Chapter 21: Let’s take a bath together

Aria Village.

A chilling legend haunted this place:

“All living things here are cursed.”

A grim and ominous rumor.

Though dismissed as superstition, it kept people away.

No one dared approach, let alone trade with the village.

Even the Emperor’s decree to govern it was met with resistance from the nobility.

Thus, the baseless legend became a self-fulfilling prophecy, leading to the village’s decline and lawlessness.

But what would happen if a saint graced such a desolate place?

As one could see, it resulted in a massive crowd.

“One at a time, please.”

After setting up a tent in the village square, we gathered the residents.

Knights organized the queue, while Belladriel healed each person individually.

“My… my arm…!”
“There, all better now?”
“Th-Thank you…!”

As expected of a former saint, her holy power was potent.

Her divine and healing magic rivaled that of an archmage.

She might be a beer-guzzling, squid-chewing saint, but her vast holy power remained.

“Th-Thank you! Thank you so much! So…”
“It’s Shine Order.”

The man bowed deeply.

“Th-Thank you, Saint Shine Order!”
“You’re welcome.”
“Next, please!”

A knight led the healed man away.

Belladriel’s smile vanished, and she glared at me.

I knew why she was displeased.

‘How dare you make me do charity work?’

I pretended not to notice and smiled nonchalantly.

“Haha, what’s wrong, Belladriel?”
“Don’t you see how much I’m suffering because of you?”

Her glare intensified. She clearly resented being here.

I replied flatly, “You should have been a better drinker.”
“…What?”
“You should have won the wager. You bragged about your high tolerance.”

I chuckled, covering my mouth.

Belladriel’s face darkened.

“…Do you want to lose your head?”

‘Oh no, how scary!’

But she couldn’t punish anyone here.

I shrugged.

“You can’t execute me here. So, work hard. This village needs your help.”
“…Just you wait until we get back. I’ll have a lot to say. I’m already thinking about how I’ll chew you up…”

Belladriel glared coldly.

I clenched my fists.

“I look forward to it! Go, Saint!”
“Hmph, just you wait…”

Belladriel bit her lip, threatening me.

“Shine Order! The next person is ready.”
“Oh, yes! Let them in.”

Belladriel changed her expression instantly.

Her two-faced nature was unsettling.

Such a kind facade, hiding a middle-aged man’s personality and a cruel witch within…

“Oh dear… your leg is badly injured. Does it hurt when I touch it?”
“…Y-Yes…”
“I’m sorry. I’ll heal you…”

Belladriel smiled warmly, healing the child.

The child’s face brightened.

“Wow! Saint! It doesn’t hurt anymore!”
“Really? I need to heal it a little more. Just wait a moment.”

[Belladriel Dresia’s good deed has decreased her Malice Gauge.]

Her good deeds were lowering her Malice Gauge.

This wasn’t effective with all heroines, but it worked best with Belladriel, the former saint.

‘Gotta lower that gauge efficiently…’

Night fell.

Laughter echoed from the distance.

The knights were enjoying the hot springs.

“You’re a mystery. How do you know all this?”

Rebecca walked beside me, eyeing me suspiciously.

I answered casually, “Rebecca, you know I’m the Black Hound. I know everything.”

A Black Hound, and a dedicated Lilith Tycoon player.

It was natural for me to know these things.

Aria Village’s hidden gem.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom.

Contrary to rumors, it had excellent hot springs.

Several of them.

That’s why I brought Belladriel and the knights here.

To the Dream Pearl Inn, with the best hot springs.

This would appease Belladriel, and the hot springs offered beauty benefits, revitalization, and relaxation.

The perfect place.

“You know everything? How arrogant…”
“Aren’t you going to enjoy the hot springs, Rebecca?”
“Hmph, I told you, my job is to watch a scoundrel like you.”

‘Scoundrel? That’s harsh. You’re all scoundrels too…’

Rebecca Violet, the lavender-haired knight.

She clearly disliked me.

She was also a sub-heroine in Lilith Tycoon.

“Is that so? The Shine Order must feel safe with someone like you by her side.”
“Hmph…”

Rebecca, the knight-captain, admired Belladriel.

She’d honed her skills to be close to her.

Despite her prickly demeanor, she was quite shy.

Knowing this, I teased her.

“It’s an honor, actually.”
“What is?”
“To have a beautiful lady watching me…”
“What…? Are you crazy? Who would watch someone like you?”
“You just said you were watching me. Haha. You like me, don’t you? Being handsome is a crime, sigh.”

Rebecca blushed and glared at me.

“You…! I’m not watching you because I like you! I’m watching you because you being next to the Shine Order is suspicious!”
“Hmm, strong denial means strong affirmation, my beautiful ojou-sama.”

