Opportunity (3)
"Is this enough?"
The frequent promise to try on comfortable clothes.
Since the other party had suggested it so actively, there was no reason to refuse after coming all the way here.
I went ahead and tried on different clothes right away.
"It's a little... awkward."
I was wearing light, short-sleeved pajamas.
The thin fabric fluttered.
Both arms were clearly visible through it.
Since the short sleeves couldn't completely cover my body, I was exposed with all my numerous scars.
Cool air touched my skin, which had felt stuffy until just a moment ago.
As I stood frozen with an awkward feeling, a voice affirmed the outfit.
"It looks good."
It was Irene.
The girl standing next to me glanced at me for a moment, then nodded with a faint smile.
She looked strangely pleased.
I asked a question with an awkward smile.
"Isn't it a little strange? It's been so long since I've tried on clothes like these."
"It suits you well."
"That's a relief."
Even as I answered, I fiddled with the collar.
I had always insisted on wearing perfectly fitted suits, so wearing such loose clothes felt incredibly strange.
It was ironic that I felt uncomfortable in comfortable clothes.
'The kids would be surprised if they saw me like this.'
I was thinking about the members of the unit.
Since we had spent time together, quite a few of them knew about my scars, but I had never shown them such a relaxed appearance.
Rather, I had always maintained an unapproachable atmosphere.
Because I had to reign as their mental pillar and sole savior.
Even Neria, who had been by my side the longest, was the same.
'It reminds me of the old days.'
Getting sentimental over a mere piece of clothing.
I guess I'm getting old.
After shaking off unnecessary thoughts, I asked the fox watching me a question.
It was a way to clear my mind.
"By the way, I didn't know there were clothes like these in the closet. I thought there were only several suits..."
"I brought in a few."
"Hmm?"
"I got them when we went to the shopping district last time. They weren't that expensive, so you can throw them away and buy new ones if you don't like them."
"This is fine. It's the clothes that Lady Irene picked out herself."
"...I wasn't trying to make a big deal out of it."
"I will cherish them forever."
"Don't do that."
The fox retorted sharply.
But her body was honest.
Her orange tail swayed pleasantly.
Her folded fox ears perked up above her head, as if they had regained their energy.
A faint laugh escaped at her easy-to-read reaction.
"Puh."
"Why are you laughing all of a sudden?"
"It's nothing."
"How boring."
"I think I'm quite a sour person myself."
"...You know you're really not funny, right?"
As we exchanged light banter, the darkened scenery outside the window became visible.
"It's getting late. Shall we go to sleep?"
"Yeah. Let's."
We concluded our brief conversation.
A night to fall asleep for a busy tomorrow.
The two of us turned towards our respective rooms.
***
No.
I thought so.
"Good night."
A softly whispered voice.
I could feel a lukewarm breath beside me.
When I turned my head, I saw the fox lying next to me in the bed.
She had occupied a part of the bed.
"..."
Is this happening again today?
After the school trip, Irene had been falling asleep in my room instead of her own.
And always in the same bed.
Rustle-.
Following her restless movements, her lukewarm body warmth burrowed into my arms.
The girl was pressing herself close to me.
Since both of us were wearing thin pajamas, the sensation felt through the fabric was even more vivid.
Her soft skin clung to me, embracing my scars.
Perhaps it was because of our chests touching.
A heavy fleshy mass was pressed against my chest.
The blatant form was crushed by the force of the embrace, and only the sensation of soft pressure remained.
Our unstifled breaths mingled in the warmth.
'So close.'
Was this thought too obvious now?
I laughed it off nonchalantly.
Being hugged like this felt like I had become a pillow.
I pushed aside the strange feeling and softly asked the fox, who was still awake, a question.
It was a way to express my curiosity.
"Lady Irene."
"Yes."
"Why are you sleeping here instead of in your own bed?"
"Because it's comfortable."
"How straightforward."
"Does my presence bother you?"
"Not particularly. But I thought it would be better for you to sleep in your own room. My room only has one bed."
"..."
Irene fell silent.
A brief silence followed.
The indifferent atmosphere gradually crumbled.
Her ears drooped listlessly, and her slender fingers intertwined with mine as if to bind me.
The girl murmured faintly, as if sinking into water.
"...Just, let me stay by your side."
Her gaze looked up intently.
Her clear pupils held only my reflection.
Every time she reacted so pitifully, it felt wrong to push her away coldly.
In the end, I let it slide again.
I patted the girl's back with a calm gesture.
"Alright."
"Thank you."
"It wasn't really a problem. Don't worry about it and go to sleep."
"Yeah... Okay."
The fox finally closed her eyelids, which had been fluttering open.
I held her for a while until her shallow breathing calmed down.
Our body temperatures mingled like melted substances.
Leaning against each other, time marched towards dawn.
