episode_0040

Perhaps it was due to pushing themselves too hard for nearly a month.

The group could only depart for the north after spending several days in the ruins.

If there had been anyone suggesting heading to the central region with valid reasons, they could have considered going there. However, whether they knew their situation well or simply had no particular thoughts, no one mentioned going to the central region.

And so, they headed north.

It was a natural course of action, but the journey from the west to the north was significantly different from when they traveled from the south to the west.

There were no elves chasing them relentlessly, nor were there followers of malevolent spirits targeting their lives.

Since possessing the body of the witch Beatrice, I was able to experience ‘leisure’ for the first time.

A moment of peace after a long time.

Of course, I am aware.

The more one enjoys this peaceful moment, the more troublesome things tend to follow, leading to inevitable hardships.

However, for now, I wanted to savor this leisure.

Or rather, I had to enjoy it. One never knows when such an opportunity will come again.

But… unfortunately.

“Damn it.”

I found myself unable to enjoy this leisure at all.

If asked why this was the case amidst the events unfolding in the north, I could probably say that it wasn’t directly related.

The starting point of the northern episode was when Stroheim expressed his desire to create a powerful weapon and entered the mine where Arkritch lay dormant.

Recovering strength was not something that would happen in just a month, and even if one did recover, breaking through using conventional means seemed possible.

To reiterate, having defeated both the apostles of malevolent spirits and the elf addicted to copulation, can’t we handle just one damn skull head?

After all, a skull head that has been lying around for thousands of years is hardly intimidating, and what’s truly terrifying is…

“Why have you been scowling like that? Weren’t you eager to come to the north?”

“…Wipe off that sinister smile and speak, you damn bastard.”

“Oh, you couldn’t manage your expression, huh? Hehe…”

A date as shitty as none experienced in this life or the previous one.

As I wickedly smiled while watching the departing lad with a sword, I rubbed my throbbing temples with my hand.

“I never dreamed my first date would be with such a guy.”

What can I say?

Yes, it feels like innocence being trampled upon recklessly.

Having your first experience stolen by a man, is that even fucking fair?

“Sigh…”

Exhaling deeply, I closed my eyes tightly, and the priestess walking beside me chuckled.

It seems she doesn’t quite understand my aversion to dating.

With a puzzled voice, she directly threw a question at me.

“Isn’t… isn’t Sir Karl quite decent? Despite being sinister, he’s manly, good-looking, and above all, strong.”

“…”

She’s not entirely wrong.

With the current lad Karl, he’d be welcomed as a sweetheart or a husband wherever he went.

No wonder those nymphomaniac women are going crazy, right?

But not me.

Even though I’m currently inhabiting the body of this lascivious witch, I’ve lived 24 years as a man.

Just as you disliked Lorian, I can’t help but dislike Karl.

Unless it’s a relationship like friends or comrades.

As for lovers… absolutely not.

Shaking my head silently to indicate my reluctance to respond, the priestess made a displeased expression and distanced herself from me.

…Oddly enough, it’s much more comfortable for me this way.

Hearing such remarks repeatedly makes me feel like I’m turning into some strange individual.

There’s only one damn wicked thing I do, which, considering the times, can’t even be called wicked.

Refusing a man who pleads for a chance, a woman who rejects such a man…

“In the eyes of others, I must look like a madwoman.”

The way the priestess looked at me like that made a bit more sense to me.

I gazed at the swaggering guy ahead of me, singing cheerfully, with a wistful look in my eyes.

“Tsk, how did you end up liking this lump of flesh?”

Poor thing.

If I were really a girl, I would have harbored emotions other than affection for you.

And you, you would have soon found love and ended this meaningless journey.

Gazing towards the northern city’s first visible walls, Northern West, I pondered.

…Since it’s a futile love anyway, wouldn’t it be okay to be a bit more proactive about this first and last date?

So I thought.

—–

Coming from the west, there were several mishaps entering Northern West.

Fortunately, thanks to someone recognizing Strohheim, we cleared up misunderstandings and could enter the first city in the north.

