Ch.321The Legendary Return Beast

# Unicorn.

Among the creatures appearing in myths and legends, this one boasts top-class fame.

It has the appearance of a horse with a horn protruding from its forehead, and that horn is believed to possess the power to heal all diseases…

But more than that, the most famous legend is probably that “only pure maidens can approach it.”

“Unicorn?”

“It’s a mythical creature that appears in ancient legends of Grantis. It possesses healing powers that can cure any disease, and is said to bestow blessings upon pure maidens.”

“So it’s not a monster then?”

“Hmm. I’ve heard it doesn’t act aggressively unless provoked first.”

The legend of the unicorn that flowed from Phyllis’s lips wasn’t much different from what I already knew.

What does it mean that such a unicorn’s habitat was hidden beyond the ancient ruins?

“…This ancient ruin was created to protect the unicorn’s habitat.”

“Then what about the women drawn in the murals?”

“The woman with the halo must have been a maiden blessed by the unicorn. Perhaps in ancient society, such women were considered sacred?”

There’s too little we can infer from just one mural.

To learn more, we’d need to either find other materials somewhere or ask Professor Anastasia, the walking encyclopedia.

However, right now we have a more pressing issue to address.

“So what are we going to do about that unicorn?”

“……”

Yes.

The mythical creature said to bestow blessings upon pure maidens, the unicorn, stands on the surface of the lake with all four hooves, staring at us with eyes full of wariness.

The reason is obvious—all four women in our party have shared their bodies with me.

Seeing us frozen in indecision, Kate, the sniper of the Four Sisters, furrowed her brow and asked:

“Don’t tell me you all…?”

“…That’s right. All four of us.”

“My goodness, so it really was a harem party…”

Kate shook her head in disbelief at Seti’s answer.

Susan and Anna were staring at us with wide eyes, while only Becky maintained her usual expressionless face.

“Since that’s how it is, if the unicorn legend is true, I’ll yield the opportunity to receive its blessing to the Four Sisters.”

“Um…”

“Well…”

“……”

In response to Jessica’s offer to yield, all four members of the Four Sisters looked away in different directions, avoiding the topic.

…It seems there wasn’t a single pure maiden present.

“Sigh, we’ll have to go back and bring Iris instead.”

Everyone was nodding at Mina’s comment and about to return to the magic circle glowing behind us, when suddenly:

“Prrrr…{Wait, tall woman with black hair.}”

“!?”

Suddenly, a pleasant baritone voice echoed in my mind like a reverberation.

And in Arcane Word, no less.

“What’s wrong?”

“…That unicorn just spoke to me?”

“What!?”

All eight people, including Jessica, looked back and forth between me and the unicorn with expressions of shock.

Even Phyllis seemed surprised, which means the Arcane Word just now must not have been audible to her either.

But the problem was more than that…

“You’re calling… me?”

“{Of course. Among the nine women here, only you possess a pure body that has not experienced a man.}”

Are you insane, unicorn!?

Well, it’s true I haven’t experienced a man. Because I AM a man!!

But if you’re a legendary creature, shouldn’t you be able to tell the difference between a real maiden and a fake one?!

The unicorn seemed not to hear my internal screaming, as it continued to approach slowly while sending more Arcane Word messages.

“{As you know, I am a unicorn. I am one who dispels all diseases and curses, and one who bestows blessings upon pure maidens.}”

“S-so?”

“{Would you consider becoming a unicorn priestess and staying by my side? If you do, I will grant you eternal youth and health until the end of your lifespan.}”

It’s true.

This virgin-obsessed creature is seriously trying to seduce me without even realizing I’m a man.

I can feel my fantasy about unicorns shattering into pieces.

“{Of course, this is not coercion. Even if you refuse this offer, I will hold no grudge against you, and as a blessing for your future life, I will give you a mysterious elixir that can cure any curse or disease.}”

“What is the unicorn saying?”

“D-don’t tell me it’s giving Will a blessing…?”

“Wait a moment. I’ll explain everything when we get outside.”

