To Harmonia. Seventh day of the journey, night.
On a moonlit night, the chirping of insects, the voice of the wind. A peaceful time. With my soundproof tent set a little apart from everyone else, I stepped outside for a deep breath.
If only I could see the starry sky, I would be overjoyed. Blindness is tough. With Mind’s Eye, I can perceive things to some extent right now, but if I truly lose my sight, my mercenary career is over.
“What’s wrong? You’re not too old to be melancholic yet.”
I had already confirmed Priscilla’s presence with my Mind’s Eye. I’d also confirmed she had no weapon and no killing intent.
“I was just lost in thought for a bit. What about you, Priscilla?”
“Sometimes I can’t sleep either. Have a drink with me.”
Oh, I should add something else: “A gentle time.” I accepted the cup Priscilla offered and let her pour the Ale.
“When we reach Harmonia, are you going back to your hometown?”
My birthplace was near the mountain range east of Harmonia, wasn’t it? I’d forgotten. After receiving my second “life” in this world, I’ve been living aiming for an interesting ending that God desires. But what if God declares it’s not interesting? Would I have to start over?
“Well, drink up.”
If there are third and fourth chances to start over, would I be with the White Lily Corps again? More importantly, can I even survive until I see the ending? Honestly, yesterday’s relentless porcupine was brutal. The sight of two thousand swords flying at me is still terrifying.
…But maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, to be with them again.
“Thank you for the meal.”
The warm Ale went down my throat. I let out a sigh. The alcohol seeping into my body made me tipsy. I pulled Priscilla, who was sitting next to me, closer and gave her a light kiss.
As I pulled away, I felt Priscilla’s warm breath. It was something I couldn’t see but could feel, perhaps because it was Priscilla.
“Are you… drunk? Uh, I’m going to bed.”
Why is she acting so shy? We’ve done more intense things. Priscilla ruffled my hair and went back to the tent.
I could have grabbed her hand and pushed her down, and she probably would have accepted it. But I didn’t. Why? Perhaps because, for now, even this was enough happiness…
To Harmonia. Eighth day of the journey, night.
“Have you learned any interesting new techniques?! They say you can see now.”
Where did yesterday’s gentle time go? Facing me were two heavily armed individuals. Without words of love, without touching skin, we were about to cross swords.
“Priscilla told me to open my Mind’s Eye. I can do some serious damage now.”
I probably can’t handle two thousand swords, but I can keep up with Priscilla’s speed. With Mind’s Eye and Godspeed Mode Two, I could even overwhelm Priscilla.
“I don’t care about that. You just need to die!”
Without any signal to begin, a horizontal slash came from my right. Fool. I can see it, I can feel it. I have Mind’s Eye. If it continues, it will hit that large tree and stop. As the Halberd embedded itself, I would have taken Priscilla’s head.
Fool, that was me. I cut halfway through the large tree and the Halberd flew towards me. Priscilla, you sly dog, you only transformed your arm into a Lycanthrope!
I calmly dodged the strike. Godspeed Mode Two isn’t just for show. With Mind’s Eye, it’s a cinch.
“You’re pretty good. Then I won’t hold back.”
The oppressive aura emanating from her entire body was proof of her Lycanthrope transformation. Disgusting. Priscilla is so much sexier in her human form.
“I will defeat you. I will kill you, and then I will *have* you.”
Killing with the Lycanthrope, and *having* her in human form. Can’t something be done about Priscilla’s love for fighting?
“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill and kill!”
Which kind of “kill” are we talking about? Words are difficult. I kept dodging Priscilla’s Halberd with Mode Two.
As expected, Priscilla in Lycanthrope form was fast, and her power had increased drastically. I met her onslaught with a combination of Mind’s Eye and Godspeed Mode Two.
My Mind’s Eye had become quite capable of seeing and sensing. However, when combined with Mode Two, the duration of my vision was astonishingly short.
“Damn you! You! Why can you dodge?! Just die! Drop dead!”
An onslaught of insults. She threw everything she had at me, but it seemed my Mind’s Eye had reached its time limit. There was a strange sense of unease with the combination of Mode Two and Mind’s Eye. I couldn’t explain it precisely, but it was as if I could see, yet couldn’t. I ran out of power before I could understand.
Priscilla was enraged. My Mind’s Eye was closing. Isn’t there such a thing as a peaceful guard duty?
Now, I only feel pressure. It wasn’t just pressure, it was an actual crushing force. On my waist, from above, crushing, again and again, mercilessly.
“As expected, you’re the best! Ahhh…”
Looking up at me blindly, Priscilla must be a Lycanthrope. Even without seeing, the fur I felt on my waist confirmed it.
Seeing is definitely better. Priscilla’s beauty in her human form is something entirely different from Christine’s.
Not seeing is also better. Facing her as a Lycanthrope, the fangs she bares could melt even my own Buster Sword.
Priscilla left, satisfied, and I was left discarded on the spot. Well, it’s usual, so it’s fine… It was only at times like these, when I felt the warmth of skin rather than fur, that I regretted my blindness so much.
To Harmonia. Ninth day of the journey, night.
Let’s forget what happened yesterday. Today is the final day of this leg of the journey, and the person on guard duty is fitting for the final day. Come on, let my heart race as I welcome her… The arrival of Christine!
“…Today is my period…”
Everyone has those days. In this case, according to the corps rules, she is exempt from guard duty. We could sleep peacefully together, but I wouldn’t mind having a “boy’s day” too.
I also wish I had time to immerse myself in my hobbies alone, without interruption. Even if I had it, would I be interrupted…?
As the two of us were breathing in our sleep, I felt the entrance of the tent shake. Using my Expanded Mind’s Eye, I saw Priscilla outside.
Did she not want to barge in and dampen Christine’s spirits? She was shaking the tent quietly… Could it be an enemy attack?!
Hurriedly opening the tent door, I found Priscilla standing there with Ale and a cup.
“Christine’s on her period, right? I thought you might be lonely.”
“…No, thank you!”
What a fool. Why do I have to be wrung out like a dishcloth for two consecutive days? I quietly went back to Christine’s side and pretended to sleep.
…The tent is shaking. Is it an enemy attack this time?! My Expanded Mind’s Eye detected Sophia. She didn’t seem to be carrying Ale or cups. Hurriedly opening the tent door…
“Since Christine is on her period today, I thought you might be lonely…”
“It’s… it’s alright. We’ll sleep peacefully together.”
“Is that so… Call me anytime, okay?”
Sophia left looking disappointed, but maybe I missed an opportunity. I returned to Christine’s side and feigned sleep.
…The tent is shaking. My Expanded Mind’s Eye shows Alana. She’s fully armed.
“Since Christine-nee-san is on her period…”
“We’re fine, so please go to sleep quickly.”
I want to sleep. Just as I’m about to fall asleep, this happens.
“I was thinking of cutting off Christine-chan’s right hand since it’s her period…”
“Since Christine is on her period, I thought I’d take some of her blood…”
Orietta and Rufina also arrived, but you’re all doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Just let me sleep. This is a moment of pure bliss, and simply watching Christine sleep makes me happy.
As I was sliding back next to Christine, intending to finally sleep, I felt a presence near my chest. Focusing my Mind’s Eye, I saw her hands gripping my heart.
Since when? Are you awake? If I had accepted the invitations of the other members…
I, who cannot afford a moment’s lapse, am the Captain of the White Lily Corps. I am, after all, the highest-ranking member…
