand against the wall behind me—a kabe-don.

"Norn... if you were being bullied, why didn't you tell me sooner..."

"No, because today was the first time..."

"It is important to nip these things in the bud early. Besides, as the Student Council President, I cannot overlook this."

She touched my chin with her index finger and stared at me. Her clear blue eyes were moist, looking like she might start crying at any moment. Inarsha, who had a stiff expression even in the game, has increased her variety of expressions and seems to be expressing her emotions more richly.

Confused by her closing the distance bit by bit, I slipped out of her arms.

—Ah, I'm tired!

—Bath, bath!

Just then, students who had finished practice came into the changing room. I, who had been cornered by Inarsha, sighed in relief, but she made a bold move.

"I want you to let me check your body for any injuries."

"I'm fine! There aren't any! Besides, Roxanne should have more injuries than me..."

Unable to endure Inarsha closing in on me, I tried to pass the conversation to Roxanne, who was passing by like a god of salvation, but...

"Norn-san! I am fine! Injuries like this are nothing to me."

"Roxanne says so."

Why do you believe Roxanne's "I'm fine" but not my "I'm fine"!?

She must have taken quite a beating from Soulie. She has bruises and scratches here and there. And yet she acts like it's nothing.

In the end, before entering the bathroom, Roxanne spoke to a healer she was close with and got healed.

"Norn, let's at least take off those dirty clothes first."

"Yes..."

What Inarsha is saying is sensible, but her hands are trembling, perhaps because she is excited.

"I can take off my own clothes... I can't take them off."

I thought I could take them off immediately because it was slippery, but they stuck to my skin just like clothes soaked in a lot of sweat, and I couldn't take them off well.

"No need to hold back. We are Soeurs. We should help each other when we're in trouble."

"Hyan!"

Inarsha put both hands in from the hem of the sailor uniform that was stuck tight to me, reaching all the way to my armpits. The slimy sensation was ticklish, and a weird voice came out of me. It felt close to the sensation of an ultrasound exam where gel is applied to your stomach. Inarsha made me raise my arms and slid the sailor uniform off. Next, she put her hands on the buttons of my skirt, so I panicked and grabbed her hands.

"Wait. I can at least take off my skirt by myself..."

"Is that so..."

I got the impression from the tone of her voice that Inarsha was somewhat disappointed, but I didn't intend to leave everything to her like nursing care either. I will do what I can by myself.

But immediately, I regretted it. I should have just let the skirt drop to the floor, but trying to grab the waistband to take it off while pulling out one leg was a mistake.

"Ah."

Because of the mucus soaked even into my socks, my footing was slippery and bad, and I lost my balance when standing on one leg.

"I'm sorry."

"I wish you wouldn't push yourself too hard and trouble me."

Thanks to Inarsha catching me without caring about the filth, my body didn't fall. The hands that caught me were by no means lewd, but rather overprotective like a mother... Inarsha's expression seemed happy rather than troubled.

"Do you mind if I help you undo your underwear?"

"Y-Yes..."

Having been saved, it was hard to refuse Inarsha's proposal, so I accepted it. When she put her hands on my back, there was a snapping sound. The hook of my bra was undone, and my tits spilled right out.

Originally being a man, there's no need for me to hide, yet I covered my breasts with both hands. Is it that when they get big, you just want to hide them?

"Eh!?"

While I was distracted by the softness of my own boobs that I touched, my panties had already been pulled down, and I was dumbfounded by my naked figure reflected in the dresser mirror of the changing room.

"If you're going to pull them down, please say you're going to pull them down..."

"My apologies. But if I told Norn, you would insist on doing it yourself. If that happened, it would be a repeat of before."

Ugh... It's hard to argue back. When I stayed silent while becoming pigeon-toed to hide my privates, she opened her mouth.

"There is no need to hide from me. I want you to show me more of beautiful Norn... I would never get tired of looking at Norn's body. If Norn says it's embarrassing, then I shall undress too. If we hold a mutual nude appreciation session, our mutual understanding will deepen."

