Ch.165The NPC Who Sees the End of Trials (4)

“I pray to you, who are responsible for Caritas (Charity) among the seven cardinal virtues, as a child of the main deity who protects the continent. Please…”

As I continue my prayer with closed eyes, drawing forth divine power, I think to myself.

‘What on earth is happening right now…?’

“Luxuria. I think I understand why you’re lust. Even the sight of you bleeding makes my heart race.”

-CRACK!!!

“Despite having your teeth knocked out, you still manage to look cute rather than stupid, which is quite remarkable.”

-SMASH!!

“I thought you might be sad about your face being ruined, but you recover so quickly even after taking such a beating. I suppose that’s fortunate?”

-CRUNCH!!!

“I apologize. I didn’t intend to break your arm, but it happened unconsciously. So, could you please stop those strange invisible attacks? They’re making me nervous.”

-THUD!!!

“I’m a bit scared that I hit your stomach too hard. I hope this won’t prevent you from bearing children.”

-RIIIP!!!

“Oh, I’m sorry. I hope your hair can regenerate… Ah, it’s already growing back.”

The voice I hear is definitely Mountain Keeper Jack’s. And the following impact sounds and explosions clearly indicate they’re in combat.

However, no matter how I think about it, the conversation content and situation don’t match up in my head.

‘But, didn’t he say he loved Luxuria?’

From what I can tell, Mountain Keeper Jack seems to be overwhelming the enemy possessing Luxuria.

He told me earlier he could hold out for 3 to 5 minutes, but at this rate, he might be able to defeat it alone. However, that’s not what’s important right now.

-THWACK!

“Don’t struggle so much, Luxuria. I meant to hit your solar plexus to stop you, but your lower abdomen got hit again. At this rate, we truly might not be able to have children together.”

-THUD!!

“…Are you deliberately presenting your lower abdomen to be hit?”

-CRACK!!!

“This is definitely intentional. Don’t tell me you enjoy being hit there?”

-THWACK, THWACK, THWACK!!

“…I wish you’d be honest with me. Are you actually back to your senses now? No, you’re shaking your head… Alright, I understand.”

-THWACK!!

“If you enjoy being hit, I’ll hit you more. I’m prepared to accommodate my wife’s sexual desires.”

…What on earth is he talking about? I can’t understand, and somehow I don’t want to understand.

However, there was one thing I could clearly tell.

‘The evil energy clinging to Luxuria has weakened a bit. And her own demonic energy feels a bit stronger.’

I’m not sure what’s happening, but it seems Jack’s genuine feelings(?) for her are getting through.

I only spoke with her briefly, but I could tell. She was a being on a different level from the Seven Deadly Sins demons I’ve faced so far.

‘No. That’s not it. She’s on the same level. It’s just that even while being true to her desires, her lust manifests in the form of love.’

She spoke to me several times with a flushed face and excited breath.

If following one’s instincts like lust is a sin, then aren’t all living beings sinners just by being born?

Of course, she said she didn’t think that way herself.

And she also said:

Lust arises instinctively when meeting someone of the opposite sex to leave one’s seed, but by restraining it and finding someone you truly desire strongly, it becomes love.

That’s why she’s so devoted to her first love, she said.

As a saint, I’ve heard many discussions about ethics and sexual concepts throughout my life, but surprisingly, nothing resonated with me as much as her words.

While acts like rape and sexual assault are indeed crimes, they result from one-sided lust running rampant.

If it’s mutual, couldn’t it be called love? I’ve come to understand such thinking…

“What’s this? You want to be hit on the buttocks? Hmm. What was this called again? Masochism? Luxuria, I think I’m beginning to understand you a bit more…”

I hear what sounds like something bursting, but I don’t hear Luxuria’s voice.

No matter how I think about it, her surface consciousness seems to have risen quite a bit. Perhaps we could easily remove what’s clinging to her…

[You must never let your guard down.]

“…Main Deity?”

– ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯!!!!

“Kyaah?!!”

Suddenly, as I received a “revelation,” an explosion and demonic energy incomparably stronger than before came flying in.

“Ugh?!! Lu-Luxuria?!!”

“Wh-what on earth is happening?!!”

“Hmm, I thought Luxuria was gradually awakening to my affectionate touch…!!”

Jack flies to my side from the explosion, spitting blood while looking up at the sky, and I follow his gaze.

[Haa, haa. Damn lust. How dare a mere demon try to suppress me.]

“Ugh?!!”

“Wh-what terrible demonic energy…!!!”

Luxuria’s appearance has completely changed from before.

She still appears female, but while she had a cute, charming look earlier, now she looks like…

“Is that the being that’s attached to her?”

“Gulp. Yes. It seems to have completely possessed her to suppress her ego.”

A beast’s face with only bones remaining, horns much larger than before, and fur grown all over her body—she’s a completely different demon from the one we saw earlier.

While her body’s contours still appear feminine, that is not her.

Just by the way that mouth moves and speaks with a different voice, even I—and Jack beside me who has no magical power—can feel the pressure.

