The Third Ship, Suiren.
“Damn it. How could I, of all people, overlook something so important…!”
Half a day had passed since we submerged into the seabed, and only now did I realize something. I was filled with regret that I couldn’t possibly regret enough.
“What’s wrong? You’re holding your head like that?”
“There’s no ‘what’s wrong’! Sera, think about it. While we’ve been on this ship, we haven’t had a single opportunity to fight. Unlike the mansion, there’s no training ground with excellent durability and soundproofing, so we can’t even spar amongst ourselves…!”
That’s right, we couldn’t fight freely inside Suiren, leading to a mountain of frustration. If we stayed here for several days, our skills would only dull. I wasn’t sure how long my reason would hold out.
“Ah. That’s a battle maniac’s unique problem, isn’t it?”
“Whoa, you’re coming back with a surprisingly calm retort…”
Sera, who was lying on my bed reading a book with Efil’s sweets beside her, was surprisingly unfazed. Even though I wouldn’t be able to face Kuromel in our important match in peak condition like this, why was she so calm? I wanted to question her!
“Hmm, that is indeed a serious matter. We must devise measures immediately!”
“Colette, I’m happy you’re thinking seriously, but could you please get off my waist already?”
Colette, who had stolen and eaten half of my rice porridge, was still clinging to my waist even after half a day. Was it perhaps because Melfina was absent, making her feel uninhibited?
“I am fully aware that I am causing you trouble. However, this me has not been able to see Kelvin-sama for a while. Please! Please let me stay here a little longer!”
“Alright. Alright, so wipe your drool! If you do that, you can do as you please!”
“I can do as I please!?”
Colette’s eyes widened significantly. This saintess is a little scary. Curses, I never imagined that the repercussions of Melfina’s absence would all fall on me…! However, I couldn’t let this fanatic go to Rion. I had to be the breakwater myself and protect my dear sister!
“Kelvin-onii-chan, let’s play Trump.”
“Hmm? Were you perhaps talking about something interesting?”
Just as I was about to respond, Rion and Shutra entered the room. My sisters, you mustn’t enter this room right now! But these children were all understanding and good kids! I sent a telepathic message: Evacuate!
“Ah, u-un. Understood. Colette, take it easy~”
“It can’t be helped. Rion-chan, let’s use about 10 decks of Trump and play a large concentration game?”
“Th-that’s a bit much for my brain… How about Speed? It’s a game for two people.”
“I’m at a disadvantage in a speed contest~”
Their evacuation was complete. That was close. Shrine maidens are always unpredictable, no matter the era. It’s best to keep them at a distance for now.
“Hey, hey, Kelvin-kun.”
“Whoa!? …Ange, when did you…?”
As if sewing through a blink of an eye, Ange was sitting on the bed on the opposite side from Colette. Perhaps due to the supplementary effect of eating Claire’s cooking, she felt faster than usual.
“When Rion-chan and the others were leaving the room, I saw everyone and couldn’t help but come in.”
“Please, just come in normally. Unlike when you come to take my head, you have no killing intent, so it’s hard to react.”
“If I came in normally, wouldn’t Rion-chan and the others think it unfair? Older Sister is strict about those kinds of things.”
“I-I see…”
“So, getting back to the topic, I’ve come up with an idea for Kelvin-kun’s stress relief.”
“Oh?”
The fact that she understood the initial conversation meant she had eavesdropped somewhere. Was it in the attic? No, we’re on a ship, so there’s no attic to begin with. Either way, Ange, who could do almost anything a ninja could, could probably eavesdrop from anywhere.
“You should take out the frustration Kelvin-kun has accumulated on something else. For example, your hobby of building golems!”
“I see, an approach from a different direction… But—”
“—But the final adjustments for the golems I prepared are already done, aren’t they? We also need to test them, so I don’t think it’s a good idea to tamper with them any further.”
With a crisp crunching sound of eating sweets, Sera echoed my thoughts. That’s right. In preparation for the decisive battle, everything that could be done has already been done.
“Ugh, when Sera, who is directly helping me, says that, I can’t argue further…!”
“No no, the direction was a really good suggestion. Thanks, Ange.”
“Ugh…”
Even though I patted her head, Ange still looked a little disappointed.
“There, there, let’s drink some water and calm down a bit. I’ll serve everyone.”
“Oh, how considerate, Colette.”
“Thank you~”
“I’m sorry. To make Colette do something like this… Hey, wait a minute.”
I firmly grabbed Colette’s arm as she held the water pitcher.
“…Kelvin-sama, what is it?”
“Colette-kun, what kind of water is that? Where exactly did you get it from? I have a strong sense of recognition?”
Although the container was different, I remembered this water. I would never forget the fateful night in Delamis. And now, my Appraisal Eye reconfirmed Colette’s suspicion.
“It’s, it’s just pure water?”
“Pure water doesn’t contain aphrodisiac ingredients, does it?”
“Th-that’s, umm… Yes, it’s water that allows you to be honest with your feelings—AIIIIIIII!”
I applied an iron claw to Colette’s head. At this moment, status and gender didn’t matter. I used a strength that Colette could likely withstand.
“Why are you trying to drug me at this timing, you…?”
“To resolve accumulated frustration, a different direction of action is needed. Therefore, I thought this was the quickest method—EEEE!”
Being too intelligent is also a problem. Where faith should suppress, it has become uncontrollable. It was truly the right decision to send Rion and the others away. We were nearly on the verge of a major disaster. Oh, I can’t loosen my grip yet. I feel like Melfina is telling me to release my stress here.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch! But this is also a form of love in a way! Ultimately, it can be called a trial that tests my faith! When I think of it that way, the pain in my head strangely starts to feel good! No, I am now convinced that it is a sweet pleasure! Come, give me more, Kelvin-sama! I am now at a time of evolution!”
Colette’s breathing grew rougher, and her eyes became moist. Instead of repenting, this saintess has instantly found a new path… Is it possible that in this world, deviants are the strongest?
“Hey. I was just thinking, why not use Colette’s secret art to reinforce the ship so it doesn’t break, and then fight within a barrier? If we borrow a slightly larger room, it should be fine for now, right?”
” “…Ah.” ”
Sera’s casual remark, spoken as she turned a page of her book, completely solved the problem I was facing. After several days of turbulent days like this aboard the ship, we finally reached our destination sea area.
“Haa haa… Uhm, Kelvin-sama? Your grip is weakening—AAAH!”
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