Inarsha performed a quick strip-tease as if to say "take this," and unreservedly exposed her bare skin to me—skin that looked like it was buried in powder snow and had never been trampled by anyone.

Perhaps trying not to make me ashamed, she put both hands behind her head and posed for me.

"Here, look. I am full of useless meat."

When my eyes involuntarily went to Inarsha's large, wobbling tits, her cheeks dyed slightly red, perhaps because she became embarrassed.

Her methods are unfortunate, but Inarsha, who looks cool but is kind at heart.

"I-Inarsha-san... everyone is watching you."

"Mu! My naked body belongs to Norn. If we're undressed, let's hurry and soak in the bath."

Since when did Inarsha's naked body become mine? Putting that aside, Inarsha puffing out her cheeks in anger was somehow cute. Because I didn't have an image of her making such gestures... I, who was made slimy by the slime mucus, had every corner of my body washed by her.

When soaking in the bathtub side by side with Inarsha, floating melons came bobbing up. Mine are about the size of slightly large apples.

"Does Norn like women with large breasts?"

"What, all of a sudden!?"

"I see... as expected, you don't feel attracted to cow-like tits... It might have been better if my breasts were about Norn's size."

Inarsha patted her own chest self-deprecatingly (pomu-pomu), and my phantom crotch almost reacted. If she makes gestures of groping such big tits, I'll get excited even if I've become a girl!

Pressing a towel to her chest and letting it flutter around her navel, Elise came towards us. Her other hand was grabbing Elsinore's hand.

"Here, Elise. Don't pull so much. It's after using too much healing magic."

"Norn-sama! I thought you weren't here, but you were in the bath!"

Elise's ankle touched the water surface. She has beautifully long legs but with flesh that looks soft. No, it really is soft. As expected of an eroge world, an environment where even mob characters are beautiful girls... and since it's a bath, everyone is stark naked.

Well, that applies to me too, but... Me, sandwiched in a bathing scene surrounded by wonderful beautiful girls. I had been relieved because the TS (Gender Swap) hadn't worn off for a long time, but I became scared that if the TS wore off right here and now, I would be beaten to a pulp.

—Kyahaha.

—Just because she's a little cute.

While resting my elbows on the side of the tub, five frolicking girls passed in front of me. As soon as they saw my figure, their conversation cut off. Looking awkward, they ignored the tub I was soaking in and seemed to head for the open-air bath in the back. I understood immediately. From the aura they were exuding, they were the culprits who threw the slime.

I really have to return lost property, don't I?

Inarsha is the Student Council President. In addition, she is from one of the leading noble families in the Elon Theocracy. I must avoid a situation where she acts poorly for my sake and gets expelled from Sanctmaiden and exiled from her family home...

"Inarsha... have your breasts gotten bigger again?"

"Does it really look like that? Even though my weight hasn't changed..."

Elsinore, who says that, also possesses quite something herself.

"Elise... You, you've gotten bigger!"

"Inarsha-san is doing well too."

I swallowed my tears and canceled the precious scene where the heroines were giggling and getting along (kyah-ha ufufu).

I threaded through the gap while the three were literally rubbing against each other, walked along the stone pavement, and came to the roofless open-air bath. In the open-air bath, the five girls were engaging in girl talk, but I cut in.

"What is it? You."

"We're talking right now?"

"You're in the way, so go over there."

The hurdle is as high as talking to the top-tier popular girls (Yang-gyaru). But this was a battle I absolutely could not retreat from in order to protect my life and Inarsha's chastity.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Since I have no intention of making a scene, I just asked plainly. In times like this, it helps that I don't end up speaking Nord-tongue because I'm in Norn's form.

"Not reaaally. We just thought you were annoying behind Rosa Azul-sama."

"Even though you're incompetent and can't do anythiiing."

""""Kyahahahahahaha!!""""

