It’s been one week since the duel and all the commotion that came with it.
Life hasn’t been different, even now that Edinburgh has her memories back.
If I were to point out a small change, it’s that Snow wants to be pampered by Reina even more.
“Mommy, mommy.”
Snow goes around Reina while she makes breakfast, wanting her to pay attention to her.
Normally Reina would tell her to stay away while she was cooking, but it’s like Reina being away for a while made Snow go back to being a baby.
No one can resist her when she’s like that, so this pampered kid is taking the opportunity to stick close to Reina.
“Wait until I’m done.”
“Yes.”
That said, it’s not like she’s getting in her way. She just wants to stay close to her, so we all find it adorable.
Another change.
“Father, I’m coming in.”
“Good morning.”
Edinburgh and Zephir enter the living room, and sit in their usual places.
She has her own home, but ever since that duel and reconciling with Reina, she’s here to have breakfast every day.
Wil lives with her, but since she doesn’t wake up in the morning unless it’s to play tricks on people, she’s usually asleep at this hour.
‘Oh well, it makes Snow happy.’
Said Reina, but I’m sure she doesn’t have a problem with it either.
I can tell that much after all the time we spent together.
◇ ◇ ◇
“Incidentally Mister Arata, have you spoken to Mister Arc lately?”
Asks Zephir as we chat after having breakfast.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen him too much lately. Did something happen?”
“He seems worn out… I’m a little concerned.”
Worn out leads me to imagine vulgar things… But Zephir isn’t the type to talk about that sort of thing early in the morning.
Arc has the fighting ability and stamina to be considered a hero, so if he’s visibly worn out, that really is worth noting.
I peek at Snow and the others playing in the living room.
Grr and Krr have recovered completely, and they’ve come to visit with Luna. And Tiltue looks happy too.
Snow is in a good mood, and with Katima also present, it’s the usual four having fun.
Edinburgh looking on really makes this a familiar sight.
“Should we ask now?”
“I will accompany you.”
The girls are chatting in the open area outside of the house.
Arc’s fiancees Ceres and Erie are Reina’s friends. Maybe it’s because they started relationships around the same time, but they seem to ask the others for advice a lot.
I wonder what they’re talking about, but I can’t listen in…
After the girl talk is over, Reina looks at me with an enthusiasm in her eyes, so they were probably talking about… That sort of thing.
I’m just glad they get along.
“Ah, Arata! Come here!”
As I pass by, thinking about talking to Arc, Erie calls out to me.
Ceres looks gloomy, so it looks like there’s some sort of trouble.
“What is it?”
“It’s… About Arc…”
They also tell me that Arc hasn’t been looking well.
He’s not sick or anything, it just feels like he doesn’t have energy.
Apparently he’s been up to something at night, but he’s not telling them.
“Ceres was wondering if his vitality was being sapped by a succubus.”
“The symptoms match…. I can’t imagine Arc of all people would be tempted, but…”
“Succubus? Is there even such a thing on this island?”
I’ve never heard of it. And I feel like if there were, there’s no reason why Wil wouldn’t use that on us.
That’s not much of a reason to say they don’t exist, but I’m pretty confident in it.
“Zephir and I were just talking about that, and we were going to talk to Arc, so I’ll ask.”
“Please. He might talk if it’s with other men…”
“He’s in bed right now, but I think he’s awake.”
I nod to both, who look worried, and go inside.
“A-Arata, and Zephir…”
“This… Looks worse than I heard.”
“Hahaha, sorry about my face.”
His cheeks are scrawny, and there’s no life to his expression.
He does have the weak face that would lead someone to believe a succubus was involved.
“Are you okay? I heard you’re not sick or anything, but…”
“Yes… I’ve been working to achieve a goal, but… It’s not going too well…”
“Please sit down. You should not be standing in that condition.”
“Hahaha…”
Arc normally has the kindness and strength you would expect from a hero, but now he looks like a salaryman that keeps staying up all night.
Zephir and I look at each other.
I’m reminded of myself when I worked for that black company, and Zephir thinks back to when he had to clean the messes of the other seven great mages without a moment to rest.
It’s easy to attribute this to overwork and lack of sleep, but I question that happening on this island.
What has he been doing?
I ask Zephir, and he whispers to me.
“Mister Arata… The women are listening in on us…”
“I see, but they’re just worried…”
“Mister Arc has also realized it, so we might not get the answer like this…”
That’s a problem.
He traveled with Erie and Ceres for a long time, so he must have a reason why he’s not telling them.
It might be to protect them from something, or maybe it’s a result of trust.
Then I should…
“Arc, let’s go to the hot spring.”
“Eh?”
It’s the best place to heal exhaustion!”
“I see… That is good. I just finished a new hot spring the other day, so consider yourselves invited.”
Arc is taken aback, but I grab him, and Zephir briskly gets what we need for a hot spring in the bathroom.
The girls are listening in inventively, but we shrug them off and jump out of the house, and head to the hot spring to spend some naked time.
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