[Damn Mountain Keeper. I’ll kill you with my own hands.]

“…Saint. Are you ready?”

“Ah, yes! I’m all set!! I’ve gathered enough divine power to receive the Main Deity’s revelation!!”

-WHOOSH!!!

The moment I received the Main Deity’s revelation, divine power surged within me instantly—this is not just my power but contains the true will of the deity.

My hair and eyes shone more brilliantly than usual, reaching a level that could push back even the terrible demonic energy that had been pressing down on us.

“Phew. Round two. Let’s save her here.”

“Heh. How did I end up in a fight to save a demon? But yes, I really want to save her too!!”

-POP!!

I stretch my hand toward where the cabin was, and with a small explosion, my hammer returns from the collapsed house and wraps around my hand.

“Demon!! My name is Ira, the Hammer Saint! By the will of the Main Deity and myself, I will get my friend back!!!”

“…Mountain Keeper Jack. I will get my wife back.”

[I’ll tear you arrogant fools to death.]

As tremendous demonic energy that couldn’t be felt earlier explodes from her body, dozens of tentacles extend from the ground around us and begin to attack, and Mountain Keeper Jack and I simultaneously leap into them.

‘Luxuria. I will definitely save you!!’

I don’t really want to understand what this masochism of yours is, but I want to hear you talk about it happily.

With such thoughts briefly crossing my mind, I swung my hammer forcefully.

*

“Hehe. Brother~? Here?”

“Hm? Oh, is it morning?”

“Yes! It’s morning!”

“Peep~!!”

[Master, you overslept.]

“…Uwaah~ I’m tired!”

As I feel Ira’s warm body temperature in my arms while stretching widely, someone suddenly grabs my hand.

“Heh, what’s this? You woke up later than me?”

“…Ah, Ragni.”

“Get up quickly. Lei prepared breakfast.”

“Oh, Lei did?”

“Yes! Big sister Lei said she’d prepare lots of delicious things today!!”

[What? What are you saying? Didn’t we already decide to take turns preparing breakfast?]

Huh? When? Did you all decide that?

“Geez. Save your sleep talk for when you’re sleeping. Let’s go, everyone’s waiting.”

“Let’s go~!”

“Peep~!!”

“Uh, okay…”

Ragni gently takes my hand with a motherly smile from the cozy bed, and I get up while holding Ira in my arms.

The phoenix-like bird on Ira’s head keeps chirping happily, but ugh, it’s hurting my ears.

Gor immediately hands me a warm towel, telling me to at least wipe my face, which I do in a daze. And then.

“Um, where am I?”

“What are you talking about? This is the celestial realm you wanted so badly.”

“…What?”

[…Don’t tell me you’re dreaming of the old days again, Master?]

Old days? What are they talking about? When did I come to the celestial realm?

I tilt my head in confusion at their words, but Ragni and Ira find even this amusing and chuckle.

“Ira, hasn’t your brother become too much of a sleepyhead? He’s still wandering in dreams?”

“Yes! After our journey ended, brother became a complete sleepyhead! Always sleeping!”

[Well, we’ve been through a lot. It’s good to think of this as part of recovery.]

Ira grabs my cheeks and pulls them, saying “Wake up, brother~,” and Ragni follows suit on the other side, saying “Wake up, dear~.”

And Gor hesitates, wondering where to put her hands, but hey, don’t you do it. And Peepy, don’t peck my head, I’ll go bald.

[Hiing…]

“Peep…”

“Still harsh to Gor, I see.”

“You should take good care of big sister Gor too~!”

“…What? Big sister Gor?”

Since when did Ira call Gor “big sister”? She used to evaluate Gor as convenient. Big sister?

Being pulled along in this incomprehensible situation, I naturally walk down the stairs to the first floor.

The smell of delicious meat stew and fragrant bread wafts from the first floor, where Lei has tied her hair in a ponytail, showing her clean, unblemished nape while humming and flipping a frying pan.

…Was she always this good at cooking?

“Oh, you’re up? You woke up even later today?”

“Really. You woke up so late that we missed our walking time.”

“Heh, it must be fatigue from the last battle that hasn’t worn off.”

[Which ‘battle’ are we talking about?]

“Hehehe. Both.”

-Clatter. Clatter.

As I sit at the table, Lei naturally places the eggs that were just on the frying pan onto a plate and sets it in front of me. Her cooking movements are so natural that I can’t help but stare blankly, wondering if she was always like this.

“…Gulp. Um, Jack? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Uh, huh? Oh. No…”

[…Master. Please try to control yourself.]

“No. What?”

“Sigh. Beast. Even with Ira here.”

“No, really, what?!”

Lei shyly pulls her hair forward, and Gor and Ragni naturally shake their heads.

What on earth is going on?! Why am I the only one who doesn’t know?!

“Hehe. Brother’s lap is my seat~”

“Oh, sure.”

“Here, Miss Ira, your favorite skewers and toasted bread.”

“Wow~ Thank you, big sister Lei~!”

Ira naturally sits on my lap and starts breakfast, and Peepy pecks at the bread she tears for him.

