Ch.82Interrupting NPC. (2)

Goren was born the moment I recalled my past life after getting hit in the head by a goblin.

With Ray, she got attached because of my meddling.

And in Ragni’s case, I felt a sense of kinship with her situation, so I was the one who made the commitment.

If someone were to ask me, “Do you really bear no responsibility for them being hooked on you?” Even though I’m pushing the theory that celestial horses are suicidal, I couldn’t nod in agreement.

Yes, I think I’m at least 10% responsible. Though that’s limited to them being hooked. Their perversions have absolutely nothing to do with me, and that’s genuinely none of my business.

But regarding the current situation, if someone honestly asked if it’s my fault, I’d question if their eyes are just knotholes.

And if they asked twice, I’d plant a kiss on their philtrum with my fist.

“So, you’re saying you’re not at fault?”

“I do feel sorry. But I’m only apologizing for not properly managing my ‘golem.’ I want to make it absolutely clear that this woman’s condition has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with me.”

“…I see. Then why is the golem doing a handstand?”

“As far as I know, there’s no better posture to express an apology than that.”

After hearing the general story, Green Dol frowned at Miho, who was panting like a dog next to Ira. And when he saw Goren doing a handstand—no, a past-life headstand—beside me, he closed his eyes completely.

Confused? The feeling you have right now is exactly how I felt when I first saw her.

“…Sigh. Since I only know how to use [Recovery], I think it’s good that you’re taking her to Natie to get her fixed. However, it’s a bit difficult for me to be completely at ease about this.”

“Would you like to come with us, then?”

“Well, that’s…”

He probably means he hasn’t used all his points at the casino [game room] yet. But is that more important than Miho? This human—no, elf—is really something else.

“Sigh. Let me ask you frankly.”

“Yes.”

“Do you harbor any lewd feelings toward Miho?”

“What?”

I couldn’t help but frown at his sudden question, but Green Dol ignored my reaction and continued in a lowered voice.

“I shouldn’t be saying this, but she’s quite sensual, isn’t she? I think she’s a beauty who could easily compare with the girls you have with you.”

“Green Dol. I’m sincerely apologizing and taking responsibility, but you have a talent for instantly erasing my guilt and making me clench my fist.”

“Look, I’m being serious here. I haven’t forgotten the first impression you and your companions made on me, have I?”

Oh right, I forgot about that. The first day we met Green Dol, Ray and Ragni were dressed in rabbit and cat costumes, clinging to me, and he saw all of it.

“I know you have that kind of preference. Honestly, I think Miho might get hooked on you even if she were in her right mind, but look at her condition. Do I have any reason not to worry?”

“…Setting aside the misunderstanding about my preferences, I understand what you’re saying. Then, lend me your ear for a moment.”

“Huh?”

I can’t help it. What he’s saying isn’t wrong, and honestly, speaking objectively about appearances, I do think Miho is a pretty woman. So I have no choice but to tell him something to ease his anxiety.

Green Dol immediately turned his head and brought his ear closer, and I covered my mouth with my hand before telling him my secret.

“I’m still a virgin.”

“……”

At my brief factual statement, Green Dol looked at me with his black eyes widened like full moons, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d heard, and I just shrugged.

“…You’re lying, right?”

“Want to bet on it?”

“But those beautiful women are all over you?”

“All over me or not, the problem is that I don’t have that kind of interest yet.”

“And you always send me away early in the evening when we drink…?”

“I clearly told you that Ira’s bedtime is my bedtime.”

“…Are you perhaps impotent?”

“Do you want to die?”

“…If you can’t get it up, just be honest. Elves have a virility potion. Elves tend to have quite a few issues in that department anyway.”

“I pitch a tent just fine every morning, so stop talking nonsense. And let’s discuss that potion later.”

“Alright. Seeing you talk like this, I suppose you must be telling the truth.”

Green Dol finally nodded in acceptance at my confident answer and, though still a bit anxious, agreed to entrust Miho to us.

“Well then, I’ll see you later. I’ll bring her back in good condition, and we’ll return within half a year at the latest.”

“Alright, be careful on your journey. And Ira, take care at the academy.”

“Take care, Teacher Green!”

“Thank you so much for the swordsmanship lessons, Mr. Green Dol.”

“Ugh, just leave her behind. I don’t like this woman.”

“Woof!”

After each of us said our goodbyes to Green Dol, we boarded the carriage and left Aigram. We had planned to depart at dawn, but the sun is already high in the sky. We’ll need to stop for lunch on the way.

And so we began our journey to our next destination.

*

“Miho unnie, attack!!”

-Slash!

Sharp claws cut through the enemy like a sword.

“Goren! Protect unnie and fall back!!”

-Kaaang!!

A body that looks fragile but is quite sturdy blocks the enemy’s attack.

“Fire!”

With a powerful explosion, the monster that attacked Goren—a tree spirit [Torrent]—burns and disappears.

[Torrent(Death) : Level 72]

[-Occupation Village Girl : Level 81 Name : Ira. Age: 12.]