I thought they would feign ignorance, but surprisingly, they readily admitted to the crime.

"Is that so? Well then, I just came to return your lost property."

I took out the box containing the slime from my 【Item Box】 and placed it in front of the hot spring.

"Ehh? What? Hey, open it."

"It's better not to open it here."

"I told you to open it, you bootlicker!"

I wonder which one is the bootlicker? Even though they are Soulie's entourage...

I don't have time to engage in an ugly dispute where the pot calls the kettle black. As desired, when I opened the box, the slime jumped out with great force. With that momentum, it went into the open-air bath where Soulie's followers were. Exposed to the hot water, the slime's body melted into sludge and covered their whole bodies.

"Hii!?"

"Nooooooo—!!"

"What are you doing! Putting a slime in hot water, you're crazy!"

"So grrossss!"

Who was it that threw that slime into the toilet stall... They seemed to be unfortunate children who couldn't reflect on their own actions.

I crouched down and looked down at them.

"I warned you, didn't I? Not to open it. And yet, you were the ones who said to open it."

"Don't fuck with us!"

"Help us!"

They don't know yet. The true terror of a slime that has gained water... First, slashing attacks become ineffective, and to defeat it, you have to destroy the magic core, but since it has spread in the liquid, identifying it is extremely difficult. And due to the slimy mucus, slipping makes it difficult to walk properly. To escape from the deeply recessed open-air bath, there is no choice but to defeat the slime or jump out using magic. If you jump poorly, it will stretch like tentacles and capture you though.

It was convenient for me that these guys used Soulie's authority to kick other students out of the open-air bath and occupy it. Because unexpectedly, the open-air bath has quickly turned into a torture chamber.

"Hey? Instead of helping you, tell me one thing."

"Tell you what!"

"Do you realize we're not in a position for that?"

"Prepare yourself, because when we get out, we'll bully you again!"

"It seems you have no intention of talking. Any more is a waste of time, so I will take my leave... Good day, everyone."

Since I had a bath towel wrapped like a tube dress, I thought it wouldn't look elegant, but I did an air curtsey. But even if it didn't look the part, the bluff seemed to have sufficient effect, and the followers began to panic.

"We-We'll answer anything! So get us out of here!"

"You, do you intend to betray us?"

"Wait! Everyone except this girl will answer your questions!"

"No way, lie, I'll answer too! We're friends, right! Don't leave just me out."

These girls' friendship is really thin...

Seeing an opportunity, I cut to the main topic.

"Did you participate in the bullying of Lusitania-san too?"

"I-I don't know!"

"That was Soulie-sama..."

When I tried asking a leading question, it seemed I would get the answer I suspected, so I let my guard down.

"My, my, everyone. Gathering together, what kind of story are you talking about? If the topic is about me, please include me."

Soulie!?

【Divine Judgment】

The light of holy magic gathered in Soulie's palm, and she fired it into the open-air bath without hesitation. When the light hit the water, her followers who were soaking in the bathtub began to convulse as if electrocuted.

Unable to even scream, they just shook... Smoke rose from their hair, and only then did Soulie finally remove the hand she held up. The slime couldn't withstand it and apparently evaporated.

"Even if sacrifices are made, evil must be purged."

After taking a pose of prayer, Soulie turned her back.

"Someone, take those people away."

—Yes!

Followers who had fainted were carried away by members of the Brilliant Rose Legion (Rosa Luminas Legion) who appeared from nowhere.

"It seems my Friends caused you trouble... I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Well then, good day."

"Please wait. Soulie-san, don't you know Lusitania-san's whereabouts?"

"Who knows? I do not know of a woman who not only objected to the doctrine of the Elon Church but also raised a flag of rebellion against Ellis-sama."

"Is that so..."

Electrocuting her followers until they fainted to silence them. With this lack of mercy, it is clear that Soulie is involved in Lusitania's banishment.

This girl betrays friends easily...