Ragni and Gor sit beside me, and Lei sits across from us, looking at us contentedly.

I have no idea what’s going on right now. But.

“…This is happiness.”

“Hm? Suddenly?”

“Nom nom, gulp. Is brother happy?”

“Heh. Of course. This is the peaceful daily life Jack has been longing for, isn’t it?”

[Master has grasped this daily life after much hardship. No one could blame you for enjoying it to the fullest.]

Everyone smiles warmly at my casual remark, as if they’re truly enjoying this cozy time.

Ira is tearing her bread to wrap around her favorite meat skewer to feed me.

…This is too much, this is the world I’ve been longing for.

“Brother, say ah~”

“Ah~”

How long has it been since Ira fed me like this? It feels like it wasn’t that long ago, but it also feels like ages.

Afterward, Ragni, Gor, and finally Lei take turns feeding me, saying I must have trouble eating with Ira sitting on my lap. I feel my heart warm at their sincere kindness.

…Yes, what else is happiness? This is happiness.

“Gulp. By the way.”

“Yes?”

“What are those plates over there, and those plates down there?”

“Ah~ The two people who went for a walk haven’t returned yet.”

…Two people? Who else is here besides you all?

As I tilt my head in confusion, Ragni lightly hits my shoulder and speaks.

“They went out alone because you woke up late. Make sure to go with them this afternoon.”

“…Uh, who?”

[Master, even for a golem like me, it’s a bit much to see you act normal during the day after training so diligently in the middle of the night…]

“No, what are you talking about?!”

Training? Middle of the night?! What did I do?!

Wait? I truly don’t remember any pupils invading my life?!!

As I genuinely panic, Lei and Ragni give me looks that suggest this is going too far, but why am I the only one who doesn’t know?!

“Ehehe. Brother.”

“Yes?”

“Who do you like best among us?”

“Obviously Ira.”

“Wow. Sister complex, immediate answer.”

[That’s different from what you said in bed last night.]

“That’s bound to be different, as he said himself, so let it go, Gor.”

After finishing the generous breakfast everyone fed me in this confused state, Ira hops off my lap, and everyone starts cleaning up.

Movements as if this has always been the case. Ira immediately opens a book and starts studying with Peepy, while the three women smile among themselves, recalling my earlier reaction.

It’s an incredibly happy and perfect world. I feel a bit out of place, but still so happy…

-Creak.

“Oh my, has everyone eaten? Were we too late?”

“Yes. You’re too~ late, so we’ve already finished~”

“We saved meals for both of you. And don’t worry. Our sleepyhead husband said he’d watch both of you eat.”

[Welcome back from your walk.]

…What? Husband? And that voice just now?

I slowly turned my head toward the familiar voice.

“Woof!”

“Hehe, yes, yes. Miho, are you happy that our husband will stay with us while we eat?”

“Woof woof~!”

A fox beastkin with crimson hair wearing a kimono enters my view, leading a white tiger with silver spots on a leash.

…Haha. What the hell. That’s a walk?

“Chikuyo. Miho?”

“Hm? What’s wrong, our sister’s husband?”

“Woof~?”

I can’t help but rub my forehead at the sight, and I let out a hollow laugh.

Yes, of course.

“A swordswoman, a princess, a golem, and beastkin sisters on top? This is crazy.”

“Uh, w-wait!! I-Ira is here, so please watch your language…!!”

“Woof!!”

Chikuyo flutters her hands and tail in panic, and Miho struggles in surprise, looking back and forth between Ira and me.

…Haha. Since when did you become so considerate? But still.

“If that’s the case, I find myself thinking even this isn’t so bad.”

-Rustle.

I quietly stand up from my chair and approach Ira, who’s studying alone.

Now that I understand what’s going on, I should wrap this up.

“Brother?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you going?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“I’m going to Ira.”

“…You’ll come back soon, right?”

Why do you lower your eyebrows when I say I’m going to you? But still.

“Of course. I’m Ira’s brother. No matter where I am, I will always, absolutely, return to where Ira is.”

I kneel on one knee and gently pat Ira’s head, and she stands up to hug my neck.

Yes, even in this “world,” you’re still my sister. Forever, I am absolutely your brother.

“I’m sorry, brother. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay.”

“Wait just a little longer, I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

After saying that, I remove my hand from Ira’s head and…

-Smooch.

“……”

“I’ll wait, my beloved brother.”

Ira gave me a kiss on the cheek, different from that day, and patted my head with a smile.

“I’ll be right back, my beloved sister.”

And I smile as brightly as possible toward Ira before heading to the entrance of this unfamiliar, awkward house.

All “my women,” who had been questioning my sudden behavior, are now smiling, bowing, or waving to see me off.

If someone were to offer congratulations, it would be the perfect ending.

Miho… Pfft. Stop whimpering, you.

“…Thank you. Wait just a little longer. I’ll leave Ira in your care.”

Conveying my inner feelings that surely won’t reach them, yet somehow feel like they already have, I escaped from the “Lust” status effect.