I responded in an otaku-like manner, and she gave me a look of disgust.

“Crazy… ugh, I can’t even with you. You pervert…”
“Haha, I hear that a lot.”

Rebecca stopped in front of Belladriel’s room.

“Normally, you’d be sleeping outside, but since it’s the Shine Order’s command! Just stay put! Got it!?”
“Of course. Have a good night, Re.be.cca-chan.”

I winked, and she glared at me in disgust.

‘Whatever it takes to get her to stop watching me.’

A humming sound reached my ears.

A tune like… trot music?

It sounded like… Belladriel?

Where was she?

“Belladriel, where are you?”

–Over here.

I followed the voice.

“Ahhh, so refreshing…”

Belladriel’s voice, groovy and relaxed, drifted from the bath.

She hummed contentedly.

“Belladriel?”
“Oh, hahaha! You came! The water is amazing. Come join me!”
“…”

‘A mixed bath…?’

I chuckled nervously.

“Me? But I’m a man…”
“Hmm, a man… are you?”

Regardless…

Belladriel in the hot spring was a breathtaking sight.

Her large breasts, her flushed face, her wet hair…

“Belladriel Enters the Hot Spring” Ver.

Seeing this CG in person was overwhelming.

“Hmm, strange. I don’t see you as a man. Do you see me as a woman?”

Belladriel turned to face me, and I tilted my head.

“…You are a woman, aren’t you?”
“Well, I don’t feel like one.”
“…”

‘Right, a 50-year-old man’s soul (personality) in a woman’s body…’

But physically, she was definitely a woman.

I chuckled.

“That’s true. But that’s beside the point, isn’t it? Aren’t you embarrassed to be seen like this by a man?”
“Well…”

Belladriel turned to face me.

“I wouldn’t have called you if I was embarrassed. Haha.”

She smiled confidently.

“…Is that so?”

The water obscured her body, but I still couldn’t stare openly.

I kept my gaze fixed ahead.

‘She’s a man. She’s a man.’

“You can look if you want.”

Belladriel narrowed her eyes, and I smiled.

“No, thank you.”
“Hmm, boring. You…”

Belladriel leaned against the edge of the bath, arms crossed, watching me.

She looked relaxed and content.

I asked, “Why did you call me?”
“Did you forget? You won the wager, so you’re at my service. Entertain me.”

‘I am entertaining you.’

‘With this hot spring.’

“I provided this wonderful place, isn’t that enough?”
“…Don’t be ridiculous. I want someone to effortlessly increase the number of followers. I hate this charity work. Why should I have to do this?”
“Because you’re Etherion’s messenger…?”
“…You sound like the cult leader.”

She chuckled, as if I’d said something absurd.

“Haha, is that so? Anyway, aren’t you feeling better now?”
“Not enough. Entertain me more.”
“Hmm, what would entertain you…”

Belladriel pondered, then exclaimed, “I know! Bathe with me. How about it?”
“W-What? Are you serious?”
“Why not? We’re both followers… and like I said, I don’t see you as a man. Don’t you feel the same?”
“W-Well…”

It was true.

Bathing with her sounded appealing, but it felt like a test.

If I undressed and joined her, and she screamed, Rebecca and her goons would appear.

I had to be careful.

‘My life… or another CG…’

My life was more important.

Even if her Malice Gauge dropped to 70%, I wouldn’t be able to see the hidden CG yet.

This was definitely a trap.

‘Too bad… I have to refuse…’

Just as I was about to answer, Belladriel chuckled.

“Hahaha, you were struggling, weren’t you?”

‘How did she know?’

I feigned ignorance.

“N-No?”
“You were. You’re starting to see me as a woman.”
“I can’t deny that. You’re a stunning beauty. It’s natural to be flustered.”
“Oh? I like your honesty.”

Belladriel raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her face.

Then she murmured, “I was worried about how I acted the other night…”
“Huh?”

Confused, I asked her to elaborate. She simply replied, “Never mind. Anyway, entertain me. Keep me company while I drink.”

‘So, it’s back to drinking?’

I chuckled and nodded.

“That’s easy enough.”
“There’s money on the table. Buy some beer.”
“Haha, you’re demanding.”
“What do you expect? That’s your job as assistant priest. My personal assistant, Isa.bel?”

She teased me, and I sighed.

“Fine…”
“And one more thing.”
“…?”

Belladriel looked at me with a serious expression.

“We’re having another drinking contest tonight. Be prepared.”
“Huh?”
“I want my revenge.”

Her eyes burned with determination.

She wanted to win, but…

She couldn’t. Not a chance.

But it was good that she wanted another wager.

It would make her more compliant.

I chuckled and nodded.

“Alright.”