After calming the women who were questioning me with expressions half curious and half shocked, I took a deep breath and answered the unicorn’s proposal.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept that offer. I have no intention of ending my journey or parting with my precious companions.”

“{…I understand. You have your own life to live. As promised, I will give you the elixir, so come closer.}”

Can I, a man, really accept an elixir meant for a pure maiden…?

Feeling a pang of conscience, I slowly approached the unicorn.

“{…Hmm?}”

Flinch.

My heart sank when the unicorn tilted its head.

Did it discover I’m not a woman because I got too close!?

If by any chance the unicorn attacks, my danger detection skill would activate, but that doesn’t ease my anxiety.

“{There’s something different about you. You certainly haven’t experienced a man, but your aura is somehow different from the pure maidens I know…}”

“Ah, well… that’s probably because I come from the outside world. I may look like the humans of Grantis, but strictly speaking, I’m a different race.”

“{Oh. How interesting that a human race I didn’t know about has been prospering in this land.}”

“Not exactly prospering. From what my companions have told me, people like me drift in by chance only once every few years. There are probably no more than a few dozen of my kind living here.”

“{I see. If you are such a rare being, I certainly can’t keep you here. I’ll give you the elixir now, so cup your hands together.}”

As instructed by the unicorn, I cupped my hands together. Golden light flowed from the unicorn’s horn, gathered above my hands, and transformed into a shimmering golden apple.

“This is…”

“{It’s a mysterious fruit called Ambrosia. If you eat this fruit, any disease, wound, or curse will be washed away, and any damaged or altered body will return to its original state.}”

A shock like lightning coursed through my body as I heard the unicorn’s words.

All diseases, wounds, and curses disappear, and damaged or altered bodies return to their original state.

That means…!

“What would happen if an elf who turned into a dark elf because of black magic ate this fruit?”

“{If they have the will to return to their original form, then it will happen.}”

I received the golden apple, Ambrosia, and turned to look at Phyllis.

Even though her excellent hearing couldn’t pick up the unicorn’s voice, she seemed to have guessed the general content just from my words.

She was covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide open, visibly shaken.

“Thank you, unicorn. Thanks to you, I can save the irreplaceable family member of a precious companion.”

“{You’ve obtained Ambrosia, yet you intend to use it not for yourself but for a dear friend. You truly have a noble soul, maiden.}”

“Haha… I don’t think of myself that way.”

If I truly had a noble soul, I would have honestly revealed that I’m not a woman and apologized.

I felt guilty for deceiving both the unicorn and the people who built this ruin with lies and trickery, but for Iris’s sake, just this once, I’ll be a con artist who deceives even legends.

“{Then it’s time for us to part. You must want to deliver the Ambrosia to the person you wish to save as soon as possible.}”

“Yes, I will never forget this kindness.”

“{Hmm… then, maiden. Before you leave, could you grant this unicorn one small request?}”

“If it’s something I can do, certainly.”

Ambrosia, the mysterious fruit that can return Iris to an elf.

I was willing to grant almost any request to repay the kindness of being given this.

That’s what I was thinking, but then:

“{I would like to receive a kiss on both my cheeks. A kiss from your pure and noble lips.}”

“Eh.”

I froze in place, still holding the Ambrosia, at this unexpected request.

Well, okay. A kiss on the cheek. It’s not impossible.

There are plenty of people who kiss their pets, and it’s just the cheek, not the lips, so why not…

‘But still, isn’t this a bit much?’

A unicorn unknowingly requesting a kiss from a man, and a cross-dressing man kissing the unicorn’s cheek.

It seems like a scenario where everyone gets hurt…

“{…Is it not possible?}”

The unicorn looked at me with sparkling eyes.

Argh, I can’t help it.

I don’t think the unicorn would get angry if I refused this request, but after deceiving it about being a man and receiving the Ambrosia, my conscience would be too guilty if I refused.

“…OK, I understand. But it would be awkward in front of everyone, so let me send my companions outside first.”

I’ll omit what happened after that.

Farewell, unicorn.

If this makes you happy, then that’s what matters…