Ch.370Side Story. Peace

“Hmm.”

I couldn’t help but make a sound as I tasted the meal Stella had prepared.

Though I hadn’t been using an artificial body for that long, experiencing taste again brought me unexpected joy.

Even though it was just toasted bread, the nutty flavor and moistness that wrapped around my tongue signaled the start of a wonderful day.

[Delicious! Delicious!]

Next to me, the Dark Spiritmaster was also munching on bread. During last night’s process of turning me into a mental body, she too had become a mental body, which is why we were eating together now.

For the Dark Spiritmaster, this must be her first meal in nearly two years, so she must be happy. It was amusing to see her eating so hurriedly, like a child.

“Bread crumbs…”

When I muttered those words, the Dark Spiritmaster finally realized that bread crumbs had accumulated on her upper chest.

[…..]

She quietly stood up and headed toward the sink. Her silence suggested she was quite embarrassed.

Despite spilling so many crumbs, none had fallen on the table, which made me newly appreciate the impressive size of her chest.

‘Is that why she still has childish traits?’

Because even when she spills food, her chest catches everything?

‘I should be careful too.’

I felt I’d changed recently, and occasionally strange thoughts that I would never have had before kept creeping in. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I went back to enjoying my meal.

[It’s just bread, fried eggs, and jam, but sitting together makes it a plentiful meal.]

Stella, sitting across from the Dark Spiritmaster, took a bite of bread spread with strawberry jam while smiling brightly.

She wasn’t wrong.

With meals, what you eat matters, but who you eat with can change the quality of the experience.

On my left sat a former Saintess.

On my right sat a self-proclaimed strongest Spiritmaster.

It would be hard to find a more luxurious table than this.

[What? Isn’t that just what religious people say when they don’t have enough food? Like being grateful for a single boiled potato because God is with you or something.]

The conversation wasn’t quite as luxurious.

[Logically, why would a god sit with someone eating just one potato? It’s not like they’re going to steal it.]

The Dark Spiritmaster seemed proud, thinking she had refuted Stella.

[It’s about mindset, senior.]

Stella answered with a bright smile.

[And if we’re being technical, I’m a god too, and I’m sitting at this table.]

The argument seemed to have shifted, but I could tell both of them were excited about eating a meal after so long.

“I won’t tell you to be quiet while eating. But let’s not fight childishly.”

As I intervened to mediate between them, both immediately turned their gazes toward me.

[But I’m not wrong. Those gods were all weird beings anyway.]

[…..]

Stella, unable to deny this point, finally stood up from her seat.

[Would you like some coffee?]

Since she had learned the truth that gods weren’t omnipotent beings but merely actors following a script, Stella couldn’t really deny it.

“Yes, please.”

[I want some too! It’s been so long since I’ve had coffee!]

[…Senior, make your own.]

[Are you upset?!]

Despite her words, Stella prepared three cups of coffee. The Dark Spiritmaster was smacking her lips, disappointed that she had finished her bread.

[Since we’re mental bodies, we can eat without worrying about gaining weight, right?]

“I guess so?”

[That’s a relief. When I was alive, I usually avoided overeating because I was afraid of gaining weight. I was picky about food too.]

“Really? You don’t look like it.”

When I expressed doubt because the Dark Spiritmaster didn’t look like someone who would gain weight from eating a lot,

She glanced at Stella’s back, leaned forward, and whispered softly.

[Everything I ate went to my chest.]

“…..”

[I had to control my meals because it would be troublesome if they got too big.]

“I… see.”

This is something.

I’ve become a mental body, and through personal growth, I can now honestly express and feel my emotions.

Because of that,

Swept up in lust, my gaze was slowly drifting down to the Dark Spiritmaster’s chest.

Even wrapped in a black robe, the loose garment couldn’t hide her contours.

It was hard to believe that yesterday I was directly nestled between those breasts.

[…Should I have eaten more?]

The Dark Spiritmaster, noticing my gaze, asked playfully, and I quickly turned my eyes away as I answered.

“I like you just the way you are.”

Though it was meant as an excuse,

[Hehe, hehehe!]

The Dark Spiritmaster placed both hands on her cheeks and wiggled her body happily. Being a mental body now, the heaviness of her bouncing chest was noticeable.

[Here you go.]

Stella arrived with the coffee. I noticed that while she and I had mugs, the Dark Spiritmaster had been given something closer to a small water glass.

[Why do I get this?]

When she grumbled that there was more coffee left and other cups available,

[Won’t it all go to your chest if you drink it?]

Stella answered with a bright smile.

She must have overheard our conversation.

[…I’ll drink it well.]

Overwhelmed by Stella’s energy, the Dark Spiritmaster finally sipped her coffee. She seemed happy again, saying it had been a long time since she’d had coffee.

[We should properly tend to the garden now, right?]

Stella brought up the garden as she sat back down.

“Right. Now that we can eat, we should get serious about it.”

I had brought books about farming and crops, but I hadn’t actually read them. Deep down, I had wondered if it was worth reading books to grow crops I couldn’t even eat.

[Wow! Then I can eat the cherry tomatoes?!]