***
The time now indicated dawn.
Outside the window, only the faint moonlight and starlight-filled darkness painted the scenery.
It was a perfect night with no trace of dawn left.
Snuggle-.
The fox let out a soft breath.
The serpent glanced at the sleeping girl for a moment, then averted his gaze and sat up from his lying position.
His quiet steps led him away from the bed.
"..."
The liar was awake alone.
He sat down lightly on the sofa.
As if trying to recover his output during a brief respite, having overexerted himself for the past few days.
The serpent moved his lips as he opened a blue window.
"I confess to myself. I have never told a lie in my life."
The same thread of deception, repeated as always.
Soon after, a notification rang from the silent status window.
-Ding!
[A small amount of lies has been restored.]
[Current remaining output: 24.3%]
The boy continued his accumulation.
His voice, stretched out plainly, held no emotion.
He merely recited the sentences with cold eyes.
"I had stew for lunch today."
-Ding!
[A small amount of lies has been restored.]
[Current remaining output: 24.8%]
"I am outdoors right now."
-Ding!
[A small amount of lies has been restored.]
[Current remaining output: 25.2%]
"I hate games."
-Ding!
[A small amount of lies has been restored.]
[Current remaining output: 25.7%]
"I am not human."
-Ding!
[Lies have been...]
The continuation of lies went on for a while.
Until morning arrived.
The serpent spent the night repeating countless pretenses.
***
The next day.
I stopped by Astro's headquarters.
It was to hear the report on the attack that had occurred a few days ago.
I had heard that the key witness had regained consciousness, so I immediately headed to meet her.
I didn't take a carriage this time.
Instead, Lena came to pick me up herself.
"Let's go."
The black-haired woman held out her hand in front of the shimmering portal.
Thanks to her, I was able to arrive without delay.
After hearing a rough explanation of the situation from the vice captain, I met with the witness who was waiting in the hospital room.
She was a woman with long, white hair.
"Ms. Medro."
Medro Gardnier.
The Vicar General of the Church and the person in charge of the attacked Liszt branch.
She was also someone who cooperated with us.
I greeted her lightly and sat facing her.
"I was very worried, but... I'm glad to see you've recovered well."
"It's thanks to the grace you bestowed upon me, Commander."
I was worried because her energy seemed to have withered, but fortunately, she seemed to have recovered in the past few days.
The woman politely expressed her gratitude.
It was a generous gesture characteristic of church people.
"I heard that you performed a miracle once again. Thanks to the devotion you showed, countless sheep were saved. I express my infinite gratitude for this."
"A miracle, you say... It was just a trivial trick. Please don't mind it."
"Having prolonged my meager life through this precious connection, I believe there must be a divine will at play. Surely, Commander, you are a saint chosen by God."
"The members next to me are listening. Please stop, I'm embarrassed."
"As you wish."
Ignoring the embarrassing compliments of miracles, salvation, and sainthood, I steered the conversation back to its original purpose.
I began to inquire about the circumstances of the attack.
Of course, since it was a sudden incident, I couldn't obtain detailed information.
However, I was satisfied with grasping a faint silhouette.
"I don't know if this will be of any help, but... I saw a giant shadow in the darkness."
"A giant shadow, you say...?"
"It was an evil power. I don't know how much blood was sacrificed, but just encountering it felt like my faith was being tested."
"If Vicar General Medro felt that way, it must have been a disaster in reality."
"It was truly an ordeal."
"Hmm."
This was a pretty good harvest.
A giant shadow.
Knowing the original story, I had a rough idea.
Both the Conductor and this guy seemed to be appearing a little earlier than in the original, but it was fortunate that I was able to figure it out right away.
Because I could prepare more specifically for the upcoming crisis.
"I'll conclude the investigation here. You've been a great help."
"I'm glad I could be of assistance."
"You can stay here for a while. There's a high chance that the cultists are still watching you."
"Thank you for your grace. What about the other brothers and sisters who survived...?"
"I intend to protect them as well. However, I would appreciate it if the priests could assist us with our work."
"We are happy to answer your call."
"Hehe."
I gained a useful force through this incident.
Originally, Liszt was a gathering of priests to protect a region.
As such, it was a gathering of skilled and prominent individuals.
As someone who had to chase after Baob, the addition of these veterans was very welcome news.
I stood up from my seat with satisfaction.
'With this much... is one task done?'
It seemed like a decent conclusion.
I stepped out of the hospital room and headed to the next place on my agenda.
It was none other than the playroom where the children were gathered.
Read ahead by supporting me on Ko-fi. Access 5 advance chapters with the Irene's Blade Tier ($10) or 10 advance chapters with the Regia's Wings Tier ($18)!
Join our discord server for latest release updates and novel discussions.
Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel. Bonus chapters on reaching milestones.
Happy reading!