Different from the south living in harmony with nature and the rugged lawless west.

A city that shows some level of order and truly embodies “this is a fantasy city,” Northern West.

Deciding to stay here for a few days to regroup, our group also set a date.

“Keep some time free in three days.”

The date schedule was set.

“…”

Lying on the plush inn bed, I pondered.

What preparations has that guy with the sword made?

It took about a month from the west to arrive at the first city in the north, Northern West.

If he prepared for a month, what trials await me?

Though he showed a confident attitude in front of the sword guy, once the date was set, he became anxious.

“You won’t waver, will you?”

Hinting at worry, then shaking my head.

There’s no need to worry about the mind. What needs caution is this useless, sensitive body.

Yes, the body is the biggest variable.

A single caress brings a creepy pleasure.

Standing in front of the sword guy makes my heart race, giving an uncomfortable sensation.

Continuously shaking my sense of self, this damn female body.

If I can take care of this body well, no matter what pranks the sword guy pulls, I won’t falter.

“…He’s really annoyingly handsome.”

Honestly, I had to admit he was good-looking.

If only that damn ‘plausibility’ wasn’t there, things wouldn’t have turned out like this.

If he was just decently good-looking, I wouldn’t have been swayed by this pathetic lump of flesh.

As I mumbled while burying my face in the soft pillow, the priestess who had been listening quietly burst into laughter.

“You’re not very honest, Witch.”

“Huh? I don’t recall lying while traveling together?”

“…You have foolish aspects despite your appearance.”

“Are you suggesting war?”

Growling suddenly towards the priestess who started an argument, she responded with a bright smile, unfazed.

“Are your date preparations going well?”

“So-so? There’s nothing special to prepare.”

“You say there’s nothing to prepare, what does that mean…?”

“Just dress as usual and spend the day with the sword guy, right? Is there something we should prepare for?”

As I shrugged, the priestess suddenly yanked off the blanket and stared at me fiercely, her expression akin to encountering a demon.

“What did you just say?”

“…I said there’s nothing else to prepare, is there a problem?”

“Are you saying that now!!!”

Stumbling back under the priestess’s glare, I stiffened my face and retorted.

“No, then what should I do?”

Surely she’s not telling me to dress up nicely and tremble before that guy?

Don’t make me laugh.

I don’t like that guy, nor do I intend to tempt him, so why should I bother?

Despite furrowing her brow, the priestess didn’t back down and turned back to me.

“You have to take care of the basics! We’re still on a journey, so even if clothes are out of the question, grooming is the absolute bare minimum!”

“Seriously, how does going on a date make you happier?”

“Well!!! Since I’ve dedicated everything to Lord Agathon, I can’t engage in things like dating! Just the idea of going on a date makes me envious, but you dismiss it as if it’s nothing, which is frustrating, you know?”

“If you want it that badly, would you like to go on a date with a sword? I’ll step down from my ‘high priest’ position for a day and let loose.”

“Oh, Pasible, you’re not my type. My type is someone who… takes care of me without me realizing, like Lord Cortas.”

“…”

Too bad.

If Alain really liked swords, I would’ve just passed it off to him.

They were supposed to enjoy teasing each other while indulging in vicarious satisfaction!

By the way, Alain has quite unique tastes.

Bellum is also quite handsome, belonging to a good lineage, yet she chooses an orc like Cortas. Is she into rough men?

Looking at the priestess with an intrigued gaze, she soon seemed embarrassed by her own words and hastily left the room.

…She’s quite the character too.

She shouldn’t criticize others when she’s no better herself, sigh.

“But…”

Though I pretended not to hear, what the priestess said made sense.

No matter how much I dislike it, isn’t it part of the ‘wish’?

At least enjoy the day enough for that damn sword to be satisfied later.

Quietly getting up from the bed, I looked at the mirror in the room.

“…Should I spruce up a bit?”

It’s all for the perfect wish fulfillment.

Anyway, that’s how it went.