I wouldn’t stop her from naming the cherry tomatoes, but that ability to eat named tomatoes without hesitation…

[As expected of a Spiritmaster.]

“With that mindset that doesn’t see people as people, I guess such statements are possible.”

Stella and I nodded simultaneously while muttering. I wonder if she’ll say she wants to eat Fluffball next.

[Senior, have you hugged Fluffball yet? Since you’re a mental body now, you should hug him.]

[Oh, right!]

Having the same thought as me, the Dark Spiritmaster jumped up from her seat and headed outside when Stella mentioned Fluffball. Watching her act so innocently, saying she wanted to play with Fluffball, made her seem like a child again.

Scrape.

Stella had pulled a chair over and settled next to me.

She occasionally shows this cunning side.

She carefully leaned against my shoulder. The aroma of coffee created a subtle atmosphere.

[This is nice.]

“Yes, it is.”

Feeling each other’s warmth like this after a hearty meal, with morning coffee…

After many hardships, it reminded us that true peace had finally come to us.

“I should go down to the village and buy some meat. Let’s celebrate with a barbecue in the yard today.”

[Wow, that sounds great. Are we drinking too? I’d like to try beer, not just wine.]

“Not a Saintess anymore, huh?”

[I’m a god now. I’ll do as I please.]

The way she rubbed her cheek against my shoulder while smiling was so cute it made my heart pound.

[I want to feel what it’s like to be drunk. Hehe, what should I do? I’m already looking forward to dinner.]

“Me too.”

Going to Icebun village takes some time, but now we have the donkey Hannibal.

I can just go for a breath of fresh air.

Enjoying the peace.

[How was yesterday?]

A sudden threat from within.

Stella was still smiling as she leaned against me, but she wasn’t making eye contact.

My back felt chilly, like being pricked by thorns.

I could feel her arms tightening around mine as she applied more pressure.

[Was it good?]

“Y-yeah. It was good.”

I couldn’t lie.

Findenai and Erika were still in the bedroom, saying they wanted to sleep more.

I couldn’t deny the time I spent with them.

For reference, Erika said she had body aches and asked me to tell Professor Per that she couldn’t teach today.

[I see.]

Is this what it feels like to have your neck in a noose? Stella gently pulled my hand from her arm and placed it between her legs.

Then she turned her head and whispered into my ear, mixing in her breath.

[I’m ready.]

“…!”

[Make the pure white Saintess yours.]

Yes, once the dam of desire cracks, it collapses more easily next time.

Just from exchanging a few words, I felt the urge to lay Stella on the table and ravish her, but…

“If you provoke this one wrong, you’ll die.”

Suddenly,

Findenai, standing behind us, cut in while letting out a big yawn.

[Eek?!]

Startled, Stella hurriedly pushed my hand away and bowed her head deeply.

Her face turned bright red, seemingly ashamed that someone other than me had seen her like this.

But compared to the other side, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

“Findenai…”

Findenai, who had walked out completely naked, was looking at me with sleepy eyes.

“Is there anything to eat? I want to eat something and go back to sleep.”

[Y-yes! I’ll get you some milk and the remaining bread. Share it with Erika.]

“Yawn.”

As Stella hurriedly got up to prepare food,

Findenai casually sat on my lap.

“Ah, I’m sleepy. Aren’t you tired?”

“Put some clothes on first.”

Finding my words amusing, Findenai snickered.

“I’m going back to sleep anyway, so why be shy? After seeing everything yesterday, why act like a child?”

“…..”

“Yawn. Anyway, you said we’re having barbecue tonight, right? Buy something good. I’m going back to sleep.”

“Sigh, fine, but please put on some clothes…”

“Ugh, really.”

Findenai turned around to face me, glaring with an irritated expression.

“I’m tired. After doing it so much yesterday, I’m going right back to…”

As Findenai was speaking, her gaze slowly moved downward.

I turned my head slightly to the side, anticipating her reaction.

“Sleep… um, I’m… going to sleep…”

Stammering, Findenai looked back and forth between me and below, then stood up with a start.

“It’s hard! You beast! This is crazy! What is this?”

“No, all men are like this. That’s why I told you to wear clothes.”

“Are you using some kind of recovery magic?!”

I swear I’m not using any such magic.

“Go, before you get in trouble for being cheeky.”

When I gestured with my hand, Findenai’s face turned red as she grabbed the bread basket Stella had given her, covering her chest with it and her lower body with her other hand.

“You’re not a mental body, you’re a lust body. What is this? After thrusting so much yesterday, you should be satisfied. Even stones get smaller when ground down, but yours doesn’t get any smaller?”

“…You’re being cheeky.”

When I pretended to stand up as a threat,

“Eek?!”

Findenai jumped and ran into the room.

“Shit, I’m being violated! The crazy lust mage is coming to thrust again! He’s the merciless one who split two virgins in half in just one day!”

Bang.

[…..]

“…..”

As we stared blankly at the door she had gone through, sighing,

[Waaaaaah! I stepped in Fluffball’s poop! It smells!]

Another child came in crying from outside.

“Peace isn’t really…”

…all that great, it seemed.