[Strength : 24]

[Agility : 29]

[Intelligence : 101]

[Luck : 32]

[HP : 1,313]

[MP : 515]

Standing half a step back, I checked my status window that appeared before me.

Then I immediately approached my proud and lovely little sister, who had just brilliantly directed the others and won the battle.

“Oppa! How was I?”

“You were perfect.”

“Amazing! Isn’t Ira the tamer rather than Jack?!”

“If someone said this was the skill of a 12-year-old, who would believe it?”

“Hehe~”

After patting Ira’s head as she smiled brightly, I immediately picked her up, and she’s no longer as light as she used to be when she was undernourished.

My lovely little sister has now grown to the point where she feels quite substantial.

Two months after leaving Aigram, this genius village girl who has reached level 80 has shed much of her childish appearance and has grown to truly look like a young lady.

They say children grow fast, but she’s growing so quickly that I’m a bit sad thinking she might soon become independent from her oppa. Well, that’s just my personal greed.

“At this rate, you could really be the top student at the academy, couldn’t you?”

“Hehe. Really? Can I be number one?”

“Of course. Right, Ragni?”

“Well, honestly, I’m someone who struggled because I’m smart, so I’m not sure if I should see this as a good thing, but Ira is definitely an extraordinary kid for her age.”

“That’s right! And recently, her physical skills have improved so much that she’s stronger than Ragni, right?”

“…I fight with guns from a distance, so I don’t need to be good at physical combat.”

“But I fight with magic too?”

When Ira cheerfully bombarded Ragni with facts in response to Ray’s comment, Ragni pouted like she’d been hit right in the bone.

Well, in Ira’s case, she’s steadily growing stronger by continuously leveling up, while Ragni can’t level up in the ep. 3 region, so it can’t be helped.

Even I, who am lower level than Ragni, haven’t had any level changes in the past year. It’s just how things are.

“Woof!”

“Ah, unnie worked hard too!”

When Miho panted at my feet as if asking for praise too, Ira immediately wriggled out of my arms and patted Miho’s head.

At first, I was really worried about how to handle this mentally unstable player-position beastkin. But seeing Miho now, who has become like Ira’s personal pet, I can’t help but smile wryly.

Really, perhaps…

“Hey Jack.”

“Yeah?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just leave this woman as she is?”

“R-Ragni? What are you saying?!”

“Ray, honestly, you think so too, don’t you?”

“T-That’s…!!”

Yeah, it really might be better for all of us, including her, to leave her this way.

[-Occupation: -Striker- : Level 65 Name: Miho. Age 19. (Status Ailment: Submission. Obedience.)]

[Monster. Completely submitted after being defeated by Slimaim Golem. Status ailment treatment required.]

[Even with treatment, the injury is severe enough to leave aftereffects. [Severe: (Submission. Obedience)] Target: Goren.]

[Strength : 94]

[Agility : 182]

[Intelligence : 16]

[Luck : 126]

[HP : 1,960]

[MP : 101]

[Skills: Preemptive Strike. Back Attack. Sharp Claws. Flawless Combo. Master’s Will. Complete Presence Concealment.]

Since we decided to level her up along with Ira by adding her to our party, she’s ended up with some seriously impressive specs.

Honestly, even at level 17, Miho had specs equivalent to a normal user at level 40.

While helping Ira level up, we also raised Miho’s level, and now her total stats are around 400.

I used to think Ray’s specs were insane, but this confirms that players—those who are meant to stand at the center of this world—are truly different.

Honestly, it’s a natural desire to want her to continue following Ira like a dog and become my sister’s pet, isn’t it?

Should we just raise her like a white dog?

“B-But! This person has a [Status Ailment] right now! If we leave her like this, she could really develop mental problems!”

“Well, she was already in a pretty messed-up state to begin with, so honestly, has anything really changed?”

“Ragni! We brought Miho unnie here to cure her! You shouldn’t talk like that!”

“…Y-Yeah, sorry.”

When Ragni kept suggesting we leave Miho as she is, Ira, who was patting Miho’s head, raised her eyebrows and scolded Ragni.

Phew, that’s a relief. Honestly, I was about to chime in too, and I almost got scolded by Ira as well.

“Alright, let’s rest here for today. If we start early tomorrow morning, we should reach Natie by lunchtime. Ira, go wash up with the unnies and Goren.”

“Okay! Come on, Miho unnie. Let’s go!”

“Ah, Ira! I’ll come with you!”

As Ira ran toward the stream with Miho, Goren quickly followed and stuck close to them, with Ray chasing after. Looking at them like this, they really could pass for real sisters.

As I watched them fondly, the blue-haired lady who was walking leisurely turned her head toward me with a prim expression.

“Not going to peek?”

“So, what’s your real intention?”

“I’m always okay with being called aside separately?”

“If you don’t hurry up and wash, there won’t be any food for you.”

“Tch.”

After confirming that Ragni was also slowly disappearing after the others, I took out some dry provisions from the carriage and started grilling them over the fire.

“”Kyaaah!!!””

“Ira!!”

And a little while later, when sharp screams echoed from the direction of the stream where the kids had gone, I threw aside all the dinner I was grilling and ran like mad.